Tuesday 20 October 2020

Champions League 2020/21 - Referee Appointments - Matchday 1 (I)

2020-21 UEFA Champions League group stage is ready to start. Committee has appointed the following referees to handle Tuesday's games. 

20 October 2020

18:55 CET - Zenit (Saint Petersburg Stadium)
Football Club Zenit (RUS) - Club Brugge (BEL) | Group F
Referee: Benoît Bastien (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Frédéric Haquette (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Roy Hassan (ISR)
Fourth Official: Karim Abed (FRA)
Video Assistant Referee: Benoît Millot (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod (FRA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefano Podeschi (SMR)
UEFA Delegate: Milovan Đukanović (MNE)

18:55 CET - Kyiv (NSK Olimpiyskiy)
FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) - Juventus (ITA) | Group G
Referee: Ovidiu Haţegan (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Octavian Șovre (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Sebastian Gheorghe (ROU)
Fourth Official: Sebastian Colţescu (ROU)
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Harm Osmers (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Fritz Stuchlik (AUT)
UEFA Delegate: Jan Willem Van Dop (NED)

21:00 CET - Rennes (Roazhon Park)
Stade Rennais FC (FRA) - FC Krasnodar (RUS) | Group E
Referee: Anastasios Sidiropoulos (GRE)
Assistant Referee 1: Polychronis Kostaras (GRE)
Assistant Referee 2: Lazaros Dimitriadis (GRE)
Fourth Official: Ioannis Papadopoulos (GRE)
Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fabio Maresca (ITA) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Jan W. Wegereef (NED)
UEFA Delegate: Peter Oskam (NED)

21:00 CET - London (Stamford Bridge)
Chelsea FC (ENG) - Sevilla FC (ESP) | Group E
Referee: Davide Massa (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Stefano Alassio (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Tegoni (ITA)
Fourth Official: Gianpaolo Calvarese (ITA)
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Maurizio Mariani (ITA) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Sándor Piller (HUN)
UEFA Delegate: Nils Fisketjonn (NOR)

21:00 CET - Rome (Stadio Olimpico)
S.S. Lazio (ITA) - Borussia Dortmund (GER) | Group F
Referee: Clément Turpin (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1:  Nicolas Danos (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Cyril Gringore (FRA)
Fourth Official: Frank Schneider (FRA)
Video Assistant Referee: François Letexier (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard (FRA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Rune Pedersen (NOR)
UEFA Delegate: Lars Richt (SWE)

21:00 CET -  Barcelona (Camp Nou)
FC Barcelona (ESP) - Ferencvárosi Torna Club (HUN) | Group G
Referee: Sandro Schärer (SUI)
Assistant Referee 1: Stephane De Almeida (SUI)
Assistant Referee 2: Bekim Zogaj (SUI)
Fourth Official: Fedayi San (SUI)
Video Assistant Referee: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fabiano Preti (ITA) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Nicola Rizzoli (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Michal Mertinyák (SVK)

21:00 CET - Paris (Parc des Princes)
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) - Manchester United FC (ENG) | Group H
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Pau Cebrián Devís (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto del Palomar (ESP)
Fourth Official: Javier Estrada Fernández (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Guilllermo Cuadra Fernández (ESP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Nikolai Levnikov (RUS)
UEFA Delegate: Irakli Nakaidze (GEO)

21:00 CET - Leipzig (RB Arena)
RB Leipzig (GER) - İstanbul Başakşehir FK (TUR) | Group H
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Barbero Sevilla (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Ángel Nevado Rodríguez (ESP)
Fourth Official: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Iñigo Prieto López de Ceraín (ESP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Alfredo Trentalange (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack (LUX)

161 comments:

  1. I expected first category referees in Zenit-Brugge and Rennes-Krasnodar, while elite in Chelsea-Sevilla. I am very happy to see Schärer in Champions League, very good, young and talented referee, IMO, definitely deserved. After all those appointments as fourth official in the finish of Champions and Europa League I expected something more for Sidiropoulos but obviously not, for now.

