Overview

• Fran Soto Balirac has been appointed president of the new Comité Técnico de Árbitros to lead a functional, role-based overhaul.
• Chema Alonso joins the committee as advisor for Technological Innovation and Artificial Intelligence in officiating.
• David Fernández Borbalán will serve as technical director, Eduardo Prieto Iglesias heads VAR, Yolanda Parga leads women’s refereeing, Marta Frías Acedo manages international relations and Álvaro Cid Bragado oversees futsal, beach and wheelchair football.
• The committee replaces the traditional junta with specialized roles to promote transparency, independence and meritocracy.
• These reforms address the Negreira and Rubiales controversies and align Spain’s officiating governance with international best practices.