Munuera Montero appointment adds tension for Valencia and Real Sociedad | OneFootball

The RFEF has appointed José Luis Munuera Montero to referee Valencia v Real Sociedad at Mestalla on Sunday at 21:30, with Luis Mario Milla on VAR. Both teams need a result, Valencia seeking to build on Vitoria, the visitors to halt four defeats.

According to Superdeporte, the choice is eyed nervously. Valencia recall a handball penalty against Hugo Duro from a Javi Guerra rebound early in 24/25 that sealed a 3-1 defeat at Celta, and a 2024 Osasuna match where the referee told Rubén Baraja they knew Duro and would not give him anything.

They also remember San Mamés in the 2022 Copa semi first leg, when post match footage showed Munuera Montero chatting in relaxed terms with Yuri Berchiche and Iñaki Williams about Mouctar Diakhaby. The club were angered, viewing it as improper against the backdrop of the Juan Cala racism case.

After the 1-1 draw that night, Hugo Duro said a clear penalty by Vivian in the 90th minute had been missed. Valencia later eliminated Athletic at Mestalla to reach the 2022 final.

Real Sociedad are wary too. Matarazzo said recent calls hurt them, citing a penalty not given to Guedes against Celta, Jon Martín’s red at Elche and an Ochieng handball punished versus Atlético. Past episodes with Munuera Montero, including audio assuring him everything was fine over a possible Rulli foul on Vinícius and a 2023 Metropolitano check where Morata’s handball was not penalised but Carlos Fernández’s was, mean the officiating will also be a focus.

Source: Superdeporte

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