CHELSEA’S next Club World Cup match is set to be refereed by card-happy whistler Ivan Barton.
The Salvadoran, 34, has walked an unusual path to top level officiating – having worked as a chemistry professor.
Brainy Barton hails from Santa Ana and earned a degree in Chemical Sciences from the University of El Salvador.
Having subsequently lectured at his alma mater, Barton has also quickly risen up the ranks of officiating.
He was the third-youngest ref at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and actually took charge of England’s 3-0 win over Senegal in the round of 16.
On that occasion Barton only dished out one yellow card, to former Chelsea star Kalidou Koulibaly.
But often he is a lot more trigger-happy.
During the 2024-25 campaign, Barton handed out an incredible 122 yellows and eight reds in just 23 matches.
These games came across several competitions, including the Salvadoran top flight, Saudi Pro League and international qualifiers.
Barton reffed the CONCACAF Nations League semi-final between the USA and Mexico in 2023 – incredibly dishing out FOUR red cards and nine yellows.
Seeing Barton’s disciplinary record ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Flamengo, fans were left astonished.
And several worried for their reigning player of the year Moises Caicedo.
The midfielder impressed during his second Chelsea campaign, but has a habit of picking up plenty of cards.
Caicedo, 23, has been booked 28 times across two seasons at Stamford Bridge – including 11 in the Premier League last term.
Seeing Barton’s record, one fan posted on X: “Do not start Caicedo.”
While a second joked: “Caicedo red incoming!”
A third pleaded: “Definitely need to rest Caicedo then.”
And another added: “Caicedo red in the 9th minute.”
Enzo Maresca’s side got their Club World Cup campaign off to a winning start on Monday, as they defeated an LAFC side featuring Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud 2-0 in Atlanta.
The Blues will face Brazilians Flamengo in Philadelphia tomorrow, before staying in the Pennsylvania city to battle Tunisian side ES Tunis on Tuesday night.
Club World Cup 2025 Guide
SOME of the world’s biggest clubs are heading Stateside for a MAMMOTH Club World Cup.
Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Man City, and Inter Miami are among the 32 teams taking part in the tournament, which runs from June 14 to July 13.
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane will be showing their skills to packed crowds across the US.
Los Blancos are favourites to lift the trophy in New York but will face stiff competition from around the globe.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the tournament…
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