Latest news with #IstvanKovacs
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Former Premier League star, 29, gets Club World Cup's first red card… after referee forgets he'd been booked
FORMER Tottenham and Aston Villa star Clement Lenglet received the first red card of the Club World Cup — despite the referee forgetting he had already been booked. Lenglet, 29, lined up for Atletico Madrid in their heavy 4-0 defeat to newly crowned Champions League kings Paris Saint-Germain. 4 4 The 16-time France defender had only just completed a permanent move to Atletico from Barcelona after a season-long loan move. But Lenglet's time against PSG ended in disaster when he was given his marching orders during the second half. With the score at 2-0 and 13 minutes left on the clock, Lenglet began to argue with Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs after a minor decision went against Atleti. The official was having none of it though and quickly brandished a yellow card. However, Kovacs had seemingly forgotten that he had already booked Lenglet earlier in the match, leaving fans and pundits stunned. He was quickly made aware of the incorrect decision though. And after a minute, Kovacs returned to Lenglet before producing a red card. Fans were quick to react though, with many criticising Kovacs. One said: 'The ref in this game has been something else.' Another declared: 'Worst I've ever seen.' Lionel Messi appears to headbutt Club World Cup opponent as tempers flare in Inter Miami's opening match 4 4 One noted: 'Bro this ref.' Another added: 'Referee needs to be questioned.' Lenglet will now miss Atletico's next game against Seattle Sounders. But he will be able to play in the final group match against Brazilian champions Botafogo, with the winner likely to claim second spot behind an unstoppable-looking PSG side. Lenglet is best known to Premier League fans for underwhelming loans at Tottenham and Villa. He made 35 appearances for Spurs during the 2022/23 season, with the Londoners opting against making his move permanent. Lenglet then spent the following campaign at Aston Villa, but failed to impress in 25 outings.
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Club World Cup sees its first red card - but only after referee FORGOT he had already booked Atletico Madrid defender as PSG win 4-0
The Club World Cup saw it's first red card handed out during PSG 's 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid - however it came after a bizarre moment from the match official. The Champions League winners returned to action with an emphatic performance over their Spanish counterparts at the Rose Bowl Stadium in California. Goals from Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Senny Mayulu and Kang-In Lee secured the win in their opener however some fans were left talking about one particular incident. In the 77th minute of the match, Atletico defender Clement Lenglet was seen arguing with referee Istvan Kovacs before being shown a yellow card by the official. This caused bemusement among the commentators and fans who were aware that Lenglet had already been shown a yellow card earlier in the match. Kovacs, however, needed a minute to realise and initially walked off after brandishing the caution to the France international. The Ref FORGOT He Already Gave Him A Yellow 🤯 Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 - July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 15, 2025 Eventually, the Romanian did clock on to what had happened and quickly pulled out a red card and dismissed Lenglet. PSG landed the first blow in the Group B clash when Fabian Ruiz fired home from distance in the 19th minute. They doubled their advantage just before halftime when an Antoine Griezmann miss led to a counter-attack that ended with Vitinha firing home under sunny skies in Southern California. The LaLiga side appeared to have pulled one back when Julian Alvarez found the net in the 57th minute but it was overturned after a VAR review. The Spanish side's nightmare continued when defender Clement Lenglet was sent off after receiving a second yellow card and Alexander Sorloth inexplicably missed what should have been a tap-in, instead sending it over the bar. Substitute Senny Mayulu added a third goal for PSG in the 87th minute to end any hopes of an Atletico comeback, while Lee Kang-in fired home a stoppage-time penalty to round off the scoring. PSG will be back at the Rose Bowl on Thursday to face Brazilian team Botafogo while Atletico will travel north to Seattle to take on MLS side the Seattle Sounders. 'The hardest thing to do in football is to maintain the level, not just going high and low,' Vitinha, who was named man of the match, said. 'That's what I tried to do. Very good performance by the team and a very good start to this competition.' PSG were without Frenchman and Ballon d'Or favourite Ousmane Dembele, who suffered an injury while playing for France in the UEFA Nations League earlier this month, but they hardly needed him on Sunday. The historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena was rocking thanks to the 80,000 fans who turned out amid the hot midday sun one year before the U.S. will co-host the World Cup along with Mexico and Canada. 'It was a different environment but it feels good to see so many people in the USA here to watch soccer, or to watch football, as I say,' Vitinha added.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Official – Romanian Referee Istvan Kovacs To Be In Charge Of PSG Vs Inter Milan Champions League Final
