Sunday, 2 November 2025

Champions League 2025/26 - Referee Appointments - Matchday 4 (I)

First set of appointments for the fourth matchday of 2025/26 Champions League league-phase, 4 November 2025.


4 November 2025

18:45 CET - Naples (Stadio Diego Armando Maradona) 
SSC NAPOLI (ITA) - EINTRACHT FRANKFURT (GER)
Referee: João Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia POR
Fourth Official: Fabio Verissimo POR
Video Assistant Referee: Tago Martins POR 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: André Narciso POR 
UEFA Referee Observer: David Fernández Borbalán ESP
UEFA Delegate: Scott Struthers SCO 

18:45 CET - Prague (Eden Aréna) 
SK SLAVIA PRAHA (CZE) - ARSENAL FC (ENG)
Referee: Əliyar Ağayev AZE
Assistant Referee 1: Zeynal Zeynalov AZE
Assistant Referee 2: Akif Əmirəli AZE
Fourth Official: Elçin Məsiyev AZE
Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jeroen Manschot NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Lucílio Cardoso Cortez Batista POR
UEFA Delegate: Attila Tömo HUN

21:00 CET - Paris (Parc des Princes) 
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (FRA) - FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN (GER)
Referee: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Stefano Alassio 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: Vladimir Šajn SVN
UEFA Delegate: Eugène Westerink NED

21:00 CET - Liverpool (Anfield) 
LIVERPOOL FC (ENG) - REAL MADRID CF (ESP)
Referee: István Kovács ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marica ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Ferencz Tunyogi ROU
Fourth Official: Marcel Birsan ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
UEFA Referee Observer: Viktor Kassai HUN 
UEFA Delegate: Thibault De Gendt BEL

21:00 CET - Madrid (Estadio Metropolitano) 
CLUB ATLÉTICO DE MADRID (ESP) - ROYALE UNION SAINT-GILLOISE (BEL)
Referee: Espen Eskås NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Elias Bashevkin NOR
Fourth Official: Sigurd Kringstad NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Attwell ENG 
UEFA Referee Observer: Drago Kos SVN
UEFA Delegate: Paolo Rondelli SMR

21:00 CET - Turin (Allianz Stadium) 
JUVENTUS (ITA) - SPORTING CP (POR)
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER
Fourth Official: Timo Gerach GER
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Andrew Dalla SCO 
UEFA Referee Observer: David Malcolm NIR
UEFA Delegate: Jonathan Leese ENG

21:00 CET - London (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC (ENG) - FC KØBENHAVN (DEN)
Referee: Erik Lambrechts BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Jo de Weirdt BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Monteny BEL
Fourth Official: Nathan Verboomen BEL
Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Angelos Evangelou GRE
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo ESP 
UEFA Delegate: Jirí Novák CZE

21:00 CET - Piraeus (Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis)
OLYMBIAKÓS SFP (GRE) - PSV EINDHOVEN (NED)
Referee: Clément Turpin FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pages FRA
Fourth Official: Ruddy Buquet FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Rainville FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Levan Paniashvili GEO 
UEFA Delegate:Per Svärd SWE

21:00 CET - Bodø (Aspmyra)
FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR) - AS MONACO FC (FRA)
Referee: Damian Sylwestrzak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Paweł Sokolnicki POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Karasewicz POL
Fourth Official: Marcin Kochanek POL
Video Assistant Referee: Piotr Lasyk POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
UEFA Referee Observer: Juan Antonio Fernández Marín ESP
UEFA Delegate: Virgar Hvidbro FRO
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37 comments:

  1. Walter2 November 2025 at 10:05

    I am very curious to see whether the Austrian media Laola1 was correct in reporting last week that Sebastian Gishamer will referee Qarabag vs. Chelsea on matchday 4. There are rumors that this information was already published about 14 days ago by the Head of the Austrian Refereeing Department. Here is the link to the entire article (unfortunately only available in German): https://www.laola1.at/de/red/fussball/bundesliga/hintergrund/exklusiv--ein-oesterreicher-pfeift-wieder-in-der-champions-league/?appview

    ReplyDelete
  2. 1232 November 2025 at 10:11

    Turpin for OLY-PSV
    Sylwestrzak for BOD-MON

    ReplyDelete
  3. Philipp S2 November 2025 at 10:19

    Mostly normal, expectable appointments.
    Just the games for Eskas and Turpin seem a bit underwhelming.
    Mariani was the most logical choice in Paris given the committee observation.
    Lambrechts apparently is a promotion candidate observed by Velasco.
    Kovacs observed by an Hungarian seems to be no issue for UEFA - and he is a reasonable choice for that top game.

    Hard to find a game for Taylor now...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Abdiaziz ahmed yousuf2 November 2025 at 10:58

      Mr Philip I think five of your prediction was right so can you predict games of tomorrow ?

      Delete
    2. Abdiaziz ahmed yousuf2 November 2025 at 10:58

      Mr Philip I think five of your prediction was right so can you predict games of tomorrow ?

