In a significant development for European football officiating, Carlos Clos Gómez has been named the new president of the refereeing commission for the Czech Republic. The appointment, confirmed on Wednesday, sees the Spanish official take on the top role overseeing match officials in the Central European nation.
Clos Gómez brings a wealth of experience to his new position. He most recently served as the head of VAR operations for Spain's Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), working alongside prominent figures such as Sánchez Arminio, Velasco Carballo, and Luis Medina Cantalejo. His tenure in Spain was marked by his involvement in the integration and oversight of video assistant referee technology.
The announcement draws a line under his extensive career in Spanish football administration. Before his VAR role, Clos Gómez was a top-flight referee in La Liga, officiating hundreds of matches across more than a decade. His transition into administrative roles was seen as a natural progression, leveraging his on-field experience to shape referee standards.
His move to the Czech Republic represents a continental shift in his career. As the new head of refereeing, he will be responsible for the training, evaluation, and performance of referees in the Czech league system, as well as representing Czech officiating in UEFA and FIFA forums. The appointment is seen as an effort to modernize and raise the standards of refereeing in the country.
Spanish refereeing circles have reacted positively to the news. The CTA issued a statement congratulating Clos Gómez, highlighting his dedication and professionalism. His departure from the Spanish federation leaves a vacancy in the VAR department, but sources suggest that a successor will be named shortly.
The Czech Football Association expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, noting that Clos Gómez's international experience and technical expertise will be invaluable. They anticipate improvements in consistency and use of technology, particularly as the Czech league explores further integration of VAR.
Clos Gómez's new role is effective immediately. He will relocate to Prague in the coming weeks to begin his tenure. His first major task will be to oversee the upcoming season's referee assignments and to initiate training programs for officials.
Based on reporting from Fútbol.