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2 clusters · 2 sources · 24 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: SPORTS

Istvan Kovacs refereeing controversy

Entities: UEFA · FK Bodø/Glimt · István Kovács · Union Saint‑Gilloise · FC Barcelona

Overview

In July 2026, Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs was removed from officiating a World Cup semifinal and his earnings were disclosed, signaling heightened scrutiny of his performance. By early August, UEFA responded to a complaint from Barcelona regarding a missed handball in an April 8 match at Camp Nou. The governing body upheld Barcelona’s claim, recommended that future referees use VAR to indicate penalty points in similar situations, and announced that Kovacs would return to officiate a UEFA Champions League preliminary‑round match between Bodø/Glimt and Union Saint‑Gilloise on 11 August 2026, detailing the supporting officiating crew.

Timeline

  1. 1 day ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    UEFA backs Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs after Barcelona complaint

    UEFA upheld Barcelona's complaint against Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs and later appointed him to a Champions League qualifier between Bodø/Glimt and Union Saint‑Gilloise.

  2. 25 days ago

    [SPORTS] 7 sources
    Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs dropped from World Cup semifinals, earnings disclosed

    FIFA omitted Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs from the 2026 World Cup semifinals; he earned $106,000 for two group matches and remains in the pool for later games.

Sources

m.digisport.ro · prosport.ro