      Delete
    3. Philipp S2 November 2025 at 11:25

      Qarabag-Chelsea: Lindhout
      Pafos-Villareal: Fesnic
      Inter-Almaty: Walsh
      ManCity-Dortmund: Peljto
      Brugge-Barcelona: Taylor
      Benfica-Leverkusen: Jovanovic
      Marseille-Atalanta: Grinfeeld
      Ajax-Galatasaray: Sozza
      Newcastle-Bilbao: Kruzliak

      Delete
    4. Abdiaziz ahmed yousuf2 November 2025 at 12:04

      Do you think luis godinho will get match ?

      Delete
    5. Lincoln2 November 2025 at 17:30

      For a closely contested match between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund, I would consider a more established player lately in this stage of the league. Nyberg or Schärer (if he's recovered from his injury). Peljto has had a confusing debut in Madrid with questionable performances. I would consider the Bosnian in another, less important match, like Amsterdam, Istanbul, or Lisbon.

      Delete
    6. Philipp S2 November 2025 at 19:37

      Yes, I would have liked Turpin there...
      However it seems unlikely to have a referee from MD3 again, so the options are limited.

      Delete
  4. Chefren2 November 2025 at 13:39

    So, it will be Mariani in Paris with committee member. As said, he is not coming from a good performance, but they have removed the assistant referee involved in the wrong call. A game to understand more about the Italian, with the Slovenian committee member, and once again you can see an Italian referee with PSG (after several times involving Guida and Massa). Not a case, for me.
    To follow, important exam in London for Lambrechts and indeed given this appointment with Velasco Carballo, we can say now he is observed for a possible promotion. Will he succeed? Honestly I think he wasn't given too many games in recent times if compared to other referees, one needs more elements to come to a final judgment.
    We will see on Tuesday, it doesn't look like a potentially hot game in UK, but maybe there will be the opportunity to understand more.
    Good second appearance in Champions League for Sylwestrzak after his debut, while every now and then it's also Aghayev turn and he will officiate the game in Prague. Still very unknown about his real reputation by committee, when about national teams involved, he always gets low profile games, could be tested for something more.
    Eskas back in Champions after an Europa League appearance, I don't think the one in Madrid will be challenging, but all is possible.
    Classic appointment for Kovacs with a big game in Liverpool, and you see always Dankert as UEFA VAR first choice. For me, the game at Anfield is more challenging than PSG - Bayern because a Spanish side is involved and we know how much this is different.
    Pinheiro in Naples, back from Chile, and I think tomorrow we will see at least Peljto. Siebert in Turin after the game in Eindhoven, it seems as committee accepted the sending off and that's good because the strict approch, we know, has led very often to controversy and committee wanted always to avoid... Normal assignmen tfor Turpin in Greece, it could be a very challenging game.

    ReplyDelete
  5. M2 November 2025 at 14:29

    3rd round in a row Inter get rejected penalty,this time it was small contact that many would not whistled it,but still, trend continues.

    This time it was Doveri with his lenient approach through the whole match.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nerazzuri2 November 2025 at 14:34

      The controversy will be in Bisseck’s foul which is a DOGSO.
      They keep appointment the “best” local referees to make up for Mariani mistake only for them to do other controversies(Sozza before, now Doveri)

      Delete
    2. M2 November 2025 at 14:39

      By covering you mean sending lenient and trusted refs that fully describes Sozza and far better Doveri.
      When we remember that nearly decade ago we had in that league Rizzoli, Orsato,Rocchi..All trusted refs that were not afraid to take a decision and to not to be lenient.

      Delete
    3. M2 November 2025 at 14:41

      And about Bisseck,I think acceptable that VAR did not intervene,ball was away and there was a chance that other Inter player would have been there.

      Delete
  6. Nerazzuri2 November 2025 at 14:29

    Third Inter match and third controversy in a row, as this time Doveri whistled a YC to Bisseck that should imo have been a DOGSO RC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. M2 November 2025 at 14:36

      Yep,there was also that,also towards the end there was penalty shout for foul on Esposito.

      Delete
    2. Chefren2 November 2025 at 15:45

      Big discussions about YC to Bisseck but for me it's supportable if not correct choice. Still, we have a rather grey area when about SPA or DOGSO, but the direction of the action could give the confirmation about referee's decision. Doveri, as always, very reluctant when a RC must be issued, and that's something he can't change. Rather long moment of confrontation with AR1 and then final assesment: SPA.
      As for the rest, one can agree with no penalty decision. Would have been definitely too soft. But overall, Doveri is not referee of sudden and big decisions and that's why I don't like him at all, it's something like anti-refereeing approach when it is frequently applied.

      Delete
    3. lombro2 November 2025 at 15:52

      DOGSO on a contested ball more than 50 metres away from the goal line? I'm not sure it was as clear-cut a red card as you think.

      Delete
    4. VG2 November 2025 at 18:44

      Would like the link to the video. Would say 65/35 DOGSO.

      Delete
  7. M2 November 2025 at 14:31

    Siebert again with an Italian team this time he gets also Portuguese side,so in terms of temper,both teams can be the same so interesting to see how he will manage game with his strict approach.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ecosse2 November 2025 at 16:26

    A very challenging game for Nick Walsh so far between Celtic and Rangers in the league cup semi final. Red card for SFP, multiple YCs. Its been very well handled, the only major question is whether Celtic should have had a RC before HT as well

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. osmanabbot2 November 2025 at 16:42

      Has been one of the most challenging games to officiate in Scotland in a long time. At least 4/5 KMI's to assess. The penalty on 80' is the one that I am most uncertain of.

