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| Istvan Kovacs back at UEFA duties after a rather disappointing FIFA outing |
Tuesday 12 August 2025
18:00 CET - Baku (Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika Stadionu)
QARABAĞ FK (AZE) - KF SHKËNDIJA (MKD)
Referee: Danny Makkelie NED
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries NED
Fourth Official: Marc Nagtegaal NED
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Richard Martens NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Alan Mario Sant MLT
UEFA Delegate: István Huszár HUN
19:00 CET - Copenhagen (Parken - Connected by 3)
FC KØBENHAVN (DEN) - MALMÖ FF (SWE)
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Juan José López Mir ESP
Fourth Official: Francisco José Hernández Maeso ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Kenneth William Clark SCO
UEFA Delegate: Thibault De Gendt BEL
19:00 CET - Limassol (Alphamega Stadium)
PAFOS FC (CYP) - FK DYNAMO KYIV (UKR)
Referee: Davide Massa ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Stefano Alassio ITA
Fourth Official: Matteo Marcenaro ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Valerio Marini ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Alain Sars FRA
UEFA Delegate: Florin Prunea ROU
19:00 CET - Plzeň (Doosan Aréna)
FC VIKTORIA PLZEŇ (CZE) - RANGERS FC (SCO)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL
Fourth Official: Karol Arys POL
Video Assistant Referee: Piotr Lasyk POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Wojciech Myć POL
UEFA Referee Observer: Boško Jovanetić SRB
UEFA Delegate: Edgars Pukinsks LVA
19:00 CET - Istanbul (Chobani Stadyumu Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi)
FENERBAHÇE SK (TUR) - FEYENOORD (NED)
Referee: Istvan Kovacs ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marius Marica ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Ferencz Tunyogi ROU
Fourth Official: Marcel Bîrsan ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Chiffi ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Luca Pairetto ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Drago Kos SVN
UEFA Delegate: Filip Popovski MKD
19:30 CET - Bruges (Jan Breydelstadion)
CLUB BRUGGE (BEL) - FC RED BULL SALZBURG (AUT)
Referee: Irfan Peljto BIH
Assistant Referee 1: Senad Ibrišimbegović BIH
Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo BIH
Fourth Official: Luka Bilbija BIH
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett AUS/ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Peter Bankes ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Chaim Ya’akov ISR
UEFA Delegate: Christian Kofoed DEN
20:15 CET - Bratislava (Národný futbalový štadión)
ŠK SLOVAN BRATISLAVA (SVK) - QAİRAT FK (KAZ)
Referee: Benoît Bastien FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Hicham Zakrani FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Aurélien Berthomieu FRA
Fourth Official: Thomas Léonard FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Benoît Millot FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jérémie Pignard FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Karen Nalbandyan ARM
UEFA Delegate: Lennart Vestervall SWE
20:15 CET - Budapest (Groupama Aréna)
FERENCVÁROSI TC (HUN) - PFK LUDOGORETS 1945 (BUL)
Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández ESP
Assistant Referee 1: José Enrique Naranjo Pérez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Marcos Cerdán Aguilar ESP
Fourth Official: Alejandro Quintero González ESP
Video Assistant Referee: César Soto Grado ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniel Jesús Trujillo Suárez ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Elmir Pilav BIH
UEFA Delegate: Mauro Tonolini ITA
21:00 CET - Belgrade (Stadion Rajko Mitić)
FK CRVENA ZVEZDA (SRB) - KKS LECH POZNAŃ (POL)
Referee: François Letexier FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Erwan Finjean FRA
Fourth Official: Romain Lissorgue FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marc Bollengier FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Peter Sippel GER
UEFA Delegate: Rotem Kamer ISR
21:00 CET - Lisbon (Estádio do SL Benfica)
SL BENFICA (POR) - OGC NICE (FRA)
Referee: Marco Guida ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Giorgio Peretti ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Giuseppe Perrotti ITA
Fourth Official: Matteo Marchetti ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Michael Fabbri ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Alain Hamer LUX
UEFA Delegate: Kim Hallberg DEN
Kovacs basically is sent to the hot-bed atmosphere of Turkey, to deal with Fenerbahce...let's hope he is awake and alert, not like his single Fifa world Cup game. Maybe this is a punishmenty
ReplyDeleteIt's a big game for this round, you can never say a punishment and it wouldn't make sense because FIFA is FIFA while UEFA is UEFA, today even more than yesterday...