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    1. One more thing - I realy thought that referees from countries where VAR is used will be appointed with VAR from their own country - e.g. Schärer with Swiss VARs and Sidiropoulos with Greek VARs.

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    2. It seems as there is no trust for VAR from minor countries?

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    3. Unfortunately, it seems so...

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  2. Scandalous appointment for Chelsea - Sevilla. Italian referees favoured and treated differently to others once again.

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    1. I really don't like this kinds of comments but I have to say,it is kind of too much now that Italian referees get prefential treatment but what can we do.

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  3. Rosetti strikes again! Chelsea - Sevilla for Massa (1st category), it makes no sense! They are desperate looking for a new italian elite referee.. This top match should go to an elite referee like Hategan. Btw, an overkill of Italian referees again. 3 VAR teams appointed..

    Disappointing match for Bastien, Sidiropoulos. Deserved debut for Scharer!

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    Replies
    1. I don't consider it a disappointing match for Sidiropoulos. Since he can't get bigger assignments on CL, it's actually a good match.

      Btw I don't understand why UEFA keeps some referees on the Elite Group if they can't get bigger matches.

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  4. Very good and deserved appointment for Schärer! Is this his CL debut?

    Sidirópoulos and Bastien's appointments are a bit disappointing and more suitable for First category referees but maybe better this than handling UEL matches or not being appointed at all.

    I have no words for what Rosetti is doing with First category Italian referees. He seems a bit desperated in his search for the new Italian top Elite referees, to say it kindly.

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  5. Bit of an unnecessary fuss been made over Massa’s appointment, particularly considering both teams finished fourth in their respective leagues last season.

    Also, First match of 2017/18, Liverpool v Sevilla. Referee - Danny Makkelie. Ok, was Elite but only just!

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  6. After the "present" given to Orsato last CL final (altough it was more deserved than this ridiculous appointment) yet again the conformation of huge favouritism of Italian referees. Im sorry for the harsh words but it is not based on performance at all and that is a real shame.

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  7. Davide Massa didn't referee any match last season in Champions GS. A huge surprise for me

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  8. Massa was in a special focus by committee this summer with multiple games, and he was overall good. However, I didn't expect him in this sonorous clash so early. I think he could have handled something like that later in group stage, as result of further development. But... and here I must be honest, apart from Orsato Italian situation regarding Elite referee is more than bad so this is the reason for which Rosetti decided to accelerate the process. However, apart from that, I still think that one can accept Massa assignment, but there is another thing that we must underline and I agree with most of you about that, too many Italian officials in all roles. For example, Schaerer could have got Swiss VAR, Sidiropoulos as well. There are many Italian referees and this is excessive. As Italian, I have no problems in admitting that. But i think that Rosetti wouln't have forced these choices, we must also think that other committee's members agreed on that.
    Regarding the other choices, this time Hategan has to get German VAR because all Italians are busy, tomorrow indeed we can expect Orsato with Guida VAR (I guess) as well...
    Sidiropoulos and Bastien with "classic games" for them, let's see whether Gil Manzano will raise the bar of his games in this group stage.

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    1. Wouldn't it have made more sense to give Hategan his "standard" Italian VAR and Schärer German VAR? I'm not sure, but Schärer sounds like he is from the German part of Switzerland.

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    2. Sorry Hategan has an Italian team, you can delete both comments if you want to

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    3. Didn't Hategan just refereed Dynamo Kyiv in the UCL play-offs? Was UEFA not able to find another match for him, among so many choices in the group stage?

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  9. One could have changed the appointments in Group E.
    Sidiropoulos did well in a VERY tough Ajax - Getafe and since Massa didn't have CL last season, this appointment is highly unfair.

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    1. Yes but Sidiropoulos can't handle a derby match at his country because HFF calls foreign referees. Plus he isn't at his best form.

      I think that this appointment is the best possible for him.

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    2. I agree with Anonymous. The situation in Greece won't allow the Committee to appoint Sidiropoulos to high profile matches. Plus the fact that he is appointed more as VAR at SL.

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    3. Can I ask what is the situation?