      Delete
    2. osmanabbot2 November 2025 at 17:37

      120 minutes, 9 YC's, 1 RC, 5 KMI's and a PK. A Very eventful afternoon for Walsh in Glasgow and he handled it almost perfectly. The concentration and focus required throughout was high and he handled the game very well.All 3 KMI's in the first half were correctly assessed including the RC. The penalty on 80' is supportable but personally I would not have called it and if it is being called then I would have supported a 2nd YC. Overall if Walsh has a game on Wednesday then this is ideal preparation for the CL environment.

      Delete
    3. osmanabbot2 November 2025 at 20:40

      https://youtu.be/GrtJl_uuakI?si=XP4t3OMaY-Aho3kg

      For anyone interested in watching the highlights. Red card starts at 2:40, and the penalty starts at 4:25.

      Delete
    4. Euro Soccer Ref2 November 2025 at 21:38

      Very good spot with the red card. And I will always be a fan of penalizing the handball in such cases when a player throws himself just to block a pass/shot. I even think it should be written down in the LotG to make the handball law more clear.

      Delete
    5. Jamie2 November 2025 at 22:09

      Agree, the red card is a good decision and well handled. Similarly with the handball penalty.

      But a big miss to only show yellow card. Quite clearly an action that endangers the safety of the goalkeeper. I can understand Walsh didn't see the movement of the attackers leg properly but hard to explain no VAR intervention here

      https://streambug.org/cv/560dd8

      Delete
    6. osmanabbot2 November 2025 at 22:22

      It's split opinion amongst me and my friends, watching the game as a neutral with no ties to either side I can see both sides. For me it's certainly in the reckless category and a YC is an absolute minimum and I would support a RC for SFP but I do also think that possible lower lack of intensity and palyer reaction compared to the RC may have swayed Walsh into a YC. VAR not getting involved is certainly a strange one, especially given in the first semi final on Saturday there was frankly a nonsense VAR intervention which Robertson correctly stuck with his decision.

      Delete
    7. Chefren3 November 2025 at 04:57

      Very interesting incidents!
      Excellent red card. About handball I agree with you, basically it would be a grey area, at referee's discretion to assess whether defender made that just to block ball, with arms, not wrking as support, increasing body's volume. I think for British culture, less penalty than other countries, so maybe for this reason the Scottish is criticized, but you can't say this was a mistake. Nevertheless, people can have different ideas. For me OK with penalty, we could maybe say strict decision, but it must be accepted.
      Possible red card for late challenge on keeper, I can understand VAR point of view. Keeper is always looking as more "endagered" player because he is very often with head close to ground, so one must also think about that. The attacker should have refrain, but I don't see here a very malicious action, I would accept YC and I don't think RC was mandatory.

      Delete
  9. Krystian2 November 2025 at 16:46

    Hello readers of this blog. Could anyone provide a projected list of referees for the 2026 World Cup?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. diego6122 November 2025 at 18:30

      The predictions have been made throughout these weeks (I think you can find several in the section of the Arab Cup and in the Mariani assigned to the U20 final).
      One could assume that the list would come out in March (if we use the same dates as Russia) and, apart from the Arab Cup, there is no other FIFA tournament to "test" candidates... So I think the list should be at the end of December.

      Delete
    2. Philipp S2 November 2025 at 18:51

      Well, the last test for candidates could be the WC play-offs in March.
      It probably wouldn't be wise to publish a list before, because things can go quite wrong in those games as we know.
      For 2018, the play-offs were in November and we had a 36 referee shortlist (which nearly was the final list) quickly afterwards.

      Delete
    3. Elliot2 November 2025 at 20:25

      For the 2022 tournament they were published in May and for the female tournament in 2023 they were published in January, so around six months before the respective tournament and also before the last play-off games. If the same were to happen this time, they would be published in December, however I do think FIFA might need one or two weeks after the Arab Cup, which finishes on 18 December, to evaluate. I would expect them in early January.

      Delete
    4. Krystian2 November 2025 at 20:25

      Thank you for your answers, so we have to wait a little longer

      Delete
  10. Ferd2 November 2025 at 17:48

    Very early for this.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Abdiaziz ahmed yousuf2 November 2025 at 19:16

    I have a question If some answer it's good I noticed in the last two season which spanish and Portugal does not officiate the game of each country I dont the reason until if the reason venue subscriber world cup 2030 also italy and Turkey venue euro 2028 how ever we see turkey referees and italy referees officiate game of each country

    ReplyDelete
  12. ScottKC2 November 2025 at 19:45

    Kovacs for Liverpool vs Real Madrid?!!! For such important emotional game, he brings nothing but yellow and red cards and create a mess.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hans 12 November 2025 at 22:32

    Are you a clairvoyant, a Kovacs hater, or something? Let's wait for the game and then see how it went.

    ReplyDelete

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