UEFA announce Referee and VAR for Newcastle v Benfica – Absolutely unbelievable | OneFootball

UEFA have revealed their Champions League match official appointments for the third round of matches, including the Newcastle v Benfica game.

The names seemed a little familiar.

The Referee for Newcastle v Benfica is Szymon Marciniak.

Whilst the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) at St James’ Park on Tuesday night will be Tomasz Kwiatkowski.

Now where do I remember these names from?

That’s right, 23 months ago can you recall this…?

The Mag report – 29 November 2023:

The VAR official for the PSG 1 Newcastle 1 match has now been stood down by UEFA.

Polish VAR Tomasz Kwiatkowski wrongly sent referee Szymon Marciniak to the pitchside monitor in the sixth minute of added time.

This was after the ball struck Tino Livramento’s elbow after it deflected off his torso.

The VAR official claiming the Newcastle defender was guilty of ‘making his body bigger and creating a barrier.’

After following the VAR official’s guidance, the on the pitch referee then gave the penalty which then led to a final scoreline of PSG 1 Newcastle 1, thanks to the wrongly awarded penalty that was then scored by Kylian Mbappe.

Tomasz Kwiatkowski was due to be the VAR for tonight’s Real Sociedad and FC Salzburg Champions League match but he has been removed, replaced by German official Marco Fritz.

ESPN report on VAR official at PSG 1 Newcastle 1 match – 29 November 2023:

‘The VAR who awarded Paris Saint-Germain’s controversial added-time penalty against Newcastle United in the Champions League has been removed from duty by UEFA on a game on Wednesday night.

Polish VAR Tomasz Kwiatkowski sent referee Szymon Marciniak to the pitchside monitor in the 96th minute of Tuesday’s match after the ball struck the arm of Tino Livramento, which was judged to be making his body bigger and creating a barrier.

Marciniak overturned his decision and gave the penalty to PSG, converted by Kylian Mbappé to earn the home side a crucial 1-1 draw which left qualification for the round of 16 in the French club’s control.

Kwiatkowski was due to act as VAR for Wednesday’s meeting between Real Sociedad and FC Salzburg, but the role will now be taken on by German official Marco Fritz… although the ball deflected off the body of Livramento before it hit his arm this alone isn’t the consideration against a penalty. Livramento’s arm position wasn’t extended away from his body and was a consequence of his body movement, so shouldn’t have been a handball offence.’

These two clowns have somehow kept their jobs and even worse, Newcastle United get them BOTH again, in only the fourth NUFC Champions League game since that Paris shambles.

PSG went on to be knocked out by Borussia Dortmund (also in Newcastle’s group of death that CL season) in the semi-final, whereas without that shocking combination of referee and the VAR in Paris, it would almost certainly have been Newcastle United progressing and PSG knocked out at the group stage.

Needless to say, all eyes on how these two Polish match officials officiate on Tuesday night at St James’ Park…

Official UEFA announcement for Newcastle v Benfica at St James’ Park:

Champions League 2025/26 – Referee Appointments – Matchday 3 (I)

Here are the appointments for the third matchday of 2025/26 Champions League league-phase, first set of matches, to be played on 21 October 2025.