Friday 18 May 2018

Halil Umut Meler in charge of 2018 UEFA Under 17 Final

Turkish Halil Umut Meler has been appointed to handle 2018 UEFA Under 17 Final, to be played on 20 May between Italy and Netherlands in Rotherham.  He will be observed by Scottish Hugh Dallas. 
20 May 2018

19:15 CET - Rotherham
ITALY - NETHERLANDS
Referee: Halil Umut Meler (TUR)
Assistant Referee 1: Robert Steinacher (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Péter Kóbor (HUN)
Fourth Official: Horațiu Mircea Feșnic (ROU)
UEFA Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas (SCO)
UEFA Delegate: Rudolf Zavrl (SVN)

197 comments:

  1. Interesting that Hugh Dallas will observe the referees in the final although he wasn't officially an observer earlier in the tournament. There were Marc Batta or Kyros Vassaras available.

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  2. OT: Expect changes in Spanish refereeing. Yesterday, Luis Rubiales won the elections to the presidency of RFEF, against Juan Luis Larrea, who was the candidate following Villar's line. Rubiales has already said that Victoriano Sánchez Arminio, president of CTA, will be dismissed as of today. According to the press, among the names that could replace him are Velasco Carballo, Medina Cantalejo or Rubinos Pérez.

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    Replies
    1. Although I think Velasco Carballo would be a great appointment as CTA-RFEF president, it would be strange to see his current role (VAR instructor) switched to that kind of responsability. Furthermore, many clubs and fans don't want a president from Madrid.

      My "prediction" is Clos Gómez.

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    2. I would like that appointment too.

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    3. I mean what’s the big deal with appointing Velasco carballo? The ex-Vice President was Catalan and a former president of Barcelona but that didn’t stop him from getting the appointment. Also Clos Gomez is just as problematic imo and not for the same reasons as Velasco who is only “problematic” because of where he was born. I think V-C would make a better president.

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    4. IMO this would be like a "demotion" for him. He's already a IFAB member and VAR instructor and project leader in ESP.

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  3. OT

    Perhaps you remember this situation I posted last week (RC for DOGSO inside the penalty area): https://streamable.com/twxk4

    It has been announced today that the disciplinary commission has overturned the red card and that Steve Mandanda could play his game on Saturday. The situation has been assessed as a clear and obvious mistake then. Thoughts?

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  4. German play-offs 2nd legs
    Holstein Kiel - Vfl Wolfsburg (Monday)
    Daniel Siebert, Lasse Koslowski, Jan Seidel, Sven Jablonski (4th), Robert Hartmann (VAR), Thorben Siewer (AVAR)

    Erzgebirge Aue - Karlsruher SC (Tuesday)
    Bastian Dankert, Rene Rohde, Markus Häcker, Florian Heft (4th), Felix Zwayer (VAR), Robert Schröder (AVAR)

    Dankert (VAR), Rohde (AVAR), Häcker (AR2) and Zwayer (Ref) also work together on the Cup final on Saturday.

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    Replies
    1. I wish LaLiga referees could be appointed to promotion Play-Off games :/

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    2. Siebert is having a really good season. He had already a cup SF and the important Wolfsburg-Hamburg on MD32 and now this play-off. And the best thing is, that his performances totally justify that. Best Bundesliga referee this season together with the established Gräfe and Aytekin.

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  5. OT I really can't believe that a former UEFA president can say what Platini has stated...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing unusual it is... Have a read below :

      http://www.espn.in/football/blog/world-cup-central/59/post/3502365/was-the-1998-world-cup-in-france-fixed

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    2. Yes, nothing special. This usual procedure should be seen as a courtesy to home country (Brazil was title holder in 1998)

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    3. Yes this was the tradition at the time. The US and Germany could not meet in 1994 if both won their groups. Italy and Argentina could not meet if both won their groups in 1990. And so on. The only thing that was new was the expansion to 32 teams in 1998, so Platini likely had to lobby to ensure the principle remained. But it was not new and, in my eyes, not unfair (certainly no more unfair than hosts being seeded in the first place).

      Delete
  6. Scottish Cup Final
    19th May 2018, Glasgow, 1500local
    Celtic - Motherwell

    Referee: Kevin Clancy
    Assistant Referee One: Douglas Ross
    Assistant Referee Two: David Roome
    4th Official: Steven McLean
    AAR One: Don Robertson
    AAR Two: Nick Walsh

    Like in Italy IIRC, being sent to the Scottish Cup Final is de dacto being recommended as the best referee of the season. This is different to England, Germany where once cannot repeat a Final.

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    Replies
    1. Good performance by Clancy, not many big decisions to make. Thought it was correct not to give a red for Boyata's foul.

      Not a game to remember for Douglas Ross though, tripping over his feet!

