September 6: CSL Round 26 referee list released, all eight matches equipped with VAR, Korean referee takes charge of Dalian clash

At 19:35 on September 5, at Dalian Suoyuwan Professional Football Stadium, Korean referee Kim Hee-gon officiated Dalian Yingbo's home match against Qingdao Hainiu in CSL Round 26.

Dalian Yingbo had 37 points and ranked fourth, while Qingdao Hainiu had 14 points and sat bottom. The CFA assigned the only foreign referee of the round to this match.

Kim Hee-gon's recent officiating record shows a style that does not favor home teams and features relatively few penalty decisions.

Both Dalian Yingbo and Qingdao Hainiu had lost matches previously officiated by Kim, with no clear advantage for either side.

The CFA announced all eight referee assignments for Round 26, with every match equipped with VAR.

The detailed referee list is as follows.

Wuhan Three Towns vs Qingdao West Coast: referee Wang Di, VAR Huang Yi.

Shanghai Port vs Beijing Guoan: referee Mu Yuchen, VAR Li Haixin.

Dalian Yingbo vs Qingdao Hainiu: referee Kim Hee-gon, VAR Liang Songshang.

Shandong Taishan vs Shenzhen Peng City: referee Maimaiti Jiang, VAR Ai Kun.

Chongqing Tonglianglong vs Shanghai Shenhua: referee Jia Zhiliang, VAR Li Haixin.

Yunnan Yukun vs Liaoning Tieren: referee Wang Wei, VAR Huang Yi.

Henan vs Chengdu Rongcheng: referee Shen Yinhao, VAR Dai Yige.

Tianjin Jinmen Tiger vs Zhejiang: referee Wang Jing, VAR Ai Kun.

Li Haixin, Huang Yi and Ai Kun each received two VAR assignments, a normal scheduling arrangement.

At 19:35 on September 5, Shanghai Port hosted Beijing Guoan.

Guoan had 37 points in second place, while Port had 32 points in seventh, a five-point gap between them.

Mu Yuchen had previously officiated Port matches, with Li Haixin serving as VAR.

The Beijing-Shanghai derby usually features intense competition, requiring the referee to manage conflicts and maintain consistency.

At 19:35 on September 6, Henan hosted Chengdu Rongcheng.

Chengdu Rongcheng had 51 points and a 14-point lead, and a win could secure the title four rounds early.

If rivals fail to win, Chengdu could still clinch the championship even with a loss.

Shen Yinhao will officiate, with Dai Yige as VAR.

Henan's home ground has traditionally been difficult for opponents, and Felipe's suspension adds difficulty for Chengdu.

Shen Yinhao's decisions could influence this historic match.

For Dalian Yingbo vs Qingdao Hainiu, having a foreign referee does not determine the result.

Kim had previously officiated matches involving both teams, and neither won those games.

Foreign referees bring different standards, but historical data can only be a reference.

Relegation battles often involve stronger physical play and require careful management.

VAR mainly covers goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity incidents.

Physical contact standards remain the on-field referee's responsibility; VAR is not the final decision-maker.

Technology can reduce major mistakes but cannot satisfy every fan on every call.

Wuhan Three Towns vs Qingdao West Coast features different objectives, with Wang Di officiating.

Shandong Taishan vs Shenzhen Peng City will be officiated by Maimaiti Jiang.

Jia Zhiliang will referee Chongqing Tonglianglong vs Shanghai Shenhua, with Li Haixin as VAR.

Wang Wei will referee Yunnan Yukun vs Liaoning Tieren, with Huang Yi as VAR.

Wang Jing will referee Tianjin Jinmen Tiger vs Zhejiang, with Ai Kun as VAR.

All eight matches have VAR support as title, continental qualification and relegation battles enter a decisive stage.