2026/27 UEFA Champions League. Please find below the referee appointments for the first set of MD1 games, to be played on Tuesday 8 September 2026.
8 September 2026
18:45 CET - Bruges (Jan Breydelstadion)
CLUB BRUGGE KV (BEL) - ASTON VILLA FC (ENG)
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUIAssistant 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: Bastian Dankert GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras GRE
UEFA Delegate: Artur Azaryan ARM
18:45 CET - Athens (Agia Sophia Stadium)
AEK (GRE) - LASK (AUT)
Referee: Luis Godinho PORAssistant Referee 1: Pedro Martins POR
Assistant Referee 2: Gonçalo Nuno Soares Vaz Freire POR
Fourth Official: André Narciso POR
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fábio Oliveira Melo POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas SCO
UEFA Delegate: Miroslaw Ryszka POL
21:00 CET - Madrid (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu)
REAL MADRID CF (ESP) - FC INTERNAZIONALE MILANO (ITA)
Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring ENG
Fourth Official: Samuel Barrott ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Andrew Dallas SCO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Michael Salisbury ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Elmir Pilav BIH
UEFA Delegate: Peter Lundström FIN
21:00 CET - Dortmund (Signal Iduna Park)
BORUSSIA DORTMUND (GER) - VILLARREAL CF (ESP)
Referee: Simone Sozza ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Davide Imperiale ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Giovanni Baccini ITA
Fourth Official: Andrea Colombo ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Chiffi ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Stavros Tritsonis GRE
UEFA Delegate: Luca Zorzi SUI
21:00 CET - Porto (Estádio do Dragão)
FC PORTO (POR) - MANCHESTER CITY FC (ENG)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL
Fourth Official: Paweł Raczkowski POL
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Herbert Fandel GER
UEFA Delegate: Stéphanie Ford BEL
21:00 CET - Villeneuve d'Ascq (Stade Pierre Mauroy)
Assistant Referee 2: Martin Venev BUL
LOSC LILLE (FRA) - REAL BETIS BALOMPIÉ (ESP)
Referee: Georgi Kabakov BUL
Assistant Referee 1: Martin Margaritov BULAssistant Referee 2: Martin Venev BUL
Fourth Official: Radoslav Gidzhenov BUL
Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek CRO
UEFA Referee Observer: Marinus Koopman NED
Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek CRO
UEFA Referee Observer: Marinus Koopman NED
UEFA Delegate: Paul Tompkins ENG
Istvan Kovacs with a very controversial and heavily criticized performance last night in the Romanian derby (Dinamo vs FC Steaua Bucharest).
ReplyDelete3 VAR interventions in the course of 10 minutes (between mins 22-32) and huge debates after the game regarding his decisions. VAR was George Gaman (ex-FIFA ref between 2017-2018, removed from the list because reportedly he could barely speak English. He now has a reputation as one of the worst refs in Romanian Superliga).
22': Free-kick for Dinamo, VAR intervened to change to penalty kick. Kovacs overturned his decision and awarded attacking foul, after watching the replays.
https://youtu.be/KUTxIBncJ1k?t=66
30': A second VAR intervention before game was restarted, for violent conduct. Red card for FCSB player.
https://youtu.be/KUTxIBncJ1k?t=301
32': Penalty for FCSB, VAR intervenes for the third time and Kovacs changes his decision to indirect free kick for Dinamo.
https://youtu.be/KUTxIBncJ1k?t=411
45+2': Disallowed goal for FCSB for attacking foul:
https://youtu.be/KUTxIBncJ1k?t=597
86': Penalty awarded for Dinamo:
https://youtu.be/KUTxIBncJ1k?t=1010
90+1': 2YC and RC for Dinamo player, for simulation:
https://youtu.be/KUTxIBncJ1k?t=1096
Well, incredible game for Kovacs.
DeleteThe first thing I want to say, Romanian league for him seems to be a totally diffeernt world from UEFA games and he seems definitely to be less confident in some circumstances.
Said that, I don't understand what he punished after OFR in the first incident, here if no free kick or penalty, you must give simulation. Where is the foul by attacker? Not clear.
Too long time at monitor for an Elite referee, definitely too long.
The red card after VAR intervention is correct by book, no matter the intensity of the violent conduct, however the feeling is that referee should have managed it live.
Correct decision to remove the other penalty after OFR, here very quick look at monitor.
