Wednesday 17 September 2025
18:45 CET - Piraeus (Stádio Geórgios Karaïskákis)
OLYMBIAKÓS SFP (GRE) - PAFOS FC (CYP)
Referee: Istvan Kovacs ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marius Marica ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Ferencz Tunyogi ROU
Fourth Official: Szabolcs Roland Kovacs ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Sorin Popa ROU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marcel Bîrsan ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Marinus Koopman NED
UEFA Delegate: Artur Azaryan ARM
18:45 CET - Prague (Fortuna Arena)
SK SLAVIA PRAHA (CZE) - FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR)
Referee: Marian Alexandru Barbu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mircea Mihail Grigoriu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: George Florin Neacșu ROU
Fourth Official: Constantin Sebastian Colțescu ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ovidiu Alin Hațegan ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Juan Antonio Fernández Marín ESP
UEFA Delegate: Aristídis Stavrópoulos GRE
21:00 CET - Paris (Parc des Princes)
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (FRA) - ATALANTA BC (ITA)
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Stéphane De Almeida SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Jonas Erni SUI
Fourth Official: Lionel Tschudi SUI
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Atkinson ENG
UEFA Delegate: Iain Blair SCO
21:00 CET - Munich (Allianz Arena)
FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN (GER) - CHELSEA FC (ENG)
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Íñigo Prieto López de Ceraín ESP
Fourth Official: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Ichko Lozev BUL
UEFA Delegate: Könül Mehdiyeva AZE
21:00 CET - Liverpool (Anfield)
LIVERPOOL FC (ENG) - CLUB ATLÉTICO DE MADRID (ESP)
Referee: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Tegoni ITA
Fourth Official: Matteo Marcenaro ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Frank De Bleeckere BEL
UEFA Delegate: João Morais POR
21:00 CET - Amsterdam (Johan Cruijff ArenA)
AFC AJAX (NED) - FC INTERNAZIONALE MILANO (ITA)
Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring ENG
Fourth Official: Samuel Barrott ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett AUS/ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Michael Salisbury ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Karen Nalbandyan ARM
UEFA Delegate: Claude Runavot FRA
Who in this case will get Newcastle -Barcelona?
ReplyDeleteİ think Slavko Vincic
DeleteThat's a difficult one to predict. Given the Rumsas and Obrenovic appointments in English-Spanish games this week, it could again be a First Group referee. But also an top Elite referee would be understandable (and of course, everything in between).
DeleteI think, one of the German Elite referees is quite possible there, given no games so far for them and two German teams playing on Thursday.
One should try to explain the Romanian situation in Champions League.
ReplyDeleteRadu Petrescu, Horațiu Feșnic and now Marian Barbu but it seems as nobody (waiting for Barbu right now) is considered for something more (becoming at least regular in the competition...). It is an unique case, not visible in all other countries. Just giving a bit to everybody, this is Rosetti philosophy and the appearance of teams at their debut in Champions League seems one of the reasons they want to continue in this way.
I have too little insight into the performances of the referees and the appointment philosophy. However, I also wonder whether, in direct comparison, for example, Austrian referees are really that bad (Austria: 0 UCL referees, Romania: 4 UCL referees). For proportional reasons alone, one could nominate someone from our country for this competition. Additionally, there are also 'meaningless' matches, so a nomination would rather have the character of goodwill. Personally, I would have given Harald Lechner such a 'meaningless' UCL game for his international farewell - solely for his palmares and because he was a reliable first group referee for a very long time.
DeleteExcellent and tough match for Mariani under the eyes of an influent observer; it seems that he is definitively ahead of Guida and Massa in the race to FWC26: Massa wasn't called at the latest FIFA meeting with perspective ones and honestly Guida has lost position after his injury.
ReplyDeleteAbout FWC26, can say that Sanchez Martinez is now the only serious candidate from Spain and I see very difficult a recovery form Gil Manzano.
Really unexpected to me the debut of Barbu, without a member committee; everybody was waiting for Sozza and honestly I'm wondering if names like Walsh, Visser, Schneyder, Lindhout, Saggi deserve much more than the Romanian a CL match, No surprise on the other matches, probably not a big clash for Kovacs.
I'm very glad for Rumsas appointment and I really hope that's would be the final exam for granting promotion; as said by many of you, committee clearly behaves to penalize some referees waiting for their mistake to reject them: Makkelie for CL final match, Rumsas, Kabakov, Petrescu for promotion.
Barbu was indeed not expected, but at least he has done 4 EL games last season, which is more than some of the other names, who have been discussed here for a CL debut.
