Tuesday, 12 June 2018

Néstor Pitana in charge of the opener Russia - Saudi Arabia at 2018 FIFA World Cup

Néstor Pitana from Argentina has been appointed to handle Russia - Saudi Arabia, the first game of 2018 World Cup. Massimiliano Irrati from Italy will be the main VAR. 



Match #1
Moscow, 14 June 2018 17:00 CET
Russia - Saudi Arabia
Referee: Néstor Pitana (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Hernan Maidana (ARG) 
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Belatti (ARG) 
Fourth Official: Sandro Ricci (BRA) 
Fifth Official: Emerson de Carvalho (BRA) 
VAR: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
AVAR1: Mauro Vigliano (ARG)
AVAR 2: Carlos Astroza (CHI)
AVAR3: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
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36 comments:

  1. Chefren12 June 2018 at 17:10

    First surprise: I didn't expect Irrati as main VAR, or at least I didn't expect him in such role for the opener.
    During this serie A season, Irrati has in my opinion impressed Rizzoli by working as VAR during all games. He has been appointed always as VAR in the most important matches of our season, and now he will have this responsibility with Pitana game.
    For him, for sure a success. Maybe if you are not Italian, you don't understand my surprise for this choice, let's remember he is still a Category 2 at UEFA level. I'm sure in this role he has "overcome" Orsato.

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  2. Soham12 June 2018 at 17:25

    Collina just described Pitana as like "a rock" and hence someone who isn't easily going to be mobbed 🤣🤣🤣 Just fantastic

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  3. "Dynamic Personality"???12 June 2018 at 17:32

    If Argentina falters along the way. We may have a Horacio Elizondo 2006 situation again. Opener and Final for Pitana. I'd be okay with that.

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  4. Quilava12 June 2018 at 17:42

    OT:

    Thank God I have another team to support (the referees), after what just happened with Spanish manager :/

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    1. George12 June 2018 at 18:08

      Unbelievable. This is bad for so many things and not just sporting matters, but also political and economic, specially for business which sponsor the national team. Many people will not support their country after what just happened, or at least not as much as they would have. On the other hand, hate against Real Madrid will increase in many people who are not their supporters… which is the majority of Spain, in fact.

      Delete
    2. Quilava13 June 2018 at 12:14

      He's just been sacked. OMG, 2 days left for the very first match.

      Delete
  5. Mikael W12 June 2018 at 18:38

    In my opinion this shows that FIFA is 'anxious' for this championship, Pitana was clear no1 of all non-UEFA and non-AFC referees. They really want to have least controversies as possible after Thursday, specially regarding VAR.

    Cesar Ramos Palazuelos eg could handle this clash IMO, but I think it's surely a good choice to make a good impression on Day 1 (primary effect in pyschology, just ask Nishimura :-)).

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    1. Philipp S12 June 2018 at 23:52

      As you mention Nishimura: This appointment is also risky for Pitana, he could lose his big chances in the tournament, if things go badly.

      Delete
  6. Lenny12 June 2018 at 19:10

    This referee-team and all other referee-teams at this WC have nine members. IMO it doesn't have to be this way. In the Season 16/17 at Bundesliga or this season in Premier League and Primera Divison we had/have four referees and everything was fine. There are only the two additional assistant referees missing and we will have a whole football team. I think it's too much and really unnecessary. You can brush two video assistants and maybe the fifth official. Everything would be fine with only six (or less than six) referees.

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    1. usaref12 June 2018 at 20:03

      This seems like a pointless complaint.

      The fifth official is there as a reserve assistant referee. The third AVAR is essentially a reserve and helps communicate with outside stakeholders. It's the biggest tournament in the world--surely there's no problem with having two reserves on hand in case an AR gets injured or a VAR becomes ill.

      So we're really talking about 7 officials who are involved in officiating the game, to start.

      For league competitions with VAR, there are now usually six officials. So FIFA is adding one official (a VAR2) who is trained as an assistant referee. What's the problem?

      Delete
  7. Philipp S13 June 2018 at 00:08

    What do you think will be the language of communication in this refereeing team? Spanish, Italian or English?

    Spanish and Italian apparently forms one language group, which migth also contain Portuguese.
    Then probably all the rest will be in the other language group and communicate in English.
    We will see, how strictly FIFA follows that.

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    1. superstar011013 June 2018 at 10:06

      I would say Spanish, because of Pitana. Of course he will communicate with AR's on Spanish, yesterday we heard on media briefing that Ricci speaks Spanish also. And when you know Spanish it is easily to communicate with Italians. Surely they will make some agreements about terminology and it will be easier.

      For other teams I am not sure. That will be English in case of language barrier. But, If FIFA wants to make that easier whe could expect for example Skomina VAR in Mažić's match (they can understand themselves with Slovenian and Serbian) or Karasev because Mažić said he knows Russian.

