IFFHS World’s Best Referee 2024: Letexier (FRA)

At 35 years old, François Letexier has become IFFHS World’s Best Referee 2024 due to his leading figure in World refereeing, entrusted with officiating prestigious matches at both national and European level. He was appointed by UEFA to referee the EURO 2024 final Spain – England in July and the most important games in Champions League Liverpool – Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund - FC Barcelona, where he well controlled high intensity games with outstanding performances. He won sovereignly the 2024 ranking before Slovenian Slavko Vincic, chosen for the UEFA Champions League final and Italian Daniele Orsato, winner of the IFFHS Award in 2021. The other French referee, Clement Turpin (third last year), took 4th place before Michael Oliver and Felix Zwayer. IFFHS Awards 2022 and 2023 winner Szymon Marciniak was ranked 7th, before Anthony Taylor, the second English referee in the ranking. Brazilian referees Raphael Claus and Wilton Sampaio completed the World’s Top 10. (Source: IFFHS)

IFFHS World's Best Referees 2024 
1. François Letexier (FRA, photo) 129p
2. Slavko Vincic (SVN) 86p
3. Daniele Orsato (ITA) 74p
4. Clement Turpin (FRA) 47p
5. Michael Oliver (ENG) 42p
6. Felix Zwayer (GER) 41p
7. Szymon Marciniak (POL) 31p
8. Anthony Taylor (ENG) 28p
9. Raphael Claus (BRA) 25p
10. Wilton Sampaio (BRA) 13p

IFFHS World’s Best Woman Referee 2024: Welch (ENG)

After 5 consecutive IFFHS Awards, Stephanie Frappart only took the second place in 2024, beaten by England’s Rebecca Welch, crowned as Women’s World Best Referee 2024. It was very close between the two referees (118 – 104), but Rebecca Welch made the difference by directing the UEFA Champions League final and being regular all year in her performances. Frappart didn't beat the record of Pierluigi Collina (6 consecutive World's Best Referee Awards). Sweden’s Tess Olofsson completed the podium with 94 points, before US referee Tori Penso (second last year) and a newcomer, Morocco’s Bouchra Karboubi, jumping on 5th place. If the UEFA is represented on the podium, all other confederations are in the Top 10, CONCACAF with Penso and Garcia, CONMEBOL with Alves, AFC with Yamashita and CAF with Karboubi and Mukansanga. (Source: IFFHS)

IFFHS World's Best Women Referees 2024
1. Rebecca Welch (ENG, photo) 118p
2. Stephanie Frappart (FRA) 104p
3. Tess Olofsson (SWE) 94p
4. Tori Penso (USA) 31p
5. Bouchra Karboubi (MAR) 27p
6. Katia Garcia (MEX) 19p
7. Edina Alves (BRA) 15p
8. Yoshimi Yamashita (JPN) 14p
9. Salima Mukansanga (RWA) 10p
10. Marta Huerta De Aza (ESP) 8p

Turkish referee reportedly removed from FIFA List for getting pregnant

A controversial decision by the Turkish Central Referee Committee (MHK) to remove Gamze Durmus Pakkan, a UEFA First Category referee, from the FIFA referee list due to her pregnancy has sparked outrage across the football world.
UEFA has condemned the move, calling it a setback for gender equality in sports, while critics pointed out the implications for women’s careers in male-dominated fields. Gamze Durmus Pakkan’s removal makes her the only referee in Europe reportedly excluded from the FIFA list because of pregnancy. UEFA, through Dagmar Damkova, a member of its Referees Committee responsible for women referees, expressed disbelief over the decision, saying “I can’t believe it. How is removing a referee from the list due to pregnancy any different from being fired from a job?” The decision has derailed Durmus Pakkan’s career, as she now faces the prospect of reapplying from the lowest category, delaying her progression to the Elite category by at least three years. Observers have pointed to UEFA’s contrasting approach to Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan, who was allowed to retain his Elite category status after being inactive for 18 months due to a heart attack. Critics argue that Pakkan’s position should have been frozen rather than revoked.
Durmus Pakkan’s case shed light on issues regarding gender equality in sports. In a 2023 interview, she spoke about the intense scrutiny women referees face, stating, “We don’t have the luxury to make mistakes; we always must manage matches well. When male referees make mistakes, they are tolerated or expected to improve, but that’s not the case for women referees.” The controversy has affected her family as well. Her husband, referee Burak Pakkan, has reportedly faced retaliation, and the family has received threats discouraging them from speaking publicly. UEFA continues to push for Gamze Durmus Pakkan’s reinstatement, emphasising the need for fairer policies to ensure that women in sports can pursue their careers without penalty for personal milestones like pregnancy. The case has prompted widespread calls for systemic reforms to support women in balancing personal and professional commitments in male-dominated fields.

Source: Pulse Sports

Arabian Gulf Cup 2024

Kuwait, 21 December 2024 - 4 January 2025

Referee: Ahmad Al-Ali (KUW, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Abdulhadi Al-Anezi (KUW)
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Abbas (KUW)

Referee: Ammar Mahfoodh (BHR)
Assistant Referee 1: Abdulla Al-Rowaimi (BHR)
Assistant Referee 2: Mohamed Salman (BHR)

Referee: Mohanad Sarray (IRQ)
Assistant Referee 1: Watheq Al-Swaiedi (IRQ)
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Al-Baghdadi (IRQ)

Referee: Qasim Al-Hatmi (OMA)
Assistant Referee 1: Nasser Al-Busaidi (OMA)
Assistant Referee 2: Hamed Al-Ghafer (OMA)

Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (QAT)
Assistant Referee 1: Taleb Al-Marri (QAT)
Assistant Referee 2: Saoud Al-Maqaleh (QAT)

Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (KSA)
Assistant Referee 1: Mohammed Al-Abakry (KSA)
Assistant Referee 2: Abdelraheem Al-Shammari (KSA)

Referee: Omar Al-Ali (UAE)
Assistant Referee 1: Jasem Al-Ali (UAE)
Assistant Referee 2: Mohamed Al-Hammadi (UAE)

CAF Referee Exchange
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (ALG)
Assistant Referee 1: Mokrane Gourari (ALG)
Assistant Referee 2: Abbes Zerhouni (ALG)

Referee: Dahane Beida (MTN)
Assistant Referee 1: Brahim Hmade (MTN)
Assistant Referee 2: Youssouf Yahia (MTN)

UEFA Referee Exchange
Referee: Istvan Kovacs (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marica (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Ferencz Tunyogi (ROU)

Referee: Halil Meler (TUR)
Assistant Referee 1: Kerem Ersoy (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Ibrahim Uyarcan (TUR)

Video Match Officials
1. Fu Ming (CHN)
2. Ahmed Rustam (IRQ)
3. Jumpei Iida (JPN)
4. Abdullah Jamali (KUW)
5. Khamis Al-Marri (QAT)
6. Abdullah Al-Shahri (KSA)
7. Mohammad Obaid (UAE)
8. Mahmoud Ashour (EGY) - CAF
9. Haythem Guirat (TUN) - CAF

UEFA Referee Categories - Second half of the season 2024/2025

Men

Elite (30)
Irfan Peljto (BIH, 1984), Michael Oliver (ENG, 1985), Anthony Taylor (ENG, 1978), Jesus Gil Manzano (ESP, 1984), Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez (ESP, 1982), Jose Sanchez Martinez (ESP, 1983), Benoît Bastien (FRA, 1983), Francois Letexier (FRA, 1989), Clement Turpin (FRA, 1982), Daniel Siebert (GER, 1984), Tobias Stieler (GER, 1981), Felix Zwayer (GER, 1981), Anastasios Sidiropoulos (GRE, 1979), Orel Grinfeeld (ISR, 1981), Marco Guida (ITA, 1981), Maurizio Mariani (ITA, 1982), Davide Massa (ITA, 1981), Serdar Gözübüyük (NED, 1985), Danny Makkelie (NED, 1983), Espen Eskas (NOR, 1988), Szymon Marciniak (POL, 1981), Joao Pinheiro (POR, 1988), Istvan Kovacs (ROU, 1984), Sergei Karasev (RUS, 1979), Srdjan Jovanovic (SRB, 1986), Sandro Schärer (SUI, 1988), Ivan Kruzliak (SVK, 1984), Slavko Vincic (SVN, 1979), Glenn Nyberg (SWE, 1988), Halil Meler (TUR, 1986).

First Category (58)
Enea Jorgji (ALB), Juxhin Xhaja (ALB), Sebastian Gishamer (AUT), Julian Weinberger (AUT), Aliyar Aghayev (AZE), Elchin Masiyev (AZE), Erik Lambrechts (BEL), Lawrence Visser (BEL), Georgi Kabakov (BUL), Igor Pajac (CRO), Duje Strukan (CRO), Ondrej Berka (CZE), Jakob Kehlet (DEN), Morten Krogh (DEN), John Brooks (ENG), Christopher Kavanagh (ENG), Ricardo De Burgos Bengoechea (ESP), Juan Martinez Munuera (ESP), Kristo Tohver (EST), Mohammed Al-Emara (FIN), Jerome Brisard (FRA), Willy Delajod (FRA), Stephanie Frappart (FRA), Goga Kikacheishvili (GEO), Giorgi Kruashvili (GEO), Sven Jablonski (GER), Harm Osmers (GER), Sascha Stegemann (GER), Vasileios Fotias (GRE), Anastasios Papapetrou (GRE), Balazs Berke (HUN), Tamas Bognar (HUN), Yigal Frid (ISR), Simone Sozza (ITA), Manfredas Lukjancukas (LTU), Donatas Rumsas (LTU), Andris Treimanis (LVA), Nikola Dabanovic (MNE), Allard Lindhout (NED), Sander van der Eijk (NED), Rohit Saggi (NOR), Pawel Raczkowski (POL), Damian Sylwestrzak (POL), Luis Godinho (POR), Antonio Nobre (POR), Marian Barbu (ROU), Horatiu Fesnic (ROU), Radu Petrescu (ROU), Sergei Ivanov (RUS), John Beaton (SCO), Nicholas Walsh (SCO), Nenad Minakovic (SRB), Urs Schnyder (SUI), Filip Glova (SVK), Matej Jug (SVN), Rade Obrenovic (SVN), Mohammed Al-Hakim (SWE), Mykola Balakin (UKR).