It's understandable to whistle foul before the goal scored in 45'+2, too much force by attacker. However, in case of play on, VAR shouldn't have intervened.
The penalty to Dinamo close to the end is OK decision, but I don't like such situations, min imal contact with keeper for me, and attacker exactly looking for that, but this was the outcome.
Very good with the last decision, simulation, player left the leg and then wexaggerating contact. Clear.
Some good decisions but surely a rather controversial performance overall, especially regarding first incident.
A better replay of the first incident:
Deletehttps://youtu.be/vc3WeU9E_9Y?t=468
A very peculiar situation, the defending player lunges in a sliding tackle, misses the ball, then the attacking player lands on his foot. Nothing that he could have done to prevent it, the FCSB player initiated the contact.
I'd say that Kovacs was also unlucky that he whistled free kick instead of penalty (the incident happened right on the 16-yard line), as VAR would have probably stayed silent in that case.
The appointments are online
ReplyDeleteBrugge-Aston Villa: Schärer
AEK Athen-LASK: Godinho
Real Madrid-Inter: Oliver
Dortmund-Villareal: Sozza
Porto-ManCity: Marciniak
Lille-Betis: Kabakov
Wow!!!
ReplyDeleteSomeone correct me if It's wrong.
Oliver gets to officiate an Italian team for the first time since forever. It looks like UEFA considers him the No.1 candidate for the final showpiece in Madrid next year barring any English team in the final or if he puts in strings of poor performances.
Removing the Italian obstacle from his path with such a strong appointment is not coincidence IMO.
Actually, that’s not quite right: after that famous Real Madrid-Juventus match (a game in which he made no mistakes, by the way), Oliver has often refereed Italian teams. In any case, I agree that, with Makkelie ruled out for reasons unknown to us (as has become evident in recent years), he may well be the leading candidate alongside Letexier.
DeleteYes and no @Adams A.A.. Oliver is a common fixture for Inter Fun fact: for the 3rd time in 4 years, Inter will start the UCL campaign away with Oliver as a referee.
DeleteUCL 2025/2026: Ajax-Inter (MD1), St. Gilloise-Atalanta (MD8)
UCL 2024/2025: Young Boys-Inter (MD3), Bologna-Lille (MD5), Barcelona-Atalanta (MD8)
UCL 2023/2024: Real Sociedad-Inter (MD1)
UCL 2022/2023: Benfica-Inter (QF 1st leg)
Considering that he was a rookie referee in the top flight at the time, Oliver learned a great deal from that 2018 experience and has matured significantly over the past eight years. To me, he is the number one choice for the 2027 final.
DeleteI cannot understand why Sozza gets an tight game between a German and a Spanish team after his medicore performances at international level in the last years. Maybe the famous Italian bonus?
ReplyDeleteIt's Michael Oliver the most important "news" of this set of assignments.
ReplyDeleteTo answer to Adams A. A. above, he had already got again Italian teams (Atalanta among others) after the famous Real Madrid - Juventus in 2018, but now he gets exactly that game once again with Inter instead of Juventus. That's surely a big news. But of course given the experience and the reputation of the involved referee, it's just an expected choice, so very good that committee has worked in this way.
Surely an appointment that breaks some unwritten rules and wants to change that old mindset.
To follow, we see some Category 1 like Sozza, Godinho and Kabakov.
The Italian, as I already said, must raise the level after poor seasons, I think he was rather OK yesterday in Inter - Napoli, and if he starts in a positive way the season, he can think about promotion to Elite. However, Colombo is another candidate for that.
Kabakov: a very positive note for Bulgarian referee, the referee from Plovdiv has gone through plenty of ups and downs, to say the least,unfortunately often failing to follow up on the good things seen on previous occasions. Could they give him another try? We'll wait and see... at 40 he's reaching a crucial age if he wants to move forward.
Then, Godinho: I think some will agree if I say tat so far he has rather disappointed the expectations, however he has definitely time, and if they seem him as good candidate for something more, it will be up to him to show it. A good performance is expected.
Regular assignments for Marciniak and Schaerer.
Thanks for the corrections. Some folks definitely have paid more attention to these matters than I do
ReplyDeleteA massive VAR appointment for Andrew Dallas but does that mean Walsh won’t appear this week?
