CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026 – Quarter-finals (First Leg)

8-10 September 2026

Santa Fe – Vasco da Gama
Referee: Dario Herrera ARG (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Maximiliano Del Yesso ARG
Assistant Referee 2: Jose Savorani ARG
Fourth Official: Sebastian Martinez ARG
VAR: Hernan Mastrangelo ARG
AVAR: Salome Di Iorio ARG
Referee Assessor: Pedro Saucedo BOL
VAR Supervisor: Marcelo De Leon URU

Boca Juniors – Sao Paulo
Referee: Piero Maza CHI
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Retamal CHI
Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Rocha CHI
Fourth Official: Diego Flores CHI
VAR: Fernando Vejar CHI
AVAR: Miguel Araos CHI
Referee Assessor: Dario Ubriaco URU
VAR Supervisor: Victor Carrillo PER

Santos – Atletico Mineiro
Referee: Alexis Herrera VEN
Assistant Referee 1: Antoni Garcia VEN
Assistant Referee 2: Paolo Garcia VEN
Fourth Official: Augusto Aragon ECU
VAR: Carlos Orbe ECU
AVAR: Byron Romero ECU
Referee Assessor: Ubaldo Aquino PAR
VAR Supervisor: Angel Sanchez URU

Cienciano – Montevideo Torque
Referee: Wilton Sampaio BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Danilo Manis BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia BRA
Fourth Official: Paulo Zanovelli BRA
VAR: Pablo Gonçalves BRA
AVAR: Diego Pombo BRA
Referee Assessor: Hilton Moutinho BRA
VAR Supervisor: Leandro Vuaden BRA

CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026 – Quarter-finals (First Leg)

8-10 September 2026

Fluminense – Platense
Referee: Andres Matonte URU (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Horacio Ferreiro URU
Assistant Referee 2: Andres Nievas URU
Fourth Official: Mathias De Armas URU
VAR: Andres Cunha URU
AVAR: Agustin Berisso URU
Referee Assessor: Jose Buitrago COL
VAR Supervisor: Carlos Pastorino URU

Palmeiras – LDU Quito
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela VEN
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego VEN
Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno VEN
Fourth Official: Yender Herrera VEN
VAR: Juan Soto VEN
AVAR: Angel Arteaga VEN
Referee Assessor: Hector Baldassi ARG
VAR Supervisor: Patricio Polic CHI

Estudiantes La Plata – Corinthians
Referee: Esteban Ostojich URU
Assistant Referee 1: Martin Soppi URU
Assistant Referee 2: Pablo Llarena URU
Fourth Official: Alberto Feres URU
VAR: Antonio Garcia URU
AVAR: Santiago Fernandez URU
Referee Assessor: Dario Ubriaco URU
VAR Supervisor: Luis Vera ECU

Independiente Del Valle – Flamengo
Referee: Facundo Tello ARG
Assistant Referee 1: Cristian Navarro ARG
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Chade ARG
Fourth Official: Leandro Rey ARG
VAR: Silvio Trucco ARG
AVAR: Lucas Novelli ARG
Referee Assessor: Wilmar Navarro COL 

VAR Supervisor: Oscar Viera PAR

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 – Group Stage (Matches 1-8)

4 September 2026
Poland – Argentina
Referee: Myriam Marcotte CAN (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Gabrielle Lemieux CAN
Assistant Referee 2: Mijensa Resnch SUR
Fourth Official: Marianela Araya CRC
VAR: Sivakorn Pu-Udom THA
AVAR: Letticia Viana SWZ

Brazil – Tanzania
Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Iragartze Fernandez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Andreia Sousa POR
Fourth Official: Alina Pesu ROU
VAR: Jelena Jovanovic-Dzajic SRB
AVAR: Diana Perez 🇲🇽

Mexico – Benin
Referee: Maria Ferrieri Caputi ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Daniela Constantinescu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Irina Pozdejeva LTU
Fourth Official: Silvia Gasperotti ITA
VAR: Eszter Urban HUN
AVAR: Catarina Ferreira POR

Canada – England
Referee: Anahi Fernandez URU
Assistant Referee 1: Daiana Fernandez URU
Assistant Referee 2: Belen Clavijo URU
Fourth Official: Milagros Arruela PER
VAR: Maria Daza COL
AVAR: Angelos Evangelou GRE

5 September 2026
France – Korea
Referee: Charly Straub BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Fernanda Antunes BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Anne Sa BRA
Fourth Official: Lizzet Garcia MEX
VAR: Stefani Escobar VEN
AVAR: Diana Perez MEX

