João Pinheiro Appointed to Officiate Decisive Conference League Quarter-Final Second Leg

João Pinheiro has been officially appointed by UEFA to referee the second leg of the Conference League quarter-final clash between Strasbourg and Mainz. This match is particularly significant as Mainz enters the fixture with a 2-0 advantage secured during the first leg in Germany. The outcome of this game will determine which team advances to the semi-finals of the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League, the third tier of European club football competitions.

Pinheiro, a Portuguese referee with extensive experience in UEFA competitions, will be making his debut in this season's Conference League with this appointment. Until now, he has been exclusively assigned to Champions League matches during the current campaign, having officiated nine games in that competition. Additionally, he was entrusted with refereeing the UEFA Super Cup earlier in the season, underscoring his reputation and the confidence UEFA places in his abilities.

Supporting João Pinheiro is a fully Portuguese officiating team, which includes assistants Luciano Maia and Bruno Jesus. João Gonçalves will serve as the fourth official, while the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) duties will be handled by Tiago Martins and André Narciso. The presence of an entirely Portuguese refereeing crew highlights UEFA's trust in their standards and cohesion for managing such a high-stakes encounter.

João Pinheiro's recent confirmation as a referee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup further adds prestige to his role in this important fixture. His appointment to this decisive Conference League match reflects his standing within European football officiating circles and his continued involvement at the highest levels of the sport.

As Strasbourg and Mainz prepare for this critical second leg, the refereeing team will be tasked with ensuring the match is conducted fairly and efficiently, maintaining competitive integrity throughout. For both clubs, the result will have significant implications for their European ambitions this season, while for João Pinheiro, it represents another key milestone in a season marked by high-profile UEFA assignments.