With the Liga MX Clausura 2026 final between Cruz Azul and Pumas UNAM set to kick off on Thursday, May 21, at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, and the return leg on Sunday, May 24, at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, the only unresolved issue is who will officiate the Clásico Capitalino. According to a report from Bolavip via Vamos Azul, both clubs have reached an unusual agreement: they want two specific referees kept far away from the pitch.
Two Referees, Two Clubs, One Shared Rejection
On the Cruz Azul side, the name Marco Antonio “El Gato” Ortiz stirs deep frustration. His performance in the Clausura 2024 final, where a controversial penalty helped Club América secure the title, remains a bitter memory for La Máquina. Since that night, Ortiz has not refereed a single match involving Cruz Azul, and the club’s front office has made it clear to the Referee Commission that his presence in this final is unacceptable.
Pumas UNAM, meanwhile, has its own grievance with Luis Enrique Santander. The official’s handling of a recent playoff series against Club América raised serious questions: Santander failed to record a triple substitution made by América in the official post-match report, an administrative oversight that fueled doubts about his impartiality. The Pedregal club has therefore requested that Santander be excluded from the final.
Former international referee Arturo Brizio, now a television analyst, has weighed in on the likely replacements. He sees César Arturo Ramos Palazuelos, a World Cup veteran, as the top candidate to officiate one of the two legs. Ramos brings experience and a reputation for handling high-pressure matches. For the other leg, Brizio points to Daniel Quintero, a rising official who has impressed during the regular season and Liguilla playoffs. Choosing referees with fewer historical conflicts with the finalists seems to be the Referee Commission’s preferred strategy to keep the focus on the players.
The tension surrounding the officiating is understandable. This final is more than just a championship series; it’s a battle for Mexico City’s soccer supremacy. As the Clásico Capitalino final that will decide Mexico City's soccer supremacy, both clubs have drawn clear lines off the field. Cruz Azul president Víctor Velázquez and club legend Chaco Giménez have already stoked the fire with pre-match comments, with Giménez naming Cruz Azul as the favorite.
The Referee Commission now faces immense pressure to deliver a neutral crew. Any misstep could overshadow what promises to be a historic tournament. With the first leg scheduled for Thursday at 20:00 hours, both clubs expect Liga MX to ensure sportsmanship and fair play. The fans, too, are watching closely, hoping the whistle doesn’t become the story.
