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Even thirteen Spanish Primera Division players will avoid disqualifications in the upcoming round this weekend and will be able to represent their teams after Spanish referees decided to protest against the appeal review system of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Last weekend, referees did not specify in the match protocols, as required, the reasons why yellow cards were given to thirteen players. The referees simply cited "unsporting behavior" as the reason.
"We had to overturn all yellow cards because referees did not explain why they were given," said RFEF disciplinary committee president Alfredo Florez. "Our rules require reasons to be specified. I believe the referees deliberately did not explain their decisions, protesting against our interference in their work and undermining their authority."
Only two players - Santander's "Racing" goalkeeper Pedro Munitis and Valencia's "Levante" goalkeeper Felix Ettien - have been disqualified from the 35th round of matches.
The Spanish media rushed to report that a decision made two weeks ago, when the RFEF overturned a yellow card given to Real Madrid star David Beckham for time-wasting in a match against Athletic Bilbao, caused immense dissatisfaction among referees. It would have been Beckham's fifth yellow card and he would have been automatically disqualified for one match.
After the club's appeal, the player was allowed to play in the crucial match against "Sevilla" on May 6.
Overturning appeals and referee decisions has become quite common in Spain.
"They change referee decisions sitting on the couch and watching videos. It's very easy to referee in front of a TV screen, but it shows disrespect for our work," said one Spanish referee, who did not want to disclose his name.
