UEFA Champions League 2024/2025 – KO Stage, Play-Offs (Second Leg)

18 February 2025 

AC Milan – Feyenoord
Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL
Fourth Official: Wojciech Myc POL
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
AVAR: Christian Dingert GER
Referee Observer: Alexandru Deaconu ROU

Atalanta BC – Club Brugge
Referee: Felix Zwayer GER
Assistant Referee 1: Robert Kempter GER
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Dietz GER
Fourth Official: Florian Badstübner GER
VAR: Bastian Dankert GER
AVAR: Alen Borošak SVN
Referee Observer: Dejan Filipović SRB

Bayern Munchen – Celtic FC
Referee: Benoît Bastien FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Hicham Zakrani FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Aurélien Berthomieu FRA
Fourth Official: Jérémie Pignard FRA
VAR: Willy Delajod FRA
AVAR: Benoît Millot FRA
Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo ESP

SL Benfica – AS Monaco
Referee: Glenn Nyberg SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderkvist SWE
Fourth Official: Fredrik Klitte SWE
VAR: Rob Dieperink NED
AVAR: Dennis Higler NED
Referee Observer: Peter Sippel GER

19 February 2025
Borussia Dortmund – Sporting CP
Referee: Davide Massa ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Ciro Carbone ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Stefano Alassio ITA
Fourth Official: Simone Sozza ITA
VAR: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
AVAR: Daniele Chiffi ITA
Referee Observer: Howard Webb ENG

Paris St. Germain – Stade Brestois
Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring ENG
Fourth Official: Andrew Madley ENG
VAR: Michael Salisbury ENG
AVAR: Peter Bankes ENG
Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras GRE

Real Madrid – Manchester City
Referee: Istvan Kovacs ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marica ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Ferencz Tunyogi ROU
Fourth Official: Horațiu Feșnic ROU
VAR: Dennis Higler NED
AVAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Referee Observer: Nicola Rizzoli ITA

PSV Eindhoven – Juventus FC
Referee: Slavko Vinčić SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: David Šmajc SVN
VAR: Alen Borošak SVN
AVAR: Bastian Dankert GER
Referee Observer: Stefan Messner AUT

Concacaf Refereeing Winter Seminar

The 2025 Concacaf Refereeing Winter Seminar took place from January 27 to 31 in San Jose, Costa Rica, gathering 173 participants from various tiers of the Confederation’s Refereeing Development Pyramid. The event welcomed Elite and Tier 1 Referees, Assistant Referees (ARs), and Video Match Officials (VMOs) as they geared up for significant upcoming competitions, such as the Concacaf Champions Cup, Nations League Finals, Gold Cup Play-In, and W Champions Cup Finals. A major focus of the seminar was on monitoring and maintaining fitness levels. Both male and female Elite and Tier 1 referees and ARs successfully completed the FIFA Category 1 Men's Fitness Test, which ensured their eligibility for high-level appointments. "The Concacaf Refereeing Winter Seminar is a vital platform for preparing our Elite and Tier 1 match officials for success in 2025, as it ensures they receive the necessary support, tools, and training to officiate at the highest level,” said Concacaf Director of Refereeing Nicola Rizzoli.

The Winter Seminar also included a dedicated program for Concacaf's First Year FIFA Referee Seminar participants, who received vital insights on refereeing standards and the key areas of emphasis for the upcoming season. This introduction laid a solid groundwork for their inaugural year officiating international football in the region. "With a 15% increase in FIFA referees within our confederation for 2025 (compared to 2024) - the largest increase in the world - it is crucial that we provide our First-Year FIFA Referees with an introduction to the expectations and guidelines for officiating at the international level. Their seminar was designed to ensure a smooth transition into their new roles, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in Concacaf’s rapidly evolving international competitions,” added Rizzoli. The seminar also proved invaluable for the Concacaf Referee & Instructor Academy. It allowed aspiring referees and instructors to immerse themselves in a top-notch learning environment while training beside some of Concacaf’s leading officials. “Concacaf Referee and Instructor members received invaluable exposure, allowing them to train alongside and learn from the region’s top referees and instructors, as they take another step forward in Concacaf’s refereeing development efforts,” concluded Rizzoli. The seminar's education was delivered through a mix of theoretical and practical training sessions. Classroom sessions emphasized consistency in decision-making, promoting the uniform application of the Laws of the Game across all competitions. Practical field training involved thorough fitness evaluations and small-group exercises designed to simulate real-match scenarios, reflecting modern football's physical and mental challenges. By combining structured education with high-level training, the seminar reinforced Concacaf's commitment to continuously developing elite referees, ensuring they are fully prepared to officiate at the game's highest levels.

