Referee appointments for the second qualifying round of 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, first legs.
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| Experienced Category 1 Donatas Rumšas has been assigned to Rangers - Panathinaikos |
Tuesday 22 July 2025
17:00 CET - Kuopio (Väre Areena)
KUPS KUOPIO (FIN) - QAİRAT FK (KAZ)
Referee: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Sánchez Rojo ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Fabián Blanco Rodríguez ESP
Fourth Official: Alejandro Quintero González ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Javier Iglesias Villanueva ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniel Jesús Trujillo Suárez ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Pascal Garibian FRA
UEFA Delegate: Oleg Harlamov EST
18:00 CET - Gibraltar (Europa Point Stadium)
LINCOLN RED IMPS FC (GIB) - FK CRVENA ZVEZDA (SRB)
Referee: Damian Kos POL
Assistant Referee 1: Bartosz Heinig POL
Assistant Referee 2: Marek Arys POL
Fourth Official: Łukasz Kuźma POL
Video Assistant Referee: Paweł Malec POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Wojciech Myć POL
UEFA Referee Observer: Hannes Kaasik EST
UEFA Delegate: João Morais POR
18:00 CET - Abovyan (Abovyani Kaghakayin Marzadasht)
NOA FA (ARM) - FERENCVÁROSI TC (HUN)
Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Iván Massó Granado ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Asier Pérez de Mendiola González de Durana ESP
Fourth Official: Adrián Cordero Vega ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Pablo González Fuertes ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Stávros Mándalos GRE
UEFA Delegate: René Siegrist SUI
19:00 CET - Riga (LNK Sporta Parks)
FK RFS (LVA) - MALMÖ FF (SWE)
Referee: Miloš Milanović SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Milan Pašajlić SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Novak Novaković SRB
Fourth Official: Dejan Trifković SRB
Video Assistant Referee: Novak Simović SRB
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Milan Stefanović SRB
UEFA Referee Observer: Alain Hamer LUX
UEFA Delegate: Laura Montgomery SCO
19:00 CET - Ta’ Qali (Centenary Stadium)
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS FC (MLT) - FK DYNAMO KYIV (UKR)
Referee: César Soto Grado ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Álvarez Fernández ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Rubén Becerril Gómez ESP
Fourth Official: Víctor García Verdura ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Valentín Pizarro Gómez ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Miguel Sesma Espinosa ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Ádám Farkas HUN
UEFA Delegate: Scilla Gennaro ITA
19:00 CET - Limassol (Alphamega Stadium)
PAFOS FC (CYP) - MK MAKKABI TEL AVIV (ISR)
Referee: Mykola Balakin UKR
Assistant Referee 1: Oleksandr Berkut UKR
Assistant Referee 2: Dmytro Zaporozhenko UKR
Fourth Official: Vitaliy Romanov UKR
Video Assistant Referee: Viktor Kopiyevsʹkyy UKR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Oleksiy Derevinsʹkyy UKR
UEFA Referee Observer: Aleksandar Stavrev MKD
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack LUX
19:00 CET - Copenhagen (Parken - Connected by 3)
FC KØBENHAVN (DEN) - KF DRITA (KOS)
Referee: Martin Matoša SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandar Kasapovič SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Matic Mežnar SVN
Fourth Official: Denis Šabanagić SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Matej Jug SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Roberto Ponis SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Juan Antonio Fernández Marín ESP
UEFA Delegate: Michal Mertinyák SVK
19:00 CET - Plzeň (Doosan Aréna)
FC VIKTORIA PLZEŇ (CZE) - SERVETTE FC (SUI)
Referee: Nikola Dabanović MNE
Assistant Referee 1: Vladan Todorović MNE
Assistant Referee 2: Srđan Jovanović MNE
Fourth Official: Miloš Bošković MNE
Video Assistant Referee: Clay Ruperti NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jeroen Manschot NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Thomas Einwaller AUT
UEFA Delegate: Jens Futterknecht GER
20:00 CET - Skopje (Nacionalna Arena “Todor Proeski”)
KF SHKËNDIJA (MKD) - FC FCSB (ROU)
