Overview
- The Tuesday match in Paris pairs PSG and Bayern in the Champions League group stage under Mariani's officiating.
- Italy's referees association (AIA) removed Mariani and assistant Daniele Bindoni from Serie A and reassigned them to Serie B, where he handled Virtus Entella vs Empoli at the weekend.
- In Napoli vs Inter, he initially let play continue before awarding a penalty at his assistant's urging, a delayed decision that left VAR unable to intervene given the minimal contact.
- AIA chief Gianluca Rocchi publicly criticized the linesman’s involvement and reaffirmed a policy that only clear fouls should result in penalties.
- Mariani, 43, is in UEFA’s Elite category and has recent high-level experience, including the U20 World Cup final and Liverpool vs Atlético in September.