Thursday 21 October 2021

Europa League 2021/22 - Referee appointments for Matchday 3

2021/22 UEFA Europa League group stage Matchday 3. These are the referees in charge of the upcoming games. 


19 October 2021

16:30 CET - Glasgow (Celtic Park)
Celtic FC (SCO) - Ferencvárosi Torna Club (HUN) | Group G
Referee: Jakob Kehlet (DEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Lars Hummelgaard (DEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Heine Sørensen (DEN)
Fourth Official: Sandi Putros (DEN)
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Eric Wattellier (FRA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Laurent Duhamel (FRA)
UEFA Delegate: João Morais (POR)

20 October 2021

16:30 CET - Moscow (Stadion Spartak) 
FC Spartak Moskva (RUS) - Leicester City FC (ENG) | Group C
Referee: Anastasios Sidiropoulos (GRE) 
Assistant Referee 1: Polychronis Kostaras (GRE)
Assistant Referee 2: Lazaros Dimitriadis (GRE)
Fourth Official: Aristotelis Diamantopoulos (GRE)
Video Assistant Referee: Ioannis Papadopoulos (GRE)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Aggelos Evangelou (GRE)
UEFA Referee Observer: Asim Khudiyev (AZE)
UEFA Delegate: Artur Azaryan (ARM)

21 October 2021

18:45 CET - Istanbul (Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadyumu)
Fenerbahçe SK (TUR) - Royal Antwerp FC (BEL) | Group D
Referee: Sergei Ivanov (RUS)
Assistant Referee 1: Roman Usachev (RUS)
Assistant Referee 2: Valeriy Danchenko (RUS)
Fourth Official: Kirill Levnikov (RUS)
Video Assistant Referee: Vladimir Moskalev (RUS)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alexey Lunev (RUS)
UEFA Referee Observer:Stefan Messner (AUT)
UEFA Delegate: Siarhei Ilyich (BLR)

18:45 CET - Rome (Stadio Olimpico)
SS Lazio (ITA) - Olympique de Marseille (FRA) | Group E
Referee: Deniz Aytekin (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Dietz (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Dominik Schaal (GER) 
Fourth Official: Martin Petersen (GER)
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz (GER) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San (SUI)
UEFA Referee Observer: Bernardino González Vázquez (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: David Findlay (SCO)

18:45 CET - Herning (Arena Herning)
FC Midtjylland (DEN) - FK Crvena zvezda (SRB) | Group F
Referee: Roi Reinshreiber (ISR)
Assistant Referee 1: David Elias Bitton (ISR)
Assistant Referee 2: Sagy Metzamber (ISR) 
Fourth Official: Daniel Bar Natan (ISR)
Video Assistant Referee: Orel Grinfeeld (ISR)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: David Fuxman (ISR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Kostadin Gerginov (BUL)
UEFA Delegate: Orkhan Huseynzade (AZE)

18:45 CET - Razgrad (Ludogorets Arena)
PFC Ludogorets 1945 (BUL) - SC Braga (POR) | Group F
Referee: Kristo Tohver (EST) 
Assistant Referee 1: Silver Koiv (EST) 
Assistant Referee 2: Sten Klaasen (EST)
Fourth Official: Juri Frischer (EST) 
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Higler (NED) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (NED)
UEFA Referee Observer: Ferenc Székely (HUN)
UEFA Delegate: Milovan Đukanović (MNE)

18:45 CET - Seville (Estadio Benito Villamarín)
Real Betis Balompié (ESP) - Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) | Group G
Referee: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jakub Winkler (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Bartosz Heinig (POL)
Fourth Official:  Krzysztof Jakubik (POL)
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benoît Millot (FRA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Neale Barry (ENG)
UEFA Delegate: Mark Evans (WAL)

18:45 CET - Vienna (Weststadion)
SK Rapid Wien (AUT) - GNK Dinamo (CRO) | Group H
Referee: Kateryna Monzul (UKR)
Assistant Referee 1: Maryna Striletska (UKR)
Assistant Referee 2: Viktor Matyash (UKR) 
Fourth Official: Denys Shurman (UKR)
Video Assistant Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Mykola Balakin (UKR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Rune Pedersen (NOR)
UEFA Delegate: Jim Stjerne Hansen (DEN)

21:00 CET - Glasgow (Ibrox Stadium)
Rangers FC (SCO) - Brøndby IF (DEN) | Group A
Referee: Fran Jovic (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Hrvoje Radic (CRO) 
Assistant Referee 2: Luka Pusic (CRO) 
Fourth Official: Mario Zebec (CRO) 
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel (NED)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jochem Kamphuis (NED) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn (GER)
UEFA Delegate: Targo Kaldoja (EST) 