DeleteShould mean quite low chances for Fesnic to progress further (or to get CL again).
Sanchez and Mariani look like the clear number ones for their countries now, so probably their WC selection will be supported by good appointments during this season. They just have to deliver now...
Not too surprising to have a big name in the Greece/Cyprus duel, I think.
I think joao pinheiro will be in city and napoli
ReplyDeletePinheiro will likely be appointed to a Thursday game, as all UEFA refs selected for U20WC (Schärer, Peljto, Pinheiro, Sánchez Martínez, Mariani) will miss MD2 (and MD3 if they are kept until the very final stages), the other four refs already have a MD1 appointment (Schärer PSG-ATA, Peljto RM-OM, Sánchez Martínez BAY-CHE, Mariani LIV-ATM)
DeleteAnyone on some info or video clips from yesterday Ligue 1 game Rennes-Lyon
ReplyDeleteReferee former FIFA cat 1 Ruddy Buquet , VAR Stefanie Frappart.
Big media attention about them today in France . Missed mandatory red card for Rennes in minute 18 not even a foul given Roualt scored later 1-1 goal.
And minute 75 somehow red card given to Lyon player Morton where many think advantage should be given and then only yellow card.
Here 76' incident:
Deletehttps://streamain.com/en/r3uhExabgQP0X2y/watch
And what do you think, is this a red card? In my opinion it is because the white player has no chance to play with the ball. The start is rough, from behind so I think this is the right decision by Boquet
DeleteI don't know if this is red for Chefren, not easy decision but for me more yellow card as low intensity but as you said no chance to play with ball can lead to red card.
DeleteAny video on situation in 18 minute that for me is super clear red card for Rennes.
You can understand the assessment by Buquet in my opinion, no chance to play ball, very dangerous from behind, "old school" red card, even not looking at point of contact. Today with more focus on many criteria one could go with YC, but the decision by French referee can be explained in this way.
DeleteHere the other incident you mentioned, I found it:
https://streambug.org/cv/b0bf16
And I must say very shocking for Frappart as VAR, no arguments for missed intervention. Clear red card.
While I must be honest, live, before the replay, I didn't have such perception so Buquet could be partially excused. But it remains an incredible mistake from the VAR room.
IMO big mistake by VAR not to intervene in the 1H incident, clear SFP (studs, high force, above ankle)
DeleteOn the other hand, I'm glad Buquet gave a RC in the 2H incident. Clear tackle as an attack for me, high force kick fom behind.
https://sport.tvp.pl/88931392/dziesiaty-w-historii-sedzia-glowny-z-polski-w-fazie-zasadniczej-ligi-mistrzow
ReplyDeleteDamian Sylwestrzak debut in Lisbon on Thursday.
On the VAR side, noteworthy, that Bebek returns after missing the complete last CL season.
ReplyDeleteAnd San again not appointed (as main VAR) in Schärer's team.
Jérôme Brisard, arguably the best referee since the beginning of the Ligue 1 season (see his incredible Lorient-Rennes in August, with two correct RC in the first 10 minutes), will be in charge of the biggest clash of the season, Marseille-PSG on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteIt will be the first time he referees this game since the (very infamous) PSG-Marseille un September 2020, which ended with 5 red cards and 14 (!) YC, and the second time he officiates on a "Classique" overall. It is clear that FFF didn't want to appoint him on this clash for a very long time following this episode, but now time has passed and they seem to decide that he is ready, and I have to agree that he now seems to be fully capable of handling this clash.
Where is Glenn Nyberg?
ReplyDeleteHe is currently lying in his bathtub reading the "Aftonbladet".
Delete:-))) He only refereed one game this season.
Delete(1.5 months ago.. Feyenoord - Fener ) Maybe he is injured?
He has done a domestic game on Saturday (Degerfors - Mjällby), so not injured (anymore).
DeleteGlenn has just set aside the 'Aftonbladet', gotten out of his bathtub, and assured me that he also officiated the World Cup qualifying match Georgia - Bulgaria a week before.
DeleteAgree with you that Brisard has been great lately and is great choice for Le Classique.
ReplyDeleteBig trouble in FFF and Gautier this days and they have to send Turpin to Lyon after disgrace from Frappart yesterday.
Do you have appointments for other two big derby on saturday, derby Bretagne Nantes-Rennes and Derby Nurd Lens-Lille?
Nantes - Rennes: Mathieu Vernice (Nicolas Rainville)
DeleteLens - Lille: Éric Wattellier (Willy Delajod)
Busy game for Hernandez in Espanyol vs Mallorca. Penalty for Mallorca in the first half for a shirt pull then a straight red to Espanyol a few minutes later for shouting (swearing?) at the referee. Now a penalty to Espanyol near the end of the match for a small push in the back.
