Wednesday, 20 August 2025

Champions League 2025/26 - Referee Appointments for Play-Offs (First Leg, II)

 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, Play-Offs, First Legs, games to be played on  20 August 2025.



Wednesday 20 August 2025

21:00 CET - Bodø (Aspmyra stadion)
FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR) - SK STURM GRAZ (AUT)
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Stéphane De Almeida SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Jonas Erni SUI
Fourth Official: Luca Cibelli SUI
Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Lionel Tschudi SUI
UEFA Referee Observer: Darko Čeferin SVN
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack LUX

21:00 CET - Glasgow (Celtic Park) 
CELTIC FC (SCO) - QAİRAT FK (KAZ)
Referee: Glenn Nyberg SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderkvist SWE
Fourth Official: Adam Ladebäck SWE
Referee: Espen Andreas Eskås NOR 
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Anders Olav Dale NOR
Fourth Official: Marius Hansen Grøtta NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Erwin Blank NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski POL
UEFA Delegate: Scilla Gennaro ITA 

21:00 CET - Basel (St. Jakob-Park)
FC BASEL 1893 (SUI) - FC KØBENHAVN (DEN)
Referee: Anthony Taylor ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn ENG
Fourth Official: Sam Barrott ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett AUS
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Peter Bankes ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefan Meßner AUT
UEFA Delegate: Iva Olivari-Uliša CRO

21:00 CET - Istanbul (Chobani Stadyumu Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi)
FENERBAHÇE SK (TUR) - SL BENFICA (POR)
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER 
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Dominik Schaal GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager GER
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Johann Pfeifer GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Frank De Bleeckere BEL
UEFA Delegate: Peter Palenčík SVK
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54 comments:

  1. 12318 August 2025 at 10:24

    Bodo Glimt - Sturm Graz: Sandro Schärer (SUI)
    Basel - Copenhagen: Anthony Taylor (ENG)
    Fenerbahce - Benfica: Daniel Siebert (GER)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Blue grass forgotfulness18 August 2025 at 12:47

    https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1328525152265738

    Croatian League
    Please give your opinion

    1) Red card, yellow card or nothing? The referee decided on the third

    2) Penalty, yes or no

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Autor18 August 2025 at 13:02

      In my opinion it was holding; therefore RC and PK

      Delete
    2. 12318 August 2025 at 14:25

      1) RC for SFP
      2) Penalty and RC for DOGSO

      Delete
    3. Soccer ref18 August 2025 at 17:26

      1) orange, but yellow is enough
      2) Penalty, RC for DOGSO

      Delete
    4. Chefren18 August 2025 at 17:30

      1) RC for SFP, for referee it was hard to spot the point of contact, side without AR: unlucky. VAR assessed it was not a clear and obvious mistake.
      2) Too evident holding, even VAR stuff for me, RC for DOGSO because player would have surely controlled ball close to net.

      Delete
  3. Chefren18 August 2025 at 12:55

    Nyberg appointment is reported by KNVB, but on uefa site we can only read the Dutch VARs for that game at moment...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lario18 August 2025 at 14:22

      It’s now Espan Eskas on UEFA website

      Delete
    2. Elliot18 August 2025 at 15:08

      Indeed most likely there is an injury to Nyberg then. He was also replaced on short notice by Kristoffer Karlsson for the Malmö-Mjällby game last week and was without domestic appointment this weekend.

      Delete
    3. Ichigo19 August 2025 at 10:49

      So, Eskas now with double appointment? He has been already named for the second leg of the game FCSB with Aberdeen or maybe will be a change in that game.

      Delete
  4. OJS1418 August 2025 at 21:46

    Dutch appointments for the coming weekend have also been announced. Most important ones:

    PSV - Groningen (Makkelie, VAR: Higler)
    Ajax - Heracles (Nagtegaal, VAR: Oostrom)

    It seems as if the duo Makkelie - Dieperink is finished, Higler seems to become his new permanent VAR.

    ReplyDelete
  5. M18 August 2025 at 22:44

    Rot-Weiss Essen — Borussia Dortmund

    Big miss by Willenborg,very clear RC missed in last seconds of the match very dangerous tackle,high foot that connects with opponets player.

