The next meeting between Rayo Vallecano and Celta de Vigo, corresponding to matchday 19 of LaLiga EA Sports, will be under the direction of the referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez. The Balearic referee, with experience in the elite since 2018, has already refereed the franjirrojo team seven times, with a balance of two wins, three draws and two losses. Next to him, from the VAR, will be Alejandro Quintero Gonzálezwho will have the task of reviewing any controversial action from the Las Rozas Soccer City.
The history of Rayo Vallecano with Cuadra Fernández
Guillermo Cuadra Fernández, born in Madrid but assigned to the Balearic Islands Committee, is a referee with a consolidated career in Spanish football. Since his debut in the First Division in 2018, he has refereed more than 80 matches in the top category, including high-tension matches and international competitions after becoming a referee. FIFA in 2020.
Regarding the Rayo VallecanoCuadra Fernández has been present in seven matches for the Madrid team. The balance of these parties is balanced: two wins, three draws and two losses. Some of the notable matchups include a goalless draw against Real Valladolid and a tight defeat by 2-1 against Sevilla. Although he has not been involved in serious controversies with Rayo, his record includes controversial decisions in other LaLiga matches.
Cuadra Fernández: career and reputation
Throughout his career, Cuadra Fernández has refereed highly relevant matches in LaLiga, Copa del Rey and international competitions. In April 2022, he was at the center of a controversy after a match between the Seville and Real Madridwhich led him to be temporarily removed from the VAR by the Professional Competition Referee Committee. This episode marked a before and after in his career, since since then he has maintained a more discreet profile in high-tension encounters.
In the current season, Cuadra Fernández has refereed several games with performances that, in general, have been considered fair, although not free of controversy at specific moments. He stands out for his rigor in the application of the regulations and for his tendency to not hesitate to show cards when the game requires it. So far in this campaign, he has brought out 39 yellow cards and 4 red to local teams, and 44 yellow and 4 red to visitors.
Quintero González from the VAR
The person in charge of the VAR in this match will be Alejandro Quintero Gonzálezreferee of the Huelva Committee, who this season has also been involved in key decisions in other LaLiga matches. Although his experience in the elite is more recent, he has demonstrated solvency in his work, both on the field and in the video referee room.
-In September 2024, Quintero González was at the center of a controversy during a match between the Espanyol and Villarrealwhere he disallowed a goal in a disputed decision that generated tension in the atmosphere of the match. Furthermore, during the same match, he was the target of an attack from the stands, a fact that highlighted the challenges that referees face in high-pressure scenarios.
A challenge for the referees and a crucial duel
The match between Rayo Vallecano and Celta de Vigo will be a challenge for the referee team, given the tightness of the classification and the importance of the points at stake. With Lightning in the 13th position with 16 points and Celta in position 12 with 18 pointsany referee decision could be decisive in such an even duel.
Furthermore, Rayo’s strength at home and Celta’s positive streak add an extra ingredient to a match that promises to be intense. Both Cuadra Fernández and Quintero González will have the task of guaranteeing fair and precise refereeing in a setting as passionate as the Vallecas Stadium.
With the initial whistle programmed for January 10 at 9:00 p.m.all eyes will be on how these two referees manage the match. For Rayo, a good result in this match would mean much more than three points: it could consolidate its strength at home and mark a turning point in its fight to climb positions in LaLiga and face the Cup tie with good dynamics.