Source: Concacaf

CONMEBOL Libertadores 2025 – Second Round (First Leg)

18-20 February 2025

Deportes Iquique – Independiente Santa Fe
Referee: Roberto Perez PER (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Leonar Soto PER
Assistant Referee 2: Jose Castillo PER
Fourth Official: Jordi Espinoza PER
VAR: Diego Haro PER
AVAR: Edwin Ordonez PER
Referee Assessor: Christian Schiemann CHI
VAR Supervisor: Wilson Avila ECU

The Strongest – Bahia
Referee: Guillermo Guerrero ECU
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Lescano ECU
Assistant Referee 2: Andres Tola ECU
Fourth Official: Robert Cabrera ECU
VAR: Franklin Congo ECU
AVAR: Roddy Zambrano ECU
Referee Assessor: Jorge Antequera BOL
VAR Supervisor: Henry Gambetta PER

Alianza Lima – Boca Juniors
Referee: Esteban Ostojich URU
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Taran URU
Assistant Referee 2: Martin Soppi URU
Fourth Official: Alberto Feres URU
VAR: Leodan Gonzalez URU
AVAR: Christian Ferreyra URU
Referee Assessor: Cesar Mongrut PER
VAR Supervisor: Claudio Rios CHI

Boston River – Nublense
Referee: Ivo Mendez BOL
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Tapia BOL
Assistant Referee 2: Ruben Flores BOL
Fourth Official: Christian Aleman BOL
VAR: Wilfredo Campos BOL
AVAR: Jorge Justiniano BOL
Referee Assessor: Miguel Nievas URU
VAR Supervisor: Giulliano Bozzano BRA

El Nacional – Barcelona
Referee: Cristian Garay CHI
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Poblete CHI
Assistant Referee 2: Marcia Castillo CHI
Fourth Official: Dione Rissios CHI
VAR: Miguel Araos CHI
AVAR: Alan Sandoval CHI
Referee Assessor: Juan Corozo ECU
VAR Supervisor: Sabrina Lois ARG

Universidad Central – Corinthians
Referee: Gustavo Tejera URU
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Barreiro URU
Assistant Referee 2: Andres Nievas URU
Fourth Official: Nadia Fuques URU
VAR: Antonio Garcia URU
AVAR: Richard Trinidad URU
Referee Assessor: Jose Lara ECU
VAR Supervisor: Sergio Viola ARG

Monagas – Cerro Porteno
Referee: Dario Herrera ARG
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Belatti ARG
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Chade ARG
Fourth Official: Nazareno Arasa ARG
VAR: Hernan Mastrangelo ARG
AVAR: Jorge Balino ARG
Referee Assessor: Jose Carpio ECU
VAR Supervisor: Juan Restrepo COL

Deportes Tolima – Melgar
Referee: Ramon Abatti BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Rodrigo Correa BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Neuza Back BRA
Fourth Official: Rodrigo Pereira BRA
VAR: Wagner Reway BRA
AVAR: Rodrigo Guarizo BRA
Referee Assessor: Luzmila Gonzalez COL 

VAR Supervisor: Pericles Cortez BRA

Farina’s referee shirt donated to Italian Football Museum: "His path has left its mark"

The collection of the Football Museum is enriched with a new precious item: the shirt worn by the late referee Stefano Farina. A uniform that increases even more the value of section dedicated to match officials by the Coverciano museum, which already boast the jerseys of the three Italian who have refereed FIFA World Cup finals – Gonella in 1978, Collina in 2002 and Rizzoli in 2014 – in addition to that of an icon of refereeing such as Concetto Lo Bello and to the one worn by the current refereeing designator, Gianluca Rocchi, during his Europa League final.

