La Liga to introduce post-match interviews with referees

La Liga will introduce post-match interviews with referees starting this coming weekend, a first in the history of Spanish football. Organisers say at least two match officials will be interviewed on camera after games as part of the expanded programme.

At the start of the season La Liga launched a new practice in which referees give short interviews before matches. The measure was initiated by the Refereeing Committee and has involved television journalists from the broadcasters that hold transmission rights.

Now the league and the Refereeing Committee are going a step further: in addition to the pre-match appearances, referees will be invited to speak to cameras immediately after selected fixtures. The change will take effect this weekend, when a minimum of two referees are scheduled to appear on broadcast.

Basque derby among the first

One of the first occasions to hear a referee’s post-match comments will be the Basque derby: Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad, played on Sunday at 21:00 at San Mamés, where the match’s central referee will make on-camera remarks after the final whistle.

League officials say the move is intended to protect and promote a positive image of match officials. Organisers describe the measure as a “revolutionary” effort to increase transparency and give referees a more visible platform to explain decisions.

How clubs, players and supporters will react remains to be seen, but the step marks a clear attempt by La Liga and the Refereeing Committee to open a new channel of communication between referees and the public. Published: October 30, 2026, 14:30.

Photo: press material from the event