2026-27 UEFA Europa League Play-Off Round: second-leg referee appointments.
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| Donatas Rumšas LTU to referee Ararat Armenia - Universitatea Craiova |
Thursday 27 August 2026
Yerevan (Republican Stadium after Vazgen Sargsyan)
ARARAT-ARMENIA (ARM) [1:1] UNIVERSITATEA CRAIOVA (ROU)
Referee: Donatas Rumšas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radiuš LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis LTU
Fourth Official: Robertas Šmitas LTU
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Piotr Urban POL
UEFA Referee Observer: Marco Fritz GER
UEFA Delegate: Ebe Verhaegen BEL
18:00 CET
Tbilisi (Mikheil Meskhi Stadium)
IBERIA TBILISI (GEO) [0:4] JAGIELLONIA BIAŁYSTOK (POL)
Referee: Simone Sozza ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Stefano Alassio ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Davide Imperiale ITA
Fourth Official: Giovanni Ayroldi ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Valerio Marini ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Neale Barry ENG
UEFA Delegate: Kim Hallberg DEN
19:00 CET
Nicosia (GSP Stadium)
OMÓNIA NICOSIA (CYP) [0:1] SINT-TRUIDENSE (BEL)
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: Kornel Paszkiewicz POL
UEFA Referee Observer: Knut Kircher GER
UEFA Delegate: Victor Marius Radu ROU
19:00 CET
Plzeň (Doosan Aréna)
VIKTORIA PLZEŇ (CZE) [0:3] CRVENA ZVEZDA (SRB)
Referee: Danny Makkelie NED
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries NED
Fourth Official: Joey Kooij NED
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Richard Martens NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski POL
UEFA Delegate: Rainer Koch GER
19:00 CET
Lillestrøm (Åråsen Stadion)
LILLESTRØM (NOR) [0:0] EGNATIA (ALB)
Referee: João Pedro da Silva Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Luciano António Gomes Maia POR
Assistant Referee 2: Hugo Manuel Freire Marques POR
Fourth Official: João António Ferreira Gonçalves POR
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: André Filipe Domingues da Silva Narciso POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Vlado Svilokos CRO
UEFA Delegate: Fredy Fürst POL
19:00 CET
Salzburg (Red Bull Arena)
SALZBURG (AUT) [1:0] MJÄLLBY (SWE)
Referee: Irfan Peljto BIH
Assistant Referee 1: Senad Ibrišimbegović BIH
Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo BIH
Fourth Official: Miloš Gigović BIH
Video Assistant Referee: Momčilo Marković SRB
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Aleksandar Živković SRB
UEFA Referee Observer: David Malcolm NIR
UEFA Delegate: Vito Di Gioia ITA
19:00 CET
Kaunas (Dariaus ir Girėno Stadionas)
KAUNO ŽALGIRIS (LTU) [0:3] BEŞİKTAŞ (TUR)
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Guadalupe Porras Ayuso ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Guillermo Santiago Sacristán ESP
Fourth Official: Alejandro Quintero González ESP
Video Assistant Referee: César Soto Grado ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Francisco José Hernández Maeso ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: William Young SCO
UEFA Delegate: Rasmus Brandhof DEN
20:00 CET
Thun (Visana Stadion)
THUN (SUI) [0:7] LECH POZNAŃ (POL)
Referee: Halil Umut Meler TUR
Assistant Referee 1: İbrahim Çağlar Uyarcan TUR
Assistant Referee 2: Abdullah Bora Özkara TUR
Fourth Official: Cihan Aydın TUR
Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Chiffi ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Onur Özütoprak TUR
UEFA Referee Observer: Viktor Kassai HUN
UEFA Delegate: João Morais POR
20:00 CET
Randers (Cepheus Park Randers)
AARHUS (DEN) [1:3] BENFICA (POR)
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER
Fourth Official: Max Burda GER
Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Johann Pfeifer GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Thomas Einwaller AUT
UEFA Delegate: Andrew Ambler ENG
20:00 CET
Sofia (Vasil Levski National Stadium)
CSKA SOFIA (BUL) [0:3] OFI (GRE)
Referee: Ivan Kružliak SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Branislav Hancko SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Ján Pozor SVK
Fourth Official: Peter Kráľovič SVK
