Match #19
Moscow, 20 June 2018 14:00 CET
Portugal - Morocco
Referee: Mark Geiger (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Joe Fletcher (CAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Frank Anderson (USA)
Fourth Official: Sergei Karasev (RUS)
Fifth Official: Anton Averianov (RUS)
VAR: Felix Zwayer (GER)
AVAR1: Jair Marrufo (USA)
AVAR 2: Simon Lount (NZL)
AVAR 3: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Good luck to Mr Geiger. One of my favourites outside Europe.
ReplyDeleteSpanish commentary team has already brought up and mentioned the Matuidi / Onazi 2014 incident and the Mexico v Panama Gold Cup drama. All while hoping that Geiger doesn't become the main protagonist in today's match.
ReplyDeleteCONCACAF really needs this one to go well
ReplyDelete25' Geiger should've shown Benatia the YC, dangerous challenge
ReplyDeleteGood no PK in the 27th minute. Mutual pulling
ReplyDelete25' correct no PK call, both players have pulled jerseys.
ReplyDeletePretty sure I heard Geiger say "both pulling" to the Morocco manager, then we saw red marks on the Portugal player.
ReplyDeleteWhat did I tell you? Incredibly challenging match at Luzhniki! Morocco are going all out with quite an aggressive pressing game. It's sink or swim for them today and they're doing their utmost indeed. This clash really needed an experienced offical like Geiger, he's in control so far avoiding bookings.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed more challenging than I expected.
DeleteMohammed Abdulla Hasan Mohammed could have managed this I would suppose... France v Peru maybe even more challenging, who knows!
DeleteSoham, no way! Things would have gone out of control with a less experienced referee given Morocco's highly aggressive play.
DeleteI sense and am starting see who Steve Smith is a fan of based on comments made here in comparison to other Referee's. Interesting!
DeleteSheriff, what do you mean? LOL
DeleteJust expressing what is obviously clear. ;)
DeleteSorry? :) Isn't Geiger doing a great job in a very difficult match?
DeleteGreat? No. Acceptable, expected level? Yes. Inconsistent? Most definitely!
DeleteMost def he was so inconsistent
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DeleteA less experienced ref would have sent off 2 or 3 players today. It was a very good and coherent management of all the extremely heated situations from Geiger. No team can really complain. Common sense...unwritten rule but crucial one.
DeleteNope. Not Rocchi, not Ramos, not even Hauata "would have sent off 2 or 3 players today". At this World Cup with the directives coming from Busacca and PLC. That ain't happening.
DeleteBut now much like Geiger, you show your inconsitency. You lambasted other referee's and VAR's because with them you were all about situations being "black and white" and about enforcing The Laws of the Game. But in this particular game you're all about "common sense". It's cool though. You'll simply be added to the list of those who are clearly fans of certain referee's while hating on all the rest. And with this, the significance and importance of you opinions are diminished. Cheers!
Wowww...what a joke! You're showing your true colors. So much bad blood and frustration. I guess you should calm down. You're out of your mind and your comment is totally senseless. I see you still haven't gotten over Ramos disaster. Keep trying.
DeletePlease tell me any crucial mistake or any "black or white VAR" situation! Come on, I'm waiting! Where, when??? Go ahead! Nothing, ZILCH. Otherwise, of course, I would be here highlighting it because I'm coherent in my analyses. Buddy, go have some water and put your feet up for a moment because you're taken by unjustified fury, which is clouding your reasoning.
Completely calm and coherent. Just stating my opinion in an unclouded manner. It's you that seems to have the need to justify yourself and your opinions. Thing is, no one is seeiking you justification and or validation.
DeleteRamos got his chance, fell flat, and failed. It is what it is and I at no point made any excuses for him or tried to justify his shortcomings. If he was put on a plane and sent home after Brasil v Suisse. I wouldn't lose any sleep.
Most def he was so inconsistent
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DeleteMan, you're lost and desperate. Ok, no crucial mistakes or clear VAR situations, meaning you're upset for any reason that I don't know but this is showing you in a very bad light.
DeleteThen, it´s really funny. Why am I talking about my opinions? Because you brought them up yourself, saying I'm not coherent but you obviously can't account for that supposed lack of coherence because it simply doesn't exist.
