Saturday 15 May 2021

UEFA Women's Champions League 2020/21 - Final

Referee appointment for 2020-21 UEFA Women's Champions League Final. 


16 May 2021

21:00 CET - Gothenburg (Gamla Ullevi)
Chelsea FC Women (ENG) - FC Barcelona (ESP)
Referee: Riem Hussein (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Katrin Rafalski (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Sara Telek (AUT)
Fourth Official: Katalin Kulcsár (HUN)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Julia Magnusson (SWE)
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Asssistant Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Jenny Palmqvist (SWE)
UEFA Delegate: Konul Mehtiyeva (AZE)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Leif Lindberg (SWE) 

124 comments:

  1. For the umpteenth time Serdar Gozubuyuk is kicking around. Now he has aimed his arrows publicly at Dick van Egmond (Chairman Dutch FA). In his opinion he doesn’t get top matches and fewer matches than other colleagues. His statement is remarkable because this could be a result of being injured for some weeks. Further appointments indicate that he officiate a top match between Ajax - PSV in February. In this match he missed two red cards and a penalty kick. Colleagues are upset and very outspoken about his uncollegiality, who constantly throws the racism card to get things done. For that reason probably Jaap Uilenberg has never been his coach. Dick van Egmond apparently no longer sees a future in him. KNVB is internally considering what to do with Gozubuyuk. He seems to be organizing his own dismissal by throwing mud all the time. Gozubuyuk is known to everyone as the leak to the newspapers and journalists. He is no longer trusted and taken seriously by anyone. Several colleagues have been damaged by him and therefore no longer want to work with him.

    https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/gozubuyuk-fileert-arbitragebeleid-knvb-geen-topper-mogen-fluiten-misschien-omdat-ik-mijn-mond-opentrek~ab1c48de/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.nl%2F

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry but this is not the case. Gözübüÿuk is the third referee of the Netherlands (behind Kuipers and Makkelie) and is criticism is totally right. He also said that he is not the only one who is angry on Van Egmond.

      Delete
    2. “He also said that he is not the only one who is angry on Van Egmond.”
      If even true (anybody can make such a statement), nothing remarkable. In every selection, being a football selection or a selection of referees, there are people who like their chef, being the trainer/coach or the head of refereeing, and people who don’t like their chef.

      Delete
  2. Probably his bad behaviour is the main reason why he isn’t respected at all. He seems to blame always others for his mistakes, hunger to draw attention, showing to be very unreliable and his performances arent’t that good and consistent. Then he finds it strange that he isn’t rewarded with nice matches. The most important thing, why is Serdar Gözübüyük speaking with the media instead with his employer. Curious what the federation will do?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope they will sack him. Together with Kooij and Mulder. Gozubuyuk because of this behavior (its not the first time he stirs the pot) and Kooij and Mulder just because they are very weak performance wise. Altough Gozubuyuk has a point that Van Egmond maybe could make room for some fresh blood after 11 years, he should have this conversation internally and not with the media

      Delete
    2. he already did it internally but that didn't have any effect...

      Delete
    3. Blaming everyone, even Rosetti for not being selected for the EURO. While other first category referees are selected, isn’t a smart move. Especially when you speak out loud about this to colleagues. Sometimes it’s better to think before you speak.

      Delete
    4. Even if it didnt have any effect the dumbest thing you can do is thrashing around in the media. Gozubuyuk thinks he's doing such a good job but I think that his performance in Ajax PSV in the KNVB beker showed that he isnt among the top refs ATM. He thinks he is, but IMO Kuipers, Makkelie, Van Boekel, Blom and Lindhout are generally speaking showing better performances on a national level in my book.

      Delete
  3. Ridiculous penalty for Juventus in min 87, which might be decisive in the Champions League battle.

    It felt like Calvarese wanted to compensate for Inter's equalizing goal from minutes before, which he disallowed for a phantom offensive foul, but the VAR correctly intervened.

    Very, very poor performance in the end for the Italian ref.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. First penalty for Juve was also very soft. Calvarese didn't have good night, to say it softly.

