2025-26 UEFA Europa League, Matchday 8, 29 January 2026.
Thursday 29 January 2026
21:00 CET - Porto (Estádio do Dragão)
FC PORTO (POR) - RANGERS FC (SCO)
Referee: Jasper Vergoote BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Geerolf BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Martijn Tiesters BEL
Fourth Official: Kevin Van Damme BEL
Video Assistant Referee: Jan Boterberg BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Drago Kos SVN
UEFA Delegate: Cristiano Ascari SMR
21:00 CET - Villeneuve-d’Ascq (Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre Mauroy)
LOSC LILLE (FRA) - SC FREIBURG (GER)
Referee: Damian Sylwestrzak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Paweł Sokolnicki POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Karasewicz POL
Fourth Official: Łukasz Kuźma POL
Video Assistant Referee: Piotr Lasyk POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
UEFA Referee Observer: Haim Jakov ISR
UEFA Delegate: Outi Saarinen FIN
21:00 CET - Seville (Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla)
REAL BETIS BALOMPIÉ (ESP) - FEYENOORD ROTTERDAM (NED)
Referee: Nikola Dabanović MNE
Assistant Referee 1: Vladan Todorović MNE
Assistant Referee 2: Srđan Jovanović MNE
Fourth Official: Miloš Bošković MNE
Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Mario Zebec CRO
UEFA Referee Observer: Peter Sippel GER
UEFA Delegate: Damien Mollard SUI
21:00 CET - Birmingham (Villa Park)
ASTON VILLA FC (ENG) - FC SALZBURG (AUT)
Referee: Rohit Saggi NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Anders Olav Dale NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Jørgen Rønning Valstadsve NOR
Fourth Official: Daniel Higraff NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Vlado Svilokos CRO
UEFA Delegate: Loukás Siótropos GRE
21:00 CET - Belgrade (Stadion Rajko Mitić)
FK CRVENA ZVEZDA (SRB) - RC CELTA DE VIGO (ESP)
Referee: Andrea Colombo ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Alessio Berti ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Davide Imperiale ITA
Fourth Official: Giuseppe Collu ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Valerio Marini ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Doveri ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefan Meßner AUT
UEFA Delegate: Aliaksandr Aliejnik BLR
21:00 CET - Décines-Charpieu (Groupama Stadium)
OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS (FRA) - PAOK (GRE)
Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Iker de Francisco Grijalba ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Iván Massó Granado ESP
Fourth Official: Adrián Cordero Vega ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Alfredo Trentalange ITA
UEFA Delegate: Aurel Mihail Ionescu ROU
21:00 CET - Glasgow (Celtic Park)
CELTIC FC (SCO) - FC UTRECHT (NED)
Referee: Mohammad Al-Emara FIN
Assistant Referee 1: Turkka Joonas Valjakka FIN
Assistant Referee 2: Mika Lamppu FIN
Fourth Official: Peiman Simani FIN
Video Assistant Referee: Gianluca Aureliano ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn GER
UEFA Delegate: Siim Juks EST
21:00 CET - Bačka Topola, SRB (TSC Arena)
MK MAKKABI TEL AVIV (ISR) - BOLOGNA FC 1909 (ITA)
Referee: Goga Kikacheishvili GEO
Assistant Referee 1: Davit Akhvlediani GEO
Assistant Referee 2: Davit Gabisonia GEO
Fourth Official: Bakari Bregadze GEO
Video Assistant Referee: Peter Bankes ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Matthew Donohue ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Viktor Kassai HUN
UEFA Delegate: Luka Steiner SVN
21:00 CET - Basel (St. Jakob-Park)
FC BASEL 1893 (SUI) - FC VIKTORIA PLZEŇ (CZE)
Referee: Giorgi Kruashvili GEO
Assistant Referee 1: Levan Varamishvili GEO
Assistant Referee 2: Giorgi Elikashvili GEO
Fourth Official: Giorgi Avazashvili GEO
Video Assistant Referee: Clay Ruperti NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Richard Martens NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Ante Vučemilović CRO
UEFA Delegate: Evángelos Moúskos CYP
21:00 CET - Herning (MCH Arena)
FC MIDTJYLLAND (DEN) - GNK DINAMO (CRO)
Referee: Elçin Məsiyev AZE
Assistant Referee 1: Elşad Abdullayev AZE
Assistant Referee 2: Pərvin Talıbov AZE
Fourth Official: Kamal Umudlu AZE
Video Assistant Referee: Andrew Dallas SCO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Michael Salisbury ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Michal Beneš CZE
UEFA Delegate: Vignir Már Þormóðsson ISL
21:00 CET - Razgrad (Huvepharma Arena)
PFK LUDOGORETS 1945 (BUL) - OGC NICE (FRA)
Referee: Ondřej Berka CZE
Assistant Referee 1: Kamil Hájek CZE
Assistant Referee 2: Matěj Vlček CZE
Fourth Official: Ondřej Pechanec CZE
Video Assistant Referee: Tomáš Kocourek CZE
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Miroslav Zelinka CZE
UEFA Referee Observer: Helmut Fleischer GER
UEFA Delegate: Mihai Marius Andrieș ROU
Mentor for Delegate: Alojzije Šupraha CRO
