Old acquaintance referees again at De Kuip for Champions League duel

Feyenoord and PSV both face a crucial Champions League week, but the Rotterdam side will have an old familiar with the whistle, while the Eindhoven side will play under a completely new referee. UEFA has announced the referee appointments for the second matchday, so both clubs know what they have to deal with during the week.

Familiar referee returns to De Kuip

The Rotterdam side will face Donatas Rumsas, the Lithuanian referee who in November 2024 handed out a much‑discussed red card to then‑Feyenoord player Chris‑Kévin Nadje during the Champions League match against Red Bull Salzburg. Feyenoord lost that duel 1‑3 and Nadje was sent off 35 minutes after his substitution.

Rumsas first gave a yellow card, but after VAR intervened and saw that Nadje was standing on the foot of opponent Lucas Gourna‑Douath, the card was changed to a red. Pierre van Hooijdonk, then an analyst at the match, called it “almost laughable to have to explain”. Rumsas will now also wield the whistle during the upcoming Feyenoord‑Como match.

In addition to that match, Rumsas has previously overseen European ties involving Ajax, Vitesse and PSV, which shows that he is familiar with Dutch clubs in European competitions.

VAR continues to favor top clubs Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord despite criticism

New referee for PSV in Leipzig

PSV will play on the weeknight against RB Leipzig under the direction of Nick Walsh, a Scottish referee who will officiate a PSV match for the first time. Walsh has previously overseen two ties involving both Ajax and AZ and awarded a penalty to Ajax in the Europa League match against Qarabag in October 2024, which was won 0‑3.

The Dutch contribution to the Champions League is not limited to referees; Pol van Boekel and Dennis Higler have been appointed as VAR and assistant‑VAR respectively for the Atlético Madrid‑Manchester United match, where they will support Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg.

Feyenoord leads Eredivisie, PSV eyes Champions League

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