21:00 CET - Prague (Stadion Letná)
AC Sparta Praha (CZE) - Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) | Group A
Referee: Matej Jug (SVN) 
Assistant Referee 1: Matej Zunic (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Robert Vukan (SVN)
Fourth Official: David Smajc (SVN) 
Video Assistant Referee: Slavko Vincic (SVN)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jure Praprotnik (SVN) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Robert Sedlacek (AUT)
UEFA Delegate: Ronald Zimmermann (GER)

21:00 CET - Eindhoven (PSV Stadion)
PSV Eindhoven (NED) - AS Monaco FC (FRA) | Group B
Referee: Davide Massa (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Stefano Alassio (ITA)
Fourth Official: Luca Pairetto (ITA)  
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Valeri (ITA) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Sergey Zuev (RUS)
UEFA Delegate: Kris Bellon (BEL)

21:00 CET - Graz (Stadion Graz Liebenau)
SK Sturm Graz (AUT) - Real Sociedad de Fútbol (ESP) | Group B
Referee: Tobias Stieler (GER) 
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Gittelmann (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Eduard Beitingr (GER) 
Fourth Official: Florian Badstübner (GER)
Video Assistant Referee: Sascha Stegemann (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Günter Perl (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Vlado Svilokos (CRO)
UEFA Delegate: Michael O'Brien (ENG)

21:00 CET - Naples (Stadio Diego Armando Maradona)
SSC Napoli (ITA) - Legia Warszawa (POL) | Group C
Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande (ESP) 
Assistant Referee 1: Pau Cebrián Devis (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Alonso Fernández (ESP)
Fourth Official: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod (FRA) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Vítor Manuel Melo Pereira (POR)
UEFA Delegate: Balázs Makray (HUN)

21:00 CET - Frankfurt Am Main (Frankfurt Stadion) 
Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) - Olympiacos FC (GRE | Group D
Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Luis André Ferreira Campo Pintos (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Pedro Miguel Almeida Mota (POR) 
Fourth Official: Helder Miguel Azevedo Malheiro (POR)
Video Assistant Referee: Joao Pedro Silva Pinheiro (POR) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Luis Miguel Branco Godinho (POR) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Sabri Celik (TUR)
UEFA Delegate: Kieran O'Connor (WAL)

21:00 CET - Moscow (Stadion Lokomotiv)
FC Lokomotiv Moskva (RUS) - Galatasaray A.Ş. (TUR) | Group E
Referee: Harald Lechner (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Heidenreich (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Maximilian Kolbitsch (AUT)
Fourth Official: Markus Hameter (AUT) 
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Paul Tierney (ENG) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Dejan Filipović (SRB)
UEFA Delegate: Sviatlana Hrynkevich (BLR)

21:00 CET - London (London Stadium)
West Ham United FC (ENG) - KRC Genk (BEL) | Group H
Referee: Donatas Rumšas (LTU)
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radius (LTU)
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis (LTU)
Fourth Official: Robertas Valikonis (LTU)
Video Assistant Referee: Ricardo de Burgos (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Juan Antonio Fernández Marín (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Ciprian Paraschiv (ROU)              

112 comments:

  1. Sidiropoulos has second match in a row in Russia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Europa League for him after the OFR for DOGSO in Zenit - Malmoe.
      Otherwise, I think he could have got a second game in CL.

      Delete
  2. I would say the Sidiropoulos is being treated like a 1st Group official despite his Elite status (MLT-SVN) now EL.....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sidiropoulos-Marciniak both didn't go to Euro this summer.
    We see Marciniak took the second game CL after Liverpool-Milan now took Manchester United-Atalanta great games. This shows that the UEFA calculates him while it's not the same as Sidiropoulo!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AIA has revealed Massa for PSV - Monaco before UEFA.
    https://www.aia-figc.it/dettaglio.asp?ID=19330

    ReplyDelete
  5. OT: Adidas kits for 2022 WC revealed.

    https://www.footyheadlines.com/2021/04/adidas-2022-world-cup-referee-kit.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. Stieler with a second "just" UEL game could indicate that he is currently regarded as Germany's number 5.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stieler... he got that CL KO stage game in Bergamo and then he was literaly "thrown away" by committee...

      Delete
    2. I know. I just wondered whether Germany's Elite will be reduced from four to three mext year: Brych will retire and Siebert will replace him. But given his current appointments one could expect Stieler to get demoted.

