2026-27 UEFA Champions League, Play-Offs, First Legs, games to be played on 19 August 2026.
Wednesday 19 August 2026
CELTIC FC (SCO) - LASK (AUT)
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Stéphane De Almeida SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Jonas Erni SUI
Fourth Official: Anojen Kanagasingam SUI
Video Assistant Referee:Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Lukas Fähndrich SUI
UEFA Referee Observer: Gianluca Rocchi ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Stéphane De Almeida SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Jonas Erni SUI
Fourth Official: Anojen Kanagasingam SUI
Video Assistant Referee:Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Lukas Fähndrich SUI
UEFA Referee Observer: Gianluca Rocchi ITA
21:00 CET - Bratislava (Národný futbalový štadión)
ŠK SLOVAN BRATISLAVA (SVK) - NK CELJE (SVN)
Referee: Feliix Zwayer GER
Assistant Referee 1: Robert Kempter GER
Assistant Referee 2: Nikolai Kimmeyer GER
Fourth Official: Florian Badstübner GER
Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Johann Pfeifer GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Laurent Duhamel FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Nikolai Kimmeyer GER
Fourth Official: Florian Badstübner GER
Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Johann Pfeifer GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Laurent Duhamel FRA
21:00 CET - Bucharest, Romania (Stadionul Rapid-Giulești)
HAPOEL BE’ER SHEVA (ISR) - SABAH FC (AZE)
Referee: Davide Massa ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Alessio Berti ITA
Fourth Official: Matteo Marcenaro ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Valerio Marini ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Jon Skjervold NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Alessio Berti ITA
Fourth Official: Matteo Marcenaro ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Valerio Marini ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Jon Skjervold NOR
21:00 CET - Nijmegen (Goffertstadion)
NEC NIJMEGEN (NED) - FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR)
Referee: François Letexier FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA
Fourth Official: Romain Lissorgue FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Valentín Pizarro Gómez ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Vítor Manuel de Melo Pereira POR
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA
Fourth Official: Romain Lissorgue FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Valentín Pizarro Gómez ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Vítor Manuel de Melo Pereira POR
Letexier to NEC in Nijmegen. Already published on Uefa website.
ReplyDeleteSo, Letexier is back. Very good for him. He will start his season in Nijmegen.
ReplyDeleteAbout the others, it can be a very challenging one for Massa on neutral ground in Romania.
Zwayer with a standard assignment, while more focus on Schaerer as we know, refereeing is always discussed in Scottish games.
It is very interesting to compare the appointments from Zwayer and Jablonski
DeleteCan someone explain the logic behind this to me?
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt, this is the toughest match of the playoffs (Fenerbahçe and Lyon), and an inexperienced referee on the European stage, Jablonski, has been appointed to this match, while his compatriot Zwayer has been assigned to a game with much less pressure. In my opinion, the two should have been swapped.
So these appointments show us that, according to the UEFA referee committee, Jablonski is ahead of Zwayer.
ReplyDeleteSchärer‘s team is fit for once😅
ReplyDeleteFor now ;)
DeleteTo answer to some of the comments above, I think the logic is quite clear. It was already evident towards the end of last season that trust and confidence had been placed in Sven Jablonski, whom Rosetti seems to have a lot of faith in, following his promotion to the Elite category.
ReplyDeleteSo we can expect that, just as work has been done with others, they will also try to raise the level with the German referee.
Of course, there are also the other Elite referees, with Zwayer coming off a difficult season.
So, ultimately, the explanation for hia sssignment can be understood in that context. The most experienced referee doesn't necessarily have to be assigned the most complex or potentially complex match every time. If you never started giving opportunities to referees who have already gone through a certain path, you would always end up with the same names. So this can also be viewed from that perspective.
For the rest, we will see. Just to give an example, if Zwayer returns to performing well again, the level of his appointments will rise again, and I don't see any problem with that. Germany used to have four referees in the Elite category; now it's the same and all of them can have their say.
At the moment, it would seem that Jablonski has been put ahead of the others, but that is due to the circumstances I explained. It is certainly not an absolute hierarchy. The order is always evolving. These things become clear by looking at appointments over the long term, rather than getting fixated on the idea that a particular referee must necessarily be given a certain match.
Great comment, Chefren! It‘s clear to me that Zwayer can put himself back into the spotlight with good performances in the next four, five games.
DeleteI don't think it is that difficult to work out what is going on here:
Deletea) Rosetti has made the overall ruling on the level of Siebert and Zwayer to the nature of 'no Brych/Stark/Merk they'. I like both Siebert and Zwayer personally, but one must admit that this would be a fair comment; to write something harsh but probably fair, we can now say that both more-or-less failed in their respective WCs.
b) Rosetti, it seems very plain to me, really likes Jablonski and sees him as Letexier 2.0 and cohering perfectly to his vision for UEFA refereeing as managing director.