      Delete
    2. The worst performance in serie A by years, and, as it very often happens, one can have many doubts about VAR interventions as well. According to UEFA scale, this should be 6.0.
      Calvarese was never in the game, all his whistles were delayed and he didn't give the impression he was sure about what he was doing. I should invite you to watch full game to make a personal assessment of this performance.
      Some situations (but there are by far many other ones):
      3' delayed whistle stopping an attack by Inter, supportable decision, maybe AR1 advice
      13' YC to Kulusevski, mandatory for reckless challenge, but very delayed, maybe FO advice
      20' very clear YC for stopping a counterattack
      22' OFR and penalty to Juventus after a missed holding, the situation in my opinion can be discussed if VAR stuff or not, Calvarese didn't see anything
      33' OFR and penalty to Inter after a missed reckless challenge, but still doubts about VAR intervention, I'm sure other VAR wouldn't have called it. Too much sophisticated decision.
      55' second YC and RC for a situation in which I think it was wrong to book, not a SPA, not reckless.... in addition, he hadn't whistled this foul, but he did that only after a certain time, terrible management, even worse than final decision itself
      65' foul against attacker in penalty area, then another player scores, it would have been better to wait before whistle, maybe supportable but not 100% clear, however not a very clear mistake in this case becuause referee had already whistled when player scored
      68' handball whistled to attacker before a possible RC for DOGSO (holding), replay was not 100% clear, maybe supportable, but should be rewatched
      74' - 77' correct cards
      85' goal disallowed for a previous foul, in this case good management, waiting before whistling, however then OFR and goal allowed because there wasn't any foul by attacker, in my opinion it was a rather mutual holding, so the decision by referee should maybe have been stayed without VAR intervention, another VAR wouldn't have intervened
      87' penalty to Juventus, very decisive, extermely soft, in my opinion wrong, this is the classic case in which VAR can't intervene, but it must be accepted as referee's decision
      90' - 92' correct cards

      Final remarks: we have Irrati who always works in a very different way than all the other colleagues, for him, it is enough if a referee has missed an incident, no matter how much serious the incident is... this is not for other VARs who never intervene for such situations, indeed in this game with other VARs we would have had a maximum of 1 intervention, in my opinion. That's why I really don't like what Rizzoli did this season, he was unable to give any clear line.
      About Calvarese, it is reported that he could be confirmed for another season following a new rule made by AIA recently: but I really hope that he will end career, becoming a VAR PRO, because he has definitely lost all motivations to officiate games, at the age of 45. This is not the first time I can perceive that, and if you watch the game, I think you couldn't agree more. Extremely poor impression, team-mates and VAR deciding everything for him.

      Delete
    3. But @Chefren, didn't you say that Rizzoli bases appointments on games (as to why Massa didn't officiate this clash), but now you say that Calvarese has lost all motivations, so how does that work?
      The appointment is very weird to me, I hope it is a farewell game, but something tells me AIA had other interests and wanted to keep Massa's name clean... (It is Juventus after all)

      Delete
  4. Any reports about Olivers game today?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He had a very good game, always in the background but not imposing on the game, the game was relatively very easy and he officiated like it was any other game, one wrong offside call corrected by VAR, other than that nothing much to report

      Delete
    2. Good, expected level on a Normal difficulty match.

      Delete
  5. good news! thank both of you. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow missed PK by Mateu in ATH-RMA, potentially decisive for LaLiga title.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. good decision tbh, not a clear foul so it's okay VAR didn't intervene

      Delete
    2. @bingo11, I think that you mentioned the situation where Benzema was tripped. I agree with you, that is not a PK. But if I am not wrong, @Quilava was writing about a handball, and that is for me a clear PK.

      Delete
    3. https://twitter.com/i/status/1393975468374859776

      Delete
    4. Yes, I should have specified ;)

      Delete
    5. Handball has been a real issue in LaLiga this season (more than normal?).

      Delete
  7. @Jozef for me both situations weren't crystal clear mistakes, Lahoz could have given two penalties but it's fair to me that VAR didn't intervene both times

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The trip on Benzema was an accident, no VAR stuff, but if Lahoz would whistled it, it would not be a mistake.
      Regarding a handball, I can not agree with you. For me, that should be PK, so a mistake by Mateu IMO. I would like to know, what conversation he was leading with VAR.
      But I accept your opinion.

      Delete
    2. Can you tell me, in what minute the incidents happened?

      Delete
  8. Today Gozubuyuk has proven why he is not a top referee. Lack of personality and all important decisions in favor of Ajax. His body language is arrogant and communication with players is mainly authoritarian. Lindhout, Kamphuis and Higler are much better referees. Expecting no further matches for him after his attack towards the federation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. +1
      Fully agree
      He is complaining about appointments. He got a QF topclash (Ajax - PSV) in the cup and PSV - AZ in the league. Two important games.
      Gözübüyük got the cup final in 2019, he is only 35 so time enough to grow as referee in the Netherlands and international.

      Delete
    2. Come on, if you behave like this and you are more concerned with peripheral matters, you will never grow. In his “interview” he wrote something about a book he wants to publish. Focus on your work as referee. I feel also sorry for Dick van Egmond, how can you still work with such a difficult official. Trust has completely disappeared.

