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Martinez Munuera, experienced Clasico referee, appointed for Barcelona-Real Madrid on Sunday

La Liga has entrusted the Clasico of matchday 10 to José María Martínez Munuera, a seasoned referee who will oversee his fifth duel between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid this Sunday at 9 p.m.

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Martinez Munuera, experienced Clasico referee, appointed for Barcelona-Real Madrid on Sunday
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La Liga has appointed José María Martínez Munuera to referee the Clasico between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, scheduled for Sunday evening (9 p.m.) at Camp Nou for matchday 10 of La Liga. The official from Alicante will oversee his fifth clash between the two clubs.

The technical committee of referees opted for an experienced profile. A La Liga referee since 2013, Martínez Munuera has also been officiating on the international stage since 2015. A police officer on leave in his civilian life, he is renowned for his management of high-tension matches.

His four previous Clasicos statistically favor Real Madrid, who won three of them. His first, during the 2020-2021 season, saw the Merengue win 3-1 on Barcelona’s pitch. That evening, a controversial decision — a penalty awarded to Real Madrid for a foul by Clément Lenglet on Sergio Ramos — fueled debate.

The context of this Clasico promises to be particularly charged. FC Barcelona approaches the match after a 4-2 defeat conceded to PSG in the UEFA Champions League midweek. Tensions between the two Spanish clubs remain high, notably around the Negreira affair, which continues to fuel acrimonious exchanges between the two boards.

Faced with this charged atmosphere, La Liga has clearly bet on experience and composure to ensure the serenity of the refereeing.

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