Real Madrid and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have reached a tentative agreement to explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the appointment and evaluation of referees, according to the latest report.
Why Real Madrid Supports AI in Spanish Football?
The move comes at a time when the sport’s integrity in Spain continues to be scrutinized in the wake of the ongoing ‘Nigreira case’, which is an infamous scandal that has cast a long shadow over domestic competition involving Spanish football club FC Barcelona and José María Enríques Negreira.
The initiative could improve the selection process of referees for matches and be assessed at the end of each season. According to Spanish daily AS, both LaLiga and RFEF are studying the implementation of an AI-based tool that would help determine referee assignment and decide who avoids relegation to lower divisions.
It is an annual decision currently based on performance data and overseen by the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA).
The proposal has found an unlikely but notable ally in Real Madrid, a club often at the center of heated refereeing debates. Under the leadership of club president Florentino Pérez, Los Blancos have reportedly welcomed the prospect of AI integration. The technological integration would help them to bring greater objectivity and transparency.
However, the use of AI in this context is not about removing the human intervention completely. The purpose of the AI tool is to enhance fairness through data-based analysis.
If implemented, the tool will analyze numerous metrics before suggesting referees for specific fixtures.
It would also contribute to the end-of-season evaluation process. It helps in determining which officials continue at the top level and which are relegated to officiate in the Segunda Division.
The RFEF, led by Rafael Louzán, has been in regular dialogue with Real Madrid and other top-tier clubs to navigate this reform. Although institutional resistance remains in pockets of both LaLiga and the Federation.
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