The big honor for Romanian referee István Kovács, in charge of CL final. He has now in his palmares all three UEFA clubs' cups finals. Let's observe him for the game in Munich.
31 May 2025, 21:00 CET - Munich, GER (Allianz Arena)
Paris Saint Germain FC (FRA) - FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)
Referee: István Kovács ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marius Marica ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Ferencz Tunyogi ROU
Fourth Official: João Pedro da Silva Pinheiro POR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Bruno Miguel Alves Jesus POR
Paris Saint Germain FC (FRA) - FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)
Referee: István Kovács ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marius Marica ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Ferencz Tunyogi ROU
Fourth Official: João Pedro da Silva Pinheiro POR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Bruno Miguel Alves Jesus POR
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Sorin Popa ROU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Sorin Popa ROU
Video Assistant Referee Support: Paulus van Boekel NED
UEFA Referee Observer:Björn Kuipers NED
UEFA Delegate: Nils Fisketjonn NOR
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Nils Fisketjonn NOR
A strange thing, UEFA reports Kuipers as observer for this game (added later, only yesterday), but he was appointed for U17 semifinal in Albania and he should be also observer for the final tomorrow. Unlikely that he will make so many travels in a few days, there should be a mistake. One could have expected Šajn in Champions League because with Rosetti in Conference League and Velasco in Europa League, all three would have got a game...
ReplyDeletemaybe Šajn wasn’t available?
DeleteDidn't he observe him at the Europa League final just last year?
DeleteKuipers is in Munich right now what i have heard.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he will go further to Albania tomorrow.
It is possible
Wonder if we'll have new kits by Macron. At least that's what UEFA did with Marciniak back in 2023 (or will the current Macron collection extend for more than two years?)
ReplyDeletehttps://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0299-1ddf33909469-b229165876b7-1000--champions-league-final-referee-istvan-kovacs-set-for-munich-/
ReplyDeleteA interview with Kovacs before the final. Achievement three finals in 4 years.
Pinheiro vs. Inzaghi has been an epic battle already 😂.
ReplyDeleteAnd perhaps it will be a more epic battle than the match…
DeleteI think there's a few folk with whistles in the crowd. Can hear them going when the ball is delivered into the box
ReplyDeleteExtremely annoying hearing it on tv - I’m surprised the players aren’t complaining about the whistles in the crowd
DeleteIt's the PSG ultras who are using whistles. In fact, this is common in France among Ligue 1 teams.
DeleteTurning into an easy game for Kovacs, PSG too strong for the Italian side.
ReplyDeleteA possible ball out before 2-0 and Kovacs could have whistled an indirect free kick (foot close to head) but it isn't given anymore un modern football.
Looked like AR2 was right not to give a corner before 2-0. Replays not 100% conclusive though.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely nothing to say about Kovacs after first half.
ReplyDeleteVery calm game, the best for a referee.
46' I don't like these mandatory YCs not given, Brych-style (or Doveri-style)
ReplyDeleteThis was the first situation in which a YC could have been issued. "No" was the verdict of the Romanian referee. But we must wait for understanding more. So far impossible to say about his style in this game.
DeleteSorry, this is absolutely not acceptable how the Inter coach can behave. This is not a criticism towards Kovacs or Pinheiro, since I can understand not to make any controversies if not needed in such a game but on the other hand it‘s so annoying that the whole world realises that noone has to obey the rules on the Italian bench today.
ReplyDeleteIn Serie A, Inzaghi's behaviour is the same, but even there there is absolute tolerance (both now with Rocchi and before with Rizzoli)
DeleteYou should watch serie A games and Inzaghi with Italian referees, then I think you could even decide to stop following refereeing :)
DeleteKovacs would make himself very unpopular if he implemented the rules exactly today then :).
DeleteDid Kovacs blow the whistle to initiate that post-substitution freekick? (54’)
ReplyDeleteVery clear YC to Zalewski. Inter now agitated because they wanted YC for PSG as well. Incredible that in the scenario of a very easy game, the minimum decision is disputed in this way, as if it were who knows what...
ReplyDeleteThe Romanian booked the Inter player because the foul was very reckless, you can see the late low contact with studs.
It seems he wants to give only very mandatory cards in this game, leaving the rest to the players, a "final approach" but with a rather positive (for us) trend and not a full one.
