Champions League / Chelsea - Barça: UEFA makes major announcement (official) | OneFootball

UCL: UEFA issues strong statement ahead of Chelsea–Barça clash

Champions League / Chelsea - Barça: UEFA makes major announcement (official)

With the highly anticipated clash between Chelsea and FC Barcelona in the Champions League fast approaching, UEFA has revealed the name of the referee appointed for this encounter: Slovenian official Slavko Vincic. At 45 years old, one of the continent’s most seasoned referees is set to oversee a match between two clubs he has rarely encountered in his European career.

For FC Barcelona, Vincic brings back mixed memories: he has refereed the Blaugrana only twice, with a perfectly balanced record of one win and one loss. As for Chelsea, the history is even slimmer, as he has officiated just once in a Blues match—a game that Chelsea ended up winning.

Renowned for his measured authority and strict interpretation of contact in duels, Vincic has recently overseen several high-profile European fixtures, including a Champions League semi-final between Arsenal and PSG last season. His selection for such a tactical showdown as Chelsea-Barça therefore comes as no surprise.

The Slovenian will be under close scrutiny at Stamford Bridge, where his limited history with both clubs adds another layer of unpredictability to what is already a highly uncertain fixture.