Japan – New Zealand
Referee: Twanyanyukwa Antsino NAM
Assistant Referee 1: Diana Chikotesha ZIM
Assistant Referee 2: Carine Atezambong CMR
Fourth Official: Shamirah Nabadda UGA
VAR: Maria Rivet MRI
AVAR: Susana Corella ECU

Ecuador – Ghana
Referee: Silvia Gasperotti ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Giulia Tempestilli ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Svitlana Grushko UKR
Fourth Official: Alyssa Pennington USA
VAR: Catarina Ferreira POR
AVAR: Sivakorn Pu-Udom THA

USA – Italy
Referee: Casey Reibelt AUS
Assistant Referee 1: Emma Kocbek AUS
Assistant Referee 2: Madelaine Allum AUS
Fourth Official: Dione Rissios CHI
VAR: Rodrigo Carvajal CHI
AVAR: Ismael Cornejo SLV

Dean: “I used to play in-match games as a laugh”

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean says he used to set himself mini-challenges during matches "as a laugh". Appearing on Jamie Vardy's podcast, Dean said he would see how long he could go without blowing his whistle, or stay inside the centre circle. "We used to say, 'we'll kick off now. Right, see how long we can go without blowing a whistle'," he added. "I've done that a few times in the Premier League, before VAR obviously - went 20, 25 minutes without blowing a whistle. I used to do another thing. I used to stand in the centre circle - see how long I could stay in the centre circle before I had to leave. That was just me joking about. I got about 15 minutes once." Mark Halsey, who refereed in the Premier League between 1999 and 2013, told BBC Sport that Dean's comments damaged the reputation of all referees. BBC Sport understands that refereeing figures consider Dean's claims to be unfounded, which would be historical and go back to the pre-video assistant referee era before 2019, when Pro Ref was under different leadership. It is not the first time he has courted controversy for his media statements. When acting as the video assistant referee (VAR) for Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Tottenham in August 2022, Dean failed to send the referee to the monitor for a red card for Cristian Romero. The Spurs defender should have been penalised for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair. After retiring, Dean said in an interview he did not intervene because he wanted to save referee Anthony Taylor from extra "grief". "I didn't want to send him up because he is a mate as well as a referee," he revealed.

Dean enjoyed a 28-year career as a professional official, stepping down from on-field officiating in 2022 and retiring after spending the 2022-23 season as a full-time VAR. The 58-year-old began officiating in 1985 and progressed from refereeing in the Football League 10 years later, and then to Premier League in 2000. Dean refereed the 2008 FA Cup final and 2011 League Cup final at Wembley. Halsey also doubted Dean's story was true, but he had questions to answer if so. "It's caused so much controversy, and in all my years as a professional referee I have never heard of these games, never," said Halsey. "If Mike has played these games, then he's done that of his own accord. And if he has, then I think we need to know what games he's done them in, and how many games he's done them in. It brings into question the integrity of every official now." Halsey added he had spoken to other officials today who said "they've not heard of it either", as he questioned the validity of Dean's claims. "It's just impossible to go five minutes, let alone 20 minutes, without blowing your whistle to giving a free kick," he said. When Dean said in 2023 that he had helped out "a mate" in the Chelsea-Tottenham game from a year earlier, it caused real damage to the reputation of referees. Officials have to deal with baseless allegations of corruption and favouritism as it is, so giving any kind of credence to a lack of professionalism by a referee is a problem. As one serving referee told me at the time, it was as though Dean had "thrown them all under a bus". It tars everyone with the same brush, regardless of the facts. Dean's revelations this week are not quite so explosive, and it is difficult to know whether, if true, they could have an impact on a game. Of course, if Dean refused to blow his whistle to give a penalty because he was playing one of these games, that is a different matter. But without Dean giving any specific examples, it could equally be the case that he was trying to make himself come across as 'one of the boys' when chatting with ex-players. After making the claim, comedian and podcast co-host Josh James jokingly said to Dean: "Easy money." Refereeing bosses consider Dean to be of the old school, a different era when the organisation may not have been quite so professional and progressive. But even though it is more than four years since Dean stepped out onto a football pitch he remains as well-known as most current referees. And when he says something controversial, it is going to get traction. (Source: BBC)

