Overview
- Radio Marca presenter Roberto Gómez said on Wednesday that Alejandro Hernández Hernández would referee the Barcelona–Real Madrid match scheduled for October 25, a claim that drew immediate criticism from host Raúl Varela.
- A refereeing account called Archivo VAR and follow-up reports said the appointments committee had not met and Hernández Hernández was not a confirmed option, casting doubt on the initial leak.
- Sport contacted RFEF sources who confirmed a formal policy to reveal referee names only 24 hours before fixtures, which the federation has not yet used to announce the Clasico official.
- Hernández Hernández has refereed six Clasicos and his recent games include disputed decisions in 2017, 2018 and the 2025 title‑deciding match that supporters and media have repeatedly cited as the reason for intense scrutiny.
- The early media campaigning from Madrid‑aligned outlets showed how leaks can shape the narrative before a selection is confirmed and the 24‑hour rule will narrow the window for public pressure while concentrating any controversy close to match day.