Wednesday 13 June 2018

2018 FIFA World Cup - Referee Appointments - Kuipers will officiate EGY - URU, Rocchi assigned to POR - ESP, Çakır with MAR - IRN

Dutch football federation's site has confirmed that Björn Kuipers will officiate Egypt - Uruguay.



Match #2
Ekaterinburg, 15 June 2018 14:00 CET
Egypt - Uruguay
Referee: Björn Kuipers (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Sander van Roekel (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Erwin Zeinstra (NED)
Fourth Official: Milorad Mažić (SRB)
Fifth Official: Milovan Ristić (SRB)
VAR: Danny Makkelie (NED)
AVAR1: Pawel Gil (POL)
AVAR 2: Cyril Gringore (FRA)
AVAR 3: Clément Turpin (FRA)

Match #3
Sochi, 15 June 2018 20:00 CET
Portugal - Spain 
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Elenito Di Liberatore (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Mauro Tonolini (ITA)
Fourth Official: Ryūji Satō (JPN)
Fifth Official: Toru Sagara (JPN)
VAR: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
AVAR1: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
AVAR 2: Carlos Astroza (CHI)
AVAR 3: Daniele Orsato (ITA)

Match #4
St. Petersburg, 15 June 2018 17:00 CET
Morocco - Iran
Referee: Cüneyt Çakır (TUR)
Assistant Referee 1: Bahattin Duran (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Tarik Ongun (TUR)
Fourth Official: Sergey Karasev (RUS)
Fifth Official: Anton Averyanov (RUS)
VAR: Felix Zwayer (GER)
AVAR1: Bastian Dankert (GER)
AVAR 2: Mark Borsch (GER) 
AVAR 3: Jair Marrufo (USA)

102 comments:

  1. Çakir is reported as the referee of the match between Morocco and Iran.

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    Replies
    1. Ricci will be 4th official in Russia vs Saudi Arabia

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  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    Replies
    1. Deserved?? Or is Collina's influence showing?? :D

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    2. Probably both, Soham. :)

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    3. IMO, deserved and also very suitable to such a match.

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    4. Matches like Juventus - Napoli, Lazio - Inter in Serie A were the perfect candidature for such a sonorous clash, plus his experience with VAR.
      We can remember Rizzoli also, got 'this' match in Brazil on Day 2.

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    5. I would have rather gone with Brych...

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    6. Is it (Rocchi appointed in Sochi), because it might be too cold for an Italian elsewhere in Russia?

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    7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    8. Two questions here... Does Rocchi merit the appointment? Absolutely yes.... Is Rocchi is the best available referee for the match? Definitely not... Palmares, current form or anything can't explain this choice!

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    9. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    10. Rocchi is familiar with VAR in his league? So is Felix Brych... Rocchi is in good form and had a good season? Brych had it even better... Rocchi has much experience and good palmares? Brych is more experienced and has far superior palmares... But still it is not Brych in Sochi and the reason is more than obvious :D

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    11. As I said down this thread as well that although Rocchi is an unexpected appointment in this game but I do firmly believe that he will do a good job in the match!

      Delete
    12. fifa world cup 2018 !!
      how argentina manages to stay in world cup 2018?
      check the link below
      https://bit.ly/2tJAd3R

      Delete
  3. I had Kuipers for SPA-POR and Rocchi for EGY-URU in my prediction...

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    Replies
    1. And FIFA swapped it :D

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    2. fifa world cup 2018 !!
      how argentina manages to stay in world cup 2018?
      check the link below
      https://bit.ly/2tJAd3R

      Delete
  4. Referee- Kuipers
    4th official Mazic

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  5. Cakir confirmed for Morocco - Iran. Fifa don't want to take risks the first two days.

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    Replies
    1. Who confirmed it? I find it still kind of unprofessional of Fifa not to announce the appointments 48hrs ahead. Can't be in their interest that the national football associations of the referees appointed confirm some rumors.

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    2. Absolutely poor by FIFA. All national federations are announcing referees appointed (Iran's federation did right now that), but they are still silent.
      It seems done on purpose...

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    3. I'm sorry to use these words, but this is a terrible management by FIFA. It is their job to publish the officials that will be in charge of the next games. Only THEIR job. However, if you need so much time for doing so, you cannot be surprised if national federations will be first. At a World Cup, I expected a more professional management.

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    4. Still no confirmation from FIFA... This is more than disappointing on their part!