Second Category (206)
Eldorjan Hamiti (ALB), Florian Lata (ALB), Antoine Chiaramonti (AND), Luis Teixeira (AND), Artem Gasparyan (ARM), Ashot Ghaltakhchyan (ARM), Zaven Hovhannisyan (ARM), Henrik Nalbandyan (ARM), Walter Altmann (AUT), Christian Ciochirca (AUT), Stefan Ebner (AUT), Alan Kijas (AUT), Jakob Semler (AUT), Kamal Umudlu (AZE), Simon Bourdeaud'hui (BEL), Lothar D’Hondt (BEL), Bram Van Driessche (BEL), Nathan Verboomen (BEL), Jasper Vergoote (BEL), Antoni Bandic (BIH), Luka Bilbija (BIH), Milos Gigovic (BIH), Dzmitry Dzmitryieu (BLR), Amine Kourgheli (BLR), Anton Lashuk (BLR), Viktar Shymusik (BLR), Volen Chinkov (BUL), Dragomir Draganov (BUL), Radoslav Gidzhenov (BUL), Georgi Ginchev (BUL), Nikola Popov (BUL), Dario Bel (CRO), Ante Culina (CRO), Mateo Erceg (CRO), Patrik Kolaric (CRO), Ivana Martincic (CRO), Menelaos Antoniou (CYP), Kyriakos Athanasiou (CYP), Konstantinos Fellas (CYP), Chrysovalantis Theouli (CYP), Dalibor Černy (CZE), Marek Radina (CZE), Karel Rouček (CZE), Dominik Stary (CZE), Ladislav Szikszay (CZE), Jakob Carlsen (DEN), Mads-Kristoffer Kristoffersen (DEN), Sandi Putros (DEN), Mikkel Redder (DEN), Jakob Sundberg (DEN), Stuart Attwell (ENG), Samuel Barrott (ENG), Darren England (ENG), Jarred Gillett (ENG), Robert Jones (ENG), Andrew Madley (ENG), Javier Alberola Rojas (ESP), Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez (ESP), Alejandro Muniz Ruiz (ESP), Jose Munuera Montero (ESP), Cesar Soto Grado (ESP), Joonas Jaanovits (EST), Karl Koppel (EST), Joni Hyytia (FIN), Oliver Reitala (FIN), Peiman Simani (FIN), Bastien Dechepy (FRA), Romain Lissorgue (FRA), Jeremie Pignard (FRA), Mathieu Vernice (FRA), Eric Wattellier (FRA), Johan Ellefsen (FRO), Heini Vidoy (FRO), Aleko Aptsiauri (GEO), Giorgi Avazashvili (GEO), Florian Badstübner (GER), Matthias Jöllenbeck (GER), Daniel Schlager (GER), Robert Schroder (GER), Seth Sheehan-Galia (GIB), Ioannis Papadopoulos (GRE), Alexandros Tsakalidis (GRE), Christos Vergetis (GRE), Gergo Bogar (HUN), Bence Csonka (HUN), Mihaly Kapraly (HUN), Marton Rusz (HUN), Robert Harvey (IRL), Robert Hennessy (IRL), Paul McLaughlin (IRL), Kevin O'Sullivan (IRL), Helgi Jonasson (ISL), Johann Jonsson (ISL), Ivar Kristjansson (ISL), Vilhjalmur Thorarinsson (ISL), David Fuxman (ISR), Gal Leibovitz (ISR), Gal Levi (ISR), Snir Levi (ISR), Daniele Chiffi (ITA), Andrea Colombo (ITA), Maria Ferrieri Caputi (ITA), Matteo Marcenaro (ITA), Matteo Marchetti (ITA), Fabio Maresca (ITA), Luca Pairetto (ITA), Sayat Karabayev (KAZ), Rustam Omarov (KAZ), Daniyar Sakhi (KAZ), Bulat Sariyev (KAZ), Mervan Bejtullahu (KOS), Visar Kastrati (KOS), Genc Nuza (KOS), Robertas Valikonis (LTU), Jeremy Muller (LUX), Jasmin Sabotic (LUX), Ivo Torres (LUX), Edgars Malcevs (LVA), Vitalijs Spasjonnikovs (LVA), Igor Boşca (MDA), Roman Jitari (MDA), Dumitru Muntean (MDA), Ion Orlic (MDA), Vlatko Ilioski (MKD), Jovan Kachevski (MKD), Ivana Projkovska (MKD), Igor Stojčevski (MKD), Ishmael Barbara (MLT), Matthew De Gabriele (MLT), Philip Farrugia (MLT), Trustin Farrugia Cann (MLT), Miloš Bošković (MNE), Miloš Savovic (MNE), Dennis Higler (NED), Joey Kooij (NED), Marc Nagtegaal (NED), Tim Marschall (NIR), Benjamin McMaster (NIR Ian McNabb (NIR), Jamie Robinson (NIR), Mohammad Aslam (NOR), Marius Grotta (NOR), Kristoffer Hagenes (NOR), Daniel Higraff (NOR), Sigurd Kringstad (NOR), Patryk Gryckiewicz (POL, 1995), Damian Kos (POL), Lukasz Kuzma (POL), Wojciech Myć (POL), Gustavo Correia (POR), Joao Gonçalves (POR), Miguel Nogueira (POR), Tiago Martins (POR), Claudio Pereira (POR), Fabio Verissimo (POR), Andrei Chivulete (ROU), Iuliana Demetrescu (ROU), Szabolcs Kovacs (ROU), Rares Vidican (ROU), Sergey Cheban (RUS), Evgeni Kukuliak (RUS), Kirill Levnikov (RUS), Artem Liubimov (RUS), Vitali Meshkov (RUS), Vladimir Moskalev (RUS), Pavel Shadykhanov (RUS), David Dickinson (SCO), Ross Hardie (SCO), Matthew MacDermid (SCO), Donald Robertson (SCO), Michele Beltrano (SMR), Pavle Ilić (SRB), Milos Milanovic (SRB), Danilo Nikolić (SRB), Novak Simovic (SRB), Luca Cibelli (SUI), Alessandro Dudic (SUI), Lukas Fähndrich (SUI), Lionel Tschudi (SUI), Sven Wolfensberger (SUI), Martin Dohal (SVK), Peter Kralovic (SVK), Michal Ocenas (SVK), Martin Matoša (SVN), David Šmajc (SVN), Oscar Johnson (SWE), Kristoffer Karlsson (SWE), Adam Ladebäck (SWE), Granit Maqedonci (SWE), Joakim Östling (SWE), Oguzhan Çakir (TUR), Attila Karaoglan (TUR), Arda Kardesler (TUR), Zorbay Küçük (TUR), Kadir Saglam (TUR), Mehmet Türkmen (TUR), Oleksii Derevinskyi (UKR), Viktor Kopiievskyi (UKR), Dmytro Kubriak (UKR), Dmytro Panchyshyn (UKR), Denys Shurman (UKR), Klym Zabroda (UKR), Cheryl Foster (WAL), Iwan Griffith (WAL), Aaron Jones (WAL), Thomas Owen (WAL).

Women

Elite (23)
Ivana Martincic (CRO, 1985), Jana Adamkova (CZE, 1978), Frida Klarlund (DEN, 1989), Marta Huerta De Aza (ESP, 1990), Olatz Rivera Olmedo (ESP, 1996), Lina Lehtovaara (FIN, 1981), Stephanie Frappart (FRA, 1983), Riem Hussein (GER, 1980), Eleni Antoniou (GRE, 1985), Katalin Kulcsar (HUN, 1984), Maria Ferrieri Caputi (ITA, 1990), Silvia Gasperotti (ITA, 1993), Ivana Projkovska (MKD, 1986), Ewa Augustyn (POL, 1989), Sandra Bastos (POR, 1978), Catarina Campos (POR, 1985), Iuliana Demetrescu (ROU, 1990), Alina Pesu (ROU, 1989), Lorraine Watson (SCO, 1985), Jelena Cvetkovic (SRB, 1991), Desiree Grundbacher (SUI, 1983), Tess Olofsson (SWE, 1988), Cheryl Foster (WAL, 1980).

First Category (46)
Emanuela Rusta (ALB), Olivia Tschon (AUT), Merima Celik (BIH), Volha Blotskaya (BLR), Caroline Lanssens (BEL), Galiya Echeva (BUL), Kristina Georgieva (BUL), Hristiana Guteva (BUL), Sabina Bolic (CRO), Jelena Pejkovic (CRO), Veronika Kovarova (CZE), Michaela Pachtova (CZE), Lucie Sulcova (CZE), Nanna Andersen (DEN), Abigail Byrne (ENG), Kirsty Dowle (ENG), Ainara Acevedo Dudley (ESP), Minka Vekkeli (FIN), Lotta Vuorio (FIN), Victoria Beyer (FRA), Alexandra Collin (FRA), Maika Vanderstichel (FRA), Fabienne Michel (GER), Angelika Soeder (GER), Karoline Wacker (GER), Franziska Wildfeuer (GER), Reka Molnar (HUN), Katalin Sipos (HUN), Deborah Bianchi (ITA), Maria Marotta (ITA), Elvira Nurmustafina (KAZ), Rasa Grigone (LTU), Shona Shukrula (NED), Lizzy van der Helm (NED), Henrikke Nervik (NOR), Michalina Diakow (POL), Katarzyna Lisiecka-Sek (POL), Ana Terteleac (ROU), Vera Opeikina (RUS), Jelena Medjedovic (SRB), Marina Živković (SRB), Deborah Anex (SUI), Michele Schmolzer (SUI), Miriama Bockova (SVK), Zuzana Valentova (SVK), Aleksandra Cesen (SVN).

Second Category (74)
Eglantina Pjetrushaj (ALB), Marta San Juan Casado (AND), Araksya Saribekyan (ARM), Sofik Torosyan (ARM), Kathrin Huber (AUT), Sara Telek (AUT), Marina Zechner (AUS), Farida Lutfaliyeva (AZE), Jana Van Laere (BEL), Vesna Miletic (BIH), Jelena Kumer (CRO), Ioanna Allaylotou (CYP), Zoe Stavrou (CYP), Frederikke Sokjaer (DEN), Melissa Burgin (ENG), Emily Heaslip (ENG), Stacey Pearson (ENG), Elisabeth Calvo Valentin (ESP), Eugenia Gil Soriano (ESP), Reelika Turi (EST), Satu Miettunen (FIN), Audrey Gerbel (FRA), Mzevinari Sharashanidze (GEO), Teona Sturua (GEO), Anastasia Mylopoulou (GRE), Eirini Pingiou (GRE), Andromachi Tsiofliki (GRE), Eszter Urban (HUN), Briet Bragadottir (ISL), Sapir Berman (ISR), Mariia Glekova (ISR), Martina Molinaro (ITA), Tatiana Sorokopudova (KAZ), Rita Vehapi (KOS), Jurgita Macikunyte (LTU), Ugne Smitaite (LTU), Jeļena Jermolajeva (LVA), Tatjana Lavrentika (LVA), Oxana Cruc (MDA), Elena Gobjila (MDA), Irena Velevackoska-Ristevski (MKD), Joanna Vassallo (MLT), Wendy Gijsbers (NED), Marisca Overtoom (NED), Louise Thompson (NIR), Karoline Jensen (NOR), Emilie Torkelsen (NOR), Sarah Zangeneh (NOR), Anna Adamska (POL), Sara Alves (POR), Filipa Cunha (POR), Teresa Oliveira (POR), Roxana Timis (ROU), Karina Afanaseva (RUS), Nadezhda Gorinova (RUS), Marina Krupskaya (RUS), Alexandra Ponomareva (RUS), Abbie Hendry (SCO), Milica Milovanović (SRB), Laura Mauricio (SUI), Vanja Jankovic (SVN), Tjasa Misja (SVN), Lovisa Johansson (SWE), Hanna Laajanen (SWE), Maral Mirzai (SWE), Asen Albayrak (TUR), Hatice Aydin (TUR), Melek Dakan (TUR), Cansu Tiryaki (TUR), Kristina Kozoroh (UKR), Sofiya Prychyna (UKR), Anastasiya Romanyuk (UKR), Liudmyla Telbukh (UKR), Charlotte Carpenter (WAL).