DeleteIt seems KNVB has introduced their rule. Ball boys/girls are no longer allowed to hand the ball to players. Balls will be placed at equal intervals on the side of the field. Yes, it has already been introduced in the English Premier League.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, in the Netherlands trainers and substitutes are no longer allowed to pick up the ball even if it goes out of the field. What happens if they do? An indirect free kick for the opposing team. (Is this the case in the English Premier League as well, something I just don't know about?)
The intention behind introducing this rule is unclear (KNVB never explains the rules on their channels, and the rule itself was announced by the media, likely with guidance from KNVB). From watching the matches on Friday and Saturday, it certainly seems to be this rule.
Van Meenen said he wanted to 'adjust to UEFA standards so players don't get confused', but clearly things will change.
You forgot the most discussed change this season. The new haircut of Makkelie was trending topic.. ;)
DeleteYou cannot restart with anything other than the original decision/throw-in as the ball has left the field of play or the match has been stopped. The bigger issue is that players will take the ball further down the field of play and the throw-in will be automatically too far away from the point where the ball left the pitch.
Deletehttps://youtu.be/nWczNF1rExQ?si=pVm6-G2C0hl5tULI
ReplyDeleteYC turned to RC for dangerous play..
What's your view?
First of all, this is my first post here. Congratulations on the work you do. My English is not the best and I am writing this via Google Translate. I hope you understand everything.
ReplyDeleteI am from Croatia. Refereeing is always a strong topic here, as everywhere. In the round played last weekend, all visiting teams earned red cards. The commission singled out seven situations, and I will show here, in my opinion, the most dubious.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nWczNF1rExQ&pp=0gcJCf8Ao7VqN5tD
The main referee (Strukan) shows a yellow card, but after the intervention of the VAR (Bebek) he changes the decision to a red card.
I can also post other situations if you are interested
Greetings to beautiful Croatia. In my humble opinion the yellow card is correct for recklessness. It is not red, the legs are bent and the studs are not exposed. The impact is strong but it happens by dynamics. If the player had entered with his legs extended then of course it was red.
DeleteGreetings to Argentina,I'm assuming that cause of Pitana,we remembered him in Croatia😀.
DeleteThere the case was that ref was leaning towards YC but with VAR convincing he opted for RC.
Just with Argentina, Herrera and Ramirez are my top refs from there.
But of course,Tello and Rapallini are most respected as I see.
Ref was Strukan,VAR was Bebek.
DeleteSorry but i'm not argentinian, I'm italian. Pitana was the referee who, after 2000, gave me the most fantastic emotions and sensations. There will never be another referee like him. I'm lucky to have seen him referee. I like a lot Yael Falcón Pérez today, he reminds me a bit of Pitana because of his physicality, presence, and movements.
DeleteWell from Italy I know everyone says Collina,but by far my favourite was Rizzoli.
DeleteAlso,when you look at that era 2010-2018,I think it was peak Italian refs,you had Rizzoli,Orsato,Rocchi,Banti,Tagliavento.
Now,the quality is not like that,but we hope for better.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteWhat is the opinion of committee about this one?
DeleteIn my opinion shouldn't be a clear and obvious mistake but RC to be supported only if given by referee.
Technical reason from my side: orange player is already making his challenge to ball when unexpectedly opponent joins in that way. For some arguments, you could even criticize the blue player for his action. But well, in reality for me RC to orange player is very harsh.
Obviously I am a voice out of the Italian choir !! I think it's cyclical, but a lot of young referees in the lower leagues promise a lot. They will come but they need a few years.