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  6. The confederations (unwritten) rule will be surely broken.
    Please take a look at the next days: Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
    10 matches in a row with an European team against another one from a different confederation. Not possible to see all referees from other confederations, if you ask me.
    France - Australia
    Argentina - Iceland
    Perù - Denmark
    Croatia - Nigeria
    Costa Rica - Serbia
    Germany - Mexico
    Brazil - Switzerland

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    Replies
    1. Sweden - South Korea
      Belgium - Panama
      Tunisia - England

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    2. I disagree. UEFA referees got 3 out of 4 matches so far.
      We can expect UEFA referee on COL-JPN.
      So they'll officiate 4 matches in group stage (25%)
      In WC 2014 we had 5 referees from UEFA in Matchday 1 and there is no match with confederation neutrality broken in Matchday 1

      Of course, It will happen in MD2 and MD3, but I am not sure for next 10 games you mentioned

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    3. I'll try :-)

      FRA - AUS, Gassama
      ARG - ISL, Ramos Palazuelos
      PER - DEN, Grisha
      CRO - NIG, Cacares
      CRC - SRB, Ricci
      GER - MEX, Irmatov
      BRA - SUI, Geiger
      SWE - SKR, Diedhiou
      BEL - PAN, Shukralla
      TUN - ENG, Cunha

      At least, this would explain why we have three UEFA referees on this Friday (besides the fact they are worried).

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    4. My predictions in the game were
      A RUS-SAA Pitana
      A EGY-URU Brych
      B MAR-IRN Rocchi
      B ESP-POR Kuipers
      C FRA-AUS Aguilar
      C PER-DEN Gassama
      D ARG-ICE Irmatov
      D CRO-NIG Ramos
      E BRA-SUI Geiger
      E CRC-SER Diedhiou
      F GER-MEX Roldan
      F SWE-SKO Cunha
      G BEL-PAN Faghani
      G TUN-ENG Ricci
      H COL-JPN Cakir
      H POL-SEN Conger

      Probably it was the main reason for FIFA to start with Pitana who deserved opening match and with 3 very strong UEFA names (Kuipers, Rocchi, Cakir)

      In 2014 there was easier match schedule so we had Nishimura, Roldan, Rizzoli and Noumandiez Doue in first four matches. So, 4 matches-4 confederations!

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  7. The question for @soham
    Just to make sure I figured the points method in the prediction game

    My Predictions:
    A RUS-SAA Pitana (correct, 5 pts)
    A EGY-URU Brych (same confederation 1 pt)
    B MAR-IRN Rocchi (same confederation 1 pt, Rocchi will referee another match in group 2 pts)
    B ESP-POR Kuipers (same confederation 1 pt)
    Total: 10

    Take a look at group B. MAR-IRN match... Can I get 3 points (1+2) in this case?

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    Replies
    1. You're right that you'll get 3 points for Morocco v Iran... However I haven't started evaluating yet and I'll start after all 16 appointments of MD1 are out...

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    2. Thanks for answer. Just wanted to be sure about that.

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    3. I now suddenly realise that I have to be quick with creating the form for Matchday 2 also :D

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    4. You should :D
      First MD2 match is on Tuesday 20.00 CET RUS-EGY
      MD1 is over on Tuesday also (last match starts 17.00 CET)
      On Sunday we will know last appointments for MD1 and first for MD2
      When will you publish form then? :D

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    5. I mean, it wont be easy to predict MD2 when you dont know last appointments in MD1

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    6. Oh my god :o You're absolutely right... Matchday 2 form must be published today

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    7. Maybe tommorow will be good and you should close votes on saturday 23. 59 CET
      Or we can call Collina and tell him to hurry up with appointments because we are playing game :D

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    8. I'm preparing and it will be up as soon as possible

      Delete
    9. fifa world cup 2018 !!
      how argentina manages to stay in world cup 2018?
      check the link below
      https://bit.ly/2tJAd3R

      Delete
  8. I'm very surprised with all 3 appointments of today :D How a game like Morocco v Iran (on paper) merits the appointment of Cakir I will never know :D But how out of all names Rocchi has the necessary credits in FIFA to officiate Portugal v Spain is something I definitely know :D Pitana appointment to Rissia v Saudi Arabia is a complete waste except for the fact that is the opening match so a big name is okay and Kuipers appointment to Egypt v Uruguay is an okayish assignment!

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    1. IMO Egypt-Uruguay deserved a good name like Kuipers.

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    2. On giving further thought, both Egypt v Uruguay and Morocco v Iran can actually be heated affairs so I can see why the choices are as such... But yes Rocchi in Iberian derby is a surprise anyhow as there are at least names in the tournament who have much better records in FIFA tournaments... My question is keeping other 3 appointments same, why not Brych or Mazic in Portugal v Spain?? Another reason maybe that the big names are kept away from medial attention early on in the tournament to avoid a situation like Nishimura in 2014... Overall quite surprising appointments and not what many would've expected... All that said I firmly believe Rocchi can do a very good job in his game but there were bigger and more deserving names available for sure!!