21:00 CET - West Bridgford (The City Ground)
NOTTINGHAM FOREST FC (ENG) - FERENCVÁROSI TC (HUN)
Referee: Sebastian Gishamer AUT
Assistant Referee 1: Roland Riedel AUT
Assistant Referee 2: Santino Schreiner AUT
Fourth Official: Walter Altmann AUT
Video Assistant Referee: Manuel Schüttengruber AUT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Alberto Undiano Mallenco ESP
UEFA Delegate: Danilo Filacchione ITA
21:00 CET - Graz (Merkur Arena)
SK STURM GRAZ (AUT) - SK BRANN (NOR)
Referee: Juxhin Xhaja ALB
Assistant Referee 1: Arbër Zalla ALB
Assistant Referee 2: Rejdi Avdo ALB
Fourth Official: Olsion Yzeiraj ALB
Video Assistant Referee: Lukas Fähndrich SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Kreshnik Bajramaj ALB
UEFA Referee Observer: Fredy Fautrel FRA
UEFA Delegate: Þórir Þormar Hákonarson ISL
21:00 CET - Bucharest (Arena Națională)
FC FCSB (ROU) - FENERBAHÇE (TUR)
Referee: Nenad Minaković SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Nikola Borović SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Boško Božović SRB
Fourth Official: Milan Mitić SRB
Video Assistant Referee: Momčilo Marković SRB
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jelena Cvetković SRB
UEFA Referee Observer: László Vagner HUN
UEFA Delegate: Rudolf Řepka CZE
21:00 CET - Stuttgart (MHP Arena Stuttgart)
VFB STUTTGART (GER) - BSC YOUNG BOYS (SUI)
Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Alfredo Rodríguez Moreno ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Marcos Cerdán Aguilar ESP
Fourth Official: Víctor García Verdura ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Valentín Pizarro Gómez ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Jon Skjervold NOR
UEFA Delegate: Volodymyr Heninson UKR
21:00 CET - Athens (Olymbiakó Athlitikó Kéntro Athinón "Spýros Loúis")
PANATHINAÏKÓS AO (GRE) - AS ROMA (ITA)
Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Álvarez Fernández ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Martínez Munuera ESP
Fourth Official: Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Javier Iglesias Villanueva ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Markus Strömbergsson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Könül Mehdiyeva AZE
21:00 CET - Deventer (Stadion De Adelaarshorst)
GO AHEAD EAGLES (NED) - SC BRAGA (POR)
Referee: Willy Delajod FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Erwan Finjean FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Valentin Évrard FRA
Fourth Official: Marc Bollengier FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Bastien Dechepy FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sascha Stegemann GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Alan Mario Sant MLT
UEFA Delegate: Doychin Bahov BUL
Mentor for Delegate: Kris Bellon BEL
21:00 CET - Genk (Cegeka Arena)
KRC GENK (BEL) - MALMÖ FF (SWE)
Referee: Horațiu Mircea Feșnic ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Valentin Gabriel Avram ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Alexandru Cerei ROU
Fourth Official: Rareș George Vidican ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Sorin Popa ROU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marcel Bîrsan ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Andreas Schluchter SUI
UEFA Delegate: Róbert Kispál HUN
No Elite referees assigned. Marcinaik should be unavailable for some reasons.
ReplyDeleteUpdate on Talents and Mentors for 2025, after the end of this league phase: with the debuts of Colombo, Vergoote and Alberola Rojas, now only three referees included in that project didn't make this step: Sundberg (DEN), Jaanovits (EST), Dudic (SUI). If I'm not wrong, the Swiss didn't even officiate a single Conference League group stage game, differently from the other two.
The feeling is that the three referees who will officiate their first EL game, will then discuss their "journey" on next week in Cyprus at Winter Course...
Chefren, what can you tell us about the appointed referees?
ReplyDeleteWhere is antonio nobre who is one the of best referees and talented?
ReplyDeleteHe can't fly out tomorrow, he has a birthday party to attend in the Netherlands.
DeleteSeems like UEFA switched their focus towards Godinho. Also, one could assume Nobre got strongly rejected after having three non-factual VAR interventions in France-Iceland WCQ.
DeleteYour comments always amaze me because you’re only focused on Portuguese referees and you try to push the narrative that they’re the best. Permit me to say that Pinheiro won’t make the World Cup refereeing list. He doesn’t have the charisma and potentials for such assignment but hopefully in the future he’ll.
DeleteOK I respect your opinion but I don't agree with you
DeleteThat's right, Chefren, it seems that the three referees from Talents and Mentors for 2025 who will make their debut this week are the focus of the committee for the winter course.