Official – Romanian Referee Istvan Kovacs To Be In Charge Of PSG Vs Inter Milan Champions League Final Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs will be in charge of the Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan. This is confirmed by UEFA, via FCInterNews. Dutch official Dennis Higler will be on VAR Duty for the match. Advertisement Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan will face off in the Champions League final at the end of this month. PSG booked their place in the final by knocking out the likes of Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal. Meanwhile, Inter eliminated the likes of Feyenoord and Bayern Munich, before a semifinal tie against Barcelona which went the distance as Inter prevailed 7-6 on aggregate. The final in Munich on May 31st will be a season-defining match for both teams. Inter are in the final for the second time in the space of three seasons. They lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the 2023 final. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain are in their second ever final. They lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich in 2020. Istvan Kovacs To Referee PSG Vs Inter Milan Champions League Final – Higler On VAR HAMBURG, GERMANY – JUNE 26: Referee Istvan Kovacs looks on during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Czechia and Turkiye at Volksparkstadion on June 26, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by) The referee for Saturday's match will be Romanian official Istvan Kovacs. Advertisement Assisting Kovacs in his duties will be fellow Romanian referees Mihai Marica and Ferencz Tunyogi. The role of the fourth official, meanwhile, will fall to Portuguese referee Joao Pedro Silva Pinheiro. Meanwhile, Bruno Miguel Alves Jesus will be the reserve assistant referee In the VAR booth, Dennis Higler will oversee the match to ensure to correct any errors by the on-pitch officials. Assisting Alves Jesus in his duties will be Catalin Sorin Popa and Pol van Boekel. Inter will be hoping that the focus stays on the action on the pitch rather than refereeing controversy.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Report – Inter Milan Held Emergency Transfer Talks After Champions League Final Debacle
Inter Milan held emergency transfer talks following the debacle of their loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. This according to today's print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInter1908. Advertisement Saturday's loss to PSG in the Champions League final exposed glaring faults at Inter Milan. It is not just that the Nerazzurri lost to the Parisians. They were utterly humiliated, looking sluggish and out of condition. This made it clear – the average age of Inter's squad is not sustainable. Wins over teams like Bayern Munich and Barcelona may have papered over some cracks. However, the Nerazzurri cannot hope to compete at the highest level with the players have now. Inter Milan Held Emergency Transfer Talks After Champions League Final MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 31: Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale reacts towards Referee Istvan Kovacs during the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Football Arena on May 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by) According to the Corriere dello Sport, the Nerazzurri hierarchy reacted immediately after Saturday's final. Advertisement Club President Beppe Marotta along with Sporting Director Piero Ausilio spoke with Oaktree Capital representatives. It is clear that Inter owners Oaktree want to start investing in young players. And they are even willing to spend to do so. But senior figures at the club reckoned with the implications of Saturday's lost for the transfer market immediately after the match.
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Who is the referee for Champions League final between PSG and Inter?
The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 final between PSG and Inter will take place at the Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31 (June 1 according to IST). Who is the referee for the UEFA Champions League final between PSG and Inter? Istvan Kovacs will referee the UEFA Champions League final between PSG and Inter. An international referee since 2010, Kovacs will oversee his third UEFA club final. He previously officiated the 2024 Europa League final (Atalanta vs. Leverkusen) and the 2022 Conference League final (Roma vs. Feyenoord). This season, the 40-year-old has refereed seven Champions League matches, including the Liverpool-PSG round of 16 second leg. Istvan Kovacs in the Champions League this season Matches: 7 Yellow cards: 19 Red cards: 2 UEFA Champions League final refereeing team Referee: István Kovács (Romania) Assistants: Mihai Marica and Ferencz Tunyogi (both from Romania) Fourth Official: Joao Pedro Silva Pinheiro (Portugal) Reserve AR: Bruno Miguel Alves Jesus (Portugal) VAR: Dennis Johan Higler (Netherlands) Assistant VAR: Catalin Sorin Popa (Romania) VAR Support: Paulus van Boekel (Netherlands)
