Referee Munuera Montero: “My parents don’t deserve this… What kind of sport are we creating with football?”
Spanish referee José Luis Munuera Montero has been thrust into the media spotlight following an investigation by the Royal Spanish Football Federation into his alleged connection with a sports consultancy firm. This association raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest with his role as a referee. Montero promptly denied these claims and later gave an interview to clarify the situation.
In his statement, Montero vehemently rejected any financial ties to sports organizations, saying, “I have never received a single penny from any sports entity, ever.” He explained that he had immediately contacted the federation upon learning of the allegations to address what he called “false information and lies.”
The referee expressed deep concern about the impact of these accusations on his family. “My nephews are being vilified, my nine siblings are being harassed, and my 80-year-old father… I’d better not say more,” he lamented. Montero questioned the direction football culture is taking, asking, “What kind of sport are we creating with football? Are we controlling violence or promoting it?”
Regarding his recent performance in the Osasuna-Real Madrid match, Montero downplayed any controversy, stating, “I haven’t given Saturday’s match a second thought. People shouldn’t believe everything they read.” He confirmed that he would not be officiating this week, explaining that it was a routine rotation and his own decision to step back until the situation is resolved.
Montero clarified his role in the consultancy firm, emphasizing that it primarily involves giving motivational speeches and providing free job listings for young people in sports. He stressed that there was no conflict of interest or financial gain from this venture.
In conclusion, the referee acknowledged that errors in officiating are inevitable: “As long as Munuera Montero is on the field or in VAR, he will continue to make mistakes. We are professionals with families who want the best for football and don’t want to fail. But as long as we are human, we will continue to make mistakes.”