      Delete
    3. Sorry, but i think Gozubuyuk just showed a lot off personality, in stead off following the rest off the sleeping sheeps, yes off course the KNVB doesn't like this, but i think Gozubuyuk only gives a sign that he doesn't agree with Van Egmond, and i can understand!
      One off the dutch international referees only gets 17 matches eredivisie (only 50% off the rounds played???), i think that's very low amount off matches for an international eredivise referee....For me also it's time to get someone else in Van Egmonds place... after 11 years....KNVB should think about a maximum period off 8 years and take a younger former top-referee like Pieter Vink/Eric Braamhaar/Jan Wegereef or ask Bjorn Kuipers :-) who all refereed higher profile matches.... Van Egmond never ever became real TOP referee in the Netherlands, so time to get fresh blood at his position!

      Delete
    4. Concerning Gözöbüyük, I feel that I miss the development a bit. He doesn't really seem to improve. I do see that with Makkelie, Lindhout, Kamphuis, Higler (even if he didn't become a referee with a style I like, but he developed for sure), while I miss this with Gözöbüyük. I think the cup game he had was really important and he did badly. And this happened in more big matches that he had, that he simply not really proved it. Others did better.

      Of course, the senior officials should get more matches. I've explained a while ago why I think the management of Van Egmond is far from ideal. The growth of the internationals is stopped a bit by giving all top clashes to Kuipers and Makkelie, and also by giving a lot of matches to junior referees.
      The development of some referees is simply not there. Other referees, who do get good matches (f.e. Van de Graaf, who really convinced me this season as a referee and as a VAR) simply don't get promoted.

      So the critisism of Gözöbüyük is correct - but the person who gives it, should also look a bit more at himself. But it is strange if someone is the third referee and barely gets a 'Classico,' but it also means something if the referees like Higler, Van Boekel and Nijhuis do get them, even if Nijhuis should also not be that popular in the KNVB headquarters....

      Delete
  9. to the uwcl final: 12' penalty to barcelona. i think is ok. at least no var stuff (first time in uwcl)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 49' penalty appeal by chelsea...i think play on is supportable, but a penalty for this check would be ok also

      Delete
    2. all in all a very quiet final. i think hussein did a fair job. both penalty decision were ok. the game itself wasnt really enjoyable in the 2nd half-time. however, going out of a final without any questionable calls or debatable decisions must feel pretty good

      Delete
  10. Match official appointments Dutch playoffs for promotion/relegation and European ticket for UEFA Conference League.

    Semi finals:

    A) FC Utrecht - FC Groningen: Danny Makkelie
    B) Feyenoord - Sparta: Jochem Kamphuis
    C) NEC - Roda JC: Jeroen Manschot
    D) FC Emmen - NAC: Allard Lindhout

    The remaining two finals upcoming weekend (winner A-B and winner C-D) will certainly go to Kuipers, and probably Higler or Nijhuis.

    Missing Gozubuyuk in these finals will show that he has been suspended for talking to journalists. This would be a good and strong signal to punish such bad behaviour.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why do I have the feeling that the last paragraph was the imperative one in the eyes of the author...

      To both 'sides' - please cease and have your conflict somewhere other than this blog.

      Delete
    2. Mikael, Chefren, maybe you can focus on content more. Lots of users do so and add beneficial information. I feel you act as a blog police in the last days. Strongly I support your action to ban insultive, negative contents such as "Taylor is one bad referee". But here the author at 11.23 just expressed his ATTITUDE that talking negatively about the refereeing to the press is not ok and needs internal measures. That's all he/she said and I'm sure 99% agree with that here. No reason to bring censorship and blog rules to the desk again

      Delete
    3. Actually, I am quite sure that I speak on behalf of a majority here when I say that regular readers are fed up of this 'war' time and time again.

      Our small admin team has been personally, and some cases even directly, attacked; I am quite clear - it has to stop.

      Let me state clearly - writing in coherent English and avoiding "x is one referee bad" are not the gauges for a comment which adds value to Law5.

      I hope that most blog readers trust us to police the comments in a liberal and sensible way, and we will continue to do that.

      Delete
    4. I agree with Mikael. But also disagree with Eric.

      It seems unlikely to me that one person can determine everything? I assume that Van Egmond is part of a referee committee which is supervised by their management who are ultimately responsible.

      Suppose Gozubuyuk is right then Dick's policy would have been corrected years ago, right? Don’t know the culture inside the Netherlands, but in my country it’s not only the chairman who is leading.

      Searching internet trying to defend Gozubuyuk unfortunately I find difficult subjects only.

