Thursday, 13 August 2026

2026/27 UEFA Europa Conference League Third Qualifying Round (Second Legs) - Referee Appointments

The referees in charge of 2026-27 UEFA Europa Conference League Third Qualifying Round, second  legs. 

One of the most delicate and potentially heated clashes will be refereed by England's Attwell

Tuesday 11 August 2026

19:00 CET
Limassol (Alphamega Stadium)
APÓLLON LIMASSOL (CYP) vs. BRANN (NOR)
Referee: Robert Harvey IRL
Assistant Referee 1: Wayne McDonnell IRL
Assistant Referee 2: Darragh Keegan IRL
Fourth Official: Kevin O’Sullivan IRL
Video Assistant Referee: Clay Ruperti NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Stan Teuben NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Cyril Zimmermann SUI
UEFA Delegate: Andi Zere ALB

19:30 CET
Sofia (Vasil Levski National Stadium)
CSKA 1948 (BUL) vs. PANATHINAÏKÓS (GRE)
Referee: Jasper Vergoote BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Geerolf BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Martijn Tiesters BEL
Fourth Official: Nathan Verboomen BEL
Video Assistant Referee: Jan Boterberg BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Wesli De Cremer BEL
UEFA Referee Observer: Robert Schörgenhofer AUT
UEFA Delegate: Tanya Gravina MLT

Wednesday 12 August 2026

18:00 CET
Katowice (Arena Katowice)
KATOWICE (POL) vs. HAPOEL TEL AVIV (ISR)
Referee: Aléxandros Tsakalídis GRE
Assistant Referee 1: Polychrónis Kostarás GRE
Assistant Referee 2: Lázaros Dimitriádis GRE
Fourth Official: Michaíl Matsoúkas GRE
Video Assistant Referee: Ioánnis Papadópoulos GRE
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Stávros Tsimenderídis GRE
UEFA Referee Observer: Vadims Direktorenko LVA
UEFA Delegate: Jiří Novák CZE

18:00 CET
Vienna (Allianz Stadion)
RAPID (AUT) vs. PAIDE LINNAMEESKOND (EST)
Referee: Denys Shurman UKR
Assistant Referee 1: Oleksandr Berkut UKR
Assistant Referee 2: Viktor Matyash UKR
Fourth Official: Klym Zabroda UKR
Video Assistant Referee: Oleksiy Derevinsʹkyy UKR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dmytro Panchyshyn UKR
UEFA Referee Observer: Nicolae Grigorescu ROU
UEFA Delegate: Duncan Fraser SCO

18:00 CET
Copenhagen (Parken)
KØBENHAVN (DEN) vs. DEBRECEN (HUN)
Referee: Jérémie Pignard FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Aurélien Drouet FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Thomas Luczynski FRA
Fourth Official: Guillaume Paradis FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Mathieu Vernice FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marc Bollengier FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Andrejs Sipailo LVA
UEFA Delegate: Garry O’Hagan SCO

Thursday 13 August 2026

17:00 CET
Qostanai (Central Stadium)
TOBYL (KAZ) vs. PARTIZAN BEOGRAD (SRB)
Referee: Daniele Chiffi ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Giovanni Baccini ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Pietro Dei Giudici ITA
Fourth Official: Daniele Perenzoni ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Paterna ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alessandro Prontera ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Michaíl Koukoulákis GRE
UEFA Delegate: Yelena Kobak RUS

18:00 CET
Tallinn (A. Le Coq Arena)
FLORA TALLINN (EST) vs. INTER ESCALDES (AND)
Referee: Pavle Ilić SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Nikola Antić SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Nikola Đorović SRB
Fourth Official: Andrija Stojanović SRB
Video Assistant Referee: Aleksandar Živković SRB
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Pavle Tomić SRB
UEFA Referee Observer: Charálambos Kalogerópoulos GRE
UEFA Delegate: Benjamin Vasseur BEL

18:00 CET
Baku (Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika Stadionu)
QARABAĞ (AZE) vs. DYNAMO KYIV (UKR)
Referee: Stuart Attwell ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Ian Hussin ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Nick Greenhalgh ENG
Fourth Official: Lewis Smith ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Peter Bankes ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: James Bell ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Robert Sedlacek AUT
UEFA Delegate: Otar Dolidze GEO

