Conference League: Italian and English referees in the spotlight in Fiorentina and Aston Villa games

English referee Michael Oliver awarded Club Brugge a penalty kick against Fiorentina, while Italian officials led by Marco Guida validated an Ayoub El Kaabi goal against Aston Villa in the Conference League semis.

The first legs of the Conference League semis are being played tonight, Thursday, May 2. Fiorentina hosts Club Brugge at the Stadio Franchi, while Aston Villa meet Olympiakos at Villa Park.

An English referee, Michael Oliver, has been appointed for the Fiorentina game, while the Italian Marco Guida oversees Aston Villa-Olympiakos. Both officials were in the spotlight in the first half in Florence and Birmingham.

Oliver gave a penalty kick to Club Brugge against Fiorentina after a VAR check. The Tuscans’ captain, Cristiano Biraghi, was punished for a handball inside the box, which Oliver reviewed on the pitchside monitor. The ball had slightly been deflected before Biraghi’s touch, but it was not enough to avoid a penalty for the Belgians.

Ex-Serie A referee Giampaolo Calvarese told Gianluca Di Marzio that Oliver’s decision was appropriate as Biraghi’s arm was excessively outstretched.

After VAR review, Olympiacos take the lead at Villa Park

Ayoub El Kaabi with a great finish!#UECL

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/S5VPGQc716

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 2, 2024

In the meantime, in Birmingham, Guida and VAR official Paolo Valeri, considered the best VAR referee in Italy, validated El Kaabi’s opening goal at Villa Park after a silent check that said the Morocco international was onside.

Fiorentina are leading 2-1 at the break, while Villa are 2-1 down. You can follow Fiorentina, Roma and Atalanta‘s European semifinals on the Football Italia LIVEBLOG.