Futsal

Elite (36)
Vedran Babic (CRO, 1987), Nikola Jelic (CRO, 1982), Yiangos Yiangou (CYP), Ondrej Cerny (CZE, 1979), David Nissen (DEN, 1986), Peter Nurse (ENG), Juan Cordero Gallardo (ESP, 1978), Pablo Delgado Sastre (ESP), Alejandro Martinez Flores (ESP, 1977), David Urdanoz Apezteguia (ESP, 1979), Grigori Osomkov (EST, 1985), Arttu Kyynaeraeinen (FIN, 1985), Victor Chaix (FRA, 1985), Julien Lang (FRA), Nicola Manzione (ITA, 1983), Chiara Perona (ITA, 1987), Dominykas Norkus (LTU), Viktor Bugenko (MDA), Lars Van Leeuwen (NED), Dag Tangvik (NOR, 1997), Telmen Undrakh (NOR), Damian Grabowski (POL, 1991), Miguel Castilho (POR, 1981), Cristiano Santos (POR, 1989), Ruben Santos (POR), Vlad Ciobanu (ROU), Bogdan Hanceariuc (ROU), Irina Velikanova (RUS, 1980), Petar Radojcic (SRB, 1981), Daniel Matkovic (SUI, 1989), David Schaerli (SUI), Ales Mocnik Peric (SVN, 1986), Dejan Veselic (SVN, 1986), Kamil Cetin (TUR, 1984), Denys Kutsyi (UKR, 1986), Mariia Myslovska (UKR, 1990).

First Category (41)
Hikmat Qafarli (AZE), Jiri Bergs (BEL), Juan Boelen (BEL), Volha Pauliuts (BLR), Trayan Enchev (BUL), Kaloyan Kirilov (BUL), Mislav Dzeko (CRO), Dino Kramar (CRO), Radim Cep (CZE), Jan Kresta (CZE), Martin Koster (DEN), Javier Moreno Reina (ESP), Kirill Naishouler (FIN), Maximilian Alkofer (GER), Vasileios Christodoulis (GRE), Norbert Szilagyi (HUN), Giulio Colombin (ITA), Dario Pezzuto (ITA), Aslan Galayev (KAZ), Besar Beqiri (KOS), Besart Ismajli (KOS), Ingus Purins (LVA), Marjan Mladenovski (MKD), Done Ristovski (MKD), Stephen Vella (MLT), Ibrahim El Jilali (NED), Joern Te Kloeze (NED), Monica Czudzinovicz (POL), Filipe Duarte (POR), Daniele D’Adamo (SMR), Nikola Rabrenovic (SRB), Darko Boskovic (SUI), Rastislav Behancin (SVK), Lukas Pesko (SVK), Admir Zahovic (SVN), Ademir Avdic (SWE), David Glavonjic (SWE), George Jansizian (SWE), Ugur Cakmak (TUR), Hakan Tezcan (TUR), Fatma Tursun (TUR).

Second Category (95)
Arlind Subashi (ALB), Gevorg Yeghoyan (ARM), Daniel Stauber (AUT), Manuel Wolf (AUT), Knyaz Amiraslanov (AZE), Ali Jabrayilov (AZE), Amine El Hilali (BEL), Stijn Lehembre (BEL), Farik Keco (BIH), Vedran Marcinko (BIH), Nikola Tadic (BIH), Aliaksandr Auramau (BLR), Maryia Kacheyeva (BLR), Yahueni Zhalabkou (BLR), Ivan Ivanov (BUL), Aleksandar Vangelov (BUL), Marijana Orešić (CRO), Michalis Christofides (CYP), Nicolas Nicolaou (CYP), Theocharis Theocharous (CYP), Filip Nesnera (CZE), Alice Vevodova (CZE), Daniel Sorensen (DEN), Oliver Ballinger (ENG), Jordan Griffiths (ENG), Sara Gutierrez Echeverria (ESP), Noelia Gutierrez Munoz (ESP), Diego Martinez Garcia (ESP), Jagnar Jakobson (EST), Paavo Kompaa (FIN), Maria Tuomi (FIN), Adrien Crumois (FRA), Jordan Faltesse (FRA), Bryan Francois (FRA), Zviad Bliadze (GEO), Jacob Pawlowski (GER), Sven Schreiber (GER), Zyl Sheriff (GIB), Antonios Adamopoulos (GRE), Panagiotis Ntalas (GRE), Adam Czene-Joo (HUN), David Juhasz (HUN), Annamaria Tolnay (HUN), Peter Zimonyi (HUN), Alan Patchell (IRL), Raafat Al Hamola (ISR), Idan Berenshtein (ISR), Ofer Grosfeld (ISR), Martina Piccolo (ITA), Simone Zanfino (ITA), Giovanni Zannola (ITA), Nurlybek Kalimaganbetov (KAZ), Turekhan Tursumbayev (KAZ), Florentina Kallaba (KOS), Irmantas Kaprasovas (LTU), Mantas Pomeckis (LTU), Igors Jacevics (LVA), Sergejs Sacmans (LVA), Monika Dashtevska (MKD), Dejan Mladenovski (MKD), Danilo Francalanza (MLT), Andrea Naudi (MLT), Vladimir Sebek (MNE), Drazen Vuckevic (MNE), Jacob Van Dijke (NED), Dominik Cipinski (POL), Slawomir Steczko (POL), Pawel Tokarewicz (POL), Pedro Costa (POR), Rita Ferraz (POR), Filipa Prata (POR), Liviu Chita (ROU), Laurentiu Deaconu (ROU), Tatiana Boltneva (RUS), Vitali Groshev (RUS), Ilya Pogonin (RUS), Evgeny Sergeev (RUS), Gordon McCabe (SCO), Laurentiu Ilie (SMR), Bojan Graovac (SRB), Jasmina Mickoska (SRB), Srdjan Mihajlovic (SRB), Emilie Aubry (SUI), Emanuele Karbala (SUI), Peter Budac (SVK), Martin Matula (SVK), Doroteja Music (SVN), Jernej Petek (SVN), Kastriot Gerxhaliu (SWE), Ayberg Oz (TUR), Orest Dutsiak (UKR), Yevhen Hordiienko (UKR), Sviatoslav Kliuchnyk (UKR), Vasilica Ciuplea (WAL), Elwyn Parry (WAL).

UEFA: Referees Mariani and Pinheiro promoted to Elite

The UEFA Referees Committee approved the referee categories for the second half of the season 2024/2025. The changes take effect on 1 January 2025.


Men

Retired from Elite: Aleksei Kulbakov (BLR, 1979), Daniele Orsato (ITA, 1975), Artur Soares Dias (POR, 1979), Ovidiu Hategan (ROU, 1980), William Collum (SCO, 1979).

Promoted from First Category to Elite: Maurizio Mariani (ITA, 1982), Joao Pinheiro (POR, 1988, photo).

Retired/removed from First Category: Harald Lechner (AUT, 1982), Marco Di Bello (ITA, 1981), Aleksandar Stavrev (MKD, 1977), Bartosz Frankowski (POL, 1986), Andreas Ekberg (SWE, 1985).

Promoted from Second Category to First Category: Elchin Masiyev (AZE, 1991), Mohammed Al-Emara (FIN, 1992), Goga Kikacheishvili (GEO, 1991), Vasileios Fotias (GRE, 1989), Sander van der Eijk (NED, 1991).

Retired/removed from Second Category: Jonathan Lardot (BEL), Fran Jovic (CRO), Andreas Argyrou (CYP), Jan Petrik (CZE), Craig Pawson (ENG), Juri Frischer (EST), Ruddy Buquet (FRA), Pierre Gaillouste (FRA), Irakli Kvirikashvili (GEO), Bastian Dankert (GER), Christian Dingert (GER), Jason Barcelo (GIB), Aristotelis Diamantopoulos (GRE), Evangelos Manouchos (GRE), Istvan Vad (HUN), Thorvaldur Arnason (ISL), Roi Reinshreiber (ISR), Sivert Amland (NOR), Kai Steen (NOR), Daniel Stefanski (POL), Marcel Bîrsan (ROU), Vladislav Bezborodov (RUS), David Munro (SCO), Fedayi San (SUI), Abdulkadir Bitigen (TUR), Bahattin Şimşek (TUR), Vitaliy Romanov (UKR), Robert Jenkins (WAL).

New FIFA referees entered into Second Category: Artem Gasparyan (ARM, 1993), Jakob Semler (AUT, 1991), Simon Bourdeaud'hui (BEL, 1996), Anton Lashuk (BLR, 1992), Mateo Erceg (CRO, 1996), Konstantinos Fellas (CYP, 1990), Karel Rouček (CZE, 1996), Samuel Barrott (ENG, 1993), Karl Koppel (EST, 1994), Romain Lissorgue (FRA, 1991), Mathieu Vernice (FRA, 1993), Aleko Aptsiauri (GEO, 1990), Giorgi Avazashvili (GEO, 1988), Florian Badstübner (GER, 1991), Matthias Jöllenbeck (GER, 1987), Seth Sheehan-Galia (GIB, 1999), Alexandros Tsakalidis (GRE, 1993), Marton Rusz (HUN, 1994), Johann Jonsson (ISL, 1985), Gal Levi (ISR, 1988), Matteo Marcenaro (ITA, 1992), Matteo Marchetti (ITA, 1989), Igor Boşca (MDA, 1989), Vlatko Ilioski (MKD, 1993), Marius Grotta (NOR, 1992), Daniel Higraff (NOR, 1992), Patryk Gryckiewicz (POL, 1995), Wojciech Myc (POL, 1989), Joao Gonçalves (POR, 1991), Szabolcs Kovacs (ROU, 1988), Rares Vidican (ROU, 1988), Sergey Cheban (RUS, 1990), Ross Hardie (SCO, 1990), Sven Wolfensberger (SUI, 1989), Oscar Johnson (SWE, 1993), Oguzhan Çakir (TUR, 1998), Mehmet Türkmen (TUR, 1992), Klym Zabroda (UKR, 1991), Aaron Jones (WAL, 1990).

