Saturday 30 June 2018

2018 FIFA World Cup Match 50: France - Argentina (discussion)

Let's discuss here the performance of  Alireza Faghani in France - Argentina. Good luck to the officiating team! 
Match #50
Kazan, 30 June 2018 16:00 CET
France - Argentina
Referee: Alireza Faghani (IRN)
Assistant Referee 1: Reza Sokhandan (IRN)
Assistant Referee 2: Mohammadreza Mansouri (IRN)
Fourth Official: Julio Bascuñán (CHI)
Fifth Official: Christian Schiemann (CHI)
VAR: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
AVAR1: Pawel Gil (POL)
AVAR 2: Carlos Astroza (CHI)
AVAR 3: Paolo Valeri (ITA)

196 comments:

  1. OT serie A referees: out Damato, Tagliavento and Gavillucci.
    In: La Penna and Chiffi.
    FIFA assistant referee Andrea Crispo has been removed from serie A panel, extra-ordinary decision, never happened at least in recent seasons. Out Zappatore, Di Fiore, Dobosz and La Rocca.
    Di Liberatore and Tonolini should have finished their career as well, but they got a derogation for next season (in any case, they will be removed from the FIFA list on next December).

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  2. OT:

    Referees at Mediterranean Games 2018 in Tarragona. Tournament finished today, with Spain beating Italy on the final.

    Xavier ESTRADA FERNÁNDEZ (1976, ESP)
    Halil Umut MELER (1986, TUR)
    Jérôme BRISARD (1986, FRA)
    Marco DI BELLO (1981, ITA)
    Srdjan JOVANOVIC (1986, SRB)
    Ioannis PAPADOPOULOS (1982, GRE)
    Irfan PELJTO (1984, BIH)
    Hicham TIAZI (MAR)
    Said AOUINA (ALG)

    As in 2018 U-17 Euro, Halil Umut Meler handled the Final.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, I also wrote a message to organization but they didn't answer. For Italy, with Di Bello there was Preti as assistant referee. It would be nice to have the whole list of officials.
      Also, let me add, not the best idea to hold the Mediterranean Games during a World Cup.

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    2. Xavier Aguilar Rodríguez as AR from Spain.

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  3. Players from both countries try to influence the referee from the very beginning.

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  4. Very alert and concentrated Faghani in the early minutes... The good form shows!

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  5. Replies
    1. Very good decision, and also correct YC for ARG #16!

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  6. 11' : Penalty awarded to France... Very good spot!

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  7. Crucial decision: in my opinion foul started outside and ended inside. Excellent Faghani, this is an excellent start for him.

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  8. Penalty+YC given in 11‘ - correct decision. Very alert start by Faghani!

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  9. Replies
    1. The foul was quite clear, no doubts. Indeed, they asked for a VAR check, but nothing blatant.

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  10. Why has Mbappé left the field of play? Rojo was booked, so according to the Laws of the Game, there was no need.

    BTW, correct penalty!

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    Replies
    1. Maybe he wanted to leave for second?

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    2. Treatment continued on the sideline. So, obviously they weren't able to complete it promptly.

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  11. 18' : Free kick given for SPA outside the box!

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    1. Really good spot again... AR1 may have given inputs here!

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  12. What a game for Faghani ! Correct free kick for FRA and YC for SPA?

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  13. Another crucial decision for Faghani, it seems he got this one right as well. I think he is ready to officiate the final...

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  14. Let me add that it is never easy to call a penalty in games like this one, especially in the first minutes. Although the foul was quite clear, we must praise Faghani that he took the decision by himself and did not rely on VAR.
    Now: Excellent OUTSIDE decision by Faghani. Very close to DOGSO, though.

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  15. Close to RC for DOGSO, but IMO good decision to issue YC.

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  16. Replies
    1. No way. 2 other defenders around.

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    2. Absolute rubbish. They are behind him. It’s a clear DOGSO.

      Everyone in football expects it. Only people on here who try to be too clever or support referees for some reason or another will say otherwise.

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    3. Its never RC. YC is perfect decision.

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    4. Yes, clear RC. Shocking to see no VAR intervention. Still, this was an easy call a referee should make on his own.