ReplyDeleteToday, the new season of the AFC Champions League Elite has started. The first game involving Emirati Sharjah FC and Qatari Al-Gharafa SC was handled by Saudi Majid Ash-Shamrani. It wasn't a good performance, unfortunately.
ReplyDelete29' Penalty awarded after OFR. Although the contact is clear, the fall of the attacking player is totally unnatural. Interesting under VAR point of view.
https://youtu.be/LU4M65A0jC0?t=2267
49' Only warning after blatant dissent by action by SHA #23. Nothing new in AFC...
https://youtu.be/LU4M65A0jC0?t=4665
58' Penalty awarded for impeding. The defending player was not smart by outstretching his leg but the attacking player's behaviour is surely more a simulation than anything else
https://youtu.be/LU4M65A0jC0?t=5236
65' Wrong play-on and missed mandatory 2YC to GHA #24 for reckless step on foot
https://youtu.be/LU4M65A0jC0?t=5645
71' Correct penalty award after late tackle
https://youtu.be/LU4M65A0jC0?t=6019
82' FK and RC to Gharafa's GK for DOGSO, after OFR. I don't think we would've seen an intervention for this in Europe.
https://youtu.be/LU4M65A0jC0?t=6697
I guess you didn’t see Falahi in Al Wahda-Al Ittihad? :)
DeleteHow this man attended to the CWC…
29' Mininal contact, used to get a penalty, so the call is not wrong, but one should wonder about VAR intervention.
Delete49' Let this unpunished in a UEFA game and you will see...
58' A penalty looked for by attacker. The leg was out and this was the fault by defender, but basically you see attacker going against opponent's body and nothing else. Again, a penalty one must support...
65' Unaware referee, clear YC for reckless missed.
71' This is what one can describe a very clear penalty, attacker holding his action while defender intervening with a late tackle.
82' Indeed as you said this would be never assessed as foul in UEFA.
One must say that in AFC, it's not the first time I see it, they use VAR as they want, as second officiating of the game, intervening in almost all situations...
Diego. Watch this one. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMTLLMtswIt/?igsh=MWF3cWE1ZHN6dDlpMw==
DeleteLooks like good decision to appoint Elite ref to Greek-Cyprus derby cause it could get very challenging.
ReplyDeleteSo far 2 cards in 20 minutes with lots of fouls.
2nd YC shown to Felipe, could have easily been straight red.
DeleteCorrect 2nd yellow by Kovacs for Pafos
ReplyDeleteKovacs has looked calm and assured in the first 30 minutes in a hot fiery atmosphere. Correct 2nd YC for a reckless borderline SFP tackle.
ReplyDeleteSo far excellent and alert Kovacs hopefully version that was on CWC was just one time.
ReplyDelete37' Very long VAR check by Bebek (the Crotian not new to that), clear handball in penalty area and it would be punishable, but also clear push on the player who committed that. I think they must rewatch and outcome COULD be foul to defender. We will see.
ReplyDeleteThat final review angle showed the push well and I think correct decision in the end, good on the referee to "go against" VAR here.
Delete@MQ I don't think the referee went 'against VAR', VAR correctly applied protocol because he showed both the punishable handball and the previous push to be assessed by the referee.
DeleteYes, Quilava is right. Bebek already elaborated that, MQ. Long time before calling referee is the key for understanding that. And the footage that was shown, including the possible foul before. The Croatian very likely said "for me foul before, but if not, then you have to whistle this evident penalty". The Romanian agreed on the foul before, but this was not good for him, as he missed two infringments on the pitch (even though handballs are always very particular situations).
DeleteAh, I misunderstood the situation, I didn't realise that he missed the handball situation altogether. But I see from replay now that he immediately signaled goal kick so evidently so.
DeleteGenerally, debating in the VAR room takes way too long - if it's one minute, why not just let the referee rewatch the situation? VAR protocol is still flawed IMO.
ReplyDeleteKovacs second YC:
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/484cc5
Very good decision. One must say, not being afraid of issuing a second YC so early in a game is a skill. The reputation that the Romanian built for himself was largely based on that.
Again a very long unnecessary delay. Defender doesn't touch the ball it seems.
ReplyDeleteslow graphics and shocking tv director in greece
ReplyDeleteBad production,2 RC's we did not see.
ReplyDeleteIMO,would not be mistake if RC was shown.
RC clear mistake for me, nothing that would justify that decision imo
ReplyDeleteGood save by the VAR
DeleteAgree, correct OFR
DeleteOFR for Kovacs to remove a red card.
