Antonio Mateu Lahoz has been assigned to officiate El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid on March 22nd at the Camp Nou.
The 37-year-old Valencian is recognized for his liberal style and letting play flow during matches. Recently, he was appointed by FIFA to officiate during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
It will be the third time Mateu Lahoz will oversee a clash between the two La Liga giants, but his first during league play. He was in charge of last season’s Copa del Rey final and the return leg of the 2012 Spanish Super Cup at the Santiago Bernabeu – Real Madrid wound end up winning 2-1 on both occasions.
Before any concerns are raised about the referee ‘favoring’ Los Blancos, he was placed in charge of this year’s edition of the Spanish Super Cup – which Real Madrid lost to Atletico Madrid over two legs.
In La Liga, Mateu Lahoz has worked 15 Barcelona matches. Of those games, La Blaugrana has won eleven and drawn four. Madrid has won thirteen times, drawn twice and lost three times under the official’s watch in the league.
Last weekend, Barcelona leapfrogged Real Madrid and took sole possession of first place in La Liga. Both teams have a game to play prior to the showdown on March 22 at the Camp Nou (live at 4pm ET on beIN SPORTS and DishWorld).