      Suspected participation in illegal poker tournaments with soccer players
      https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/ophef-over-pokerende-profarbiter-gozubuyuk~a69aac20/

      Suspected in a major German match-fixing scandal
      https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/arbiter-gozubuyuk-betrokken-bij-matchfixing~a2213e4c/

      Associated (ambassadorship) with the main sponsor of football club FC Utrecht
      https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/knvb-eist-uitleg-gozubuyuk-over-ambassadeurschap~acfab8f6/

      His two expensive houses and cars are questioned by former FIFA referee Dick Jol
      https://www.soccernews.nl/news/314236/twijfels-oudarbiter-bij-goezuebueyuek-eerst-dat-pokeren-dan-dat-grote-huis

      Suspected of leaking confidential UEFA seminar information to the Telegraph
      https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/552430701/de-schande-van-stamford-bridge

      Talking to journalists by giving a negative interview about his employer
      https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/gozubuyuk-fileert-arbitragebeleid-knvb-geen-topper-mogen-fluiten-misschien-omdat-ik-mijn-mond-opentrek~ab1c48de/

      Perhaps all of this is the reason that he isn’t rewarded with good and important matches? I would advice Gozubuyuk as a referee friend to be more invisible and focus on refereeing only, that’s all what matters.

      Delete
    5. I really don't know what to do - if I delete these comments whose nefarious aims are pretty thinly veiled IMO then I will be accused of censorship, but as I don't, the quality of the blog discussion will continue to deteriorate.

      To all readers, I am genuinely very sorry, this isn't what Law5 should be about.

      Delete
    6. As the person who talked about the "one referee bad" example some days ago - I agree with you Mikael, these comments are much more dangerous.

      These kinds of insinuations have one clear aim and are harmful to the blog, the persons involved and the refereeing community as a whole. Shameful to see these attacks.

      Delete
  11. anonymous....
    Suspect.... but never proven! Gozubuyuk is owner and director off a company, supposed to make good money, why then you are not allowed to have a nice car, and a nice house???
    In my opinion... the KNVB iff they realy have found something against Gozubuyuk, they should banned him, but they never found something.... that's exactly what is irritating them, and that's why they give him less matches... here in the Netherlands you are only guilty when that's proven by court, same for Dick Jol himself...he was accused off gambling on his own matches... never proven, and he came back... refereed the champions League final in 1997....but Jol himself is not a very relieable source:-), so he himself has for sure a lot off frustration against KNVB because he didn't leave refereeing in a good way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Where there's smoke, there is fire... they don’t write this about Kuipers who has also a fortune.

      But you’re right.

      Delete
  12. Mikael I feel the difficulty of running a blog. Weighing messages every time is not easy. I fully agree with you that we should not use the blog to damage referees. Although discussing decisions can be experienced as negative. In case a referee is talking in the media himself then it is logical that there are positive and negative comments about his given interview. I recently read here that the best interview is the one that is not given. Besides this decisions during competitions may indeed be treated with more respect and appreciation. We all know how difficult refereeing is, even when we are on a lower level.

    ReplyDelete
  13. MASSA (FIFA 1st Cat) will officiate the Italy TIM Cup final between Atalanta and Juventus. Di Bello as Iv and Valeri as VAR.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ali Palabiyik is appointed for Turkish Cup Final Antalyaspor-Besiktas on 05/18/2021. FO is Ali Sansalan.

    Davide Massa is appointed for Coppa Italia Final Atalanta-Juventus on 05/19/2021. FO Marco di Bello and VAR Paolo Valeri.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Duje Strukan appointed for Croatian Cup Final Dinamo-Istra on 05/19/2021 20.00 CET. FO Igor Pajač, VAR Ivan Bebek.

      Delete
  15. Busy first half yesterday for Spanish 2nd division referee Luis Mario Milla Alvendiz in Fuenlabrada-Rayo Vallecano. 2 PKs (reckless elbow + tripping) and 2 RCs (straight RC for SFP + 2YC for unsporting behaviour - offensive handball) all against home team. 1st PK decision was given after OFR.

    Video: https://streamable.com/fvuwgs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everything seems to be correct, Id say.

      Delete
    2. IMO
      1 - Seems correct for me. The ellbow is widely outstretched and used recklessly.
      2 - I personally prefer a YC here. The blue player is already in a fluent stepping movement, when the white player steps into that motion. The blue player cannot avoid the consequent contact, which - of course - is very painful. However, the VAR is right in supporting the referee, I think, as the point of contact above the ancle is definetly pointing towards a RC.
      3 - This is a correct penalty for me, clumsy challenge.
      4 - I don't really see, what is happening, the decision seems okay.

      Delete
  16. A couple of handball incidents from 2ªB to 2nd Division promotion play-off match San Sebastián de los Reyes-Algeciras, referee Germán Cid Camacho (1987)

    57' PK + YC for SAN12. Correct? https://streamable.com/lmb5l0

    79' Play-on after clear but quite accidental handball by ALG defender in the box. Punishable? https://streamable.com/bxkk9o

    Bonus:

    37' 2 yellow cards for ALG players, reckless elbow + dissent https://streamable.com/1i44x4

    81' Clear holding inside the PK area, YC for SAN defender + retake of free kick ordered because of foul committed before ball was in play. Correct? https://streamable.com/4fa6yi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IMO
      1st and 3rd - wrong
      2nd and 4th - correct

      Delete
    2. IMO
      1 - Supportable penalty. The arm is far outstretched and enlarges the body surface significantly. The arm is not located between body and ground.
      2 - Based on the available pictures, I cannot come to a final conclusion, but I think, the decision is supportable. The ball cannot be expected in any way - totally accidental.
      3 - The blue player jumps in the aerial duel with both hands forward in the neck of the white player. I would support the referee here. Also a good and effective YC for consistent dissent.
      4 - Well handled, correct.