ReplyDeleteAnd I believe that the process with Colombo and Alberola Rojas will be a little accelerated due to the lack of consistency of the Italian and Spanish referees in the elite category.
About Colombo, I can fully agree, but it's not difficult to think that there is similar situation in Spain!
DeleteIn Spain, we urgently need new names.
ReplyDeleteI don't see the current elites with prospects for anything better.
Maybe Sanchez Martinez for the World Cup.
Look at Alberola Rojas, with his high power and good performances in La Liga, and Busquets Ferrer, a new international player with great quality.
Marciniak is resting, but Sylwestrzak is under close UEFA surveillance. The fourth match of the group stage (2 CL and 2 EL) is underway. The young Pole has also been called up for a training course in Cyprus. I think Sylwestrzak will soon be promoted to the Elite.
ReplyDeleteThe following teams HAVE TO win in order to advance:
ReplyDeleteLudogorets, Feyenoord, Basel, Salzburg, FCSB, Go Ahead Eagles
Ludogorets vs. already eliminated Nice: Berka
Feyenoord away vs. Real Betis fighting for direct promotion to R16: Dabanović
Basel vs. Viktoria being sure of play-off: Kruashvili
Salzburg away vs. R16 confirmed Aston Villa: Saggi
FCSB vs. Fenerbahçe being sure of play-off: Minaković
Go Ahead Eagles vs. Braga fighting for direct promotion to R16: Delajod
The following teams are still unsure of advancing:
Dinamo Zagreb, Lille, Brann, Young Boys, Celtic
Dinamo away vs. Midtjylland fighting for direct promotion to R16: Məsiyev
Lille vs. almost sure of direct promotion Freiburg: Sylwestrzak
Brann away vs. already eliminated Sturm Graz: Xhaja
Young Boys away vs. fighting for direct promotion Stuttgart: Alberola Rojas
Celtic vs. already eliminated Utrecht: Al-Emara
6 Spanish referee's this week after having 0 last week...
ReplyDeleteMarciniak with minor medical problems (leg).
ReplyDeleteYeah he has an infection, fitnesstestitis
ReplyDeleteOFR in Glasgow for a penalty to Celtic for handball. Al-Emara awards it. Clear PK but difficult to spot in real time.
ReplyDeleteOFR in Athens, YC for SPA changed in RC for DOGSO.
ReplyDeleteIn Glasgow, OFR for a clear handball but difficult to spot live, very open arm.
Colombo with an early OFR to disallow a goal in Belgrade.
Clear red for the Roma player.....Munuera should be giving that on-field
DeleteSurely that’s too close to be punished as a handball in Glasgow? There has been an OFR, I know his arm is in an unatural position but come on that proximity is unbelievable!
ReplyDeleteProximity is not argument at all for such handballs in UEFA.
DeleteIn Scotland that wouldn’t even be considered a handball! I fail to understand how big the difference is in one competition and others, after all it’s the same game.
DeleteHere clip of the OFR.
Deletehttps://streamain.com/en/yTTb4du2S8KgWGA/watch
With Italian VARs, even more expected...
A very big handball in UEFA.
Never a pen. Unbelievable.
DeleteHmm, see C12 in the newest RAP.
Delete@Euro Soccer Ref Yeah, but then you also have C19...
DeleteBetis - Feyenoord: disallowed goal after OFR.
ReplyDeleteClear and obvious mistake?
https://streambug.org/cv/02a257
To me, a rather wrong intervention. Wouldn't have been made by other VARs, and that's always the problem.
This is more of a foul than the one Massa called yesterday.
Deleteclear foul for me, so no whistle by the referee is wrong, so correct interruption by VAR, foot on ankle not on bal... player defender lose bal because off that....so attacker takes advance of his foul......
DeleteVideo of the OFR in Athens, YC changed in RC: https://streamin.me/v/e8261003
ReplyDeleteColombo disallowed goal in the early minutes of Crvena Zvezda - Celta Vigo: https://streambug.org/cv/ed900d
ReplyDeleteA good yet interesting first half from Al-Emara. First time watching this referee and it is like a throwback to referees of yesteryear. Very expressive and animated body language, hand gestures and facial expressions. Technically very good and the OFR can't be blamed on him as it was difficult to spot live in real time but it is a clear penalty. Both cautions correct and his management of players has been very effective.
ReplyDeleteCorrect 2YC by De Burgos Bengoetxea in Lyon - PAOK.
ReplyDeleteExcellent on side position called in Aston Villa Salzburg
ReplyDeleteUnconstistent cards in Lille...
ReplyDeleteSpot on RC for SFP by Sylwestrzak in Lille - Freiburg.
ReplyDelete2 minutes before, almost the same tackle was punished only with a caution
ReplyDeleteexactly, just more force on the opponents leg... quite unfortunate
DeletePK after OFR for De Burgos Bengoetxea in Lyon - PAOK
ReplyDeletePAOK manager sent off with a RC for throwing a bottle (to the FoP, perhaps targeted at De Burgos too?) after the decision.