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  10. Appointments - Bundesliga Germany
    Matchday 4:

    18th October

    15:30 FC Köln - Eintracht Frankfurt
    Sven Jablonski - Norbert Grudzinski - Martin Thomsen - Marcel Unger [Tobias Welz - Mike Pickel]

    18:00 Schalke - Union Berlin
    Patrick Ittrich - Sascha Thielert - Christian Dietz - Arne Aarnink [Günter Perl - Jan Neitzel-Petersen]

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  11. Grinfeld's AR1 is appointed with Bastien's team?

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    1. I just noticed that. Does anyone know why this is?

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    2. I guess COVID issues. For some reasons, the original French assistant referee has been replaced. We saw something similar in Nations League games with a Scottish fourth official in a Latvian crew. Very likely UEFA has some pools of reserve officials who have to cover all games in case of need.

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    3. Maybe due to Covid?

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  12. https://twitter.com/Hari_Sethi/status/1317517165482958848
    what do you think, should this have been a red card to Aguero?

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  13. Hategan has Ukrainian days... two matches in a row with Dinamo Kyiv!

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  14. Hungarian club team and then Hungarian team in Champions League?
    Not convenient.

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  15. OT. On this blog we have discussed a lot about soft penalties, some of us has been ok with soft calls the other part not ok with those calls. Most of the time Chefren has writed that are supportable calls when we have a minor contact between def and atk. But today uefa has released clips on refnetwork and for for them those soft penalties are unacceptable and are clear and obvious mistakes. Even disallowed goal by Taylor in Super cup final for uefa is clear mistake. Explanation for all clips is " football is a sport of contact and uefa guidelines are to whistle clear penalties not minor contacts "

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    1. Sorry but Taylor call in Super Cup was not soft, was simply inexistent.

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    2. I would agree with these decisions, but it seems weird if UEFA indeed classified them as clear errors, but, in spite of that, appointed Marciniak, Hategan and Taylor to important matches. I would expect UEFA to either say they were clear errors and give a break to those referees to recover OR support their decisions and keep appointing them... Stating their errors and giving them immediately important games does not make sense...

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    3. Well, in the first place UEFA is not immediately ‘punishing’ every referee after having made one crucial mistake with a match of lower importance.
      Having said that in UEFA’s explanation on the concerning videos it is not stated literally that the referee’s decisions were assessed as crucial mistakes. These videos (and the explanations) should be regarded as offering UEFA’s (future) line, and not as judging the referee with hindsight. That’s why referee observers are appointed.

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    4. Yes, we know that UEFA is not immediately punishing referees who make crucial mistakes; however, we remember that, not that far ago, Marciniak and Hategan had to wait some time to recover from their UCL and, respectively, WCQ crucial mistakes.
      Now, that you are saying that UEFA did not directly assessed them as crucial mistakes, it is different than your first references to "clear and obvious mistakes". I believe that football is a contact sport and, therefore, I would agree with UEFA's recommendations to allow inherent contact.

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    5. I completely disagree with your opinion, that after any clearly wrong decision/ crucial mistake our best refs should be out of the game/ get no important matches for months. Even a top referee is a human being making mistakes from time to time. And especially with the VARs being part of the show, the decision who gets the top games depends much more on skills like match management, body language, natural authority, persistent line of foul detection, communication... So we all here should stop pretending that just making summaries of mistakes can give us an good guideline for finding the best refs for coming big events and matches!!!

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    6. Players and coaches are being suspended when deserved, so why referees should be treated differently? They are all part of the same football and should be treated in the same way.

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    7. Players and coaches are suspended when they willingly break the rules of the games in a crucial way, not when all they did were heavy mistakes when they just tried to give their best. EXACTLY THAT is the difference you don't understand.

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    8. That contradicts what you said in a different post about Zwayer! Him being sent to UEL after his crucial mistakes in UCL is EXACTLY what I said and you confirmed that in your other post where you said that Zwayer deserved that.

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    9. The Zwayer situation is different than the cases we discuss in this thread. Apart from some important mistakes Zwayer seems to struggle in different aspects, e.g. gaining acceptance, disciplinary management, match control. Performances were sub-par OVERALL, it were not only crucial mistakes.