Video Assistant Referee: Michael Fabbri ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Michal Očenáš SVK
UEFA Referee Observer: Vladimir Antonov MDA
UEFA Delegate: Bakar Jordania GEO
20:30 CET
Budapest (Groupama Aréna)
FERENCVÁROS (HUN) [1:0] TRABZONSPOR (TUR)
Referee: Rade Obrenovič SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordež SVN
Fourth Official: David Šmajc SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Matej Jug SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alen Borošak SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Ingvarsson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Aurel Mihail Ionescu ROU
20:30 CET
Brussels (Lotto Park)
ANDERLECHT (BEL) [3:0] QAİRAT (KAZ)
Referee: Espen Andreas Eskås NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Elias Skjeseth Bashevkin NOR
Fourth Official: Sigurd Smehus Kringstad NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Andrew Dallas SCO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Kevin Clancy SCO
UEFA Referee Observer: Alain Hamer LUX
UEFA Delegate: Patrick Duffy IRL
Is there a specific reason why Siebert is in the Europe League? As far as I'm concerned, his performance in the CL final was widely appriciated.
ReplyDeleteMore open mind is needed to get to the point. .
DeleteFirst argument is that CL final was last season, now a new one is starting. So, there isn't any connection with the big game the German got 3 months ago.
Morevoer, looking specifically at the committee's pattern, it seems that in most cases, some Elite referees were assigned to the third qualifying round of the Champions League, while others were not (Siebert was in Kazakhstan on 11 August). And among those who officiated in the third qualifying round of the Champions League,though not all of them, some were not assigned to the CL play-offs and went to Europa League matches instead.
It's also rotation among the names. Now Jablonski has been given a bit of the spotlight, as we have seen; Zwayer is back to officiating in CL, and there will be room for Siebert as well on next occasions.
I think a bit of flexibility is needed to understand these dynamics.
It's not as if a referee officiates the Champions League final, he must stay in Champions League forever.
Okay, thanks for the explanation.
DeleteKarol Arys 👏 This is brilliant to see. https://x.com/canalplus_sport/status/2089419985735016704?s=46
ReplyDeleteWhy is it such a simple match, the committee's attitude towards him is not good at all, disrespect to the Turkish referee
ReplyDeleteThe referee appointments had already been determined before the first leg were played
DeleteHalil Umut Meler is the referee of today's Al-Ain vs. Khorfakkan in the UAE. Start at 18:35 CET.
DeleteMeler will probably continue his career in the Arabian Peninsula. He is currently refereeing many more matches there compared to Turkey.
DeleteDue to the unfortunate incident he experienced in the past, he does not want to officiate big matches in Turkey anymore because he cannot handle the pressure.
Two major clubs of the Süper Lig, Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş, dont want to see Halil Umut Meler in their matches.
Appointments made before, most of referees were rather unlucky, but this always happens and we know that. UEFA can't change the policy. The most unlucky referee Meler, one should only wonder, to understand what committee had in mind about him, the names of the two teams and what Rosetti could have expected from the tie. Given the clash Thun - Lech Poznan, for me just a regular assignment for an Elite referee, clearly the hottest team is the Polish one in terms of match preparation.
Delete@hb2300 Turkey is very backward in terms of football. no one likes the referees, but these referees are not because they are bad because teams cannot accept defeat
DeleteEerste Divisie: NAC - Jong Ajax
ReplyDeleteTwo NAC players were injured; both required treatment and were sent off the pitch for one minute. Defending with nine men is no easy task.
A rule that clearly goes too far...
https://x.com/ESPNnl/status/2091198494031622597?s=20
Clearly the referee interpreted the law amendment incorrectly. If two players from the same team receive treatment they aren’t required to go off for a minute.
