The last set of referee assignments for Champions League Round of 16, second legs to be played on Wednesday 12 March 2025.
18:45 CET - Villeneuve-d'Ascq (Stade Pierre Mauroy)
LOSC LILLE (FRA) - BORUSSIA DORTMUND (GER)
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Stéphane De Almeida SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Jonas Erni SUI
Fourth Official: Lionel Tschudi SUI
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefan Meßner AUT
UEFA Delegate: Michal Mertinyák SVK
21:00 CET - Birmingham (Villa Park)
ASTON VILLA FC (ENG) - CLUB BRUGGE KV (BEL)
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Rafael Foltyn GER
Assistant Referee 2: Lasse Koslowski GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager GER
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Domenico Messina ITA
UEFA Delegate: Roxana Berceanu ROU
ASTON VILLA FC (ENG) - CLUB BRUGGE KV (BEL)
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Rafael Foltyn GER
Assistant Referee 2: Lasse Koslowski GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager GER
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Domenico Messina ITA
UEFA Delegate: Roxana Berceanu ROU
21:00 CET - Madrid (Estadio Metropolitano)
CLUB ATLÉTICO DE MADRID (ESP) - REAL MADRID CF (ESP)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL
Fourth Official: Paweł Raczkowski POL
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras GRE
UEFA Delegate: Karl Espen Eriksen NOR
CLUB ATLÉTICO DE MADRID (ESP) - REAL MADRID CF (ESP)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL
Fourth Official: Paweł Raczkowski POL
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras GRE
UEFA Delegate: Karl Espen Eriksen NOR
21:00 CET - London (Arsenal Stadium)
ARSENAL FC (ENG) - PSV (NED)
Referee: Rade Obrenović SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordež SVN
Fourth Official: David Šmajc SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Alena Borošak SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Bertrand Layec FRA
UEFA Delegate: Jaroslav Doležal CZE
ARSENAL FC (ENG) - PSV (NED)
Referee: Rade Obrenović SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordež SVN
Fourth Official: David Šmajc SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Alena Borošak SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Bertrand Layec FRA
UEFA Delegate: Jaroslav Doležal CZE
The symbolic appointment! ;)
ReplyDeleteA Slovenian. Classic.
I never saw a first class referee in the R16 CL; it's probably a replacement after the 1st leg result; I guess it wasn't the 1st appointment done
ReplyDeleteI think it's happened more often, because in R16 first category refs are still allowed, but usually they do 1st legs, not 2nd legs
Deletefrom quarter finals on they should be all elite
I guess his nationality helps....
Hahahahahahaha, Obrenovic, Ceferin, Rosetti and Sajn UEFA circus
ReplyDeleteHis performance in AZ-Tottenham wasn’t exceptional either. It says something about the power of a passport. ;)
DeleteThey had to find a replacement after the 1-7 in 1st leg - Elite is a waste - and I assume Peljto became a victim of that.
Couple of comments:
ReplyDelete1. Scharer-expected, as someone of you predicted earlier
2. Obrenovic with regular observer, and I think first in history from 1st category that officiate round of 16. Expected promotion to elite at next update
3. Siebert- back in the game!
4. Marciniak- excellent appoitment for him.
So we can conclude that names like Peljto,Nyberg,Makkelie,Taylor are kept for quarterfinals.
about Obrenovic, I think it's happened more often that a category 1 ref got a round of 16 match, because in the the round of 16 the refs are allowed from 1st category, howerer from the quarter finals on they should be all elite referees, at least in champions league.
DeleteBut I agree he's a good referee and expected to promote this summer to elite
DeleteI also can't remember a non-elite referee ever having handled a Champions League match in the knockout phase. Could it be possible for UEFA to appoint a referee originally planned for this game at short notice for a Europa League match and to appoint Rade Obrenovic for this game, which is most likely rather meaningless in view of the first-leg result?
DeleteAs I can remember Pavel Kralovec and Milorad Mazic as Elite Development group referees had KO match in CL long time ago
DeleteWas already hoping Marciniak would be refereeing in the Madrid derby, gonna be a wild match, great appointment
ReplyDeletebit suprised not to see Danny Makkelie or Anthony Taylor on this appointments, but maybe they will have a match in the Europa League or in the Champions League semi-finals
Yes, Makkelie and Taylor missing in both CL rounds is quite remarkable.
DeleteI think, there must be more behind that than just "they are protected for the final".
I would even argue, it would be hard to justify to use them in the following CL stages. Would be unfair against others, who had to "survive" one or two KO games already.
Can be justified by experience imo:
Delete- Makkelie: 52 UCL games, 4x QF, 2x SF. UEL final 2020.