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    3. Let's be honest, Nishimura was a big name. He officiated a quater final (BRA-NED) in 2010 and was 4th official in the final.

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    4. Yes and the huge media attention he generated in the opener ultimately ruled him out of the entire tournament and cost Busacca dearly in terms of his plans... That was a big loss in the very 1st day of the tournament!!

      Delete
    5. fifa world cup 2018 !!
      how argentina manages to stay in world cup 2018?
      check the link below
      https://bit.ly/2tJAd3R

      Delete
  9. Can we associate the choice of Cakir for Iran's game, definitely unexpected, also to the fact that the local federation made some complaints during the previous WC? You all remember what happened, they were not content with Mazic... so this time, one of the best European referees immediately appointed.

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    1. Many questions are there... Why not Marciniak if Collina considers him a talent? Why not Skomina? If all the referees called up to the tournament are as good as they said then why Cakir has to be appointed to a game just because Iran made some complaints 4 years ago?? Then why not Rocchi in Morocco v Iran and Cakir in Portugal v Spain?? Many such questions can be asked...

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    2. I've got an impression there is a power "fight" for the opening appointments.. all four appointed referees are coming from the football "strong" nations: Argentina (4th Brasil) Italy, Turkey, the Netherlands...

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    3. Maybe the Committee is just playing it safe to ensure chances of minimum controversy!

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  10. With all respect, but it seems kind of a waste to appoint 3 world class referees for 3 of the first 4 matches.
    And still nothing official from Fifa at 7:30p.m. Moscow time

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    Replies
    1. 100% agree with the first line... Only explanation I can find is keeping these big names safe from early medial attention... That is, to avoid something like Nishimura 2014...

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    2. But if something goes wrong, those big names will get a lot of attention within the first days and are kind of "burned" for the rest of the tournament. And if any referee makes a major mistake at any point of the world cup, the media attention will be big, because (nearly) every referee's performance ist being watched critically, at least by the teams affected by the referees error.

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    3. But still a huge complain coming from say Spain would do less damage than a complain coming from Morocco... Then of course for a referee like Cakir you can expect Morocco v Iran to be comfortable, more than Portugal v Spain... Of course things can still go wrong but the probability is surely much decreased!

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    4. You guys are missing the big point. VAR has to go off without a hitch. It’s the biggest wildcard. FIFA needs to make it into the weekend with no major VAR screw ups. It is appointing the referees trusts most with VAR—both to avoid controversy and to set the example for the other referees.

      Also, a major screw up on ANY match can spell doom for a referee. The timing of such a mistake—except perhaps in the opening match—really doesn’t matter. You think Cakir is better off if he has a bad match next Wednesday as opposed to this Friday? That doesn’t make sense.

      You need referees you trust to set the stage. Confederational neutrality allowed for 3 European appointments. And you need referees who will do well with VARs. These appointments make all the sense in the world.

      Delete
    5. fifa world cup 2018 !!
      how argentina manages to stay in world cup 2018?
      check the link below
      https://bit.ly/2tJAd3R

      Delete
  11. It would also be interesting to know, how all the appointments got leaked. I know we live in 2018, but normally, one would assume, that when the committee tells the appointed referees during the day, that they are going to officiate a match, that they ought to keep it a secret until the information got published. How for example did Iranian's FA got to know about Cakir's appointment earlier as it seems they were the ones who confirmed it?!

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  12. The same horror as 2014 starts again. The big problem you all did not mention yet is that it makes absolutely no sense to nominate refs from countries whose national teams did not qualificate for WC so early. The result will be that we see Brych, Turpin, Karasev, Marciniak, Mateu Lahoz and Mazic with only 2 possible exceptions not before 22./23.6. - and then in the end of the group phase again. But then they can hardly be nominated for the 1st knockout-round. Or do they get only 1 game in group phase and are hold back for 1/8 final? Both in my view is completely wrong and a terrible management ending in trouble at least from the quarterfinals on. Normally you should do it exactly the other way - from all continents first the refs whose nations play at WC, then the others - so the best refs from ESP, GER, FRA, MEX, BRA, ARG, URU, SER and so on can easily be nominated for the first knockout-round - before they have to be sorted out and go home cause their nations reach the quarterfinals. Logic,isn't it?

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    1. Huh?

