Referee appointments for the second qualifying round of 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, second legs.
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| Rade Obrenovič SVN is among the referees closely followed by committee |
Tuesday 29 July 2025
17:00 CET - Almaty (Almaty Ortalyq Stadion)
QAİRAT FK (KAZ) - KUPS KUOPIO (FIN)
Referee: Radoslav Gidzhenov BUL
Assistant Referee 1: Miroslav Ivanov BUL
Assistant Referee 2: Petar Mitrev BUL
Fourth Official: Kristiyan Kolev BUL
Video Assistant Referee: Dragomir Draganov BUL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nikola Popov BUL
UEFA Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski POL
UEFA Delegate: Fiona Pförtke GER
20:00 CET - Lublin, POL (Motor Lublin Arena)
FK DYNAMO KYIV (UKR) - ĦAMRUN SPARTANS FC (MLT)
Referee: Jakob Alexander Sundberg DEN
Assistant Referee 1: Victor Skovbæk Skytte DEN
Assistant Referee 2: Jesper Dahl DEN
Fourth Official: Lasse Læbel Graagaard DEN
Video Assistant Referee: Jakob Kehlet DEN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jonas Hedegaard Hansen DEN
UEFA Referee Observer: Stávros Tritsónis GRE
UEFA Delegate: Diana Bulgaru MDA
20:00 CET - Pristina (Stadiumi “Fadil Vokrri”)
KF DRITA (KOS) - FC KØBENHAVN (DEN)
Referee: Miguel Bértolo Nogueira POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Miguel Alves de Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Hugo André Pires Ribeiro POR
Fourth Official: Ricardo Jorge Antunes Roque Baixinho POR
Video Assistant Referee: Hélder Miguel de Azevedo Malheiro POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Luís Miguel Branco Godinho POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Helmut Fleischer GER
UEFA Delegate: Rudolf Řepka CZE
21:00 CET - Belgrade (Stadion Rajko Mitić)
FK CRVENA ZVEZDA (SRB) - LINCOLN RED IMPS FC (GIB)
Referee: António Emanuel de Carvalho Nobre POR
Assistant Referee 1: Nélson Filipe Vila Pereira POR
Assistant Referee 2: Pedro Ricardo Ferreira Ribeiro POR
Fourth Official: José Armando Torres Bessa POR
Video Assistant Referee: Fábio Oliveira de Melo POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bruno Alexandre da Silva Esteves POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Ingvarsson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Andrey Medintsev BUL
21:00 CET - Mostar (Stadion HŠK Zrinjski)
HŠK ZRINJSKI MOSTAR (BIH) - ŠK SLOVAN BRATISLAVA (SVK)
Referee: Arda Kardeşler TUR
Assistant Referee 1: Mehmet Emin Tuğral TUR
Assistant Referee 2: Süleyman Özay TUR
Fourth Official: Cihan Aydın TUR
Video Assistant Referee: Onur Özütoprak TUR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Erkan Engin TUR
UEFA Referee Observer: Volodymyr Petrov UKR
UEFA Delegate: Stijn Hutsebaut BEL
Wednesday 30 July 2025
18:00 CET - Baku (Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika Stadionu)
QARABAĞ FK (AZE) - SHELBOURNE FC (IRL)
Referee: Andrea Colombo ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Stefano Alassio ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Dario Cecconi ITA
Fourth Official: Kevin Bonacina ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Doveri ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Paterna ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Alexandru Deaconu ROU
UEFA Delegate: Tamar Chichinadze GEO
19:00 CET - Malmö (Eleda Stadion)
MALMÖ FF (SWE) - FK RFS (LVA)
Referee: Joey Kooij NED
Assistant Referee 1: Rens Bluemink NED
Assistant Referee 2: Dyon Fikkert NED
Fourth Official: Jannick van der Laan NED
Video Assistant Referee: Richard Martens NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Erwin Blank NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn GER
UEFA Delegate: Maurice Johnston NIR19:30 CET - Razgrad (Huvepharma Arena)
PFK LUDOGORETS 1945 (BUL) - HNK RIJEKA (CRO)
Referee: John Beaton SCO
Assistant Referee 1: David McGeachie SCO
Assistant Referee 2: Graeme Stewart SCO
Fourth Official: Calum Scott SCO Donald Robertson SCO
Video Assistant Referee: Steven McLean SCO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Kevin Clancy SCO
UEFA Referee Observer: Gediminas Mažeika LTU
UEFA Delegate: Tanya Gravina MLT Claude Runavot FRA
19:30 CET - Bucharest (Stadionul Steaua)
FC FCSB (ROU) - KF SHKËNDIJA (MKD)
Referee: Oleksiy Derevinsʹkyy UKR
Assistant Referee 1: Viktor Matyash UKR
Assistant Referee 2: Oleksiy Myronov UKR