ReplyDeleteWalsh was on a championship game on Saturday with his FIFA ARs. Would usually point to a European appointment. Dallas could be in Nyon on VAR for multiple games
DeletePotentially being saved for the league cup quarter final instead next Sunday and have a "low key" appointment in the Championship.
DeleteWith no English clubs reaching the final, I believe Oliver could be in Madrid again.
ReplyDeleteVan Boekel is the most criticized VAR in the Netherlands following the Bouwman incident, especially with today's update: "Examinations showed that Bouwman suffered several injuries, including bruising to his sternum and a bruised lung. He remains in hospital for observation.
ReplyDeleteIt seems smart to me to switch VAR and Avar around given the commotion.
Dallas warmed up for his Champions League game with 2 correct interventions in Hearts v Dundee. 84' for a penalty for handball. 90' red card for SFP. A poor game from on field referee Chris Graham
ReplyDeleteAgreed, a poor game from a referee who should be nowhere near Premiership games IMO. Dallas correctly intervening on very straightforward decisions that should have been spotted.
DeleteChris Graham isn’t up to standards for a top flight match, if the Scottish Premiership wants to become a serious league it has to get serious and fast and resolve the major problems in terms of funding match officials:
DeleteWhen I say funding I’m referring to more investment in training, teaching and producing more top referees.
DeleteThe worrying thing is there's a large portion of referees (if I was in charge) would be nowhere near games but yet teams, fans and players are subject to the same mediocre faces over and over.
DeleteI definitely agree with Oliver comments, getting such a big profile match to start the campaign indicates he's UEFA no 1 for the final, which he deserves no doubt
ReplyDeleteStill we don't know about Marciniak AR2 and fourth official.
ReplyDeleteI read a post on instagram in which Kupsik, Marciniak AR2, announced that now he is back fulltime as lawyer. I think he retired after WC?
According to UEFA.com : AR2 ist Kupsik and FO is Raczkowski
DeleteYes now added, but twice. It seems there are issues on UEFA site and nothing more.
DeleteNow only missing name is VAR for Obrenovic in Bayern - Bodo with Del Cerro as AVAR. I think it is Jug.
ReplyDeleteA good caution for dissent by Scharer. I think the AR got the throw in call correct too
ReplyDeleteGreat YC by Schärer, missed those YC for dissent
ReplyDeleteNice yc for dissent
ReplyDeleteRare situation for Schärer, with the keeper touching the ball outside the penalty area, good spot by the team, maybe missed YC for SPA (not sure about it)
ReplyDeleteVery good and deserved YC for dissent. Good spot on by AR2 I think and no card ok for me because no english players near. Acceptable to whistle without card. Very convincing debut by swiss crew on first quarter. Well done !
DeleteBizarre incident where the keeper makes a mess of the throw out and then catches outside the penalty area. I dont think there's any question of DOGSO but a YC would have been better imo
ReplyDeleteThe player should have been booked indeed, I was surprised Schaerer just whistled free kick, but it looked he made a rather delayed assessment about what had happened. Correct by VAR to stay silent, however, no DOGSO.
DeleteI disagree, Chefren. For me, it’s more of an instinctive reaction than anything else. More importantly, there is no English player in a position to challenge for or play the ball. The only player in the vicinity simply appeals to the referee and tries to draw the match officials’ attention to the incident, without making any attempt to play the ball.
DeleteTherefore, in my view, managing the incident without a caution is just as defensible as showing a yellow card. I can accept either outcome from a refereeing perspective.
From the IFAB.
DeleteIf the goalkeeper holds the ball inside their penalty area and continues to handle it outside the penalty area, it practically means that the goalkeeper initially had legitimate possession of the ball, so their handball offence did NOT stop a promising attack (SPA) or deny the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO).
https://www.facebook.com/share/1bYYeN7ene/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Outstanding decision by Schaerer with simulation and YC to Belgian player. Very impressive body language and natural authority for Sandro. Impressive !
ReplyDelete+1 excellent
DeleteGood OFR by San and clear penalty for Bruges. Perhaps Scharer could detect it live but very rapid process and decision to be taken.
ReplyDeleteClearly a punishable arm movement, I think nobody should have doubts about this one, he stopped the ball even in a deliberate way.
DeleteHere the penalty for handball after OFR:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.link/v/83ef352c
Another fully justified yellow card. More importantly, it is delivered with calm authority and real managerial conviction. The Swiss referee is making an excellent impression on me, despite failing to award the penalty on-field initially. This has been a very solid performance from the Swiss officiating team.
