The Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) in Spain has altered its plans regarding the upcoming El Clásico official, moving away from Alejandro Hernández Hernández after journalist Roberto Gómez reported the shift.
Speaking on the program La Tribu on Radio Marca, Gómez linked this turn of events to José Mourinho’s objections over the referee’s name being leaked well ahead of the usual appointment schedule.
“Hernández Hernández was the referee who was going to officiate the match. Hernández Hernández will not manage the game,” Gómez stated, confirming that the initial leading candidate is now out of contention, according to his information.
Explaining the rationale behind the change of direction, he added: “What they don’t want is to give Mourinho ammunition,” pointing to a desire among refereeing officials to avoid handing the Portuguese manager new grounds for protest ahead of the clash.
Mourinho had expressed surprise at learning the prospective referee’s identity so far in advance, whereas the initial candidacy of Hernández Hernández was grounded in his international experience and ability to manage a match of Barcelona and Real Madrid’s magnitude.
Gómez floated Javier Alberola Rojas and José María Sánchez Martínez as potential alternative candidates, without confirming either selection or revealing a final decision regarding the officiating team.
Sources close to the Spanish Football Federation had previously denied any official appointment for El Clásico when Hernández Hernández’s name first circulated, making these developments a shift in internal nominations rather than the cancellation of a formal announcement.
Barcelona host Real Madrid on Sunday, October 25, at the Camp Nou, following a European week in which the Catalan side face Paris Saint-Germain while the Madrid club meet RB Leipzig, amid keen anticipation for the official refereeing announcement.
