Top 20 Referees with the Most Direct Red Cards in Champions League – From Fewest to Most
The Champions League is home to some of the biggest football encounters in the world, where the on-field action is often as intense as the decisions made by the referees.
Among the many referees who have had the honor of officiating the matches, some have handed out more red cards than others.
From the more experienced ones who have issued numerous red cards, to the rarer moments where a referee steps into the spotlight with a decision that makes a difference.
Who are the referees who have had the strictest hand in the biggest European football matches? Read on to find out which referees have given the most direct red cards in Champions League history, from fewest to most.
20. Kim Milton Nielsen (Denmark)
Red cards given: 3
Kim Milton is one of Denmark’s most experienced referees, having officiated in several international tournaments, including the UEFA Champions League. He is known for his authority on the field and his ability to manage the intensity of big matches.
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19. Sergey Karasev (Russia)
Red cards given: 4
Sergey Karasev became a FIFA referee in 2010 and has officiated in several international tournaments, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and UEFA Euro 2020. He is known for his decisiveness and ability to handle intense situations on the field.
18. Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)
Red cards given: 4
Jonas Eriksson became a professional referee in 1994 and has been an Allsvenskan referee since 2000. He has officiated 263 matches in Allsvenskan, 47 in Superettan, and 112 international matches by 2014. Eriksson was selected to referee the UEFA Super Cup in 2013 between Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
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17. Damir Skomina (Slovenia)
Red cards given: 4
Damir Skomina became a FIFA referee in 2002 and has officiated in several major matches, including the 2019 Champions League final. He is known for his authority and ability to handle intense situations on the field.
16. Howard Webb (England)
Red cards given: 4
Howard Webb became a professional referee in 1993 and has officiated in the Premier League and for FIFA. He was selected to referee the 2010 UEFA Champions League final between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich.
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15. Arturo Daudén Ibáñez (Spain)
Red cards given: 4
Arturo Daudén Ibáñez was a Spanish professional football referee who was a FIFA referee from 1997 until his retirement in 2005. He is known for his strict judgment and has officiated several major matches in La Liga and the Champions League.
14. Alain Sars (France)
Red cards given: 4
Alain Sars is a former French referee who officiated in several international tournaments, including the UEFA Champions League and UEFA European Football Championship. He is known for his strict judgment and was an important figure in French football.
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13. David Elleray (England)
Red cards given: 4
David Elleray is a former English referee who officiated in the Premier League and for FIFA. He was selected to referee the 1994 UEFA Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
12. Björn Kuipers (Netherlands)
Red cards given: 5
Björn Kuipers is a Dutch referee who has officiated in several major matches, including the 2013 UEFA Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. He is known for his authority and ability to handle intense situations on the field.
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11. Roberto Rosetti (Italy)
Red cards given: 5
Roberto Rosetti is a former Italian referee who officiated in several major matches, including the 2009 UEFA Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United. He was appointed as Chief Refereeing Officer and chairman of UEFA’s Referees Committee.
10. Olegário Benquerença (Portugal)
Red cards given: 5
Olegário Benquerença is a former Portuguese referee who officiated in several international tournaments, including the UEFA Champions League and UEFA European Football Championship. He is known for his strict judgment and has been an important figure in Portuguese football.
9. François Letexier (France)
Red cards given: 6
François Letexier is a French referee who has officiated in several Champions League matches and is known for his strict judgment. He was selected to referee the 2023 UEFA Super Cup between Manchester City and Sevilla.
8. Wolfgang Stark (Germany)
Red cards given: 6
Wolfgang Stark is a former German referee who officiated in several Champions League matches and is known for his authority on the field. He was chosen to referee the 2012 UEFA Europa League final between Atlético Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.
7. Urs Meier (Schweiz)
Red cards given: 6
Urs Meier er en schweizisk dommer, der har dømt i flere store opgør og er kendt for sin klare kommunikation med spillerne. Han blev valgt til at dømme UEFA Champions League-finalen i 2002 mellem Bayer Leverkusen og Real Madrid.
6. Dr. Felix Brych (Germany)
Red cards given: 7
Dr. Felix Brych is a German referee who has officiated in several Champions League matches and is known for his fair judgment. He was selected to referee the 2017 UEFA Champions League final between Juventus and Real Madrid.
5. Willie Collum (Scotland)
Red cards given: 8
Willie Collum is a Scottish referee who has officiated in several international tournaments and is known for his strict judgment. He was selected to referee the 2010 UEFA Champions League match between FC Copenhagen and Panathinaikos.
4. Lubos Michel (Slovakia)
Red cards given: 8
Lubos Michel is a former Slovakian referee who officiated in several major matches, including the 2008 Champions League final. He is known for his strict judgment and experience in international matches.
3. Anders Frisk (Sweden)
Red cards given: 8
Anders Frisk has officiated in several major matches and is known for his clear communication with players. He has been the referee in many important matches in both the Champions League and the World Cup.
2. Clément Turpin (France)
Red cards given: 9
Clément Turpin is a French referee who has officiated in several Champions League matches and is known for his authority on the field.
1. Dr. Markus Merk (Germany)
Red cards given: 11
Dr. Markus Merk is one of the most respected referees in football history, known for his precision and experience on the field. He has officiated in several major matches, including the 2004 Champions League final.