ReplyDeleteThree YC added correctly by Scharer. The referee has shown complete control of the match, both in terms of player management and disciplinary control IMO.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Sandro !
ReplyDeleteGodinho delivered a fantastic performance at AEK's stadium in Athens.
ReplyDeleteThe committee must be very pleased with your performance.
Congratulations!
Godinho have a normal officiating in a not difficult game
DeleteA PSG vs English final could see Schärer……a lot of weeks and months to go however ;)
ReplyDeleteThe officiating of Scharer was poor and heavily criticized by the crowd. The error regarding the penalty was far too blatant for the expected standard.
ReplyDeletePoor ? The crowd ? You mean Belgian supporters ? Come on…
DeleteIn my opinion, it was overall a very good performance by the referee, but the OFR still weighs on it because, unlike the classic handballs that are hard to see, this one should have been spotted on the pitch. Nobody is perfect, perfection doesn't exist in offficiating, but in the context of a high-level performance, there's still that regret about the OFR. Rosetti always asks for things that can be seen live, and in my view, this was one of those clear situations.
DeleteAgree about OFR but really excellent skills shown about fitness, discipline and management during this match.
DeleteFirst 20 mn very good by Oliver with a very good no penalty decision on Vinicius and a correct dangerous FK for italian team.
ReplyDeleteOliver's calmness is always incredible to watch
ReplyDeleteFirst YC for Oliver. More of a YC for team persistent fouling that the player himself. Oliver in complete control and making it look easy.
ReplyDeleteMarchniaks foul detection is embarrassing. Honestly you wouldnt even think football was a contact sport
ReplyDeleteMissed clear YC by Marciniak to Guéhi
ReplyDeleteProtests for a possible a red card, but it was no more than YC. Not a deliberate elbowing, just a reckless action in my opinion.
DeleteHow could Guehi escape yellow card there? No help from AR1 or 4th ref as Marciniak could not see it clear.
ReplyDeleteMaybe AR could have helped, clip:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.link/v/d6b5ca13
Clearly a punishable foul not whistled by Marciniak. Also, obvious yellow card that was missed.
ReplyDeleteExcellent officiating from Oliver in first half!
ReplyDeleteAgree. As what i saw during WC, confirmation about an excellent Oliver who deserved CL final for me if his season is a mirror of his first half performance !
DeleteVery good advantage by Kabakov for 3-2.
ReplyDelete"I admire Oliver's composure. I really would have liked to see him in that chaotic Paraguay–France match at the World Cup.
ReplyDeleteOFR for Kabakov, player provoked opponent but very clear violent conduct as reaction. Impossible to forgive this one, correct intervention.
ReplyDeleteClips from Schaerer game:
ReplyDelete13' SPA or DOGSO? Keeper handball outside the box.
https://streamin.link/v/1bdf9352
47' Simulation
https://streamin.link/v/ce903762
59' OFR, penalty for handball
https://streamin.link/v/3ebdc586
A few additional thoughts. Very well done on the simulation, I must say. It's focused on the incident with good positioning, and he immediately sees the player doing that. However, the correct signaling for simulation is an raised arm,just like for offside, because it results in an indirect free kick. Many referees don't apply this specific detail, but that's fine, it's just my personal observation.
That being said, regarding the situation at the start of the match with the goalkeeper handball outside the penalty area: in my opinion, starting from a basic assessment, it's great that it was called. It's something that often goes unnoticed because it's quite unexpected and unusual, and this is where a referee's ability to keep a cool head really comes out. As long as incidents are standard and routine, that's fine, but here an unexpected event factor comes into play, an incident that doesn't happen very often in a match. So, compliments to the Swiss referee for his alertness, though I think a yellow card should have been shown because the decisive element seems clear to me. The Manchester City player was just two steps away, so if the ball had slipped completely out of keeper's hands, it couldn't have been SPA. Still, it was correct for VAR not to intervene, as it wasn't a clear red card for DOGSO.
Finally, on the penalty kick, the Swiss referee could have seen it because the arm makes that blatant gesture. But analyzing the situation, we can say the referee got caught out by the turnover in play, with the action shifting rapidly from one side of the pitch to the other. In fact, we can see the Swiss referee is still running while the incident happens, so he didn't have the mental moment to capture the situation, which he would have caught completely if he had been positioned there and play had briefly paused on that side before the cross. Let's say it's a matter of positioning and missing the view, though the incident itself is very, very clear. He could have made a small extra effort because the replay shows him right behind, so he wasn't completely blind to it. However, when you are busy adjusting your perspective to a different side of the pitch, there is a brief moment where focus on play can be missing.