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    5. Totally YC... Never a RC

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    6. The player didn't possess the ball clearly, therefore the goalkeeper could easily intervene. Super decision by Faghani, that's a SPA and correct YC!

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    7. Football expects, the laws support it. All because FIFA don’t want to upset teams and been seen to influence results.

      Laws are the laws and need to be applied consistently.

      Terrible lack of bravery from the referee and VAR.

      In control? Yes. Going directly towards goal? Yes. Position of other defenders? They can’t challenge. It’s clear.

      I know it’s about opinions and I try to support decisions when possible but that is clear and a lot is users are embarrassing themselves with their comments.

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    8. LMAO, he had 2 defenders next to him, not even controlling the ball so never a RC ! The only correct decision is YC.

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    9. In control? At the time of offence, the ball was 4-5m away, and going out of play with speed.

      The likelihood of control was low and not CLEARLY met.

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    10. Carry on supporting the unsupportable.

      I have watched it live and seen one replay, it’s clear. No debate.

      You will see the reaction if for some reason France don’t progress. If they do progress it will disappear and FIFA will be happy.

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    11. Stop trying to pretend that it was RC. You should learn what is RC and what is YC from people here ;)

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    12. @GerryUSref Waiting to see the so-called reactions already... Nigeria reacted so much to Cakir's no penalty call but what happened?? Nobody just cares... Losing teams always cry and blame others for the loss in most of the cases!

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    13. I'm wondering if GerryUSref is talking about the penalty kick or the free kick that followed 4-5 minutes later...

      The penalty kick? Never DOGSO.

      The free kick just outside the PA? Almost certainly DOGSO. In this case, the ball is 2m ahead of the attacker, the GK is about 10m away, and all of the defenders are clearly behind him.

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    14. This is the foul to which I wonder if GerryUSref is referring:

      https://www.clippituser.tv/c/nbqpdr

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    15. Correct decision to give YC IMO

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    16. I suspect that this'll be a videotest RC on an upcoming FIFA Futuro release.

      Having said that, I understand why the ref only gave a YC here. It's very rare to see a possible DOGSO card come down from VAR for OFR.

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    17. For me also rather RC, but the ball control is the important question here. Would he reach the ball first without the foul? You can certainly have different opinions, so not a clear mistake IMO.

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    18. @GerryUSRef
      In football it's YC, in soccer it's RC

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  17. I think Faghani made a mistake before this FK. i think ball wasnt still before Pogba passed the ball to Mbappe

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  18. His mimics and conflict management are very nice to watch IMO.

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  19. Could someone explain why it was a penalty? I mean, the foul started outside the box and he fell inside the box? (I am not a referee ^^)

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Foul started and CONTINUED inside the box...

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    3. When a foul starts outside but also comtinues inside it is a penalty

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  20. The contact continued into the area so penalty, unlike the free kick which was one piece of contact hence fk.

    Ball was travelling quickly away from goal, I think the proximity to GK meant yellow not red.

    An impressive start

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  21. 27' : Appeal for handball... Was it deliberate?

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    1. No, of course. But, missed 1,5 meter offside, missed elbow, missed corner... And I have some doubts about possible RC and small (need to review) given PK.

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    2. VAR thinks it as not deliberate... Although I think Faghani himself completely missed it!

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    4. Correct desicion Faghani. Excellent so far

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    5. It was a wrong decision lol. Corner kick was missed which means the contact with the hand was totally missed!

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  22. Not a deliberate handball, but also missed corner kick. The touch by French defender was not seen at all. In this case, Faghni and the AR involved have missed the touch. VAR would have helped them.

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    1. Why VAR didn't just told that it was corner? It was so simple decision, and would be the best for all.

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    2. VAR can't send those down. Not one of the four uses, and against protocol.

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    3. Yes that's why I concluded that Faghani missed the situation completely... So although a referee completely missed it, the VAR thinks not enough to review hence no OFR... So visual control of central referee has very little to do with VAR!

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    4. Var would have helped, but could not... corner kicks are not a matter VAR can meddle with.

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    5. I know, but it is stupid when the corner kick is obvious. Just say to the ref "Corner kick" and that's it. Simple.

