Istvan Kovacs faces controversy in Champions League match

Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs has faced intense criticism following a controversial Champions League qualifying match between Sabah and Hapoel Beer Sheva, which ended in a 5-2 victory for the Azerbaijani side after extra time.

During the match, Kovacs issued two red cards in extra time to Hapoel Beer Sheva players Djibril Diop and Eliel Peretz. The Israeli captain, Miguel Vitor, contested the decisions, stating that the team believed Diop did not deserve the second yellow card. Additionally, the referee was accused of failing to act during Hapoel Beer Sheva's opening goal, where the goalkeeper was allegedly struck in the head and hands while holding the ball.

This incident follows a similar pattern in Kovacs' recent Champions League assignments, including a match between Bodo/Glimt and Union Saint-Gilloise that also resulted in multiple red cards and confrontations with club officials.