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/5694ef
Agree with VAR.
I wonder why he needs so much time in front of the monitor. Not just Kovacs btw; we see this more often, some refs watch soooo many replays. And I know that sometimes mistakes happen when a decision is made too quickly. But if it takes this long, it doesn’t look convincing either.
DeleteIMO wrong intervention
DeleteKovacs never look convincing after any OFR ;)
DeleteREally slow in such an obvious situation, but the VAR is omg .... Next time put more time on the camera from the sky... You have such a good low super slow motion camera and you gave top behind the goal in a zoom.
DeleteBarbu missed a clear penalty after first OFR
ReplyDeleteThe second one was case that referee should award in the pitch. Hope from him today to do more. Looks too much relaxed in the pitch
Not a ref to replace a standard as Kovacs
Video ?
DeleteBarbu not making effort to see but OK.. AR1?
Deletehttps://streambug.org/cv/3194f5
This is very poor to see in Champions League, honestly.
Wow very clear. I believe that the players are exactly on his line of vision and he cant see it but this only because of his movement. Not proactive to look for the potential problem and lenient.
DeleteVery nervous start by both teams in Munich,Sanchez is not helping with his style.
ReplyDeleteSanchez is hit by ball near the Chelsea box, after the drop ball Bayern score immediately, not a good look however not his fault!
DeleteStrange situation in Munich. With the free kick hitting Sanchez, looked like Kimmich did it on purpose as the referee didn't move.
ReplyDeleteSoft penalty,looks like after some consultation.
ReplyDeleteI’m wondering if was A1 who told him…he made the “no” gesture though…
DeleteSoft penalty by Sanchez Martinez, awarded with delay and maybe after consultation, but for me attacker used the situation to falL, could be definitely nothing by defender!
ReplyDeletehttps://streamff.com/v/76bd6e70
The most blatant tripping this year.
DeleteLooks like AR1 told Sanchez to give the penalty after he originally waved it away. Caicedo doesn't win the ball but not a lot of contact on Kane.
ReplyDeletewhat a joke, the commentators are fumming
ReplyDeleteInteresting hearing Maresca says to the FO “Don’t threaten me” in Spanish…
ReplyDeletebefore he was asking for RC
DeleteNot sure why Chelsea are so angry after the 2-1 goal. Sanchez correctly played an advantage and booked Tah
ReplyDeleteCamera did not do good job with that incident, but I'm sure there were some RC material maybe.
ReplyDeleteWow,and now phantom penalty in Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteI think called by AR2, the referee whistled with a certain delay. A shame for Mariani, who is doing well at the moment.
DeleteGood OFR in Amsterdam. Both player were holding, no PK.
ReplyDeleteAgree. And Inter #9 starts with pulling and benefits from that. Also Oliver and advantage is a not existent combination
DeleteFE watch minute 58
DeleteMistake in Liverpool to give a penalty. AR2 might have given it rather than Mariani
ReplyDeleteOnce again, a phantom penalty for handball whistled only thinking about a possible touch by arm that never existed, but without seeing it. Either Mariani, but rather impossible for him from his position, or, very likely, AR2 Tegoni called it. Correct OFR. But in such situations I will repeat again and again, referees should refrain from trying to guess a handball! Very important mistake. Objective situation where VAR is fully entitled to intervene without any question.
ReplyDeleteShocking penalty call at Anfield. This is what you need VAR for. Did AR2 advise him? Either way it’s not good and the change of mind is the right decision.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of A2 in Liverpool, I don’t know if anyone noticed too, when LIV scores 2-0 he ran with both arms like the sign of giving the advantage…Weird
ReplyDeleteOFR for Schaerer in Paris. Very clear penalty, agree with VAR.
ReplyDeleteRather negative set of games so far for UEFA referees, honestly.
VAR interventions (and not just for offsides...) in almost all venues unless Munich so far.
ReplyDeleteI think that within the context of focusing on the plays, the referees are somewhat careless, and VAR has been intervening in simple plays that should be the responsibility of the referee on the field. The procedures are correct, but the referees need to be more focused on these penalty kicks with crystal-clear vision.
DeleteYep,challenging matches today starting from 18:45.
DeleteDifficult situations for refs and we'll see how they do in 2nd half.
Possible offside for Atleti goal. Impossible to be sure if Griezmann in line of sight of the goalkeeper from the angles shown, one looked as if he was out the way, one looked differently. I'd like to see a better angle than broadcast
ReplyDeleteThere’s no doubt Griezman impacted on the goalkeepers ability to properly see the ball. Goal should not have stood. Different match now.
