Slavko Vinčić Appointed Referee for Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid UCL Clash
- UEFA has appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić to officiate the return leg of the Champions League quarterfinals between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
- Vinčić, 46, has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2010 and brings a significant portfolio of top-tier European football experience to this encounter.
- Slavko Vinčić has a long history with the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
UEFA has appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić to officiate the return leg of the Champions League quarterfinals between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. The decision places one of Europe’s most experienced officials in charge of a high-stakes knockout fixture.
Vinčić, 46, has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2010 and brings a significant portfolio of top-tier European football experience to this encounter. His appointment follows a career marked by officiating some of the most prestigious matches in the sport.
Official Track Record and Experience
Slavko Vinčić has a long history with the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. As of July 2021, he had officiated 12 Champions League matches and 19 Europa League matches.
His resume includes officiating the 2024 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium, where Borussia Dortmund faced Real Madrid. He served as the referee for the 2022 UEFA Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt, and Rangers.
Beyond club competitions, Vinčić was a match official for Euro 2020. During that tournament, he refereed two group stage matches, Spain against Sweden and Switzerland against Turkey, as well as the quarterfinal clash between Italy and Belgium. He also participated in UEFA Euro 2012 as an additional assistant in Damir Skomina’s team.
Recent Assignments and Performance
In early 2025, Vinčić continued to handle high-pressure environments. On 24 February 2025, he officiated the Turkish Super League fixture between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray at Rams Park.
Following that assignment, José Mourinho praised Vinčić’s performance, highlighting his experience, integrity and mentality to handle a very demanding environment
. Mourinho suggested that if other referees aimed for the clean and honest officiating displayed by Vinčić, the season could conclude well.
Vinčić was also selected to officiate at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. During a match between River Plate and Monterrey that ended in a goalless draw, he issued nine yellow cards and one red card to Kevin Castaño.
Context with Real Madrid and Benfica
Vinčić has a recurring relationship with Real Madrid and other European giants. On 24 February 2026, he was appointed to take charge of the second leg of the play-off for a place in the Champions League round of 16 between Real Madrid and Benfica.
This particular appointment was noted for the heightened tension following the first meeting at Estádio da Luz. Historically, Benfica had struggled when Vinčić officiated their European matches prior to the 2025-26 season, recording one defeat and three draws.
The Slovenian referee’s career has not been without controversy. On 30 May 2020, he was arrested by mistake during a police investigation into a drugs and prostitution ring in Bosnia and Herzegovina, though he was quickly cleared of any wrongdoing.
With his appointment for the Bayern Munich and Real Madrid return leg, Vinčić returns to a competition where he has already handled the ultimate stage, ensuring that one of the most experienced officials in the UEFA system is managing the tension of the quarterfinals.