Serious Allegations Surface in Spanish Futsal Match

Nicolás Sabariego, sports director of Jaén Paraíso Interior, has brought forth concerning accusations regarding a December 28 First Division futsal match. According to Sabariego, players from Servigroup Peñíscola allegedly directed racist comments toward two Jaén players: Venezuelan Carlos Sanz and Renato Lopes, a Spanish international of Cape Verdean descent.

Speaking on the Jaén’s ‘Futsalmanía’ program, Sabariego expressed his dismay at witnessing racial abuse in modern sports. Though serving a suspension that kept him from the bench, he observed the incidents from the box. He particularly criticized referees Jorge González Moreta and Luis Sánchez Chamorro for failing to document the alleged xenophobic behavior in their match report.

The situation extends beyond this single incident. Sabariego voiced broader concerns about officiating standards in the First Division. Questioning the consistency of foul calls and the apparent reluctance to award sixth fouls to teams. His frustration had previously manifested in a December 21 match against Barça, where he received a red card for confronting officials about their perceived bias.

Broader Administrative Concerns

The controversy has sparked a larger discussion about the state of Spanish futsal administration. Sabariego, who once supported transferring competition management from the National Futsal League (LNFS) to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in 2019, now expresses regret over this change. He claims the sport’s condition has deteriorated under RFEF oversight.

In his candid interview, Sabariego criticized the National Futsal Committee’s leadership under José Miguel Monje and Antonio García Plata, suggesting that personal interests have overshadowed the sport’s collective needs. Despite his criticisms, Sabariego emphasized his commitment to futsal’s development, expressing willingness to collaborate with any organization genuinely focused on improving the sport.

Reflecting on past decisions, Sabariego acknowledged both the successes and shortcomings of the LNFS’s previous management. He maintains openness to future proposals from either the League or RFEF, provided they demonstrate genuine commitment to advancing the sport’s interests.

The situation highlights ongoing challenges in Spanish futsal, from addressing racism at the match level to resolving broader administrative and organizational issues affecting the sport’s development.