The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has launched a serious procedure against José Luis Munuera, the referee of the Osasuna vs Real Madrid match. At the heart of a major controversy in Spain, bad news keeps piling up for the official, who is known to be pro-Catalan.
José Luis Munuera is in deep trouble in Spain. Criticised for his controversial officiating during the 24th round of La Liga between Osasuna and Real Madrid on Saturday night, the FIFA international referee—who sent off Jude Bellingham and turned a blind eye to two penalties in favour of the Madrid side—is now under investigation. Dropped from officiating duties for the upcoming 25th round of La Liga due to the ongoing controversy, the referee now faces severe consequences in Spain.
José Luis Munuera in serious danger
According to Diario AS, the RFEF has officially launched an investigation into José Manuel Munuera Montero’s off-the-field activities. Beyond being accused of having pro-Catalan leanings, the referee is under scrutiny for his private business ventures. Munuera is the founder of Talentus Sports, a company dedicated to sports consulting and management, which has numerous clients, including institutions such as LaLiga, UEFA, RFEF, and several professional clubs. Reports suggest that Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, Aston Villa, and PSG are among those linked to his firm.
Specifically, the RFEF is investigating whether these activities may conflict with Article 9.1 of the regulatory code, which applies “when individuals subject to this rule (including referees) have secondary interests that may interfere with the fulfilment of their professional duties.” Recent reports indicate that Munuera’s business dealings have raised red flags within the Spanish Football Federation, whose compliance department is now examining whether there is a potential conflict of interest.
If found guilty, José Luis Munuera could face a fine of up to €100,000 and a suspension from refereeing for up to five years. It is worth noting that referees are required to declare any external activities that could be deemed incompatible with their role. At present, the investigation is still in its early stages, and the RFEF is gathering evidence.
Damning revelations about Munuera
Since his controversial performance that cost Real Madrid two crucial points on Saturday night, José Luis Munuera’s past has come under renewed scrutiny. As seen in images circulating online, the referee was caught celebrating a Celta Vigo goal against Real Madrid in 2019 while inside the VAR room. Furthermore, recent pictures of the mansion that serves as Munuera’s company headquarters have revealed a giant mural of Lionel Messi.
Given Munuera’s questionable decisions against Real Madrid—who have been engaged in an open battle against Spanish referees for months—it is hard to dismiss the notion of a conflict of interest. The hope now is that the investigation launched by the Royal Spanish Football Federation will lead to clear conclusions.
On Monday, José Ángel Sánchez, Florentino Pérez’s right-hand man, held discussions with Medina Cantalejo, the head of Spanish referees, regarding ongoing refereeing scandals. It seems that things are finally moving in Spain in an effort to clean up an increasingly controversial refereeing environment.
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