      We have 35 referees at the tournament, of which--surely--at least 26 will be working (and probably more). So several referees are only going to get one match.

      The "only 2 possible" complaint is baffling. It's not horrific. It's math. A referee getting more than 2 matches in the group stage is going to be a massive exception to the rule.

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    2. You count completely wrong. 48 games in group phase and 26 refs. So 22 get a 2nd groupphase-nomination. Right? The point is: Those 4 refs should not be among the best refs, but those 4 with the worst performance/ those who have the fewest experience. You still follow me? Simple logic and math. I am right.

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    3. Jesus. This is dense.

      There is no requirement that a referee who gets only one match in the group stage will then get a knockout match. That’s insane and illogical.

      Most referees will get two group stage matches. Some might get three. A few will get one. Not every referee is created equal nor will perform equally. And some of the referees who get 1 group stage match will quite purposefully be given only that 1 match for the entire tournament.

      FIFA put some of its top referees out early to set a precedent and to cover a couple big matches. If that means Kuipers or Rocchi works 3 games by the R16 while 10 referees only have 1 game at that point, so be it.

      There is little math and no logic to your post. You actually say only those 4 with the “best performances” should get only one match, but how do you determine the best performances until everyone gets a match?

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  13. Still no official information/confirmation by FIFA. Unbelievable. Maybe they want us to wait for the teams until kick-off. Otherwise I cannot explain such a management.

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  14. "Meanwhile, FIFA on Wednesday in Moscow made a statement on the appointment of Match Officials and Video Assistant Referees (VARs) at Russia 2018.

    It said it would henceforth announce the appointment of the on-field match officials (Referee, Assistant Referees, Fourth Official and Reserve Assistant Referee) approximately 48 hours before a game.

    In view of this development, appointment of video match officials for each of the three matches — VAR, Assistant VAR (AVAR), Offside VAR and Support VAR — has been delayed.

    It is is planned to be announced later due to organisational reasons.

    However, during the group stage, these announcements will come at the end of each match day looking ahead to the following day’s games (i.e. 24 hours or less before a game)."

    Source : http://punchng.com/world-cup-fifa-picks-referees-for-friday-matches/

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    1. The source reports the 4th official for these 3 games... It is Milorad Mazic for Egypt v Uruguay, Sergei Karasev for Morocco v Iran and Ryuji Sato for Portugal v Spain...

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    2. I'm puzzled how the first few matches will be managed with VAR etc. if they are not capable to announce the appointments of the whole referee teams for each match in a due time..

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    3. It's really all chaos at the moment with regard to announcement of appointments... Just not good from FIFA!!

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    4. fifa world cup 2018 !!
      how argentina manages to stay in world cup 2018?
      check the link below
      https://bit.ly/2tJAd3R

      Delete
  15. Perhaps again some bribery scandal, and FIFA needs some time to react?

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  16. Numancia - Valladolid, first leg of the playoff to Primera tonight (KO 2030 CET)
    Referee is Eduardo Prieto Iglesias, his team of Garcia-Alonso-Recio, all from Navarro region like himself.
    I remember he was top division referee, for three seasons I read, but then he got relegated to Segunda. In any case, it would seem he has the experience for such a match.

    I was really happy to read the name of the CTA Observer, Carlos Delgado Ferreiro! I remember his Classico, but especially an immense performance in Madrid's Derby in his last season (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkgJ5Bf6jys), a great personality on the pitch which I am slightly missing in recent times.

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    1. Sorry this is quite an off-topic, I would make a suggestion you have a page for appointments, and then a 'match page' for all sixty-four matches individually, so as to not exceed 200 comments (I am sure you had this idea anyway to be fair).

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    2. Indeed Chefren had this idea :D

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    3. Thanks, of course it was already planned.
      Every single match will have a specific post with 200 comments, we should be OK with that :)

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    4. Good first half by Prieto Iglesias, only one YC which was correct. There were a lot of fouls, but not many chances to give clear verbal warnings, and the proactive way he talked with the players to keep this match calm so far. Besides some unwise late whistles (one was clear freekick in front of the benches eg), convincing.
      AR1 Garcia has been immense so far, many tight offsides/onsides, at least three were crucial decisions including expert onside for 0-1.

      I have to watch the second half tomorrow, I have my Spanish exam tomorrow morning and I couldn't convince my mother that watching the match was sufficient revision :-D.

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    5. 67' Valladolid scores 0-3 after a great no-offside by AR2.

      Brilliant match until now for Prieto Iglesias' assistants.