A glass of water for Sheriff, anyone. And don't make this personal because it's not worth it. This was a very good performance by Geiger and no one is calling this into question, especially taking into account how virulent the affair was. Have a nice day, buddy.
Clear penalty to me. Not the pulling situation. I mean the back tackle. Marocco clearly heads the ball and then gets a clear tackle in the back. And the a lot less of a foul for Portugal 6-7 seconds later and they get a free kick.
ReplyDeleteVAR was needed there.
Agree - those decisions annoy me, if that was anywhere else on the pitch it would be a foul.
DeleteLuckily we have an experienced VAR, who has a different opinion. Of course not enough for a penalty.
DeleteBut enough for a foul less than a minute later? Interesting!
DeleteTo me it seemed more like a mutual challenge, they are jumping against each other and the Moroccan wins the ball.
DeleteThe "anywhere else on the pitch" point is probably right though...
Lets be honest, there was never same criteria for a foul inside and outside the box.
DeleteI don't say its good, just say it's the common sense
Not enough but the same situation with 50% intense as that is a free kick right after? Clear penalty.
DeleteAs Philipp S said above:
Delete'The "anywhere else on the pitch" point is probably right though...'
The preposterous idea of a foul being a foul anywhere else on the pitch but not "enough" because a similar fouls happens in the box.
DeleteVictor, you know that you are exaggerating. In every single match there is a 'clear penalty' that had to be spotted - and of course VAR should have intervened. With your sense of game/LOTG we would have at least five penalties in each game. This cannot be our intention, especially if those 'clear fouls' are comparable with the incident in the first half.
DeleteJust seen the replay again at half time, the Portugal player was never going to get the ball and just jumped into the back of the Moroccan. IMO should've been whistled but I can understand why VAR didn't intervene.
DeleteI agree, clear PK. Since it was a"judgment call," why VAR couldn't intervene?
DeleteRef I am not exaggerating in any way. It's a crystal clear foul to tackle someone in the back when he gets the ball and you don't. It's obvious you are a Geiger fan and can't accept anything said against his decision. I like Geiger but that's a mistake and I am not afraid to say it.
DeleteI‘m not a Geiger fan, I do think he is a good referee, but I would never ignore mistakes. In my view, this was not a penalty - especially not a clear one. We can differ at this point, but I think it is rather clear that VAR should not intervene in situations like this one.
DeleteWe can differ yes, but then don't trigger people by saying ''With your sense of game/LOTG we would have at least five penalties in each game''
DeleteIf you want to know how I ref here you go:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjlAAUxk70KurpcLWcFL8Mg
Yes, maybe that was too harsh. I‘m sorry.
DeleteI accept it.
DeleteOT:
DeleteVictor, I see that you're a fellow active referee. Congratulations! I am happy to see that you're not just an "armchair critic".
This head-to-head with Morocco coach should have been avoided, in my opinion. Geiger could have talked without being so close to him.
ReplyDeleteIt could have been avoided if Karasev handled the technical area more assertively. Carry out your duties and allow your center referee to focus on what is happening on the pitch not off of it.
DeleteCongratulations, it's your 1000th negative comment on this blog!
DeleteIMO great to see that a 4th official is actually reacting on such behaviour. And by calling the ref sending a clear signal to stop that. I actually liked that cooperation. Agree with Chefren, he could avoid to have so close conversation.
DeleteAnd what I write or my opinion are a matter of concern to you? As others have said in regards to their comments. If it's not of your liking. Ignore it and/or get over it.
Delete@Theref
DeleteThat's match preparation. I'm sure that referee team agree this kind of cooporation :)
Did the Moroccan players "parody" Geiger's explanation for the correct booking? Looked weird.
ReplyDeleteIt looked like that,
Deletecounting the number of the fouls.
They did. They mocked him.
Delete@Sheriff Any suggestions on what Geiger could have done there?? đŸ¤”
DeleteNo. Not with the directives and directions that the Referee's seem to have been given. No cautions for dissent. Do I like seeing Referee's getting mocked, ridiculed or being yelled at? No. But, it is what it is.
DeleteBenatia has committed 3+ fouls, really? Morocco not at all accepting of anything from Geiger. Dissenting and arguing and even gesturing on all calls made.
ReplyDeleteMoroccans are going a bit over the top in their pressing and in their approach to Geiger. Frenetic first half but Geiger in absolute control with just one booking.