Women

Retired from Elite: Rebecca Welch (ENG, 1983), Monika Mularczyk (POL, 1980).

Promoted from First Category to Elite: Olatz Rivera Olmedo (ESP, 1996), Silvia Gasperotti (ITA, 1993), Desiree Grundbacher (SUI, 1983).

Retired/removed from First Category: Zulema Gonzalez Gonzalez (ESP, 1992), Justina Lavrenovaite-Perez (LTU, 1984), Silvia Domingos (POR, 1982), Gamze Durmuş Pakkan (TUR, 1994).

Promoted from Second Category to First Category: Olivia Tschon (AUT, 1994), Caroline Lanssens (BEL, 1990), Nanna Andersen (DEN, 1997), Maika Vanderstichel (FRA, 1994).

Retired/removed from Second Category: Triinu Vaher (EST), Ifeoma Kulmala (FIN), Meitar Shemesh (ISR), Melis Ozcigdem (TUR).

New FIFA referees entered into Second Category: Marta San Juan Casado (AND), Sara Telek (AUT), Melissa Burgin (ENG), Elisabeth Calvo Valentin (ESP), Satu Miettunen (FIN), Sapir Berman (ISR), Mariia Glekova (ISR), Tatjana Lavrentika (LVA), Anna Adamska (POL), Sara Alves (POR), Abbie Hendry (SCO), Hanna Laajanen (SWE), Asen Albayrak (TUR), Hatice Aydin (TUR), Liudmyla Telbukh (UKR).
 
Futsal
 
Retired from Elite: Stefan Vrijens (BEL, 1980), Marc Birkett (ENG, 1978), Cedric Pelissier (FRA, 1976), Gabor Kovacs (HUN, 1978), Eduardo Coelho (POR, 1979), Vladimir Kadykov (RUS, 1984).

Demoted from Elite to First Category: Kirill Naishouler (FIN, 1983).

Promoted from First Category to Elite: Arttu Kyynaeraeinen (FIN, 1985), Dag Tangvik (NOR, 1997), Mariia Myslovska (UKR, 1990).

Retired/removed from First Category: Talgat Kosmukhambetov (KAZ), Josip Barton (MKD), Grigori Zelentsov (RUS), Ozan Soycan (TUR).

Promoted from Second Category to First Category: Hikmat Qafarli (AZE), Jiri Bergs (BEL), Kaloyan Kirilov (BUL), Dino Kramar (CRO), Radim Cep (CZE), Nikola Rabrenovic (SRB), Hakan Tezcan (TUR).

Retired/removed from Second Category: Yasin Alageyik (BEL), Ivo Tsenov (BUL), Larisa Avramidou (CYP), Georgios Kozakos (CYP), Christian Gundler (GER), David Berry (IRL), Oliver Nikolić (SRB), Marco Rothenfluh (SUI).

New FIFA referees entered into Second Category: Amine El Hilali (BEL), Stijn Lehembre (BEL), Aleksandar Vangelov (BUL), Theocharis Theocharous (CYP), Jordan Griffiths (ENG), Diego Martinez Garcia (ESP), Adrien Crumois (FRA), Bryan Francois (FRA), Sven Schreiber (GER), David Juhasz (HUN), Alan Patchell (IRL), Igors Jacevics (LVA), Monika Dashtevska (MKD), Dejan Mladenovski (MKD), Danilo Francalanza (MLT), Vladimir Sebek (MNE), Pedro Costa (POR), Rita Ferraz (POR), Evgeny Sergeev (RUS), Bojan Graovac (SRB), Emilie Aubry (SUI), Emanuele Karbala (SUI), Ayberg Oz (TUR).

UEFA Europa Conference League 2024/25 – Group Stage (Matchday 6)

19 December 2024

Chelsea FC – Shamrock Rovers
Referee: Willy Delajod FRA (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Erwan Finjean FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Philippe Jeanne FRA
Fourth Official: Thomas Leonard FRA
VAR: Bastien Dechepy FRA
AVAR: Jérémie Pignard FRA
Referee Observer: Herbert Fandel GER

LASK Linz – Vikingur Reykjavik
Referee: Mohammed Al-Emara FIN
Assistant Referee 1: Turkka Valjakka FIN
Assistant Referee 2: Juuso Mantere FIN
Fourth Official: Peiman Simani FIN
VAR: Jeroen Manschot NED
AVAR: Richard Martens NED
Referee Observer: Matteo Trefoloni ITA

Real Betis – HJK Helsinki
Referee: Patrik Kolarić CRO
Assistant Referee 1: Luka Pajić CRO
Assistant Referee 2: Ivan Starčević CRO
Fourth Official: Dario Bel CRO
VAR: Mario Zebec CRO
AVAR: Fran Jović CRO
Referee Observer: Stavros Tritsonis GRE

Molde FK – Mlada Boleslav
Referee: Visar Kastrati KOS
Assistant Referee 1: Fatmir Sekiraqa KOS
Assistant Referee 2: Arbnor Bullatovci KOS
Fourth Official: Lirim Jashar KOS
VAR: Luca Pairetto ITA
AVAR: Dardan Çaka KOS
Referee Observer: Kevin Parry WAL

FC Heidenheim – FC St. Gallen
Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Alfredo Rodriguez Moreno ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Iker De Francisco Grijalba ESP
Fourth Official: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz ESP
VAR: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ESP
AVAR: José Munuera Montero ESP
Referee Observer: Martin Atkinson ENG

Djugardens IF – Legia Warszawa
Referee: David Šmajc SVN
Assistant Referee 1: David Gabrovec SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Tomaž Cerne SVN
Fourth Official: Aleksandar Matković SVN
VAR: Asmir Sagrković SVN
AVAR: Matej Jug SVN
Referee Observer: Niklas Lídarenda FRO

Apoel – Astana
Referee: Sebastian Gishamer AUT
Assistant Referee 1: Roland Riedel AUT
Assistant Referee 2: Santino Schreiner AUT
Fourth Official: Jakob Semler AUT
VAR: Alan Kijas AUT
AVAR: Josef Spurny AUT
Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras GRE

Rapid Wien – FC Copenhagen
Referee: John Beaton SCO
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel McFarlane SCO
Assistant Referee 2: David McGeachie SCO
Fourth Official: Calum Scott SCO
VAR: Kevin Clancy SCO
AVAR: Steven McLean SCO
Referee Observer: Jouni Hyytiä FIN

Vitoria SC – AC Fiorentina
Referee: Juxhin Xhaja ALB
Assistant Referee 1: Arber Zalla ALB
Assistant Referee 2: Rejdi Avdo ALB
Fourth Official: Albert Doda ALB
VAR: Robert Schröder GER
AVAR: Kreshnik Barjamaj ALB
Referee Observer: Terje Hauge NOR

Cercle Brugge – Basaksehir
Referee: István Vad HUN
Assistant Referee 1: Vencel Tóth HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Istvan Albert HUN
Fourth Official: Gergo Bogár HUN
VAR: Tamás Bognár HUN
AVAR: Katalin Kulcsár HUN
Referee Observer: Boško Jovanetić SRB

Lugano – Pafos
Referee: Nenad Minaković SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Nikola Borović SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Boško Božović SRB
Fourth Official: Milan Mitić SRB
VAR: Momčilo Marković SRB
AVAR: Aleksandar Živković SRB
Referee Observer: Georgios Bikas GRE

Heart of Midlothian – Petrocub
Referee: Ondřej Berka CZE
Assistant Referee 1: Ivo Nadvornik CZE
Assistant Referee 2: Matěj Vlček CZE
Fourth Official: Ondrej Pechanec CZE
VAR: Paolo Mazzoleni ITA
AVAR: Valerio Marini ITA
Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn GER

Panathinaikos – Dynamo Minsk
Referee: Rob Hennessy IRL
Assistant Referee 1: Dermot Broughton IRL
Assistant Referee 2: Emmett Dynan IRL
Fourth Official: Kevin O'Sullivan IRL
VAR: Darren England ENG
AVAR: Sian Massey-Ellis ENG
Referee Observer: Georgi Vadachkoria GEO

TSC Backa Topola – Noa FC
Referee: Marian Barbu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Ovidiu Artene ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Imre Bucsi ROU
Fourth Official: Rares Vidican ROU
VAR: Ovidiu Haţegan ROU
AVAR: Sebastian Colţescu ROU
Referee Observer: Gerard Perry IRL

Borac Banja Luka – Omonia Nicosia
Referee: Mohammed Al-Hakim SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Mehmet Culum SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Fredrik Klyver SWE
Fourth Official: Granit Maqedonci SW
VAR: Jakob Kehlet DEN
AVAR: Sandi Putros DEN
Referee Observer: Augustus Constantin ROU

Jagiellonia Bialystok – Olimpija Ljubljana
Referee: Luis Godinho POR
Assistant Referee 1: Rui Teixeira POR
Assistant Referee 2: Pedro Almeida POR
Fourth Official: Miguel Nogueira POR
VAR: Tiago Martins POR
AVAR: André Narciso POR
Referee Observer: Manuel Díaz Vega ESP

NK Celje – The New Saints
Referee: Lukas Fähndrich SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Guillaume Maire SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Nicolas Müller SUI
Fourth Official: Nico Gianforte SUI
VAR: Lionel Tschudi SUI
AVAR: Johannes von Mandach SUI
Referee Observer: Salustià Ciprés AND

Larne FC – KAA Gent
Referee: Sigurd Kringstad NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Runar Langseth NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Ole Haukasen NOR
Fourth Official: Daniel Higraff NOR
VAR: Tom Hagen NOR
AVAR: Kristoffer Hagenes NOR 
Referee Observer: Cyril Zimmermann SUI

FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final 2024: Valenzuela (VEN)

18 December 2024

Real Madrid – CF Pachuca
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela VEN (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego VEN
Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno VEN
Fourth Official: Ivan Barton SLV
Reserve AR: David Moran SLV
VAR: Juan Soto VEN
AVAR: Tatiana Guzman NCA
SVAR: Rob Dieperink NED

