UEFA Drops Referee Istvan Kovacs After Controversial Match

UEFA has removed referee Istvan Kovacs from officiating duties for the remainder of the current UEFA Champions League season after his controversial handling of the quarter-final first leg match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, which ended in a 2-0 defeat for Barcelona. The match, held at Camp Nou, featured several contentious calls, particularly a major disciplinary incident involving Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi, who received a yellow card for a foul on Giuliano Simeone, which was later upgraded to a straight red card after a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

Reports indicate that UEFA officials were dissatisfied with Kovacs' management of the match, considering it a significant officiating error. Additionally, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick expressed his frustration over a denied penalty claim for an alleged handball by Marc Pubil in the penalty area.

Despite these setbacks, Kovacs remains on the preliminary list of referees for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.