Every major match has its controversy and the Copa del Rey final in between Real Madrid and Osasuna been no exception. The duel for the title was a demanding test for Sánchez Martínez. Here we take a look at the most important decisions the referee has had to make.
Discover with us everything that happens in the final of the Copa del Rey Real Madrid vs. Osasuna
The controversies of the 2023 Copa del Rey final Real Madrid vs. Osasuna
This final was controversial before it started with the appointment of Sánchez Martínez as responsible for leading the match. Many expected Mateu Lahoz, one of the most charismatic braids in Spanish football and who will retire at the end of the season, to take charge.
Already in the game on Thursday, he got stuck in the last part of the first half until Vinicius saw a yellow card for protesting a foul that seemed clear to Rodrygo in a very dangerous counter for Real Madrid.
Vinicius had previously had a fight with David García after a fall in the Osasuna area.
Who is José María Sánchez Martínez, the referee of the final of the Copa del Rey 2023 Real Madrid vs. Osasuna?
The referee from Murcia, who made his debut in the Premier League in the 15-16 season, whistles his first cup final and is one of the references for the new generation of referees called upon to fill the gap left by veterans like Mateu Lahoz or The Hill .
He is one of four Spanish UEFA Elite referees and on the same course has officiated two Champions League matches and four in the Europa League.
Sánchez Martínez presided over the first clásico of the season, which ended with Real Madrid winning 3–1.
This season he also whistled for the whites in Bilbao, with a 0-2 win for Ancelotti’s men and the match against Celta at the Bernabéu. He refereed Osasuna in March, in the game that the Navarrezen drew 0-0 against Celta de Vigo.
Source: Goal