Referee: Nathan Verboomen BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Mathias Hillaert BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Ruben Wyns BEL
Fourth Official: Wesli De Cremer BEL
Video Assistant Referee: Erik Lambrechts BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ella De Vries BEL
UEFA Referee Observer: Kristinn Jakobsson ISL
UEFA Delegate: Per Eliasson SWE
20:15 CET - Bratislava (Národný futbalový štadión)
ŠK SLOVAN BRATISLAVA (SVK) - HŠK ZRINJSKI MOSTAR (BIH)
Referee: Jérémie Pignard FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Aurélien Drouet FRA
Assistant Referee 2:
Fourth Official: Ruddy Buquet FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Rainville FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marc Bollengier FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Markus Strömbergsson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Fívos Konstandinídis CYP
20:30 CET - Poznań (ENEA Stadion)
KKS LECH POZNAŃ (POL) - BREIÐABLIK (ISL)
Referee: Jasper Vergoote BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Martijn Tiesters BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Michael Geerolf BEL
Fourth Official: Simon Bourdeaud’hui BEL
Video Assistant Referee: Bert Put BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Kevin Van Damme BEL
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefan Meßner AUT
UEFA Delegate: Hanna Bordyuhova UKR
20:45 CET - Rijeka (Stadion HNK Rijeka)
HNK RIJEKA (CRO) - PFK LUDOGORETS 1945 (BUL)
Referee: Elçin Məsiyev AZE
Assistant Referee 1: Elşad Abdullayev AZE
Assistant Referee 2: Pərvin Talıbov AZE
Fourth Official: Fərid Hacıyev AZE
Video Assistant Referee: Gianluca Aureliano ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Əliyar Ağayev AZE
UEFA Referee Observer: Nuno Alexandre Parreira de Castro POR
UEFA Delegate: Peter Oskam NED
20:45 CET - Glasgow (Ibrox Stadium)
RANGERS FC (SCO) - PANATHINAÏKÓS AO (GRE)
Referee: Donatas Rumšas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radiuš LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis LTU
Fourth Official: Robertas Šmitas LTU
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Donatas Šimėnas LTU
UEFA Referee Observer: Michael Riley ENG
UEFA Delegate: Giel Kirkels NED
Wednesday 23 July 2025
19:00 CET - Bergen (Brann Stadion)
SK BRANN (NOR) - FC SALZBURG (AUT)
Referee: Damian Sylwestrzak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Paweł Sokolnicki POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Karasewicz POL
Fourth Official: Marcin Kochanek POL
Video Assistant Referee: Piotr Lasyk POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Kornel Paszkiewicz POL
UEFA Referee Observer: Lucílio Cardoso Cortez Batista POR
UEFA Delegate: Maksims Krivuņecs LVA
20:45 CET - Dublin (Tolka Park)
SHELBOURNE FC (IRL) - QARABAĞ FK (AZE)
Referee: Ante Čulina CRO
Assistant Referee 1: Luka Pušić CRO
Assistant Referee 2: Ivan Mihalj CRO
Fourth Official: Mateo Erceg CRO
Video Assistant Referee: Mario Zebec CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tihomir Pejin CRO
UEFA Referee Observer: Jon Eilif Skjervold NOR
UEFA Delegate: Anu Jokela FIN
Second legs:
ReplyDeleteKairat - KuPS: Gidzhenov (BUL)
Crvena Zvezda - Lincoln Red Imps: Nobre (POR)
Ferencváros - Noah: Jones (ENG)
Malmö - RFS: Kooij (NED)
Dynamo Kyiv - Hamrun Spartans: Sundberg (DEN)
Maccabi Tel Aviv - Pafos: Petrescu (ROU)
Drita - Copenhagen: Nogueira (POR)
FCSB - Shkëndija: Derevinsky (UKR)
Zrinjski - Slovan Bratislava: Kardesler (TUR)
Breidablik - Lech Poznan: Ladebäck (SWE)
Ludogorets - Rijeka: Beaton (SCO)
Qarabag - Shelbourne: Colombo (ITA)
---
Servette - Viktoria Plzeň: Muñiz Ruiz (ESP, yes, double appointment)
Panathinaikos - Rangers: Sozza (ITA)
Salzburg - Brann: Obrenovič (SVN)
I don't understand Muniz Ruiz's double appointment.
DeleteAny thoughts?
This must be his level and not much more, so that’s why he’s getting two appointments.
DeleteMaybe, does anyone have any news about John Brooks?
DeleteAlmost everyone in the youth talent program is playing, except him and Alberola Rojas.
I foresee big plans for the Spaniard not playing at this stage.
It's indeed particular that we don't see Alberola Rojas after U19 tournament, in one of those games. With so many Spanish assignments...
DeleteI mean, maybe he's on vacation? Full domestic/UEFA season + Euro U19 and back to La Liga in less than a month. One can imagine he needs a little time with family.