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    2. Concurred with my impressions also
      Unlucky for Ross :-D

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  7. OT : (News from England)

    Championship Play-off Final
    Referee : Anthony Taylor
    Assistant Referee : Gary Beswick
    Assistant Referee : Daniel Cook
    Fourth official : Kevin Friend

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    Replies
    1. Thank You Soham!
      Do you know the appointments for L1 and L2?

      Delete
    2. Sunday 27th May 2018

      League One Play-Off Final

      Rotherham United v Shrewsbury Town
      Referee: Robert Jones
      Assistant Referee 1: Neil Davies
      Assistant Referee 2: Dan Robathan
      Fourth Official: Scott Duncan
      Reserve AR: Shaun Hudson

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    3. League 1 final referee will be Rob Jones... League 2 I don't know yet!!

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    4. Just my feeling, that Rob Jones could be the English Alberola Rojas.
      Maybe he even has chances to be directly PL referee next season, let's see.

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    5. Has shown immense promise I must say but I don't want to see a Stuart Attwell type of treatment as those can severely backfire... So one more full season as Championship referee will help him immensely before making the step to the PL stage!!

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    6. Mikael W please, how old is Robert Jones ?

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    7. DOBs are notoriously hard to find of English referees (there was a court case about age discrimination), but I would guess around 24-26.
      This is his second second in FL, after he was promoted as the best National League (5th tier) referee of 2015/16.

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    8. Thank's, now my eyes only for Oliver !!! he's the future. I wanna young referees...

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  8. Bezborodov (RUS) will referee Italy-Netherlands in Turin on 4 June.

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    Replies
    1. Very deserved... He has been a steady name in UEFA circles for quite some time now!

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    2. It could be the last international game for him, if he has planned to retire after this season in Russia (already 45 years old).

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    3. Farewell match for him, I suppose.

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    4. I remember APOEL - Bilbao which was a really excellent performance, I was always happy to read his name as referee, very empathic manager on the pitch.

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  9. 14' First big decision for Oliver, shuts down penalty appeal from Chelsea players

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    Replies
    1. Was it a correct call?? I'm not watching... But Oliver is taking some bashing on Twitter!

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    2. boarder line towards no penalty for me...not enough of a holding imo but we ve seen these given

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    3. penalty for Chelsea. yellow card for DOGSO . Right decision

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    4. Probably the right call. Also the right call with pen and yellow just now that Chelsea score. I'd take little notice of Twitter on this one, a lot of people have prior issues with Oliver and their clubs, and he is getting a lot of very unfair stick. Good game so far.

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    5. Xristos. He didn’t fall because of holding. Look at the feet. He got tripped. It was clear. I am talking about the situation Oliver didn’t call.

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    6. victor i can't recall it right now...i ve to see it again

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    7. Managed to see some replays... Both decisions correct!!

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  10. Correct YC for DOGSO by Oliver: genuine (but late) attempt to play the ball.

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    Replies
    1. Here's a replay: https://streamja.com/rd9O

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    2. Do you might have the chelsea's penalty appeal replay?

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    3. That should be this one:

      https://streamable.com/1ntjm

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    4. not enough for me also tripped hiself, but as i said before i ve seen these given in england this year.

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  11. Very good performance from the best referee in the PL. I totally agree with all of his decisions in the 1st half.

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  12. Excellent performance of Oliver in the first half. Very quiet and calm

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  13. Goal correctly disallowed for offside, but IMO VAR missed a clear penalty for holding before the offside.

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  14. 63' Disallowed goal for offside by AR1..tight call. VAR confirmed the decision. 1st intervene of VAR in the match

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    Replies
    1. VAR was used at least twice before that, including on the 1st half penalty.

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    2. And this is the correctly disallowed goal:

      https://streamable.com/vgzxb

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  15. 70” I think it was deliberate handling. He outstretched the arm.

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    Replies
    1. Grey area many are suggesting!

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    2. I am slightly worried by his lack of calm towards the players at one point, but I think that was no clear and obvious mistake (especially in England).

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    3. In my opinion a penalty should have been whistled. Despite of the short distance the defender makes an unnecessary movement with the arm towards the ball.

      https://streamable.com/ph7sd

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    4. 50-50 call. Don't think that was a clear and conclusive error for VAR to definitely overturn it!

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  16. Handball by Young: very risky action. Penalty could have been whistled. After VAR revision, play was resumed by a corner kick, so Oliver decision was supported. I think he had clearly seen it, because he was close, otherwise he would have been invited to rewatch the incident.

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    Replies
    1. It's clear penalty. Yes, small distance but that doesn't means it's not penalty. Young can "read" very easy the "progress" of the action (nothing unexpected) and he clearly outstretched his hand.
      Bad Oliver :)

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  17. 70' VAR use for handball inside penalty area. No call probably cause of small distance

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  18. 70´ penalti unquestionable. Very bad VAR.