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    6. And after you whisper that to the ref's ear, maybe you are out of appointments for future games because you were not supposed to do that :)

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    7. Do you understand what I am writing at all? I know the protocol, I know he must not do that, but the protocol is stupid and should let the VAR ref to say that.

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    8. Collina informing Irrati in Italian that he is going to be sent home because of whispering in referee's ear! :D

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    9. @Teo The protocol may not be as good as it could be, but it's like the LotG. They're not perfect, but we gotta follow them.

      Make a list of possible VAR improvements. I'm sure that Chefren will welcome a guest post about VAR improvements. :)

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    10. You are pretending to be interesting? English humor?
      VAR is improving every day, at this WC too. Collina said "fine tuning". This is something to be fine tuned, too.

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    11. They're fine tuning the WAY they call the game.

      The protocol is set and will not be changed during the tournament.

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    12. Rather ask VAR to make every decision... Why have a referee run for 90 minutes only to get intervened by a so-called VAR 100 times in a match? Thank God the powers that be didn't think of such fine-tuning yet!

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    13. Teo, you'd better take a chamomile tea.
      "Do you understand what I am writing at all?" is way below any netiquette... after all my post ended with a smile.

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  23. 28’ : first significant error. Missed handball by Umtiti (no PK at all) but clear corner forgotten.

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    1. I wouldn't call that significant. Only a missed corner, nothing more. :)

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    2. I meant « significantl » in front of wonderful performance shown by an superb Faghani ;)

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    3. Then we agree on that ;)

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  24. Should have been a corner. Touched missed

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  25. 25' missed foul for France in theire penalty area. Illegal use of arms by Argentina's number 15. Simillar situation like in match between Serbia and Costa Rica (Prijovic).

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  26. 2nd ”dirty” foul by Mascherano (first one in min 6 when Griezmann's freekick hit the crossbar), still no YC.

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    Replies
    1. Could have shown a YC there, I agree! But as long as it can be managed its okay to keep the cards in the pocket!

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  27. 34‘ attacker foul seems wrong

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  28. Here bad decision. Clear foul on French player and just after, foul whistled against Giroud...which wasn’t one.

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  29. 35' Nice relaxed joke by the referee during the brake (keep an eye on the water bottle) :)

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  30. Messi wanted a penalty but replay was not shown here... it looked correct decision to play on.

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    1. Nobody even appealed :D You can't fool Faghani with those :D

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    2. Replay was shown now: Never a penalty, rather a foul by Messi.

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    3. FOX commentators: "I wonder why the referee didn't go back and took another look at that incident".

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    4. Because there was nothing to be watched again... Never a penalty!

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    5. When will they have some commentator who will have some experience as a referee?

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    6. Neither it is PK, nor Messi asked for it or tried to fool the ref.

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    7. It's a ref from Iran. Ofcourse FOX will blame him as much as possible.

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  31. YC given to Mascherano - persistent infringement.

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  32. Finally Mascherano is yellow-carded... Well done!

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  33. Mascherano got his YC. Good by Faghani.

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  34. 45' great proactive reaction by AR1 after Drogba foul to stop possible confrontation.

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    1. Drogba? Ivory Coast?
      I thought we were watching France v Argentina.

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  35. Very challenging first half. My mark for Faghani so far: 8.5.
    In full control, three crucial decisions correctly taken, maybe one can discuss about the color of the card when free kick to France was whistled. But overall, a more than good show.

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    1. Second half will be even more perfect for Alireza 😎😎😎

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    2. Missed clear YC for elbow, one-two wrong FKs.

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    3. Missed corner also... But all minor things... In a game of this magnitude one or two mistakes in FKs and corners will remain let's be honest!

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  36. AR1 and Faghani prevented a potential confrontation. Very concentrated! Nevertheless, he should not use his whistle too much - something we have already mentioned in his previous games.

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  37. So far Faghani is on the way to Moscow :) again a great performance from him. Hope for a similar second half.

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    1. If Pitana puts in a masterclass in Croatia v Denmark... Or suppose Cakir puts a flawless performance in the QFs... Will Faghani be displaced from the way to Moscow??

