He replaces current UEFA Refereeing Officer Marc Batta (France), who is standing down at the end of November after eleven years of excellent service supporting and developing young international referees. Kuipers, who took up his duties last week, will continue this important and challenging work.

Kuipers rose through the ranks in his native Netherlands, refereeing his first professional match in 2002. His prestigious international career saw him take charge of the 2014 UEFA Champions League final and two UEFA Europa League finals in 2013 and 2018.

He was a key member of the referee teams at UEFA EUROs 2012, 2016 and finally 2020, where he was appointed for the final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium in London.