Penalty call after OFR:
Deletehttps://streamain.com/en/Yx1x1ditKss2HBZ/watch
Attacker literaly putting himself into the contact without any chance for the defender to be aware before. One can say correct penalty in modern football, but if we wonder what the defender should be in these situations, we will not have an answer...
And here the correct second YC: https://streamain.com/en/agYIh09zXwsPfu2/watch
DeleteCommon sense. This shouldn't be a penalty and never a OFR
DeleteCorrect penalty and exactly the type of situations UEFA RAP says is a penalty. Not even a debate.
DeleteExactly. Of course there is a lot of bad luck for the defense, but 90% of fouls are done like this: defender thinks he arrives to the ball and he doesn't.
DeleteI think we waste a lot of time thinking about justice (what the defender should do) when football and refereeing are much more about time and luck.
Gentlemen, what did you think of Colombo's performance in today's match?
ReplyDeleteI saw that there were some controversies during the game.
RC for SFP by Sylwestrzak
ReplyDeletehttps://streamain.com/en/4ziZAx417IphBhu/watch
Very good decision.
Very impressed with him. Wouldn't be surprised to see him promoted to Elite next time around.
DeleteMaccabi - Bologna, OFR for revoking a penalty call by Kikacheishvili.
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/181b9b
Really sorry for the Georgian referee, but it was clear this was a simulation with a very exaggerated action by attacker, too soft and unexpected whistle...
And a dropped ball given to the goalkeeper to restart, no IDFK and yellow card for simulation… disappointing
DeleteObserved Dabanovic and Minakovic last night. Tottaly under control through their matches, with some areas for improvement,but that does not change the fact that both was good.
ReplyDeleteAbout possible promotions to Elite at next update, I expect Szylwestrak, Minakovic,Brooks and Bengoetexa.
CL play-offs/R32:
ReplyDeleteMonaco - PSG
Benfica - Real Madrid
Qarabag - Newcastle
Galatasaray - Juventus
BVB - Atalanta
Brugge - Atlético
Bodo Glimt - Inter
Olympiacos - Bayer Leverkusen
Predictions?
Mine
DeleteMonaco - PSG MARCINIAK - MASSA
Benfica - Real Madrid MAKKELIE - TURPIN
Qarabag - Newcastle LAMBRECHT - JABLONSKI
Galatasaray - Juventus ZWAYER - TAYLOR
BVB - Atalanta GUZUBUYUK - PINHIERO
Brugge - Atlético MELER - BASTIEN
Bodo Glimt - Inter WALSH - OBRENOVIC
Olympiacos - Bayer Leverkusen SHARER - GIL MANZANO
I expect a special treatment for the Italian teams :)
DeleteAnd probably two top names for Benfica-Real, after the 4-2 score.
Rosetti often appoints Italian refs in Greece.
My predictions
DeleteMonaco - PSG: Walsh / Marciniak
Benfica - Real Madrid: Jablonski / Kovacs
Qarabag - Newcastle: Guida / Makkelie
Galatasaray - Juventus: Kavanagh / Nyberg
BVB - Atalanta: Gözübüyük / Gil Manzano
Brugge - Atlético: Bastien / Taylor
Bodo Glimt - Inter: Rumsas / Siebert
Olympiacos - Bayer Leverkusen: Kruzliak / Sanchez
Would be big games for Walsh and Jablonski. But would be deserved when looking at their recent performances.
DeleteEL predictions
DeleteFenerbahce - Nottingham: Lukjancukas / Obrenovic
PAOK - Celta: Godinho / Gishamer
Dinamo - Genk: Aghayev / Schnyder
Brann - Bologna: Martinez / Lambrechts
Ludogorets - Ferencvaros: Stieler / Schärer
Celtic - Stuttgart: de Burgos / Sylwestrzak
Panathinaikos - Viktoria: Pajac / Peljto
Lille - Red Star: Barbu / Sozza
ECL predictions
DeleteMostar - Crystal: Treimanis / Kabakov
Olomuc - Lasusanne: Saggi / Dabanovic
Kuopion - Lech: Balakin / Meler
Noah - Alkmaar: Colombo / Stegemann
Tetovo - Samsunspor: Xhaja / van der Eijk
Gjilan - Celje: Brooks / Fotias
Bialystok - Fiorentina: Al-Emara / Minakovic
Omonia - Rijeka: Alberola / Petrescu
A new Elite in Benfica-Real (Jablonski) would surprise me tbh. Same for Gala vs Juve. I think Rosetti will send big names to 1st and 2nd leg.
DeleteThe games in Dortmund and Baku are most suitable to introduce a new Elite imho.
No problems for Rohit Saggi in Aston Villa vs. Salzburg. A modern, professional style in a game involving football-focused teams, surely potential elite in the nearest future.