Dean posted a statement on his Instagram story on Friday where he did not retract his claim, but sought to explain the context. "Throughout my 25 years as a professional referee, I have always applied the Laws of the Game to the best of my ability," Dean wrote. "My approach as a referee was always to allow the game to flow and whenever possible I preferred to apply a high threshold for contact which the players liked. However, if I saw a foul challenge that needed me to take the appropriate action I would give it from the correct position. At no stage was it my intention to question, criticise or undermine the integrity of refereeing in this country. I have always respected the profession and the responsibility that comes with being a referee." But is there any evidence that Dean did in fact play these games? Halsey said it would be "impossible" to hold the whistle for just a few minutes, let alone more than 20. So, BBC Sport looked at the Premier League games officiated by Dean from 2008-09 until 2018-19, when the video assistant referee was introduced. The focus was on more than 200 games that were 0-0 after 15 minutes, meaning there would be no need for a whistle for a kick-off after a goal. Are there any games which might provide evidence that Dean was playing around? Only five such examples could be found, with no game reaching 20 minutes. The longest was 18 minutes 50 seconds for a game involving West Brom and Man United, which Crystal Palace and Stoke at 18 minutes 20 seconds. This did back up Dean's claim to have "a high threshold", but with no clear evidence of obviously missed free kicks.

Source: BBC

Concacaf Leagues Cup Final 2026: Barton (SLV)

6 September 2026

Toluca FC – CF Monterrey
Referee: Ivan Barton SLV (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: David Moran SLV
Assistant Referee 2: Antonio Pupiro NCA
Fourth Official: Keylor Herrera CRC
VAR: Tatiana Guzman NCA

FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 – Match 2 (African-Asian-Pacific Cup)

19 September 2026

Mamelodi Sundowns – Al Ahli
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Stephane De Almeida SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Jonas Erni SUI
Fourth Official: Anojen Kanagasingam SUI
VAR: Fedayi San SUI
AVAR: Alessandro Dudic SUI

Former Swiss Super League referee banned from football

A former Swiss official with the Austrian Bundesliga club Altach is no longer allowed to work in football. The FIFA Disciplinary Chamber has banned the former top referee from working worldwide. Between 2018 and 2025, the official secretly filmed and photographed female players in locker rooms while they were changing and showering. The verdict is based on a request from the global players’ union FIFPRO to FIFA, as reported by the Austrian Press Agency (APA). The disciplinary chamber of the world governing body’s guilty verdict against the former top Swiss referee is already final. Back in February, the suspended defendant had been sentenced by the Feldkirch Regional Court to a seven-month suspended prison term and fined 1,200 euros, to be paid without probation.

The identity of the former Swiss referee has not been made public due to strict privacy laws regarding criminal trials in Austria and Switzerland. Major media outlets reporting on the case have explicitly noted that his name cannot be published legally under local privacy and reporting regulations. Public details are restricted to his age (34 years old at the time of his conviction) and his professional background as a former Swiss Super League referee from the Aargau/St. Gallen region who later served as a sports director and team official for the SCR Altach women's team.

Source: BlueWin

UEFA Women's Champions League 2026/27 – Third Qualifying Round (Second Leg)

1 September 2026 

Austria Wien – SK Brann
Referee: Eleni Antoniou GRE (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Vasilia Tsiklitari GRE
Assistant Referee 2: Zoi Papadopoulou GRE
Fourth Official: Eirini Pingiou GRE
Referee Observer: Katarzyna Wierzbowska POL

2 September 2026
Paris St. Germain – Eintracht Frankfurt
Referee: Emanuela Rusta ALB
Assistant Referee 1: Nicoleta Bria ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Jena Mala ALB
Fourth Official: Eglantina Pjetrushaj ALB
Referee Observer: Kateryna Monzul UKR

Inter Milano – VfL Wolfsburg
Referee: Olatz Rivera Olmedo ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Eliana Fernández González ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Rita Cabañero Mompó ESP
Fourth Official: Beatriz Cuesta Arribas ESP
Referee Observer: Dagmar Damková CZE

Servette FCC – Sparta Praha
Referee: Fabienne Michel GER
Assistant Referee 1: Amina Gutschi AUT
Assistant Referee 2: Anne Uersfeld GER
Fourth Official: Miriam Schwermer GER
Referee Observer: Stéphanie Frappart FRA

HB Koge – PSV Eindhoven
Referee: Ewa Augustyn POL
Assistant Referee 1: Julia Bukarowicz POL
Assistant Referee 2: Aleksandra Ulanowska POL
Fourth Official: Katarzyna Lisiecka-Sęk POL
Referee Observer: Carina Vitulano ITA

Real Sociedad – Chelsea FCW
Referee: Ivana Martinčić CRO
Assistant Referee 1: Maja Brozović CRO
Assistant Referee 2: Marta Maslać CRO
Fourth Official: Jelena Kumer CRO
Referee Observer: Aneliya Sinabova BUL

OH Leuven – Czarni Sosnowiec
Referee: Ivana Projkovska MKD
Assistant Referee 1: Vjolca Izeiri MKD
Assistant Referee 2: Angela Domazetovska MKD
Fourth Official: Vesna Miletić BIH
Referee Observer: Irina Mîrț ROU