DeleteIMO leg to leg is YC, however, the problem was knees into the neck. So, place of contact - knees to neck + enough intensity = endangering safety of the opponent / RC
Delete100% agree with Chefren
Delete@Chefren,comittee's opinion:
DeleteWhile two opposing players were fighting for the ball, home defender No. 6 played the ball with a correct sliding start, while away player No. 25, while sliding at high speed, with a delayed start, hit the defender in the head with both knees, and a clear movement was visible. The referee immediately showed the offender a yellow card.
Given the high speed and intensity of the hit, and given the clear movement of the knee from the ground to the defender's head, the VAR recommended that the referee come to review the video for a possible foul of rough play and sending off. After the review, the referee changed his initial decision to a red card decision.
In accordance with the above technical considerations, the Football Referees Commission agrees with the VAR intervention and the final decision on a red card.
the situation that makes me lean towards recklessness is the bent legs of the orange. Then you see the footballer take a blow lower, not in the neck. I add, only for outline without having to affect the judgment, the reaction practically nothing of the players companions of the blue, to witness and to be able to share the initial feeling of yellow. It is not serious foul play.
DeleteI would like to have the opinion of ITA REF. ( ITA REF , non ti sembra esagerata la valutazione di G.F.G. ?)
DeleteOnly the way the orange player is flying with his tackle makes it already extremely dangerous, iff the orange player hit a legg from the blue player... he will probably never play again, brake his legg at multiple places! this kind off tackles you don't want on any pitch! also the knees in the neck..... double danger....i don't get it why referees would give yellow for this, straight RED
DeleteHow long it will last?
ReplyDeletehttps://rfef.es/es/noticias/las-designaciones-arbitrales-se-publicaran-un-dia-antes-de-cada-partido
Chefren
ReplyDeleteCommittee supported the final decision as in 90% of cases. One would wonder how it is that these referees have such a success rate of making the right decisions at home, but in more serious European matches they are not.
The last Croatian referee in the Champions League was Bebek in that controversial match against Real Shakhtar where he awarded a penalty kick for playing with his back. For at least the next two seasons, Croatian referees will not referee the Champions League.
The same thing is with the World Cup and the Euro. Croatian referees have never refereed, and they will not referee the next World Cup or the next Euro
https://hns.family/vijesti/29789/sudacka-analiza-2-kola-supersport-hnl-a/
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the choices of Layec and his Commission except that of SLAVEN BELUPO
DeleteCome on, 6 min check and OFR, that says all
DeleteI can understand if referee shows RC but IMO this is never for the intervention.
DeleteJust wanted to highlight this decision in Makkelie game, penalty to Qarabag in first half.
ReplyDeletehttps://streamain.com/en/94joUOQ12xd9x6A/watch
Finally, a penalty called with a YC for reckless. It's clear reckless the reason because ball had gone (late challenge).
Since we don't see anymore such infringments punished in penalty area and in most of cases it's always play on and VAR are in trouble to intervene or not, the pitch decision in this decision is the best one.
I think the Dutch had a good view on the tackle hitting directly opponent. Well done on that.
Excellent decision of Makkelie, also perfect yellow for imprudence despite not being in the ideal position to see. Perhaps too advanced as a position compared to the game just outside the area
DeletePeljto is refereeing without his vanishing spray today, which is surprising. Cooling Break, two minutes of stoppage time (logical) but only one minute of added time, not serious.
ReplyDeleteUCL Q2, 2nd leg
ReplyDeleteSlovan Bratislava (SVK) - Kairat (KAZ)
R: B.Bastien (FRA) VAR: B.Millot (FRA)
1´ Correctly retaken kick-off for entering opposition half before ball was in play, twice
2´ Correct public warning to Kai3, pushing nearly SPA
7´ Looked to me like foul before Kai bench, good chance created in favour Slo, but no replay in broadcast
9´ AR2 signalized throw in for Slo, but R correctly given ball to Kai
12´ R correct warning to Kai players for delaying restart at throw in, maybe 2-3 of them were excessively slow so far
22´ So far lack of consistency in calling fouls IMO if we compare "foul" committed by Slo10 and situation in 7´ which I written above
27´ Just light pull, basically hand put on shoulder whistled by Frenchman
28´ Missed illegal use of armsKai18 on Slo21, no card needed, but again lack of consistency IMO
34´ Again missed clear push close to AR2, Slo11 on Kai defender
40´ Correct delayed whistle for Slo57 stamp on foot and when no advantage DFK given to Kai
43´ Correct Kai7 stamp on foot, potential YC but warning was better sollution here
45´ I´m bit shocked for no added time because there were multiple warnings to Kai players for slow throw in´s and also goal kick
Interesting SPA vs DOGSO incident for Guida in 33' of Benfica - Nice.
