The FC Barcelona already knows the referee responsible for officiating their match on Saturday, October 26th against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced through its social media that José María Sánchez Martínez will be the main referee in the Clásico, assisted by Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz in the VAR.

Sánchez Martínez, 41 years old, has experience in officiating matches for both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid on several occasions, having refereed the Blaugranas in 34 matches and the Whites in 35 matches, making them the most frequent teams in his professional career. At this point, both teams have a good record when Sánchez Martínez is the referee: Barça has achieved 26 wins, two draws, and six losses, while Madrid has secured 23 victories, seven draws, and five defeats.

Furthermore, Sánchez Martínez has had the opportunity to officiate a total of six matches between the Blaugranas and the Whites, with a fairly balanced record, with three wins for each team:

  • - 2017-18 Season - Spanish Super Cup (Second leg): Real Madrid 2-0 FC Barcelona
  • - 2017-18 Season - LaLiga (Matchday 17): Real Madrid 0-3 FC Barcelona
  • - 2018-19 Season - LaLiga (Matchday 10): FC Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid
  • - 2018-19 Season - Copa del Rey (Semifinal - Second leg): Real Madrid 0-3 FC Barcelona
  • - 2021-22 Season - LaLiga (Matchday 10): FC Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
  • - 2022-23 Season - LaLiga (Matchday 9): Real Madrid 3-1 FC Barcelona

Sánchez Martínez, a relatively controversy-free referee in El Clásico

Speaking of contentious actions in El Clásico to the detriment of FC Barcelona, the Murcian referee has hardly had any notable decisions. Perhaps, serving as the main referee, the most relevant plays occurred in the La Liga Clásico at the Bernabéu in the 2022-23 season (3-1).

There were a couple of actions that sparked various reactions from different sectors. The first was a penalty awarded to Rodrygo for a foul by Eric García, which sparked debates on whether the action truly warranted a penalty kick, to the extent that it had to be reviewed by the VAR. Additionally, in that match, a takedown by Dani Carvajal on Robert Lewandowski, a clear foul in which the right-back brought down the forward from behind inside the box, with no action taken, not even a review by the VAR.