Article by Adrian Duţă – published on Sunday, June 15, 2025 23:39 / Updated Monday, June 16, 2025 00:07
Istvan Kovacs was at the center at PSG – Atletico Madrid (4-0)in the first stage of the World Club Championship groups. The Romanian referee offered the moment of the evening in the 60th minute, when for the first time in his career he explained a microphone decision for fans on the 90,000 -seater stadium and in front of the TVs. He then did again in extensions.
- CM of clubs 2025 takes place between June 13 and July 14, in the US;
- 32 teams, distributed in eight groups participate. The first two teams in each group qualify in optimal;
- The final takes place in New York on July 14.
- PSG and Atletico are in Group B, alongside Botafogo and Seattle Sounders
Atletico scored in the 58th minute of the Los Angeles match, through Alvarez, but his success was canceled by Istvan Kovacs. The Romanian referee was called to the Var monitor to follow the contact between Koke and two, preceding the goal of the Madrid.
Photo. Istvan Kovacs explained to the microphone, on the legendary “Rose Bowl”, the decision taken in PSG – Atletico Madrid, after consulting Var
Istvan Kovacs admitted that the Spanish midfielder had failed PSG's player and canceled Atletico's success. Immediately, the “central” explained the decision at the microphone. Everything he said was heard on the stadium and the broadcast on TV.
“After seeing the phase, the number 6 from Atletico Madrid committed a free kick in the middle. Empty canceled”, Istvan Kovacs transmitted to the microphone attached in English.
For him he is a premiere in his career. In UEFA competitions and in Superliga this rule is not yet implemented, an extremely new one in football. Only in the Bundesliga and some matches in England did it happen that the decisions taken at the arbitrators are explained to the microphone for supporters on the stadium and for viewers.
The Romanian had a job and 18 minutes later. In the 78th minute, Atletico Madrid stayed with a man in the minus. Istvan Kovacs showed Lenglet the second yellow card for protests.
Kovacs spoke to the microphone and in extensions
In the extension of the match, Kovacs was again called to the Var monitor, for a hen made by one of Atletico's defenders. The Romanian gave a penalty, then again explained to the microphone the decision.
“Atletico Madrid's player touched the ball with his hand and increased his body surface. Penalty for PSG,” Kovacs said. Lee scored from 11 meters, and the match ended immediately.
