Since suffering an injury, Antonio Mateu Lahoz can no longer officiate this weekend’s Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Valdebebas. Therefore, Jesus Gil Manzano was selected by the Professional Competition Refereeing Committee (CACP). Read more about Gil Manzano to referee El Clasico below.
Mateu Lahoz was praised for his success as a referee during Bayern Munich’s Champions League quarter-final match against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, and it was hoped that he would top off a busy week with the Clasico. There was a possibility that Jose Luis Munuera Montero would replace Mateu Lahoz, but now it will be Gil Manzano, who was supposed to rest this weekend.
The last-minute referee substitution previously presided over a Clasico in Matchday 9 of the 2014/15 season, in which Real Madrid won 3-1 at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Gil Manzano has officiated 31 Real Madrid matches, including 25 victories, three draws, and three losses. In 20 Barcelona matches, he has officiated, the Blaugrana winning 11, drawing five, and losing four.
He has officiated three Real Madrid matches this season, winning one (against the Athletic, when he sent off Raul Garcia), drawing one (against the Real Sociedad), and losing one (the three-penalty match at Mestalla). This season, he has only refereed Barcelona once in LaLiga Santander, a 1-1 tie against Sevilla. He also officiated the Supercopa de Espana final, in which Lionel Messi was sent off.
Gil Manzano to referee El Clasico: The RFEF Statement
The RFEF released a statement that read:
“The Arbitration Committee of the Professional Competition (CACP) has changed the appointment of referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz due to a muscle injury, the referee initially appointed to direct the match between Real Madrid CF – FC Barcelona on matchday 30 of the First Division.
“His replacement will be Jesús Gil Manzano.”
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