UEFA appoints Marian Barbu for Benfica v Hearts first leg | OneFootball

UEFA confirmed that Romanian referee Marian Barbu will take charge of Benfica’s Europa League third qualifying round first leg against Hearts at Estádio da Luz on Thursday, 6 August, kick-off 20:00.

International since 2021, the 37-year-old will be assisted by compatriots Mircea Mihail Grigoriu and Imre Laszlo Bucsi. Radu Petrescu is the fourth official.

Catalin Popa will act as VAR, with Marcel Birsan as AVAR, completing an all-Romanian team.

This will be Barbu’s first official Benfica assignment, though he has previously handled Portuguese sides in Europe. In 2024 he oversaw Vitória de Guimarães’ 3-0 win against Zurich in the Conference League. He also refereed Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Belgium in the Under-17 World Cup round of 16.

Benfica reached this stage after eliminating St. Gallen in the previous round. Hearts drop from the Champions League after losses to Sturm Graz, 4-0 and 2-0.

The tie marks another step in Benfica’s push for a place in the Europa League league phase. The second leg already has its officiating team assigned.

Source: Glorioso 1904