- Taylor: 38 UCL games, 3x QF, 1x SF. UEL final 2023, Nations League final etc.
I don’t understand how Obrenovic, only a few months after a disastrous performance under the eyes of Rosetti, can be appointed to a CL R16, and be considered for a promotion to Elite category.
ReplyDeleteThe power of Sajn and Ceferin :-)
DeleteRather unusual, that officials (Borosak and Dingert) work as main VAR on Tuesday and Wednesday. Normally, it is a combination of VAR and AVAR, if they work both days.
ReplyDeleteVAR in Inter-Feyenoord is Fedayi San now. They removed Dingert
DeleteI think that a Category 1 officiated a Round of 16 in CL KO stage many years ago, it was either Karasev or Mazic, I don't remember exactly, but surely one of the two. Maybe both... it's extra ordinary, but already happened, while surely Category 1 can't appear from Quarterfinals onwards.
ReplyDeleteSo they use the game in London for Obrenovic. The observer, Layec, didn't change. I think it's possible they changed only the referee in this case, because it's hard to think he was already appointed for that, even before his previous game.
Basically it's good thing that we don't see Elite in London, would be a full waste after first leg score, but we can observe that the Slovenian MUST have a career, despite of some controversial performances. I didn't have the occasion to watch more from his last match in Netherlands, maybe he was good.
The rest, all expected, with Schaerer together with Kruzliak with a delayed assignment waiting for their EL games before.
Hard to find different names for Madrid's derby, while Siebert keeps a certain trust by committee, but let's say, if I get his management right, if there is a room, they assign him (clearly Zwayer is ahead as German nr.1, based also on this choice). Always hard to understand about Stieler...
After accurate search:
DeleteMilorad Mazic was promoted as Elite on June 2013.
He had already got a CL KO game as Category 1, PSG - Valencia, Round of 16, 6 March 2013.
You right, but he was not first category ref, he was Elite Development! :)
DeleteAydinus and Karasev had a R16 in the same season as Cat1 iirc.
DeleteBut this can suggest us also that Obrenovic promotion is close, otherwise no hurry to put him in CL KO stage.
DeleteElite on June? Well' see...
About Aydinus and Karasev,also Elite Developement :)
DeleteAnd also, Karasev was part of knock out stage at 13/14 Real Schalke, Aydinus at 12/13 he officiate Juventus home game at round of 16.
DeleteIf I remember correctly, I think Cüneyt Çakır set a certain record in 2010 when he officiated the match Fulham FC - Hamburger SV in the semi-finals of the Europa League. It wasn't the Champions League, but as far as I know, the Turk wasn't an elite referee at that time (but replaced another colleague at short notice).
DeleteAddendum: And without ever having refereed a single Champions League match before, as I just realized ...
DeleteIt is worth mentioning that two matches were delayed in the Champions League, but also three in the Europa League:
ReplyDeleteAthletic-Roma
Olympiacos-Bodø
Rangers-Fenerbahce
Could be the same approach with Kruzliak/Schärer, thus we can expect some 1st leg referees again. Except for one name, because one of the referees was initially appointed to Arsenal-PSV and moved to one of the open games. Probably Peljto or Nyberg?
OT: Anyone know (maybe ESF) what happened on the first goal for Legia Warsaw at Ekstraklasa Motor Lublin-Legia Warsaw? I'm confused with the referee gesture. The referee was Jarosław Przybył (48 y.o). Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteDon't know what exactly happened, but here the video:
Deletehttps://streambug.org/cv/f0d605
Not clear why keeper released the ball in that way as he was about to take a free kick and why referee was about to whistle but then he changed idea...
Full sequence:
Deletehttps://streambug.org/cv/6ff659
Motor's players were convinced there was an offside but...
One can hear a whistle at the relevant moment - so a dropped ball for outside interference seems the right call.
DeleteWho is the likely appointment for Man Utd - Real Sociedad? I know we it will be confirmed tomorrow but does anyone have early information? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOT: this review for a red card was given as a second yellow in AFC Champions League Al Nassr vs Esteghlal, 4:27 in this video: https://youtu.be/2HiORDB9rEU?si=rwsD3N4oW_bGYxvV&t=4m27s
ReplyDeleteReferee: Ilgiz Tantashev (UZB),
Don’t know where to find the VAR
Crazy that something like this gets sent down as a red card review. It’s barely a yellow card, let alone a clear and obvious red. I guess the VAR decided that second yellows are reviewable now? If this is the standard of VAR in AFC, then the 2026 World Cup will surely not go better for them than 2022.
Video can't be watched outside Asia.
DeleteHere the full game on AFC official channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpi2Wng-Cns
VAR were from Uzbekistan as well, Norsafarov and Riskullaev.