18:00 CET
Tampere (Tammelan Stadion)
ILVES TAMPERE (FIN) vs. RIJEKA (CRO)
Referee: Genc Nuza KOS
Assistant Referee 1: Lumturije Muhadri KOS
Assistant Referee 2: Alban Ejupi KOS
Fourth Official: Ilir Mehmeti KOS
Video Assistant Referee: Benoît Millot FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Mentor Ajeti KOS
UEFA Referee Observer: Barış Şimşek TUR
UEFA Delegate: Jennifer Kennedy ENG

18:30 CET
Riga (LNK Sporta Parks)
RFS (LVA) vs. JABLONEC (CZE)
Referee: Yigal Frid ISR
Assistant Referee 1: Tuval Rahamim Koltunoff ISR
Assistant Referee 2: Omer Barbiro ISR
Fourth Official: Nael Odeh ISR
Video Assistant Referee: Daniel Bar Natan ISR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nati Dotan ISR
UEFA Referee Observer: Antonio Damato ITA
UEFA Delegate: Gent Gërdovci KOS

19:00 CET
Mezőkövesd, HUN (Mezőkövesd Városi Stadion)
ML VICIEBSK (BLR) vs. BORAC (BIH)
Referee: Andrew Madley ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Neil Davies ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Akil Howson ENG
Fourth Official: Thomas Bramall ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Matthew Donohue ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Paul Howard ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Luís Miguel do Nascimento Teixeira AN
UEFA Delegate: Äigerım Jumayeva KAZ

19:00 CET
Stara Zagora, BUL (City Stadium “Beroe”)
DYNAMA-MINSK (BLR) vs. BRAGA (POR)
Referee: Szabolcs Roland Kovacs ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Marius Florin Badea ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Adrian Vornicu ROU
Fourth Official: Rareș George Vidican ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Sorin Popa ROU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marcel Bîrsan ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Ruud Bossen NED
UEFA Delegate: Danilo Vukotić MNE

19:00 CET
Farum (Right to Dream Park)
NORDSJÆLLAND (DEN) vs. VALUR (ISL)
Referee: Edgars Maļcevs LVA
Assistant Referee 1: Mārtiņš Svipsts LVA
Assistant Referee 2: Deniss Ševčenko LVA
Fourth Official: Aleksandrs Anufrijevs LVA
Video Assistant Referee: Kristaps Ratnieks LVA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Andrejs Gluhovs LVA
UEFA Referee Observer: William Collum SCO
UEFA Delegate: Paul Larkin NIR

19:00 CET
Tromsø (Romssa Arena)
TROMSØ (NOR) vs. CFR CLUJ (ROU)
Referee: David Dickinson SCO
Assistant Referee 1: David McGeachie SCO
Assistant Referee 2: Jonathan Bell SCO
Fourth Official: Lloyd Wilson SCO
Video Assistant Referee: John Beaton SCO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Duncan Nicolson SCO
UEFA Referee Observer: Robert Małek POL
UEFA Delegate: Danny Meenan IRL

19:00 CET
Stockholm (3Arena)
HAMMARBY (SWE) vs. RAKÓW CZĘSTOCHOWA (POL)
Referee: Luca Pairetto ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Davide Imperiale ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Marcello Rossi ITA
Fourth Official: Giovanni Ayroldi ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Rosario Abisso ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Gianluca Manganiello ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Þóroddur Hjaltalín ISL
UEFA Delegate: Joseph O’Brien IRL

19:00 CET
Herning (MCH Arena)
MIDTJYLLAND (DEN) vs. BOHEMIAN (IRL)
Referee: Matteo Marcenaro ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Khaled Bahri ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Rossi ITA
Fourth Official: Giuseppe Collu ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Giacomo Camplone ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Mattias Gestranius FIN
UEFA Delegate: Jean-Pierre Cassagnes FRA

19:00 CET
Dunajská Streda (MOL Aréna)
DAC 1904 (SVK) vs. TWENTE (NED)
Referee: Florian Badstübner GER
Assistant Referee 1: Christof Günsch GER
Assistant Referee 2: Philipp Hüwe GER
Fourth Official: Robin Braun GER
Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Cortus GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Patrick Hanslbauer GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Yevhen Aranovsʹkyy UKR
UEFA Delegate: Philippe Prudhon FRA

