Goal: Controversial referee Alejandro Hernández to officiate Real Madrid vs Real Betis

The refereeing committee of the Spanish Football Federation announced that Alejandro Hernández will officiate the match between Real Madrid and Real Betis. The game is scheduled for Friday night in the fourth round of La Liga, and it may already attract significant controversy before kick-off.

This Spanish international referee is one of the most controversial referees in La Liga in recent years. He has held an international badge since 2014, is part of UEFA's Elite Referee category, was named Spain's best referee in 2017, and was later included on the refereeing list for the 2026 World Cup.

Alejandro Hernández previously officiated Real Madrid's match against Real Betis in January last year, when the game was played at the Santiago Bernabéu and Real Madrid won 5-1. This season, he has also officiated Atlético Madrid's match against Villarreal, in which two penalties were awarded and Le Normand was sent off.

Despite his credentials, Alejandro Hernández's name remains linked with several controversial matches, especially the El Clásico fixtures between Real Madrid and Barcelona, which has made him a long-term target of criticism from supporters of both clubs.

One of the most discussed episodes involving this referee comes from an interview he gave when he was 12 years old. At the time, he said he supported Barcelona. This comment has been brought up again whenever he officiates Real Madrid matches, although there has been no official position questioning his neutrality, and it has not prevented him from refereeing Real Madrid games.

In contrast, Real Madrid's official television channel has repeatedly criticized the referee, broadcasting programs reviewing what it described as his 'refereeing errors' and arguing that those decisions harmed the team. Especially after he was appointed to officiate El Clásico, the channel also pointed out that he had made important decisions against the club in previous years.

Alejandro Hernández has been appointed to officiate the clash between Real Madrid and Real Betis at a time when the match is receiving considerable attention, and whenever this referee appears in a Real Madrid game, he is accompanied by a long history of controversy.