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    2. Hopefully he will arrive in Moscow in the evening and does not have to rest in the stadium ;-)

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    3. I just think the best moment to appoint an AFC referee for the final. An based on performance so far, would be deserved.

      About Pitana I think his second game wasn't the best, but I am happy to see him again tomorrow. Let's say the topic is opened, but I am very impressed by Faghani. Didn't expected such a good performance from him before the Wc.

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    4. I expected Faghani to be the best AFC referee for sure but maybe not so excellent so it's a very pleasant surprise for me... If we have a Brazil v France semi-final or Uruguay v Belgium semi-final, I think Faghani will be by default appointed there... And in case of a UEFA team v UEFA team, there is every chance of an European referee whistling the final!

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  38. Best 46'57" of this World Cup so far
    He seems to have respect, positioning excellent. All key decisions correct

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    1. That's it. All key decisions + management were absolutely correct, but also some minor mistakes (not conceded corner for ARG, uncalled foul + YC on Kanté...)

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    2. Positioning is his weakness, but he is improving. Good half for his team.

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    3. Well its true... The positioning needs a little bit of fine tuning!

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    4. Positioning is different from movement: his positiong is excellent; his movement on the pitch needs fine tuning...

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    5. I take that... The conclusion is that he needs a bit of "fine-tuning"... Just a little bit, nothing major :)

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  39. Simply an exaggerated usage of his whistle - definitely too much for me.

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  40. Excellent onside by AR1 for ARG goal

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    1. Or was he just following the instruction? :D

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    2. Could be but i think he saw no offside :D

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    3. In any case, he would have never raised the flag.

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  41. YC to Banega: correct decision by Faghani. Match is very hot now.

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  42. YC in 49‘ was mandatory. Very reckless tackle.

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  43. 56' : Wasn't Griezmann's shirt clearly pulled in the penalty area with him about to shoot in the net???

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    1. No, not enough for a whistle, holding didn't have any effect.

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    2. Not enough, also no protests by anyone.

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    3. It was. Incredible that VAR didn't call ref to review.

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    4. He was pulled before reaching the ball but i think you cant whistle that.

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    5. Anyway Faghani missed it completely!

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    6. No penalty, Even Griezzman continued without any onjections

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    7. Here's that offence... really not too much in it.

      https://streamja.com/vq0k

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  44. Second amazing goal today.

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  45. Possible PK for holding...

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    1. What come on? Without holding Griezman would score? You think he wont???

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    2. Without holding, Griezmann would have made the same action he made. Are you objective, Teo? Reading your comments, I have a certain feeling... I don't want to be wrong, but since this was a correct or at least supportable decision...

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    3. I guess VAR didnt think like that.

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    4. According to the LotG, no one can stop Teo from claiming it's a penalty. Common sense sais no penalty. But in theory, holding is a punishable offense.

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    5. I have a feeling that on this blog when someone starts to criticize one ref - most of others search for next the smallest mistake, write about it and make it much more bigger, continuing with critics. But when one ref is so beloved (as Faghani here), no one mentions his mistakes, but always prize anything what he does.

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    6. But it's a supportable decision and not a mistake by our evaluation... So why should we criticise??

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    7. If you understand football, you don’t say it’s penalty: that’s it

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  46. Replies
    1. Now 3-2,one of the best 1/8 finals matches ever.

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  47. What a game. Referee sails unnoticed for laymen. Great afternoon for Faghani.

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  48. Great match. Wonderful. We are always talking about refereeing, tell me guys who will win World Cup in your opinion?

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    1. If Croatia beats Denmark and then probably Spain, it will be nice for us to repeat bronze generation from 1998 :)

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  49. The only thing i dont like about Faghani is his usage of whistle. He use is too much..

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    1. Absolutely agreed. It is quite annoying.

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  50. Faghani should not be too strict with the substitutes while goal celebration. He can easily increase the additional time.

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  51. Please let me to say how this match is exceptional also because refs are completely IN ! What a wonderful referee is Alireza Faghani ! Soham has to be proud to be asian and Iran refs to count a such perfect ref. Congratulations !

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    1. Yes I'm really happy and proud of Faghani... A semi-final or the Final will surely follow after this!

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  52. The best game in terms of spectacle so far... finally, after many boring matches.

