Romanian Referee Istvan Kovacs to Officiate Hapoel Be'er Sheva's Champions League Return Match

The Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs has been appointed by UEFA to officiate the Champions League second-leg match between Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Sabah FC of Azerbaijan. The Israeli champions will travel to Azerbaijan holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, aiming to secure progression to the next round.

Born in 1984, Kovacs is among Europe's top referees and has been an international official since 2010. He has officiated major European club finals, including the 2022 UEFA Conference League final, the 2024 UEFA Europa League final, and notably the 2025 UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan. This achievement made him the first referee to manage finals in all three major UEFA club competitions.

Kovacs also participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, refereeing two group stage matches: Japan versus Tunisia (0-4) and Argentina versus Jordan (3-1). Known for his strict officiating style, he averages 5.3 yellow cards per game, issues a red card approximately every three matches, and awards penalties about every two games. This disciplinary record indicates a low tolerance for fouls, suggesting Hapoel Be'er Sheva players must maintain composure and avoid unnecessary fouls to prevent jeopardizing their historic qualification attempt.

Kovacs' appointment underscores UEFA's confidence in his abilities and highlights the significance of the upcoming fixture for the Israeli club.