      The comparison between referees and players/coaches is completely bogus in my opinion. Attackers will never be suspended when missing just 1 enormous goal scoring opportunity, neither will a coach be suspended when choosing the wrong tactics in a game. They will be suspended when they behave inappropriately, but a referee will be suspended as well when behaving inappropriately.

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    10. Totally agree, Anonymous 09:28.

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  16. Two situations from Croatia - France, Referee Kuipers.

    19' DOGSO?
    Live https://streamable.com/im6j4e
    Replay https://streamable.com/m8i02p

    31' Penalty?
    Live https://streamable.com/9789v2
    Replay https://streamable.com/n6ywrp

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  17. IMO, 19': Penalty (holding) and RC for DOGSO
    31': play on, correct

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    1. Thks Xavi. So this crucial big mistake at 19’. Not fit. Away from play. I love Kuipers but so-so performance here.

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    2. 19. Could just as well be considered a foul of the attacking player, shoving his armin the face of the defender, holding him away. Nothing clear. Apart from that, bringing in the fitness part is totally irrelevant in this situation, because even being at a distance of 5 mtrs won’t help in assessing this particular situation as players’ bodies are covering up what’s happening in front.
      31. Nothing complicated here, ball is played in a correct way, hence play on is the only possible decision. All witnessed by the ref from a very short distance by the way :)

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    3. In my opinion DOGSO is not a 100% clear situation, VAR maybe wouldn't have intervened, however still the expected decision.
      It is always difficult to assess such challenges when something mutual seems to happen.

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    4. IMO
      19': Borderline situation. Penalty is probably the expected decision, but play-on is never a "crucial mistake", as Frenchref assessed it.

      31': Quite clear no penalty.

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    5. 19: Penalty, but difficult to see by referee, who is screened by players.
      31: no foul.

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  18. Gözübüyük whistles Salzburg - L. Moscow, Kuipers to Internazionale Milano - Borussia Mönchengladbach. Kamphuis and Blom as VAR/AVAR to Manchester City - FC Porto

    https://www.knvb.nl/nieuws/scheidsrechters/aanstellingen/61889/gözübüyük-en-kuipers-fluiten-duel-de-champions-league

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    1. So in Manchester someone from the country without VAR or that introduced VAR very recently. My guess would be Skomina or Vincic.

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  19. Very eventful CAF Confederation Cup semi-final: https://www.cafonline.com/total-confederation-cup/news/aziz-penalty-double-sends-berkane-to-second-consecutive-confederation-cup-final

    Does anyone have videos for those situations?

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  20. Mateu Lahoz for El classico this weekend?

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    Replies
    1. José María Sánchez Martínez

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    2. Is that comfirmed?

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    3. Nothing confirmed yet.

      I think that we might discard Hernández Hernández due to his EL appointment. I know that Mateu Lahoz handled the last Clásico after being appointed for EL the same week but that Clásico kicked-off at 21:00 CET of Sunday and this weekend's will be at 16:00 of Saturday.

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    4. Also, Sánchez Martínez as 4th official in EL... this makes a Clásico appoinment a bit unlikely - but not impossible.

      Reminder for non-Spanish readers that Del Cerro Grande and Estrada Fernández are both uneligible for Clásico, as the former is from Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) and the latter is Catalan ;)

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    5. Then I think that Mateu is very likely for Clasico.

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  21. Hategan forgot his coin and, once he got it from the FO, he dropped it:)

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  22. Very quiet first half in Kyiv.

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  23. Cuadrado and Demiral could have been both red cards. Very mandatory bookings from Hategan.

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    1. As you said, mandatory bookings, and he booked them both.

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  24. Very curious goal in St. Petersburg, a player from home-team kept the ball on the pitch with handball and then opponents scored. Of course in case of NO GOAL this should have been penalty...

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    1. I disagree, that can never be a penalty: he’s falling, he does not even look at the ball. However, luckily BRU scored, hence no discussions :)

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    2. I agree with Marco, that would be a very, very harsh penalty.

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  25. Very good ONSIDE by AR2 in Zenit - Brugge, 90'+3, decisive goal.

