Björn Kuipers will take charge of the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid CF and Club Atlético de Madrid at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in Lisbon on Saturday.
The 41-year-old Dutchman, who was awarded his FIFA badge in 2006, has overseen 68 matches in UEFA competition, including four in this season's UEFA Champions League and three in the UEFA Europa League.
He also oversaw the 2011 UEFA Super Cup, and Chelsea FC's win against SL Benfica in last term's UEFA Europa League final at the Amsterdam ArenA. Kuipers becomes the fourth Dutch official to take the whistle for a European Cup final after Leo Horn (1957, 1962), Charles Corver (1978) and Dick Jol (2001).
In Lisbon, Kuipers will be assisted by fellow countrymen Sander van Roekel and Erwin Zeinstra. The fourth official will be Turkey's Cüneyt Çakir, and the two additional assistant referees, Pol van Boekel and Richard Liesveld, are also from the Netherlands. A Dutch reserve assistant referee – Angelo Boonman – completes the lineup of the refereeing team.
In a related development,Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema will be fit to start Saturday’s game, there is an aura of uncertainty In the Atletico camp, as the fate of lead striker, Diego Costa and Arda Turan still hangs in the balance.
Ronaldo, 29, has completed the 90 minutes in only two of his club’s last 10 games because of thigh and knee issues, and last week Portugal coach Paulo Bento said the problems would have to be “managed” during the World Cup.
However, Carlo Ancelotti told reporters at Madrid's Valdebebas training ground last Monday that he was confident both attackers would be able to start the final.
“I believe they will play,” he said. “They are fine.”
Costa and Turan both suffered injuries during their team’s title-winning Liga draw at FC Barcelona.
Forward Costa was forced off at the Camp Nou in the 16th minute after pulling up with a right hamstring problem while Turan limped off seven minutes later with a pelvic complaint. Although Atlético have confirmed both injuries, official word has yet to be given on approximate recovery times.
