Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Mateu Lahoz to referee the Clásico
Antonio Mateu Lahoz will take charge of his fifth Clásico after being named as the referee for Sunday's LaLiga clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Antonio Mateu Lahoz has been appointed as the referee for this weekend's LaLiga clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced.
Barça visit the Bernabéu on Sunday (21:00 CET) with a two-point lead over Madrid at the top of the table, having leapfrogged Los Blancos at the weekend after Zinedine Zidane's men suffered a suprise 1-0 defeat at Levante.
See also | Ramos rails at ref: "I asked him if he had a problem with me"
Weekend LaLiga clash will be Mateu Lahoz's fifth Clásico
Mateu Lahoz has overseen four previous meetings between the arch rivals - most notably the 2014 Copa del Rey final, won 2-1 by Madrid after a memorable extra-time solo goal by Gareth Bale. His last Clásico came in February 2019, in a 1-1 Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg draw at the Camp Nou.
In all, he has taken charge of LaLiga games involving Real Madrid or Barcelona 30 times each. In the Madrid matches he has refereed - most recently their 2-0 victory over Osasuna in September - Los Merengues have won 21, drawn three and lost six.
In those 30 games, the 42-year-old has sent off three Madrid players and dimissed four belonging to their opposition, and has awarded seven penalties to the Bernabéu side and none against.
Meanwhile, Barça have claimed 23 wins, six draws and one defeat in LaLiga fixtures overseen by Mateu Lahoz, with five Blaugrana red cards and nine for their opponents. He has given six penalties for the Catalans, and one against.
The last Barcelona match refereed by Mateu Lahoz in LaLiga was the defending champions' 1-0 win at Atlético Madrid in early December.
José Luis González González will be the video assistant referee in the Clásico.