The polarizing debates about the performance of referees in FC Barcelona Liga and Champions League encounters have been some of the intriguing subtexts of this season. And Villarato aside, even a neutral observer would have to conclude that Guardiola and his squad have been hard done by key decisions in the last two Champions League rounds thanks to questionable decision-making by Massimo Busacca and especially last week in Milan by Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca.

We now face our most important single match of the season on Wednesday at the Camp Nou. And in many ways our fate rests in the hands of Belgian referee Frank De Bleeckere as much as it does the boots of Lionel Messi. Let’s hope both men are up to the challenge.

No one will accuse De Bleeckere, 43, of being unprepared for such a high-profile match; indeed, he is repeatedly profiled as one of Europe’s best referees. After his career as a player was cut short by injury, he became a referee in 1984, and was awarded his FIFA badge in 1998. Since then he has presided over international contests at all levels, including the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany. Most recently, he was selected as one of the referees for the upcoming 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Outside of the football world, De Bleeckere makes his living as a public relations manager, an occupation which might help explain his calm demeanor on the pitch. He has been described by some as being quick with his yellow and red cards, but in the five Champions League matches he has overseen so far this season, he has given out 22 yellows and no reds. It is worth noting that both Barcelona defenders Dani Alves and Gerard Pique will miss the final at the Bernabéu should they be cautioned on Wednesday, regardless of the outcome of the match.

Players on both sides of the field will be familiar with De Bleeckere, although the memories will likely be bittersweet. Inter has generally fared well with him in charge, recording three wins and only a single defeat. But what a defeat: a 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield in a match where De Bleeckere ejected Inter defender Marco Materazzi with two yellow cards in just 30 minutes.

FC Barcelona players will have equally mixed reactions to De Bleeckere’s appointment. On the one hand, he was on the pitch for our 1-0 UEFA Super Cup victory over Shakhtar Donetsk back in August. However, he also presided over our 1-0 away loss to Mourinho’s Chelsea in the 2006-07 Champions League.

On Wednesday, De Bleeckere  will be assisted by linesmen Peter Hermans and Walter Vromans; the fourth official will be Serge Gumienny.

    Почетный президент испанской "Барселоны" Йохан Круифф с нетерпением ожидает завтрашнего матча свой команды с миланским "Интером", который состоится в рамках полуфинальных баталий Лиги чемпионов.

    Как сообщает Sport.es, Круифф считает, что этот матч по нескольким причинам превратился в нечто особенное.

    "Если матч Лиги чемпионов является чем-то особенным, то произошедшее на стадионе "Сан-Сиро" является большой несправедливостью. Поэтому мы должны побеждать, принимая во внимание и это. Я всегда защищал арбитров, но есть ошибки и ошибки. Арбитры в той игре не увидели того, что невозможно было не увидеть. Счет 3:1 не отражает истинного соотношения сил на поле. Что же касается ответного матча, то необходимо подавить "Интер" как на поле, так и на трибунах. Ни один игрок соперника не должен спокойно контролировать мяч", - заявил Круифф.