UEFA Futsal Euro 2026 Qualifiers – Main Round (Matchday 2)

16-18 December 2024

Denmark – Albania
Referee 1: Cédric Pelissier FRA (photo)
Referee 2: Victor Chaix FRA
Third Official: Julien Lang FRA
Timekeeper: Kasper Darfelt DEN
Referee Observer: Vyacheslav Daragan UKR

Montenegro – Norway
Referee 1: Stefan Vrijens BEL
Referee 2: Juan Boelen BEL
Third Official: Yasin Alageyik BEL
Timekeeper: Vukic Femic MNE
Referee Observer: Andreas Demetriou CYP

England – Switzerland

Referee 1: Vasilios Christodoulis GRE
Referee 2: Antonios Adamopoulos GRE
Third Official: Panagiotis Ntalas GRE
Timekeeper: Oliver Rodriguez-Ballinger ENG
Referee Observer: Romuald Bourgois FRA

Turkey – Poland
Referee 1: Pablo Delgado Sastre ESP
Referee 2: David Urdánoz Apezteguía ESP
Third Official: Sara Gutiérrez Echeverría ESP
Timekeeper: Ayberg Öz TUR
Referee Observer: Elchin Samadli AZE

Azerbaijan – Sweden
Referee 1: Aslan Galayev KAZ
Referee 2: Turekhan Tursumbayev KAZ
Third Official: Nurlybek Kalimaganbetov KAZ
Timekeeper: Anar Farajov AZE
Referee Observer: Stefan Weber GER

Romania – Ukraine
Referee 1: Ugur Cakmak TUR
Referee 2: Fatma Tursun TUR
Third Official: Hakan Tezcan TUR
Timekeeper: Attila Balint ROU
Referee Observer: Silvio Borosak SVN

Malta – Finland
Referee 1: Besar Beqiri KOS
Referee 2: Besart Ismajli KOS
Third Official: Florentina Kallaba KOS
Timekeeper: Andrea Naudi MLT
Referee Observer: Oleg Ivanov UKR

Kosovo – Bulgaria
Referee 1: Aleš Mocnik Peric SVN
Referee 2: Admir Zahovič SVN
Third Official: Jernej Petek SVN
Timekeeper: Rinor Shala KOS
Referee Observer: Igor Babovic SWE

Spain – Bosnia and Herzegovina
Referee 1: Josip Barton MKD
Referee 2: Done Ristovski MKD
Third Official: Marjan Mladenovski MKD
Timekeeper: Irene Hurtado ESP
Referee Observer: Bogdan Sorescu ROU

France – Georgia
Referee 1: Ruben Santos POR
Referee 2: Miguel Castilho POR
Third Official: Filipe Duarte POR
Timekeeper: Jordan Feltesse FRA
Referee Observer: Darren Coombes IRL

Kazakhstan – Armenia
Referee 1: Lars Van Leeuwen NED
Referee 2: Ibrahim El Jilali NED
Third Official: Joern Te Kloeze NED
Timekeeper: Einadin Idrissov KAZ
Referee Observer: Perry Gautier BEL

Slovenia – Hungary
Referee 1: Bogdan Hanceariuc ROU
Referee 2: Vlad Ciobanu ROU
Third Official: Laurentiu Deaconu ROU
Timekeeper: Azra Ahmetovic SVN
Referee Observer: Nuno Bogalho POR

Serbia – Czechia
Referee 1: Gábor Kovács HUN
Referee 2: Norbert Szilágyi HUN
Third Official: Péter Zimonyi HUN
Timekeeper: Petar Djaković SRB
Referee Observer: Gabriel Gherman ROU

Germany – Cyprus
Referee 1: Ingus Purinš LVA
Referee 2: Stephen Vella MLT
Third Official: Dražen Vukčević MNE
Timekeeper: Florian Schreiber GER
Referee Observer: Antonio Cardoso POR

North Macedonia – Andorra
Referee 1: Maximilian Alkofer GER
Referee 2: Christian Gundler GER
Third Official: Zyl Sheriff GIB
Timekeeper: Dejan Mladenovski MKD
Referee Observer: Pascal Fritz FRA

Slovakia – Moldova
Referee 1: Grigori Ošomkov EST
Referee 2: Martin Koster DEN
Third Official: Jagnar Jakobson EST
Timekeeper: Ladislav Angyal SVK
Referee Observer: Shota Kukhilava GEO

Portugal – Netherlands
Referee 1: Chiara Perona ITA
Referee 2: Giulio Colombin ITA
Third Official: Giovanni Zannola ITA
Timekeeper: Cristiano Santos POR
Referee Observer: Tarik Keco BIH

UEFA Women’s Champions League 2024/25 – Group Stage (Matchday 6)

17 December 2024
Real Madrid – Chelsea FCW
Referee: Maria Ferrieri Caputi ITA (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Francesca Di Monte ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Tiziana Trasciatti ITA
Fourth Official: Martina Molinaro ITA
Referee Observer: Bente Skogvang NOR

FC Twente – Celtic FCW
Referee: Frida Klarlund DEN
Assistant Referee 1: Fie Bruun DEN
Assistant Referee 2: Karolin Kaivoja EST
Fourth Official: Frederikke Skojaer DEN
Referee Observer: Anja Kunick GER

Olympique Lyonnais – VfL Wolfsburg
Referee: Alina Peşu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Daniela Constantinescu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Catalina Nan ROU
Fourth Official: Roxana Recorean ROU
Referee Observer: Dilan Gökçek IscanTUR

AS Roma – Galatasaray
Referee: Shona Shukrula NED
Assistant Referee 1: Linda Schmid SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Ceri Williams WAL
Fourth Official: Désirée Grundbacher SUI
Referee Observer: Caroline De Boeck BEL

18 December 2024
FC Barcelona – Manchester City FCW
Referee: Jelena Cvetković SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Ivana Jovanović SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Aleksandra Kostić SRB
Fourth Official: Milica Milanović SRB
Referee Observer: Miroslava Migalová SVK

SKN St. Pölten – Hammarby IF
Referee: Hristiyana Guteva BUL
Assistant Referee 1: Staša Špur SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Irina Pozdejeva LTU
Fourth Official: Galiya Echeva BUL
Referee Observer: Dagmar Damková CZE

Juventus – Valerenga
Referee: Olatz Rivera Olmedo ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Eliana Fernández González ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Ainhoa Fernández Ruiz AND
Fourth Official: Zulema González González ESP
Referee Observer: Svetlana Cebanu MDA

Arsenal WFC – Bayern München
Referee: Tess Olofsson SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Almira Spahić SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Monica Lokkeberg NOR
Fourth Official: Lovisa Johansson SWE
Referee Observer: Aneliya Sinabova BUL

UEFA Futsal Euro 2026 Qualifiers – Main Round (Matchday 1)

11-14 December 2024

Switzerland – Spain
Referee 1: Ondřej Černy CZE (photo)
Referee 2: Radim Cep CZE
Third Official: Filip Nesnera CZE
Timekeeper: Emanuele Karbala SUI
Referee Observer: Timo Onatsu FIN

Sweden – Greece
Referee 1: Slawomir Steczko POL
Referee 2: Dominik Cipinski POL
Third Official: Pawel Tokarewicz POL
Timekeeper: Kastriot Gerxhaliu SWE
Referee Observer: Victor van Helvoirt NED

Romania – Germany
Referee 1: Mislav Džeko CRO
Referee 2: Dino Kramar CRO
Third Official: Marijana Orešić CRO
Timekeeper: Attila Balint ROU
Referee Observer: Alessandro Malfer ITA

Hungary – Montenegro
Referee 1: Yiangos Yiangou CYP
Referee 2: Nicolas Nicolaou CYP
Third Official: Michael Christofides CYP
Timekeeper: Péter Zimonyi HUN
Referee Observer: Gjergji Bitri MLT

Norway – Slovenia
Referee 1: Daniel Matkovic SUI
Referee 2: Darko Boskovic SUI
Third Official: Marco Rothenfluh SUI
Timekeeper: Mats Hansen NOR
Referee Observer: Šarunas Tamulynas LTU

Cyprus – Ukraine
Referee 1: Lukáš Peško SVK
Referee 2: Rastislav Behancin SVK
Third Official: Martin Matula SVK
Timekeeper: Theocharis Theocharous CYP
Referee Observer: Angelo Galante ITA

Georgia – Kosovo
Referee 1: Ademir Avdic SWE
Referee 2: David Glavonjic SWE
Third Official: Sergejs Šacmans LVA
Timekeeper: Grigol Bliadze GEO
Referee Observer: Ivan Novak CRO

Bulgaria – France
Referee 1: Petar Radojcic SRB
Referee 2: Nikola Rabrenović SRB
Third Official: Srdjan Mihajlovic SRB
Timekeeper: Georgi Slavchev BUL
Referee Observer: Sebastian Stawicki POL

Austria – Serbia
Referee 1: Kirill Naishouler FIN
Referee 2: Arttu Kyynaeraeinen FIN
Third Official: Paavo Komppa FIN
Timekeeper: Njegos Vucanovic AUT
Referee Observer: Massimo Cumbo ITA

Albania – Kazakhstan
Referee 1: Marc Birkett ENG
Referee 2: Peter Nurse ENG
Third Official: Oliver Rodriguez-Ballinger ENG
Timekeeper: Albano Stolaj ALB
Referee Observer: Karel Henych CZE

Czechia – Belgium
Referee 1: Hikmat Qafarli AZE
Referee 2: Knyaz Amiraslanov AZE
Third Official: Ali Jabrayilov AZE
Timekeeper: Alice Vévodová CZE
Referee Observer: Edi Sunjić CRO

Netherlands – North Macedonia
Referee 1: Telmen Undrakh NOR
Referee 2: Dag Tangvik NOR
Third Official: Kastriot Gerxhaliu SWE
Timekeeper: Joern Te Kloeze NED
Referee Observer: Pedro Galán Nieto ESP

Andorra – Portugal
Referee 1: Mariia Myslovska UKR
Referee 2: Yevhen Hordiienko UKR
Third Official: Orest Dutsiak UKR
Timekeeper: Luis Acosta AND
Referee Observer: Patrick Willemarck BEL

Bosnia and Herzegovina – England
Referee 1: Ivo Tsenov BUL
Referee 2: Kaloyan Kirilov BUL
Third Official: Ivan Ivanov BUL
Timekeeper: Farik Keco BIH
Referee Observer: Ainar Kuusk EST

Armenia – Denmark
Referee 1: Dominykas Norkus LTU
Referee 2: Mantas Pomeckis LTU
Third Official: Irmantas Kaprašovas LTU
Timekeeper: Tiran Yeritsyan ARM
Referee Observer: Sreten Vasić SRB

