The Clásico between Barça and Real Madrid left many emotions... and a major refereeing controversy. Alejandro José Hernández Hernández was the designated referee, and his performance has been heavily questioned. At the Barça club, they believe it was decisive and clearly detrimental to their interests.
From the initial whistle, the Canarian referee accumulated controversial decisions. Key plays went unpunished or were assessed incorrectly, according to Barça's coaching staff. The CTA has not delayed in reacting.
The disallowed goal for Fermín, the straw that broke the camel's back
The most controversial moment came with the disallowed goal for Fermín López. In the final stretch of the match, the youth player scored a goal that would have sealed the victory, but it was disallowed after a VAR review. The Committee believes the action should not have been invalidated.
It wasn't the only one; clear handball by Tchouaméni in the area was not penalized. Nor was there a red card for the Frenchman after a foul as the last defender. All this caused a wave of protests from Barça.
The pressure has taken effect, and the Technical Committee of Referees has already made a decision. Hernández Hernández will not officiate any match in the next LaLiga round. He is excluded from any designation as the main referee.
Instead, he will be in the VAR room during the Osasuna–Atlético de Madrid match. A symbolic presence that reflects the punishment imposed for his performance. The CTA doesn't want more errors when the competition is being decided.
Martínez Munuera, also in the spotlight
The VAR referee in the Clásico, Juan Martínez Munuera, will also be sanctioned. His performance was equally controversial due to the handling of the offside and the review of Fermín's goal. The Committee considers his intervention was erroneous.
He is also attributed with the famous expression "thank goodness" after the disallowed Barça goal. That attitude has caused discomfort even within the refereeing community itself. The CTA wants to root out this type of behavior.
Sources close to the Committee assure that there will be a specific meeting with both referees this week. The objective is to assess possible additional sanctions, beyond the rest day. The atmosphere in the organization is heated.
The CTA is not only upset by the technical errors but also by the lack of discretion. They believe Hernández Hernández and Munuera did not know how to handle the pressure or act with professionalism in a high-stakes match.
La Liga, marked by refereeing controversies
This new episode comes in the final stretch of the championship. Barça won 4-3, but the refereeing scandal has overshadowed the victory. Both the locker room and the Barça fans have publicly expressed their indignation.
The RFEF, already affected by previous disputed decisions, now faces another open front. The VAR is once again under scrutiny, and the Committee seeks to regain authority with exemplary measures. But the controversy remains alive... and the season is not over yet.