      English is not problem for most referees. I think Pitana is not good English speaker (saw on 2014 WC video on YT) so it is logical to give him same language VAR

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    2. Andreja13 June 2018 at 12:27

      Skomina also speaks Italian and understands Spanish.

      Delete
  8. Sviat M13 June 2018 at 11:02

    Where can we see appointments on FIFA site? There is no such information ever for opener match(as well, we know referees), only on the blog page there.
    It`s easier to find information on UEFA.com

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    1. Chefren13 June 2018 at 11:15

      Indeed, so far there is only this article on FIFA.com:
      https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/nestor-pitana-to-referee-the-opening-match-of-2018-fifa-world-cup-russiatm

      Delete
    2. Chefren13 June 2018 at 12:59

      UPDATE:
      https://s22.postimg.cc/q44cqguvl/image.jpg
      Appointments will be shown in the section "match facts" for each game.

      Delete
    3. Admir Mikael13 June 2018 at 13:11

      Brazilian as Nestor Pitana AR 1 ? Maybe bit of error there

      Delete
  9. MARIO13 June 2018 at 11:29

    Really impressive appointment for Irrati; he is not Elite and neither first group, but he will be main VAR for World cup opener match. Good achievement
    Good luck and congratulation to the whole team

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  10. Quilava13 June 2018 at 12:17

    This afternoon should be published the appointments for Egypt-Uruguay, Morocco-Iran and Portugal-Spain, right?

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  11. MartG13 June 2018 at 12:41

    I hope!
    My predictions (or wishes):

    EGY-URU : Marciniak
    MOR-IRN : Turpin
    POR-ESP : Brych

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    1. Mikael W13 June 2018 at 12:50

      My prediction

      EGY - URU, Turpin
      MAR - IRN, Aguilar
      POR - ESP, Kuipers

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    2. Euro Soccer Ref13 June 2018 at 13:23

      Yesterday on-field practice (short games between Russian Third Tier) - only seven referees. They should get the first games:
      - Pitana
      - Marciniak
      - Kuipers
      - Rocchi
      - Cakir
      - Ricci
      - Gassama

      Delete
    3. Chefren13 June 2018 at 13:25

      Thank you for this info, so we can guess Marciniak for Egypt - Uruguay, Kuipers for Iberian derby and so on? ;)
      Maybe not in that order, but still...

      Delete
    4. Soham13 June 2018 at 13:32

      The main VARs there were Mark Geiger, Massimiliano Irrati, Felix Zwayer, Danny Makkelie and Daniele Orsato

      If these are appointments for the first seven matches then confederation neutrality will be broken at least once there!

      Delete
  12. Atharva13 June 2018 at 14:25

    Just around 48 hours left for the matches on 15th, why has there not been a public announcement about the appointments as yet?

    P.S.- I'm new to the Law 5 blog, so I hope I'm welcomed :)

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    Replies
    1. Soham13 June 2018 at 18:49

      Welcome to the blog Atharva... I have a question for you... Are you from India or from anywhere around the subcontinent? Your name is very Indian :D

      Delete
  13. J&J13 June 2018 at 14:45

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Unknown13 June 2018 at 14:59

      Where is it confirmed, and what about portugal-spain?

      Delete
  14. Chefren13 June 2018 at 15:04

    EGY - URU: Arbitrointernacional informs that Kuipers seems to be appointed for this game, according to some Dutch sources, but not still officially confirmed by FIFA. They are working to get info.
    However, let me say, poor policy by FIFA in publishing appointments, is that so difficult to do 48 hours before a game?

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    1. Ref_170713 June 2018 at 16:08

      Nothing to add... Once again, FIFA shows a lack of transparency. It should not be too difficult to announce the match officials at an appropriate time. And if they do so, it should be done correctly. I really doubt that De Carvalho is replacing Maidana. Certainly a mistake, that is not acceptable at such a tournament.

      Delete
  15. Filip V13 June 2018 at 15:54

    Did Maidana got injured or sick? De Carvalho took his place

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    1. Chefren13 June 2018 at 16:00

      I think a wrong info by FIFA site. Their mistake in reporting the appointment, de Carvlaho is fifh official.

      Delete
    2. Carlos13 June 2018 at 16:27

      It´s a mistake by FIFA. Maidana will be the first AR.

      Delete
  16. DrMr13 June 2018 at 16:15

    Prediction:

    MAR-IRN Çakir
    POR-SPA Rocchi/Marciniak
    FRA-AUS Ricci
    PER-DEN Gassama

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  17. Niko14 June 2018 at 15:09

    Good luck to Néstor Pitana and the all referee team today!

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    Replies
    1. Soham14 June 2018 at 15:47

      I'm sure he and the full team will do a fantastic job tonight and set the tone for the rest of the tournament :)

      Delete

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