Referee Appointments for Champions League Gameweek 1

As the UEFA Champions League heats up in the 2025/26 season, a record six English clubs will compete in this years competition.

Six intriguing group stage fixtures promise high stakes and tactical battles. But behind every pivotal call, from penalty shouts to VAR interventions, stands a referee tasked with maintaining order amid the chaos.

The referees for the English Clubs this week are:

Athletic Club vs. Arsenal: Donatas Rumšas – Lithuania's Euro Trailblazer Steps Up

Over in Bilbao's electric Estadio de San Mamés, where Athletic Club's Basque passion meets Arsenal's precision, Lithuanian referee Donatas Rumšas will make his mark.

A Category 1 official, Rumšas etched his name in history at Euro 2024 as the first Lithuanian referee in an independent-era major tournament, debuting in a group stage thriller that showcased his calm under the lights. His rapid ascent includes recent stints in Champions League qualifiers, where he's been praised for clear communication and fair play.

At 38, Rumšas brings a fresh perspective to UEFA's top table, having officiated over a dozen international matches with a low controversy rate. His Lithuanian assistants Aleksandras Radavičius and Dovydas Sužiedėlis will flank him, alongside fourth official Robertas Valikonis.

Tottenham vs. Villarreal: Rade Obrenović – The Slovenian Enforcer with Qualifier Pedigree

London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium sets the scene for a tactical chess match between Spurs and Villarreal, refereed by Slovenian stalwart Rade Obrenović.

Now in his mid-40s, Obrenović has officiated nearly 300 professional games, including stints in the PrvaLiga, Greek Super League, and multiple UEFA qualifiers. Over the past year alone, he's handled 17 fixtures, among them three Champions League qualifiers, averaging 4.25 yellow cards per game—a firm but fair tally that deters reckless challenges without derailing the flow.

He'll be backed by compatriots Jure Praprotnik and Grega Kordež as assistants, David Šmajc as fourth official, and Alen Borošak on VAR—all Slovenian for a cohesive unit. German AVAR Bastian Dankert adds Teutonic precision to video checks.

Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea: José María Sánchez Martínez – The El Clásico Veteran Takes Charge

In Munich's iconic Allianz Arena, where Bayern's red-and-white army clashes with Chelsea's blue brigade, Spanish referee José María Sánchez Martínez will be the man in the middle.

Born in 1983 in Murcia, Sánchez has risen through La Liga's ranks to become a UEFA elite referee, earning his FIFA stripes and a reputation for handling pressure-cooker games with composure. At 41, he's no stranger to the big stage: he officiated the 2024 El Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, a match that drew global scrutiny for its intensity and his measured decisions.

Sánchez's style leans toward discipline without excess drama—his teams average around 4-5 yellows per game in domestic play, with a keen eye for tactical fouls.

Supporting him are fellow Spaniards Raúl Caballero and Íñigo Prieto as assistants, Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez as fourth official, and countryman Carlos del Cerro Grande on VAR duties. The A-VAR role goes to Dutchman Rob Dieperink, adding a cross-border layer to potential reviews.

🚨 José María Sánchez from Spain will referee Bayern Munich vs Chelsea on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/Du7RlW80lp

— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) September 15, 2025

Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid: Maurizio Mariani – Italy's Serie A Sentinel Returns to Europe

Closing out the quartet at Anfield, where Liverpool's roar meets Atletico's steel, Italian referee Maurizio Mariani takes centre stage. Born in 1982 in Rome and residing in Aprilia, the 43-year-old has built a solid Serie A career since 2013, officiating over 340 games with an average of 3.76 yellows per outing—enough to keep Diego Simeone's warriors in check without over-officiating.

Mariani's UEFA portfolio includes Europa League ties and qualifiers, blending Italian flair with meticulous detail.

His crew is a full Italian affair: assistants Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni, fourth official Matteo Marcenaro, VAR Marco Di Bello, and AVAR Alessandro Di Paolo.

This homegrown synergy could streamline decisions in a cauldron like Anfield, especially with the head-to-head locked at 2-2-2 (9-8 goals to Liverpool). Mariani's record against top clubs shows impartiality, with penalties awarded evenly—key for a fixture where Atletico's dark arts often test officials.

Newcastle United vs. Barcelona: Glenn Nyberg – The Swedish Prodigy Faces Geordie Passion

Newcastle's fortress-like St James' Park will host an electric clash between the Magpies and Barcelona's Blaugrana, under the watchful eye of Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg.

The 36-year-old Nyberg has been a full international since 2016, quickly establishing himself as a UEFA elite referee with a career spanning over 200 Allsvenskan matches since 2013. Known for his composed demeanour and fair play, Nyberg has officiated high-stakes games, including the 2024 Champions League quarter-final first leg between Arsenal and Bayern Munich, where he faced criticism from Bayern's Thomas Tuchel over a non-awarded penalty but maintained his reputation for handling pressure. He also took charge of the opening match at the 2024 Olympics between Argentina and Morocco, dealing adeptly with a chaotic pitch invasion and goal disallowance.

Nyberg's style emphasizes flow and minimal interruptions, averaging around 4 yellow cards per game in European competitions, with a focus on tactical fouls. His Swedish assistants Mahbod Beigi and Andreas Söderkvist will support him, with Adam Ladebäck as fourth official for a cohesive national team. French VAR Jérôme Brisard and Belgian AVAR Bram van Driessche bring international expertise to reviews.

Manchester City vs. Napoli: Felix Zwayer – The Resilient German Elite Handles Sky Blue Intensity

At the Etihad Stadium on Thursday Night, Manchester City's possession masters take on Napoli's Partenopei flair, refereed by German veteran Felix Zwayer. The 44-year-old Zwayer has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2012 and a UEFA elite category official, officiating hundreds of Bundesliga games and key European fixtures.

Despite a controversial past—implicated in the 2005 match-fixing scandal as an assistant referee, where he accepted a €300 bribe and received a secret six-month ban—Zwayer has redeemed himself through consistent performance, including VAR duties at the 2018 World Cup and leading the 2023 UEFA Nations League final between Croatia and Spain.

In 2025, he officiated the Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United, as well as Euro 2024's England-Netherlands semi-final, earning praise for his poise under scrutiny.

Zwayer's approach is authoritative yet balanced, with an average of 3.5-4 yellows per game. His all-German crew includes assistants Robert Kempter and Christian Dietz, fourth official Florian Badstübner, VAR Christian Dingert, and AVAR Bastian Dankert—ensuring seamless coordination.

Whistles in Harmony: What These Appointments Mean for the Week

UEFA's referee selections for these fixtures underscore a blend of experience and innovation: from Sánchez's star power to Rumšas's rising star, Obrenović's reliability, and Mariani's tactical nous.

With VAR teams spanning Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, and Germany, expect efficient tech interventions. As these matches unfold, the referees won't steal the show—but their calls could well decide who advances in this unpredictable group stage. Fans, fasten your seatbelts: the beautiful game is back, and the men in black (and green) are ready.