By Barcelona, Spain – April 3, 2025 – The Spanish football federation has named Jesús Gil Manzano as the referee for FC Barcelona’s La Liga match against Real Betis this Saturday at 9:00 PM at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Mundo Deportivo reported the appointment, which has stirred debate among fans due to Gil Manzano’s past with Barcelona. Valentín Pizarro Gómez will assist him in the VAR booth, bringing his experience as a Primera División official.
🚩 Jesús Gil Manzano será el encargado de pitar el Barça – Real Betis y contará con la ayuda en el VAR de Valentín Pizarro Gómezhttps://t.co/lHJXcSZIv0
— Mundo Deportivo (@mundodeportivo) April 3, 2025
Gil Manzano, an international referee from Extremadura, has a history that Barcelona fans won’t forget. In November 2022, during a game against Osasuna in Pamplona, he sent off Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski. The decision resulted in a three-match ban for Lewandowski after a gesture he made while leaving the field, leaving many Barcelona supporters frustrated with the referee.
Still, Gil Manzano’s overall record with Barcelona is strong. He has officiated 42 La Liga matches for the club, with Barcelona winning 27, drawing 7, and losing 8. This season, he has refereed three Barcelona games, all victories: a 2-1 win over Athletic Club, a 5-1 rout of Mallorca, and a 5-2 victory against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final. For Real Betis, this will be Gil Manzano’s third match this season. Betis won both previous games he officiated, beating Atlético Madrid 1-0 and Real Sociedad 3-0. His record with Betis shows 14 wins, 6 draws, and 14 losses in 34 matches.
Valentín Pizarro Gómez, the VAR official for the game, has a solid background. After five seasons in the Segunda División, he moved up to the Primera División, where he has gained a reputation for handling high-pressure moments.
With both teams gearing up for an intense showdown, fans will be watching Gil Manzano closely. Many hope he can officiate fairly and avoid the kind of controversy that has marked his past encounters with Barcelona.
