Retired Micheľ takes Shakhtar role

Ľuboš Micheľ, who refereed the 2008 UEFA Champions League final but had to retire last week because of injury, has joined Ukrainian titleholders FC Shakhtar Donetsk as head of their international competitions department.

'Unexpected'
The 40-year-old Slovakian called time on his refereeing career after succumbing to an achilles injury, and in his new role will be responsible for all organisational aspects of international competitions in which Shakhtar participate – from the UEFA Champions League to youth tournaments. Micheľ, who besides his native language speaks English, German, Russian and Polish, said: "The invitation from Donetsk was quite unexpected, but I accepted the offer as I want to stay in football."

Career
Micheľ began refereeing in 1987, made his top-flight debut in 1993, and graduated to FIFA level in 1994. A UEFA Champions League match official since 1998, Micheľ took charge of the 2008 final between Manchester United FC and Chelsea FC in Moscow, five years after overseeing the 2003 UEFA Cup decider involving FC Porto and Celtic FC in Seville – making him the first official since Pierluigi Collina to referee both major club finals. Micheľ also officiated at two UEFA European Championships and FIFA World Cups. Shakhtar are currently competing in UEFA Champions League Group C, with three points from three games ahead of their 4 November visit to Sporting Clube de Portugal.