      Delete
  17. 1st expected ball, hand in an unnatural position, correct decision. 2st correct decision, nobody can judge this as unnatural in an unexpected situation.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Schneider, Miguelgorry and Petit are relagated in Ligue 2 for the next Season.
    Unbelivable for the Miguelgorry and Petit who realize a good (ans very good for Petit) season but FFF prefers to keep Hamel or Batta...

    Source : Canal+ Late football Club Tony Chapron

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What, why Scheinder, he is Fifa referee(of course mustn't mean that he need to bee protected becouse of that, but was he so bad in this season)?

      Delete
    2. Rainville was also demoted while still holding FIFA badge IIRC

      Delete
    3. Unbelievable! I believe the three are far better than Hamel, Wattellier, Batta. Petit impressed me whenever I saw him. Schneider is excellent as fourth official in Turpin's games but also a very safe pair of hands, like Miguelgorry...

      Delete
    4. Agree with @Anonymous but it's sure a political choice... Hamel, Batta and Abed were below this season.

      Delete
    5. Very weird choices indeed…

      Delete
    6. Completely illogical choices based on performances principle.
      It's not the first time that a referee is demoted not based on what he shows on the pitch.
      Rainville was demoted 2 seasons ago, but he was far from being the worst Ligue 1 referee (ie Batta has had a catastrophical season but saved himself from relegation - miracle or higher protection, I made my choice -)
      But I will comment the situation of the three names:

      Schneider: just scandalous based on performances, sorry for my language. Very reliable referee, able to handle high profile games well (ie France's most popular derby Lyon Saint-Étienne, he refereed one very decently two years ago) and he has a good season. Not even the worst FIFA referee, Abed is very poor especially last matchday but is highly pushed and protect by Borghini, CTA president.
      My guess is he is demoted because he won't achieve anymore as main referee internationally, (he isn't VAR expert either) so the head of France refereeing is preparing another FIFA ref, and so made room.

      Miguelgorry: very weird pick, he is IMO one of the best and most reliable non FIFA refs along with Lesage, Léonard and Gautier. Not the worst performances shown.
      Very sad for him, I recall he was absolutely enormous in his debut in 2014-2015,and was a safe pair of hands the last years.

      Petit: I expected him to be one of the unfortunate gentlemen to be demoted back to the early season, but I changed my mind by seeing him on the pitch and I'm surprised today: he improved a lot, being more confident and calm (he was quite a nervous referee and made a few games boil in his previous Ligue 2 seasons) and his season is not one of the three worst, I think he is even better now than Dechepy, the other promoted official in 2020, as the latter was way ahead a season ago.

      This is IMO a pure lobbying of the French ref committee, because based on what we see on the pitch, names like Batta, Hamel and Abed had a worse season. From what I saw, even Delerue who was a decent FIFA ref in previous years is below the three demoted men.

      Overall, the officiating of Ligue 1 refs has been underleveled, with too much problems in consistency with VAR and in disciplinary control/game management. The only two real satisfactions in my eyes are
      -Letexier: after a catastrophical 2019-2020 season, he showed multiple excellent performances (Lens-Lille derby, Lyon-Saint-Étienne derby) and has been deservedly rewarded with cup final.
      -Pignard: FIFA ref since January, he showed a huge potential, with very intelligent management, a good feeling for the game and some sharp soft skills. A name to follow for sure.

      Delete
    7. Just like you Upstylon, I think the demoted referees are in better shape than Hamel, Abed and Batta...

      Delete
    8. News by FFF :

      Referee Category F1 : 1er Turpin ; 2e Bastien ; 3e Frappart
      Assistant Referee Category F1 : 1er Danos ; 2eme Gringore ; 3e Zakrani

      Retrogradations
      Referee Category F1 : Miguelgorry ; Schneider ; Petit
      Assistant Referee Category F1 : Hebrard / Boutry / Haulbert / Jouannaud / Lombard

      Delete
  19. https://streamable.com/0uay6b
    OFR and penalty. What do you think?
    The replay by VAR shows in opinion that Abisso didn't see the incident, being focused rather on the middle of penalty area where ball was coming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Clear penalty, obvious dragging the jersey

      Delete
    2. It s a mutual holding, Napoli holds in the beginning more than the Fiorentina player and then the Fiorentina player falls down very theatralic. This should not be supported with a penalty kick. Even technically I would go for play on. A good example how VAR should not work.