Another YC for a fully reckless tackle. Kovacs consistent with previous decision. Low contact, but very dangerous challenge. Can't ignore the YC.
ReplyDeleteThis will be one of those finals again where nobody talks about it the day after. No events and a clear winner.
ReplyDeleteAfter a short advantage and no YC for a LoR holding in the Conference final (74'), that YC and pulling play back was most welcome from Kovacs. A simple but good night for him
ReplyDeleteAgreed. If that decision was excellent, then his management at 72’ was certainly not to be found in the textbook (especially at 0-3 hitherto in bookings!), but thanks to the goal which followed a short while later it didn’t matter at all.
DeleteRarely seen a very poor management like in 72 at very top lvel', this is absolutely something you can't understand. How a referee can allow that? Maybe the only relaxed moment in the game by Kovacs, I hope so, otherwise if deliberate, absolutely no explanation.
DeleteI don't even take into account this YC to Doue for taking off his shirt because he is playing very well. 3 YC to Acerbi, Zalewski and Thuram well applied. Kovacs simply went unnoticed in these almost 90 minutes of the final. Congratulations to the Romanian. Craciunescu, the last referee in a CL final 30 years ago, must be very proud.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Kovacs and his team, not much more to add.
ReplyDeleteLike last year Kovacs gets a one sided final. Good performance by him and both AR's tonight.
ReplyDeleteCongrat to Kovacs on very good performance in football focused game. Dont have anything to add.
ReplyDeleteNot particularly challenged from a refereeing point of view, the Romanian delivered a consistent performance without troubles. It was a match that, at least for me, didn’t seem likely to end with such a score. Inter could have shown a bit more fight, but I'm sure they would have lost anyway. Yellow cards were issued in completely clear situations, very good decision in 74', but a poor one, and the only negative note, in the 72', without any clear explanation. It remains a detail, but it's a point worth of discussion in terms of refereeing, so it must be mentioned. He then was able to keep easy control on the match until to the end and he didn't give any added time, surely after having asked Inter coach. Managing the benches remains a problematic issue, but today it was by far less evident than in other cases we saw in the past. Here, the blame goes to all involved parties, and in this case also UEFA committee, just like the national ones (even more for them). It's clear there's a strong desire to keep the main players and actors on the pitch at all costs, especially in a final. Kovacs was lucky, regardless of merit: these are the kinds of matches every referee dreams, even if they offer little in terms of refereeing challenges. What was good to me is that he didn’t come as completely lenient, and stepped up in the few moments when it was needed.
ReplyDeleteFully agree with your impressions. I think your last sentence gives the best description of tonight's performance: Kovacs stayed in the background in a pretty easy game and stepped into the spotlights when need arose, however he did so very well, IMO, keeping his focus to the very end and delivering a very good performance for my taste. I think he chose the best approach for this match in general and maintained an adequate and consistent line in foul detection and disciplinary approach, cautioning (almost) all the mandatory infringements (I liked his dealing with the Acerbi LoR in 71' very much), while staying quiet in non-mandatory situations and using his personal authority to manage any minor dissent (e.g. Barella in 49'). All KMIs were solved correctly as well (20', 49', 66'). To add, a very good performance by both ARs tonight, with some nice onside decisions leading to goals (12', 73', 86').
DeleteOn the other hand, and here I completely agree with you, the glaring mistake in 72' with the missed YC to PSG51 stays as the only negative impression for me tonight, regardless of the reason (loss of focus, deliberate decision...). Especially because this was a perfect opportunity to caution PSG51 after two possible cautions earlier (47', 57'), where I can support his no-card decisions, as well as to "even things up" a bit, with 3 YCs already (and correctly) issued to INT players/staff. To be mentioned, although Inzaghi's behaviour remains a certain "stain" on an otherwise pretty fair game in terms of sportsmanship, it's definitely nice that Kovacs didn't fully ignore it, choosing to caution probably the most evident case of dissent in 58'.
All in all, I think we have seen a positive performance in an unexpectedly one-sided game. Kovacs adapted to the needs of the match successfully and can be absolutely proud of this great achievement tonight.
I also personally liked the situation in 71 (YC Acerbi), but I wondered if it was correct to come back after the given advantage and the controlled pass played by PSG.
