Alex MacQuoid
UEFA have confirmed the match officials for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, scheduled for Wednesday night at the Parc des Princes.
The match will be officiated by experienced Spanish referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández, who takes charge of an important European knockout clash between the reigning Champions League holders and last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup winners.
Match Officials for PSG vs Chelsea
Referee: Alejandro Hernández Hernández (Spain)
Assistant Referees: José Naranjo, Diego Sánchez Rojo (Spain)
Fourth Official: José Luis Munuera (Spain)
VAR: Carlos del Cerro Grande (Spain)
Assistant VAR: Cesar Soto Grado (Spain)
The Spanish officiating team will oversee what promises to be one of the most high-profile fixtures of the Champions League knockout stage.
Referee Profile: Alejandro Hernández Hernández
The 43-year-old referee has extensive domestic experience in La Liga, where he has officiated numerous high-profile matches, including several editions of El Clásico.
However, his Champions League experience remains relatively limited. Hernández has taken charge of only nine matches in the competition, making this a notable appointment for such an important knockout tie.
This will also be the first time he has refereed PSG in the Champions League.
Referee Statistics
Yellow Cards
Hernández is known for allowing the game to flow rather than frequently stopping play for disciplinary actions.
In the Champions League he averages just 2.0 yellow cards per match, significantly lower than the average of 3.5 cards per game typically seen in major European competitions.
This suggests Wednesday’s match could be allowed to develop with a relatively physical approach.
Red Cards
Interestingly, Hernández has not issued a direct red card in his Champions League career. That places him well below the typical average seen in European competition.
While he rarely dismisses players directly, he has shown a tendency to issue second yellow cards when players repeatedly commit fouls after receiving an initial warning.
Penalty Decisions
When it comes to penalties, Hernández sits almost exactly on the European average. He awards roughly 0.33 penalties per match, closely matching the standard rate seen across major European leagues.
Previous Matches with PSG and Chelsea
Wednesday’s match will mark the first Champions League game Hernández has officiated involving PSG.
He has previously refereed Chelsea in European competition, most notably their 2-1 defeat against Atalanta earlier this season in the Champions League league phase.
The Spanish official also took charge of Chelsea during their Conference League quarter-final defeat to Legia Warsaw last season.
What His Refereeing Style Means for the Match
Hernández’s relatively lenient approach could have an impact on the tactical dynamics of the game. Both PSG and Chelsea rely heavily on quick transitions and aggressive pressing, which could lead to physical duels across the pitch.
If the referee maintains his usual standard of allowing play to continue with minimal interruptions, the match could become a fast-paced and open encounter.
With both teams chasing a positive result before the second leg at Stamford Bridge, the referee’s ability to manage intensity without excessive disciplinary intervention may play a key role in how the contest unfolds.