Fully unknown names for me but I don't follow AFC recently.
Incident in 45'+2 of first half.
In my opinion VAR assessed it was a deliberate action by player (without looking at all at the intensity), but indeed in the scenario where the player was already booked and after the OFR the referee goes for a second YC, you have feeling that VAR has been rather used against the protocol... would have been definitely better to show a direct red card, once rewatched.
You can see how around the world, there are the most different uses of VAR, and I want to say again that's absolutely not good thing...
If I'm not mistaken about Uzbek referees, after Asian Cup 2023 (he's not involved), Firdavs Norsafarov (31 y.o) rise as trusted VAR from the region and he is now VAR candidate for FWC 2026 (maybe it's also for CWC 2025), with Irmatov influence IMO Uzbekistan full squad (Tantashev-Norsafarov) we like it or not, it will going far. Uzbekistan right now have 2 young rising referees, beside Norsafarov, they have Asker Nadjafaliev (30 y.o), already have KO game in AFC CL 2 (Jeonbuk-Sydney/big match). They move on from Irmatov-Kovalenko era and now starting with Norsafarov-Nadjafaliev. For me it's very good thing because at the moment the situation in AFC to Arab-centrism, almost all match the VAR is from that region, and at the same time the situation for East Asia referee (China, Korea, and Japan) not good. Beside Uzbekistan, they have rising star from Tajikistan (but I don't think he had enough support), Sadullo Gulmurodi (34 y.o).
DeleteThanks for the detailed information Andrei, always nice to hera updates from lesser-known parts of the world. I watched Gulmurodi (TJK) during his Asian Cup game last year and thought he did a very good job.
DeleteObservers for upcoming UNL games
ReplyDeleteUEFA NATIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS
20/03 NEDESP Emil Božinovski MKD
20/03 CROFRA Leslie Irvine NIR
20/03 DENPOR Kóstas Kapitanís CYP
20/03 ITAGER Konrad Plautz AUT
- - - - -
23/03 ESPNED Lucílio Cardoso Cortez Batista POR
23/03 FRACRO Mehmet Murat Ilgaz TUR
23/03 PORDEN Uno Tutk EST
23/03 GERITA Gylfi Þór Orrason ISL
UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS
20/03 TURHUN William Young SCO
20/03 UKRBEL Paweł Gil POL
20/03 AUTSRB Karen Nalbandyan ARM
20/03 GRESCO Jon Eilif Skjervold NOR
20/03 KOSISL Vlado Svilokos CRO
20/03 BULIRL Stávros Tritsónis GRE
20/03 ARMGEO Carlos Clos Gómez ESP
20/03 SVKSVN Marinus Koopman NED
- - - - -
23/03 HUNTUR Carlos Velasco Carballo ESP
23/03 BELUKR Stefan Meßner AUT
23/03 SRBAUT Darko Čeferin SVN
23/03 SCOGRE Jørn West Larsen DEN
23/03 ISLKOS Matteo Simone Trefoloni ITA
23/03 IRLBUL Martin Hansson SWE
23/03 GEOARM Martin Ingvarsson SWE
23/03 SVNSVK Cyril Zimmermann SUI
This invites for some predictions :)
DeleteNED-ESP: Siebert / Kovacs
CRO-FRA: Kruzliak / Oliver
DEN-POR: Letexier / Marciniak
ITA-GER: Bastien / Gil Manzano
TUR-HUN: Schärer / Nyberg
UKR-BEL: Grinfeeld / Taylor
AUT-SRB: Hernandez / Eskas
GRE-SCO: Gözübüyük / Peljto
KOS-ISL: Kabakov / Rumsas
BUL-IRL: Kruashvili / Petrescu
ARM-GEO: Lukjancukas / Obrenovic
SVK-SVN: Lambrechts / Lindhout
Foul detection from Schärer is very inconsistent, 19th minute clear strong push with both hands by Dortmund player it was a typical wrestling action not football action but no whistle and it resulted in a very dangerous Dortmund attack. I am all for letting the game flow but such fouls should be whistled.
ReplyDeleteIMO very soft but not incorrect penalty for Dortmund from Scharer for Dortumund. VAR correct to not intervene
ReplyDeleteAt least supportable PK for Dortmund. Never VAR stuff
ReplyDeleteSchärer: Never a penalty IMO from what I have seen on the first replay, I would even have expected a VAR intervention. Does anyone have a better replay?
ReplyDeleteThat's what was shown live:
Deletehttps://streamff.com/v/b357d6e4
Thanks, looks like the foul was outside, if anything.
DeleteNo foul, play on
DeleteAnd now very soft penalty for Dortmund, the French will feel very aggrieved. In my view it was a dive by Guirassy
ReplyDeleteMaybe not the push but the contact between legs... but it looks like a very soft call at first glance.
