Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, who had been the frontrunner to officiate the highly anticipated 2025 UEFA Champions League final, has been unexpectedly dropped from the role. The final, scheduled for May 31 in Munich, will feature Paris Saint-Germain facing off against Inter Milan.
UEFA’s surprising move to sideline Marciniak comes in the aftermath of a highly controversial performance during the semi-final clash between Barcelona and Inter Milan.
The decision stems from several debatable calls Marciniak made in the second leg of that semi-final, which generated widespread criticism and frustration. The most notable incident involved a penalty awarded to Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, a decision many deemed extremely harsh and unwarranted.
Additionally, Marciniak faced backlash for allowing a third Inter goal to stand, despite what many viewed as a clear foul in the lead-up. These contentious decisions sparked outrage among Barcelona players, fans, and officials alike.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta reportedly played a key role in demanding UEFA take action against Marciniak. In response to mounting pressure and criticism, UEFA opted to exclude him from not only the Champions League final but also from officiating any European final for the remainder of the season. This development was first reported by Spanish outlet El Nacional.
In place of Marciniak, UEFA has appointed Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs to oversee the 2025 Champions League final. He will be supported by his compatriots Mihai Marica and Ferenc Tunyogi as assistant referees, while Dutch official Dennis Johan Higler will manage the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) duties.
For Kovacs, this final marks the third European final of his career, having previously officiated the 2024 Europa League final between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen, as well as the 2022 UEFA Conference League final featuring Roma and Feyenoord.
Meanwhile, UEFA confirmed that Irfan Peljto will referee the Conference League final, where Real Betis will take on Chelsea, while German referee Felix Zwayer has been assigned to the Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
This decision highlights UEFA’s ongoing commitment to upholding refereeing standards at the highest level of European football. Amid rising concerns from top clubs regarding inconsistent officiating in crucial matches, the governing body appears determined to ensure fairness and accountability in its competitions moving forward.
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