Björn Kuipers

Björn Kuipers (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbjʏrəŋ ˈkœypərs; ˈbjʏrn -]; born 28 March 1973) is a former Dutch football referee.[1] He has been a FIFA listed referee from 2006 to 2021 and an UEFA Elite group referee from 2009 to 2021. He was assisted during international matches by Sander van Roekel and Erwin Zeinstra.[2] A supermarket owner by occupation, Kuipers has officiated at two World Cups and three European Championship tournaments.[3] It was announced on 29 July 2021 that Kuipers would be retiring from refereeing, officiating his final match between Ajax and PSV on 7 August in the 2021 Johan Cruyff Shield.[4]

Björn Kuipers
Kuipers in Saint Petersburg during the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Born (1973-03-28) 28 March 1973
Oldenzaal, Netherlands
Other occupation Supermarket owner
Domestic
Years League Role
2002–2021 Eerste Divisie Referee
2005–2021 Eredivisie Referee
International
Years League Role
2006–2021 FIFA listed Referee
2009–2021 UEFA Elite Referee

Refereeing career

Domestic career

Kuipers's debut professional domestic match as a referee was a second-tier clash between SC Telstar and MVV at the Rabobank IJmond Stadion in IJmuiden on 20 September 2002. He was inducted into the A-List of referees of the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) and has refereed in every season of the top-tier Dutch league Eredivisie from 2005. At the domestic level, he has also overseen several important matches as a referee in the Eerste Divisie, the KNVB Beker and the Johan Cruijff Schaal.[5]

Kuipers took charge of his debut professional domestic final when he was chosen to referee the 2009 Johan Cruijff Schaal match between Heerenveen and AZ at the Amsterdam Arena in Amsterdam on 25 July 2009.

Kuipers officiated in the second Dutch Super Cup match of his career when he oversaw the 2012 Johan Cruijff Schaal clash between PSV Eindhoven and Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena in Amsterdam on 5 August 2012.

Kuipers's opportunity to referee his first Dutch Cup final came when he was in charge of the 2013 KNVB Beker Final between AZ and PSV Eindhoven at De Kuip in Rotterdam on 9 May 2013. Kuipers got the chance to oversee his second Dutch Cup final came when he was selected to take charge of the 2016 KNVB Beker Final between Feyenoord and Utrecht at De Kuip in Rotterdam on 24 April 2016.

On 29 July 2021, it was announced that Kuipers would be retiring from refereeing. His final game was on 7 August 2021 where he refereed the Johan Cruijff Schaal, the Dutch Super Cup game between Ajax and PSV. Kuipers still had doubts about retiring after refereeing the UEFA Euro 2020 Final. But after time away on vacation he said in an interview with KNVB; “I realised I’ve been everywhere and experienced everything. I will not get more beautiful. There’s no better moment to stop”.[4]

2006–2012

Kuipers was awarded his FIFA badge in 2006. During the initial stages of his career, Kuipers officiated in junior-level tournaments like the UEFA European Under-17 Championship and the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. In June 2009, he was inducted into the UEFA Elite group of referees and became eligible to officiate at the highest level within European football. Kuipers has since then taken charge of several big matches in major tournaments such as the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the UEFA European Championship, the FIFA Confederations Cup and the FIFA World Cup.[3][5]

During the initial stages of his career, Kuipers refereed the 2006 UEFA European Under-17 Championship Final between Czech Republic and Russia in Luxembourg on 14 May 2006 and also the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Final between Germany and England in Sweden on 29 June 2009.[6]

During the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup, Kuipers was appointed to referee the semi-final match between Mazembe and Internacional at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on 14 December 2010.[7] Kuipers officiated in the first major European final of his career when he oversaw the 2011 UEFA Super Cup match[8] between Barcelona and Porto at the Stade Louis II in Monaco on 26 August 2011.[9][10]

2012–2014

During the UEFA Euro 2012, he refereed the Group C match between Republic of Ireland and Croatia at the Stadion Miejski in Poznań. He was also in charge of the Group D match between co-hosts Ukraine and France at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk, where he had to take the rare step of suspending the match due to a torrential electrical storm.[11][12] Kuipers took charge of the 2013 UEFA Europa League Final between Benfica and Chelsea at the Amsterdam Arena[13] in Amsterdam on 15 May 2013.[14] In doing so, he became the first referee to officiate in a major UEFA club final in his home nation since Italy's Tullio Lanese in the 1991 European Cup Final in Bari.[15][16]

Kuipers during the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup

During the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, he refereed the Group B match between Nigeria and Uruguay at the Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.[17] Kuipers then oversaw the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup Final between hosts Brazil and Spain at the Estádio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro on 30 June 2013.[18][19]

Kuipers was selected to officiate in the 2014 UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica[20] in Lisbon on 24 May 2014.[21] He became the fourth Dutch referee to take charge of a prestigious European Cup Final after Leo Horn (1957 and 1962), Charles Corver (1978) and Dick Jol (2001).[22][23]

During the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, he oversaw the Group D match between England and Italy at the Arena da Amazônia in Manaus and the Group E match between Switzerland and France at the Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.[24] Kuipers went on to referee the round of 16 match[25] between Colombia and Uruguay at the Estádio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro on 28 June 2014.[26]

2014–2021
Kuipers refereeing a Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, March 2015

During the UEFA Euro 2016, he was in charge of the Group C match between Germany and Poland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis and the Group D match between Croatia and Spain at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux.[27] Kuipers was then appointed to referee the quarter-final match between hosts France and Iceland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on 3 July 2016.[28]