ReplyDeleteThe only talking point was no penalty call after the challenge by Aston Villa's goalkeeper in 45'. The goalkeeper was hit by the ball rather than really playing it and then a serious contact with the attacker's ankle occurred. Your views?
https://streamff.link/v/aef01af8
These situations are very difficult to read, indeed it was the ball hitting the keeper and not a save by the latter (rather passive approach and dangerous action). Penalty could have been fully justified, using this argument (touched by ball) for assessing what he did as fair, is in my opinion hard to accept, but it's used to make assessments.
DeleteSaid that, in doubt, rather OK by VAR to stay silent, but it's always about consistency, we will never have it with VAR, I will repeat again and again.
Colombo in Belgrade.
ReplyDeleteDisallowed goal after OFR (posted above):
https://streambug.org/cv/ed900d
17' Disallowed goal for offside after VAR intervention
https://streambug.org/cv/e6ff5c
Impossible for AR2, correct to stay down with flag in doubt, but strange situation as both him and referee allowed the goal, but nobody from Crvena Zvezda celebrated, maybe a misunderstanding on the pitch or they decided to wait for VAR before celebrating :)
27' Penalty area incident, PLAY ON, VAR confirmed
https://streambug.org/cv/81d7d0
34', 42' Heated minutes in first half, some bookings. Not the best broadcaster after the first incident. YC for the last challenge should be OK, but not clear the possible foul before.
https://streambug.org/cv/afe781
https://streambug.org/cv/bcf0e1
Nottingham Forest vs. Ferencváros
ReplyDelete16' play-on call in APP at 1:0
https://streamff.link/v/25399dc1
64' PAI tripping; attacker looking for contact, very good no-intervention by VAR, imo
https://streamff.link/v/fbde8b83
76' two holding offences but only the first one is punished with a YC, no balancing card in the second incident could've led to problems in another game
https://streamff.link/v/7188fb83
88' PENALTY awarded for holding; although it looks like mutual holding, I think the penalty is fully okay
https://streamff.link/v/dcb65626
Sebastian Gishamer is an old-style referee. Laidback approach, very high threshold for a foul (some clear offences were missed, unfortunately) and ability to make unpopular calls. I guess UEFA is looking for more predictable refs and therefore it will be difficult to reach elite for the Austrian but we'll see.
An analysis that perfectly matches what I have been able to see recently in his matches: a referee who really stands out from today's standards in terms of approach, absolutely relaxed and without any prior mental load in reading or anticipating the game, just putting the final decision there. In a way, he can recall authoritative refereeing figures from the past, but on other aspects he is very far, this is very noticeable, from certain modern patterns. That said, as long as the decisions are correct or at least supportable, one can say nothing…
DeleteIn particular, it was absolutely OK to let play go on for the possible foul before the 1–0. Excellent assessment on the potential penalty: the attacker goes into the defender, who does nothing; awarding a penalty would have been a big problem and would have put VAR in a difficult position.
In 76', unfortunately, referee doesn't take advantage of a golden opportunity to show balance, with a holding offence by the opponents just moments after the previous one, and this brings us back to what we said earlier: a referee who focuses only on his own line of judgment, without thinking too much about the match context.
The late penalty is widely supportable, as you say, even though the action is mutual; however, it's clear that the defender does more, pulling the shirt heavily, while the other player is merely doing that for support. Perhaps here, not awarding the penalty wouldn't have been too much a drama, but the call is still OK.
Once again I must say It would be necessary to see the Austrian referee with this style in a very heated match to understand how far he can go with his way of officiating.
Alberola Rojas, just two incidents, I don't know if there is more in the game, but it looked like a very calm one.
ReplyDelete40' Mandatory YC for reckless, possible RC for SFP, referee focused on the player tried to allow the flow of the game, then booking when game stopped.
https://streambug.org/cv/50b820
90' VAR check for a possible handball
https://streambug.org/cv/f9d711
This is a classic situation in which Italian and Spanish VARs look meticulously for a possible penalty, differently from other countries, indeed there was a reaction by both benches and the fans at stadium when game was not allowed to continue by Alberola, very different cultures (German and Swiss teams).
Indeed, the game was really fair and I think Rosetti deliberately assigned Alberola Rojas to such a match, given the Spaniard's style. It was clear, also yesterday, that his goal is to let the game flow as much as possible. Several play-on calls backed up with a strong and focused body language / communication.
Delete40' was poorly managed, though. That could lead to chaos in a game involving other teams - no advantage signal, hesitating and talking instead of making a call.
https://streamff.link/v/da1ac300
The same player was lucky to stay on the pitch after a late step on foot challenge in 73' - the studs slid off the opponent's foot and it makes the no 2YC somehow acceptable.
https://streamff.link/v/cf75242a
Good performance by the Spaniard, as well as his colleague Juan Martínez in Greece, I don’t know how, but Alberola Rojas never seems to have problems in his matches. For me, a second yellow card is not enough, as the contact is not full. Well spotted by the Spaniard.
DeleteHere in Spain, Alberola is known precisely for his ability to control the game. Players usually respect him on the field. I think for the first important challenge, Alberola did well. I foresee more outcomes in the playoffs.
