Referee Appointment for El Clásico Fuels Pre-Match Debates

The selection of César Soto Grado as the head referee for the upcoming high-stakes La Liga match between Real Madrid and Barcelona has quickly become a talking point among supporters of both clubs, drawing attention to past controversial decisions.

Past Controversies Resurface

Barcelona fans, in particular, have expressed apprehension, recalling a previous Clásico during the 2023/24 season. In that encounter, which Real Madrid won 3-2, Soto Grado and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team were at the center of two highly contentious calls: the disallowance of a Lamine Yamal goal and a penalty awarded for a Pau Cubarsí challenge on Lucas Vázquez.

These incidents left a lasting impression, and as the first Clásico of the season approaches, scheduled for Sunday at 4:15 PM local time at the Santiago Bernabéu, both teams and their fan bases will undoubtedly be hoping for a less eventful and more decisive officiating performance.

The appointment of a referee with a history of controversial involvement in such a high-profile fixture adds another layer of intrigue to what is already one of the most anticipated matches in the football calendar. The focus will not only be on the players' performances but also keenly on the man in the middle.