CONMEBOL U-20 Championship 2025

Venezuela, 23 January – 16 February 2025

Referee: Maximiliano Ramirez (ARG, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Pablo Gonzalez (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Pablo Acevedo (ARG)

Referee: Christian Aleman (BOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Tapia (BOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Ruben Flores (BOL)

Referee: Paulo Zanovelli (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Nailton Sousa (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Luanderson Lima (BRA)

Referee: Jose Cabero (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Serrano (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Alejandro Molina (CHI)

Referee: John Hinestroza (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Miguel Roldan (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: David Fuentes🇨🇴 (COL)

Referee: Alex Cajas (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Edison Vasquez (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Dennys Guerrero (ECU)

Referee: Derlis Lopez (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Villagra (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Luis Onieva (PAR)

Referee: Michael Espinoza (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Stephen Atoche (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Coty Carrera (PER)

Referee: Mathias De Armas (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Agustin Berisso (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Horacio Ferreiro (URU)

Referee: Yender Herrera (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Antoni Garcia (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Jose Martinez (VEN)

UEFA Referee Exchange
Referee: Andrea Colombo (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Luigi Rossi (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Marcelo Rossi (ITA)

FIFA Intercontinental Cup – Match 4 (Challenger Cup)

14 December 2024

CF Pachuca – Al Ahly SC
Referee: Alireza Faghani AUS (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Anton Shchetinin AUS
Assistant Referee 2: Ashley Beecham AUS
Fourth Official: Salman Falahi QAT
Reserve AR: Ramzan Al-Naemi QAT
VAR: Khamis Al-Marri QAT
AVAR: Rob Dieperink NED
SVAR: Clay Ruperti NED

CAF Confederation Cup 2024/2025 – Group Stage (Matchday 3)

15 December 2024

RS Berkane – Stade Malien
Referee: Jean Ndala (COD, photo)

Orapa United – ASC Jaraaf
Referee: Yannick Malala (COD)

Simba – CS Sfaxien
Referee: Andofetra Rakotojaona (MAD)

Bravos do Maquis – CS Constantine
Referee: Peter Waweru (KEN)

Desportivo da LS – Stellenbosch
Referee: Ahmed Abdulrazg (LBY)

USM Alger – ASEC Mimosas
Referee: Abdoulaye Manet (GUI)

Black Bulls – Enyimba
Referee: Bamlak Tessema (ETH)

Zamalek – Al Masry
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (ALG)

CAF Champions League 2024/2025 – Group Stage (Matchday 3)

13-14 December 2024

Maniema Union – AS Fa
Referee: Omar Artan (SOM, photo)

Mamelodi Sundowns – Raja CA
Referee: Pierre Atcho (GAB)

MC Alger – Al Hilal
Referee: Louis Houngnandande (BEN)

TP Mazembe – Young Africans
Referee: Ibrahim Traore (CIV)

Stade d'Abidjan – Orlando Pirates
Referee: Jalal Jayed (MAR)

Al Ahly – Belouizdad
Referee: Sadok Selmi (TUN)

ES Tunis – Pyramids
Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (BDI)

Djoliba – Sagrada Esperanca
Referee: Lahlou Benbraham (ALG)

FIFA Intercontinental Cup – Match 3 (Derby of the Americas)

11 December 2024

Botafogo – Pachuca
Referee: Danny Makkelie NED (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries NED
Fourth Official: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim QAT
Reserve AR: Taleb Al-Marri QAT
VAR: Rob Dieperink NED
AVAR: Clay Ruperti NED

FIFA List 2025: Germany replacing Dankert and Dingert with Badstübner and Jöllenbeck

FIFA confirmed the DFB nominations for the 2025 FIFA Lists, where there will be several changes. German referees Florian Badstübner and Matthias Jöllenbeck will replace long-standing FIFA referees Bastian Dankert and Christian Dingert, who will remain on the international list of video match officials. Knut Kircher, Managing Director at DFB Schiri GmbH, is convinced by the new referees on the FIFA list: "I would like to thank Bastian and Christian for many years of successful work as referees on the international list. They recently showed in their Nations League games that they are among the best in Germany in terms of know-how in game management. Nevertheless, it is important to provide strong input with new high-performing referees on international level. We are doing this now with two very good Bundesliga referees who have shown in recent years that they have acquired the necessary tools for the FIFA list. All the best to them and all the other nominees confirmed for the international year 2025!"
There will also be a change on the FIFA list for women next year: Sina Diekmann will focus on working as a referee in the Women's Bundesliga and will therefore leave her role as a FIFA assistant referee, where her place will be taken by Jessica Bergmann. Christine Baitinger, sports director of the DFB women’s refereeing, is delighted for the 30-year-old: "Jessica Bergmann has been working in the Women's Bundesliga as an assistant for several years and has developed very well in this task. She was also able to taste international air at some games last year and was able to convince, earning her nomination for the 2025 FIFA list through constant achievements."
In addition, assistant referees Christof Günsch and Sven Waschitzki-Günther will be replacing Stefan Lupp and Marco Achmüller. Pascal Müller and Benjamin Brand have now been added to the list of FIFA video match officials, while Sven Schreiber will enter the FIFA List for futsal. FIFA has officially confirmed Germany’s list for 2025 with 15 referees, 16 assistant referees, 14 video match officials, 3 futsal referees and 4 beach soccer referees.

Source: DFB

UEFA Europa Conference League 2024/25 – Group Stage (Matchday 5)

12 December 2024

Astana – Chelsea
Referee: Sven Jablonski GER (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Lasse Koslowski GER
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Achmüller GER
Fourth Official: Tobias Reichel GER
VAR: Pascal Müller GER
AVAR: Katrin Rafalski GER
Referee Observer: Petteri Kari FIN

FC Copenhagen – Heart of Midlothian
Referee: Andrea Colombo ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Ciro Carbone ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Giorgio Peretti ITA
Fourth Official: Simone Sozza ITA
VAR: Luca Pairetto ITA
AVAR: Valerio Marini ITA
Referee Observer: Alberto Undiano Mallenco ESP

Vikingur Reykjavik – Djugardens IF
Referee: Luka Bilbija BIH
Assistant Referee 1: Damir Lazić BIH
Assistant Referee 2: Amer Macić BIH
Fourth Official: Dragan Petrović BIH
VAR: Mario Zebec CRO
AVAR: Nihad Ljajić BIH
Referee Observer: Mark Whitby WAL

AC Fiorentina – LASK Linz
Referee: Balázs Berke HUN
Assistant Referee 1: Vencel Tóth HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Balázs Szert HUN
Fourth Official: Sándor Andó-Szabó HUN
VAR: István Vad HUN
AVAR: Eszter Urbán HUN
Referee Observer: Gediminas Mažeika LTU

Basaksehir – Heidenheim
Referee: Marco Guida ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Davide Imperiale ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Alessio Berti ITA 
Fourth Official: Gianluca Manganiello ITA
VAR: Paolo Mazzoleni ITA
AVAR: Daniele Paterna ITA
Referee Observer: Edward Foley IRL

Legia Warszawa – FC Lugano
Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Iker de Francisco Grijalba ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Iván Massó Granado ESP
Fourth Official: Mario Melero López ESP
VAR: José Munuera Montero ESP
AVAR: Adrián Cordero Vega ESP
Referee Observer: Iain Robertson Brines SCO

HJK Helsinki – Molde FK
Referee: Atilla Karaoglan TUR
Assistant Referee 1: Ceyhun Sesigüzel TUR
Assistant Referee 2: Abdullah Özkara TUR
Fourth Official: Çağdaş Altay TUR
VAR: Erkan Engin TUR
AVAR: Onur Özütoprak TUR
Referee Observer: Pavel Salii KAZ

Olimpija Ljubljana – Cercle Brugge
Referee: Adam Ladebäck SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Niklas Nyberg SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Yng SWE
Fourth Official: Oscar Johnson SWE
VAR: Robert Schröder GER
AVAR: Patrick Hanslbauer GER
Referee Observer: Asim Xudiyev AZE

FC Petrocub – Real Betis
Referee: Lothar D’Hondt BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Romain Devillers BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Nico Claes BEL
Fourth Official: Simon Bourdeaud’hui BEL
VAR: Jan Boterberg BEL
AVAR: Bert Put BEL
Referee Observer: Michael Ross NIR

Dynamo Minsk – Larne FC
Referee: Saiat Qarabaev KAZ
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksei Dolgih KAZ
Assistant Referee 2: Dmitrii Belogradov KAZ
Fourth Official: Aidyn Tasybaev KAZ
VAR: Jeroen Manschot NED
AVAR: Daniiar Sahi KAZ
Referee Observer: Gunnar Jónsson ISL

Noa FA – Apoel FC
Referee: Miloš Milanović SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Milan Pašajlić SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Novak Novaković SRB
Fourth Official: Milan Ilić SRB
VAR: Momčilo Marković SRB
AVAR: Novak Simović SRB
Referee Observer: Marco Borg MLT

KAA Gent – TSC Backa Topola
Referee: Ashot Ghaltakhchyan ARM
Assistant Referee 1: Mesrop Ghazaryan ARM
Assistant Referee 2: Atom Sevgulyan ARM
Fourth Official: Henrik Nalbandyan ARM
VAR: Zaven Hovhannisyan ARM
AVAR: Artem Gasparyan ARM
Referee Observer: Jon Skjervold NOR

Omonia Nicosia – Rapid Wien
Referee: Daniel Stefanski POL
Assistant Referee 1: Dawid Golis POL
Assistant Referee 2: Michal Obukowicz POL
Fourth Official: Damian Sylwestrzak POL
VAR: Piotr Lasyk POL
AVAR: Krzysztof Myrmus POL
Referee Observer: Augustus Constantin ROU

Shamrock Rovers – Borac Banja Luka
Referee: Stefan Ebner AUT
Assistant Referee 1: Robert Steinacher AUT
Assistant Referee 2: Martin Höfler AUT
Fourth Official: Julian Weinberger AUT
VAR: Manuel Schüttengruber AUT
AVAR: Sara Telek AUT
Referee Observer: Marián Ružbarský SVK

The New Saints – Panathinaikos
Referee: Oliver Reitala FIN
Assistant Referee 1: Jukka Honkanen FIN
Assistant Referee 2: OIli Jantunen FIN
Fourth Official: Antti Munukka FIN
VAR: Gianluca Aureliano ITA
AVAR: Rosario Abisso ITA
Referee Observer: Robert Sedlacek AUT