DeleteMy prediction
ReplyDeleteMonaco vs psg sanchez/ pinheiro
Benfica vs realmadrid mariani / vincic
Qarabag vs Newcastle kovacs/letexier
Galatasaray vs juventus eskas/ makellei
Do you also have predictions for the other games?
DeleteMay be like this
DeleteDortmund vs atalanta nyberg/ taylor
Olympiakos vs leverkusen marciniak/ guida
Bruge vs athletico rumsas / schärer
Bodo vs inter jablonski /walsh
Real Betis vs. Feyenoord Rotterdam
ReplyDelete04' excellent onside call by AR1
https://streamff.link/v/d8ece20f
06' [OFR] Goal BET disallowed after OFR; I agree with Chefren, an incident not all VARs would've jumped in but okay call
https://streamff.link/v/e137bf29
12' Missed off-ball impeding by 47FEY
https://streamff.link/v/5225a70a
15' Possible YC 15FEY for LoR holding
https://streamff.link/v/80581b05
29' Goal BET disallowed for a foul (pushing) in APP, correct
https://streamff.link/v/6e353e9e
31' Good advantage prior to Goal BET
https://streamff.link/v/5082472d
45' Goal FEY disallowed for offside (AR1)
https://streamff.link/v/492f44aa
45+2' Handball by 47FEY, YC possible?
https://streamff.link/v/bb2710bd
46' YC 28FEY for reckless step on foot, after advantage
Deletehttps://streamff.link/v/4d678707
58' PAI tripping; the most controversial call, I'm sure many VARs would've called the referee to the monitor
https://streamff.link/v/de643b0e
63', 76' Very lenient approach against delaying the restart by 9BET and 3BET
https://streamff.link/v/f3246e4f
86' this time a bad mistake by AR1
https://streamff.link/v/75b8c418
90' PAI handball, the player kicks the ball at his own arm, no penalty, weird that players don't know this handball interpretation
https://streamff.link/v/2e3182fd
90+' some correct yellow cards in the added time
https://streambug.org/cv/da3470
When you have a VAR intervening for the situation in 6' but not for the one in 58', you should wonder which criteria he applied, but once again, as long as VAR will be about subjective assessments it will be impossible to have consistency.
DeleteI can think that in 58' he didn't intervene because very likely even without the touch by defender, attacker would have fallen due to running path, but this is not an argument...
For me, it should have been penalty, once the you just confirm there was contact.
Very good in 29' with the disallowed goal without VAR intervention.
90' never a penalty, it's indeed embarrassing about players and their attitude, but nothing new.
In the end, 6' and 58' stay as very controversial points of the performance, while you can agree with 6' intervention, then 58' is rather a mistake for me.
On the UCL R32 play-off referee appointments:
ReplyDeleteWith only 16 matches and roughly 25 realistic candidates, the key question is how UEFA will manage the distribution. First legs are an obvious chance to use Elite Development referees - Jablonski, Kavanagh, Pinheiro, etc (though clearly not every tie suits that!). Overall, appointments will likely be driven by a mix of introducing new names, group-stage performance, and politics, with some big countries getting two spots and others only one.
I don’t see any country getting three appointments, as was the case last season. Not even Italy(?), wouldn’t be fair to other countries imo. That makes it interesting to see which of Massa, Guida or Mariani is steered towards the Europa League, possibly straight into the R16. @Chefren, your opinion?
Germany faces a similar dilemma. Jablonski needs exposure, especially with Zwayer nearing the end of his cycle. A first leg for Jablonski wouldn’t surprise me, with the second slot going to Siebert or Zwayer, and thus one missing out.
England is comparable: a first leg for Kavanagh is plausible, and that usually comes at the expense of Taylor. Although Oliver already has six appearances, and Taylor four.
France looks straightforward with games for Letexier and Turpin, however Bastien did get a UCL R32 last season while Letexier worked the EL play-off. Whether Bastien’s form this season justifies a repeat remains open. I leave that to the French readers.
I’m also curious whether Obrenović gets a first leg. Performance doesn’t really support it, but with Vinčić nearing retirement, UEFA may feel pressure to involve the younger referee – or even both Slovenians if politics intervene, despite their high number of OFRs in the league phase…
Then there are the two Dutch referees: neither had a UCL knockout last season, but both navigated the group stage without major issues this year. Does UEFA pick one, or can they both feature this time?
Finally, there’s Marciniak’s fitness (I hope he won’t take any risks), and whether Schärer or Peljto will feature in UCL after just two appearances. I’m not optimistic about the latter, but let’s see.
