Flick Calls for Protection of Referees in LaLiga

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick speaks out against abuse of referees in LaLiga, calling for greater respect and protection.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has urged players and coaches to respect referees, following the backlash against LaLiga referee Jose Munuera Montero. Montero was subjected to tens of thousands of abusive comments, including death threats, on social media after showing a red card to Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham during a 1-1 draw against Osasuna. Flick emphasized the importance of protecting referees, saying, “It's very important to have the referees and... at the moment what they are doing here in Spain with them (referees) is unbelievable. You have to think about their families also.”

Flick acknowledged that referees, like everyone else, can make mistakes, but stressed that it is the responsibility of coaches and players to protect and respect them. “Everyone makes mistakes... I think it's the responsibility of the coaches and also of the players to protect them,” he said. Flick also expressed trust in the VAR system and called on the federation to demonstrate its strength in supporting referees. “Now we have the VAR and we have to trust in them. The federation has to show how strong it is. This is very important... We have to change a little bit these things because they (referees) are human,” he told reporters.

🚨 Hansi Flick's squad for #LasPalmasBarça! pic.twitter.com/Y4X2xwLTi3

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 21, 2025

Flick's comments come ahead of Barcelona's match against Las Palmas on Saturday. The Barcelona manager's remarks highlight the need for greater respect and protection for referees in LaLiga, following the disturbing abuse directed at Montero. By speaking out, Flick aims to promote a more positive and respectful attitude towards referees in Spanish football.

Barcelona currently sits atop the LaLiga table, tied with Real Madrid on 51 points and just one point ahead of third-placed Atletico Madrid. As the team prepares to face Las Palmas on Saturday, manager Hansi Flick is already looking ahead to their Copa del Rey semi-final match against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Flick may opt to rotate his players against relegation-threatened Las Palmas, who are currently in 17th place with 23 points. “We have one more training session today and we'll decide later (about resting players).”

Nah. 🫷 pic.twitter.com/FcJraBGhUa

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 21, 2025

Flick emphasized the importance of balancing his team's immediate needs with their upcoming schedule, which includes the Copa del Rey semi-final and the international break next month. “We always focus on the next game but we also have to think about Atletico. The important game is Las Palmas,” he said. Flick also highlighted the physical demands on his players, saying, “The team is at a good physical level but we also have to think about the next games. There is the international break (next month) and our players are also playing... We have to know what the players can give us.”

Goals is the name of the game. 💥 pic.twitter.com/qiEyVAJKod

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 21, 2025