Martinez Munuera returns to oversee Real Madrid’s La Liga clash with Malaga

The Spanish Football Federation has appointed Juan Martinez Munuera to referee Real Madrid’s La Liga meeting with Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, a fixture that revives scrutiny of an official previously criticised by the club and its supporters.

Daniel Jesus Trujillo will serve as the Video Assistant Referee for the match.

Martinez Munuera has extensive experience of taking charge of Real Madrid games. He has refereed 40 of the club’s La Liga matches, during which Real Madrid have recorded 26 wins, nine draws and five defeats.

His appointment is nevertheless likely to attract attention because of the controversy that has surrounded him at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid supporters and the club’s administration have previously criticised the referee, with the club filing a complaint over details included in his report from one of their matches during the 2023-24 season.

The official’s most recent Real Madrid fixture at the Bernabeu came in the final home match of last season, when he took charge of the meeting with Athletic Club. Real Madrid won that game 4-2.

Despite the debate surrounding Martinez Munuera, Real Madrid have not lost a La Liga home match refereed by him since the 2022-23 season. That record will be tested again when Malaga visit the Spanish capital.

Martinez Munuera has also officiated 12 La Liga matches involving Malaga. The Andalusian side won five of those games, drew two and lost five. His most recent match involving Malaga came in the 2017-18 season.

Wednesday’s fixture will be the second meeting between Real Madrid and Malaga to be overseen by Martinez Munuera. The first took place during the 2013-14 campaign, when Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory at La Rosaleda.

The referee’s appointment therefore links the upcoming game with two separate strands of recent history: Real Madrid’s unbeaten home record under Martinez Munuera in La Liga since 2022-23, and the earlier complaint made by the club regarding his match report.

Real Madrid will begin the match as the side with the stronger record under the appointed referee, while Malaga will look to improve their results from the 12 previous La Liga games in which Martinez Munuera has been in charge. The match at the Santiago Bernabeu will also provide a fresh chapter in the referee’s long-running involvement with both clubs.