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  26. What is the device attached on Lahoz shorts?

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  27. Goal correctly disallowed to Ferencváros by Schärer's AR2. Clear offside, flag kept down until goal scored.

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  28. Well, penalty for MUN (correct, IMO) and VAR intervention due to GK encroachment (correct too).

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  29. Correct penalty to Manchester United by Mateu Lahoz, then correctly ordered to be retaken (GK encroachment) after VAR intervention.

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  30. Correct PK for Barcelona in 26'

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  31. We talked about soft penalties all summer, and UEFA’s remarkable consistency regarding penalties. This is not the kind of calls we want to see in a PSG-Manchester IMO.

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    Replies
    1. Realy? You think this was soft penalty? IMO very clear foul and very clear penalty.

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    2. I'm French and wishing the best for French teams but this call is a very correct one. IMO this trip has to be punished with a PK.

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    3. I think the PK is soft but supportable. I won’t blame Mateu for that. The problem is that encroachment call.
      I know it is the law and the guidelines, but you can’t decide a top clash on this kind of calls. The issue is that VAR is supposed to help referees and adapt to the rules, but this rule has been applied because of VAR. It bothers me.
      But both the PK call and the encroachment are correct or at least supportable.

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    4. What I was saying in another comment, this rule applied only by VAR is awful. Looks like a random decision!

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    5. It gives the impression that the rules are adapting to VAR. It should be the other way round.

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    6. Well applied of UEFA guidelines. All fifa referees those days have taken the video of skomina who repeated the penalty after GK encroachment (with var) and it says that this is expected in all other match with var by all referees in uefa matches.

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    7. Football refereeing used to include lots of judgement decisions, but with VAR there is no room for interpretations.

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    8. Come on, it's not Law's adopting to VAR but this is simple respecting the LOTG! If you let the GK to go out from the goal line for 10 centimeters, and retake PK for 20 centimeters than we don't have consistency. Now it's clear: if GK is not on the line by one leg-retake!

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    9. You can’t officiate with the nose in the book... Even Mateu looked disgusted when he was told to signal the encroachment.
      I don’t blame him BTW, his 1H was good.

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    10. You have some idea how big encroachment should be to retake the PK?

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    11. As referees we enforce the laws as they are written, not as we wish them to be.

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  32. Correct penalty by Lahoz and good work by VAR in Paris ! Well done, Lahoz and Munuera !

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  33. Neymar booked for dissent, it doesn't matter when you're reading this.

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  34. I really find absurd this rule about keeper infringment on penalty kick, how it is possible to apply it without VAR? This is only for elite football, very bad.

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    1. VAR is only for elite football. What kind of comment is that?

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  35. PSG-MUN: About the execution of the initial penalty (22’), the kicker, after having completed his run-up, made a hop right before he kicked the ball. Is a hop not considered a form of feinting to kick the ball?

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    1. The run-up was never completed though. He still went forward when he jumped.

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    2. That could be a very valid explanation indeed, agreed.

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  36. Someone knows what does Mateu has attached on his shirts? The same of Premier League referees

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  37. Mateu ended the first half whole Man U launched a promising attack... not the best moment to blow his whistle... luckily, Man U is leading; otherwise...

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  38. Sandro Schärer’s first 45 minutes in Champions League were convincing. Correct penalty call and two cautions which were spot on. Balanced foul selection and good rapport with players.

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    Replies
    1. The first yellow card was handed out after the player involved already made several fouls, so in my opinion it made sense to book him.
      The second caution was absolutely mandatory, studs-up tackle recklessly hitting the inside of the ankle.

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  39. If UEFA is focusing on new referees ready to become Elite, Scharer is the no. 1 candidate. He consistently proved it within the last years.

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  40. OFR in Rennes: Sidiropoulos had missed a very clear penalty live.

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    1. Agreed. It's more than clear......

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    2. Yes really... I could not believe when Sidiropolous ignored that. Thanks to VAR, that was REALLY a perfect moment to intervene.

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    3. Agree, positing was to central and I guess he was confused, because the player touched the Ball after tripping the opponent.

