OFFICIAL | Sánchez Martínez will referee the Copa del Rey final: This was the moment when Medina Cantalejo told him!

José María Sánchez Martínez (Lorca, 1983) will referee his first Copa del Rey final at the Estadio de La Cartuja. The referee from Murcia was promoted to the First Division in the 2015/16 season, making his debut in a match between Real Sociedad and Real Sporting de Gijón that ended in a goalless draw. His access to the top flight was achieved after four seasons and 89 matches in the Second Division. In 2017 he refereed the second leg of the Spanish Supercopa between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona (2-0).

Also in 2017, FIFA awarded him the status of international referee. He is now in the select group of UEFA ELITE referees and this same season has directed two matches of the Champions League and five of the Europa League. In 2019 he was part of the VAR team that was in the final of the Women's World Cup in France alongside Carlos Del Cerro Grande.

In this edition of the Copa del Rey he has directed three matches. L' Alcora - Elche in the first round, Levante - Getafe in the round of 32 and Barcelona - Real Sociedad in the quarterfinals.

In the VAR will be Santiago Jaime Latre, specific referee of VAR in Primera División that this season has made from the position of video refereeing a total of 60 matches.