DeleteThis is the correct interpretation and application. The exception to the off-field treatment rule is only where players are already allowed to be treated on the field, including if “players from the same team have collided and need attention” according to IFAB. I don’t think this goes too far. If you are not severely injured, get up. Otherwise you force the referee to stop play and force you to leave, or you lay on the ground until you get treatment and then must leave. Clearly neither player in that situation is seriously injured. The only reason players lay there is to try to get sympathy from the referee and stop the opponents attack. This rule aims to stop that.
DeleteOff-topic: Fortuna–AZ (referee: Gozubuyuk)
ReplyDeleteAgain, after just 5 minutes, a direct RC.
Clearly the correct decision, however the way the decision was reached wasn’t ideal: hesitant, very delayed call, which made it look as if the decision was being fed to him by VAR. If Gozubuyuk wants to reach top Elite level, I think he really needs to be stronger and more convincing when making big calls.
The worst possible way to apply mistaken identity https://x.com/PremSportsTV/status/2091219120805007464?s=20
ReplyDeleteThis is so wrong … unbelievable
DeleteBad enough call from Dickinson onfield. Very unconvincing anytime I've watched him. VAR call from Beaton is laughable.
DeleteIn my opinion, attributing this case to mistaken identity remains a mistake like it was at World Cup, because it isn't the same foul, but an inverted foul at most. That being said, it is a tricky situation.
DeleteGiven that the player doing the tackle doesn't commit a foul, and we agree on that, at that point, punishing the opponent who is simply running with the ball and can do nothing to avoid hitting him remains highly harsh. However, unfortunately, in my opinion, from the LOTG standpoint, if you want to see a foul here, the final outcome is the only solution, otherwise, the option is not to call a foul at all.
Personally, I wouldn't have intervened as VAR, especially if the situation wasn't connected to a penalty or a second yellow card. I believe you also need to be refereeing-smart in certain circumstances. But definitely not an easy situation to assess, and it's the best thing if it doesn't happen at all.
If I wrote my full thoughts right now on Scottish refereeing I would be here all day. In summary, it's very mismanaged with wrong people being given FIFA badges over those more capable. The depth of quality is non existent and the hope rests on a few "young" mid 20s referees who will sink or swim let's hope for future planning they swim.
DeleteThis is exactly how they want the new mistaken identity guidelines enforced, the initial change to mistaken identity by the IFAB was for situations exactly like this, not for simulation like in the World Cup. It’s slightly harsh, but it’s the correct outcome in my opinion. The same offense was committed by a player of the other team, which is what the wording from the IFAB says. The offense itself cannot be reviewed.
DeleteFirst serie a matchday, and already a controversy in Genoa Napoli prior to the first goal.
ReplyDeletehttps://x.com/goalsxtra/status/2091261268032159968?s=46
Opinions? Game was refereed by Di Bello
Clip with referee's cam:
Deletehttps://streamin.link/v/580b07f0
In my opinion it's absolutely correct by VAR to stay silent.
Hope for consistency throughout the entire season.
Said that, I'm always reluctant because you have a player pushed from behind falling after the action of opponent and then a goal is immediately scored. All people will see this one as foul, and I think it's hard to say that a minor intensity can be accepted, because the attacker scored thank to that.
While I wouldn’t encourage a VAR intervention here, for me it is a foul that should have been whistled live by Di Bello… It is a push from behind, he was very well positioned to see it
Delete@Nerazzurri: right interpretation
DeleteUEFA Europa Conference League?
ReplyDeleteQuestion about the game Inter-Monza played yesterday. At the first goal, 6', could a discussion be made about an offside position at Inter #31 for obstructing the line of vision of the goalkeeper?
ReplyDeleteThe official assessment (well known) by AIA is that when the player in offside is far away from the teammate who kicks the ball and he is not close to keeper (mostly, outside the goal area), he shouldn't be considered punishable, unless a clear evidence, due to the rather evident free space.
