Overview

• Francisco Soto Balirac presented the reconstituted Comité Técnico de Árbitros on July 21 as part of a broad arbitration governance overhaul.
• Chema Alonso was named advisor for technological innovation and AI to guide the development of referee-selection algorithms while stressing he will not make final assignment decisions.
• The revamped panel includes David Fernández Borbalán as technical head, Eduardo Prieto Iglesias on VAR, Marta Frías Acedo as spokesperson and international relations chief, Yolanda Parga overseeing women’s refereeing, and Álvaro Cid Bragado leading futsal and wheelchair football.
• Reforms are grounded in transparency, independence, meritocracy and unity, reflecting RFEF president Rafael Louzán’s push to restore confidence after recent arbitration controversies.
• Preparations are underway to deploy AI-based tools in the upcoming season for referee assignments and performance oversight.