“Stefano Farina – stressed the federal president, Gabriele Gravina – was an excellent referee, but above all he was a man of great moral principles who made him become a point of reference within the AIA. He wore the referee shirt with passion and respect for others and towards the game of football, which he loved deeply”. Gravina wanted to remember Farina with a message that the president of the Football Museum Foundation, Matteo Marani, read to those present shortly before receiving from his son, Nello Farina, the uniform worn by the ‘Principe’ – as he was nicknamed – in Serie A in the 2007/2008 season. “His experience and contribution will not be forgotten; more than a promise, it is a commitment, along with the contribution of all those who shared its deep values” was one of the most heartfelt passages written by the federal president, while the emotion transpired on the faces of his son Nello, his wife Emilia and Alessandro, son of Emilia who Stefano himself grew up. “I say this without rhetoric: Stefano was one of those people whom the AIA is missing” highlighted the president of the AIA, Antonio Zappi, present for the occasion together with his deputy, Francesco Massini, and the head of CAN, Gianluca Rocchi. “His path, first as a referee and then as a manager – continued Zappi – has really left its mark. The referees of the current generation have somehow all been formed by Stefano.”

Stefano Farina, referee of the Section of Novi Ligure since December 1979, debuted in Serie A in January 1995, refereeing a total of 236 games in the top-flight and 117 in Serie B. He was also a FIFA referee since 2001. He refereed two finals of the Italian Super Cup and the 2006 European Super Cup. After ending his referee career, Farina became UEFA observer, and a representative of the active referees and responsible for CAN B, CAN PRO and CAN D. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 54. His jersey donated to the Football Museum is the one worn during his last season (2007/2008) as a referee in Serie A.

Source: AIA

Seneme out: significant changes in Brazilian refereeing

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has announced the dismissal of Wilson Seneme, who faced challenges in his mission to make the game more dynamic as he had aimed. Under his leadership, matches continued to experience interference from referees and VAR. From now on, an International Expert Advisory Committee will evaluate the decisions made by referees in the Brazilian Championship and the Brazilian Cup.

The CBF Referees Committee will be managed by a multidisciplinary technical team, coordinated by manager Rodrigo Cintra and will have other names, such as Luiz Flávio de Oliveira, Marcelo Van Gasse, Fabrício Vilarinho, Luiz Carlos Bezerra, Eveliny Almeida and Emerson Filipino Coelho.

The International Expert Advisory Committee is formed by Italian Nicola Rizzoli, who refereed the final of the 2014 World Cup, Argentina’s Nestor Pitana, referee of the 2018 World Cup final, and Brazilian Sandro Ricci, who worked at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, also with a long experience worldwide. The International Expert Advisory Committee will be in contact with the Referees Committee analyzing controversial decisions, those that raise doubts, and, when analyzing them, the three members of the Committee will have voting power in order to direct decisions of the Referees Committee. The aim is to improve national refereeing and reduce the number of misguided decisions in football games. When creating the Advisory Committee of International Experts to interact with the Arbitration Commission, the CBF became the first national association to adopt this methodology in the world. Other news announced by the CBF relate to the creation of the National School of Refereeing and the elaboration of a national ranking of referees, initiatives that will already be in force this semester, with the intention of standardizing the sector.

Source: CBF

Will penalties change forever?

FIFA, through its influential former referee Pierluigi Collina, is proposing a significant alteration to the execution of penalty kicks. Collina, currently the chairman of FIFA’s Referees Committee, suggests a “single-attempt” rule, similar to penalty shootouts, eliminating the possibility of rebounds. This proposal, discussed in an interview with Repubblica, aims to address the perceived imbalance between the advantage held by penalty takers and goalkeepers.

Collina highlights the statistical disparity between penalty kicks and goalkeepers, noting that around 75% of penalties result in goals. He also points to the potential for rebounds, giving the attacking team a second chance. His proposed solution directly aims to reduce the high success rate of penalties, creating a more even contest between the attacker and goalkeeper. The proposed change would mean either a goal is scored or play restarts with a goal kick. The “single-attempt” rule would eliminate the pre-penalty buildup, characterized by players gathering around the penalty area, which Collina likened to “horses at the starting gate.” This aspect of his proposal focuses on streamlining the penalty process and reducing potential distractions and theatrics. The proposal suggests a desire to create a more focused, less dramatic situation that gives the goalkeeper a fair chance.