DeleteFor me also impact on GK. Very close which clearly block line of vision. See when GK jumps for the ball...
DeleteIn no case was the ball saveable. Therefore, there could have been no effective interference. Dead is the correct decision.
DeleteGoalkeeper had absolutely zero chance to touch that ball. Did not impact his ability to play the ball, that’s what is required when being in the line of vision. Absolutely goal.
DeleteIt's not up to the referee to work out how good a goalkeeper is, will his dive reach the ball? I still think the high behind angle should have been shown, with that best to judge if he was in line of sight or not. If he was, even if Alisson wouldn't have reached it, it would be offside
DeleteNo, that's not how it works. If the shot is unstoppable, there is in fact no offside possible.
DeleteHow‘s Schärer doing?
ReplyDeleteOliver OFR in Amsterdam:
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/0776ac
Would be maybe penalty for the last part of the action, but clear holding on opponent' shirt by attacker before. One could discuss about the fact that it was possible to confirm penalty, but in my opinion what allowed VAR to intervene here is that holding was very visible and not a minor one.
Very delicate, but I agree. For me this holding has no such impact on the movement of defender but in terms of being fair this is the better decision since even the holding of the defender to attacker with one arm is also not such an offence and its more theatre of the attacker.
DeleteClear penalty but clear offence by the attacker before it. Easy decision to change it to a free kick and cancel the yellow card.
DeleteI like to see Oliver doing his usual, I'll explain a complex decision to the player, before gesturing to all. Helps keep everyone calm(er)
DeleteSanchez forgot his cards today.
ReplyDeleteAgree, should’ve been YC for Diaz
DeleteWhat a clear penalty for holding for Liverpool, min 86, corner. Where is VAR?
ReplyDeleteNot really....
DeleteFair that Liverpool scored now!
ReplyDeleteA lot of OFRs indeed. Technically, that should result in plenty of 7.9 ratings, but it will likely have no impact on the next set of appointments. Missing a crystal-clear PK, awarding a phantom RC or phantom handball PK is considered “fine” as long as VAR corrects it. As long as there’s no major controversy, UEFA is satisfied.
ReplyDeleteBut if a referee awards a 30/70 penalty that cannot be overruled by VAR, and it decides the match, the referee is immediately rejected. What kind of policy is that in Nyon? ;)
Yes, I agree. This is not fair and even the most clear situation is possible to get wrong.
DeleteI’m not really convinced by Sanchez Martinez to be honest. Definitely not a bad performance but a few (to much) points that weren’t solved optimal. The PK was supportable IMO.
ReplyDeleteThought Mariani did well overall. Incorrectly gave a penalty however where he seemed to be influenced by AR2
ReplyDeleteHe passed by many of us in despair, but the Anfield cameras caught Simeone trying to fight a Liverpool fan just as Van Dijk scored. The fourth judge reported him, and Mariani threw him out with RC. This Argentinean likes to put on a show.
ReplyDeleteAs for Sánchez Martínez, in the end it turned out to be the only match without an OFR. Said that, I'm not fully convinced by the Spanish, without thinking to the penalty incident, which can be debated, but not really the reason for my doubts about his performance. I believe he sometimes has a too rigid way of carrying himself on the pitch and struggles to adapt in order to find a better approach with the players, to the point of, for example, suddenly changing his facial expression when interacting with them, which happened in the first half, and in other matches of his as well, as if he somehow wanted to keep his distance but at the same time tried to engage more deeply in terms of communication with the players, though never quite succeeding (see, in this regard, the famous decision in that Milan match he officiated some time ago, which could have been managed better with prevention). Yesterday he was on the edge of losing control of the match especially after some challenges in midfield that, in my view, he didn't manage properly. In the end however that didn't happen, and we can say it was a decent performance overall. Still, I don’t see him as a referee who can aspire to excellence, but neither was he too bad. Compared to Gil Manzano's recent form, he was certainly better, perhaps only slightly, but is that really enough?
ReplyDeleteIt was a rather easy-going game for Schaerer in Paris, with PSG better team of the two and no doubts about the final outcome. However, the Swiss referee was called to OFR for assigning a penalty to PSG.
ReplyDeleteHe was following the action and missed the incident in the middle of penalty area, off the ball, with a clear reckless challenge. Correct YC for this reason.
https://streambug.org/cv/381e5d
Oliver had a fairly easy game yesterday ..
ReplyDeleteThe penalty call wasn't wrong, but a foul prior was not detected.
I was surprised that the VAR involved themselves and a supportable decision to remove it in the end.