Need to know
Arsenal's bid for Champions League glory continues at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, where referee Danny Makkelie will hope to avoid further controversy
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr pleads to match referee Danny Makkelie during the Saudi Super Cup Semi-Final match between Al Ittihad and Al Nassr at King Fahd International Stadium
Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal ref Danny Makkelie has had a couple of run-ins with Cristiano Ronaldo over the years(Image: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Everything you need to know about UCL ref Danny Makkelie:
The Cristiano Ronaldo "Ghost Goal": One of the most defining moments of Makkelie’s career occurred in March 2021 during a World Cup qualifier between Portugal and Serbia when Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to score a clear winner after his shot crossed the goal line before being cleared. The match lacked Video Assistant Referee (VAR) or goal-line technology, meaning Makkelie and his assistants failed to award the goal, prompting an infamous outburst from Ronaldo, who threw his captain’s armband to the ground and stormed off.
Public Apology: Displaying a level of accountability rarely seen in officiating, Makkelie later issued a public apology to Portuguese coach Fernando Santos and the entire team. He said he was "embarrassed" by the error of judgment and emphasised his team "always works hard to make good decisions."
Professional Background as a Police Inspector: Beyond the football pitch, Makkelie leads a high-pressure life as a police inspector in Rotterdam and also serves as a manager and referee coach for the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB). This law enforcement background is often cited by commentators as the source of his authoritative presence on the pitch.
The 2018 "Bottling" Accusation from Harry Kane: Arsenal fans may recall Makkelie's previous run-ins with English football, most notably a 2018 UEFA Nations League match where England faced Spain. Makkelie disallowed a late equaliser by then-Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck, ruling he had fouled goalkeeper David de Gea, leading England captain Harry Kane to even suggest Makkelie had "bottled it" under pressure.
Extensive Champions League & International Pedigree: Makkelie’s CV is among the most decorated in modern officiating. He took charge of the 2020 Europa League final between Sevilla and Inter Milan and was the man in the middle for several high-profile Euro 2020 matches, including the England vs. Denmark semi-final. His resume also includes roles as the Video Assistant Referee in the 2018 World Cup final and the 2019 Champions League final, while he also oversaw Arsenal’s round-of-16 win over Bayer Leverkusen.
History with Arsenal and Atletico Madrid: Tonight’s game marks Makkelie’s fifth time officiating the Gunners. While he oversaw their last-16 triumph this year, Arsenal fans may have more bittersweet memories of his 2024 appointment, where he officiated their quarter-final exit at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Euro 2020: Despite his status, Makkelie’s career has not been without recent setbacks, like when he was criticised for awarding a controversial penalty to England’s Raheem Sterling in the semi-final of Euro 2020.