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  19. Expected level of performance by Michael Oliver, took all important decisions correct imo. Proved why he ll be considered one of the best referees for the next 10 year.

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    Replies
    1. He is really good in these types of big games... Never loses it because of the occasion!!

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    2. even thought I dont live in England, I travelled to Manchester and I saw him live officiating Man City vs Liverpool in March 2017 I was completeley astonished by the level of his performance. It was the day he became my favourite referee.

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    3. He was criticised a bit for that match by experts to be fair... That was in March 2017, I guess!!

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    4. If I recall for not giving a penalty in favor of Man City.

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  20. Szymon Marciniak, asked about trends at the upcoming World Cup, confirmed that "the referees will be trying to avoid cards because two yellow cards mean one-game suspension. They will be issuing cards only when 100% sure".

    We are going to relive some old times...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In addition, they will be alert regarding illegal use of arms (elbow attacks, etc.)

      He said that he hates simulation and sometimes it's difficult to VAR to intervene because it's some kind of 70-30 situation. So, most likely, VAR won't be overactive at this tournament.

      Link to the interview:
      http://www.sport.pl/samnasam/10,143645,23411725,szymon-marciniak-najlepszy-polski-sedzia-w-wilkowicz-sam.html

      Delete
    2. Well, it will be for sure difficult to see a worse officiating than 2014, but I'm really afraid. I'm sure these instructions come from Busacca. Knowing Collina, he wouldn't agree so much.
      Let's se what whill happen at WC.

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    3. If I can say,what Marciniak said they would do is just stupid.
      I mean,players will be then allowed to do things they normally wouldnt do because of suspension rule.
      Then it is up to Fifa,Uefa and other organizations to change rules about acumulated cards.We had similar problem in last Euro when Aaron Ramsey got YC in QF and then he didnt play SF.Same thing happened to Xabi Alonso when he couldnt play in CL Final 2014 and that's what they are trying to not repeat.

      So we could see lot of games where there will be small amount of bookings on this WC.

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    4. Of course they shouldn't be throwing around cards for anything and everything... So I agree with Marciniak on issuing YC when 100% sure and obviously in a major tournament with so much at stake the tolerance level will be set a little higher... The refs with strong personality will definitely manage it but the ones not too blessed in that area will struggle like in 2014 so that part is the worry basically!!

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    5. Strong personality?

      Difficult word. How many of they, you think, have such a strong personality? Because I count at least 2 of them that aren't on the WC and 2 that shouldn't be there.

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    6. Indeed difficult. That's why I think sticking to one's own style helps the most. For some refs showing cards is the best way to manage. Someone like Roldan has to flash cards to keep control whereas Cakir in a similar situation can manage with personality. All that said, considering all other stakeholders, for issuing YCs they should be 100% sure as flashing a YC for a 50-50 situation getting a player banned for a crunch game would be the last thing any ref wants!!

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    7. The last thing the ref should care about is what a player has done in a previous game or if the player will be able to play in a future game. The match and incident at hand is all that should matter to the referee.

      We as referee's don't "give" out cards. Players earn them with their stupidity and we as referee's are mandated to simply enforce The Laws of the Game and duly punish those who are guilty.

      This BS directive was also given before 2014. And yeah, that tourney was a "joy" to watch officiating wise.

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  21. Two extremely important and match influencing decisions after OFR taken by Felix Zwayer (and VAR Bastian Dankert) in the DFB Pokal final between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt. I’ll make clips of both situations.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Dutch Ref :)

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    2. Javi Martinez is clearly hit in his left foot, however the fall seems very unnatural and does not look like he fell as a result of the contact. Still, I think it should have been a penalty.

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    3. Final of DFB Pokal (Bayern Munich-Eintracht Frankfurt):

      82' Goal EIN allowed after OFR (handball)
      https://streamable.com/dqv7e

      90+3' No penalty awarded to BMU after OFR
      https://streamable.com/r0kc1

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    4. My first comment when I saw a replay and when Zwayer went to watch a replay was: "Eintracht won't be happy with this penalty in 95th minute, but Zwayer has no other option, clear foul he must whistle it". And than he showed on corner kick. For me it is a clear penalty, Zwayer obviously saw it differently than me.

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    5. With all my regret, I have to say this situation says a lot about the actual level of referees. How is possible for an Elite referee to take such decision (no penalty) even after he watched the replays.

      In front of such incompetence even VAR is useless...

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    6. Clear penalty for me too

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    7. And this system is supposed to make things better and the World Cup? No system in existence can ever make a bad referee any better. Nor will it make him or her see what they should see.

