Who is François Letexier, the referee for Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona in the UCL today?

Referee François Letexier will take charge of today’s Champions League clash between Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona, as both teams bid to move a step closer to last-16 qualification.

Dortmund and Barça both head into the matchday-six game sitting inside the top eight of the Champions League’s new league-phase table, after each winning four and losing one of their first five games.

Of the 36 teams in the tournament’s revamped opening phase, the first eight finishers will qualify automatically for the knockout stage proper, while the clubs in ninth to 24th will have to negotiate a playoff round.

Who is François Letexier?

An official who made his French top-flight debut in 2016, Letexier is now in his fifth season as a Champions League referee - and is becoming an increasingly familiar figure in high-profile clashes. Most recently, the 35-year-old was the man in the middle for Liverpool’s 2-0 win over defending champions Real Madrid, on matchday five of this season’s league phase.

Letexier’s 15 career Champions League appearances also include two quarter-final ties involving Barça’s arch rivals: Madrid’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City last term, and Los Blancos’ 2-0 win over Chelsea in 2022/23.

Elsewhere in the European club game, Letexier was appointed to the 2023 UEFA Super Cup, in which City defeated Sevilla on penalties in Athens.

At international level, meanwhile, the Frenchman made history at the European Championship this summer, when he became the youngest referee to take charge of the tournament’s final. Aged 35 years and 82 days when he ran the rule over Spain’s victory over England in Berlin, Letexier surpassed the previous record held by Anders Frisk, who was 37 during Euro 2000.

Letexier has never previously crossed paths with Barça, but has overseen two Dortmund games in the Champions League - both resounding group-stage wins for the Germans. He was in charge of BVB’s 5-0 thumping of Besiktas in 2021, before refereeing the team’s 3-0 triumph over FC Copenhagen the following year.

Who is the VAR for Dortmund vs Barcelona?

The video assistant referee (VAR) will be the Netherlands’ Dennis Higler, and the assistant VAR will be Poland’s Tomasz Kwiatkowski.

Letexier’s all-French on-field team will be completed by assistant referees Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni, and fourth official Jérémy Stinat.

Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona: when, where, how to watch?

Dortmund host Barça at Signal Iduna Park today, Wednesday December 11, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET/12 noon PT. Viewers in the US will be able to watch the game live on TUDN USA, UniMás, Paramount+ and Vix.

You can also stream the action on the online platform fubo, which offers a free trial.

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