The next tournament on the horizon is Euro 2028. Assuming there won’t be three Germans in the final squad, then it always seemed likely to me that the biggest ‘battle royale’ for a Euro spot since the Germanic race to 2012 was on the cards. It reads, to me, like Rosetti is (performances dependent, but I’d imagine he must be confident about that if he’s given Fener-Lyon to him!) quite clear on taking Jablonski, and will leave Siebert and Zwayer to ‘fight’ for the remaining slot. So, the purpose of the appointment(s) seems quite clear to me. Eskas did Gala-YB second leg after the Paris Olympics too, I would add.
I don’t know if Aarhus-Benfica is actually a better appointment than Slovan-Celje, but in principle, the previous CL final referee should be given precedence in the next season after a good performance in that final and not have to start in the lower competition. Without wishing to get the tin foil hats out, perhaps the semi-absurd ‘handshake gate’ (as discussed on this blog after the Budapest final) explains the choice of Zwayer for that match.
The match 2-3 seasons ago was officiated very poorly by Eskas; he had completely lost control in that atmosphere and couldn't manage the incidents in the stands and on the pitch... That is why I find it normal for people to want an experienced referee for the Fener-Lyon match. There is no room for error for either team in this match, and at the same time, they will be playing for a 60-70 million euro revenue. Throwing Jablonski right into that den of wolves is risky; he couldn't even manage the Uruguay-England friendly match he officiated last time.
DeleteI hope we are wrong and he puts on a very good performance. All the best and good luck to Jablonski 🙏🏼
I look forward to watching Sandro Schärer live and kicking off my domestic and European adventures for the season, not a fan of either team so will be great just to take in a top referee live and see how he performs
ReplyDeleteI assume, based on a process of elimination, that the 2nd legs will be for Turpin, Oliver, Marciniak, Mariani, Kovács, Hernández Hernández & Sánchez Martínez.
ReplyDeleteThe only remaining 'active' Elite referee without an appointment in CL 1st leg or UEL 1st/2nd leg is Lambrechts, and it wouldn't make any sense based on his CV to give him a 2nd leg. I think he was initially slated for the 1st leg of UEL Crvena Zvezda - Viktoria Plzeň but got injured or unavailable for a different reason, hence 1) Eskås having a Belgian VAR in this game and 2) Eskås doing both a 1st leg and a 2nd leg
Among these names, either Kovács or Mariani will officiate the Lyon - Fenerbahçe second leg. Oliver is ruled out because the referee observer is English. Marciniak and Hernández officiated the teams' matches in the previous round, so they are out too, and Turpin is French.
DeleteThe referee for the match will be Mariani 99%
Correct predictions, at least based on what we can observe.
DeleteMariani should get the game in Lyon.
Kovacs not in his best moment and he shouldn't get this one.
A chance for Sanchez Martinez, but it's hard.
Based on performances in previous round, it should be Sanchez Martinez.
DeleteAnd Chefren, please correct the stadium of match Celtic - LASK: surely not at Vasil Levski stadium. :D
Rather baffling to see Letexier back in a Champions League play-off already imho, given what happened at the World Cup.
ReplyDeleteTo be clear: death threats and personal abuse are completely unacceptable. But Letexier’s performance was poor and so controversial that his integrity was openly questioned by journalists, fans and players, largely because so many major decisions seemed to go in one direction. I am not suggesting there was anything improper - but surely the mere fact that such doubts EXISTED should have warranted a few matches away from the spotlight.
And let’s be honest: a referee with a less prestigious passport would almost certainly have been given a run of lower-profile appointments after such heavy criticism and serious questions over his integrity.
And if we’re applying meritocracy consistently, why wasn’t Eskås given a Champions League play-off after an excellent World Cup? And Siebert going from a great Champions League campaign to the Europa League? The logic is becoming harder and harder to see imo.
Correct flag by AR2 in Glasgow, disallowing a goal scored after a few seconds, not easy because extremely quick after kick off. Good reaction by assistant referee.
ReplyDeletewrong Penalty call
ReplyDeleteThanks to var 🙏🏼 bad start for letexier
DeleteNot a wrong call but a hand not perceived just before the one by defender. Close players, i think Letexier didn’t see the first one which is very tigh to detect. Very good Del Cerro intervention.
DeleteOfr for Letexier to overturn his penalty for handball. Attacker made a handball before the defender
ReplyDeleteUnlucky start for Letexier. But in the end correct decision. Good intervention by del Cerro Grande
ReplyDeleteFrom positioning side, only possible to see Nec handball, but very hard to see handball by Bode player. Var correct decisions. But,Letrxier self confidence impressed me more and more. Its nice to see that modern officiating still have the refsrees that have guts to take the decisions, than to rely on VAR!
ReplyDeleteAgree
DeleteI don't understand why Letexier checked something so clear for so long. I think he still hasn't recovered from the consequences of what happened. His body language is different and a bit strange.
ReplyDeleteBody langage is exactly the same.