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    8. I can't believe he didn't award that penalty. German refereeing is a state of mind...

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    9. No explanation for sure. It would be interesting to know more if Zwayer will release some statements... is he allowed to do that?
      About the handball before Eintracht goal, as alwyas, grey area, no clear mistake in any case, one can punish the arm because it was open and thank to that ball was controlled... but in this case Zwayer has his reasons to take the contrary decision...

      Delete
    10. Of course, it's a clear penalty, in a de jure sense, it should have been impossible after Zwayer reviewed it, for him not to award a penalty.
      And it is Zwayer-Dankert (the latter didn't do much wrong in fairness) who will attend WC as VAR...

      I just have this feeling that these things affected the German referee:
      - Extra time would have been impossible to control for Zwayer in case Bayern scored for 2-2
      - Some things happened after the foul, it wasn't like it was directly the last action
      - It has been a very hard year for Zwayer. Gräfe (also from Berlin) criticised him very much in the media, the scandal of Hoyzer reared itself again, it looked like he wasn't that popular with his colleagues. So medially, to have the 'balls' not to give that penalty to Bayern at 95', I think it actually might improve his overall standing as a public impression, in spite of it's incorrectness.

      Of course this should all be irrelevant, it was 100% penalty.
      Overall I was fairly impressed with him, Frankfurt just tried to kill the game, but Zwayer was quite proactive and prevented that from happening, with words, cards body language etc. He looked commonsensical, and aroused respect.
      This impression is totally tarnished at 95'.
      (Sorry that was longer than I planned :-D)

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    11. The problem is that this referee goes to World Cup as VAR. We saw he's not able to evaluate a crystal clear replay...

      Do you remeber when I said that it's unfair to take in Russia (as VARs) names like Zwayer, Dingert, Irrati, Gil, Lopes Martins, Valeri in front of Eriksson, Kassai, Collum, Hategan ?
      Most of you told me those referees have experience as VARs. Ok, probably, they have, but firstly they should be capable to evaluate some simple situations. Do you still think that Zwayer is a better solution than Hategan as VAR ?
      I'm also interested about the "experience" of Al Jassim, Sampaio, Vargas and Vigliano as VARs...

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    12. Zwayer is a better solution than Hategan as VAR anyday!!

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    13. The man with 242.732 posts on this blog is always here. Pitty that most of them are useless....

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    14. :D How can you be sure about it? Did you see a game in which Hațegan was VAR?

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    15. I think it's a real shame that UEFA referees no 11 and 12 miss the WC (Karasev is inflated to be no 10 but I hope you understand). Nothing against those attending WC, but some are in Second Category. Especially it would be nice to have seen Hategan, and maybe Collum as VAR. A mixture of a lack of political backing and FIFA trying to avoid the sensationalistic headline "Referee that invented penalty in Belfast becomes video referee for World Cup", conspired against him I think.
      A shame there was no VAR at U17 WC, then FIFA would have had arguments to take him.

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    16. Didn't Hategan attend Confederations Cup as a VAR?

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    17. @Soham
      To be honest, we don't have any evidence about what you stated...

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    18. Also, please take a look at 3-1 goal. Is that regular? Before the ball entered the net there were some players from the bench on the pitch, see where AR was forced to stay...

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    19. We don't have any evidence the other way round too ;) So before the tournament starts and as long as there are no controversies we can't really say so and so would have been better than another one... Taking the experienced VARs solely for that role is a much better option than putting someone not too familiar with technology... We all saw what happened in Confed Cup with big name VARs like Irmatov, Ricci and others so we can never say Eriksson or Kassai as VARs would ensure smooth operation of VAR!!

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    20. Yes Chefren the 3-1 goal... at least 9 players/staff are inside the field of play before the ball is past the goal line. How can top level refs and VARs ignore this? It’s really unnacceptable.

      Another case of ”football is a sport of passion”?
      Not acceptable.

      Delete
    21. A possible explanation not to give the penalty: Immediately afterwards, the other attacker could shoot on goal unimpeded, so one could argue it was an advantage situation.
      Just as an idea, I don`t think, that would be correct and also it did not seem, that was the reason for Zwayer's decision (he would have communicated that somehow).

      @Chefren: Technically, the 3-1 was indeed irregular, but I don't know, whether you practically should disallow a goal for it (because it had no influence, except on the AR). And, of course, it was not important for the outcome.

      Delete
    22. Philip, page 51:

      Goal scored with an extra person on the field of play

      • the referee MUST disallow the goal if the extra person was:

      • a player, substitute, substituted player, sent off player or team official of the team that scored the goal; play is restarted with a direct free kick from the position of the extra person.



      Delete
    23. I would prefer everyday to take some Elite referees as VAR's than any Cat 1-2 referee.

