Jesus Gil Manzano has been revealed as the referee for the Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona on April 23.
According to Marca, Manzano will be rewarded for a “great campaign” at the Santiago Bernabeu, receiving the full confidence of the referee’s committee in Spain and the country’s Football Federation (RFEF).
The 33-year-old has been a La Liga referee since 2012 and was made a FIFA official two years later, before being given his first Clasico – also in the capital – that October [pictured].
However, he is known for his card-happy tendencies, having sent three players off in February’ Copa del Rey semi-final second leg between Barca and Atletico.
He was also branded a ‘thief’ by Villarreal fans after he awarded Madrid a controversial penalty in their 3-2 comeback win at La Ceramica a month ago.
Nonetheless, the referee’s committee values Gil Manzano as “one of Spain’s best in both the present and future” and will confirm him in two weeks’ time.
