The referee team has been named for the highly anticipated UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Barcelona and Napoli. The first leg of this knockout stage tie will be officiated by an experienced crew led by Dutch referee Danny Makkelie.
Danny Makkelie to Oversee Barcelona’s Home Leg Against Napoli
Danny Makkelie will be the head referee for Barcelona vs Napoli
Danny Makkelie, a 37-year-old referee from the Netherlands, has been appointed as the main official for this crucial Champions League fixture at the Camp Nou. Makkelie has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2011 and has overseen numerous high-profile matches in his career, including:
- UEFA Euro 2020 semi-final between Italy and Spain
- 2020 UEFA Europa League Final between Sevilla and Inter Milan
- Multiple Champions League group stage and knockout matches
Makkelie’s extensive experience in handling top-level European competitions makes him a suitable choice for this important clash between two footballing giants.
The Dutch Officiating Team
Joining Danny Makkelie will be a team of fellow Dutch officials:
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Assistant Referee 1 | Hessel Steegstra |
| Assistant Referee 2 | Jan de Vries |
| Fourth Official | Allard Lindhout |
| VAR | Rob Dieperink |
| AVAR | Clay Ruperti |
Having an all-Dutch officiating team ensures smooth communication and coordination among the officials, which is crucial in high-stakes matches like this one.
VAR Presence in the Champions League
The presence of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) has become an integral part of modern football, especially in major tournaments like the Champions League. For this match, experienced Dutch VAR official Rob Dieperink will be assisted by his compatriot Clay Ruperti.
VAR has been instrumental in ensuring fair play and minimizing controversial decisions that could impact the outcome of a match. Its implementation in the Champions League has been largely successful, providing referees with the support they need to make accurate calls in key moments.
Referee Observer: Stavros Tritsonis
Overseeing the performance of the referee team will be Stavros Tritsonis, a Greek referee observer appointed by UEFA. Tritsonis’ role is to assess the officiating crew’s decision-making, control of the match, and overall performance.
The presence of a referee observer ensures that the officials adhere to UEFA’s high standards and maintain consistency in their application of the rules throughout the competition.
With an experienced and well-coordinated Dutch referee team led by Danny Makkelie, fans can expect a fairly officiated match between Barcelona and Napoli in their Champions League Round of 16 encounter. The inclusion of VAR further reinforces the commitment to fair play and accuracy in decision-making, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive European night at the Camp Nou.