Kuipers added to his list of FIFA tournament finals when he took charge of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup Final between Venezuela and England at the Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon on 11 May 2017.[29] Kuipers was appointed to officiate in the 2018 UEFA Europa League Final between Marseille and Atlético Madrid at the Stade de Lyon[30] in Lyon on 16 May 2018.[31] This was his second UEFA Europa League Final assignment.[32][33]

During the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, he was in charge of the Group A match between Egypt and Uruguay at the Central Stadium in Ekaterinburg and the Group E match between Brazil and Costa Rica at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg.[34] Kuipers went on to referee the Round of 16 match between Spain and Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on 1 July 2018[35] and also oversaw the quarter-final match between Sweden and England at the Samara Arena in Samara on 7 July 2018.[36] Kuipers also served as the fourth official for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final.[37]

After refereeing a 2021 Champions League semifinal match between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City that saw Ángel Di María sent off, Kuipers was accused by two PSG players of insulting them on the pitch. Manager Mauricio Pochettino called on UEFA to investigate.[38]

On 8 July 2021, UEFA announced that Kuipers would referee the final of UEFA Euro 2020 to be played between Italy and England on 11 July 2021 at Wembley Stadium.[39]

Career highlights

International tournaments

FIFA World Cup matches
2014 FIFA World Cup – Brazil
DateMatchVenueRound
14 June 2014 England –  ItalyManausGroup stage
20 June 2014  Switzerland –  FranceSalvadorGroup stage
28 June 2014 Colombia –  UruguayRio de JaneiroRound of 16
2018 FIFA World Cup – Russia
DateMatchVenueRound
15 June 2018 Egypt –  UruguayEkaterinburgGroup stage
22 June 2018 Brazil –  Costa RicaSaint PetersburgGroup stage
1 July 2018 Spain –  RussiaMoscowRound of 16
7 July 2018 Sweden –  EnglandSamaraQuarter-final

Final matches

Personal life

Björn Kuipers was born on 28 March 1973 in Oldenzaal in the Netherlands. His father was also a football referee at the amateur level. Kuipers studied business administration at the Radboud University Nijmegen and besides refereeing he is also the owner of a number of supermarkets and a hair studio in his hometown Oldenzaal.[41]

See also

References
  1. "FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017 Referees – Björn Kuipers". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  2. "Referees appointed for the 2018 UEFA club competition finals". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  3. "Palmares for referee Björn Kuipers". WorldReferee.com. WorldReferee. Archived from the original on 18 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  4. Mathieu Hilgersom (29 July 2021). "Björn Kuipers stopt: 'Mooier dan dit wordt het niet meer'". KVNB (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  5. "Björn Kuipers » Matches as referee". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  6. "Kuipers to cap off 'fantastic' fortnight". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  7. "Club World Cup 2010 » Semi-finals » TP Mazembe - Internacional 2:0". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  8. "UEFA-Supercup 2011 » Final » FC Barcelona - FC Porto 2:0". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  9. "Referee Kuipers appointed for UEFA Super Cup". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  10. "Super Cup post 'a wonderful surprise' for Kuipers". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  11. "France find their stride to pick off Ukraine". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  12. "Björn Kuipers » EURO 2012 Poland/Ukraine". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  13. "Amsterdam ArenA to stage 2013 Europa League final". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  14. "Europa League 2012/2013 » Final » SL Benfica - Chelsea FC 1:2". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  15. "Kuipers to referee UEFA Europa League Final". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  16. "Kuipers right at home for Europa League final". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 14 May 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  17. "Confederations Cup 2013 Brazil » Group B » Nigeria - Uruguay 1:2". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  18. "Kuipers: We have to be prepared". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 29 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  19. "Confederations Cup 2013 Brazil » Final » Brazil - Spain 3:0". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  20. "Lisbon to stage 2014 UEFA Champions League final". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  21. "Champions League 2013/2014 » Final » Real Madrid - Atlético Madrid 4:1". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  22. "Kuipers handed UEFA Champions League final". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  23. "Final referee Kuipers getting goosebumps". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  24. "Björn Kuipers » World Cup 2014 Brazil". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  25. "Referee designations for matches 49 and 50". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 28 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  26. "World Cup 2014 Brazil » Round of 16 » Colombia - Uruguay 2:0". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  27. "Björn Kuipers » EURO 2016 in Frankreich". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  28. "EURO 2016 in Frankreich » Quarter-finals » France - Iceland 5:2". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  29. "U20 World Cup 2017 South Korea » Final » Venezuela - England 0:1". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  30. "Lyon to host 2018 UEFA Europa League final". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  31. "Europa League 2017/2018 » Final » Olympique Marseille - Atlético Madrid 0:3". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  32. "Björn Kuipers to referee Europa League final". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  33. "Kuipers ready for Lyon assignment". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  34. "Björn Kuipers » World Cup 2018 Russia". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  35. "World Cup 2018 Russia » Round of 16 » Spain - Russia 3:4". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  36. "World Cup 2018 Russia » Quarter-finals » Sweden - England 0:2". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  37. "Nestor Pitana to referee World Cup Final". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  38. O'Brien, Sean (5 May 2021). "INSULTED Ander Herrera and Marco Verratti accuse referee Bjorn Kuipers of telling PSG players to 'f*** off' during Champions League defeat to Man City". TalkSport. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  39. "Björn Kuipers to referee UEFA EURO 2020 final". UEFA. 8 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  40. "Van Hulten fluit bekerfinale" [Van Hulten officiates cup final]. De Gelderlander (in Dutch). Zeist. Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau. 22 April 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  41. "Netherlands' strict businessman - Euro 2012 referee Björn Kuipers". Goal.com. Goal. 4 June 2012. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
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