ReplyDeleteThe VAR must have seen some contact to the legs, this can be the only explanation, because otherwise the call makes no sense. The upper body contact, if it’s even a foul, is clearly outside of the penalty area. I’m very interested to see if there exists any camera angle showing a lower body foul…
DeleteIt's football, not Basketball!
DeleteI think the last little push happens inside the penalty area so should still be correct based on position. However that push is very very light...
DeleteAnd in that case, Elliot, if we are using the word “push,” surely it should be a red card!
DeleteGood point actually, I can agree with you on that point
DeleteGuys, when players are running even a soft contact will cause a fall. VAR can never intervene, there are contacts with the legs and slight pushes
DeleteThats a dive. Last 2 days we have seen very soft penalties given that should be corrected by VAR. I sense now the threshold for intervention is becoming too high that VAR is looking for any little contact not to intervene.
ReplyDeleteVery soft PK from Schärer.
ReplyDeleteHere in France, commentators struggle to understand how Guirassy/Meunier is a foul, but not Barcola/Konaté…
ReplyDeleteWell, full of respect for Sandro Scahrer, but we saw average performance from him. Lack of consistency in foul judgment, and unfortunately very soft,soft penalty call from him. In my view, evetually we can see him at one UECL game. If not, European season for him is, in my view, over.
ReplyDeletenot scharers best performance.inconsistent foul detection throughout and an extremely soft penalty for dortmund
ReplyDeleteThat is a pathetic, game changer. Ok for Dortmund....I would prefer var to call over referee to have a look, let him then further decide...yes or no....angles would show the bump is nearly shoulder to shoulder. Def. No foul
ReplyDeleteOT: Guys,maybe the stupid question from my side,but, I would like to ask about Marciniak decision for offside in Madrid last year. We know that mistake was evident in way of protocol beocuse of VAR, but does Uefa acknowledges was there offside or not?
ReplyDeleteIf I'm not mistaken, it didn't even make it to the RAP. Maybe it's in the 2024-2 one, but I doubt it. Btw, any idea if/when we will get the link for that, @Chefren ,?
DeleteI am completely lost with these handball decisions? Can someone explain me, why it is not a penalty on 20 min at ATM-RMA game?
ReplyDeleteI would say hand is very close to the body, moving away from the ball, at most a very slight touch. Also from short distance. Thus never a penalty IMO.
DeleteSmall distance, arm down by side, natural position, accidental. I'm struggling to find any reason why it would be handball
DeleteI very much like the hand gestures by referees to clearly indicate that a VAR check is over. Seen a lot of refs do it lately, now the camera in the broadcast focused on Marciniak when he did it. It maked the VAR room decision very clear for everybody.
ReplyDeleteDogso Rc in Aston Villa vs Bruge (17.) for a touch just outside the box. Communication between Siebert and his Ar seemed to be a bit confusing considering Sieberts mimics and gesture.
ReplyDeleteDOGSO RC correct by Siebert at Aston Villa. Not great management however IMO. Too hesitant, continually searching for confirmation from AR2. Appeared indecisive.
ReplyDeleteCompare Marciniak to most Uefa officials, including Kovacs last night. He is very happy to completely ignore Uefa's captains protocol and chat to players who are asking a question about his decisions. He won't accept dissent but uses his personality to difuse situations, and gains much more acceptance and respect from all because of this. Very enjoyable to see
ReplyDeleteWhere does it say players can’t respectfully talk with the referee?
DeleteMarciniak being Marciniak, demonstrating imposition and mastery so far.
DeleteAs for Scharer, I see that he will not receive any assignment in the UCL (at least the trend is that way). I do not see any clear and evident element to award the penalty to BVB.
https://streambug.org/cv/1d2463
ReplyDeleteHere the handball, in my opinion grey area.
Must be whistled by referee, rather no VAR stuff, but it can appear controversial in countries like Italy and Spain (indeed I'm also reading some opinions from Spanish "experts", just as curiosity).
Absolutely natural position of the arm, consistent to body when ball is kicked, but then a movement opening arm and touching it while ball was passing.
A penalty call wouldn't have been questioned by VAR, about some incidents it's impossible to have balck or white, as the opionins above also demonstrated.
From the replay, it's not clear if the trajectory of the ball changed at all.
DeleteNever a penalty! Completely natural running movement eyes on attacking player
ReplyDeleteIf we give those then you must give any hand contact
I would even go as far as to say that if you give those you hate football :-)
DeleteMissed YC
ReplyDeleteMiser YC to Simeone against Vinicius IMO, a few minutes before Vini takes one on him.
ReplyDelete*Missed
Delete