Spain: first collective agreement between RFEF and professional women’s referees

Rafael Louzán, president of the Real Federacion Espanola de Futbol (RFEF), and Valentín Pizarro, president of the AESAF (Asociación Española de Árbitros de Fútbol / Spanish Football Referees’ Association), have signed the first women’s collective agreement governing the rights and obligations of professional referees and assistant referees in their employment relationship with the federation, the governing body announced on 27 October 2026.

"This is the first collective agreement specific to professional women referees, which marks progress in consolidating labour law and the professionalisation of this group within Spanish women’s football. This agreement is the result of a process of negotiation and continued collaboration between the parties concerned. It is a further example of the…