ISTVAN KOVACS Istvan Kovacs is used to brushing away nonsense from footballers – given he deals with rowdy pupils in his day job as a PE teacher.
The 39-year-old Romanian has been picked to officiate at Euro 2024, having also reffed in Euro 2020.
Kovacs was appointed as an 2010 and nominated to the elite list in 2020.
Who is Istvan Kovacs?
Kovacs, a native of Carei, grew up a sports fanatic and turned his attention to officiating from a young age.
After following his dream, he was appointed as a professional referee in his homeland ahead of the 2007/08 season.
In his debut season, Kovacs officiated 17 Romanian top-flight fixtures and within three years he took charge of Europa League matches.
He has since become a fixture at the top level of European football, taking charge of numerous games in the Europa League and Champions League.
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He had a perfect view as Ademola Lookman scored a brilliant hat-trick in the final of the Europa League last month.
However, he was in Xavi’s crosshairs in April after Barcelona were dumped out of the Champions League.
The ex-Barca coach was sent off after complaining over Ronald Araujo conceding a penalty against PSG.
Xavi said: “The decision completely changed the game. It was too much to give a red card.
“I told the referee his performance was very bad. He was a disaster. He killed the tie.”
What games will he officiate at Euro 2024?
Uefa have not yet revealed which games will be officiated by which referees.
That information will be updated as the tournament approaches.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