    Looks like some refs need VAR still in their matches.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Blue grass forgotfulness19 August 2025 at 14:06

    Croatian league. The match between the two strongest teams and the situation that caused the most doubts

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CBXyd1o_Wtk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quote19 August 2025 at 18:04

      Pk

      Delete
    2. 12319 August 2025 at 19:13

      Play on

      Delete
    3. Quilava19 August 2025 at 19:34

      «Based on the technical guidelines of the Football Referees Commission presented during the meeting held with the coaches and club representatives, the (Croatian) Football Referees Commission cannot support this decision on the penalty kick. Namely, it appears from the available footage that the attacker, just before the defender caught up with him, moved his right foot in the direction of the opponent/defender's movement in order to make contact. We believe that the attacker intended to initiate contact in order to force a penalty kick.

      In this incident, VAR intervention is expected to enable the referee to re-examine the incident and make the correct decision.»

      Delete
    4. Chefren19 August 2025 at 20:31

      It's attacker putting the leg in defender's path and he even takes a quick look before the action, to be sure he can do that.
      Then, you have contact, but absolutely no penalty, fully created by attacker.
      One can agree with the Croatian committee, but once again it's very hard to find consistency in such incidents, some people continue to think that such penalties should be accepted...

      Delete
    5. Blue grass forgotfulness20 August 2025 at 12:43

      Chefren if you notice this.

      Many here compare that situation to this one so tell me if they are comparable

      https://streamin.me/v/ee4a8a7e

      Delete
  7. Euro Soccer Ref19 August 2025 at 19:58

    What happened to Fedayi San, the regular VAR of Sandro Schärer? Three games for the Swiss this season and it was Fähndrich, then UEFA didn't change Van Driessche in Schärer's replacement appointment in Kosovo. Now, surprisingly, it's Van Driessche again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren19 August 2025 at 20:34

      I want also to remind the big mistake, at least in my opinion, by Fähndrich, in last game:
      https://www.streambug.io/cv/e9f569
      No blame for pitch referee, but maybe this counted for having the Belgian at VAR duties now with the Swiss?

      Delete
    2. Swiss_reffan19 August 2025 at 21:48

      How have you guys seen Schärer‘s performances in the last season. I really liked his Nations league final performance and would really like to see a swiss referee at a world cup or refereeing a big european final. How do you rate his chances for the world cup?

      Delete
    3. Jojo19 August 2025 at 23:46

      His last UEFA season ended very well with 3 very good performances in the CL/EL QFs and NL final. If he performes OK at the U20 WC and ends this season without major controversy I think he will surely be there at the WC.

      Delete
  8. Euro Soccer Ref20 August 2025 at 17:55

    Today in Saudi Arabia

    Supercup Semi-Final
    14:00 CET | Al-Qadsiya Al-Khubar - Al-Ahli Jidda
    Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, Iker de Francisco Grijalba, Alfredo Rodríguez Moreno, Muhammad Al-Huwaish
    [Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz, Yasir As-Sultan]

    ReplyDelete
  9. Referee analyst20 August 2025 at 21:07

    Will be a very very difficult for Siebert. 5 mn and more difficult time than all long matchs yesterday…good luck Daniel…

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jonas20 August 2025 at 21:19

    I‘m not 100% convinced by Taylor‘s penalty but also because the replays were not fully conclusive. It looks like a soft penalty but definitely correct to support by VAR.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cassius20 August 2025 at 21:45

    Otherwise without problems. Cautioned one reckless tackle and one SPA correctly and had a very calm first half even with the harsh penalty.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hans20 August 2025 at 21:51

    Good first half from Siebert.

    ReplyDelete
  13. M20 August 2025 at 21:52

    Potential penalty at the end of 1st half for Fener?

    Feel like if Siebert whistled it,no VAR intervention would have been made.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jojo20 August 2025 at 21:58

      Fully supportable play on IMO, contact with the arm soft and rather accidental.
      Otherwise, very good first half for Siebert. Not that challenging, but he has full control, correct cards issued, harsh but consistent foul detection.

      5 possible YC reckless kick to BEN#30
      6 first conflict, some sort of retaliation by BEN#17
      13 PAI holding, correct play on
      19 possible YC reckless stamp after ball played to BEN#17
      22 correct YC SPA holding to BEN#5
      27 correct YC reckless stamp to FEN#10
      37 possible YC reckless challenge to BEN#17, permanent infringement also an option
      44 PAI illegal use of arm, supportable play on

      Delete
    2. CarlRDM20 August 2025 at 22:11

      I haven't watched Siebert for a kong time and I must say very good Siebert so far.
      I hope he will continue like this until the final whistle

      Delete
    3. Referee analyst20 August 2025 at 22:24

      Agree. Very good during the first hour.