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    6. Good performance by Prieto Iglesias, the match character changed after the 0-3 and he reacted accordingly, I liked his 'taking no sh*t' approach. Only small mistakes, and he kept control even in the hard moments.
      I think he has the skill to be a Primera referee again, but I think it was said here that the playoff referees are those who aren't ascending.

      As you say largely brilliant night for the assistants, especially AR1 Garcia was around 8,6/7.
      However, AR2 Alonso incorrectly annuled a 0-4, but as you see the rapid counterattack caught him, and I think would have caught even the fittest AR. In any case he missed on offside leading to that chance, so it was 'fair'
      https://imgur.com/RQvJdsM

      Good night for the referee team!

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  17. Maybe FIFA doesn't want to reveal the name of the VARs because it is possible they will be the same referees of the previous day and what could happen, for example, if tomorrow happens something in RUS - KSA?
    But of course they can't be so afraid of announcing appointments... it is shocking.

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    Replies
    1. Fair enough with that logic... But why aren't they at least updating the names of the main referee, ARs and 4O at least?? There is no explanation for that failure!

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  18. I don't know if it's a good or bad new, but until now, the most WC refereeing matter discussed in social media (besides of VAR use) is the hoax of Fernanda Colombo being the first woman to officiate in a WC. Almost nobody (excluding blogs and accounts about refereeing runned by many of readers here) talks about them even if the first appointmemts are already made.

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    Replies
    1. In fact it is a joke of bad taste, due to her being engaged to Sandro Ricci

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  19. Fifa finally updated their homepage. Referees for the matches 2-4 excluding the VAR teams are online.

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    Replies
    1. I have to correct myself. Only for EGY-URU and ESP-POR

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    2. Today another challenge is waiting for us in the afternoon... discovering the 4 appointments for Saturday....

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    3. I don`t see any information. Everything like yesterday

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    4. Morocco v Iran also updated... I checked all 3 scorecards of the game on Friday and they are finally updated!

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    5. Wow...magic from FIFA :)

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  20. Szymon Marciniak (POL) will charge Argentina-Iceland on Sat, that also means Confederation rule to be broken at this point.

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    Replies
    1. Can I ask for your source? Thanks, you know that before making something like that official...

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    2. I have the same question... Is it an information or a speculation??

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    3. I'm not into this, as I said its Twitter message by POL journalist and former referee.

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  21. Info by POL journalist that is strict into refereeing and another one by former referee.

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    Replies
    1. Then must be true... Either way its a logical assignment... A big team against a team making debut... An ideal game to ease a referee into the groove who is debuting in his World Cup!!

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    2. Iceland is really good team. Definetly not an easy match

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    3. Easy game on paper with little chances of getting out of hand as both teams involved don't play it dirty or excessively physical and hence a debutant referee like Marciniak can put in a very good performance and gain much confidence for more challenging games in the later stages!!

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  22. And speaking for Europe, I don't really think that a referee from the same confederation like one of the teams playing, because rivalry within Europe is quite high when it comes to football, so assuming for example a european referee making decision pro another Uefa-country on purpose is just ridiculous.

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    Replies
    1. Referee from the same confederation is a problem, I wanted to say.

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  23. Still no VARs for tomorrow and no official confirmation of the teams for the games of group C&D ... I'm speechless.

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    Replies
    1. On twitter, the account FIFAmedia confirmed only the main referees for Saturday's games.

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    2. Right, I didn't see that. Waiting for the names on the official FIFA website seems useless...

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  24. The fifa has forgotten about the Var for tomorrow, we must call Busacca ahahahahaha

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  25. EGYPT-URUGUAY
    VAR Makkelie (NED)
    AVAR1 Gil (POL)
    AVAR2 Gringore (FRA)
    AVAR3 Turpin (FRA)

    MOROCCO-IRAN
    VAR Zwayer (GER)
    AVAR1 Dankert (GER)
    AVAR2 Borsch (GER)
    AVAR3 Marrufo (USA)

    PORTUGAL-SPAIN
    VAR Irrati (ITA)
    AVAR1 Valeri (ITA)
    AVAR2 Astroza (CHI)
    AVAR3 Orsato (ITA)

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  26. https://mobile.twitter.com/fifamedia/status/1007382695708626945

    VARs Appointments are out now.

    Makkelie,Gil,Gringore,Turpin (Egypt - Uruguay)
    Zwayer,Dankert,Borsch, Mairuffo (Morocco - Iran)
    Irrati,Valeri,Astroza,Orsato (Portugal- Spain)

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  27. It is necessary to add A to the Fifth Official of Portugal - Spain, it is not Sgara but it is SAGARA

    ReplyDelete

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