DeleteWhat happend to Kovacs' long-time assistants Vasile Marinescu and Mihai Artene? Why does he have new assistants? Was there a dispute or did they end their careers?
ReplyDeleteSeems they are still FIFA but only work at a local level now. Bear in mind that Marinescu is aged 49 (born in April 1976) and Artene is 47 (born in October 1977)
DeleteUEFA’s decision to appoint new assistant referees, likely due to age considerations, was a forward-thinking move. It’s a strategic step aimed at preparing for the future. These new ARs will certainly support István Kovács well in upcoming matches, including the Club World Cup and other future assignments.
DeleteDo we have on field announcement next year?
ReplyDeleteThere was a pilot in some countries, like Portugal and the Dutch cup.
In CL perhaps or this summer in America?
I would like to see/hear "Mr. However" Filip Dujic. 😜
Deletehttps://youtube.com/shorts/1zC2B3oHbPg?si=2Bu6x6-HsUOOtMd0
https://youtube.com/shorts/JXinGQaceSs?si=Eh7pJOuJKpgowT3P
After these continental finals (UEL, UECL and UCL), it is safe to say that Zwayer and Kovacs are qualified for next year's World Cup, especially since the German has never been to this tournament and the Romanian has only acted as the 4th referee in Qatar.
ReplyDeleteAs for Peljto, I cannot understand why FIFA preferred Taylor over him for the Club World Cup. But there may be an explanation for this: Collina probably has plans for him for the U-20 World Cup in September and October, since he still needs to gain experience in FIFA-sanctioned national team competitions.
Exactly, some referees from other Confederations who deserved to be at the Club World Cup were not selected.
DeleteI predict that they will be assigned to the U-20 World Cup.
I think the UEFA referees for U20WC could be Mariani, Peljto, Pinheiro, Schärer, Gil Manzano.
DeleteAnd then for U17WC maybe Sanchez, Meler, Siebert, Kruzliak, Gözübüyük, Guida + some First Group referees (e.g. Lukjancukas, Balakin, Saggi, Aghayev) as it is a huge tournament.
That's assuming the CWC referees won't be used for the youth tournaments - which doesn't have to be true.
The problem with Spanish refs is that both Gil Manzano & Sánchez Martínez have already attended an U20WC so being given U17WC could feel like a downgrade.
DeletePinheiro, Schärer, Mariani and Peljto should definitely attend U20WC, the Swiss was already called in 2023 but had to be replaced due to an injury, and everyone but Pinheiro is yet to make their debut in a FIFA tournament as a field ref.
For the U17s, I'd rather expect some First Cat refs
@Quilava iinm Joao Pinheiro already selected as field ref in FWC U17 2023
DeleteThe thing everyone seems to be forgetting is that the U20s and the U17s in the World Cup cycle are for WC candidates. 2021 editions were cancelled, so you have to go back to 2017. But if you do, you'll see that with a couple small exceptions, the participants were WC candidates--at least in name.
DeleteIn some situations, final decisions were made (U17s were in India that October). The U20s were admittedly earlier in the cycle and played part of the role that the CWC can plan now. But I think it would be very, very, very wrong to presume or believe the two tournaments this fall will be staffed with "lesser referees." In fact, I'd be a bit surprised if almost every referee--other than some of the CLEAR locks--weren't called again for one of the two tournaments. Yes, there might be a few lesser referees rewarded (e.g., Madden and Siridopolous went to U17s in 2017 when they had no real path to Russia) but that will be the exception, not the rule.
Also, as was pointed out above, the U17 tournament has moved to 48 teams so it will need a lot of referees and VMOs. For me, that's a reason to repeat the Elite names, not bring in second tier (First Group for UEFA) referees who have no chance of going to WC26.
@Andrei, just to drill down on your point about Pinheiro. It's never mattered. The off-year tournaments are treated completely differently thant he on-cycle tournaments are. Go look at how many youth tournaments guys like Cakir and Kuipers and Webb went to later in their career. Going to either the U17, U20, Olympics or Confed Cup was a *REQUIREMENT* to attend the WC.
