Istvan Kovacs, nominated by IFFHS. The central is on the list of the best referees in the world in 2025
Istvan Kovacs, one of the most respected referees in Europe, has been nominated by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) for the award for “Best Referee of the Year 2025”.
Istvan Kovács is once again among the heavyweights of the world PHOTO Getty Images
The Romanian is among the 25 big names in world refereeing, a further confirmation of his status after being appointed to the UEFA Champions League 2024 final (PSG – Inter 5-0) and officiating important matches at EURO 2024.
Full list of IFFHS Men's Nominated Referees
- Clément Turpin (France)
- Espen Eskas (Norway)
- Felix Zwayer (Germany)
- François Letexier (France)
- Istvan Kovacs (Romania)
- José Maria Sanchez Martinez (Spain)
- Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
- Michael Oliver (England)
- Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
- Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
- Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
- Dario Herrera (Argentina)
- Esteban Ostojich (Uruguay)
- Facundo Tello (Argentina)
- Jesus Valenzuela (Venezuela)
- Piero Maza (Chile)
- Raphael Claus (Brazil)
- Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)
- César Arturo Ramos (Mexico)
- Ivan Barton (El Salvador)
- Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
- Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
- Alireza Faghani (Australia)
- Abdulrahman Al Jassim (Qatar)
- Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)
Already regarded as one of UEFA's most consistent referees, Kovacs is in select company with world and European whistle champions.
Two Romanians on the IFFHS women's list
Romania is also represented in the world top of female refereeing, through Iuliana Demetrescu and Alina Peșu, both nominated in the “Best referee of the year 2025” category.
Full list of IFFHS nominated referees
- Catarina Ferreira Campos (Portugal)
- Iuliana Demetrescu (Romania)
- Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (Italy)
- Silvia Gasperotti (Italy)
- Desirée Grundbacher (Switzerland)
- Stéphanie Frappart (France)
- Marta Huerta de Aza (Spain)
- Frida Klarlund (Denmark)
- Katalin Kulcsár (Hungary)
- Ivana Martincic (Croatia)
- Tess Olofsson (Sweden)
- Alina Peșu (Romania)
- Tori Penso (USA)
- Katia Itzel Garcia (Mexico)
- Edina Alves (Brazil)
- Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)
- Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
- Antsino Twananyukwa (Namibia)
- Shahenda El Maghrabi (Egypt)
- Emikar Calderas (Venezuela)
IFFHS Gala in December
Winners of all categories, including refereeing, players, coaches and goalkeepers, will be announced in December at the 2025 IFFHS Gala.
Istvan Kovacs, Iuliana Demetrescu and Alina Peșu carry forward the pride of Romanian refereeing on the world stage.