Fourth Official: Dmytro Panchyshyn UKR
Video Assistant Referee: Mykola Balakin UKR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Denys Shurman UKR
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Hansson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Richard Havrilla SVK
20:00 CET - Bačka Topola, SRB (TSC Arena)
MK MAKKABI TEL AVIV (ISR) - PAFOS FC (CYP)
Referee: Radu Marian Petrescu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Radu Adrian Ștefan Ghinguleac ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Mircea Mihail Grigoriu ROU
Fourth Official: Andrei Florin Chivulete ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Ovidiu Alin Hațegan ROU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Cristina Mariana Trandafir ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Andreas Schluchter SUI
UEFA Delegate: István Huszár HUN
20:00 CET - Budapest (Groupama Aréna)
FERENCVÁROSI TC (HUN) - NOA FA (ARM)
Referee: Robert Jones ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel Robathan ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Craig Taylor ENG
Fourth Official: Andrew Kitchen ENG
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Steve Meredith ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Boško Jovanetić SRB
UEFA Delegate: Sviatlana Hrynkievič BLR
20:00 CET - Athens (Olymbiakó Athlitikó Kéntro Athinón "Spýros Loúis")
PANATHINAÏKÓS AO (GRE) - RANGERS FC (SCO)
Referee: Simone Sozza ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Marcello Rossi ITA
Fourth Official: Giovanni Ayroldi ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Valerio Marini ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rosario Abisso ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Sokol Jareci ALB
UEFA Delegate: Armen Minasyan ARM
20:30 CET - Kópavogur (Kópavogsvöllur)
BREIÐABLIK (ISL) - KKS LECH POZNAŃ (POL)
Referee: Adam Ladebäck SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Niklas Nyberg SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Yng SWE
Fourth Official: Erik Mattsson SWE
Video Assistant Referee: Jeroen Manschot NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Clay Ruperti NED
UEFA Referee Observer: William Young SCO
UEFA Delegate: Damien Mollard SUI
20:45 CET - Salzburg (Red Bull Arena)
FC SALZBURG (AUT) - SK BRANN (NOR)
Referee: Rade Obrenovič SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordež SVN
Fourth Official: David Šmajc SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Asmir Sagrković SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dragoslav Perič SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Herbert Fandel GER
UEFA Delegate: Michael O’Brien ENG
21:00 CET - Geneva (Stade de Genève)
SERVETTE FC (SUI) - FC VIKTORIA PLZEŇ (CZE)
Referee: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Sánchez Rojo ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Fabián Blanco Rodríguez ESP
Fourth Official: Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Javier Iglesias Villanueva ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniel Jesús Trujillo Suárez ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Kóstas Kapitanís CYP
UEFA Delegate: Targo Kaldoja EST
Andrew Kitchen and Josh Smith both appointed fourth officials for a European game this week despite not being select group 1 referees.
ReplyDeleteThat’s been happening a lot in European games with Scottish referees too! However in this case John Beatons FO has been changed!
DeleteSelect groups 1&2 have been merged together for 25-26 season
DeleteThe two Third Qualifying matches have been announced.
ReplyDeleteNice vs. Benfica = Oliver/Guida
Feyenoord vs. Fenerbahçe = Nyberg/Kovacs.
Pinheiro in Uefa Supercup
Delete
ReplyDeleteOT:
@Chefren
Halil Meler is threatened with relegation to the second division because he failed the running test. What consequences does this have for international matches?
Regular summer seminar for Elite group referees and some referees from 1st group is in September.
DeleteBut also Meler has a chance to run the tests in the national association, at the (repeated) seminar
PS I don't know what Umut Meler's status is in Turkiye, so if he is not the favorite referee of the current referee committee or is in "disfavor" with the football association, the fact that he didn't pass the fitness test may have more serious consequences than the real (expected).