      Delete
    3. Stieler's treatment is just really weird in my opinion. I thought he was a quite solid First Category referee but all of a sudden he got these top assignments last year but just got thrown away after Atalanta-Real...
      I know commmittee was really trying to find a successor to Brych (and we all know that they've finally found him in Siebert :D) but treatment like that was bound to fail...

      Regarding what Peter said; I think demotions (and promotions) would be much needed but I really don't know if we will see them... But let's see, as Mikael pointed out, Gil Manzano could be a bit worried as well (observer, Hernandez Hernandez with good matches + observer, Sanchez Martinez with CL Debut) and so could be Stieler but tbh it's impossible to know what UEFA want to do...

      Delete
  7. Nice game for Frankowski 😄

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is it really that nice? Both teams have 6 points, followed by the other two teams with 0 points each. In my optinion (currently) rather a game for a promising referee without UCL experience so far ...

      Delete
    2. But important for First place in group

      Delete
  8. Del Cerro in Naples - UEFA appointing a top ref after Kružliak's trouble last time or punishment for Paris? (or even both together? :))

    ReplyDelete
  9. It is indeed possible that the YC by Del Cerro was assessed as mistake, however the game in Naples is extremely important for the group. We remember how much Kružliak struggled, it could be again somehing similar and I definitely hope for a better performance by the Spanish Elite.
    Kateryna Monzul appointment is definitely better than all her previous ones, Rapid Wien 0 points but group is still open for all teams.
    The rest are rather normal appointments, good path for Rumšas after Rosetti's observation.

    ReplyDelete
  10. After Betis Celtic on MD1 Fran Jovic takes charge of the other side of the old firm in MD3

    ReplyDelete
  11. Once again a very soft penalty by Kehlet. I’ve seen him do it in Qarabag - Sivasspor last year and in Young Boys - Feyenoord couple of years ago. Why is he still here?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a ridiculous statement, it was a clear penalty

      Delete
    2. In my oppinion, the given PK was correct.

      Delete
  12. Interesting situation in SPM-LEI; potential RC? YC was given.

    90+5' - https://streamable.com/t65j8d

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IMO, the SPM player's action is ball-focused, he also touches the ball but does not totally succeed in playing it away but rather dangerously hits the opponent's shin, who also aimed at the ball. The point of contact with full studs on shin indicates a RC but the accidental character and the rather low-medium intensity (not lunging/flying in the opponent, leg not too high) point toward YC.
      VAR should back both calls; I tend to towards Yellow.

      Delete
    2. For me RC, I would prefer a VARint if YC is given.

      Delete
    3. Clear RC - endangering the safety of an opponent.

      Delete
  13. OT: José María Sánchez Martínez will referee the Clásico on Sunday.

    ReplyDelete
  14. OT

    Deniz Aytekin (UEFA Elite) will handle the Greek SL derby Olympiakos - PAOK on Sunday (19:30 CET). His Assistants are Christian Dietz and Eduard Beitinger. VAR is Patrick Hanslbauer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Who is fourth official and AVAR?

      Delete
    2. FO Manouchos
      AVAR Papadakis

      Delete
    3. Thank you very much for the information

      Delete
    4. Patrick Hanslbauer as VAR? So you appoint a foreign referee with 4 matches in the 2nd Bundesliga as experience? This while Greek referees are available with VAR experience in the Europa League and WC qualifiers? Clattenburg should resign immediately!

      Delete
  15. Unbelieveable Kateryna Monzul in Vienna at Rapid-Dinamo. She lost the control and had no acceptance by the players.
    Especially at the end of the game she didn‘t know what to do anymore. Absolutely disaster for the ukrainian referee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Surprised as she had a great game in Andorra vs England

      Delete
    2. Genk vs. Slovan Liberec 2.0 :/

      And I can't understand how UEFA didn't know that this would happen (again).

      Delete
    3. It is hard to find the right words, because every referee at this level deserves respect, but if you look at the last 10 minutes you know what I'm talking about.

      Delete
    4. I rewatched 87' situation. Sorry, but this is very very bad management by Monzul.

      Delete
    5. I watched from 85' to end, we have two important moments: the management close to benches and the "revenge foul" after a throw-in during added time. Very similar scenes to Genk - Slovan Liberec, Mikael is right. But well, I think in this case even worse, because players looked to be fully out of control. This can't be a coincidence, they didn't recognize the authority of referee. I still don't understand why she has to be so angry when issuing cards, this happened again today. The communication and relations with players are really problematic. I'm curious and I would ask to Ukrainian readers: how behave the players in her games in Ukranian Premier League? Are there similar scenes with game totally out of any control?
      Also, I wonder what UEFA thinks about that, it is clear she can't officiate heated games at this level...