Porto vs. Rangers
ReplyDelete01' PAI tripping; unfortunately no replay but carefully studying the footage it's a clear tripping offence by the defender (attacker's left leg is hit) so VAR assessed the attacker had no chance to play the ball anymore...
https://streamff.link/v/d7d829a5
06' Goal RAN - undeliberate handball in APP; many referees whistle any handball of the attacking player but it's against the LotG, here good interpretation by the referee
https://streamff.link/v/84b79644
29' PAI tackle; once again a last-resort intervention with the ball played but then reckless contact occurs...
https://streambug.org/cv/a95692
45+1', 60' Only warnings to 7POR and 74POR after blatant cases of kicking the ball after whistle
https://streamff.link/v/edf23327
47' Rare case of not delayed offside call
https://streamff.link/v/1d688dba
50' YC 3RAN for blatant simulation
https://streamff.link/v/b0125589
Jasper Vergoote as we know him - good communication with players, very talkative and managing things rather than sanctioning. Such style is good for some GER/FRA/SUI/AUT/Scandinavia games but could easily backfire in a more challenging context. I hope the Belgian can change his permissive approach if needed.
1': after 30 seconds in the game, referee too cold to make an assessment there, and I think he was not in the best position. Unacceptable that no replay was shown, I can't be sure about the contact, but honestly the attacker wouldn't have had a reason to fall. I also think ball had gone so in case it was even possible to whistle SPA and not DOGSO. But the overall perception is indeed about a missed foul, one should hear from VAR assessment, would be a very interesting one.
Delete6' Unconventional Belgian VAR, here in Italy such decisions would have been discussed as scandal by fans, after a goal scored, because indeed, without the touch, attacker wouldn't have continued his action and no goal scored. This is a very unwritten rule indeed and the head of referees but the IFAB maybe before should do something. According to law, correct decision by Belgian crew, but in reality all referees especially and mandatory in Italy / Spain, would call this one (otherwise big troubles).
29' most of referees would forgive defender for the action on ball, but penalty wouldn't be wrong. In modern refereeing, it seems we are more and more used to "ball saves everything" concept.
45'+1 Another referee would have booked, here the rather lenient style of the Belgian crew comes out. Maybe if he had kicked ball with more force, he would have been booked, but definitely not an argument.
47' No need of replay, I think AR2 took a responsibility there and he was allowed, very evident, shouldn't be questioned by observer.
50' Very clear YC, very good decision by referee. However, impossible to play on without booking as it was a very clear attempt to win a penalty.
Agree with your final remark, it's clear that such officiating in hot clashes, especially involving teams from certain countries, could lead to issues (also, in terms of making some "clever" decisions). Nevertheless, the referee from Belgium deserves the benefit of the doubt (we can't say) and we will see how his career will continue.
IMO, 45+1min: management acceptable. 60min: missed blatant YC
ReplyDeleteThe best referees in league phase in my opinion
ReplyDelete1 Joao pinheiro
2 oliver
3 marco guida
4 eskes
5 kavanagha
OF COURSE PINHEIRO!!😂
DeleteIMO, 2nd Godinho
I miss Nobre in this list.
Delete@AAY
DeleteI’ve been reading a lot opinions, but could you also provide arguments to explain your reasoning?
Curious to know: why did these five stand out as the best ones in your view? Looking forward to your thoughts.
Perhaps hidden pinheiro’s wife ? 😆
DeleteGlad to see KAVANAH making an appearance on the list!
DeleteOnly missing is BANKES… :)
DeleteMr Anonymous
ReplyDeleteThere are several reason the first reason these five three of them doesn't go the screen and they are eskes , pinheiro, kavanagah and others go to the screen one time and they are oliver
The second reason this they less use of cards especially kavanagah, eskes , guida
Sven Jablonski: 4 games, 0 OFR. He is excellent.
DeletePinheiro’s games tend to be easy-going and he rarely needs cards — but that’s also due to the type of games/context UEFA assigns him. They often give him football-focused and flow-based matches, because of his hyper-lenient style.
DeleteFor example Kovács, a more strict referee got Galatasaray-Atlético, probably for good reason. In a Portuguese derby, Pinheiro would need more cards too.
Standing in front of the screen isn’t always a referee’s fault. On the other hand, Pinheiro’s VAR perhaps should have intervened during MD8.
De Burgos and Alberola Rojas appointed to La Liga games less than 48 hours after doing EL matches. Makes no sense..
ReplyDeleteAgree, totally insane. Very surprised to be both in games today.
DeleteProbably because of the UEFA course in Cyprus. Most referees travel tomorrow.
DeleteThat would make sense, although Sanchez has a game in La Liga tomorrow and Brooks in the PL who are both going.
DeleteDoes anyone have a prediction as to which referees will officiate the Champions League playoffs?
ReplyDeleteAbove in the comment section they discussed about it and also did some predictions.
DeleteThis was the red card shown by Damian Sylwestrzak for SFP:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamain.com/en/4ziZAx417IphBhu/watch
And here the other mentioned incident, happened two minutes earlier:
https://streambug.org/cv/a93895
For me that's a red card too. A bit unlucky for him that the incident with the correct red card appaered two minutes later.
DeleteRed card too. VAR should have called referee here.
