The man who will officiate the 2026 Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG is no stranger to controversy
07:30, 30 May 2026
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal appeals to Referee Daniel Siebert
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The referee who will officiate the 2026 Champions League final was at the centre of a storm a few years ago(Image: Getty Images)
Edinson Cavani once claimed that the referee assigned to officiate the 2026 Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG should be "put in jail." German referee Daniel Siebert - among the most experienced officials in the Bundesliga - became the focus of minor controversy during Uruguay's 2-0 victory over Ghana at the World Cup 2022.
Despite the win, Uruguay crashed out in the group stage on goals scored after South Korea's dramatic late win over Portugal altered the final standings. Emotions boiled over after the match ended, with a devastated Cavani one of several Uruguay players who challenged the officials - and he also struck a VAR monitor out of anger following the final whistle.
Speaking afterwards about the refereeing performance, the former Manchester United forward was highly critical. "They have to put him in jail," he said. "But if they penalise me for hitting the VAR, the referee, for having taken us out of the World Cup, they have to put him in jail."
Throughout the game, Uruguay saw multiple penalty claims dismissed, increasing the players' frustration after full-time. Several members of the squad reportedly pursued Siebert down the tunnel once the match had ended.
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Later, when questioned about possible punishment for his conduct, Cavani called for more empathy toward footballers in emotionally charged situations.
"These are things that happen... they have to get a little on the footballer's side, not only the referee and others, on the footballer's side to see what has happened, why it has happened and why things have happened the way they have," he said.
Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez of Uruguay protest to Referee Daniel Siebert
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Uruguay's players were furious with referee Daniel Siebert(Image: Getty Images)
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"It's okay that we have to maintain a behaviour and so on but we are human beings and when sometimes the things that happen [on the pitch] are lived with passion and you work so hard to get there and compete and this and the other... It may also be that the reaction of a footballer inside can be, not justified, but a little more forgiven."
Siebert later officiated additional fixtures at Euro 2024, although he was overlooked for this summer's World Cup. This Saturday, he will referee the Champions League final for the first time in his professional career.
Arsenal enter the contest as outsiders, while PSG are attempting to become only the second side in Champions League history to successfully retain the trophy. The Gunners will hope to avoid any refereeing controversies after the heartbreak of their sole previous final in 2006 against Barcelona.
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During the opening half of that match, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann received a red card and, although the English club later moved ahead thanks to Sol Campbell, goals from Samuel Eto'o and Juliano Belletti eventually secured victory for Barcelona.
Mikel Arteta's team will approach the final believing they can stay clear of disciplinary issues, having avoided a single red card throughout the season. Arsenal could also draw confidence from their earlier encounters with Siebert during this campaign.
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The German referee has managed two of Arsenal's Champions League fixtures this season - a 1-0 quarter-final success over Sporting CP and another 1-0 triumph against Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals. Siebert has also overseen one PSG match during the campaign: their scoreless draw against Atletico Bilbao in the league phase.