19:30 CET
Vaduz (Rheinpark Stadion)
VADUZ (LIE) vs. INTER TURKU (FIN)
Referee: Filip Glova SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel Poláček SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Peter Bednár SVK
Fourth Official: Lukáš Dzivjak SVK
Video Assistant Referee: Alen Borošak SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Boris Marhefka SVK
UEFA Referee Observer: Kristinn Jakobsson ISL
UEFA Delegate: José Soutullo Fernández ESP

19:30 CET
Klaksvík (við Djúpumýru)
NSÍ RUNAVÍK (FRO) vs. LUGANO (SUI)
Referee: Robert Hennessy IRL
Assistant Referee 1: Dermot Broughton IRL
Assistant Referee 2: Emmett Dynan IRL
Fourth Official: Aaron O’Dowd IRL
Video Assistant Referee: Christian-Petru Ciochirca AUT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sara Telek AUT
UEFA Referee Observer: Sven Bindels LUX
UEFA Delegate: Vaidotas Zajarskas LTU

20:00 CET
Pristina (Stadiumi “Fadil Vokrri”)
DRITA (KOS) vs. TRE FIORI (SMR)
Referee: Donald Robertson SCO
Assistant Referee 1: Ross Macleod SCO
Assistant Referee 2: Calum Spence SCO
Fourth Official: Colin Steven SCO
Video Assistant Referee: Steven McLean SCO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ryan Lee SCO
UEFA Referee Observer: Mehmet Murat Ilgaz TUR
UEFA Delegate: Stijn Hutsebaut BEL


20:00 CET
St. Gallen (Berit Sitterstadion)
ST. GALLEN (SUI) vs. SHERIFF TIRASPOL (MDA)
Referee: Julian Weinberger AUT
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Heidenreich AUT
Assistant Referee 2: Maximilian Kolbitsch AUT
Fourth Official: Stefan Ebner AUT
Video Assistant Referee: Alan Kijas AUT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Harald Lechner AUT
UEFA Referee Observer: Marco Borg MLT
UEFA Delegate: Metin Kazancıoğlu TUR

20:00 CET
Skopje (Todor Proeski National Arena)
SHKËNDIJA (MKD) vs. HIBERNIAN (SCO)
Referee: Bolat Sariev KAZ
Assistant Referee 1: Sergei Vasiutin KAZ
Assistant Referee 2: Denis Labaşov KAZ
Fourth Official: Danil Gorda KAZ
Video Assistant Referee: Aidyn Tasybaev KAZ
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tamás Bognár HUN
UEFA Referee Observer: Sergejus Slyva LTU
UEFA Delegate: Mamuka Kvaratskhelia GEO

20:15 CET
Sion (Stade de Tourbillon)
SION (SUI) vs. NOAH (ARM)
Referee: David Šmajc SVN
Assistant Referee 1: David Gabrovec SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Tomaž Černe SVN
Fourth Official: Mateo Tozan SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Asmir Sagrkovič SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Aleksandar Matkovič SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Ferenc Székely HUN
UEFA Delegate: Ronit Glasman ISR

20:30 CET
Győr (ETO Park)
GYŐRI ETO (HUN) vs. RIGA (LVA)
Referee: Oliver Reitala FIN
Assistant Referee 1: Jukka Honkanen FIN
Assistant Referee 2: Olli Jantunen FIN
Fourth Official: Antti Munukka FIN
Video Assistant Referee: Tom Harald Hagen NOR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Svein Tore Sinnes NOR
UEFA Referee Observer: Michael Johansen DEN
UEFA Delegate: Ran Kohen ISR

20:30 CET
Vienna (Generali-Arena)
AUSTRIA WIEN (AUT) vs. BEITAR JERUSALEM (ISR)
Referee: Łukasz Kuźma POL
Assistant Referee 1: Paweł Sokolnicki POL
Assistant Referee 2: Jakub Winkler POL
Fourth Official: Damian Sylwestrzak POL
Video Assistant Referee: Paweł Malec POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Kornel Paszkiewicz POL
UEFA Referee Observer: Rusmir Mrković BIH
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack LUX

20:30 CET
Motherwell (Fir Park Stadium)
MOTHERWELL (SCO) vs. HJK HELSINKI (FIN)
Referee: Michal Očenáš SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Adam Jekkel SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Tobiáš Pacák SVK
Fourth Official: Peter Kráľovič SVK
Video Assistant Referee: Mario Zebec CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Martin Dohál SVK
UEFA Referee Observer: Chrístos Nikolaḯdis CYP
UEFA Delegate: Claudio Negroni SUI