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    24. Victor ir right, merely according to LotG, goal can't be allowed. No matter that the people on the pitch didn't interfere, they were from the scoring team. Direct free kick, VAR had to intervene there.

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    25. That's why I wrote "technically, the 3-1 was irregular".
      But not every law is strictly enforced. Just think about players entering the penalty area before the penalty kick execution or a player entering the pitch a bit too early during a substitution.
      So I think one can discuss, whether it is necessary to disallow the goal, even though the theory is clear about it.

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    26. According to most of you everything is "grey area" anyways. So just say those two useless words and move on. Less thing for all of you and shorter posts. We all win. Although football continues to lose.

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  22. Én a kapust basztam volna ki:D

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  23. Marciniak's comments in regards to Cautions + The terrible use and misinterpretation of VAR = A disastrous World Cup in regards to officiating.
    Personality, control, acceptance, modern approach, management, blah blah blah all will result in a total and utter mess. So basically it'll be Jon Moss EPL level officiating.

    You're welcome! Courtesy of Massimo "Milion Excuses" Busacca.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ...and the world is a big black hole we are all condemned to fall in and implode there with a little pooh? Sheriff. PLEASE come back and join us in reality

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    2. The real world of terribly officiated World Cups? The World where clueless leadership (Busacca) sets up his Referee's to fail? It may be your reality, bit it doesn't mean that we have to accept it much less like it. Cheers!

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  24. I thought RC:DOGSO was correct, but rather for the goalkeeper.

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  25. I agree with Mikael. RC to be issued for goalkeeper.

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  26. OT

    Playoff for Scottish Premiership, Second Leg
    Partick Thistle FC v Livingston FC (1-2 first leg)

    Referee: John Beaton
    First AR: David McGeachie
    Second AR: Sean Carr
    Fourth Official: Alan Muir

    ReplyDelete
  27. @Petschovski
    Do you know the referees of the matches to decide Liga 1 Championship going on now?
    Regards

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ACSM Politehnica Iaşi - Club Sportiv U Craiova SA
      Rădulescu George - Nicoară Marius, Bucsi Imre-Laszlo - Cojocaru Adrian Viorel

      SC Fotbal Club FCSB SA - AFC Astra
      Avram Marius - Urzică Vladimir, Gheorghe Sebastian Eugen - Mladinovici Horia Gabriel

      FC CFR 1907 Cluj SA - SC FC Viitorul Constanţa SA
      Tudor Alexandru - Orbuleţ Mircea, Avram Valentin - Dumitru Robert George

      SC FC Voluntari SA - AFC Botoşani
      Găman George Cătălin - Danşa Ciprian Florin, Gheorghe Bogdan - Popa Cătălin

      ACS Poli Timişoara - CS Gaz Metan Mediaş
      Haţegan Ovidiu - Marinescu Vasile, Ghinguleac Adrian Radu - Marcu Florin Mihai

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    2. What is the age limit in Romania?

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    3. I can't answer that, but I can report an excellent management by Tudor in Cluj tonight, he really showed to be a top class referee, especially in the final minutes really he was so impressive!

      What a disappointment, in my opinion, he was never a referee attending Elite, I think that is shame on the UEFA RefCom, that because he wasn't someone's protégé, he remained in First Category, just like Kristinn Jakobsson et al.

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    4. And thank you Ray, I was looking for a long time for those :-D

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    5. Age limit: 45 years old (Tudor had a derogation)

      Website: www.frf-cca.ro

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  28. Missed 2CT before Italy’s goal seems a crucial mistake in the U17 Final.

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    1. 1-0 Netherlands and up 11 v 10 turned into 2-1 Italy within 3 minutes.

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  29. 4 straight RC in AC Ajaccio - Le Havre.
    Referee: Frank Schneider.
    This match was originally planned for Friday but it was postponed dut to an attack by Ajaccio "fans" against Le Havre bus.
    It would be interesting to know more about what happened on the pitch, I guess a mass confrontation after Le Havre decisive goal during extra time.

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    Replies
    1. https://www.facebook.com/CFCcanal/posts/10155735883753897

      Here the footage !

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    2. Btw, it wasn’t the decisive goal ! Ajaccio won (after a draw goal at 120+5) the PK session !

      But, each year this is the same thing, Corse’ clubs are making troubles..

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    3. Well, I'll try to explain what happened.
      Coutadeur apparently offended the referee and Frank Schneider gave a penalty kick. To be honest, I don't quite understand why he gave that penalty. After the converted penalty kick, Mateta stood in front of Ajaccio's fans and cheered provocatively. Then the mass confrontation took place and Mateta and 2 other players got send off.

