Ivan Bebek Becomes First Croat on UEFA Elite Referees Panel
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Ivan Bebek (38) has become the first Croatian to make the UEFA Elite Referees group…
It is the first time that Croatia has had a referee in the group which is made up of 29 referees from 19 countries. Referees for the most important matches of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League are only selected from the elite group. Also referees for major tournaments, including next year’s EURO in France are selected from the group.
“I am proud of the achievement. For the first time Croatia has a referee in the elite group. It is the highest one can achieve with regards to UEFA and I can say that it is a dream and goal of every international referee,” said Bebek.
From Rijeka, Bebek is considered the best Croatian referee and is the only Croatian referee to officiate two UEFA Champions League group stage matches (Lazio v. Werder Bremen during the 2007–08 season and Bordeaux v. CFR Cluj in the 2008–09 season). He also refereed at the 2013-2014 UEFA Champions League knockout stage (Paris Saint-Germain – Bayer Leverkusen). Bebek officiated at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup, was the fourth official at UEFA Euro 2008 and refereed at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