      Delete
    3. Not a PK for me neither, both are holding.

      Delete
    4. These answers give us the confirmation that working as VAR is a very difficult task. We have always different ideas about many incidents. After having observed what happened this season in serie A, I'm more and more convinced that VAR should be removed from penalty and RC situations, there isn't any chance to have consistency. I'm sure the future will bring us this change.

      Delete
    5. If VAR is not used for penalty kicks and red cards... then why have VAR at all?

      Delete
    6. IMO in this case, it isn't even a question of consistency and difficulty of working as VAR.
      I think, it is a mutual holding, initiated by both players equally. Not enough for a penalty.
      I do not see added value in removing the VAR from penalty and RC scenes.

      Delete
    7. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  20. OT:Can anybody explain me what does it mean AD rank in The Netherlands?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The ranking made by the AD media. In many countries around the world media is ranking referees based on the marks given by their journalists at first division matches.

      Delete
    2. Lee Mason has just had his last premier league game in the middle with Man utd v Fulham. He has been one of the longest serving prem refs, and,while he has struggled after the whistle incident in Brighton,he has still had a decent career.

      Delete
  21. Lionel Tschudi (32 years old, FIFA Second Category) is the referee of Swiss Cup Final played between FC St-Gallen and FC Lucerne.

    Lionel Tschudi - Matthias Sbrissa - Didier Dubrit - Lukas Fähndrich
    Alain Bieri (VAR) Marco Zürcher (AVAR)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Tonight one of the worst performance I have ever seen in Rome (Lazio-Torino, referee: Fabbri): a regular goal disallowed (45+1') a very soft penalty (80'),two penalties denied (70',96').

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A bit better performance than Juventus - Inter, but still very poor. Three crucial mistakes and no control. We saw the "old" Fabbri. A terrible end of season for Rizzoli who seems to have totally lost control on his referees.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous, IMO the goal disallowed in 46' first half was a foul, correct whistling by the ref. About the first penalty denied I think is supportable the decision of Fabbri, whilst in 96' should have definitely been a PK. VAR didn't intervene and for me is a mistake: OFR would have been appropriated.
      Instead, clear mistake of AR1 before penalty assessed in 80'. Tegoni, if I'm not wrong, is in Mariani's team in Europe, I didn't expect such a mistake by him.
      About the penalty conceded, I think VAR couldn't intervene because referee was in control of the action and the decision was supportable. So correct IMO to confirm the penalty.
      Penalty kick was without doubts very soft, but could be awarded, not a clear mistake.
      For me 7,80 is a mark appropriated (also for AR1).

      Delete
    3. I agree with you about the first penalty (for me foul, but supportable to play on), but not about the goal disallowed: IMO it's a clear mistake, I am sure another ref never would have cancelled it (Fabbri disallowed a goal for a very soft contact also in Napoli-Cagliari some weeks ago, so probably for him these are fouls, but not for me). I don't know about VAR, in last month we saw a lot of "strange" OFR, so yesterday I was surprised, but I think it wasn't mandatory. Definitely not a good end for Rizzoli, as Chefren said.

      Delete
    4. I agree that fabri made wrong decisions in the important situations. Especially the penalty for lazio was definetely wrong in my opinion.
      But i would like to add that fabris communication was not that bad from my moint of view and i was wondering about the relatively good control fabri had regarding his mistakes (control means control of the player here). After having some words with the players, they didn't get too angry but nearly accepted his wrong decisions. Also i would like to add, that who watched the full game should notice that his foul detection in the whole game was very good apart of the important scenes. He hat a clear line in being relatively lenient, which was good for the game I think.

      And then I would like to ask you chefren what you mean with "Rizolly totally lost control"? Do you mean the inconsistency of the var? Then I totally agree with you Or dou you also mean in general that seria a referees performances have been bad in general?
      Because then I have a total different impression. While on the beginning of the season we sometimes had no idea which referee could handle the best games in serie a many referees impressed in high rated games, that before nobody expected them to do so. This is at least my impression.
      Some names I just want to give on this occasion are mariani, di Bello, Pairetto, Chiffi, Pasqua, and apart from yesterday's performance fabri. While Orsato, Doveri and maybe also Giacomelli are still able to handle every match in serie a.
      But please feel free to put me right.

      Delete
  23. OT: am i right, that a lot of obersver-"legends" will retire after this season? jaap uilenberg, eugen strigel, bo karlsson...to just name the most prominent ones...did i forget anyone? does anyone know if "big names" will be coming onto the list? clattenburg, kassai, mazic...?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The retirement age for referee observers is 70, so those you mentioned will end their career. Hopefully, they will be replaced by ex-referees with recent World Cup experience.