DeleteBenatia learned that in Italy...making fouls in a row but complaining all the time abput the opponents.
DeleteBut I again. At that point, had Benatia really committed 3+ fouls thus validating Geiger's gesture?
DeleteI remember at least one previous (similar) foul against Ronaldo, where he warned him and showed it was his second foul. So after that warning, a booking was mandatory in the next situation.
DeleteBenatia? Or was it another Moroccan player? If it was indeed Benatia who was guilty of persistent infringement, then I retract my initial comment. However I don't recall Benatia committing multiple fouls.
DeleteIt was Benatia. Geiger told him he'd already committed 2 fouls and then the YC was for the third.
DeleteI know and saw what Geiger told him and the gesture he used towards him. The referee can use that gesture towards any player at any time to justify a caution. Yet I am not fully convinced that Benatia had actually been guilty of commiting multiple fouls.
DeleteGeiger having an overall good game... Always has been much, much better than Ramos and maybe even Aguilar so it's expected he will manage the 2nd half well too... All the best to Mark!
ReplyDeleteI think you cannot compare to Aguilar or Ramos. So different games and different approach is needed.
DeleteGeiger struggling a little bit to get full acceptance, but I think he is doing fine so far. Could be a challenging second half for him.
I like Geiger's self-possession and the way he deals with the players in such a hectic atmosphere like the one we just saw in the first half.
DeleteA performance without mistakes or problems can be overall compared with a performance filled with inconsistencies and errors... The difficulty of the game has nothing to do over there! In terms of overall display Geiger put up a better showing than Ramos or Aguilar!
DeleteAdvantage in 47min will be to give a foul for POR on a 20m from MOR goal.
ReplyDelete57'CĂ©dric steps on a Moroccan players foot to stop his attack. It's not his first bigger foul. Not even a warning.
ReplyDeleteNo. Was J.Moutinho I think.
DeleteMissed YC after tact.foul Joao Moutinho 56.min.
ReplyDeleteDon't like this overly lenient line TBH. It does encourage tactical fouls, which we have quite a lot of.
ReplyDeleteYes and after 3 little but tactical fouls by R.Guerreiro the first warning. That is not enough.
DeleteSame "1,2,3" gesture. But different outcome. Where's the consistency?
DeleteSo in this case, Geiger yet again used the 1,2,3 gesture. But no card? Where's the consistency? And it only came after the fouled Moroccan player admonished Geiger.
ReplyDeleteThe Maroccan drama: As against Iran playing the best technical football of the African teams and attacking bravely, but forgetting to score a goal...
ReplyDeletePlenty of fouls by several Portuguese players. No warnings, no cards.
ReplyDeleteIt turned to be for sure a challenging game. It was a good choice by committee to appoint an experienced referee.
ReplyDeleteGood decision in 84‘. Foul occured outside the penalty area.
ReplyDelete85': simulation, penalty? Still no card for simulation.
ReplyDeleteWe can be sure that this is a guideline by committee.
I think with one or two YC for simulation in the beginning of the tournament there wouldn't be so much cases of simulation. Not the best guideline IMO ;)
DeleteIt is, for sure.
DeleteMissed YC. Not because of a possible simulation, but becaus Ronaldo was making the VAR signal. FIFA had a clear message concerning these gestures, we all remember...
DeleteEgypit players also made VAR signal. They should get YC too ?
DeleteWhy it's bad?
DeleteAll the dives we are speaking about occured inside the penalty area.
So, if referee make a mistake and award the penalty, VAR will easily overturn his decision.
I think that guideline is 'No YC for simulation INSIDE THE PENALTY AREA'
If they did, they should have got a caution, too. Unsporting behaviour. I think they should be strict concerning this behaviour.
DeletePepe always making some theater there, but Benatia with some faults as well... I hate such behaviors.
ReplyDeleteMorocco's coach facing Karasev at the final whistle. He looked to be very angry.
ReplyDeleteGood job by Geiger, it was not an easy game. All important decisions were taken correctly (or at least supportable), foul detection was okay, too. Committee was right to appoint an experienced referee.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Probably the most challenging match so far, extremely intense, lots of fouls, aggressive duels but in the end Geiger was in total control of all the incidents and no team can complain.
