UEFA has made a historic decision in European competitions concerning Ukraine

Mykola Balakin, a 35-year-old referee from Kyiv, became the first Ukrainian referee in history to be appointed to a match in the spring part of European competitions. Our compatriot will work at the Conference League playoff match between Spanish Betis and Dinamo Zagreb.

The meeting will take place at the Benito Villamarin Stadium in Seville on Thursday, February 15, and will start at 22:00 Kyiv time, according to the website of the European Football Union (UEFA). Balakin will be assisted by linesmen Oleksandr Berkut from Sumy and Dmytro Zaporozhenko from Zaporizhzhia. Viktor Kopiyevsky, representing Kropyvnytskyi, will serve as the fourth referee.

Traditionally, the game will use the video assistance system (VAR). It will be overseen by Italian Maurizio Mariani, who will be assisted by Kateryna Monzul.

Never before have representatives of our country worked at European Cup matches after the winter break. Moreover, Ukrainian referees have never refereed in the playoffs of club competitions after the introduction of group stages.

Earlier, Balakin became the first Ukrainian referee in the last 25 years to officiate a Champions League main draw match. Interestingly, this also happened in Spain - on November 29, he recorded a zero-zero draw in the match between Real Sociedad and Salzburg.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the International Federation of Association Football (IFAB), which is responsible for the management and regulation of the game, has decided to introduce blue cards.

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