La Liga has unveiled a series of major refereeing reforms for the 2025–26 season, aimed at boosting transparency, easing pressure on officials, and ensuring more actual playing time.
A key change is the introduction of clock-stopping whenever the ball goes out of play, ensuring fans get the full amount of active football.
Another update sees referee appointments announced just one day before matches — always by 16:00 local time — instead of a week earlier, a move intended to protect officials from outside influence.
In line with the new IFAB rules, only team captains will be allowed to speak to referees for clarification on major incidents like penalties, red cards, or disallowed goals.
La Liga will also start offering public explanations for VAR reviews and major refereeing calls. Marta FrÃas, a well-known figure in Spanish refereeing, is set to appear publicly or via social media to explain why certain decisions were made, aiming to “bridge the gap” between fans and match officials.
These changes represent one of the most significant shake-ups in Spanish top-flight officiating in years — and perhaps, fewer complaints from Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid.
Source: La Liga website