Who will referee the Clasico Copa del Rey final between Barcelona & Real Madrid and how many yellow & red cards has he dished out this season?

Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to renew their rivalry in the highly-anticipated El Clasico that will decide the Copa del Rey final this weekend. Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea has been announced as the referee who will take charge of the fixture, which takes place at Estadio La Cartuja.

Clasico matches have historically been fierce encounters, especially when it's a high-stakes game like the Copa del Rey final. According to WhoScored.com, Bengoetxea has dished out 57 yellow cards in 16 games - the second lowest in La Liga - averaging 3.56 bookings per game. Additionally, he has sent a player off four times across all his matches refereed in Spain's top flight. Understandably, the RFEF has appeared to pick a referee who tries to allow the game to flow, as evidenced by his 22.38 fouls per game - the second lowest figure among all La Liga referees.

Real Madrid have won just three Copa del Rey titles this century, in 2011, 2014, and 2023. Of those three, the former two were El Clasico matches, with Los Blancos emerging triumphant on both occasions.

The two teams are separated by just four points in La Liga, and will square off in a potential title decider on May 11 for Matchday 35. As for their upcoming fixtures before that, Madrid host Getafe on Wednesday, April 23, while the Catalans square off against Mallorca on Tuesday, April 22. Then the it's all eyes on the Copa del Rey final on April 26.