DeleteThe earlier one is never a red card. Absolutely disagree with you both. The leg is bent, contact is on the top of the foot, and the player is sliding on the ground when the contact occurs on top of the foot. Clearly not enough force.
DeleteIs there a interpretation of what happening for irfan peljto and sandro schärer who were the best in referees in Europe last season? What is the problem for those two names i am not understand until now
ReplyDeleteA few things I’ve noticed after the first half of the 25/26 season regarding observer appointments, without going into too much detail:
ReplyDelete-Most referees who were later dropped from the UEFA pre-CWC seminar list (released on 16 Dec 2025) have been observed by a FIFA instructor in the first half of the season.
-Oliver and Vinčić were observed by a FIFA instructor on MD8, in what was already their 6th UCL match. In their case, it could suggest they are very high on the pecking order for the upcoming World Cup.
-Multiple referees from the same country were observed by the same observer (e.g. Taylor/Oliver, Turpin/Letexier, etc). The same applies to some potential final candidates. This may be a coincidence, but it could also be a way to compare referees, given that refereeing is a judged sport and that observers’ assessments of style and performance are inherently subjective (as already evident from the differing opinions on this blog).
What a game for Díaz de Mera Escuderos in Real Madrid - Rayo Vallecano, I think he got right all KMIs. Maybe Ratiu's push on Mbappe could have been given a PK but never VAR stuff IMO.
ReplyDeleteCorrect decisions. But immediately pointing at your ear after a penalty or red card shows insecuruty. As in ”they are checking, I might be wrong”.
DeleteWhat is wrong with English VAR's?
ReplyDeleteClear foul when Solanke scored now for Tottenham against City not whistled,and VAR did not call Jones to check.
In England, that kind of thing doesn't get penalized—maybe only by European refs like Oliver and Taylor.
DeleteDoesn't he hit the ball first? Looks that way from the close-up replays. If so it's consistent with how they've handled similar situations all season: if you get the ball first, any subsequent action is legal.
DeleteAside from that situation, Robert Jones really refereed the game very poorly. Very strange criteria, in some phases of the game everything is allowed, nothing is a foul, in others everything is a foul...
DeleteIt should be said that he forgave Rodri a clean 2 YC in the referee's stoppage time of the second half.
And another thing that bothered me to the point of asking myself if I know the rules of the game of football. So, it happened twice that the referee called offside after which the team that had possession was awarded a free kick in the opponent's half? I mean, I know it's a stupid question, offsides are only performed in your own half, but can someone confirm that for me.
You could be offside (position) only at opponent's half but the indirect FK is where the offside becomes active (where you play the ball / challenge an opponent, etc.), so it could be on the other half.
Delete"If an offside offence occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kick where the offence occurred, including if it is in the player’s own half of the field of play."
Honestly, I didn't even know about this rule. Thanks.
DeleteIn the last days, the first FIFA Women's Champions Cup was played in London with the following appointments
ReplyDeleteSF1, Gotham (USA) - Corinthians (BRA): Olofsson (SWE) - Higler (NED), Kulcsar (HUN)
SF2, Arsenal (ENG) - Rabat (MAR): Yamashita (JPN) - Jacewicz, Reibelt (both AUS)
3rd place, Rabat - Gotham: Alves (BRA) - Muniz (BRA), di Iorio (ARG)
Final, Arsenal - Corinthians: Garcia (MEX) - Guzman (NCA), Borja (MEX)
(Previous rounds had been handled by Karboubi (MAR) and Martincic (CRO, with Hategan (ROU) and Cvetkovic (SRB)))
I tried to watch something, correct OFR in the semifinal with Japanese referee, Australian VAR called for a clear handball in the box.
ReplyDeleteAnd a very crucial call by Tatiana Guzman from VAR in the final, leading to a 2-2 score and extra times to be played:
https://streambug.org/cv/82e0b3
Classic situation in which defender goes for the ball but attacker puts herself in the middle of the contact, resulting then in a penalty. Don't like this kind of call as you know, but it's accepted today...
Nice to har from the Mexican referee about the announcement with a technical language, not the first time for her to be accurate in this regard (ncareless, no yellow card).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OVX1UWZtSg
ReplyDeleteLast night game AEK-Olympiakos. In 5'50'' a penallty given by Makkelie after OFR (VAR Dieperink). For me correct decision.
For me, VAR should never react here! There are thousands situations like this and VAR never reacts. Is this CLEAR AND OBVIOUS mistake by the ref! Certanly not! To give such a penalty in Greece, in hot derby match, in 100th minute! Ridicolous. Wrong and not so smart. Never know how crowd would react. If this is PK well we should have many penalties then.
ReplyDeleteBy the Laws of the Game, this is a foul. It is careless tripping from behind when the defender crosses the attacker. It may be accidental, but it is still an infringement. Without VAR, these situations were often missed because they are very difficult to detect in real time. In my opinion, this is exactly why VAR exists. For this reason VAR will soon be involved in situations such as wrongly awarded corner kicks and incorrect second yellow cards.
ReplyDelete