DeleteAgree with Referee analyst
DeleteNext goal correctly disallowed by AR2 in Glasgow. Good work there
ReplyDeleteAr2 has been brilliant so far in Glasgow, two goals disallowed due to offside offences.
ReplyDeleteHere a short clip of VAR intervention in Letexier game:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.link/v/08104ef3
Letexier saw only the second handball, correct VAR intervention.
First hand very difficult to detect with in one second hand and chest after by attacker. Even the defender involved seemed not seen it at all too…
DeleteNow excellent penalty decision by Letexier
ReplyDeleteVery good second penalty whistled by Letexier with YC for pulling and a strong and clear body language.
ReplyDeleteFlawless Schärer in the first half. Not a difficult game to referee though, very few fouls.
ReplyDeleteZwayer: Missed 2 clear YC in short sequence at 2nd half start for Celje players both reckless tackle (illegal use of arms on Slo20 and kicking to knee on Slo57) both not even foul whistled
ReplyDeleteSeeing Zwayer's current form, it's clear once again what a spot-on decision the committee made by choosing Jablonski over Zwayer for a big match like Fener vs. Lyon
ReplyDeleteMust say that players did not misuse situation when Zwayer started lose control for first 10´ of second half. If not it would be very bad and nasty ending. Basically did not whistle nothing in that period, also AR2 shoul see at least borderline kicking on Slo57.
ReplyDelete90+6´ I´m biased but IMO huge error, Cel6 reckless charge to Slo99 in penalty area after shot. No VAR intervention
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/mtdi2c
DeleteOpinion?
https://streamable.com/gpxkcz
DeleteClear penalty and red card missed
DeleteI have never seen a clearer penalty in my life. How did the VAR not intervene?
Delete96min: https://streamff.pro/v/0556bdf2
Delete- the collision between Slo99 and Cel6 looks heavy, but is completely immaterial to assessing the incident; the defender is just running, doesn't make any challenge, and the ball is long out of the attacker's spell when the two collide
- there is no clear charging action by Cel4; if one could argue for a foul, it would be by disturbing the attacker's shot (by his back)
The German referees decided correctly in this incident, no foul was committed.
Chefren, I disagree with you. The attacker is just about to strike the ball when the defender pushes him from behind, the attacker loses his balance and fails to get a good shot... You won't find a referee anywhere who wouldn't call a foul for that in the midfield..
Delete“İ mean Mikael w “ 😁
Delete48min: https://streamff.com/v/9d371593
DeleteCel47 should be cautioned for reckless arm use/impeding.
52min: https://streamff.com/v/f9cbc477
The game should be restarted with a freekick to Cel for handball. The referee was justified (in my view, correct) to deem no foul by Cel6 took place because he has played the ball fairly, and the contact is a result of both players momentum towards each other. This incident is very different from others where the defending player uses playing the ball as a 'pretense' to leave a heavy contact on his opponent; this did not happen here.
I watched this game from the point that Bodo scored their third goal (so 55'-ish) and besides the booking at 58', which did not seem justified either for SPA or reckless (it would have made more sense to use the foul at 60' for a card instead), Zwayer's performance was fine. I don't understand some of the comments above.
Rt Mikael.
DeleteRemaining elite referees for the second
ReplyDeleteleg of the playoffs:
Clément Turpin (France)
Michael Oliver (England)
Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
István Kovács (Romania)
Alejandro Hernández Hernández (Spain)
José María Sánchez Martínez (Spain)
What are your predictions?
What about makkelie?
DeleteHe has been appointed to a Europa League game
DeleteHoward Webb was appointed as the referee observer for the Lyon vs Fenerbahçe match, but his name is no longer visible. This could mean that Michael Oliver will be appointed to that match.
ReplyDeleteYou are wrong. Webb will be the referee observer for the match in France, and Mariani will officiate that match with a 99% probability.
DeleteHoward Webb is still listed on the UEFA website as the observer of this match
DeleteAforementioned incidents from NEC-Bodo (ref: Letexier; var: Del Cerro).
ReplyDelete11' - Penalty for handball revoked: https://streamff.com/v/a010256b
42' - Penalty for holding awarded: https://streamff.com/v/bc76067d
What a pleasure and privilege to watch Sandro Schärer and team live last night. I was fortunate to have a good view and was sat with a friend near the "executive" seats and got a good view of the game and of Mr Rocchi who was observing keenly.
ReplyDeleteOn to the game and in what was a fairly straightforward game more so for the referee than assistants I would say, the team performed exceptionally well and AR2 for me produced above the expected level performance whilst the rest of the team produced an expected level performance. Great early no goal given by AR2 and that set the tone for the team who I felt didn't put a foot wrong throughout. Just the one YC which was correct and overall a great night's work for the team. In conclusion what a great night to watch a referee produce a performance that really sets the standard for the season ahead. Based on this performance, I would not be opposed to putting Mr Schärer in to some top clashes which will need to filled given the bios left by Vincic and Taylor.
+1
Delete