Juan Martinez to referee Barcelona v Real Madrid in fifth El Clasico

Juan Martinez will take charge of Sunday’s El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, the headline fixture of matchweek 10 in La Liga.

The two Spanish giants will meet at 23:00 Cairo time on Sunday.

The 44-year-old referee has officiated five La Liga matches this season. Among them were Real Madrid’s 4-0 victory over Malaga and Sevilla’s 3-1 defeat by Barcelona.

Javier Iglesias will serve as the video assistant referee for the match.

This will be Martinez’s fifth El Clasico after he previously refereed four meetings between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Martinez’s previous El Clasico appointments

His first came in the 2020-21 season, when Real Madrid beat Barcelona 3-1 at Camp Nou in La Liga.

In the 2021-22 season, Martinez oversaw Barcelona’s 4-0 victory over Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu, also in La Liga.

His third El Clasico was the second leg of the 2022-23 Copa del Rey semi-final. Real Madrid won 4-0 at Camp Nou.

Martinez’s most recent appointment came in the 2023-24 season, when Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 4-1 in the Spanish Super Cup final.

Barcelona lead La Liga with 27 points from a perfect record.

Real Madrid are third on 21 points, with Atletico de Madrid between the two sides on 22 points.