      Delete
  14. Lincoln20 August 2025 at 22:37

    Florentino's red card was very well applied.
    But it's worth noting: Siebert's refereeing style in today's game is very irritating. He's not allowing players to take free kicks quickly, which is making the match extremely volatile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jojo20 August 2025 at 23:15

      Yeah he often does that to calm everyone. In general, good performance, he payed back the (regained) trust of committee.

      54 PAI handball, supportable play on
      63 correct YC DtR to BEN#20
      69 harsh YC late foul to BEN#61, perhaps permanent infringement
      71 correct 2nd YC SPA holding to BEN#61
      73 missed advantage, management of BEN dissent, YC to BEN coach
      78 possible YC SPA holding to FEN#33
      81 goal disallowed for offside by AR2
      89 PAI, correct play on
      90+2 correct YC UB to FEN#24
      90+4 management of conflict, YCs given to BEN#4 and FEN#17, possible 2nd YC to BEN#20

      Delete
    2. M20 August 2025 at 23:19

      Great performance,one of his better performances in very hostile enviroment.

      Delete
    3. Lincoln20 August 2025 at 23:57

      It's not about calming players down with cards, but rather about preventing the flow of the game itself. Siebert didn't interfere with the outcome, but in terms of play volume, let's face it, he did interfere a lot with unnecessary stoppages.

      Delete
  15. Ref Fot20 August 2025 at 23:18

    Excepcional peformacne of Siebert tonight in very hot atmosphere with excellent control of the game, and crucial decisions correctly made. I did not see such performance in UCL from City Real and Marciniak performance in 2023, and Orsato Psg Dortmund in 2024.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. M20 August 2025 at 23:20

      Agree,one of better performances from any ref in recent years.

      Delete
    2. diego61220 August 2025 at 23:45

      “One of the best performances from any ref in recent years??” Come on guys, he wasn't bad but let's not exaggerate...LOL

      Delete
    3. M22 August 2025 at 04:55

      When you look at that match who wqs the first name of the match?Siebert for sure.
      Not challenging in terms of crucial decisions,but huge masterclass in keeping control and managing players in hostile enviroment with very temperamental teams.

      Delete
  16. M20 August 2025 at 23:23

    Big names needed in Lisboa and and Kopenhagen next week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lincoln21 August 2025 at 00:02

      I hope so. Preferably, an experienced referee in finals and big games.

      Delete
    2. diego61221 August 2025 at 00:11

      Vincic and Marciniak IMO

      Delete
    3. Lincoln21 August 2025 at 00:17

      I have my doubts whether Vincic could be there, because the last time he refereed a game involving the Portuguese he didn't make very good decisions and it was in the Nations League semi-final between Germany and Portugal.

      Delete
  17. Ref Fif21 August 2025 at 00:07

    Who do you think will be chosen for the return matches?
    I have a lot of challenging games.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lincoln21 August 2025 at 00:10

    For the meeting in Lisbon, I would bet on Turpin, Marciniak or Kovacs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ichigo21 August 2025 at 08:21

      Kovacs can't be in Lisbon because he had Fenerbahce in the 3rd round. So, only Copenhagen he could get it.

      Delete
    2. M22 August 2025 at 04:53

      Maybe Marciniak cause Turpin had some controversies with Fener last year.

      Delete
  19. Chefren21 August 2025 at 04:02

    From Taylor game.

    Penalty:
    https://streambug.org/cv/a15733
    No good replays, but I think it stays just as supportable call, looking more a soft one than a very clear situation. Also, didn't like Taylor body language, too lazy, in whistling it, it looked like he was waiting for a confirmation by player's reaction, before blowing the whistle...

    Second YC:
    https://streambug.org/cv/3ebf6f
    Once whisteeld, very mandatory, but what about the foul? For me, mostly a simulation even though you can't expect a different decision by referee.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Holly21 August 2025 at 09:02


    Where is Felix Zwayer?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Michael21 August 2025 at 16:50

    https://www.streambug.io/cv/aad78c

    Saw this possible penalty incident on Twitter from Espen Eskås in the Celtic game...

    ReplyDelete

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