Madrid Derby: Who is the referee and VAR for the Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid La Liga 2024-25 clash?

Madrid Derby: Who is the referee and VAR for the Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid La Liga 2024-25 clash?

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid clash in the crucial La Liga 2024-25 match at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain.

The top two teams in the league will go into the match under the cloud of refereeing controversy. And the appointment of the match officials has only added more intensity to an already high-stakes clash.

The Technical Committee of Referees of Spanish Football Federation has appointed César Soto Grado as the referee for the Madrid derby.

The 44-year-old is one of the most experienced referees in the league. He is also the same referee who sent off Vinicius Jr earlier this year in Los Blancos’ 2-1 win over Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium.

Soto Grado has also been criticised by Atleti fans in the past.

The last time he refereed a derby, in January 2023, Atlético de Madrid issued a statement criticizing his refereeing and accusing the refereeing system of being influenced by Real Madrid.

Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea will be in charge of VAR.