      Delete
    2. Uilenberg becomes 71 in June 2021. Nevertheless, he is member of UEFA Referee Development Panel 2019-2023.

      Delete
  24. SPA vs. DOGSO incident from the Oxford United - Blackpool playoff game handled by Bobby Madley.

    https://streamable.com/agfsqa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IMO YC is acceptable because not an absolute scoring opportunity. BTW good to see Bobby Madley back in professional football but he still get criticized a lot on social media

      Delete
    2. IMO YC is supportable here.
      In the moment of the foul, there is a defender nearby, who could intervene eventually. Based on that still, I think that attacker and defender have a similar distance to the ball: https://ibb.co/H7jR8kc

      Delete
    3. I think red would be wrong, pretty clear YC for me.

      Delete
  25. World Cup 1998 blog returns in earnest. Italy - Austria (Paul Durkin) and Chile - Cameroon (László Vágner) are today's games.

    wc98refs.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. OT: when does UEFA / FIFA send out the new categories for the upcoming season?

    ReplyDelete
  27. “Serdar Gözübüyük wordt keihard gestraft door KNVB voor felle uithaal”

    This mean: “Serdar Gözübüyük is harshly punished by KNVB for fierce swipe”

    The story continues; a well-informed journalist (Hugo Borst) has indicated on TV that Serdar Gözübüyük has been removed from a final match this weekend. He is being punished for being rude during the interview. It is remarkable that the journalist knows this because the final matches have not yet been announced. The journalist does work for the same newspaper where Serdar Gözübüyük gave his interview last Saturday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We'll see, I expect the announcement of the appointment tomorrow, together with final promotion/relegation.
      Hugo Borst also stated that Gozubuyuk's AR's still will do the match.
      Possibly Gozubuyuk was never planned for the final. Higler is in euro U21 with Gozubuyuk's AR's, so there might be another match for them in euro.
      Anyway, I don't think Gozubuyuk deserves a final. This season he's shown that he's not among the top referees IMO.

      My predictions:
      Final play-offs Conference League (Feyenoord - FC Utrecht)
      Dennis Higler - Joost van Zuilen, Johan Balder - Sander van der Eijk
      [Jochem Kamphuis - Erik Kleinjan]

      Final play-offs promotion/relegation (teams unknown)
      Björn Kuipers - Sander van Roekel, Erwin Zeinstra - Edwin van de Graaf
      [Pol van Boekel - Rogier Honig]

      Delete
    2. Dennis Higler - Joost van Zuilen, Johan Balder
      - Nagtegaal
      VAR: Van de Kerkhof

      Delete
    3. Gozubuyuk is only stirring the pot... It would be good for him and Van Egmond to go. Im still goofed that the latter has managed to be a ref boss for 11 years now, considering that Van Egmond himself was a mediocre ref at his best days.

      Delete
  28. The situations mentioned above in the Lazio Roma - Torino game handled by Michael Fabbri [VAR: Gianluca Aureliano].

    +46' - Goal to Lazio disallowed for prior foul (charging)
    https://streamable.com/c0puai

    64' - Potential penalty to Lazio (pushing)
    https://streamable.com/w8e01m

    82' - Penalty given to Lazio (tripping / striking(?)) after VAR intervention (offside - Alberto Tegoni)
    https://streamable.com/ap3wks

    +96' - Potential penalty to Lazio (striking); management
    https://streamable.com/qeeeu4

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 46' I think VAR should not intervene. Immobile has his foot weirdly high when shielding, can be seen as a trip.

      64' Is hard to say, rather a PK, but if referee doesn't give it, it depends on the competition, if a VAR intervention is prefered or not.

      82' Is a bad decision and VAR should have intervened IMO

      96' No PK for me, good decision.

      Delete
    2. What are your considerations, Mikael?

      Delete
    3. Broadly agree, though +96' seems to be a reckless striking offence to me, but hard to say for sure.

      Delete
    4. IMO
      46' - Wierd scene. I think, as David mentioned, the foot movement could justify the call, there is also contact/slight pushing at the upper body; I think, correct by VAR not to intervene here.
      64' - I acutally think that this one is a penalty. It looks like a simple push in the back to prevent the attacker to get the header and score eventually. But I think that it isn not clear enough for an VAR intervention.
      82' - I certainly do not understand, how the VAR came to the conclusion that this a penalty. The minor contact is by no means the reason, why the attacker fell. He saw that the ball isn't reachable anymore and fell down - classic case of wrong perception and a case of an OFR needed. The only big mistake based on the clips.
      96' - Difficult to see, but it appears to be a striking offence. Nothing for Aureliano, I think.

      Delete
  29. Sandor Puhl passed away today. Rest in peace! One of the greatest referees of the 1990s. :/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Best Hungary referee ever,full of respect for anybody,RIP.

