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Who Is The 2025 Champions League Final Referee? Match Stats, Yellow/Red Card Record and Salary
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As the last of the main European finals draws near football fans will be wanting to know – who is the 2025 Champions League Final referee, as PSG and Inter Milan face-off at the Allianz Arena in on Saturday night.
István Kovács Will Take Charge As The 2025 Champions League Final Referee
It was announced earlier this month that the 2025 Champions League Final referee will be István Kovács.
Kovács will have the honour of blowing his whistle to get Inter Milan and PSG underway on Saturday evening.
The 40 year-old has been a referee on the international stage since 2010 and has taken charge of eight Champions League matches during the 2024/25 season – with the final set to be his ninth.
With István Kovács’ most recent Champions League referee appointment coming in the round of 16 second leg between Liverpool and PSG at Anfield.
Which was a match that saw the now finalists Paris win 4-1 on penalties and saw Kovács brandish just two yellow cards (one each). However, in more recent games the Champions League Final referee has been a bit more ‘card happy’ (see his stats below).
The Inter Champions League record stands at three heading into 2025.
Has István Kovács Refereed A Champions League Final Before?
No, the 2025 Champions League Final referee István Kovács hasn’t officiated this showcase European match before.
Meaning he’ll have a chance of making it into the top 10 Champions League finals if it’s a good game this weekend.
However, Kovács does have European Final refereeing pedigree – having been in the middle for two past finals.
He was the referee in charge of the 2024 UEFA Europa League Final in Dublin, between Atalanta and Leverkusen – dishing out seven yellow cards in a game Atalanta won 3-0.
Plus also dusted down his whistle for the 2022 UEFA Conference League Final between Roma and Feyenoord in Albania – showing five yellow cards in a match that finished 1-0 to Roma.
István Kovács European Final Record
- 2024 UEFA Europa League Final – Atalanta 3-0 Leverkusen
- 2022 UEFA Europea Conference League Final – Roma 1-0 Feyenoord
Kovács is also often found refereeing matches in his homeland – in the Romanian League – plus this season has also been in charge on two Nations League and Europa League games.
One of which was back in October 2024 when Croatia beat Scotland 2-1.
István Kovács Has Produced EIGHT Red Cards This Season
Looking at the István Kovács referee stats ahead of the 2025 Champions League Final – the Inter and PSG players might want to be on their best behaviour.
This is because heading into Saturday’s big match Kovács has used his RED CARD eight times this season – which over his 39 games is a 20% strike-rate.
These include in one of his most recent games – which was in the Romanian League on the 16th May, when he gave Uni Cluj’s Alexandru Chipciu his marching orders.
What Nationality Is Champions League Referee István Kovács?
István Kovács is Romanian – having been born in Carei, but also speaks Hungarian and Russian.
Champions League Final Referee Stats For István Kovács 2025
Saturday’s 2025 Champions League Final referee István Kovács has been the main official in 39 games so far during the 2024/25 season (all comps)
Arsenal fans might Kovács being in charge of their 1-0 away Champions League defeat to Inter back in November.
While he also sent off Rangers player Robin Pröpper in their 0-0 Europa League draw in April.
István Kovács Referee Stats 2024/25
See below the István Kovács referee stats for the 2024/25 season – where he’s been in charge of 39 games across four different competitions.
In total, Kovács has shown 145 yellow cards – which works out an average of 3.72 per game.
While he’s shown 8 red cards this season – which is an average of 0.21 per game.
| Competition | Matches | Yellow Cards | 2nd Yellow Cards (sent off) | Red Cards | Penalties Awarded |
| Romanian League | 20 | 72 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| Champions League | 9 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Europa League | 2 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Nations League | 2 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arabian Gulf Cup | 3 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Saudi Pro League | 2 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UAE Pro League | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| TOTALS | 39 | 145 | 5 | 3 | 13 |
2025 UEFA Champions League Final Refereeing Team In Full
- Referee: István Kovács (Romania)
- Assistants: Mihai Marica and Ferencz Tunyogi (both 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 : Paulus van Boekel (Netherlands)
What Is A Champions League Referee Salary?
It’s reported that the Champions League referee salary per match will range from £5,300 up to £9,000 – based what stage the match is at in the competition.
However, with this being the Champions League Final then István Kovács can expect to earn in the higher range – £9,000.
- League Stage: £5,300
- Round 16: £5,300
- Qtr/Semi-Finals: £6,700
- Final: £9,000
Note: Champions League referee salary figures are just a guide and subject to change
Champions League Final 2025 Kick-off Time, Date and Venue
See below the Champions League Final date, TV and kick-off times.
⚽Teams: Inter Milan vs PSG
🗓️Date: Sat 31st May 2025
⌚Kick-Off Time: 8pm (GMT)
🏟️Stadium: Allianz Arena, Munich ()
🟥Referee: István Kovács
📺TV: TNT
🎲Odds: PSG 5/4 | Draw 12/5 | Inter 5/2