What changed
2026-08-24 20:42 UTC → 2026-08-26 13:37 UTC ·
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In July 2026, Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs was removed from officiating a World Cup semifinal and his earnings were disclosed, signaling heightened scrutiny of Following 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 appointment to officiate a the UEFA Champions League preliminary‑round match play-off second leg between Bodø/Glimt Sabah and Union Saint‑Gilloise on 11 August 2026. Following that fixture, Hapoel Be’er Sheva in Baku, Istvan Kovacs faced further criticism from Union Saint‑Gilloise and coach David Hubert regarding his decisions, including a second yellow card issued to Kamiel Van De Perre. Despite this controversy and renewed controversy. The match, which resulted in a brief absence from play-off assignments, Kovacs 5-2 victory for Sabah after extra time, was appointed marked by UEFA intense criticism of Kovacs’ decisions. During extra time, Kovacs issued red cards to officiate a Champions League play-off match between Sabah and Hapoel Beer Be’er Sheva in Bucharest. He will be supported by assistants Mihai Marica players Djibril Diop and Ferencz Tunyogi, with Szabolcs Kovacs serving as Eliel Peretz. The Israeli captain, Miguel Vitor, contested the fourth official. On 23 August 2026, UEFA confirmed Kovacs’ appointment for officiating, stating the return leg of team believed Diop “did not deserve the Champions League play-off between second yellow card.” Furthermore, the referee was accused of failing to intervene during Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Sabah Baku. This assignment marks his return to elite continental competition following Sheva’s opening goal, where the recent officiating controversies. The officiating crew will include assistants Mihai Marica and Ferencz Tunyogi, fourth official Szabolcs Kovacs, goalkeeper was allegedly struck in the head and hands while holding the ball. This incident follows a VAR team consisting pattern of Bastian Dankert and Cătălin Popa. The match is scheduled to take place at scrutiny regarding Kovacs’ recent Champions League assignments, including the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan. previous match between Bodø/Glimt and Union Saint‑Gilloise that also involved multiple red cards and confrontations with club officials.