Javier Alberola Rojas

Javier Alberola Rojas, born on June 22, 1991 in Ciudad Real, is a Spanish referee who officiates in the La Liga since the 2017-2018 season. Standing at 1.90 meters tall, he is characterized by an imposing presence on the field. Before his promotion, he refereed matches in the Second Division for two seasons, gaining experience and demonstrating his worth in lower categories.

Regarding his refereeing style, Alberola Rojas is known for his balanced judgment, combining strict enforcement of the rules with effective communication with the players. This duality allows him to maintain control of the matches without resorting excessively to disciplinary sanctions, promoting a fluid and fair game.

One of the most notable matches in his career was the Madrid derby between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid in the 2023-2024 season. In that match, Alberola Rojas disallowed a goal by Eduardo Camavinga for a supposed positional offside, a decision that sparked controversy and was widely debated in the media. Despite the criticisms, he stood firm in his decision, demonstrating his character and conviction in upholding the rules.

Furthermore, he has been involved in other controversial situations. For instance, in a match between Real Madrid and Betis, he did not award three possible penalties in favor of the white team, leading Real Madrid Television to describe each league title won by the club as a “sporting miracle” due to refereeing decisions like this. 

Outside the refereeing sphere, Alberola Rojas holds a degree in Psychology from Isabel I University, giving him a profound understanding of human dynamics, which he applies in managing matches and interacting with players.