20:30 CET
Ghent (Planet Group Arena)
GENT (BEL) vs. GÖTEBORG (SWE)
Referee: Gustavo Fernandes Correia POR
Assistant Referee 1: André Filipe Nogueira Dias POR
Assistant Referee 2: Andreia Catarina Ferreira de Sousa POR
Fourth Official: Carlos André Fernandes Macedo POR
Video Assistant Referee: Bruno Alexandre da Silva Esteves POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Catarina Isabel Ferreira de Campos POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Dimitar Mečkarovski MKD
UEFA Delegate: Iveta Bankova-Stoyanova BUL

20:45 CET
Dublin (Tolka Park)
SHELBOURNE (IRL) vs. AJAX (NED)
Referee: Cláudio Filipe Ruivo Pereira POR
Assistant Referee 1: Tiago José Pereira da Costa POR
Assistant Referee 2: Nélson Teixeira da Cunha POR
Fourth Official: Iancu Ioan Vasilica POR
Video Assistant Referee: Hélder Miguel de Azevedo Malheiro POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ana Cláudia da Silva Ribeiro POR
UEFA Referee Observer: László Vágner HUN
UEFA Delegate: Thierry Regenass SUI
Mentor for Delegate: Tarik Shamel ENG 

21:00 CET
Split (Stadion Poljud)
HAJDUK SPLIT (CRO) vs. ŽALGIRIS (LTU)
Referee: Matthias Jöllenbeck GER
Assistant Referee 1: Dominick Schaal GER
Assistant Referee 2: Jonas Weickenmeier GER
Fourth Official: Tobias Reichel GER
Video Assistant Referee: Katrin Rafalski GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Robert Hartmann GER
UEFA Referee Observer: René Temmink NED
UEFA Delegate: Mert Tuncay TUR

21:00 CET
Elbasan (Elbasan Arena)
DINAMO CITY (ALB) vs. AUDA (LVA)
Referee: Chrístos Vergétis GRE
Assistant Referee 1: Andréas Fotópoulos GRE
Assistant Referee 2: Konstandínos Stáikos GRE
Fourth Official: Dimítrios Móschou GRE
Video Assistant Referee: Athanásios Tzílos GRE
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Konstandínos Poulikídis GRE
UEFA Referee Observer: Draženko Kovačić CRO
UEFA Delegate: Giórgos Fandáros CYP
at

59 comments:

  1. Davidcrammond9 August 2026 at 19:34

    Think if im not mistaken Donohue and Howard (England) appointment as VAR would mark the first time 2 non SG1 (former as its been merged) to be appointed to a UEFA fixture as VAR. Also good to see former SG2 being appointed as fourth officials also as was wondering if the merging would mean theyd be appointed as fourth officials like the other officials.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Carlos9 August 2026 at 21:24

    8 Italian ref's this European week, thans a lot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren10 August 2026 at 04:01

      All the Italian referees in this round have been appointed for the second legs because the Serie A and B pre-season training camp is from 6 to 11 August. So they preferred not to appoint them for the first legs, as they could have missed the start of the camp, but instead for matches after the camp is over, when they are ready to officiate. r. It's a usual practice; otherwise, they would have spread the appointments between the first and second legs.

      Delete
    2. Philipp S10 August 2026 at 09:49

      Same reason for no Germans last week.

      Delete
  3. Walter10 August 2026 at 08:01

    I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on Ciochirca's penalty decision in Braga last week. I don't see any handball worthy of a penalty and would even have expected the VAR to intervene.


    https://streama.in/2vPFcVRj6W9EcO0/watch

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Euro Soccer Ref10 August 2026 at 12:43

      The defender’s action is to block the shot, so any contact with an arm that makes the body bigger should be a penalty. However, according to the guidelines for assessing such cases, it is not a penalty if the arm is bent and close to the body, like in this scenario.
      The VAR likely captured a still frame showing the arm was not completely tucked against the body at the moment of contact. Because of this, they did not deem the penalty call a clear and obvious mistake.
      Even so, I think the preferable decision should have been play-on.

      Delete
    2. VG11 August 2026 at 00:11

      Absolutely never handball.