DeleteStraight red card in Lincoln - Crvena Zvezda, violent conduct:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamain.com/en/U7ticubD0epFq8g/watch
Very good decision by Polish referee.
Did you see terrible offside line for first goal ?
DeleteUCL Q2, 1st leg
ReplyDeleteSlovan Bratislava (SVK) - Zrinjski Mostar (BIH)
R: J.Pignard (FRA) VAR: N.Rainville (FRA)
9' Correct public warning to Slo7 for his behavior to AR1, even when AR's throw in decision was wrong
19' Correct YC given to Slo11 for dissent by word to AR2, even when AR's throw in decision was wrong
22' Correct YC given to Slo23, late reckless challenge
29' Correct public warning to Slo10 for two fouls in short sequence
30' Breaking concussion protocol no stopping game after head injury of Mos16, potential penalty for illegal use of arms, but IMO correctly play on
38' Correct YC given to Mos99 for two fouls and also some dissent
47' Correct YC given to Mos55 for SPA holding
Delete52' Correct foul signalized by AR2
54' Penalty appeal in Slo penalty area, YC for simulation would be an option
60' Correct whistle for handball Mos23, no previous foul IMO
62' Absolute perfect advantage for holding in OGSO in penalty area, but missed YC for that foul
68' Correct YC given to Mos50 for SPA trip, supported by AR1 and also preventive actions before restart
74' Correct foul signalized by AR2
77' VAR disallowed goal for offside in build up, but now I'm bit confused because when Slo10 passed ball, Slo28 was offside but I think that I saw another touch from Slo11 and in that moment Slo28 was onside, no more replays in broadcast, so I can't verify
82' Missed clear foul commited by Mos
82' Correct YC given to Slo5 for dellaying restart
Jak na razie wygląda na słaby występ Vergoote w Poznaniu, kontrowersyjny rzut karny dla Breidabliku, potem faul Islandczyka z oczywistą czerwoną kartką, którą sędzia pokazał dopiero po interwencji VAR, i rzut karny dla Lecha również dopiero po interwencji VAR przy monitorze
ReplyDeleteKf8484839jeueowldlslsjdosp74849393937£(£(#(@8@(@(2#((191;
DeleteDid you understand me? No?
Now you get it...
I know there's Google Translate/Lens to figure it out but please stick to English next time.
DeleteI invite to write in English.
DeleteTranslation of the post:
So far it looks like Vergoote's performance in Poznań is poor, a controversial penalty for Breidablik, then a foul by the Icelander with an obvious red card, which the referee showed only after VAR intervention, and a penalty for Lech also only after VAR intervention at the monitor
Sure, I understand, but we all agree that it's a difficult and demanding match for the Belgian, even though I'm Polish. I'm writing from a translator now
DeleteQuite eventful 1H for Vergoote and VAR Bert Put in Lech Poznan - Breidablík with three PKs and a RC.
ReplyDeleteFirst PK - Given live, rather harsh as the Icelandic player put his leg across in order to 'win' it, IMO correct for VAR to stay silent.
Straight RC for DOGSO - Given after OFR, IMO a poor miss to assess it as YC/SPA, RC was definitely the expected decision
Second PK - Given after OFR for a holding in a set piece, correct
Third PK - Given live for a handball, seems correct
What a game for Jasper Vergoote in Poznań! So many key match incidents!
ReplyDelete13' PAI tripping
https://streambug.org/cv/77ed0e
18' PAI handball
https://streambug.org/cv/ffaad4
26' Penalty awarded for tripping
https://streambug.org/cv/fb727c
29' [OFR] YC 21BRE for SPA upgraded to RC for DOGSO
https://streambug.org/cv/752db6
33' [OFR] Penalty awarded for holding and YC 6BRE
https://streambug.org/cv/13a366
45+2' Penalty awarded for handball
https://streambug.org/cv/55aea3
WOW. Extremely challenging game.
Delete13' OK to play on no penalty for me, not enough contact
18' Very borderline, I think to be confirmed if whistled, but in reality defender can make nothing to avoid contact, under a technical point of view the upper arm is consistent to body while the foream is open. The result is a very challenging decision to take, I can't blame VAR, not a penalty would find all people agree.
26' Classic situation you have to support but rather play on for me, you can say that attackers can get always what they want in such incidents.
29' Without foul, player would have reached ball before keeper in my opinion, and given the position of the infringment, Belgian referee should have issued directly straight red card by himself. Correct VAR intervention.
