The Malta Football Association has announced a major milestone for local refereeing, with FIFA referee Ishmael Barbara appointed as Fourth Official for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship final tournament in Slovakia.
Running from 11 to 28 June, the prestigious tournament features 16 of Europe’s top youth national teams, split into four groups, and serves as a showcase for the continent’s most promising football talents.
Barbara’s selection is a significant accomplishment for both the referee and Maltese officiating, marking a return to the upper echelons of UEFA youth competitions after a prolonged absence. The last time a Maltese official was involved at this level was several years ago, when an assistant referee represented Malta in a previous edition of the tournament.
His appointment follows an impressive run of performances, including his role in last year’s UEFA U19 Final Tournament. Barbara has been under continuous assessment by UEFA for his consistent displays both domestically and on the international stage. As part of the preparation for the U21 EURO, he successfully completed a rigorous set of fitness assessments designed to meet UEFA’s high standards for officiating at major tournaments.
Currently in Slovakia with other international officials, Barbara is finalising preparations ahead of his first assignment. He will serve as Fourth Official in the Group B clash between Germany and Slovenia on Thursday, 12 June at 21:00 CET, held at the Nitra Stadium.
The match will be officiated by Denmark’s Jakob Alexander Sundberg, with assistants Viktor Skytte and Deniz Yurdakul. VAR duties will be handled by Jonas Hansen (Denmark) and Jan Boterberg (Belgium) as AVAR.
The Malta FA has lauded this appointment as a testament to its continued investment in referee development and its strategic commitment to promoting Maltese officials at the highest levels of international football.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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