      Delete
  4. Pedro Irmatov10 August 2026 at 11:43

    Very particular situation: Tom Harald Hagen VAR with Svein Tore Sinnes as AVAR this week - yesterday Sinnes rejected an OFR incorrectly suggested by Hagen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pedro Irmatov10 August 2026 at 11:44

      To be precise: The only rejection by Sinnes was of a correct OFR

      Delete
  5. John10 August 2026 at 15:16

    Why Attwell is still refereeing at this level is a mystery ,been the worst referee in the Premier League for a number of seasons

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VG11 August 2026 at 00:20

      Refereeing isn’t about performance. It’s about who they like.

      Delete
  6. rawairek10 August 2026 at 18:26

    all eyes on Tsakalidis, this would be his second match as a ref in UECL and I smell something really bad (like Strukan 2 yrs ago)

    ReplyDelete
  7. ITAREF10 August 2026 at 19:01

    >> Ref: FIFA President/ Infantino <<
    Braking News:
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/08/10/global-football-demands-independent-investigation-into-infa/

    ReplyDelete
  8. Philipp S11 August 2026 at 00:32

    https://www.uefa.com/running-competitions/refereeing/clear-line/

    That looks like a very good idea by UEFA.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jobinhovic13 August 2026 at 18:16

    https://youtu.be/UZPMrfpr7C0?si=oy5F_KATzSnzFbSm

    World Cup Final. Referee's POV

    ReplyDelete
  10. MQ13 August 2026 at 19:51

    Missed penalty by Pairetto, enormous mistake by both him and VAR.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MQ13 August 2026 at 20:53

      Now second disastrous decision. Luckily VAR wasn't asleep this time.

      Delete
  11. Euro Soccer Ref14 August 2026 at 01:54

    Hammarby - Raków Częstochowa (Pairetto / Abisso)

    45' PAI tripping
    https://streama.in/N5EjrgQj4gbBZw0/watch

    53' 2YC Boudri (Hammarby)
    https://streama.in/9pGSz3OS1LHZdP7/watch

    90+4' [OFR] Penalty overturned and YC for simulation
    https://streama.in/Dg2Pq9FboWuvWPP/watch

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren14 August 2026 at 04:11

      In the first case, I think VAR Abisso assessed that the more significant contact occurred outside the penalty area and didn't consider the minimal contact on the leg, which then occurs inside the area, sufficient, given that the attacker was already falling. A penalty awarded on the field might perhaps have been reviewed to determine which contact should actually be penalized. For me, it would not have been a clear and obvious mistake, but not an easy situation.
      After that, the second yellow card for the player was correct.
      The penalty awarded by Pairetto was a clear error, although the dynamics make it understandable how he could get it wrong. However, as someone who likes to punish simulation, I would not strictly consider this a simulation. The attacker sees the goalkeeper, plants his foot and falls as a result, losing the balance without any contact. It wouldn't have been wrong not to caution him for simulation, but obviously it was not a penalty.
      The whistle by referee was too quick, though. Sometimes situations are solved by themselves after a short time..This is what was missing in the years to Pairetto, technically never at the level of the other Italian FIFA referees, he has always looked for "reassuring" decisions (for example, giving immediately a penalty, not thinking that much about it anymore) in crucial incidents, then no problem for him to go to VAR to change it.

      Delete
    2. Euro Soccer Ref14 August 2026 at 13:43

      Re 1) In my opinion, the contact with attacker's left foot has quite big impact and therefore it should be a penalty (and OFR).

      Delete
  12. HB230014 August 2026 at 09:34

    When will the playoff referees be announced? I am wondering if Letexier will officiate.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Philipp S14 August 2026 at 10:53

    My CL play-off predictions
    Levski - AEK: Massa (Chiffi) / Pinheiro (Martins)
    Dinamo - Viking: Sanchez (del Cerro Grande) / Turpin (Brisard)
    Fenerbahce - Lyon: Zwayer (Dankert) / Mariani (di Bello)
    Celtic - Linz: Schärer (San) / Nyberg (Higler)
    Slovan - Celje: Hernandez (Soto) / Siebert (Dankert)
    Hapoel - Sabah: Kovacs (Dingert) / Letexier (van Driessche)
    Nijmegen - Bodo: Gil Manzano (Cuadra) / Oliver (Gillett)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Matadorfelix14 August 2026 at 13:49

    The Turkish Football Federation has announced that elite foreign VAR referees will be on duty this season. Fedayi San has been appointed as the VAR referee for today's match between Galatasaray and Çorum."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Edinrovic1914 August 2026 at 14:02

      Anthony Taylor effect.

