UEFA unveils European final referees


UEFA has unveiled the refereeing appointments for this month’s European club finals, with German official Daniel Siebert handed the marquee assignment of the season – the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal in Budapest. 
Despite years operating at the top level of the European game, 42-year-old Siebert has never previously taken charge of a UEFA club final. That changes on May 30 at the Puskás Aréna, where Arsenal will attempt to lift Europe’s biggest prize against a PSG side looking to claim consecutive titles.

UEFA’s Referees Committee has clearly rewarded trust and familiarity. Siebert has officiated nine Champions League matches this season, including Arsenal’s quarter-final first leg against Sporting CP and their semi-final second leg with Atlético Madrid. He also handled last year’s Europa League semi-final between Manchester United and Athletic Club.

✓ 2026 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL REFEREEING TEAM IN FULL:

★Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)

★Assistants: Jan Seidel and Rafael Foltyn (both from Germany)

★4th Official: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)

★Reserve AR: Guadalupe Porras Ayuso (Spain)

★ VAR: Bastian Dankert (Germany)

★Assistant VAR: Robert Schröder (Germany)

★VAR Support: Carlos Del Cerro Grande (Spain)

French referee François Letexier, meanwhile, continues his rapid ascent through UEFA’s elite officiating ranks after being appointed to the Europa League final between SC Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul on May 20.

Still only 37, Letexier already boasts one of the strongest CVs among Europe’s referees. He officiated the UEFA EURO 2024 final between Spain and England, As well as the UEFA Super Cup in 2023 and was fourth official for the 2024 Champions League final. UEFA’s decision to place him on another major final underlines how highly he is regarded internally.

✓ 2026 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL REFEREEING TEAM IN FULL:

★ Referee: François Letexier (France)

★Assistants: Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni (both from France)

★4th Official: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (Spain)

 
★Reserve AR: José Enrique Naranjo Pérez (Spain)
 
★VAR: Jérôme Brisard (France) 


★Assistant VAR: Willy Delajod (France)

 
★VAR Support: Dennis Higler (Netherlands)

In the women’s game, Swedish referee Tess Olofsson has been selected for the Women’s Champions League final between FC Barcelona Femení and Olympique Lyonnais Féminin in Oslo. 

Olofsson has steadily built her reputation over the last two seasons and now lands her first Women’s Champions League final after overseeing several high-profile knockout fixtures, including last year’s semi-final between Chelsea and Barcelona.

✓ 2026 UEFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL REFEREEING TEAM IN FULL:
 
★Referee: Tess Olofsson (Sweden)

 
★Assistants: Almira Spahic (Sweden) and Monica Løkkeberg (Norway) 

 
★4th Official: Iuliana Demetrescu (Romania) 

 
★Reserve AR: Tilde Hedberg (Sweden)
 
 
★VAR: Bram Van Driessche (Belgium)

 
★Assistant VAR: Fedayi San (Switzerland) 
 
★VAR Support: Michael Fabbri (Italy).

The Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano will be overseen by Italian referee Maurizio Mariani in Leipzig on May 27. 

Mariani, 44, has quietly become one of UEFA’s most relied-upon officials in recent years and handled Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against PSG earlier this season. This will be his first UEFA final as lead referee after serving as fourth official in last year’s Europa League showpiece.

✓ 2026 UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE FINAL REFEREEING TEAM IN FULL:
 

★Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)

  
★Assistants: Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni (both from Italy)
 
 
★4th Official: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden) 

 
★Reserve AR: Mahbod Beigi (Sweden)

 
★VAR: Marco Di Bello (Italy)

 
★Assistant VAR: Daniele Chiffi (Italy)

 
★VAR Support: Ivan Bebek (Croatia)

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