Do you consider that its Md 1??
ReplyDeleteHere the incident in Kabakov game:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.me/v/9eb8f458
Very unusual situation. Good intervention by Var. Anyways in general foul detection, disciplinary control and players behaviour was good. Good movement and fast decisions. He is back on track for more games. Good teamwork.
DeleteMarciniak please retire as you are no longer able officiate at a decent level. Pathetic tonight
ReplyDeleteHis performance wasn’t bad, but it was acceptable.
DeleteBut what courage and firmness from Michael Oliver to enforce the rule on leaving the pitch slowly and reduce Real Madrid to ten men after Vinícius’ substitution! Brilliant refereeing!
ReplyDelete+1 great standards and enforcement of the rules by the entire english crew
DeleteIt’s a mandatory decision. Vinicius Junior was clueless and had a picknick.
DeleteMichael Oliver is one of the world's best. Not much doubt about it
ReplyDeleteVladimir Sajn observer in OFI - Hoffenheim next Thursday
ReplyDeleteMixed performance by Oliver. Nothing important for the result of the game, but along with several positive aspects, a few things worth noting
ReplyDeleteThe good: the correct rule application on Vinicius' delay change. Good athletic stamina in a very hot environnement. Always close to the action without disrupting the game.
The bad: missed YC to Huijsen for high foot on Martinez. In the final seconds missed YC to Cucurella for unsportsmanlike conduct. Very little extratime: only 1' in the first half with 2 goals + Courtois treated by medical personnel, only 3' in the second half with 1 goal + 8 changes + many waste of time by Real Madrid side
I think expectations of additional time have to change. If allowed 10s to go off, then suddenly less is required. (I will agree, 3 seemed light, but probably inkeeping with modern Uefa expectation).
DeleteAs for the foot, Huijsen has his foot below head height, Martinez saw this, headed the ball, then simulated to act as if the contact was with the boot, not ball. I think the officials got this spot on, play on was right. (Unless I missed contact, but I don't believe there was any. Martinez's behaviour was nothing to admire)
No, Martinez didn't simulate the act. On the interviews after the game there was a mark on his cheek - as noted live by the Sky Italia reporter with whom he was speaking
DeleteAlso I forgot another one. Why the VAR didn't intervene for Cucurella talking to Bisseck covering his mouth with his hand? He certainly wasn't paying compliments.
DeleteThought that rule was made up by FIFA for the WC
DeleteRegarding Dortmund’s game, the penalty whistled seems rather wrong and there was room for VAR intervention, both players are holding.
ReplyDeleteHaven’t seen it but you punish the more serious offence in terms of restart = penalty.
DeleteYou’ll know what I mean once you see it:)
DeleteI also don't like the penalty given by Sozza
DeleteAbout penalty by Sozza:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.me/v/dfb4d566
One can say that attacker starts the holding but then what follows by defender is very clear penalty. For sure correct by VAR to support but it doesn't give the idea of a 100% situation for thjis reason.
I agree that any VAR intervention would have been unwarranted. That said, I doubt Sozza would whistle such a penalty in Serie A under Orsato's rule.
DeleteI don’t understand why you dont like this penalty by Sozza. Clear continuous holding with both hands.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who thinks Michael Oliver is overweight? His belly is quite noticeable.
ReplyDelete😂
DeleteMarciniak had a very poor game yesterday at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto. We should not be afraid to say so.
ReplyDeleteThere were several reckless fouls that should have resulted in yellow cards, constant unsporting behaviour from members of Porto’s coaching staff without any punishment, and several confrontations between players and staff — including incidents at half-time and after the final whistle.
It was a very poor performance from a referee who is undoubtedly one of the best in the world. Yesterday, however, at the Dragão, Marciniak seemed to underestimate the nature and difficulty of the game. His physical performance was also below the level expected from him.
Meritocracy must apply to everyone, including the leading figures of European refereeing. Reputation and past performances should never exempt anyone from being held to the same standards as every other referee.
Whe u gain experience u handle matches in a very different way
ReplyDelete