Referee César Soto Grado has been appointed as the lead official for the upcoming La Liga showdown between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
This is a call which has since sparked widespread chatter across the fanbases of both clubs.
Those of a Barcelona persuasion have been quick to highlight more recent events in the Clásico, specifically a meeting between Spanish football’s two leading clubs during the 2023/24 campaign.
The clash, which culminated in a 3-2 Real Madrid triumph, left a sour taste in the mouths of those of a Blaugrana persuasion.
This came after Soto Grado and the VAR team were responsible for a pair of hugely controversial decisions, in not awarding a goal to Lamine Yamal, and calling a penalty for a Pau Cubarsí challenge on Lucas Vázquez.
Both sides will be hoping for less drama surrounding the officiating tomorrow evening.
The season’s first Clásico is scheduled to play out at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, at 4.15pm local time.
Conor Laird – GSFN
