UEFA has officially announced the officiating team for the high-stakes second leg of the 2026 UEFA Champions League semi-final between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid. The appointment has sparked immediate debate, as the chosen referee is historically a “lucky charm” for the Gunners and a “bad omen” for Los Rojiblancos.
Following a tense 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Metropolitano, both sides head to the Emirates Stadium knowing that only a win will secure a place in the final at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, where they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich.
Daniel Siebert to Lead the Officiating Team
German referee Daniel Siebert has been handed the whistle for Tuesday’s clash in London. Despite being a top-tier official, Siebert notably missed out on selection for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a surprise decision that shocked many in the footballing world.
The Full Officiating Team:
- Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)
- Assistant Referees: Jan Seidel & Rafael Foltyn
- Fourth Official: Tobias Stieler
- VAR: Robert Schröder
- Assistant VAR: Bastian Dankert
This season, Siebert has been active in the Champions League, officiating 9 matches, issuing 16 yellow cards, 3 red cards, and awarding one penalty.
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Arsenal’s Unbeaten Record Under Siebert
The 41-year-old official has become a welcome sight for Arsenal fans. This will be his second time officiating Mikel Arteta’s side this season, having overseen their 1-0 victory against Sporting CP in the quarter-final first leg in Lisbon.
Historically, the Gunners have a perfect record with Siebert across four European matches:
- 2021 Europa League: 3-1 win vs Olympiacos.
- 2025 Champions League (League Phase): 3-0 win vs Dinamo Zagreb.
- 2026 Champions League (QF): 1-0 win vs Sporting CP.
Atletico Madrid’s Struggle with the German Official
In contrast, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid have failed to secure a single victory in the three matches Siebert has officiated for them over the last five years.
- 2021 Group Stage: A narrow 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.
- 2022 Quarter-Final: A frustrating 0-0 draw against Manchester City (2nd leg).
- 2026 Round of 16: A 3-2 loss to Tottenham Hotspur (2nd leg), though Atletico advanced on aggregate.
With the historical stats heavily favoring the Premier League leaders, Atletico Madrid will need to break the “Siebert Jinx” if they hope to reach the final in Budapest.
