[Saba Sports News] According to Spanish media reports, UEFA has decided that István Kovács will not officiate the remaining Champions League matches this season. Kovács’ refereeing decisions during the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid at the Camp Nou caused major controversy, prompting a rare public response from UEFA. The Romanian referee made several questionable calls during the game, raising suspicions that he had been influenced by complaints made by Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, a senior figure at Atlético Madrid, through official club channels. While it is normal for referees to be aware of participating teams’ circumstances, this case appeared to go too far, with Kovács seemingly unduly influenced by Atlético Madrid. All controversial decisions in the match favoured the Rojiblancos. Under these circumstances, UEFA has ruled that Kovács will take no further part in refereeing any remaining Champions League fixtures this season.
The editor believes that when one door closes, another window may open. Although Kovács has been excluded from the Champions League, he has been included in the FIFA list of referees for the World Cup. Therefore, despite UEFA’s internal decision not to let Kovács participate in the Champions League, he still has the opportunity to appear at the World Cup.