Antonio Jesús López Nieto (born 25 January 1958 in Málaga, Andalusia) is a former Spanish football referee, who officiated at one FIFA World Cup and during the UEFA Champions League.

Antonio López Nieto
Full name Antonio Jesús López Nieto
Born (1958-01-25) 25 January 1958 (age 66)
Málaga, Spain
Other occupation Architect
Domestic
Years League Role
1988-2003 La Liga Referee
International
Years League Role
1993-2003 FIFA-listed Referee

In 1995, López accused representatives of Dynamo Kyiv of attempting to bribe him before a UEFA Champions League game against Panathinaikos of Greece, a charge Dynamo Kyiv continue to deny. As a result of this accusation, UEFA banned Dynamo from competitions for two years,[1] a sanction that was later overturned.

He has refereed in three UEFA Cup finals, in 1995 (first leg), 1998 and 2000. López set a record at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, issuing 14 yellow cards and 2 red cards in a match between Germany and Cameroon.[2] This record was then broken in the 2006 tournament by Valentin Ivanov during the match between Portugal and Netherlands, who issued 16 yellow cards and 4 red cards.

References

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  1. ^ "Dynamo Kiev Banned from European Play". The New York Times. AP. 21 September 1995. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
  2. ^ "Germany overcome Cameroon". BBC. 11 June 2002. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
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Preceded by UEFA Cup Final Referees
Final 1998
  Antonio López Nieto
Succeeded by
Preceded by UEFA Cup Final Referees
Final 2000
  Antonio López Nieto
Succeeded by