Hernández Hernández's Clásico appointment unconfirmed as conflicting reports cloud selection

Hernández Hernández has not been officially appointed to referee the Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou on October 25, despite earlier reports naming him as the frontrunner for the assignment.

Radio MARCA’s report, relayed on October 7, stated that the Spanish Football Federation was set to select the veteran official for the first La Liga meeting between the sides this season. Mundo Deportivo echoed that account, suggesting an announcement was expected within days.

However, a significant qualification emerged on October 8. AfricaSoccer, citing refereeing account Archivo VAR, reported that the initial claims had been rejected, with sources indicating the appointments panel had not yet convened. Sport also contacted federation sources, who confirmed the referee’s identity would remain undisclosed for the time being — casting serious doubt on the frontrunner narrative.

The distinction in the reporting is important. The October 7 accounts described what was anticipated, while the October 8 update indicated no formal decision had been reached. As of the information available on that date, Hernández Hernández remained a reported candidate rather than a confirmed appointment.

The official does carry an extensive history with both clubs. According to the original report, he has refereed Barcelona on 42 occasions and Real Madrid on 37, though those figures alone carry no predictive weight for either side.

The appointment is subject to additional scrutiny given Real Madrid’s recent public complaints about officiating standards in Spanish football. Any selection for a fixture of this magnitude is likely to attract close attention from both camps regardless of who is ultimately chosen.

The Spanish Football Federation had not officially named the referee in any reports available by October 8. Federation policy, as described in the later account, is to announce referee appointments 24 hours before matches — meaning a formal confirmation for the October 25 fixture may not arrive until the eve of the game.