      Incredible scenes

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    4. Coutader insulted the referee Frank Schneider in the penalty area. So penalty for Le Havre

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    5. Well he pushed the referee too. VAR was there too.

      https://www.mycanal.fr/sport/incidents-apres-le-carton-rouge-ajaccien-et-le-penalty-du-hac-playoffs-2-domino-s-ligue-2-a-c-ajaccio-le-havre/p/1495119

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    6. Ah so in that case OK.

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    7. Unluckily I can't watch this video, maybe not available outside France. I will wait for some highlights to have things clear.

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    8. https://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x6jxtnq

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    9. It is a fully correct decision, player pushed the referee inside. We are not here to judge the intensity, it can be enough for a RC.

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    10. Apologies to Mr Schneider, fully correct and extremely brave decision!

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    11. The red card is more for insults toward the ref at the same time.

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    12. @Nathan here you punish the major infringment, that is the contact.

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    13. @Nathan: Could you say something about the cooperation between Frank Schneider and the VAR after the mass confrontation, too? It would be very interesting to hear how they dealt with this complex situation. Just remember that there were some difficulties concerning mass confrontation in the Confed Cup...

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    14. I was wrong, there was no VAR on this match, sorry

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  30. Rocchi with a good game in crucial match between Inter and Lazio.
    Correct penalty(missed booking there),corectly given 2nd yc and red to Lulic and VAR helped him alot when he gave 1st penalty to Inter but then he changed decision when looking at video.
    All bookings were good and he confirmed why he is Italy number 1.

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    Replies
    1. Excellent game for Rocchi, more than challenging with many decisions, he got almost everything right by himself, if we exclude a wrong penalty assigned for handball. VAR corrected him. It was a perception mistake. Apart from that, another correct penalty immediately whistled and all correct yellow cards as well, including the sending off.
      Rocchi this season has been excellent, the best serie A referee.

      Delete
    2. Wasnt his fan,but couple of his matches this season made me to change my opinion.

      If he continues like that,next season mybe some Uefa final?

      Delete
    3. Probably Collina doesn't think that Rocchi deserves an EL final. This season would have been the perfect opportunity.
      Rocchi will be 46 years old next season and it's very improbable to get something big in the future. Maybe he will retire after WC, you never know (same thoughts about Kuipers and even Ericksson).

      Delete
    4. Eriksson has overstayed his welcome. If I truly believed that he had anything left to give. Then my opinion would be different. But it's not. He's a spent cartridge that's been used up.

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    5. question: Why the Italians FIFA referees don't have their fifa badge on their diadora uniform?

      Delete
    6. I tried to know more about that but I wasn't able to manage info.

      Delete
  31. The full appointment for first leg Barrage between AC AJACCIO / TOULOUSE FC is the following :

    23 May 2018 - 20:45

    Referee: Ruddy Buquet (FIFA)
    Assistant Referee 1: Guillaume Debart (FIFA)
    Assistant Referee 2: Cyril Mugnier (FIFA)
    Fourth Official: Jérôme Brisard (FIFA)

    VAR : Karim ABED (FIFA)
    AVAR : Hakim Ben Ek Hadj

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The full appointment for first leg Barrage between GRENOBLE FOOT 38 / FOOTBALL BOURG-EN-BRESSE PÉRONNAS is the following :

      22 May 2018 - 20:45

      Referee: Nicolas Rainville (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: Laurent Stien
      Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pages (FIFA)
      Fourth Official: Olivier Thual

      VAR : Benoît Millot (FIFA)
      AVAR : Johan Hamel

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  32. It seems as we have the official explanation by Zwayer following the penalty incident in DFB Final (Thank to ig-schiedsrichter.de)

    Quote:
    Endlich ist die offizielle Stellungnahme zum DFB-Pokalfinale raus! »Das Fallen von Javi Martínez passte für mich nicht zum Kontakt« – Felix Zwayer begründet, warum er nicht auf Strafstoß entschied und erneut so handeln würde

    If I got the translation right, the meaning is that Zwayer was not convinced by the (theatrical) fall of the player and he thought that the player had tried to emphasize the contact in order to deceive him. He would take the same decision again in that situation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/dfbpokal/startseite/724328/artikel_zwayer_ich-stehe-zu-meiner-entscheidung.html

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. Zwayer argued that he recognized the contact but that it had not been very intense since Martinez could put on the hit leg safely and without any change of direction before he lifted off with the other leg and - as a consequence - came down.

      Delete
    4. Mr. Zwayer, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this blog is now dumber for having read it.

      Delete
    5. The - let me say very strange and late... - so called explanations of Zwayer dranatically underline the deep doubts about him existing for quite a long time in Germany. Let me say it that way: Forza Aytekin and Siebert!