ReplyDeleteI could agree with no VAR intervention but I'd strongly prefer a RC in that situation.
Red card expected decision, but yellow card not a clear and obvious mistake. It can be assessed as mistake by observer and UEFA, though.
DeletePenalty revoked after OFR in Copenhagen:
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/fa99aa
Sorry, tried to watch it again and again, why removed after OFR?
DeleteOne can read a reckless action by keeper on attacker.
Maybe Del Cerro thought this was normal contact between players? In case, very sophisticated decision by Spanish VAR.
That the ball was played by another player makes it an off-the-ball incident. Then, was the GK's challenge reckless? I think the penalty would be supported by Del Cerro Grande if the attacker had been hit with hands but most likely it was assessed as head collision and it seems to be correct.
DeleteI share the assessment of Cerro Grande, the goalkeeper looks for the ball with his arms and ends up clashing body to body. I see no imprudence.
DeleteTextbook example of pressure from Mourinho on the referees
ReplyDeletehttps://x.com/GoalsXtra/status/1955321045541417083?t=1koVXgwu1DJI9UuzwI--Lw&s=19
Possible RC for SFP in Belgrade, no intervention from Delajod
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/216f29
Despite of low tackle, one can read the expected intensity and the excessice force of a serious foul play, in addition totally unexpected challenge from begind with two legs. Should be a mistake by Letexier, I think, but once again it reflects how much is difficult to find consistency when you use VAR to assess SFP. Another VAR would have intervened...
DeleteSee the high studs contact with calf - maybe the intensity was already quite low at the moment but still.
DeleteOther than that,excellent Letexier.
DeleteFull control,made 2 correct crucial decisions with penalty and another was clear RC.
I disagree. I don't think it's a great performance.
DeleteI think it's a pretty average performance compared to what we've seen from him.
RC for DOGSO
Deletehttps://streambug.org/cv/1fb299
Correct decisions with DOGSO and then the penalty to Crvena Zvezda. Potential RC for SFP can belong to a borderline category.
DeleteThis is a perfect DOGSO ! Bravo Letexier
DeleteI do not find in this contrast the totality of all the indicators that must lead to an RC. Well did the VAR to be silent, I accept the decision of the French on the pitch
Delete12 yellow cards so far in Bratislava
ReplyDeleteAlejandro José Hernández Hernández - based on today's game @ Budapest, his Elite classification only due to his LaLiga carrier. Oh my, his game handling is worse than some hungarian refs, who can't reach the UEFA second category...
ReplyDeleteChefren,I just checked the UEFA''s website.The referee observers and delegates for the Champions League Play-Off matches have been announced.Can we say that the referees for the match have been aldready announced?