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    4. But actually I think there was no VAR intervention. Sidiropoulos didn’t go out to the monitor but seemed to whistle a penalty long, long after the ball was cleared. Maybe on advice of his assistant? UEFA doesn’t mention an OFR on the website as well.

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    5. I'm not watching the full game in detail, commentator said VAR intervention, let's check that.

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    6. It was a very remarkable situation, but not the best impression in any case.

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    7. There was no VAR intervention. He rejected the penalty in the first place, and indicated the penalty spot approximately 15 seconds after the incident.

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    8. So for sure the VAR protocol was broken.

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    9. The real question is who informed him of the penalty after his play-on.

      VAR? AR2? FO?

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    10. Very strange... Sidiropoulos was perfectly placed though.

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    11. You can't have evidence of a broken protocol, anonymous.
      If there wasn't VAR intervention at all, this means call has been made by one of the three AR1, AR2, or FO.

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    12. (Unless Sidiropoulos changed idea by himself!)

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    13. Maybe it was a VAR intervention without OFR? According to the VAR protocol, OFR is recommended, but not necessarily mandatory.

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    14. According to the VAR Protocol (https://theifab.com/laws/chapter/38/section/136/), a VAR-only review is possible:
      "The VAR describes to the referee what can be seen on the TV replay(s) and the referee then makes a final decision based on the referee’s own perception and the information from the VAR, and, where appropriate, input from other match officials – VAR-only review".

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  41. Not very nice to see a referee spitting on the floor...

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  42. Good no penalty call in London against Sevilla. Arm was along the body, no movement toward the ball

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  43. Potential second yellow, not issued by Gil Manzano

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  44. Possible missed second yellow card for Leipzig by Gil Manzano

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    1. It was in the 62nd minute and even the Leipzig coach said afterwards, it should have been a 2nd YC.

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  45. Another penalty by Schaerer, holding by Piqué in a DOGSO scenario: red card.

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  46. Correct red card from Schärer for a clear DOGSO (pulling jersey)

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  47. Correct red card for Pique and correct penalty to Budapest by Scharer

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  48. Excellent PK for Ferencvárosi and RC to Piqué by Scharer(DOGSO-Holding inside PA)

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  49. Anyone know what whistle is Mateu Lahoz using?

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    Replies
    1. I‘m quite sure that he is using a Fox 40 Classic

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    2. He is using a molten Valkeen, but actually the sound of his whistles is quite different from other Valkeens, maybe it's his whistle technique or just me.

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    3. It's just you :-), because he is using a Fox40, from recent close up foto's just on google to find Mateu is using a fox40

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    4. He was using a Valkeen yesterday ;) must be a new thing for him

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  50. Wow what a debut for Schärer. We had to wait 9 years for another Swiss referee in Champions League after Busacca. Hopefully both penalties and the red card are correct!

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    Replies
    1. Schärer is excellent tonight. All major decisions correct, but the overall picture is very good as well.

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    2. Both correct decisions, first penalty clear deliberate movement with leg by defender that makes this call 100% correct. Second penalty holding in a DOGSO scenario, once whistled it is correct to send off, in this case you can maybe have small doubts about the intensity of the holding at the beginning, but after that it becomes quite blatant. For sure a quite challenging game despite the score.

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    3. I agree with Chefren, in the second penalty situation VAR would not have intervened in case of a play on by the ref. A bit of mutual holding, but Pique holding simply more blatant. Not mandatory, for sure supportable.

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    4. Thank you for your comments! Very happy to read that

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  51. Perfect game by Schärer in Barcelona

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  52. Very good performance from Schärer with 2 correct PKs and full control.

    If it wasn't for the wrong YC for FTC15 in the very last minute (possible -0,1), full 8.5 performance for the Swiss IMO.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What do you mean by "wrong YC"?

      Delete
    2. Wrong YC. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

      That wasn't even a foul in my opinion.

      Delete
  53. So if I'm not wrong, no VAR interventions at all today? Not even for offside goals?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VAR intervention in PSG-MUN for GK infringement in a PK, but not to "correct" a referee's decision.