In a recent interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Collina recalled that he delayed the end of the 2002 men’s final, in which Brazil beat Germany 2-0, to ensure he left the field with the match ball in his possession. “I have a collection that could make a football museum jealous,” the 65-year-old Bologna native told La Repubblica (translated quotes via Football Italia). “I have the ball from the 2002 World Cup final: that day, I blew the final whistle, I think, 13 or 14 seconds late, insignificant for the result, just to make sure the ball was in my hands, so I could take it home with me. During the award ceremony, before receiving my medal, someone from the organization told me, ‘Pierluigi, if you give me the ball, I’ll hold on to it for you.' I replied: ‘Not a chance, the ball stays with me.’ In the photos of the ceremony, I’m always holding that ball.”

During his nearly two-decade officiating career, Collina became one of the most instantly recognizable referees in world soccer, thanks chiefly to a severe form of alopecia that left him completely bald in his mid-20s. And in his interview with La Repubblica, Collina said Italian refereeing chiefs attempted to end his career over his alopecia. “They tried to make me stop refereeing because I had lost all my hair‚” he said. “When I suffered from alopecia totalis at 24, I lost all my body hair within two weeks. I was only able to continue because I was ‘pretty good’. The refereeing authorities suspended me for three months. Then they tested me: they sent me to officiate a match in Latina, a heated stadium, to see how people would react to me. I will always be grateful to that crowd: that day, they couldn’t have cared less about having a bald referee.”

Source: WorldSoccerTalk

First American two-time World Cup referee Socha passes away

David Socha, who refereed two World Cups, passed away on Monday morning. He was 86. Socha worked the middle at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, in Spain and Mexico, respectively. He also refereed several World Cup qualifying matches and also officiated the 1984 Olympics.

Born in Springfield, Mass. to Polish-American parents, Socha started officiating in 1970. “I love soccer,” he told the Morning Union in 1986. “When I couldn’t play anymore, a friend suggested that I officiate. I’ve been doing it ever since.” Back in the day, ethnic populations retained their identities, which meant they played soccer. “At one time in this country, that’s all they played here,” Socha told the Los Angeles Times. “The players were brought in from the old country and they played for the factories. There were some quite good players at that time [before and shortly after World War II]. It just went from generation to generation.” Socha worked his way up the ladder and eventually became a FIFA referee, even when he was part-owner and a sometime bartender in Frank’s Tavern of Indian Orchard, Mass. In 1984, Socha worked the middle of the opening game of the Cambridge, Mass. venue of the Summer Olympics, only two hours down the road on the Massachusetts Turnpike from his Springfield, Mass. home. He also was the referee for the FIFA-UNICER World All-Star game in 1986. According to the Massachusetts State Referee Committee, he was a mentor to young game officials. “Dave kept his finger on the pulse of up-and-coming referees and was willing to share opinion and give advice when called upon,” the committee said on its Facebook page. “He would show up to games at Lusitano Stadium regularly, giving expert analysis to other referees in attendance. On behalf of the State Referee, we extend condolences to this great legend’s family and friends. He blazed the trail for many referees – from the wider CONCACAF region, the United States and tiny Massachusetts. May he Rest in Peace.”

Source: FrontRowSoccer

Osses leaves Mexican Referees Committee for Costa Rica

The Mexican Referees Committee is facing an unexpected shake-up with the resignation of Enrique Osses, who served as an instructor within the organization led by Armando Archundia. The former Chilean referee has decided to step down from his role within the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) and, according to reports, will take on the presidency of the Referees Committee in the Costa Rican Football Federation. Despite the criticism Osses had received in recent months due to the lack of preparation of some referees in Liga MX, his departure is not related to that issue. Instead, his decision is driven by a professional opportunity in Costa Rica, where he would be offered a higher-ranking role. The news was confirmed by journalist Paco Arredondo from TUDN, who reported that Osses announced his resignation during a recent refereeing seminar.