DeleteIt’s interesting that this appointment includes only two Category 1 referees—Sylwestrzak and Sozza. It looks like they are candidates for promotion to the Elite group this December.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why some comments need to be repeated again and again. Previously about Hapoel Tel-Aviv favouring in the last and possibly this season (against Polish team), now about Polish referee to be (maybe) promoted.
Delete
DeleteI shouldn't respond to anonymous comments, but I would ask you to point out my comment regarding Hapoel. And is there any untrue statement in that comment?
Your question was valid but in different thread nobody reacted , so you pushed it again. Why?
DeleteComments regarding Hapoel were not yours. I didn't mean it that way. There was also a lot of hate or at least prejudices in them.
Under the photo of the Lithuanian referee, the name of the Armenian club is incorrectly indicated. It should be Ararat‑Armenia.
ReplyDeleteSorry, it was my mistake, now fixed. Thanks for reporting.
DeleteSo, in the end it was true that Rosetti reads the blog :)
ReplyDeletehttps://www.pasteboard.co/V6jiJbaXNNiC.jpg
Aİ ?
DeleteNo, it's a real picture, otherwise I wouldn't have posted it.
DeletePicture is no longer available, what could you see in it?
Deletehttps://ibb.co/7JdZzFcW
DeleteAhh… ;-)
DeleteRade's first decision was a yellow card, and just a minute later he turned it into a red card! 😂
ReplyDeleteThat's normal for him!
DeleteBesides being born in a beautiful country called Slovenia, he has no other qualities or skills to be an elite referee.
Thank you Vincic!
12' Obrenovic catch a good position but commented wrongly by himself. Probably fourth official warned him and changed the card from yellow to red. Congrats for fourth official perfectly saw SFP.
ReplyDeleteNo way 😂 . Matej Jug, who is in VAR, whispered into his ear :)
DeleteThis story reminds me Atilla Karaoglan who takes 1 year banned :D
DeleteRC for SFP, Obrenovic:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.link/v/249767fd
Out of 12 match ups in the play-off round of Europa League games 3 match ups didn't get Elite referees in both legs.
ReplyDeleteIberia-Jagilleonia
Omonia - Sint Truidense
Ferencvaros -Trabzonspor
Profile wise first two match ups are a bit lower profile teams. Last match up is two teams from highly tempered countries. More curious Hungary are geographically too close to Croatia and Slovenia. I would prefer to give a French/German/Scandanavian for one leg and maybe an ex-Yugoslavian ref. Giving both legs to ex Yugoslavian refs are not wrong in theory but logically wrong.
Penalty by Brooks
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/o4e6bh
Guys, following the news about UEFA’s attack on FIFA, can we conclude that the relationship between the two has now really broken down and that we won’t see UEFA referees in FIFA competitions anymore?
ReplyDeleteAnother OFR for Eskas this week - it seems being his VAR is normally quite a busy job!
ReplyDeleteDid he award another penalty via VAR again? 😂 He's racing toward a record... 9 out of the last 12 penalties he whistled In international matches came with VAR's help.
DeleteAnother case study.
ReplyDeleteWhat will change? Nothing.
There will continue to be big games.
It’s strange to see that a critical post from last night about Makkelie match is removed from this blog?
ReplyDeleteViktoria Plzen-Crvena Zvezda:
https://youtu.be/x_93SBmolrY?si=X-xNUOKwI6sflz9W
Red card given is very doubtful. Is this use of excessive force? Looks like a small touch which is not in the face.
Penalty kick is a correct VAR intervention. Should have been spotted live.
Given penalty in situation with goal keeper is a really soft one.
Last decision even doubtful. Goal is given but no proof ball is over goal line.
Overall not convincing performance.
As long as fans will write that referees are against teams or making such speculations, comments will be deleted.
DeleteI don't like the argument that one must underline "this referee has given penalties agains the team in other games".