DeleteUCL Q2, 2nd leg
ReplyDeleteZrinjski Mostar (BIH) - Slovan (SVK)
R: A.Krdeşlar (TUR) VAR: O.Özüoprak (TUR)
2' Slo11 just noticed AR1 that some of Mos players have necklace
4' Completly missed clear both hand holding from Mos12 on Slo10, no reaction from AR1
7' Good Slo5 boot change management from 4O
16' Correct public warning to Slo5 and also great preenitve actions before DFK
18' Great delayed flag (AR1) and whistle after foul from Mos12 on Slo11 to potential advantage, also good public warning to player
23' Penalty appeal in Mos penalty area, whistle correctly stayed silent
30' Foul flagged by AR2, no proper angle in broadcast, but looked to me like good shoulder to shoulder challenge
33' Good advantage given to Slo, but I would stopped play, when Mos GK hold ball because Slo player was injured and laid on ground, also missed YC to Mos5 reckless challenge
34' Correct YC given to Slo7 for dissent toward AR2, but again looked to me like good shoulder to shoulder challenge
38' Correctly immediate stopped game after heavy head shot into Mos player
44' Correctly IDFK called for dangerous play-high boot commited by Slo3
48' Correct handball whistled, surely called by 4O, good teamwork
Delete53' Correct mandatory YC given to Slo3 for holding-lack of respect
54' Correct YC given to Mos9 for late reckless tackle
57' Correct foul flagged by AR2
70' Penalty appeal in Slo penalty area, if whistled must be overturned for offensive foul
71' Penalty given to Mos, after trip from Slo10 on Mos21, IMO soft but supportable call
74' Missed YC to Mos16 for reckless tackle on Slo5
75' Missed clear charge from Mos player on Slo13, until now at least 3 similar challenges whistled
77' Correct public warning to Slo13 and Mos player for pushing out of play
80' Correct ONside before goal scored by Slo13
82' Correct YC to Mos10, for SPA
84' Correct foul flagged by AR2
Cesar Soto Grado will continue on another season in La Liga. Source Rfef
ReplyDeleteIndeed, we learned about it last month.
DeleteGonzález Fuertes & Melero López left the list due to age and Pulido Santana due to performance reasons, but Soto Grado got a year extension.
Honestly,extremley clever decision made by CTA,excellent referee, safe pair of hands. Hope he will recive Copa Del Rey Final as farawell prize, and long year deserves.
DeleteRC for SFP in Drita - Copenhagen:
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/lNdOuAe3Yww?t=1895
Correct straight RC IMO
DeleteExcellent decision
DeleteJoao Pineirho Por for UEFA supercup
ReplyDeleteUEFA Super Cup Final 2025
ReplyDeletePSG x Tottenham
Referee: João Pinheiro (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia (POR)
Fourth Official: Elchin Masiyev (AZE)
VAR: Tiago Martins (POR)
AVAR 1: Fábio Melo (POR)
AVAR 2: Pol Van Boekel (NED)
Uhhmmm; most probably Eskas, Nyberg and Siebert deserved more than Pinheiro such appointment
DeleteI confess I'm surprised by this appointment. For someone who was recently promoted to the elite, Pinheiro's choice raises some doubts.
DeleteVery long offside check for Sozza to deal with
ReplyDeleteVAR was very quick to check the handball at the first half.
DeleteAnd rightly so as it was never a deliberate handball
DeleteRijeka playing ET with 9 men
ReplyDeleteTwo red cards for Rijeka in the second half, I'd like to watch a video of those
ReplyDeletePK also awarded in first half
DeleteCouldn’t get watching all of Panathanaikos v Rangers and any big moments. What I did see was Butland taking easily 10+ seconds to release the ball after controlling it with his hands in 2nd half additional time. So basically it was a waste of time and effort for IFAB bringing in this new law. If the referees at this level don’t enforce this law then for sure the officials lower down the pyramid won’t enforce it. Have they been instructed to manage it differently by the referee committees?
ReplyDeleteObrenovic and 8 cards in his match?!?!?
ReplyDeleteSomething is not right😀
Ludogorets - Rijeka
ReplyDeletePenalty awarded for handball after OFR:
https://streambug.org/cv/feb733
Red Card for SFP:
https://streambug.org/cv/847d28
Red Card for SFP after OFR:
https://streambug.org/cv/f2ccff
all decisions correct, however - I wonder if:
Delete1) the handball could be noticed by CR. It was right in front of him and his sight wasn't blocked - but I am interested in your opinion folks
3) IMO, CR could use some help in deciding from FO - it wasn't that far away from him and he got a good angle. I didn't feel convinced with signalling that advantage.
a bit on technical side: shouldn't the YC for RIJ10 be revoked before giving RC?
commentator seems very disappointed with the attitude of RIJ10 after seeing the replay ;)
All correct decisions, indeed.
DeleteVery good with the first RC for SFP directly shown, but the penalty for handball, I agree, should have been seen live. I would mention both referee and assistant referee, one of them had to spot it. Very quick action, but not impossible to see if compared to other handballs. Second YC was not easy to see for Beaton, but in this case maybe fourth official?
To me the point for discussion must be mostly about the fact they should have spotted penalty on field...
