Jesus Gil Manzano has been named as the referee for this weekend’s Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

He will be assisted by Angel Nevado Rodriguez and Javier Martinez Nicolas, while Manuel Garcia Gomez will be the fourth official. Diego Barbero Sevilla will be the VAR assistant.

Manzano has officiated eight matches so far this season, five of which being La Liga games. He has also taken charge of two European championship qualifiers and a Champions League fixture.

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Real manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke on the decision to select Manazano to officiate the game, saying: “I know him very well, UEFA knows him very well. He is one of the most valued referees in Europe and he is the right profile to referee tomorrow.”

The 39-year-old most recently officiated the 1-1 draw between Villareal and Alaves, where he issued seven yellow cards.

Manzano has already officiated a Real Madrid game this season, the club’s opening day victory over Athletic Bilbao where the Spaniard issued four yellow cards.

He last took charge of a Barcelona game last season, overseeing the 2-1 defeat to Rayo Vallecano on April 26.

Barcelona head into Saturday’s match in third place in La Liga with 24 points from their opening 10 games.

Real Madrid are the early pace-setters and sit top of the table, a point clear of their rivals and level on points with second-placed Girona.

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(Photo: Getty Images)