Belgium-born referee César Muñiz Fernández will blow the whistle for Sunday’s Camp Nou clash between FC Barcelona and Valencia, the 26th round of the present La Liga campaign. Referees in the Spanish league have been under a microscope this season, with most of that attention focused around their performances in FC Barcelona and Real Madrid matches. Given the current climate, Fernández’ decisions in this key match will undoubtedly come under the closest scrutiny.

In Spain, Fernández has become somewhat notorious for his slicked back hair style, and although he may look like a mafia hitman, statistically he does not appear to be a villain on the field. That said, he has been criticized for big decisions in key matches, and has exhibited a tendency away from leniency in recent games. In the 11 contests that he has overseen so far this season, he has handed out 66 yellow cards, ejecting seven players. However, in his last three matches, he has brandished the yellow card 23 times.

Fernández was criticized vigorously by the Basque and Catalan press last season after his performance in a match pitting Athletic Bilbao against Real Madrid. In that game from March of 2009, Fernández showed 11 yellow cards, and ejected Bilbao striker Yeste with a straight red for a foul on Madrid keeper Iker Casillas. During the same season, Fernández presided over Barcelona’s 2-2 away draw with Valencia, and their 6-0 home mauling of Malaga.

The 40 year old Oviedo native has refereed in the Primera since 2000; he received his FIFA badge in 2007, clearing him to oversee international matches.