What is the meaning? So, the referee should be against that team?
Said that, a very challenging one for Makkelie. About the red card, the player makes a simulation about the face, true, but what before, the bow by opponent, is easily a red card. No doubt. Then one could have liked a punishment for the deceiving reaction, but the action existed. Please note that "excessive force" is argument for SFP, not for a violent conduct, in which even the only intention could be punished, going by book.
About the holding on keeper, the latter wanted to go away trying to participate in the action but both arms of opponent were still there. Enough. Overall, more than supportable decision.Not soft, a normal holding for me.
About the goal scored, here VAR checked, one can't say. The decision by officials must be trusted.
About the penalty after OFR, not shown in this video, Makkelie should have spotted it live I agree. I think he was focused on another detail, maybe and he missed that one.
The five mentioned incidents are here.
DeletePenalty 1: https://streamff.com/v/b572afb6
Red card: https://streamff.com/v/3267192f
Penalty 2: https://streamff.com/v/4ab823e6
Penalty 3: https://streamff.com/v/3511e742
Valid goal: https://streamff.com/v/917bd0b3
I agree with Hans. All the decisions are justified. The VAR intervention must have been for the holding, because the contact at the feet is too soft. For the goal, the assistant referee is positioned on the goal line, so he is the only one who could have had a clear view of whether the ball crossed the line.
DeletePenalty 1: Acceptable but if given then for me more red than yellow.
DeleteRed card: Very doubtful. No excessive force and then what? If not negligible force then RC. But was used force not negligible? Summarizing, VAR intervention was not necessary but preferred decision for me is YC.
Penalty 2: Again very doubtful for me. Blatant holding but for very short time and with no impact on attacker and then very soft contact of legs. Was VAR intervention here justified, considering also position of referee?
Penalty 3: correct but missing YC for offender.
Goal: From what we could see ball didn't cross the goal line. Even if AR2 was on the line he could decide only by intuition.
Bad start for the elite referees. The biggest disappointments are Mariani and Kovacs. If there is any justice, after the Lyon-Fener match, Mariani should be rested for a long time, but because he is Italian, he will probably be assigned to the first Champions League round.
ReplyDeleteI watched most of the match live including all the key incidents and I have to say that this was far from a convincing performance by Makkelie.
ReplyDeleteThe penalty decisions were extremely soft. One can only imagine the consequences if a decision like this were to decide a Champions League match later in the season.
The red card is particularly questionable. In my opinion there is no case for violent conduct here. The player is only lightly touched and then makes a great deal of it. That should never be enough for a red card at this level.
The penalty awarded for holding of the goalkeeper was also very soft. The VAR intervention for the earlier penalty was correct and should have been seen on the pitch.
Another point that stood out during the match was Makkelie’s physical condition. It appeared to be below the standard you would expect from a referee operating at this level. His positioning and ability to keep up with play were not convincing.
Overall it was a dissapointing performance with several key decisions that were at best very debatable. This is certainly not the level of refereeing you would expect from a elite referee.
Red Star Belgrade have since filed a complaint with UEFA:
https://en.nogomania.com/read/Red-Star-Belgrade-accuse-Danny-Makkelie-of-extremely-biased-refereeing-and-turn-to-UEFA
Filing such a complaint is standard procedure these days. It is a way for a club to show its fans that it is doing everything they can.
DeleteBut if sanctions are imposed following the match, they are not for the referees, but for a banner displayed by the Serbs that was posted on their Twitter channel..
It’s just incredible how many different opinions there are here. For some, he was strong and brave, while others found his performance disappointing. For me, all the decisions were either correct or at least supportable. Had the decisions gone the other way, the home team would probably have complained. That’s simply how it goes these days.
DeleteI paused the clip of the disputed goal at the exact moment the ball was either crossing or not crossing the goal line.
ReplyDeleteIt is clear that AR2 is at least 1.5 m from the goal line.
IMO, holding the goalkeeper is 100% penalty
ReplyDelete