Ukrainian referee lands UEFA match assignment after domestic league controversy.

Mykola Balakin appointed to officiate international fixture

According to Novyny.live: Ukrainian referee Mykola Balakin has been given the green light to officiate a UEFA-sanctioned match, following a period of scrutiny sparked by a contentious episode in the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL). The game is scheduled for March 19, featuring Strasbourg against Rijeka in the second leg of the Conference League Round of 16.

Balakin will lead a full officiating crew that includes:

• Oleksandr Berkut
• Viktor Matyash
• Vitaliy Romanov
• Dmytro Panchyshyn

Denys Shurman will serve as the VAR official. Notably, during the 21st round of the Ukrainian championship, both Balakin and Shurman were sidelined following a highly disputed match between Polissya and Dynamo, which stirred significant backlash within football circles.

In the wake of that incident, the two referees were suspended while an investigation was carried out, including polygraph tests to assess their conduct. The probe found no evidence of bias, paving the way for Balakin to resume his international duties. This UEFA appointment signals a restoration of trust in the referee after the UPL scandal.

Restoring the reputation of Ukrainian officials

Balakin’s return to international officiating marks a significant step in rehabilitating his professional standing. It also demonstrates UEFA’s continued willingness to work with Ukrainian referees despite domestic controversies. This development could boost future opportunities for Ukrainian officials on the global stage and raise their profile in professional football.