Now, the big question is what direction the Mexican Referees Committee will take. With Osses's departure, Armando Archundia is left without a key instructor in the structure, which could lead to changes within the organization. The FMF will have to decide whether to appoint a new person in his place or leave the technical area without a direct leader. Among the possible candidates to fill Osses's vacancy are controversial and critical figures of the Mexican refereeing system. Names like former referees Felipe Ramos Rizo, Francisco Chacón, and Marco Rodríguez are mentioned, who at different times have pointed out deficiencies in national refereeing. The recently retired Fernando Guerrero also emerges as a potential candidate, who could bring his recent on-field experience. With a vast international refereeing career, Enrique Osses leaves a legacy in Liga MX. His work in implementing VAR and training referees marked his tenure in Mexico, although his management was also a topic of debate. Now, his challenge will be to bring his knowledge and experience to Costa Rican refereeing, while in Mexico, a new chapter opens with questions about the future of the Referees Committee.

Source: MSN

CONMEBOL Recopa 2025

First Leg, 20 February 2025

Racing Club – Botafogo

Referee: Felipe Gonzalez CHI (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Retamal CHI
Assistant Referee 2: Jose Rocha CHI
Fourth Official: Augusto Aragon ECU
Reserve AR: Ricardo Baren ECU
VAR: Rodrigo Carvajal CHI
AVAR 1: Edson Cisternas CHI
AVAR 2: Benjamin Saravia CHI
AVAR 3: Francisco Gilabert CHI
Referee Assessor: Jose Mercado PAR
VAR Supervisor: Juan Cardellino URU

Second Leg, 27 February 2025

Botafogo – Racing Club
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela VEN
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego VEN
Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno VEN
Fourth Official: Gery Vargas BOL
Reserve AR: Jose Antelo BOL
VAR: Juan Soto VEN
AVAR 1: Alexander Guzman COL
AVAR 2: Leonard Mosquera COL
AVAR 3: John Perdomo COL
Referee Assessor: Abraham Gonzalez COL
VAR Supervisor: Luis Vera ECU

Record-breaking Bundesliga referee Felix Brych to retire

Having officiated in the Bundesliga since 2004, Felix Brych is drawing the curtain on a long and distinguished career in officiating, hanging up his whistle after the current season. The 49-year-old referee announced his decision via German television channel Welt TV. Brych officially became the Bundesliga’s all-time record holder for number of top-flight matches officiated on the third matchday of the current 2024/25 Bundesliga season. He surpassed Wolfgang Stark’s previous record of 344 Bundesliga matches officiated. At present, Brych has refereed 352 Bundesliga games. Retirement has nevertheless been in the cards for some time. Brych suffered a horrible PCL tear in a November 2023 match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart. This was the game in which he tied Stark’s record. After being sidelined for nearly a year, Brych returned to work this autumn. A new injury occurred during the match between Holstein Kiel and Hoffenheim, which left him sidelined again this year. Brych was already allowed to continue beyond the normal mandatory German refereeing retirement age of 47. Referees with most appearances in the Bundesliga: Felix Brych 352, Wolfgang Stark 344, Markus Merk 338, Manuel Gräfe 289, Florian Meyer 287.

“As an athlete, one realises at some point that it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain this performance level,” Brych said on the TV channel. “Training is always getting more difficult. I must go beyond the limit as there is an extreme effort I have to make. It is a dream to referee in the Bundesliga, but it must be worth it. I am pleased to be able to take this step, as I want to bring it to an end myself." As is the case with any referee, Brych’s biggest career mistakes will always be remembered. The phantom goal awarded to Leverkusen’s Stefan Keißling in October 2013 will not be forgotten by German football fans. At the international level, Brych’s famous non-call in Switzerland’s FIFA 2018 World Cup group stage win over Serbia did not allow him to referee any more games at that tournament, though he was later rehabilitated for the 2021 European Championship. During his long career, Brych was honored as Referee of the Year in Germany five times (2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021) and twice (2017 and 2021) as world’s best referee. He also refereed two German Cup finals in 2015 and 2021 and the UEFA Champions League Final in 2017.

Source: Yahoo