Real Madrid receive boost as Clasico referee reports are denied

Reports that Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez will referee the Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid have been rejected, with the appointment yet to be decided.

Radio Marca reported that Hernandez Hernandez had been selected for the match at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, 25 October. However, Archivo VAR, an account specialising in refereeing matters, said the referee was not among the candidates being considered.

The account, which assesses refereeing performances in La Liga and Segunda Division and has close links with the referees’ committee, said the appointments panel had not yet met. The identity of the referee for the Clasico therefore remains unknown.

Sport also contacted official sources within the Spanish federation, who confirmed that a new policy is being followed for referee appointments. The names will be announced only 24 hours before matches.

Madrid concerns over Hernandez Hernandez

There had been discontent among voices close to Real Madrid at the possibility of Hernandez Hernandez taking charge. The referee, who comes from the Canary Islands, has overseen six Clasicos during his career.

Those matches have produced three Barcelona wins, two draws and one victory for Real Madrid.

According to Sport, however, the refereeing controversy surrounding those fixtures is more evenly balanced than the complaints coming from Madrid might suggest.

On 23 April 2017, Barcelona won 3-2 at Santiago Bernabeu in a match that reignited the title race. Lionel Messi scored his famous 93rd-minute winner and celebrated by holding up his shirt in front of the Real Madrid supporters.

The main disputed incidents included an elbow from Marcelo that left Messi bleeding, and a foul by Casemiro to stop a counter-attack despite the midfielder already having been booked.

Hernandez Hernandez also took charge of the 2018 Clasico at Camp Nou, which finished 2-2. Real Madrid were angered by two incidents: a possible foul in the build-up to Messi’s second goal, which put Barcelona 2-1 ahead, and a penalty appeal that was rejected after Jordi Alba challenged Marcelo.

Barcelona went on to win the league title that season.

Recent controversy

The most recent Clasico in 2025, played at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic, was also affected by a disputed decision. Barcelona’s 4-3 victory secured the league title, but supporters did not forget an incident in which the ball clearly struck Aurelien Tchouameni’s arm inside the penalty area.

Hernandez Hernandez did not award a penalty.

Sport concluded: “For now, the identity of the Clasico referee remains unknown. But it is clear that neither side will be satisfied with whoever is chosen.”