Jesús Gil Manzano, Spanish international referee born in Don Benito in 1984, has been appointed to officiate the final of the Spanish Super Cup 2025, which will take place on January 12 at Al Jawhara Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This will be his second Super Cup final, having refereed the 2021 final between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club.
Throughout his career, Gil Manzano has been involved in several controversies. One of the most notable occurred in March 2024, during a match between Valencia and Real Madrid. On that occasion, the referee blew the final whistle while the ball was in the air, disallowing a goal by Jude Bellingham that would have meant victory for the Madrid team. This decision sparked great controversy and led to Gil Manzano being temporarily sidelined from his duties.
Despite these incidents, Gil Manzano has maintained his position as one of the most prominent referees in Spain, being the referee who has officiated the most games for both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. His experience and trajectory have earned him the trust of the Royal Spanish Football Federation to officiate high-profile matches, such as the upcoming Super Cup final.
Regarding his participation in international competitions, Gil Manzano has been included in the list of referees for Euro 2024, representing Spain in this prestigious tournament. His inclusion in this event reinforces his reputation at the European level and highlights his career in refereeing.
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