DeleteThe game reminded me ARG-ISL much. Many (five) penalty incidents and tense atmosphere. Even more due to Morocco players' behaviour. Although the decision making was good in key match incidents and otherwise decent (some things like illegal use of arm or handball were missed), one can say Geiger is not the best manager FIFA has at this tournament. I missed stronger Geiger's action against mobbing and dissenting at him by Morocco team. Also, I think he could have tried to balance foul selection more, whistle something soft in favour of Morocco in the middle zone when they were upset. In addition, he missed a perfect occasion to level yellow cards when one of POR player committed a SPA-like foul in the 65th minute. Of course, those are point for consideration at the highest level and I write that just because I know Geiger is one of the candidates to handle the final.
ReplyDeleteAll in all 2-3 missed YCs, a bit too soft conc. discipl.managing, on the plus-side good physics, very good positioning, clear instructions and good foul detection. So Geiger a candidate for challenging k.o.games, especially when Europe meets South America. He just should act a bit more consequently against tactical fouls.
ReplyDeleteNo big mistakes from Geiger, but I wasn't convinced when it came to card selection/disciplinary management. Persistent Infringement should have been punished with YCs.
ReplyDeleteIt was perhaps the most challenging match thus far and Committee was spot-on in appointing a bigwig.
ReplyDeleteA less experienced official would have shown two or three red cards today and there lies the difference. Geiger delivered a masterpiece of control. He might have missed one or two fouls but who doesn't? Highly physical duels, aggressive play and dissent galore, yet the match ended with 22 players on the pitch and it was exciting to watch.
Superb fitness, balanced card management and good foul detection. Mister Geiger reminded me of Signor Rizzoli today and that speaks volumes. I'm sure Busacca and Collina are happy and certainly counting on him for the final stages of the tournament.
Well, I would avoid terms like superb, masterpiece etc (especially the second one) :)
DeletePersonaly, I don't like this kind of (lack of the) managment which cause low acceptance and not so great authority.
But, no one can say it wasn't good performance generaly in the very challenging match.
*challenging, without very
DeleteLet's agree to disagree on the "acceptance" thing :). What is it with "acceptance"? That is in fact a quite vague, hazy concept to me. Actually, a referee cannot prevent some players from protesting the way the Moroccans did today. That has to do with the personality of the players and it is unavoidable. No one can say Geiger has ever lost control of this match.
DeleteIn my book, it was a masterpiece of control. With other referees in the middle, I'm easily picturing Morocco ending the match with nine players on the pitch. It was really tough out there at Luzhniki but Geiger rose to the occasion.
My view : A good performance by Geiger overall... Smaller things can be improved or polished to make his display solid in even more challenging games... My assessment will be "an expected level of performance" in "a challenging match", nothing more and nothing less... Good performance no doubt but not the best we have seen this tournament... The capacity of the stadium IMO has absolutely no consideration in the assessment... Just my opinion though! In other words, I echo similar thoughts as DrMr and agree with his assessment!
DeleteSoham, just to clear you up: when I mention Luzhniki, I don't consider it as a factor in the performance of the referee; it was a casual reference to the venue where the match was held.
DeleteSomeone yesterday mentioned the stadium and its capacity in appointments thread so I wrote it :)
Delete"A less experienced official would have shown two or three red cards today"
ReplyDeleteGet real! There are no Valentin Ivanov's at Russia 2018.
Sheriff, what's up man? So much hatred towards Geiger. Is there any resentment? It really looks like that. US-Mexico dispute? Calm down, this is not politics.
DeleteCan you imagine Sikazwe or even a European referee like Brych (who's really strict) officiating this match? Now, I'm the one who says "Get real".
There's no hate here man. Just pointing out what I saw. In other words I'm giving my opinion. If you ask anybody here, they'll tell you that I am and have always been a "by The Laws of the Game" type of referee and critic. And that way of viewing a referee's performance does not change based on whether I like the referee or not. You've shown that you flip flop. Would I like to see Mexican ref's do well? Sure. But when they don't, I'm not going to make any excuses for them and will blast them just like any other referee.
DeleteSo leave politics out of the conversation. They have no place here.