33' I agree with VAR, the holding is evident, but if you are not convinced, add that attacker had maybe a chance to play ball from his position if not fouled, and I think you have clear and obvious mistake. If the same action but clearly in a zone without the ball, would have been more debatable regarding VAR intervention, but still very clear action by defender. Again, referee should have spotted it directly, from his point of view this happened closer than the ball, but maybe he was looking at the ball and missed it.
45'+2 Very correct decision, of course not an arm as support, but just a save, blocking ball.
18' Looks quite clearly outside the area, unless I'm missing something
DeleteSticking to Belgian refereeing, two straight RCs given by Verboomen in Shkëndija - FCSB.
ReplyDelete70' to SHK28, SFP
https://streamain.com/en/Ry4TMpnkqxsaj2l/watch
78' to FCSB10, tackle as an attack
https://streamain.com/en/kYR7L5zXhap3Bbu/watch
Very good decisions by Belgian referees, however one should wonder about the tones of the game in the last minutes.
DeleteThe second incident is interesting because modern refereeing seems to have downgraded this kind of challenge (player aware he can't reach ball, deliberately bringing down opponent). This was red card in all cases, now if not excessive force, YC is issued, I'm glad the Belgian immediately noticed it was a clearly excessive force. Hopefully in case of YC, VAR would have intervened.
Perfect calls: Direct red cards; very god decision by Verboomen
DeleteRumsas is not Elite material. He allows everything from the home side.
ReplyDeleteDankert stayed silent in 2 cases. IMO both are penalties
Correct 2YC by Rumsas for PAN2, SPA.
ReplyDeleteNever a 2YC
Delete¿¿¿???
DeleteCrystal clear and the expected decision, IMO.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVNMvwcogdE
DeleteMinute 58' in the game.
Rangers player clever in putting himself ahead, but once whistled, you have to book...
The second half in Poznań was expectedly less challenging but once again a controversial call was made by the Belgian officials:
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/124280
I think the overall performance won't be too much liked by the committee. The RC for DOGSO was a big miss and two penalties (26', 84') were too soft for UEFA standards. Apart from (many) KMIs, not many incidents to assess and Vergoote showed rather good management on some occassions.
For me it's a clear PK in 84'. The player don't play the ball, he push clearly his oppenent with two arms. The problem is : Referee don't whitle PK immediatly. I think the decision is taking by AR... If we resume the lasts matchday for belgian referees
DeleteSoo many KMI's :
- 3 KMI's for D'hondt last week (2 PK and 1 RC)
- 5 KMI's for Vergoote tonight ( 4 PK and 1 RC)
- 2 KMI's for Verboomen tonight (2 RC)
Penalty called by AR1, a supportable call but rather not enough in my opinion and better seen as normal contact of play. Technical point of view: you don't have one side making everything, both players accept the challenge in a similar way.
DeleteAn eventful display by Damian Sylwestrzak in SK BRANN (NOR) - FC SALZBURG (AUT), but unfortunately an unconvincing one.
ReplyDeleteForced to give a early yellow card to SKB number 18 for a reckless challange after only 6 minutes, followed by another yellow card to SKB number 6 after 8 minutes for a clear SPA.
Misses a yellow card for the goalie of RBS for a reckless challenge om SKB's goalscorer, when the SKB player is first on the ball and manages to shoot it into the goal before the RBS goalie misses the ball and takes out the SKB attacker.
Continues by giving RBS a yellow card for a reckless challange in minute 22, but misses a second yellow a few minutes later.
In minute 36 he doesn't see the foul by RBS player number 2 on SKB player number 14, clear SPA. A few minutes later he gives a yellow card to SKB player number 14 for protests, which is fair enough, but he doesn't penalize the RBS for the same action earlier in the match.
At halftime he then has given SKB 3 yellow cards, and SRB 1 yellow card, but has missed out on at least 2 yellow cards for SRB. He has made the match difficult for himself by missing key situations, and SKB are clearly frustrated with the referee.
Second half is better, and much more calm to begin with, a correct yellow card for a reckless challenge to SKB number 8 after 68 minutes.
Another contentious decision in minute 75 where SKB argue RBS should have a yellow card for SPA, for me no foul is the correct decision by the referee.
At the end of the game he correctly gives RBS a penalty after SKB number 17 touches the ball with his hand.
Overall an unconvincing display by the polish referee, missing out on at least 2 yellow cards to SRB, and potentially also one for repeat offences as well. Makes the game difficult for himself by being a bit one-sided in his refereeing.
Apologise for any grammatical errors, or potential poor choice of words. English is not my first language.