      Delete
    2. Chefren14 August 2026 at 20:34

      Honestly, if this is Taylor work, it isn't acceptable. It wouldn't be the first time, but it is easy to call referees from abroad to act as VARs, perhaps colleagues with whom one shared an international path.
      If I appoint someone to head a federation's refereeing department, my objective would be the growth and acceptance of the federation's own referees; otherwise, at least in this regard, there is no need for a top former referee to do these things, it could be made by all people. This remains my point of view, nonetheless, and many former referees act in this way. But for a movement to become strong, it must always grow from within and must absolutely win the acceptance of the fans.

      Delete
    3. Matadorfelix14 August 2026 at 21:36

      Chefren ‘ There are four matches scheduled in the Turkish League tomorrow, and I am quite curious to see which elite VAR referees will be appointed. If we end up seeing an English VAR referee assigned tomorrow, it will make it unmistakably clear that it is happening because of Anthony Taylor's influence.

      Delete
    4. HB230014 August 2026 at 22:57

      @chefren Taylor actually trains together with the Turkish referees. I've seen a few videos; he runs with the referees every day and teaches at seminars. On his first day, he had a two-hour session with Turkish journalists where he explained the new rules in a great Q&A format. He might be bringing in the elite VAR referees he knows well, but at the same time, he is right at the core of his job—he also makes the referee appointments.

      Delete
    5. edward15 August 2026 at 09:42

      Can we bring Taylor in Greece and send Lannoy to Turkey?

      Delete
  15. HB230014 August 2026 at 23:50

    Does anyone know Polish? Marciniak answered a question about Messi's incident in the Algeria match. I'm wondering what he said.
    https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcA-x4hBuL0/?igsh=a3lxZ3g1d2JvbTJv&igsi=a3lxZ3g1d2JvbTJv

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HB230015 August 2026 at 00:01

      i translated the video with Grok’s help 😂

      Marcinak: We watched the situations. If you watch the situation calmly and analyse it properly. When you watch it at normal speed, that second, that situation lasts a fraction of a second. Messi fouls the opponent with his knee, the Algerian wants to roll over in front of him, and Messi has to put his foot somewhere, he touches his calf, realises it, and immediately lifts that leg. He simply touched him while falling, zero pressure.
      The Algerian looks at him, he approaches and offers his hand. The whole thing lasts, I don’t know, maybe seven or eight seconds. I’m just waiting for that coffee, because it’s clear that VAR has to check it. Then I listen to these pseudo-experts… Marciniak this, Marciniak that, he didn’t give VAR a chance to check, and so on. Gentlemen, we’ve been using VAR since 2018.
      Even today we get information from Collina. Even if there’s no pressure, it’s better to check. If necessary they’ll call me over to the monitor. And there were three VARs there. It wasn’t three Poles – there was a Pole, I don’t remember the third one now, but there were two other guys as well. And for every one of them it was a very straightforward situation.
      Of course, when you look at the photo… remember, a photo is just a still image. When you straighten the legs and look at it in normal speed, people would probably be happy if they just looked at the picture and gave a yellow card. And technically, if you asked me, on a video test I would also give a yellow card, no problem at all. But the World Cup is the World Cup. You only know at the end of the match whether you did the right thing. If it turned out that this situation meant that a moment later I had another foul, and another, and I ended up giving five or six yellow cards in the match… then I would have chosen the wrong tactic, I would have assessed it wrongly.
      In that match there wasn’t a single card. I don’t know whether those experts who are evaluating all this also noted that or not.”

      Delete
    2. Edinrovic1915 August 2026 at 00:08

      Mr. Ego

      Delete
    3. Colinaoveratedref15 August 2026 at 05:24

      There were no cards in the game because he missed all of them

      Delete
    4. Tevinjm15 August 2026 at 06:11

      Agree with both replies 100%

      Delete
    5. Matadorfelix15 August 2026 at 09:37

      His explanation must be a joke. He’s talking nonsense just to cover up his own mistake. This explanation really sums up why the referees are keeping their yellow cards hidden in their pockets this World Cup.