Real Madrid – AFC Ajax
Referee: Frida Klarlund DEN
Assistant Referee 1: Katrine Stensholm DEN
Assistant Referee 2: Sidsel Dall DEN
Fourth Official: Nanna Andersen DEN
Referee Observer: Ana Minić SRB

Juventus FC – St. Polten
Referee: Michalina Diakow POL
Assistant Referee 1: Ivona Pejić CRO
Assistant Referee 2: Marilena Nan ROU
Fourth Official: Anna Adamska POL
Referee Observer: Esther Staubli SUI

UEFA Women's Europa Cup 2026/27 – First Qualifying Round (Second Leg)

1 September 2026 

Metalist Harkov – KFF Mitrovica
Referee: Eugenia Gil Soriano ESP (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Silvia Fernández Pérez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Nahia Alonso Fernández ESP
Fourth Official: Elena Peláez Arnillas ESP

2 September 2026
FC Gintra – Sturm Graz
Referee: Anastasia Mylopoulou GRE
Assistant Referee 1: Maria Detsi GRE
Assistant Referee 2: Georgia Komisopoulou GRE
Fourth Official: Alexandra Deligianni GRE

ZNK Agram – FC Minsk
Referee: Alexandra Collin FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Camille Soriano FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Clothilde Brassard FRA
Fourth Official: Elisa Daupeux FRA

Kolos Kovalivka – SCU Torreense
Referee: Kristina Georgieva BUL
Assistant Referee 1: Liliya Dumbalakova BUL
Assistant Referee 2: Dorieta Valeva BUL
Fourth Official: Valeria Petrova BUL

Slovan Liberec – ZNK SFK
Referee: Hristiyana Guteva BUL
Assistant Referee 1: Pavleta Rashkova BUL
Assistant Referee 2: Maria-Yoanna Vasileva BUL
Fourth Official: Lyubima Banova BUL

Fortuna Hjorring – ZNK Hajduk
Referee: Michaela Pachtová CZE
Assistant Referee 1: Lucie Ratajová CZE
Assistant Referee 2: Zuzana Špindlerová CZE
Fourth Official: Natálie Čampišová CZE

FH – Apollon
Referee: Rasa Grigone LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Ieva Ramanauskiene LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Guoste Jonikaite LTU
Fourth Official: Ugne Šmitaite LTU

Csikszereda – Breidablik
Referee: Franziska Wildfeuer GER
Assistant Referee 1: Daniela Göttlinger GER
Assistant Referee 2: Jasmin Matysiak GER
Fourth Official: Davina Lutz GER

Rosenborg – Seasters
Referee: Kirsty Dowle ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Isabel Chaplin ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Georgia Ball ENG
Fourth Official: Grace Lowe ENG

Brondby – Spartak Subotica
Referee: Caroline Lanssens BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Staša Špur SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Linda Schmid SUI
Fourth Official: Jana Van Laere BEL

Valerenga FD – ZNK Radomlje
Referee: Miriama Bočková SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Anita Vad HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Tilde Larsson SWE
Fourth Official: Zuzana Valentová SVK

Feyenoord – Anderlecht
Referee: Abigail Byrne ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Anastasiya Voloshchuk ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Ruby Sykes ENG
Fourth Official: Alice Parker ENG

FIFA AR Bennett suspended over alleged “inappropriate behaviour with a woman”

FIFA assistant referee Simon Bennett has been suspended over allegations of inappropriate behaviour with a woman. The married £110,000-a-year senior linesman has not officiated this season after a probe was launched when concerns were raised about his conduct. He last ran the line on May 24, the final day of last season, in Brighton’s 3-0 home defeat to Man United. The former teacher, 41, had been selected and listed as an official by the Premier League for this season but has now gone to ground, it is said. A source told The Sun: “He has closed all his social media accounts and pretty much disappeared since he was suspended. The investigation is into his inappropriate behaviour with a woman. It has obviously raised eyebrows in the refereeing world because it goes against the grain of the job itself. Refs are supposed to ensure high standards on the pitch, so you’d hope they would do the same off the pitch. But we have to await the findings of the investigation now.”

Bennett, of Kidsgrove, Staffs, studied at Manchester Metropolitan University and taught at The Fallibroome Academy in Macclesfield, Cheshire, before becoming a full-time official. He has worked in the Premier League since 2011, and it is not known if he is still being paid. He has been on FIFA’s assistant referees list since 2013. He occasionally acts as an assistant video referee. Refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited, now called Pro Ref, the FA and Bennett have all declined to comment.

Source: The Sun