For the first time in the twenty-first century. A historic event related to Ukraine took place in the Champions League

For the first time in the twenty-first century, a group stage match of the Champions League was officiated by a team of referees consisting entirely of Ukrainians. Head referee Mykola Balakin worked on November 29 at the Real Sociedad vs Salzburg match of the 5th round (0:0).

The 34-year-old from Kyiv was assisted by linesmen Oleksandr Berkut from Sumy and Dmytro Zaporozhenko from Zaporizhzhia. Yaroslav Kozik played the role of the fourth referee.

It should be noted that Tomasz Kwiatkowski, a Pole, was supposed to assist Balakin in VAR in this match, but UEFA suspended him the day before the match.

The last time Ukrainian referees worked at European Cup tournaments was 25 years ago. It happened in the 1998/1999 UEFA Champions League season. Then Vasyl Melnychuk, a representative of Simferopol, refereed the match between Athletic Bilbao and Rosenborg Trondheim, Norway.

It is worth noting that Real Sociedad and Salzburg do not actually have tournament tasks. The Spaniards have already guaranteed themselves a place in the playoffs, while the Austrians are three points ahead of Lisbon's Benfica and, in the event of a draw in San Sebastian and a Portuguese defeat by Inter, will qualify for the Europa League.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, in the fifth round of the Champions League, Shakhtar Donetsk barely beat Belgian Antwerp. After the match, a clash broke out on the field, and the referee showed a red card. The moment was not broadcast live.

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