      Delete
  16. .15 August 2026 at 10:14

    Hello, I was wondering who the leading referees in UEFA (top 5) are right know? From my pov, among them are definitely Turpin, Letexier and Marciniak (despite a WC below expectations). Additionally, maybe Oliver and Siebert?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Juan Rey15 August 2026 at 10:28

    https://youtu.be/W6_chtsvw7Y?si=-41RRc_Xq0jYjfHD

    ReplyDelete
  18. Juan Rey15 August 2026 at 10:30

    Bernardino Gonzalez Vazquez nuevo pfesidente comite albanes

    ReplyDelete
  19. Matadorfelix15 August 2026 at 11:21

    Chefren, the elite foreign VAR referees for the matches to be played in Turkey today have been announced:
    Trabzonspor - Kasımpaşa:
    Fedayi San (who was also appointed to yesterday's Galatasaray match)
    Gençlerbirliği - Fenerbahçe:
    Andrew Dallas

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Matadorfelix15 August 2026 at 11:47

      + Andrew Dallas father, Hugh Dallas, served on the referee education committee in Turkey between 2022 and 2024.

      Delete
  20. Chefren15 August 2026 at 12:30

    Elite referees appointed in Europa League play offs:
    Walsh, Stieler, Eskås (*2), Jovanović, Guida, Rumšas, Makkelie, Pinheiro, Peljto, Gil Manzano, Meler, Siebert, Kruzliak, Obrenović.
    The Norwegian with a first leg and a second leg, very particular.
    Crvena Zvezda - Viktoria Plzen (Eskås and Makkelie) and Benfica - Aarhus (Guida and Siebert) seem to be the games that are more considered by committee. It can be because Benfica big name and Crvena Zvezda, we know, very hot (the team is under big pressure but bad results).

    ReplyDelete
  21. Quilava15 August 2026 at 13:44

    UEL Playoff referees:

    Kairat - Anderlecht: Christopher Kavanagh (ENG) / Espen Eskås (NOR)
    Jagiellonia - Iberia: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (ESP) / Simone Sozza (ITA)
    Mjällby - Salzburg: Mykola Balakin (UKR) / Irfan Peljto (BIH)
    Trabzonspor - Ferencváros: Igor Pajač (CRO) / Rade Obrenovič (SVN)
    Univ. Craiova - Ararat Armenia: Nicholas Walsh (SCO) / Donatas Rumsas (LTU)
    Egnatia - Lillestrøm: Willy Delajod (FRA) / João Pinheiro (POR)
    Lech Poznań - Thun: Sebastian Gishamer (AUT) / Halil Umut Meler (TUR)
    Besiktas - Kauno Zalgiris: Tobias Stieler (GER) / Jesús Gil Manzano (ESP)
    Sint Truiden - Omonia: Georgi Kabakov (BUL) / Damian Sylwestrzak (POL)
    Crvena Zvezda - Viktoria Plzeň: Espen Eskås (NOR) / Danny Makkelie (NED)
    OFI Crete - CSKA Sofia: Srdjan Jovanović (SRB) / Ivan Kružliak (SVK)
    Benfica - Aarhus: Marco Guida (ITA) / Daniel Siebert (GER)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quilava15 August 2026 at 13:51

      Conference League playoff referees:

      Lincoln Red Imps - Larne: Kristo Tohver (EST) / Radoslav Gidzhenov (BUL)
      Klaksvík - Riga: Samuel Barrott (ENG) / Allard Lindhout (NED)
      Víkingur - Borač: Enea Jorgji (ALB) / Anastasios Papapetrou (GRE)
      Shamrock Rovers - KuPS: Morten Krogh (DEN) / Patrik Kolarić (CRO)
      Drita - Inter Escaldes: Robert Hennessy (IRL) / Giorgi Kruashvili (GEO)
      -----
      Inter Turku - Copenhagen: Goga Kikacheishvili (GEO) / Oleksiy Derevinsky (UKR)
      Tromsø - Brighton: Edgars Malcevs (LAT) / Sander van der Eijk (NED)
      Midtjylland - Rijeka: Balázs Berke (HUN) / Jasper Vergoote (BEL)
      Nordsjaelland - St Gallen: Ondřej Berka (CZE) / Orel Grinfeld (ISR)
      PAOK - Brann: António Nobre (POR) / John Brooks (ENG)
      Górnik Zabrze - Monaco: Martin Matoša (SVN) / Vasilis Fotias (GRE)
      Twente - Qarabag: Juxhin Xhaja (ALB) / Rohit Saggi (NOR)
      Sion - Ajax: Mohammed Al Hakim (SWE) / Julian Weinberger (AUT)
      Motherwell - Freiburg: Radu Petrescu (ROU) / Andrea Colombo (ITA)
      Panathinaikos - Hradec Králové: Jérôme Brisard (FRA) / Sascha Stegemann (GER)
      Gent - Hibernian: Paweł Raczkowski (POL) / Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP)
      Atalanta - Hapoel Tel Aviv: Javier Alberola Rojas (ESP) / Daniel Schlager (GER)
      Lugano - Maccabi Tel Aviv: Miloš Milanović (SRB) / Jérémie Pignard (FRA)
      Heart of Midlothian - Rapid Wien: Manfredas Lukjančukas (LTU) / Elçin Masiyev (AZE)
      Rangers - Jablonec: Marian Barbu (ROU) / Nenad Minaković (SRB)
      Hajduk Split - Raków Czestochowa: Michal Očenáš (SVK) / Aliyar Aghayev (AZE)
      Dinamo Tirana - Pafos: Lawrence Visser (BEL) / Martin Matoša (SVN)
      Braga - Austria Wien: Ishmael Barbara (MLT) / Nikola Dabanović (MNE)
      Getafe - Partizan: Andris Treimanis (LAT) / Urs Schnyder (SUI)