ReplyDeleteFirst leg
DeleteFerencváros (HUN)- Qarabağ (AZE)
Referee observer: Stefan Johannesson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Irakli Nakaidze GEO
Crvena Zvezda (SRB)- Pafos (CYP)
Referee observer:Rune Pedersen NOR
UEFA Delegate:Tarik Shamel ENG
Rangers (SCO)-Club Brugge (BEL)
Referee observer:Howard Webb ENG
UEFA Delegate:Victor Marius Radu ROU
Bodø/Glimt (NOR)- Sturm Graz (AUT)
Referee observer: Darko Čeferin SVN
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack LUX
Celtic (SCO)- Kairat Almaty (KAZ)
Referee observer:Tomasz Mikulski POL
UEFA Delegate: Scilla Gennaro ITA
Basel (SUI)- Copenhagen (DEN)
Referee observer: Stefan Messner AUT
UEFA Delegate:Iva Olivari-Uliša CRO
Fenerbahçe (TUR)- Benfica (POR)
Referee observer:Frank De Bleeckere BEL
UEFA Delegate:Peter Palencik SVK
Second leg
Kairat Almaty(KAZ)-Celtic(SCO)
Referee observer: David Fernández Borbalán ESP
Pafos (CYP)- Crvena Zvezda (SRB)
Referee observer:Matteo Trefoloni ITA
Sturm Graz (AUT)- Bodø/Glimt (NOR)
Referee observer: William Young SCO
Qarabağ (AZE)—Ferencváros (HUN)
Referee observer: Vítor Melo Pereira POR
Copenhagen (DEN)-Basel (SUI)
Referee observer: Domenico Messina ITA
Fenerbahçe (TUR)- Benfica (POR)
Referee observer:Martin Ingvarsson SWE
Club Brugge(BEL)-Rangers (SCO)
Referee observer: Alain Hamer LUX
yes, the referees we're announced, but the media will now only with two days before the games, like in the group stage.
DeleteHello! I'm not Chefren but I think I can help you... knowing the way uefa makes referee appointments, I believe they appointed the referees for the playoffs already after the draw for the playoff
DeleteOfficial UEFA appointments will be realised before 48 hours the match.
DeleteMy predections :
First leg
Ferencváros (HUN)- Qarabağ (AZE) Sandro Schärer (SUI)
Crvena Zvezda (SRB)- Pafos (CYP) Danny Makkelie (NED)
Rangers (SCO)-Club Brugge (BEL) Espen Eskás (NOR)
Bodø/Glimt (NOR)- Sturm Graz (AUT) Ivan Kruzliak (SVK)
Celtic (SCO)- Kairat Almaty (KAZ) Daniel Siebert (GER)
Basel (SUI)- Copenhagen (DEN) Michael Oliver (ENG)
Fenerbahçe (TUR)- Benfica (POR) Glenn Nyberg (SWE)
Second leg
Kairat Almaty(KAZ)-Celtic(SCO) Maurizio Mariani (ITA)
Pafos (CYP)- Crvena Zvezda (SRB) Anthony Taylor (ENG)
Sturm Graz (AUT)- Bodø/Glimt (NOR) Irfan Peljto (BIH)
Qarabağ (AZE)-Ferencváros (HUN) Clément Turpin (FRA)
Copenhagen (DEN)-Basel (SUI) Kovács István (ROU)
Fenerbahçe (TUR)- Benfica (POR) Slavko Vincic (SVN)
Club Brugge(BEL)-Rangers (SCO) Felix Zewayer (GER)
Franocis Letexier was fabulous last night in Belgrade. Full compliments about his performance.
ReplyDeleteMy prediction Play-Off CL
ReplyDelete1ST LEG
Rangers-Brugge: Mariani ITA (Webb ENG)
Ferencvaros-Qarabag: Gil Manzano ESP (Johannesson SWE)
Crvena Zvezda-Pafos: Nyberg SWE (Pedersen NOR)
Bodo-SturmGraz: Oliver ENG (Ceferin SVN)
Basel-Copenhague: Letexier FRA (Messner AUT)
Celtic-Kairat: Schärer SUI (Mikulski POL)
Fenerbahçe-Benfica: Zwayer GER (De Bleeckere BEL)
2ND LEG
Brugge-Rangers: Vincic SVN (Hamer LUX)
Qarabag-Ferencvaros: Siebert GER (Melo POR)
Pafos-Crvena Zvezda: Makkelie NED (Trefoloni ITA)
SturmGraz-Bodo: Turpin FRA (Young SCO)
Copenhague-Basel: Marciniak POL (Messina ITA)
Kairat-Celtic: Eskås NOR (Fernandez Borbalan ESP)
Benfica-Fenerbahçe: Taylor ENG (Ingvarsson SWE)
I save names like Peljto, Sánchez Martinez, Kovacs, Jovanovic…for a EL playoff.