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  53. 6 YCs until now. I think there will be some more to follow...

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  54. I am not betting but can I put somewhere money on Faghani to referee final? :D

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    1. If we have a Brazil v France semi-final, you may end up losing the bet :D

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  55. Only way to stop Faghani for final is if Japan comes to the end and we all know it is impossible :)

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    1. Or a Nestor Pitana masterclass tomorrow?

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    2. Brazil have big chances for final, so Argentinean wont be chosen in that case. If we have European clash its very possible.

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    3. Cakir also has chances... If Brazil v France semi-final happens and Committee wants to maintain neutrality then that match will definitely go to Faghani!

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    4. IMO non-european will referee. Maybe it is fair?

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    5. In the case of maintaining confed neutrality Faghani is the only option there... To be honest, I don't see Geiger as suitable for such a huge game!

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  56. The match has eased out finally! 10 more minutes for Faghani to close out the match excellently without any major errors!

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  57. Mascherano tackle on griezmann(min82); i think 2nd YC to mascherano was missed
    Besides that we are watching a top quality refereeing performance till now.

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  58. We could discuss 2nd YC=RC Mascherano. For me mandatory.

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    1. Meh, they only seem to be showing those in close games. :)

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  59. Way too much use of whistle is annoying as everyone pointed out... Needs a bit of Collina's "fine-tuning" :D

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  60. #2 from Argentina insulted AR, if I'm not wrong.
    YC at least should have been issued.
    Poor under this aspect, the same AR had to inform Faghani.

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    1. Only excessive whistling from Faghani but no sanction!

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  61. Excellent teams left in this WC: France, Belgium, Croatia and maybe Brazil.

    Excellent refs: Kuipers, Pitana, Faghani

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  62. Very ugly scenes towards the ending minutes of the match!

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  63. A mass confrontation occurred, Faghani tried to do the possible there...

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  64. Why is he insisting on not cautioning arg #2

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  65. Why is ot allowed to shoot with full force at a player after a foul. How is this not a red card?

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    1. It was a very haphazard management by Faghani during the mass confrontation!

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    2. Argentina did exactly the same thing with Rakitic when the whistle was already blown and Irmatov didn’t give a red.

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    3. Faghani of course didn't see it! He was busy in pulling the players away from one another!

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    4. It was Otamendi that time too btw... Same guy. Same kind of idiotic action.

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  66. Definitely missed 2nd YC=RC Mercado now. Faghani struggling for control. Hard work.

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    1. The ending minutes were the only blot on an otherwise excellent display... He is a sure name for either a semi-final or the Final!

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    2. Mercado wasn't booked before.

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    3. Everyone would have struggled in this final part of the match...

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    4. Mercado wasn't on a yellow

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  67. 2nd YC missed for the foul?

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    1. I‘m not sure whether anyone of them was cautioned before. Has to be rewatched!

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    2. Foul was stonewall YC.

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  68. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  69. Incredible how Mercado and Mascherano ended the game on the field.

    Difficult game for Faghani. Missed three RC in my opinion. Maybe also one PK for holding.

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  70. Excellent performance by Faghani. I would go for 8.6 without hesitation, but the exaggerated whistles are both very annoying and amateurish, so I have to deduct -0.1 from the mark. 8.5 and all the best for Alireza, he can achieve something big.
    That‘s what I initially wanted to write. However, there was a blatant YC missed at the end. 8.4 is my final mark.

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  71. Hello guys. I think Faghani is wonderful FOLLOWING Collina and Busacca’s wishes. For FIFA, you can complaint violently an assistant referee without nothing. For FIFA, you can shoot violently the ball against a player fallen on the pitch. That’s not Faghani issue, it’s clearly FIFA shame. Congratulations to the Iran ref.

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  73. This is the luck a referee requires in tournament football. Two missed DOGSO’s against the team who were eliminated, nobody will be talking of that.

    Well done, it’s deserved in many ways.

    Please don’t fill the stream with disputes. If it was a referee who a lot of people don’t favor you’d say clear errors.

    Show them in isolation out of game context and you’d say both DOGSO.

    Like FIFA, a lot of members need to find their line.

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