Maurizio Mariani has been appointed as the referee for Celtic’s crucial Champions League play-off second leg against Kairat Almaty tonight.
The Italian official, who has yet to take charge of a competitive fixture this season, brings extensive experience across Europe’s top competitions. Last term, Mariani officiated 18 Serie A matches along with several Serie B games, and featured regularly in UEFA competition.
He refereed seven Champions League fixtures last season, showing 26 yellow cards across those games. He also took charge of two Europa League ties (five bookings), one Conference League clash (three bookings), and three Nations League matches, where he dished out 13 yellow cards.
He was the man in the middle for Spurs’ Europa League semi-final, and was the fourth official for the final.
Mariani is no stranger to Scottish football at the international level. He was in the middle for Scotland’s 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the Nations League last year. He’s previously officiated two Rangers matches in European competition but this will be the first time he takes charge of a Celtic game.
Mariani generally averages just under four yellow cards per match in European competition, but he won’t shy away from assertive action when required. [Player Stats]
With Champions League qualification and £40 million on the line, the Italian’s performance will be under the microscope as much as the players’.
But let’s hope he’s not a talking point post-match.