      Delete
    2. Very good day for Champions League officials.
      Hopefully, we will have soon a video about Sidiropoulos situation.

      Delete
  54. Clip from the aforementioned Rennes - Krasnodar situation:

    https://streamable.com/k5c500

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very odd situation indeed. I don't think it was AR2 who informed him so surely the call has come from the 4th official or AR1.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for the video. Watched it, my feeling is that Sidiropoulos changed idea by himself without any adivce from other officials on the pitch due to reaaction of players and fans. Very poor management, more than evident penalty. An Elite referee is expected to take such decision without hesitation.
      Would be even worse if VAR communicated to him "we are checking a situation" but he didn't wait, whistling the penalty. For sure VAR didn't inform that this was penalty, without OFR would be against guidelines.

      Delete
    3. For sure poor management but in the end correct decision.
      I have a question for the blog: let’s assume it’s not penalty, cam we consider the defender move as a deliberate pass to the GK, hence IFK in the penalty area?

      Delete
    4. For the deliberate pass, absolutely not. This was a defensive action, by no means is this in my opinion a ball under control and a deliberate pass.

      Delete
    5. You can see from his mouth that he was speaking to someone then decided to award penalty..

      Delete
    6. I am almost certain that Sidiropoulos changed his mind after consultation with another team member.

      However, surely it's not a management that you expect from an Elite referee.

      Delete
    7. @chefren
      Why would a penalty after var intervention without an OFR a mistake?
      As it is a clear obvious mistake protocol states, that there must not be an OFR

      Delete
    8. According to the VAR Protocol (https://theifab.com/laws/chapter/38/section/136/), a VAR-only review is possible:
      "The VAR describes to the referee what can be seen on the TV replay(s) and the referee then:
      - shows the ‘TV signal’ (if not already shown) and goes to the referee review area to view replay footage – ‘on-field review’ (OFR) – before making a final decision. The other match officials will not review the footage unless, in exceptional circumstances, asked to do so by the referee
      OR
      - makes a final decision based on the referee’s own perception and the information from the VAR, and, where appropriate, input from other match officials – VAR-only review".

      Delete
  55. I have to say, very good game by Massa in the Chelsea - Sevilla game. We can talk aboht the appointment being underserved, but he held his ground with a solid and controlling performance.

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    Replies
    1. I watched the game live on BT and would totaly agree with your views. I saw him in Glasgow 2 weeks ago and he was impressive on that match as well

      Delete
    2. He was very convincing yesterday, but I would still wait for some more challenging match. However, he was great.

      Delete
  56. RB Leipzig (GER) - İstanbul Başakşehir FK (TUR)
    Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano (ESP)
    61' Convenient advantage? Possible second YC?
    https://streamable.com/89x51m

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. not a mandatory YC, but for sure possible.

      Delete
    2. I'm okay with no card there.

      Delete
    3. IMO 2ndYC is the expected decision here, but no card is absolutely supportable.

      Delete
  57. Contrary to what had been reported some days ago on the blog, the deadline for nominating new international referees to FIFA is 8 November.
    The circular:
    https://resources.fifa.com/image/upload/circular-no-1736-2021-fifa-refereeing-international-lists.pdf?cloudid=hbslfeewkgsybnri2bpk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Where can we find one of the documents mentioned in the circular: Regulations on the Nomination and Appointment of FIFA Match Officials?

      Delete
    2. The circular was sent out on October 15 and the deadline is November 8... that is less than a month! That shows that FIFA does not expect many changes this year.

      Delete
  58. That will mean Kuipers and Brych will have to decide by November 8 (less than 3 weeks!) whether they will continue or not in 2011.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @Kuipers, Cakir, Brych, Skomina, Orsato
      Please don't be selfish, stop and give young referees a chance. We saw this week they are ready and capable to take the challenge.

      Delete
  59. Kuipers is 47, Brych 45, Orsato 45, Cakir 44 and Skomina 44.
    German and Italian referees used to be retired from the FIFA List once they turned 45, so it will be interesting what DFB and AIA will decide next month.

    ReplyDelete
  60. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
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