Newly-appointed Referees Committee president addresses RMTV videos – ‘Have to reset the clock’ | OneFootball

Francisco Soto, the newly-appointed president of the Referees’ Technical Committee (CTA) of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), was asked various issues in a recent interview.

However, Soto chose to steer clear of any controversy, mostly remaining coy on key matters such as RMTV videos and the Negreira case.

Francisco Soto on RMTV videos

“This is a new era and we have to reset the clock. This is not the time to get into controversy,” Soto said (h/t Mundo Deportivo), when asked directly about the Real Madrid case.

He urged for a spirit of cooperation: “Trust, empathy, and we will all help each other. We will fight for the mutual good of refereeing. We will build, we will put the controversies of the past behind us. The future will be much better for everyone.”

Soto’s comments come in the midst of a Spanish court’s order to reopen the disciplinary case against Real Madrid over their controversial referee-targeting videos on Real Madrid TV.

The court ruling came after LaLiga successfully challenged the initial closure of the case, with the judge stating that the content of RMTV’s videos could violate multiple articles of the RFEF’s Disciplinary Code.

Real Madrid may have to go through legal trouble once again due to RMTV videos (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

It further argued that the videos posed a threat to the integrity of the competition and the honour of the officiating community.

Soto, though, remained tight-lipped on this matter. He maintained a similar tone even when asked about club’s gestures like giving gifts.

“I’ve just arrived. We have to find the most appropriate solutions for each situation.” He added, “I will defend the refereeing community to the bitter end. I am confident that this situation will not occur in this new phase.”

Francisco Soto on Negreira case

Soto was not only asked about Real Madrid’s videos. He was also asked about the ongoing Negreira case involved FC Barcelona.

In response, the CTA president said, “I haven’t seen Negreira, nor do I know him. This is when a new era, a new air, is emerging. It makes no sense for us to get involved in something that’s already been judicialized.”

Soto added that his “office will be open to all clubs,” hinting that his tenure as CTA president will focus on transparency and openness – something that has been sorely missed in the Spanish refereeing framework in recent years.