Hernández Maeso takes charge for Barça vs Rayo at Spotify Camp Nou

FC Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano at the Spotify Camp Nou will be refereed by Francisco José Hernández Maeso, a judge based in the Extremadura referees’ association, who—according to Mundo Deportivo—will make his first visit to the Camp Nou in his career.

It will be his second LaLiga appearance this season. He previously officiated the first matchday, between Deportivo A Coruña and Elche. For VAR, the article confirms Raúl Martín González, from the Canary Islands.

A key Barça precedent

Since Barcelona returned to LaLiga in August 2023, Hernández Maeso has refereed the club four times. The standout point highlighted by MD is that, so far, the Blaugrana have never lost when he’s the man in charge.

The most recent time was on April 25 this year, when Barça beat Getafe 0-2. Last season, he was also on the pitch for a 3-5 win at the Cartuja Stadium against Real Betis.

What the record says about Rayo

For Rayo Vallecano, the same source adds that Hernández Maeso has refereed them eleven times: three Rayo wins, one draw and seven defeats. The last one came in last season’s Copa del Rey, when he refereed the Round of 16 tie vs Alavés that ended in elimination after a 2-0 loss.