You can ridiculously say I "flip flop" how many times you want but that won't become true. I lay emphasis on this again: there wasn't a single crucial mistake whatsover nor any "VAR black/white situation". Have you seen anyone talking about any decisive mistakes or anything related? No, you haven't because it just didn't happen. I would be the first to mention those irregular situations, especially if they had had a bearing on the final outcome, like in POR-SPA, BRA-SWI or ENG-TUN. That's what being coherent is all about. That's what I do, I cannot talk about something that hasn't come about.
DeleteWhy do you want me to be harsh on Geiger when he did very well in the most challenging match of the tournament as yet? This leads me to conclude you're still upset over Ramos total failure and are willing to see/read a torrent of criticism unleashed against other refs. Other option includes any sort of personal/political resentment over Geiger/USA. Can't find another reason.
Again, you better recognise you overreacted.
Brych would have been a major upgrade over Geiger. It is borderline insulting to the great Dr. to compare him to Geiger. You can't possibly compare a Referee who has handled a UCL Final to a Referee that was literally run off the field in a Gold Cup semi final.
DeleteGoing simply based off of your ASSumption. Sheriff should be a huge Geiger fan. After all, he gifted Mexico a Gold Cup semi final win over Panama. Not to mention that Eric Boria (AR from the US) gifted Mexico a soft and suspect PK at the same Gold Cup in the Quarter final.
DeleteNando Vazquez, let's not make this a Geiger-Brych tussle because I could start listing Brych's blunders. Plus, I'm not Geiger's lawyer and I don't want to put the conversation in those terms. I mentioned Brych because of his strict style, which would not be beneficial in this case given Morocco's aggressive play. That's it. Nothing else.
DeleteNo one can say it was not a very solid performance from Geiger. This is my point. No controversies.
I better recognize? Or what? But it's cool. Now knowing what you're all about. Your comments and opinions carry little to no weight or importance to me. I know it's maddening to not have your national team playing. So that leaves you with with only a single option for who to root for. And I'll say it again. If Ramos and his crew are already back in Mexico. They only have themselves to blame and I'll lose no sleep over their failure.
DeleteYou certainly seem to be acting as if was your duty to be his advocate. You seem unable to simply accept and move on with your impression of Geiger. If others disagree with you. That's their prerogative. Accept your self perceived win get over the fact that somebody disagrees with you.
DeleteNando Vazquez, I'm just expressing my opinion and countering some fake/personal arguments. Of course you can disagree with me whenever you want to. Trust me. No issues with that.
DeleteSheriff, you say: "Your comments and opinions carry little to no weight or importance to me". It's mutual, buddy :) It's funny how, as expected, you couldn't mention a single crucial mistake, which says it all. Also funny the fact you assume I'm American :)
Nando Vazquez, by the way what does ASSumption mean? Is it because your arguments are always a joke? I don't think Chefren likes this or can accept stupid stuff like this.
DeletePlus, I don't remember Geiger validating a ghost goal like Brych did.That is not the way the conversation should go. Reading something like "the great Dr" always makes me laugh.
DeleteWas there a handling by the keeper offense that wasn't whistled? I'm not sure of the minute, but there was a shot blocked downward by the Portuguese keeper, then kicked deliberately by a Portuguese defender away gently, then picked up by the keeper in the goal area. I saw no mention about it but by LOTG, that's an offense.
ReplyDeleteGeiger did well in my opinion, but you must always ask why so many players protested and not accepted him totally. Not his fault but maybe he has an aura (again topic is 'format') which doesn't automatically create trust, respect, followship.
ReplyDeleteHe isn't the best man manager in this tournament and that must be known to most of us, I think... So he is expected to face small issues in his games... Nothing much he can do about it IMO :)
DeleteIt’s because of the missed penalty for Marocco. Of course it will make them sngry at a world cup.
DeleteSince I haven't seen it, very difficult to make a comment!
DeleteCompilation of the key match incidents:
ReplyDeletehttps://vimeo.com/album/5243724/
https://vimeo.com/album/5243724/video/276121929 (84', Foul Benatia)
DeleteNo penalty was well detected, but is this not a clear (2nd) YC for SPA?
look at the minute of Ronaldo's goal, PEPE(number 3) commited a foul on Boutaib(number 13) before Ronaldo scored.
DeleteWhat about the hand of pepe? wasn't that a penalty? so much injustice for my team.... This geiger guy isn't as good as they said or maybe he is told to let the portuguese win the match.
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