The El Clasico referee is injured ... and the alternative carries bad memories for Barcelona
The Spanish Football Association confirmed today the absence of the referee, who was appointed yesterday to manage the El Clásico match in the Spanish League tomorrow between Barcelona and Real Madrid, international Matteo Lahues, to decide to appoint international Gilles Manzano in his place.
Lahouz suffered an injury after leading the match between Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the European Champions' quarter-finals last Wednesday, and it took place in difficult weather conditions in light of heavy snowfall, and ended with a dramatic 3-2 victory for the French.
A statement issued by the federation said that the referee suffers from a muscle injury and needs to be rested, which prompted him to appoint the international, Gil Manzano, in his place.
Barcelona does not have good memories with Manzano, as he was the referee who took out the last red card for Barcelona captain Lionel Messi in the Super Cup final, which Barcelona lost, and the same referee had already expelled stars from Barcelona, like former stars Luis Suarez and Neymar.
The same referee had expelled Neymar in a key match for Barcelona against Malaga in the 2017 season, in which the LaLiga title went to Real.
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