The potential appointment arrives amid rising tensions between Real Madrid and Spanish referees, with officials expressing concern that pressure from the club will intensify before the match.
Hernández Hernández and the Camp Nou Clásico
Hernández Hernández is a veteran of the league’s most prominent match, having officiated six previous Clásicos. His history with these teams shows a mixed record: Barcelona has secured three victories in those meetings, while Real Madrid has won once, with two matches ending in draws. Across these six games, he has averaged 3.3 yellow cards per match. Beyond these specific fixtures, Hernández has officiated Barcelona 42 times, with the club maintaining a record of 26 wins, 12 draws, and four defeats. He has also taken charge of 37 Real Madrid matches, resulting in 21 wins, six draws, and ten losses for Los Blancos.
The referee’s career has not been without controversy. He was Spain’s sole referee at the 2026 World Cup, where he oversaw three group stage matches. Domestically, he faced scrutiny for failing to award a goal in a 2017 match between Barcelona and Real Betis when a shot crossed the line, a mistake he later publicly admitted. Additionally, he did not award a penalty for a handball by Aurélien Tchouaméni in 2025.
Refereeing Community Concerns Regarding Real Madrid
The anticipation surrounding the referee appointment is heightened by an increasingly hostile environment between Real Madrid and match officials. Officials feel that the escalation of animosity directed at referees in Real Madrid matches is a trend that does not seem to have a clear conclusion.
Tomas Roncero, deputy editor-in-chief of AS, stated during an appearance on the radio program “Carrusel Canalla” that the trust of Real Madrid’s supporters in the Spanish refereeing system has reached a point that is impossible to reconcile.
He attributed this lack of faith to payments made by Barcelona to Enriquez Negreira, suggesting that the current refereeing pool is comprised of individuals who were either present during that era or trained by those associated with it. Roncero argued that the system remains flawed, noting, Any referee knows that if he favours Real Madrid, he will have a problem. But if he does it with Barcelona, things will go wonderfully for him.
Vinícius Júnior and the Clásico Outlook
The match serves as a pivotal moment for both clubs. Hansi Flick’s Barcelona currently sits atop the table with a perfect record, holding a six-point lead over Real Madrid. The fixture also marks the first time José Mourinho will face Barcelona since his return to the Real Madrid bench.
The climate is further complicated by the disciplinary status of Vinícius Júnior. Following his dismissal in a recent match, expectations point to the forward missing the upcoming Clásico. He is slated to sit out the match against Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, and the Competition Committee is currently weighing whether to impose a three-match ban, which would also rule him out of the subsequent fixture against Racing.