      Delete
  33. For Mikael : League 2 playoff Final referee in David Webb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!
      Adrian Waters and Dean Treleavan will run his lines.
      John Brooks will act as Fourth Official, Reserve AR is Sam Lewis.

      Maybe one can expect both D. Webb (previously attending a PL talent group, now 40) and Brooks to attend the Championship next year.

      Delete
    2. Yeah both are likely to elevated to SG2 next season and they have shown a lot of promise too!!

      Delete
  34. I want to believe this is a fake info. I can't believe that Zwayer declared he would take the same decision again. If this statement is true than he should be immediatly removed from FIFA list.

    I agreed with RayHD. There are many referees who don't deserve to be where they are. The problem starts from the fact they are promoted too early and they dont have time to play/attend/watch enough football. Practically they don't have time to "learn" football (RayHD told, more or less, same thing: "arrogant referee without a basic knowledge and feeling").

    It's a tragedy what happens these days with the refereeing (lets'remeber Confederations Cup and many games from KO stage of this edition of CL). I wrote here that Chefren and many others are too protective with referees. We shouldn't enlarged the "grey area" in order to defend the referees. Some things must be said in a very clear way. Otherwise we create monsters (like Zwayer and others) who really thinks they are great referees ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I disagree with the definition of monster in relation to referees. About the rest, everybody is entitled to have a different opinion.

      Delete
    2. ^ more trolling...

      On a more positive note for German refereeing, convincing performance by Siebert in Kiel for the relegation playoff.

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    3. Well... he REALLY OFFICIALLY DECLARED THAT. And that turns a match-defining crucial mistake into the tragic fall of a referee who personally is not able to follow the necessity of a neutral role, because he regards himself as being the God of the game declaring that his own personal reality is proving just itself. Not the first time but that just shows the lack of character abd sportsmanship Gräfe and others were talking about mentioning Zwayer's special way of refereeing...

      Delete

  35. Mistake of Zwayer and mistake of VAR.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Who is the referee in Pirlo's farewall match tonight?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Looks like former Serie A referee Andrea Romeo.

      Delete
    2. Andrea Romeo
      Luca Maggiani - Francesco De Luca
      All three are wearing unofficial kits because they have left AIA. Romeo works as team manager for AC Milan, very likely they asked directly him for officiating Pirlo's game. Otherwise, AIA would have sent official referees.
      Both Maggiani and De Luca, former serie A assistant referees (the first one also FIFA), now have a role in some football clubs.

      Delete
  37. Red Card for Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a violent conduct in the MLS after VAR review.

    https://streamable.com/rhsdh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is the ref Ismael Elfath?

      Delete
    2. Yes.

      Hard to explain the yellow card to the MTL player.

      Delete
    3. He was intentionally trying to step on Zlatan. There was no reason for the Montreal player to backtrack into Zlatan and step/stamp on his foot. The Montreal player knew exactly what he was doing, and it worked.

      Delete
    4. Was the ball in play? Because the LA coach is angry a penalty wasn’t called.

      Delete
    5. But if he intentionally stepped on him, why not red? It’s either intentional and VC, or unintentional and nothing.

      Also, the ball was in play. If the YC is for the step, which occurs before the slap, the correct restart was a PK.

      Giving that yellow card for fame control purposes made a mess of things.

      Delete
    6. Stepping on someone with such low force is not violent conduct. It’s unsporting behaviour.

      Delete
    7. So it's enough to call a penalty kick? Let's be serious. If Ibrahimovic didn't react, there would have been no card for this and no call.

      I don't know how you can say a "low force" step is a yellow card, anyway. You either have an unintentional step, which is literally nothing, or he deliberately stepped on the foot of his opponent with his studs, which is violent conduct. Who are we to judge the lack of force? The MTL player puts his full weight on his opponent's toe. It takes very little to break a toe with such an action.

      Personally, I see this as unintentional and not worthy of sanction. But if you watch that and view it as intentional, red card and penalty should be your only option.

      Delete
    8. Of course if Ibrahimovic didn’t react nothing would have happened. Just like all holdings and wrestling going on when it’s free kicks and corner kicks. If nobody wants a foul the refs don’t call them.

      If you see it as unintentional then it’s only a red for Zlatan and free kick to the other team.

      Delete
    9. Okay, so taking the first part of your answer and applying it here... what is your decision? Are you awarding a penalty kick or not?

      Delete
  38. OT :

    A question mainly for Mikael : Who do you think is the most likely to referee the FA Community Shield this year?? Paul Tierney I think might be the favourite??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed Tierney would be my choice also. Honestly I cannot really see another name, Attwell or Moss could get the call, but they would be illogical appointments IMO.
      Specially for MNC-CHE, it would be a good test for Tierney.

