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UEFA has appointed Spaniard José Maria Sanchez Martinez to arbitrate the quarter-final return of the Champions League between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain scheduled for next Tuesday evening, at Villa Park. And this is a first for the 41 -year -old game director, since he never officiated at such a level of competition.
Last Wednesday evening, the Parisians took a small step towards the semi-finals of the Champions League by winning 3 goals at 1, at the Parc des Princes, against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals. However, nothing has yet been played for the men of Luis Enrique who will have to withstand the pressure at Villa Park. And, this Sunday, UEFA communicated the identity of the director of the game.
It is the Spaniard José Maria Sanchez Martinez, who will be assisted by his compatriots Raul Cabanero, Inigo Pieto and Alejandro Muniz Ruiz in 4th arbitrator. But, the referee, not very experienced is a completely unexpected choice.
Few arbitrated matches in C1 but good memories for French clubs
Admittedly already a referee in the Queen of European competitions for four season, José Sanchez has, however, only few arbitrated meetings. Its reference? The eighth final go between Dortmund and Lille, on March 4 (1-1). Director of games in the Spanish first division since 2015, he has never managed PSG or Aston Villa meetings.
Accustomed to Liga shocks (196 games), the 41-year-old Spaniard notably directed the Clasico at the Santiago-Bernabéu, widely won by Barça (4-0), in October 2024. French club side? Ditto, few references. However, the matches reconciled by Sanchez remain good memories. Indeed, he had arbitrated Brest during his victory against the PSV Eindhoven (1-0), in C1, and already the LOSC at the Return of the Champions League dam against Fenerbahçe, with a qualification torn in the 118th minute.
José Maria Sanchez Martinez distributed a total of 20 yellow cards and a red card and whistled two penalties in this C1 campaign. As a reminder, only Fabian Ruiz remains under the threat of a suspension in the event of a warning.
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