Referee Mariani primed for UEFA Conference League final assignment 

Maurizio Mariani takes charge of a European final for the first time as Crystal Palace face Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig, 12 months on from fourth official duties at the 2025 UEFA Europa League final. It is fitting recognition for an official at the top of his game who, he tells UEFA, is living his dreams.

Maurizio, congratulations on your appointment to the UEFA Conference League final. Can you tell us more about your refereeing journey so far? 

I started when I was 18, while I was studying at military school in Venice. I had played as a goalkeeper but decided to try refereeing, which my father had also tried, and that's where it began. At that age, you don't know what will happen in the future and to be here now is a dream for sure.

To reach Serie A in Italy, you have to go through all the categories, there are no shortcuts, so I was always aiming to improve my skills and make the next step up. You really have to work very hard and learn from your mistakes. About nine years ago I started to work with a mental coach to help me in certain situations and that has been a big help alongside developing the physical and technical aspects of refereeing. I have been an international referee since 2019.

How did you find out you would be taking charge of the Conference League final? 

I was in the airport when I received a call from [UEFA director of refereeing] Roberto Rosetti and when he told me, I felt a lot of emotion and gratitude. I try to do my best every day, season by season, together with my team and something like this has been a target for me.

The first person I told was my wife, who is always supporting me. It's not easy to be married to a referee because we are often away. The second person I told was my father, who has really tried to help me all these years and dreamed of being a referee when he was younger.

Mariani was part of the referee team at last year's Europa League finalRyan Pierse/Getty Images

You officiated at the 2024 Copa América as part of the UEFA-CONMEBOL referee exchange – can you tell us about the experience? 

I am really very thankful for the opportunity, because it was one of the best of my career. To go to a major tournament and compare myself with a different culture and approach to football, to live the game in a different way, was very special. I also met some great people and we shared some really good moments. At a tournament the referees are like a family and that's exactly how it felt for me. What's even better is that I am still in contact with most of my colleagues from South America.

Does the experience of being fourth official at last season's Europa League final also help you prepare for what's to come in Leipzig? 

Yes, it was a very important experience, even though it's a different role. You are part of this huge occasion; you prepare every point very well and make sure you are ready for the first whistle. The game was full of emotion and very tense, but it was fantastic to be a part of it.

This week I'll spend time with my team and we'll watch the previous matches of both teams. I'll look out for their styles of play, how they approach set pieces and to understand the tendencies of the players.

How will it feel when you walk out at the Leipzig Stadium? 

I still get butterflies in my stomach at every match I referee, so for sure I'll be feeling some tension, which helps me to be focused on the match. In the changing room before the game I always do visualisation exercises with a ball in my hands. This helps me to focus and as soon as the whistle goes, it's like there is a fog that comes down, you only see what's happening on the pitch and nothing else. It's nice to feel the atmosphere of the stadium, but as a referee you are so focused on the players and the pitch.

And finally, what will make you reflect on a job well done once the match is finished? 

We want to give the players and the fans the best experience possible. It will be a successful night if as a team, we leave the field knowing that we did our best and were fully prepared.