This is the controversial referee chosen for the Barça-Espanyol: Xavi’s nightmare

He FC Barcelona You already know the referee designated for the derby against the Espanyol on November 3 (4:15 p.m.). José Luis Munuera Montero He will be in charge of delivering justice in the tense match that will be played in Montjuïc. The Andalusian referee brings bitter memories for Barça, especially a Xavi Hernandez who suffered it in two commitments of the previous year.

Munuera Montero He was the protagonist of two controversial results for Barça. The most convincing was the draw (1-1) at the home of Rayo Vallecanowhere the referee did not call two penalties in favor of the azulgranas and also forgave the expulsion of more than one player life.

Controversial arbitration

The most blatant thing has been a scuffle between Florian Lejeune y Robert Lewandowskiwith irrefutable aggression from the French central defender to the Polish forward. The defender has grabbed the neck using a kind of judo from behind al 9 azulgrana without the ball in play. The knockdown went unnoticed by the referee, despite the striker’s protests.

After this first missed maximum penalty, Raphinha has been the victim of another possible penalty in the extension time. In the 95th minute, the Brazilian winger has unmarked inside the area to finish off a leaked ball. These actions provoked the anger of the staff of Xavi, which led to the expulsion of Sergio Alegreassistant coach of Egarense.

“It’s a shame”

In that same course, Munuera Montero He was chosen to referee the Barça-Villarreal match in Montjuïc, which ultimately ended with a defeat (3-5). Xavi Hernandez He addressed the camera to express “it’s a shame” due to a handball by the rival team that was not sanctioned with a penalty in favor of the culés. That action could have changed the dynamic, because it occurred at a time of equality (3-3) on the scoreboard.

These memories generate a lot of concern for Barcelona fans. Hansi Flickunlike Xaviis a coach who does not prefer not to talk about the work of the League referees, but the Barça fans know that Munuera Montero has a negative history.