Delete@Andrei
DeleteI know, that's why I mentioned that Pinheiro is the only one from the refs I mention that has already worked in a FIFA tournament as a field ref (Schärer was a support referee in 2019 U20WC), while Schärer, Mariani and Peljto haven't yet.
Arab Cup in December is also a tournament for preselect referees.
DeleteJust for UEFA: There are 22 preselected referees - 11 are at CWC, around 5 at U20WC, so there will still be 6 "fresh" ones for U17WC. Therefore we are talking about around 4 more spaces, where we could see a double appointment (or someone not preselected).
DeleteWith the schedule now completed, some CWC predictions for MD1:
ReplyDeleteAHL-MIA: Vincic (SVN) - Al Ali (UAE) - Hernandez, del Cerro Grande (both ESP)
BAY-AKL: Valenzuela (VEN) - Ghorbal (ALG) - Soto (VEN), Gallo (COL)
PSG-ATM: Taylor (ENG) - Tantashev (UZB) - Bebek (CRO), Dieperink (NED)
PAL-POR: Ramos (MEX) - Ma (CHN) - Miranda, Pacheco (both MEX)
BOT-SEA: Eskas (NOR) - Kawana (NZL) - Kwiatkowski (POL), van Driessche (BEL)
CHE-LAF: Garay (CHI) - Mutaz (LBY) - Lara (CHI), Mastrangelo (ARG)
BOC-SLB: Falahi (QAT) - Al Ali (UAE) - Al Marri (QAT), Evans (AUS)
FLA-EST: Zwayer (GER) - Makkelie (NED) - Dankert (GER), Mohammed (UAE)
FLU-BVB: Martinez (HON) - Ma (CHN) - Villareal (USA), Guzman (NCA)
RIV-URD: Letexier (FRA) - Kawana (NZL) - Brisard (FRA), El Fariq (MAR)
UHD-MSU: Kovacs (ROU) - Tejera (URU) - di Bello (ITA), Hernandez (ESP)
CFM-INT: Sampaio (BRA) - Benitez (PAR) - Gallo (COL), Gonzalez (URU)
MCI-WAC: Abatti (BRA) - Ramos (MEX) - Soto (VEN), Lara (CHI)
RMA-HIL: Oliver (ENG) - Penso (USA) - Bebek (CRO), Dankert (GER)
PAC-SAL: Falcon (ARG) - Mutaz (LBY) - Mastrangelo (ARG), Ming (CHN)
AIN-JUV: Beida (MTN) - Ndala (COD) - Ashour (EGY), Miranda (MEX)
(Appointing Al Ali for Al Ahly would be somewhat funny and provokes a quiz: Do you find a game, where a match official's name was identical or very similar to one of the teams' name?)
Qatar 2022, Caleb Wales (TRI) was assistant 1 in Wales-Iran
DeleteAHL-MIA: Turpin/Letexier/Brisard
DeleteBAY-AKL: Abbati/Tejera/Gonzales
PSG-ATM: Vincic/Ning/Bebek
PAL-POR: Barton/Ali/Guzman
BOT-SEA: Makkelie/Ibrahim/Deiperink
CHE-LAF: Beida/Ndala/Fariq
BOC-SLB: Faghani/Turpin/Al Marri
FLA-EST: Oliver/Waugh/Di Bello
FLU-BVB: Ramos/Ali/Miranda
RIV-URD: Zwayer/Ibrahim/Dankert
UHD-MSU: Eskas/Nyberg/Del Grande
CFM-INT: Sampaio/Ning/Lara
MCI-WAC: Penso/Waugh/Villareal
RMA-HIL: Sy/Ndala/Ashour
PAC-SAL: Valenzuela/Tejera/Soto
AIN-JUV: Falcon/Garay/Gallo
If you have information about European friendlies to be played on next days (starting from 5 June), you can send them. At moment, can't find any assignment. We will open a post this time.
ReplyDeleteKovacs did a technical mistake in CL final.
ReplyDeleteKick off (again, maybe somebody can remember he had a similar issue in a summer EL or CL game?) by PSG was irregular. No problem to kick directly the ball out in opponents' half, but the problem is that LotG allow only the kick off taker to be in the opponents' half, while the ball was kicked by another PSG player. Kovacs should have detected that, but well... you will never have a mind to think about that, especially before the start.
Inter can ask to replay the game :)