Maltese official Ishmael Barbara will take charge of the opening matchday fixture in the League Phase of the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.
The FIFA referee has been selected for the meeting between Raków Częstochowa of Poland and Universitatea Craiova of Romania. He will be supported on the touchlines by FIFA assistant referees Luke Portelli and James Muscat, while FIFA referee Philip Farrugia will act as fourth official.
Video technology will be in operation for the match. Italy’s Michael Fabbri will serve as Video Assistant Referee, with Rosario Abisso as Assistant Video Assistant Referee.
The game is scheduled for Thursday, 2 October 2025, at ArcelorMittal Park in Sosnowiec, Poland, with kick-off at 21:00 CET.
