Newcastle United won't be happy as UEFA confirm referee v Benfica

Szymon Marciniak, the Polish referee who has haunted Newcastle United for the best part of two years, has been assigned Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Benfica at St James’ Park.

Newcastle host the Portuguese giants - managed by former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho - looking to record back-to-back wins in the competition after thumping Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise 4-0 in Brussels on matchday two.

The Magpies lost 2-1 at home to Barcelona in their opening game but a victory tomorrow night will put them in a promising position heading into the next match, which is also at home to Athletic Bilbao on November 5.

Szymon Marciniak & VAR blunder costs Newcastle United in Paris

If you don’t recognise Marciniak’s name - again, highly unlikely if you are of a black and white persuasion - then let the next few paragraphs act as a painful reminder.

In November 2023, the Magpies were leading 1-0 away to Paris Saint-Germain and on course to record arguably their greatest-ever win in the Champions League - at least away from home - when Marciniak awarded the Parisians a dodgy stoppage time penalty.

Ousmane Dembele’s attempted cross hit the side of Tino Livramento before the ball deflected onto the full-back’s arm. At first, Marciniak was unmoved by the PSG appeals but later changed his decision after VAR official Tomasz Kwiatkowski sent him over to the pitch-side monitor.

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer labelled the decision “disgusting” in a furious post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Kylian Mbappe then stepped up to equalise in the 98th minute, with UEFA admitting after the game that the spot-kick was incorrectly given.

“It wasn't the right decision in my opinion,” said Eddie Howe. “There are so many things to take into account at that moment, the speed first. It was a ricochet that when it is slowed down, looks completely different to the live event.

"The ball hits his chest first, comes up and hits his hand. But his hand is not in an unnatural position, they [his hands] are down by his side, but he is in a running motion.

"I feel it is a poor decision and it's hugely frustrating for us as you know how little time there is left in the game. There is nothing we can do about it now."

As punishment, Kwiatkowski was withdrawn from VAR duty for the following night's match between Real Sociedad and RB Salzburg and alongside Marciniak was overlooked for the next round of games.

UEFA appoint same officials for Newcastle United v Benfica

Nearly two years on from that night in Paris and Marciniak will referee his first European match at St James’ Park when Benfica visit on Tuesday evening.

And interestingly, Marciniak forms part of the same refereeing and VAR team, with the Pole assisted by Tomasz Listkiewicz and Adam Kupsik, while Paweł Raczkowski is the fourth official. On VAR duty, Kwiatkowski is assisted by Cesar Soto Grado.

YOUR NEXT READ: UEFA rules block Newcastle United defender from playing v Benfica - four players out in total.