Mlada Boleslav – Jagiellonia Bialystok
Referee: David Dickinson SCO
Assistant Referee 1: Francis Connor SCO
Assistant Referee 2: Jonathan Bell SCO
Fourth Official: Ross Hardie SCO
VAR: Kevin Clancy SCO
AVAR: Greg Aitken SCO
Referee Observer: Vadims Direktorenko LVA

FC St. Gallen – Vitoria FC
Referee: Nicholas Walsh SCO
Assistant Referee 1: David McGeachie SCO
Assistant Referee 2: Calum Spence SCO
Fourth Official: Christopher Graham SCO
VAR: Donald Robertson SCO
AVAR: Alan Muir SCO
Referee Observer: Bariş Şimşek TUR

Pafos FC – NK Celje
Referee: Pawel Raczkowski POL
Assistant Referee 1: Marcin Boniek POL
Assistant Referee 2: Radoslaw Siejka POL
Fourth Official: Marcin Szczerbowicz POL
VAR: Pawel Pskit POL
AVAR: Wojciech Myć POL
Referee Observer: Gevorg Hovhannisyan ARM

UEFA Europa League 2024/2025 – Group Stage (Matchday 6)

11 December 2024
Fenerbahce – Athletic Club
Referee: Irfan Peljto BIH (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Senad Ibrišimbegović BIH
Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo BIH
Fourth Official: Antoni Bandić BIH
VAR: Marco Di Bello ITA
AVAR: Michael Fabbri ITA
Referee Observer: Jan Wegereef NED

12 December 2024
AS Roma – SC Braga
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager GER
VAR: Sören Storks GER
AVAR: Bastian Dankert GER
Referee Observer: Michal Beneš CZE

Olympiakos SFP – Twente FC
Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Alexis Auger FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Mikaël Berchebru FRA
Fourth Official: Romain Lissorgue FRA
VAR: Éric Wattellier FRA
AVAR: Jérémie Pignard FRA
Referee Observer: Kóstas Kapitanís CYP

PAOK – Ferenvarosi TC
Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Guadalupe Porras Ayuso ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Alfredo Rodríguez Moreno ESP
Fourth Official: Javier Alberola Rojas ESP
VAR: Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea ESP
AVAR: Valentín Pizarro Gómez ESP
Referee Observer: Andreas Schluchter SUI

Viktoria Plzen – Manchester United
Referee: Marian Barbu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Ovidiu Artene ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Imre Bucsi ROU
Fourth Official: Rareș Vidican ROU
VAR: Cătălin Popa ROU
AVAR: Sebastian Colțescu ROU
Referee Observer: Peter Sippel GER

Union St. Gilloise – OGC Nice
Referee: Christopher Kavanagh ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Lee Betts ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Neil Davies ENG
Fourth Official: Tony Harrington ENG
VAR: Stuart Attwell ENG
AVAR: Darren England ENG
Referee Observer: Domagoj Vučkov CRO

PFK Ludogorets – AZ Alkmaar
Referee: Kristo Tohver EST
Assistant Referee 1: Silver Koiv EST
Assistant Referee 2: Sten Klaasen EST
Fourth Official: Kevin Kaivoja EST
VAR: Marko Liiva EST
AVAR: Joonas Jaanovits EST
Referee Observer: Sabri Çelik TUR

Malmo FF – Galatasaray
Referee: John Brooks ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Simon Bennett ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Robathan ENG
Fourth Official: Darren Bond ENG
VAR: Jarred Gillett ENG
AVAR: César Soto Grado ESP
Referee Observer: Frank De Bleeckere BEL

TSG Hoffenheim – FCSB
Referee: Juxhin Xhaja ALB
Assistant Referee 1: Arbër Zalla ALB
Assistant Referee 2: Rejdi Avdo ALB
Fourth Official: Albert Doda ALB
VAR: Peter Bankes ENG
AVAR: Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP
Referee Observer: Volodymyr Petrov UKR

FC Porto – FC Midtjylland
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev MKD
Assistant Referee 1: Dejan Kostadinov MKD
Assistant Referee 2: Goce Petreski MKD
Fourth Official: Igor Stojčevski MKD
VAR: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
AVAR: Daniele Chiffi ITA
Referee Observer: Cyril Zimmermann SUI

Ajax – Lazio
Referee: Ivan Kružliak SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Branislav Hancko SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Ján Pozor SVK
Fourth Official: Peter Královič SVK
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
AVAR: Willy Delajod FRA
Referee Observer: Martin Atkinson ENG

Rangers FC – Tottenham Hotspur
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Stéphane De Almeida SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Jonas Erni SUI
Fourth Official: Lionel Tschudi SUI
VAR: Fedayi San SUI
AVAR: Tiago Martins POR
Referee Observer: Stávros Tritsónis GRE

Slavia Praha – RSC Anderlecht
Referee: Anastásios Papapétrou GRE
Assistant Referee 1: Trýfon Petrópoulos GRE
Assistant Referee 2: Iordánis Aptósoglou GRE
Fourth Official: Aléxandros Tsakalídis GRE
VAR: Ángelos Evangélou GRE
AVAR: Athanásios Tzílos GRE
Referee Observer: Bernardino González Vázquez ESP

Real Sociedad – Dynamo Kyiv
Referee: Harm Osmers GER
Assistant Referee 1: Dominik Schaal GER
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan Lupp GER
Fourth Official: Florian Exner GER
VAR: Benjamin Brand GER
AVAR: Christian Dingert GER
Referee Observer: João Ferreira POR

Olympique Lyonnais – Eintracht Frankfurt
Referee: Andris Treimanis LVA
Assistant Referee 1: Haralds Gudermanis LVA
Assistant Referee 2: Aleksejs Spasjonņikovs LVA
Fourth Official: Aleksandrs Golubevs LVA
VAR: Pol van Boekel NED
AVAR: Dennis Higler NED
Referee Observer: Markus Strömbergsson SWE

Maccabi Tel Aviv – FC RFS
Referee: Tamás Bognár HUN
Assistant Referee 1: Balázs Buzás HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Péter Kóbor HUN
Fourth Official: Mihály Káprály HUN
VAR: Ferenc Karakó HUN
AVAR: Gergő Bogár HUN
Referee Observer: Neale Barry ENG

Bodo Glimt – Besiktas
Referee: Filip Glova SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel Poláček SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Peter Bednár SVK
Fourth Official: Lukáš Dzivjak SVK
VAR: Michal Očenáš SVK
AVAR: Martin Dohál SVK
Referee Observer: Stefan Johannesson SWE

IF Elfsborg – Qarabag FK
Referee: António Nobre POR
Assistant Referee 1: Pedro Ribeiro POR
Assistant Referee 2: Nélson Pereira POR
Fourth Official: Bruno Vieira POR
VAR: Hugo Miguel POR
AVAR: André Narciso POR
Referee Observer: Stefano Podeschi SMR

UEFA Champions League 2024/2025 – Group Stage (Matchday 6)

10 December 2024
Dinamo Zagreb – Celtic FC
Referee: Felix Zwayer GER (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Robert Kempter GER
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Dietz GER
Fourth Official: Florian Badstübner GER
VAR: Sascha Stegemann GER
AVAR: Johann Pfeifer GER
Referee Observer: Ichko Lozev BUL

Girona – Liverpool
Referee: Benoît Bastien FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Hicham Zakrani FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Aurélien Berthomieu FRA
Fourth Official: Thomas Léonard FRA
VAR: Benoît Millot FRA
AVAR: Willy Delajod FRA
Referee Observer: Leslie Irvine NIR

RB Leipzig – Aston Villa
Referee: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Alessandro Giallatini ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Daniele Bindoni ITA
Fourth Official: Matteo Marchetti ITA
VAR: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
AVAR: Daniele Chiffi ITA
Referee Observer: Vlado Svilokos CRO

Bayer Leverkusen – Inter Milano
Referee: Slavko Vinčič SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: Matej Jug SVN
VAR: Alen Borošak SVN
AVAR: Pol van Boekel NED
Referee Observer: Alexandru Deaconu ROU

Atalanta BC – Real Madrid

Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL
Fourth Official: Karol Arys POL
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
AVAR: Tiago Martins POR
Referee Observer: Fredy Fautrel FRA

Club Brugge – Sporting CP
Referee: Anthony Taylor ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn ENG
Fourth Official: Craig Pawson ENG
VAR: Peter Bankes ENG
AVAR: Christian Dingert GER
Referee Observer: Juan Fernández Marín ESP

Shakhtar Donetsk – Bayern München
Referee: Halil Meler TUR
Assistant Referee 1: Kerem Ersoy TUR
Assistant Referee 2: Serkan Olguncan TUR
Fourth Official: Arda Kardeşler TUR
VAR: Fedayi San SUI
AVAR: Dennis Higler NED
Referee Observer: Martin Ingvarsson SWE

FC Salzburg – Paris St. Germain
Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring ENG
Fourth Official: Samuel Barrott ENG
VAR: Bastian Dankert GER
AVAR: Benjamin Brand GER
Referee Observer: Carlos Clos Gómez ESP

Stade Brestois – PSV Eindhoven
Referee: José Sánchez Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Iñigo Prieto López ESP
Fourth Official: Pablo González Fuertes ESP
VAR: Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea ESP
AVAR: Valentín Pizarro Gómez ESP
Referee Observer: Stefan Messner AUT

11 December 2024
Atletico de Madrid – Slovan Bratislava
Referee: Manfredas Lukjančukas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Mangirdas Mirauskas LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Vytenis Kazlauskas LTU
Fourth Official: Mindaugas Jackus LTU
VAR: Christian Dingert GER
AVAR: Fedayi San SUI
Referee Observer: Howard Webb ENG

LOSC Lille – Sturm Graz
Referee: Georgi Kabakov BUL
Assistant Referee 1: Martin Margaritov BUL
Assistant Referee 2: Diyan Valkov BUL
Fourth Official: Dragomir Draganov BUL
VAR: Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP
AVAR: Peter Bankes ENG
Referee Observer: Elmir Pilav BIH

Borussia Dortmund – FC Barcelona
Referee: François Letexier FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA
Fourth Official: Jérémy Stinat FRA
VAR: Dennis Higler NED
AVAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Referee Observer: Michális Argyroú CYP

Juventus FC – Manchester City

Referee: Clément Turpin FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Erwan Finjean FRA
Fourth Official: Mathieu Vernice FRA
VAR: Willy Delajod FRA
AVAR: Benoît Millot FRA
Referee Observer: Martin Hansson SWE

Benfica – Bologna
Referee: Radu Petrescu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Radu Ghinguleac ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Mircea Grigoriu ROU
Fourth Official: Marcel Bîrsan ROU
VAR: Pol van Boekel NED
AVAR: Alen Borošak SVN
Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo ESP