      Delete
    2. Yes considering he has already eclipsed Atwell in the rankings it should be his turn this year... Plus he needs to be tested in such games too as you said to see if he is a name for the potential big games in the league as well... I hope it's Tierney in charge at Wembley!!

      Delete
    3. Why do you consider Moss an illogical appointment?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous

      Just my opinion, but Community Shield is best as a chance to test young referees that the FA plan to push in the next years, alas the last referees have been: Oliver, Taylor, Pawson, Madley.

      So I think it is more 'logical' that Paul Tierney gets a chance in this top clash, as I suppose they will push him a bit more next season, compared to Moss (personally I really like him) who has already reached his zenith, IMO. But I have no doubts Jonathon could handle this match without problems.

      Delete
    5. Since we have 2 big teams, I don't see room for experiment. I am not saying that I wouldn't give the chance to a younger official but I believe that the FA won't.

      I would even like to see Kavanagh get it as a reward for a really good season.

      Delete
  39. When a Referee Observer in the UCL Final?

    ReplyDelete
  40. What do you thing about this foul?
    Dynamo Kyiv - Shakhtar Donetsk
    Maybe SD player slipped ?

    https://youtu.be/2DWbxWtfauI

    ReplyDelete
  41. If you watch the video on .25 speed, it's clear that the tackle is intentional.

    ReplyDelete
  42. OT
    News from Serbia:

    After the end of the season, whole 'old' committee is dissolved.
    Zoran Petrović (FIFA Observer) is named for Head of Referee's committee.

    His tasks are to appoint 4 members of the committee and to make list of the Superleague/First league referees
    until June 15th. Some radical changes about referee lists are expected.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I expect at least 5 referees to be removed or demoted.

      Delete
    2. Bojan Nikolić,Petar Piper,Srdjan Obradović,Novica Andjelovski,Majo Vujović,Dragan Čolović.

      Delete
    3. Majo Vujovic is retiring. Ilija Brdar should be there.

      Delete
    4. Also Raka Djurovic said at least 10 referees dont deserve to be on the list. Zoran Petrovic got full support to create everything and changes everything.

      Delete
    5. At the moment, we have 9 "elite" and 10 refs in "first group". If 10 of them do not deserve to be on the list (and i don't think Raka Djurovic is wrong) then we will have big, huge problem. Refs from second and third group are mostly anonymous, it is big question whether they are trustworthy.
      Srdjan Obradovic and Novica Andjelovski are first to be removed from all the lists, and just after them Bojan Nikolic and Petar Piper. After them - Lazar Lukic! Interesting that no one mentioned him, and believe me I know why i wrote his name. But, until president Kokeza is there, his place is safe as the most secured bank!

      Delete
  43. Decent performance by Bastian Dankert in the playoff Aue - Karlsruher earlier IMO.
    I worry for him in a really challenging match, he seems a bit too lenient yet not that firm but still distant, but I think that is to be too harsh, he was good today and managed this crucial fixture quite well from what I saw. Many frequented times he used the 'calm' gesture, and the players respected his decisions, at least they were effective today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Any notable VAR involvements??

      Delete
    2. Not as far as I saw, so a good 'recovery' for DFB in the last couple of days.

      Delete
  44. Bartosz Frankowski will referee the Moldovan Cup Final

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No Moldovan referee available for that?

      Delete
  45. A couple of situations from the Ligue 2 / Championnat National playoff, Grenoble - Bourge-en-Bresse, whistled by Nicolas Rainville.

    https://youtu.be/SX2AE7tT4Pc

    2:20 Penalty?
    3:05 Correct RC:SFP?

    (Also I read a news that Ajaccio - Toulouse tomorrow will take place without spectators in Montpelier tomorrow evening, not in Corsica)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Both are absolutely correct decisions.

      Delete
  46. Vlado Sajn will be referee observer in UCL FINAL this Saturday
    http://www.nzs.si/novica/Vlado_Sajn_ze_tretjic_kontrolor_sojenja_na_finalu_lige_prvakov?id=46861&id_objekta=40

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Plus there will be someone named Pierluigi Collina in the stadium :D

      Delete
  47. Watch the highlights of the preparation and the direction of the final by Mikael Lesage's referees team. During this game at the Stade de France, one goal was canceled by application of the Video Assistance in the second half time.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdoFSebXXrc
    You can activate the subtitles directly in your language by choosing the options.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice clip ! :D
      I forgot to share it some days ago.
      There is an other clip about Clément Turpin preparation to World cup.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIHAO56Ob0Q
      Same goes for subtitles activation

      Delete
  48. Reports are now coming from Spain that state that Luis Rubiales has sacked Victoriano Sánchez Arminio and that Carlos Velasco Carballo has taken his place. Nothing official yet, though.

    ReplyDelete

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