Georgi Kabakov Will Officiate Champions League Match
UEFA has appointed Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov to officiate the upcoming Champions League clash on October 13, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Soccer
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UEFA has appointed 40-year-old Georgi Kabakov to referee the Champions League match between Viking Stavanger and Bayern Munich on October 13, 2026. This assignment comes following his previous suspension by the Bulgarian football association in 2025.
Why it matters
The appointment highlights UEFA’s continued trust in Kabakov despite his prior disciplinary record at the national level. His selection for a high-profile Champions League fixture signals his ongoing standing within international officiating hierarchies.
Kabakov has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2013 and has officiated Champions League matches since 2018. His career also includes officiating 3 Olympic matches during the 2021 Tokyo games.
The players
Georgi Kabakov
He is a 40-year-old football referee who has been on the FIFA international list since 2013.
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations serves as the administrative and controlling body for European association football.
Martin Georgiev
He is a professional football player whose involvement in a 2025 match led to controversy regarding a potential handball.
The details
Kabakov was previously suspended alongside Wladimir Walkow following an October 7, 2025, Bulgarian league match between Slavia and Lokomotiv Sofia, which ended 2-0. Reports indicated the officials failed to penalize a handball by Slavia player Martin Georgiev before a goal was scored, leading to claims of inadequate performance.
Timeline
7 October 2025: A controversial Bulgarian league match occurred.
23 October 2025: Kabakov officiated a Europa League match.
7 November 2025: Kabakov returned to Bulgarian league refereeing.
13 October 2026: Kabakov is scheduled to referee the Champions League match.
Season Trajectory
This appointment follows the 2025 Bulgarian football association suspension of Georgi Kabakov for inadequate match officiating. It demonstrates how UEFA’s administrative choices can diverge from national-level disciplinary decisions in the current Champions League season.
The involvement of an experienced FIFA-listed official directly influences the tactical environment of the upcoming Champions League fixture. Fans and analysts will monitor the match closely for potential impacts on the officiating standards for the remainder of the tournament.
The takeaway
Refereeing high-stakes matches requires a consistent application of rules across different leagues and international competitions. Officials must balance performance expectations from both their national associations and European governing bodies.
Further reading
Explore more background on international matches in the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Goal.
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