Jesus Gil Manzano appointed referee for Elche v Real Madrid

Jesus Gil Manzano will referee Real Madrid’s La Liga meeting with Elche at the Martinez Valero on Tuesday evening, with Raul Martin Gonzalez appointed as the video assistant referee (VAR).

The appointment renews a fixture that has produced mixed memories for Real Madrid supporters. Gil Manzano has previously faced criticism from the club’s fans, while Real Madrid’s television channel has broadcast several reports examining his refereeing decisions.

Much of that scrutiny followed his decision to disallow Jude Bellingham’s late goal during Real Madrid’s match against Valencia at Mestalla.

Gil Manzano has taken charge of 51 matches involving Real Madrid across all competitions. The club have won 42 of those games, drawn six and lost three.

Real Madrid are unbeaten in their past 22 matches refereed by Gil Manzano. Their most recent defeat under his supervision came in 2020.

The Spanish official has also refereed two previous meetings between Real Madrid and Elche. His first came during the 2022-23 season, when Real Madrid won 3-0.

He was then appointed for another meeting between the sides at the Santiago Bernabeu last season, with Real Madrid recording a 4-1 victory. Tuesday’s fixture will therefore be the third time Gil Manzano has overseen a match between the clubs.

Elche’s record with the referee is considerably less positive. Gil Manzano has officiated eight of the club’s La Liga matches, with Elche winning one, drawing two and losing five, according to the figures from their previous games under him.

The most recent of those matches was Elche’s 4-1 defeat by Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu last season.

The referee and both teams will meet again on Tuesday, this time at the Martinez Valero.