Arsenal FC – AS Monaco
Referee: Davide Massa ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Stefano Alassio ITA
Fourth Official: Daniele Doveri ITA
VAR: Daniele Chiffi ITA
AVAR: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
Referee Observer: Gylfi Orrason ISL

AC Milan – Crvena Zvezda

Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Barbero Sevilla ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Ángel Nevado Rodríguez ESP
Fourth Official: Francisco Hernández Maeso ESP
VAR: César Soto Grado ESP
AVAR: Benjamin Brand GER
Referee Observer: Lassin Isaksen FRO

Feyenoord Rotterdam – Sparta Praha
Referee: Tobias Stieler GER
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Gittelmann GER
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Borsch GER
Fourth Official: Matthias Jöllenbeck GER
VAR: Bastian Dankert GER
AVAR: Sören Storks GER
Referee Observer: Alan Sant MLT

VfB Stuttgart – BSC Young Boys
Referee: Giorgi Kruashvili GEO
Assistant Referee 1: Levan Varamishvili GEO
Assistant Referee 2: Zaza Pipia GEO
Fourth Official: Aleko Aptsiauri GEO
VAR: Tiago Martins POR
AVAR: Jarred Gillett ENG
Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski POL

English referee Coote sacked after investigation

Premier League official David Coote has been sacked by referees' body following a "thorough investigation" into his conduct. Coote, 42, was suspended by the PGMOL (the Professional Game Match Officials Limited) on 11 November pending a full investigation after a video allegedly showing him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and the club's former manager Jurgen Klopp was circulated on social media. A further investigation was opened two days later after the Sun published photos it says were taken during this summer's European Championship, alleging that they appear to show Coote sniffing a white powder through a rolled-up US bank note. The PGMOL said that Coote's actions made his position untenable. “David Coote's actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract. Supporting him continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare", the PGMOL said. Coote has the right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.
The PGMOL first took action against Coote on 11 November following the release of a video on social media, which allegedly showed him criticizing Liverpool and their former manager Klopp. The video appeared to refer a Premier League match that Coote officiated between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020, which finished 1-1. Klopp criticized Coote after the game, saying the referee failed to give fouls for challenges made on Liverpool's players. The FA opened an investigation the following day. On 13 November, the PGMOL said it was taking further allegations "very seriously" following the publication of images showing appearing to show Coote sniffing a white powder. Coote was working at the Euros in his capacity as a match official and UEFA also suspended Coote as it launched its own investigation. On 27 November, the FA opened a new investigation following an allegation that Coote had discussed giving a yellow card before a Championship match between Leeds and West Brom in 2019. A report in the Sun claimed Coote exchanged messages with a fan discussing giving a yellow card before and after the game. Coote denied any wrongdoing and said the allegation was "false and defamatory". The exchange referred to a booking Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski received in the match from Coote. There is no suggestion of any financial gain by Coote and the booking is regarded as entirely correct.

Source: BBC

UEFA Women’s Champions League 2024/25 – Group Stage (Matchday 5)

11 December 2024
VfL Wolfsburg – AS Roma
Referee: Ivana Martinčić CRO (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Sanja Rodjak-Karšić CRO
Assistant Referee 2: Maja Petravić CRO
Fourth Official: Jelena Kumer CRO
Referee Observer: Cristina Babadac ROU

Galatasaray – Olympique Lyonnais
Referee: Catarina Campos POR
Assistant Referee 1: Vanessa Gomes POR
Assistant Referee 2: Sandrine Santos POR
Fourth Official: Silvia Domingos POR
Referee Observer: Jenny Palmqvist SWE

Chelsea FCW – FC Twente
Referee: Riem Hussein GER
Assistant Referee 1: Daniela Göttlinger GER
Assistant Referee 2: Jasmin Matysiak GER
Fourth Official: Angelika Soeder GER
Referee Observer: Esther Azzopardi MLT

Celtic FCW – Real Madrid
Referee: Iuliana Demetrescu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mihaela Țepușă ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Roxana Ivanov ROU
Fourth Official: Ana Terteleac ROU
Referee Observer: Regina Konink-Belksma NED

12 December 2024
Bayern München – Juventus FC
Referee: Stéphanie Frappart FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Camille Soriano FRA
Assistant Referee 2:
Fourth Official: Maika Vanderstichel FRA
Referee Observer: Marta Frías Acedo ESP

Valerenga – Arsenal WFC
Referee: Eleni Antoniou GRE
Assistant Referee 1: Georgia Komisopoulou GRE
Assistant Referee 2: Heini Hyvönen FIN
Fourth Official: Lina Lehtovaara FIN
Referee Observer: Aušra Kance LTU

Manchester City FCW – SKN St. Pölten
Referee: Sandra Bastos POR
Assistant Referee 1:
Assistant Referee 2:
Fourth Official:
Referee Observer: Gitte Holm DEN

Hammarby IF – FC Barcelona
Referee: Katalin Kulcsár HUN
Assistant Referee 1:
Assistant Referee 2:
Fourth Official: Katalin Sipos HUN 
Referee Observer: Emilia Wnuk POL

Croatia: Top referee removed and observer suspended

The HNS Disciplinary Committee has imposed a fine of 2,000 euros and a five-month suspension on referee observer Bruno Marić for posting inappropriate content on the social network Instagram, thereby violating the Code of Conduct for Football Officials. At the proposal of the Referees Committee and the Football Association, the HNS Executive Board has decided to remove referee Toni Dadić from all referee lists.
Just before the derby between Hajduk and Dinamo at Poljud, the Bad Blue Boys posted a message on their official Telegram channel. It contains alleged private correspondence between HNS referee Toni Dadić and, apparently, Hajduk fans. In the messages, Dadić allegedly shares information about where the Bad Blue Boys hold banners and other details from the life of the fans. There is also mention of “projects” such as finding the addresses of prominent Bad Blue Boys, as well as several messages about Kohorta. The Boys published them with the title: “We are also for the reform of the refereeing organization.” Toni Dadić was a referee from the HNS elite group. This season, he refereed seven matches in the SuperSport HNL, and he also refereed numerous matches in lower age groups and leagues.
The Hajduk fans' association Naš Hajduk, which holds 30.6 percent of the Split club's shares and has 125,000 members, reminded about the protest on the Riva ten years ago on social media ten days ago. Naš Hajduk gathered a full Riva of fans protesting against corruption in Croatian football. As they say, nothing has changed since then. In particular, they emphasized in the post that they fought for Bruno Marić to leave Croatian football, but that did not happen. Marić responded to them via social media. "I have been reading pamphlets and false accusations for a long time, shameless lies from those who create authority by spreading fear and threats! I don't care, I told myself many times, because this is a group of thugs who say they are honest! But they are only talking about themselves, they are lying, because everyone has long since figured that out! They are the ones who fabricate, and falsely slander others for fabricating! They are a burden on society, they are a burden on sport, they are a burden on democracy, even though they advocate it with their mouths full. Falsely, of course! They boo those they cheer for, threaten those they cheer for, chant to themselves while pretending to cheer, force those they pretend to cheer for to bow down to them! They would be the best, but by force, they would be the strongest, but when they are 10 to 1, they are the bravest when they see someone weaker than themselves! But they are actually an interest group gathered around themselves and only for themselves. Unfortunately for them, it is not a problem that they are disgusted by any normal athlete from any part of Croatia. The problem is that they are disgusted by the vast majority of the City in which they are poisoning the environment! The big problem is that the scum presents themselves as the owners of something that does not belong to them, and the silent and honest majority bears the burden of a disgusting minority! Although you are loud, although you are still numerous, you are the bottom of the bottom! You will never achieve your ambitions by force, because there are too many who do not bow down to you or fear you. And your biggest defeat is that you are also despised by those you are rooting for, because they know that you are only rooting for yourself! Only Croatia!" wrote Marić, and disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him, which resulted in a fine and suspension.

Source: 7dnevno

UEFA Youth League 2024/2025 – Domestic Champions Path, Round 3 (Second Leg)

10 December 2024
Manchester United – AZ Alkmaar
Referee: Claudio Pereira POR (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Pedro Martins POR
Assistant Referee 2: Tiago Costa POR
Fourth Official: Benjamin Speedie ENG
Referee Observer: Rune Pedersen NOR

11 December 2024
Lokomotiva Zagreb – Farul Constanta
Referee: Dmytro Panchyshyn UKR
Assistant Referee 1: Dmytro Zaporozhenko UKR
Assistant Referee 2: Oleksandr Korniyko UKR
Fourth Official: Ante Čuljak CRO
Referee Observer: Igor Pristovnik CRO

Olympiakos SPF – AS Trencin
Referee: Danilo Nikolić SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Ilija Lovre SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Tihomir Šoškić SRB
Fourth Official: Konstantínos Katíkos GRE
Referee Observer: Darko Čeferin SVN

Trabzonspor – FK Sarajevo
Referee: Amine Kourgheli BLR
Assistant Referee 1: Jury Chomčanka BLR
Assistant Referee 2: Viktar Hiecikaŭ BLR
Fourth Official: Ali Özoğlu TUR
Referee Observer: Murat Ilgaz TUR

KK Korriku – Dynamo Kyiv
Referee: Dominik Starý CZE
Assistant Referee 1: Lukáš Slavíček CZE
Assistant Referee 2: Marek Bělák CZE
Fourth Official: Granit Pacolli KOS
Referee Observer: Besfort Kasumi KOS

Rapid Wien – FC Basel
Referee: Ladislav Szikszay CZE
Assistant Referee 1: Michal Volf CZE
Assistant Referee 2: David Zoufalý CZE
Fourth Official: Isa Simsek AUT
Referee Observer: Laurent Duhamel FRA

FC Midtjylland – Legia Warszawa
Referee: Ben McMaster NIR
Assistant Referee 1: Stephen Bell NIR
Assistant Referee 2: Georgios Argyropoulos NIR
Fourth Official: Lasse Graagaard DEN
Referee Observer: Mattias Gestranius FIN

Sassuolo Calcio – Real Beris
Referee: Bastien Dechepy FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Brice Le Tellier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Julien Haulbert FRA
Fourth Official: Marco Piccinini ITA
Referee Observer: Gianluca Rocchi ITA

TSG Hoffenheim – AJ Auxerre
Referee: Rüstem Omarov KAZ
Assistant Referee 1: Timur Tursymbaev KAZ
Assistant Referee 2: Evgenii Karlov KAZ
Fourth Official: Fabienne Michel GER
Referee Observer: David Fernández Borbalán ESP

17 December 2024
KRC Genk – Puskas Akademia
Referee: Pavle Ilić SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandar Marjanović SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Dejan Božić SRB
Fourth Official: Arne De Beuckelaer BEL