Ref watch

IN bookings markets where each yellow counts as ten points and each red as 25, the average bookings makeup at the last three European Championships was between 39 and 41 points.

Over the past seven seasons in the Champions League it was between 41 and 45. Perhaps a reasonable expectation for Euro 2020 would be somewhere between the high 30s and middle 40s.

Here are the referees who will show whatever cards are shown.

Felix Brych Germany

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 17 y 45 y 1 Average 27.9

One of the very best. Has refereed Champions League and Europa League finals and officiated at two World Cups and a European Championship. Slightly higher than average card counts in the Champions League but not in the Bundesliga.

Cuneyt Cakir Turkey

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 22 y 82 y 5 Average 44.3

Highly experienced. This will be his third European Championship. Has refereed a Euro semi-final, two World Cup semi-finals and a Champions League final. His Champions League bookings averages have been middle of the range.

Carlos Del Cerro Grande Spain

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 21 y 111 y 6 Average 60.0

Standard-frequency card issuer across ten seasons in La Liga. Slightly lower than average bookings levels in the Champions League but he has appeared there only in the last three seasons and only in 15 games.

Andreas Ekberg Sweden

2021 domestic record

Matches 5 y 19 y 0 Average 38.0

Just five Champions League games over the past three seasons. His card figures in those were largely unexceptional. Has officiated in the Swedish Allsvenskan for more than a decade.

Orel Grinfeld Israel

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 9 y 57 y 1 Average 66.1

Only nine Champions League appointments over three seasons on his CV. His bookings makeups in those games were slightly higher than average, but they constitute yet another small sample.

Ovidiu Alin Hategan Romania

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 19 y 80 y 2 Average 44.7

A veteran of ten Champions League seasons. His card counts generally have been run of the mill. Also featured at Euro 2016.

Sergei Karasev Russia

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 17 y 82 y 9 Average 58.5

Another who performed at Euro 2016. Also refereed two years later at the 2018 World Cup. Given 24 Champions League games over the past nine seasons, in which his bookings figures were regular.

Istvan Kovacs Romania

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 23 y 129 y 5 Average 61.5

Only six Champions League engagements over the past three seasons, in which his card counts were unremarkable.

Bjorn Kuipers Netherlands

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 20 y 41 y 2 Average 23.0

Experienced whistle-blower. Refereed a Champions League final, two Europa League finals, a Confederations Cup final plus World Cup and European Championship quarter-finals. Regular card counts overall in the Champions League.

Danny Makkelie Netherlands

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 23 y 65 y 6 Average 34.8

Officiated at last year’s Europa League final. His card counts in the Champions League were low for six seasons before shooting up this season.

Antonio Mateu Lahoz Spain

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 18 y 87 y 3 Average 52.5

Superb in the Champions League final, as in most games he referees. Early in his career he showed cards rarely but in recent seasons has done so with normal frequency. Featured at the 2018 World Cup.

Michael Oliver England

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 28 y 85 y 3 Average 33.0

Middle of the range bookings averages in the Premier League but slightly higher than most in the Champions League across 18 games over the past five seasons. Has refereed two FA Cup finals and a League Cup final.

Daniele Orsato Italy

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 15 y 77 y 2 Average 54.7

A top arbiter. Refereed last year’s Champions League final. His card counts have been normal in most of his 14 seasons in Serie A, a bit higher than normal in most of his nine seasons in the Champions League.

Fernando Rapallini Argentina

2021 domestic record

Matches 8 y 39 y 5 Average 64.4

The first referee from South America to be selected for a European Championship. Chosen as part of an exchange agreement between the European and South American governing bodies. Refereed at 2019 Copa America and in big games in Argentina.

Daniel Siebert Germany

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 16 y 54 y 1 Average 35.3

A middle of the range card issuer across nine seasons in the Bundesliga. Featured in only four Champions League games spread over the past three seasons.

Artur Soares Dias Portugal

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 19 y 96 y 4 Average 35.3

Refereed 15 Champions League games over the last five seasons. His bookings averages were low before this season when they rose to normal.

Anthony Taylor England

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 28 y 75 y 3 Average 29.5

Similar in some ways to compatriot Michael Oliver. Standard card counts in the Premier League but slightly higher than average in the Champions League in 20 games over six seasons. Refereed two FA Cup finals and a League Cup final.

Clement Turpin France

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 19 y 57 y 13 Average 47.1

Man in the middle for this year’s Europa League final. Also presided over games at the 2018 World Cup and 2016 European Championship. His bookings averages across seven seasons in the Champions League have been normal.

Slavko Vincic Slovenia

2020-21 domestic record

Matches 14 y 52 y 6 Average 47.9

Selected for 12 Champions League games over five seasons. His card cards were normal for the competition.