PARIS – As Paris Saint-Germain prepares to host Chelsea in a crucial Champions League round of 16 second leg at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, attention also turns to the man in the middle: Spanish referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández. This will be Hernández Hernández’s first time officiating a match involving PSG, adding another layer of intrigue to an already high-stakes encounter.
The 43-year-aged Hernández Hernández has quickly turn into a familiar face in European football, having officiated four Champions League matches this season. Notably, his approach to officiating has been relatively lenient, having not issued more than one yellow card in any of those contests. He recently oversaw Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Atalanta in December, providing a recent reference point for the Blues as they prepare for their trip to Paris.
Hernández Hernández’s appointment has raised some eyebrows, as it marks his debut in the knockout stage of the Champions League. Prior to this assignment, his most recent involvement in the competition’s final phases was the return leg of the Inter Milan-Bodo/Glimt playoff match on February 24th. Despite this relative lack of experience in the latter stages, Hernández Hernández is a seasoned official, having overseen 250 matches since 2012. He is currently affiliated with Las Palmas, a club competing in the Spanish second division, Liga Adelante.
A History with Marseille and Controversy with Real Madrid
While this is Hernández Hernández’s first PSG assignment, he is no stranger to French football. Supporters of Olympique de Marseille may recall his officiating favorably, as he presided over their Champions League victory against Sporting Portugal in October 2022. During that match, he awarded two penalties to Marseille and sent off two Sporting players, a performance that clearly favored the French side.
However, Hernández Hernández’s career hasn’t been without controversy. Last season, he was at the center of a dispute leading up to a crucial Clasico between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in May 2025. According to reports, Real Madrid TV questioned his impartiality, alleging a bias towards Barcelona, citing his lifelong support for the Catalan club and highlighting perceived errors in previous officiating assignments. The claims were accompanied by a video showcasing what they deemed as questionable decisions.
Hernández Hernández will be assisted by fellow Spanish officials José Naranjo and Diego Sánchez Rojo as assistant referees. Carlos del Cerro Grande and Cesar Soto Grado will take on video assistant referee (VAR) duties, with José Luis Munuera serving as the fourth official.
For PSG and Chelsea, the focus will be on the pitch, but the appointment of Hernández Hernández adds an interesting dynamic to this pivotal Champions League tie. The match represents a significant opportunity for both clubs to advance to the quarter-finals, and the decisions made by the officiating crew will undoubtedly be scrutinized.
The first leg between Chelsea and PSG ended in a 2-1 victory for PSG at Stamford Bridge. With the away goals rule no longer in effect, the return leg at the Parc des Princes is set to be a tense and closely contested affair. The match is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Wednesday, March 11th, 2026.
Hernández Hernández’s style of officiating – characterized by a relatively low number of cautions – could allow the game to flow more freely, potentially favoring the attacking talents of both teams. However, it also places a greater emphasis on discipline and fair play from the players.
The stakes are high for both clubs. PSG, aiming to finally lift the Champions League trophy, will be looking to capitalize on their first-leg advantage. Chelsea, meanwhile, will be determined to overturn the deficit and continue their pursuit of European glory. The pressure will be on Hernández Hernández to navigate a potentially fiery atmosphere and make accurate, consistent decisions throughout the match.
Following this Champions League clash, Hernández Hernández is scheduled to officiate a La Liga match between Real Betis and Villarreal on March 15th, 2026. That match will provide another opportunity to assess his officiating style and consistency.
Fans can follow live updates and analysis of the PSG-Chelsea match on Archysport.com, with comprehensive coverage including pre-match previews, live commentary, and post-match analysis.
