Referees in Spain have started the ball rolling and will carry sponsorship on their shirts from next season, the country's football federation (RFEF) said this week. The RFEF have signed a fiveyear deal worth a minimum of £9.19 million with a sports marketing firm that will now look for potential sponsors.

The move comes a week after Barcelona ruled out carrying shirt sponsorship for the forseeable future. That now leaves the door open for the high-profile referees to increase their earnings considerably at a time when they are increasingly being criticised by managers and players. The Spanish Cup final will no longer be simply a prestigeous award for services rendered, but a lucrative appointment for the whistlers. Watch this space for other referee organisations following suit.