UEFA have appointed their match officials for Arsenal’s match against Real Madrid on Tuesday, the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
UEFA have confirmed their match officials for Arsenal’s upcoming Champions League quarter-final first-leg match against Real Madrid, set to take place on Tuesday night.
Bosnian referee Irfan Peljto will take charge, assisted by fellow Bosnians Senad Ibrišimbegović and Davor Beljo. The fourth official will be Miloš Gigovic.
As for the VAR team, two Germans have been appointed, with Bastian Dankert as the VAR and Christian Dingert as the assistant VAR.
Peljto is an experienced referee, taking six Champions League games already this season, including one of the knockout matches between Stade Brestois and Paris Saint-Germain in February.
The 40-year-old has also refereed Real Madrid in the knockouts before, overseeing a round-of-16 match against RB Leipzig last season.
Though it is worth noting that those are Peljto’s only two Champions League knockout matches, so this quarter-final will be his biggest game in the competition so far. Arguably the biggest game of his career.
Given how much of a talking point English referees are in the Premier League, Arsenal fans will hope this is the last time we talk about the officiating team for Tuesday’s Champions League game. A focus on the football would be nice for such a big occasion.