      Delete
    2. HB230015 August 2026 at 14:27

      what about CL ?

      Delete
  22. Krystian15 August 2026 at 14:03

    Has UEFA recently become obsessed with appointing Italian and Greek referees to matches involving Polish teams?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Krystian15 August 2026 at 14:07

    Polish referee Damian Sylwestrzak is one of two non-elite referees assigned to the Europa League playoff second legs. Is this a coincidence? Or is he being promoted to the elite ranks? The other is Sozza, but that's obvious because he's Italian.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Quilava15 August 2026 at 14:19

    Is Jablonski injured? Very strage not to see him in UEL play-offs, perhaps that explains Eskas' double appointment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Swiss_reffan15 August 2026 at 18:19

      Don‘t think so, he‘s officiating a friendly game today.

      Delete
  25. Matadorfelix15 August 2026 at 14:31

    They assigned all the elite referees to the europa legue.. Who is left for the Champions League matches?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Matadorfelix15 August 2026 at 14:33

      With these assignments.. we will definitely see Zwayer and Mariani in the
      Fenerbahçe vs Lyon matches.

      Delete
  26. HB230015 August 2026 at 14:47

    Can someone explain the logic behind this to me ? Why are the Conference and Europa League referees announced before the Champions League matches?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quilava15 August 2026 at 15:11

      CL Play-off appointments work the same way as regular CL league stage and KO stage appointments, with the referee appointments only being public two days before kickoff.

      I don't know if it has something to do with it, but in terms of 'protocol', CL play-offs are more similar to regular CL games than to 1st/2nd/3rd rounds: Broadcasters use the official Champions League graphics (line-ups, scoreboard, substitution), the CL anthem is played before kick-off with the ballboys holding and shaking the logo in the background, the advertising boards show CL sponsors (Play Station, Heineken, Master Card...), that doesn't happen in the earlier qualifying rounds.

      And if I remember correctly, no such protocol change happens in EL and Conference play-offs.

      Delete
  27. Chefren15 August 2026 at 15:23

    The remaining Elite referees (possible CL aasignments for them) shoeld be: Lambrechts, Oliver, Hernandez Hernandez, Sanchez Martinez, Letexier, Turpin, Jablonskii, Zwayer, Mariani, Massa, Gozubuyuk, Kovacs, Schaerer, Nyberg.
    14, that is the number of CL play offs, so one should expect them.

    ReplyDelete
  28. HB230015 August 2026 at 16:10

    My predictions..

    Fenerbahce Vs Lyon
    Nyberg - Zwayer

    Levski sofya vs Aek
    gözübüyük - Hernandez

    Dinamo vs viking
    Massa - oliver

    Bratislava - Celje
    Sandro - Turpin

    Nec Vs bodo
    letexier - kovacs

    Hapoel Vs Sabah
    Jablonski - Mariani

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Edinrovic1915 August 2026 at 16:17

      İ dont think Nyberg can't handle the atmosphere in Istanbul

      Delete
    2. Unknown15 August 2026 at 22:55

      Kovács for the second time in a row for Bodø seems very unlikely for me. Even if you meant Szabolcs Roland Kovács. :)

      Delete

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