The First Division refereeing opens to a new phase of transparency and communication after the introduction of post-match interviews. Starting on the eleventh day, the referees will not only give a pre-match interview, but will also be given the opportunity to speak at the end of the game, both on the Movistar broadcast and on Dazn. The measure, announced on October 22 by the Referees Association (CTA), will initially apply to the top category, although its extension to the Second Division in the future is not ruled out.
The first match in which this novelty will be seen in action is the duel between Levante UD and Atlético de Madrid, scheduled for Saturday at Ciudad de Levante. The referee designated by the CTA for this event will be revealed during the morning, along with the person in charge of the second match of the day, which will be held between Villarreal CF and Espanyol. The decision to include post-match interviews adds to other visibility initiatives, such as the presence of cameras in the referees' locker rooms and the use of REFCam during matches.
The second match that will feature this practice is the Basque derby between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, scheduled for Sunday at the San Mamés Stadium. As in the case of Levante-Atlético, the referee who referees the match will be announced the day before, which will allow fans to know the identity of the referee before the match starts.
This initiative represents a historic milestone for Spanish arbitration, marking a decisive step towards openness and accountability to the public. The measure reinforces the CTA's position of promoting transparency and direct communication between referees and football fans, offering a more complete view of decisions made on the field. With the implementation of these post-match interviews, it is expected that fans will gain a clearer understanding of the criteria and processes that guide the performance of referees in the top category of Spanish football.