      Delete
    2. Wow; sad and bad news; I'm so astonished; was he sick ? May I know the reason of his death ? Was it unexpected ? I remember him as referee during the final match of FUIFA WC in 1994 in US and during final champion league match in 1997. He was really one of the best referees of the 90s.
      He "battled" a long with Peter Mikkelsen during FIFA WC 1994 and during 90s on who was the best referee in the world at that time and both died in the latest months. Sad and strange communality

      Delete
    3. Very sad news. Rest in peace, Sandor Puhl.

      Delete
    4. Rest in peace🙏🙏

      Delete
  30. Makkelie with Steegstra, de Vries (and Blom as VAR) will handle Greek Cup final on Saturday.

    ReplyDelete
  31. https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/scheidsrechtersbaas-van-egmond-slaat-terug-naar-gozubuyuk-hij-verkondigt-onzin~a22e40ae/

    New interview with Van Egmond in the Dutch paper AD. Title translated: Gözübüyük is talking nonsense

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Translated summary.

      Not Gözübüyük but Higler will be the referee of the play-off final match. Higler was originaly also planned for this match. Van Egmond is to say it mildly not happy with the interview and says Gözübüyük is talking stories who are not true.

      Not only about the appointment of the play-off final but also about all the appointments for this season. "the facts speak the truth and Serdar" is a statement from van Egmond. He furthermore says the has the two will have a meeting next week about this and other issues. The outcome of that meeting will be held internally off-course :)

      As an answer on the question if Gözübüyük will be referee in the Dutch Eredivisie next season van Egmond answers: "We will have the conversation first and have a good discussion. I won't comment on things that might or might not happen in the future".

      Delete
    2. I won't pick a side in this since i don't know all the facts.

      Delete
    3. It's good that Van Egmond stands up for himself and makes it publicly known that Gozubuyuk has the habit of saying nonsense with great regularity. It’s incomprehensible to me that the KNVB continues to accept his manipulation, lying, cheating and leaking to the press year after year, only for fear of discrimination. This would be a completely wrong signal to all good behaving referees. Reading Van Egmond’s interview it seems unclear whether Gozubuyuk will still be active next season. They may want to say goodbye to him? Gozubuyuk’s behaviour has similarities with borderline or narcissism.

      Delete
    4. It surprised me how open and democratic are KNVB and DFB with respect to the comments made by Gozubuyuk and Grafe (in the past), respectively. If that would have happened in Italy or France or Spain, those referees would have been out...

      Delete
  32. OT: Hope that Uefa will made short sleeve jersey for Turpin in the final.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Shocking news from Italy, three referees have been suspended for alleged false documentation regarding refunds (FIGC money) of expenses for matches, trips, transfers and all that stuff.
    They are Pasqua, La Penna and Robilotta.
    The investigations have started one month ago, in a few days a final decision is expected.
    This was the reason for which they are out from serie A since a month.
    I'm really speechless.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Scotland - Morocco (Ali Bujsaim) and Brazil - Norway* (Esfandiar Baharmast) are today's games from FIFA World Cup 1998.

    wc98refs.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Excellent work! Do you also plan wc 2014 and 2018?

      Delete
    2. Thanks!

      About WC 2014 / 2018 - will see where I am after the EURO this summer.

      Delete
  35. Play-off final Promotion
    NAC Breda - NEC Nijmegen
    Sunday 18:00, winner to the Eredivisie
    ⏱ Bjorn Kuipers
    🚩 Sander van Roekel
    🚩 Erwin Zeinstra
    4️⃣ Alex Bos
    📺 Pol van Boekel
    🅰️📺 Rens Bluemink

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kuipers last dance in the Netherlands?

      Delete
    2. No, I don't believe Kuipers will stop after this season. I think one more year.

      Delete
  36. Is Xavier Estrada Fernandez retiring? Players and colleagues hugged him at the end of today's La Liga game.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was indeed his very last match, he is retiring after this game.

      Delete
    2. Thanks, wish him all the best

      Delete
  37. I was diagnosed of herpes virus, I have tried all possible means to get cure but all my effort proved abortive, until a friend of mine introduced me to a herbal doctor called Chief Dr Lucky, who prepare herbal medicine to cure all kind of diseases including herpes virus (Herpes), when i contacted this herbal doctor via his email, he sent me herpes virus herbal medicine via courier service, when i received the herbal medicine he gave me step by step instructions on how to apply it, when i applied it as instructed i was totally cured from the virus within 3 weeks of usage. Contact this great herbal doctor today to get your cure. 

    Visit website : https://chiefdrluckyherbaltherapy.wordpress.com/
    What's App number : +2348132777335 
    Via Email : chiefdrlucky@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for writing a comment on our blog!