The Spanish Association of Football Referees (AESAF) has called for disciplinary proceedings to be opened against Real Madrid president Florentino Perez following his rants this week
.Perez went on the attack and criticised referees, the media, and Barcelona. He also claimed Los Blancos had been robbed of league titles due to match officials.
“I’ve won seven Champions Leagues and only seven LaLiga titles. It could have been 14, but they were stolen from me,” he said.
His comments have now brought a strong
response from the AESAF.
“The Spanish Association of Football Referees denounces the statements made by the president of Real Madrid in the press conference of May 12 and in the interview broadcast on La Sexta on May 13, 2026, in which he accused the refereeing establishment of systemic corruption, theft of titles and illicit enrichment.
“AESAF believes that these statements cannot be justified under the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression or sports criticism, given that Mr. Pérez does not merely point out isolated refereeing errors, but rather accuses the refereeing body of perpetrating a continuous crime of corruption over two decades. Furthermore, AESAF emphasizes that the president of Real Madrid acts at all times as the highest institutional representative of one of the world’s most high-profile clubs, which amplifies the damaging impact of his words and increases his responsibility.
“AESAF also requests that the Competition Committee, as a precautionary and urgent measure, order Mr. Pérez to cease issuing similar statements while the proceedings are underway; that he be required to compensate the Refereeing Association for the moral, reputational, and professional damage caused; and that Real Madrid CF be required to issue a public statement of rectification and apology.
“In the opinion of AESAF, Mr. Pérez’s statements constitute a serious, unjustified, and systematic attack on the professional and institutional honor of the Refereeing Association, without any basis in a final judicial ruling. AESAF, in fulfilling its statutory function of defending the refereeing profession, has acted with the utmost diligence to protect the dignity and moral integrity of football referees in Spain.”
Barcelona have already issued a statement to confirm they are considering legal action which led to a swift response from Perez. “Barça would do very well to sue me. If they think they have to do it, let them do it,” he told La Sexta.
Perez was then met by angry fans when Real Madrid returned to action against Real Oviedo on Thursday. Two banners criticising the club president were removed by security in a game which saw Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr booed by supporters.
