The drawing of lots for the quarter final return of the Champions League between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa revealed the name of the referee who will officer for this crucial meeting. UEFA has appointed José María Sánchez Martínez, Spanish referee, to lead the match in Birmingham. This designation comes after a promising first act, where Parisian players have demonstrated an excellent level of play before their own fans, placing the destiny of qualification in their hands for this decisive encounter.

Despite a relatively recent experience in the Champions League, with only four years of arbitration at the highest level in Europe, José María Sánchez Martínez is not a stranger to the world of football. He has already been involved in large-scale meetings, including confrontations between FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, matches known for their intensity and the pressure they generate. Although UEFA did not frequently refer important games of the Champions League to this referee, he actively participated in playoffs of the Europa League.

It should be noted that this will be the first time that José María Sánchez Martínez will lead a meeting between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. The tension will be palpable for the Parisian players who will have to avoid any mistake in order to get to the semifinals of the competition, an ambition that they nurture for the second consecutive year. Media Culture PSG highlighted the referee’s expertise, stressing that he has significant experience despite his relatively short career in the Champions League.