First set of 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16, second legs, 17 March 2026.
18:45 CET - Lisbon (Estádio José Alvalade)
SPORTING CP (POR) - FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR)
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Jonas Erni SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Susanne Küng SUI
Fourth Official: Lukas Fähndrich SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Susanne Küng SUI
Fourth Official: Lukas Fähndrich SUI
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Andrew Dallas SCO
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefan Meßner AUT
UEFA Delegate: Tarik Shamel ENG
21:00 CET - London (Stamford Bridge)
CHELSEA FC (ENG) - PARIS SAINT GERMAIN (FRA)
Referee: Slavko Vinčić SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: David Šmajc SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: David Šmajc SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Stavros Tritsonis GRE
UEFA Delegate: Loukas Siotropos GRE
21:00 CET - Manchester (Etihad Stadium)
MANCHESTER CITY FC (ENG) - REAL MADRID CF (ESP)
Referee: Clément Turpin FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pagès FRA
Fourth Official: Willy Delajod FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pagès FRA
Fourth Official: Willy Delajod FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bastien Dechepy FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn GER
UEFA Delegate: Kris Bellon BEL
21:00 CET - London (Emirates Stadium)
ARSENAL FC (ENG) - BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN (GER)
Referee: Danny Makkelie NED
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries NED
Fourth Official: Allard Lindhout NED
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries NED
Fourth Official: Allard Lindhout NED
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Lucílio Cardoso Cortez Batista POR
UEFA Delegate: Per Eliasson SWE
We can say no surprises here with all big names and clearly appointed before first legs score, and Schaerer in Lisbon, as one could have guessed. No need of a close check by committee for the Swiss, as he has been assigned with a regular observer.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow there could be the surprise in Munich, let's wait and see.
Funny though that Sandro Schärer is once again assigned a match involving a Portuguese team, which means his regular assistant Stéphane De Almeida misses out once more. This time, however, it was noticed in advance, so no replacement needs to be made.
DeleteLetexier, Taylor,Oliver,Machinack all possible names for Wednesday
ReplyDeleteThe English crew may have assignments in the quarter finals. I doubt if any of Oliver or Taylor will be assigned any match for Wednesday
DeleteNo real surprises, except that Pinheiro didn’t get a match. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI didn’t expect Oliver in Lisbon since Messner observed him only recently. @Chefren, are you sure Messner is a “regular” observer? He’s already been sent to watch quite a few big guns this season (e.g. Oliver, Letexier, Makkelie)
Turpin: I actually had him down for the Path A play-off final, with possible Italy involved. But that seems off the table now; this isn’t how Rosetti usually operates. The Manchester appointment must have been made before the 1st leg, and if the Frenchman were really lined up for that path A final, I suspect Rosetti would have played this UCL-round differently.
So the real question: who’s the referee for that rather thankless job. Marciniak again? Personally, I’d like to see Vincic used for the most “risky” games for once. But in the Nations football ecosystem, Vincic is always wrapped in cotton wool, carefully preserved so he can arrive at the World Cup with spotless hands. Sigh. But that’s exactly why Marciniak reached GOAT status - and the Slovenian didn’t.
You don’t think Turpin can have both, this game and a play-off ?
DeleteTurpin will get a play-off, 100%. The question is which one. Maybe not the Path A final with potential Italian involvement - otherwise Rosetti might have gone with a different referee for that bonkers game in Manchester. Keep in mind: the Manchester appointment was made before the 1st leg, and the play-off appointments may well have been drafted around the same time.
DeleteHe can certainly have a play-off with this game before but maybe not the big play-off with Italy involved.
DeleteVincic has strong Greek connections. Besides, he hasn't refereed a single game of Greek team's in European competitions so far.
ReplyDeleteGreek observer cool 😀
Barcelona vs Newcastle: nyberg
ReplyDeleteLiverpool vs galatasaray: joao pinheiro
Tottenham vs athletico madrid: letexier
Bayern munich vs atalanta: pljeto
Is this possible for tomorrow
My friend. Please try to gently get used to the idea that Pinheiro might have a match on Thursday, which really isn’t anything to be ashamed of, because they also need some top referees there.
DeleteWhile I respect everyone’s opinion, and I will always respect that, I never delete anything unless it's an insult or shows a lack of respect. However, I think that this whole story about the Portuguese referee has become rather excessive. How can anyone imagine seeing him, among other things, officiating a Galatasaray match again?
DeletePersonally, I think, if appointed, Pinheiro could be in Europa League, but I wouldn't be certain about that either.
It's fine to appreciate a referee for what he is, but I say this with respect: at a certain point, logic should come as well.
I say this without any offense, simply as a point for reflection, confident in your understanding. I'm sure you will understand!
I think, it’s pure naivety. We’ve been tracking RefCom appointments for many (!) seasons. In modern refereeing there’s only one rule: stay out of trouble, avoid the headlines. Juve-Gala saw a clear sacrifice to protect other names - Ahmed hasn’t realized that yet. We’ve seen it countless times: referees thrown into the toughest games, then sidelined, while others breeze through easy matches and keep going. Ahmed views it through the Pinheiro lens: he thinks he did fine under the challenging circumstances. RefCom sees it differently: they see a referee in negative headlines after that ridiculous VAR call. Same events, completely different perspectives, and the logic of modern appointments is ruthless….
DeleteFirst you spammed that Pinheiro will referee Chelsea vs PSG, now you switched to LFC vs Galata?
DeleteWith Dallas as AVAR on Tuesday, I would predict an English referee or Walsh at Bayern on Wednesday.
ReplyDelete+1.
DeleteI hope Nick Walsh. Oliver would be a waste there and I suspect the English will get a play-off final.
Nyberg probably paired with Van Boekel, potentially in Barcelona with De Bleeckere (?), as the Swede is being closely monitored for a UEFA final.
As for the other two appointments in London and Liverpool, I would expect a German referee (on merit, that should be Siebert) and Letexier.
Is that even possible? Keep in mind that the Swede refereed both teams at St. James' Park in the opening match.
Delete