UEFA backs Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs after Barcelona complaint

UEFA stated that Barcelona was correct in its claim that a penalty should have been awarded in the April 8 match at Camp Nou, where referee Istvan Kovacs failed to recognize a handball. The governing body recommended that future referees indicate the penalty point with VAR in similar situations, effectively supporting Barcelona’s protest.

Following the ruling, UEFA announced that Kovacs will officiate a UEFA Champions League preliminary round match between Norway’s Bodø/Glimt and Belgium’s Union Saint‑Gilloise on 11 August 2026. He will be assisted by Ferencz Tunyogi, Mihai Marica, and reserve referee Horațiu Feșnic, with a Scottish VAR team led by Andrew Dallas and Greg Aitken.