I dont agree with the first RC. I agree its a supported decision and VAR can not intervene but the leg was bended traying to avoid contact and the studs actually never ended in to contact. Reckless is more accurate decision. Anywas - 3 OFR in one game and a very harsh RC is far from expected performance.
DeleteInteresting moments in Muniz Ruiz' game:
ReplyDelete65' RC for SFP, tackle from behind with high intensity. could also be assessed as reckless, but I think correct by VAR to stay silent and for me due to intensity also a good and brave decision.
67' 2YC for reckless. Luck for referee, I think this was more SFP but player had to go anyway. But rather wrong tecnical assessment.
87' deciding penalty, confirmed after OFR. complex situation. Better to play on in my opinion because it is the attacker who initiates the contact, but surely not a clear and obvious error and therefore rather wrong by VAR to intervene. happened probably because of the deciding character of the decision.
Agree with everything you wrote,wrong VAR intervention and surprised that direct RC was not shown in 67'.
Delete65' https://streamain.com/en/nIWNR9P5iA8NB1f/watch
DeleteVery good decision, the tackle is low and one could still discuss about the point of contact that is not the classic one for a SFP, but... the player s trapped between the legs like a clamp by the opponent, so one can praise it.
67' https://streamain.com/en/EAbLX2QsIHawkwp/watch
Mandatory YC, you can give straight RC as well. Fully reckless close to excessive force.
87' https://streamain.com/en/bKEMQinMxgTwmEm/watch
Not enough for a penalty in my opinion and they key is exactly the one you described, but for me not a clear and obvious mistake, or at least you have "soft" arguments to back referee, so the OFR should be wrong, but indeed it's possible they made it on referee's request because very important decision (otherwise maybe referee would have changed decision after OFR). Should be assessed as mistake in my opinion, though.
thanks for your opinions and thanks to you, Chefren, for the videos!
DeleteRC: https://www.streambug.io/cv/6c8233
DeleteSYC: https://www.streambug.io/cv/6a1712
Pen: https://www.streambug.io/cv/86fe51
I think it is pretty clear that the OFR was conducted to allow Muniz himself to assess the potential prior handball?
https://www.youtube.com/live/l-0NbnUTBbI?si=mR13TuTGsnkAoXqt
ReplyDeleteFull game that Obrenovic whistled.
Wow.
Either he changed his style completely or this is just temporarily.
Cause sometime he was too strict in my book.
11 cards shown to teams that are not playing dirty and I would say 3-4 were way too giving.
Punishind dissents like he should, bravo.
If this is Obrenovic we will see this season,then I'm looking forward to it.
But then again, this was just 1 game and we will see if he has that same style in bigger games.
It's not hard to understand why now the Slovenian could decide to have a totally different approach to games, but let me say, most of the important mistakes he made in past in his previous games were not due to a style, he absolutely missed the technical assessments of issuing a pure YC, like in Monaco..
DeleteYou think he got a word about that aspect from his superiors or he just had self reflection and decided that he will be more by the book?
DeleteGreat performance from Robert Jones and his team at Budapest, it wasn't a difficult game for the ref team, but still, I really liked the way they treated the game.
ReplyDeleteThird qualifying round referees:
ReplyDelete- Malmo vs Copenhagen --> Pinheiro/Sanchez Martinez
- Kairat vs Slovan Bratislava --> Gozubuyuk/Bastien
- Lech vs Crvena Zvezda --> Stieler/Letexier
- Ludogorets vs Ferencvaros --> Eskas/Hernandez
- Dynamo Kyiv vs Pafos --> Scharer/Massa
- Shkendija vs Qarabag --> Kruzliak/Makkelie
- Salzburg vs Brugge --> Jovanovic/Peljto
- Rangers vs Plzen --> Turpin/Marciniak
- Nice vs Benfica --> Oliver/Guida
- Feyenoord vs Fenerbahce --> Nyberg/Kovacs
Surprised that comitee thinks that Rangers and Plzen deserve top 2 refs in Europe.
DeleteI dont see how that match can be very challenging.
Well, there were lot of heat in matches between Rangers and Czech teams, since match between Rangers and Slavia Prague in 2020/21 Europa league Ro16, where Slavia player was acused and banned for racism against Rangers player Glen Kamara, without clear evidence. After that match Kamra said something like, Czech people are all racists, or something similar. This caused bit of diplomatic scandal, when Czech Minister of foreign affairs, calls British ambasador... Few years later when Rangers played against Slavia's biggest rival Sparta, player was booed and whistled for whole match, and get standing ovation when sendt off, that was again twisted like racism to him, by player and team/club officials. IMO that is why appointment like this.
Delete