      Delete
    6. Also she added 4 minutes. The end of the match was whistled at 90+5'.
      Out of those 5 minutes, only one minute or 90 secs were seriously played.

      Delete
    7. Yes, indeed, but that's the last argument to be discussed after all happened. For some reasons it was even better to end the game before the expected time!

      Delete
    8. Chefren I totally aggree with you, but what is your opinion about the managment of the final whistle? I had the feeling that she was scared and just wanted that the game is over.

      Delete
    9. The management of final whistle is the worst possible. She waited for the execution of a free kick and when it happened she whistled for the end, despite of the ball kicked in the box (long ball). This never happens. You can whistle in this way only in case of goal kick. She had to whistle before if she didn't want that execution. Having said that, I'm indeed not sure it was a real final whistle, she made a weird gesture with arm, indicating midfield. Very likely it is as you said, she was very afraid to continue, what would have happened in the box? Well, really sorry to say that, but of course I can't blame her. Committee should think before making such appointments, a referee must be ready for certain games. She wasn't.

      Delete
    10. In the end, by wanting at all costs to have women refereeing men's matches, they will achieve the opposite effect. It's not about gender, it's about the best-trained referees officiating, regardless of their gender. And Monzul, sadly, is not prepared for these types of matches.

      Delete
    11. So basically we have a pattern. She is a very good referee and I disagree about some harsh comments that I see gender related, but it is true that somehow, when things escalate, she is not able to calm them down, especially near the end of the game.

      Maybe she needs more cynical style, but also remember that there are some elite referees that are extremely annoying with long or repeated whistles... What some referees do, although it is not the best solution, is that they have a way of slowing the game down with some warning or slow free kick management. Maybe she should try to copy some tricks and apply.

      Delete
  16. Penalty for Olympiakos. Handball.

    ReplyDelete
  17. LOK-GAL

    In the middle of the first half Lechner asked both captains (both goalkeepers) to come to the central circle and announced that the game is no longer played with VAR

    ReplyDelete
  18. Quiet 1H for Rumšas in London, besides a penalty box incident to be rewatched (28'). Challenging halves for both assistants who did well, Sužiedėlis correct to ultimately disallow a Genk goal at 9' in the most important scene.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a ref Rumsas, excellent.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Very interesting and debatable situation in Sturm-Real Sociedad, possible foul before the goal. IMO supportable play-on and no VAR. Stieler is doing fine so far.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also correct 2nd YC later, and potential pk for home team, but not given and no OFR

      Delete
  21. Jovic in Glasgow missed clear PK for Rangers early in second half. Suprised there was no VAR intervention.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe Dutch referees dont agree with you?

      Delete
    2. Same for Massa in Eindhoven.

      Delete
    3. For me a perfect Massa in Eindhoven in a very fast game. 20 fouls and two corrects YC.

      Delete
  22. Very boring 2H of West Ham vs. Genk. A good night for the Lithuanian officials - unremarkable game for Rumšas, and promising performances from his assistants in terms of determining offside situations (which wasn't always the case in the past).

    Will try and upload some clips tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  23. After watching the Sparta Praha-Lyon game with some delay, I can report a very good performance from Matej Jug.

    The Slovenian used his big experience efficiently and kept the match under control.
    Ten YCs (including one SYC) were delivered, all spot-on. Jug has been sovereign on the pitch, showing great personality and leadership, and didn't let any room for dissent or UB, so refreshing to see !

    I must say he has shown plenty of good displays recently, and while he is IMO out of sight for a promotion to Elite due to age, I think he can be considered as a top 1st cat referee, he deserves to be appointed in bigger CL/EL games ATM.

    To sum up, a very good night for him and his crew.

    ReplyDelete
  24. West Ham vs. Genk ||
    Donatas Rumšas [Massimiliano Irrati]

    1' - management scene
    https://streamable.com/kozusw

    9' - goal disallowed by Dovydas Sužiedėlis (offside)
    https://streamable.com/zct8tl

    28' - potential penalty to Genk (tripping)
    https://streamable.com/o00q8v

    56' - freekick call leading to 2-0 goal
    https://streamable.com/nwpzbz

    // - disciplinary control c. 3-0 goal
    https://streamable.com/7ts8bv

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That push in the back at 56' was very well sold by the attacker Vlasic. He even kicks the ground instead of the ball^^

      Delete
  25. The most interesting incident in Napoli - Legia, possible penalty for handball, minute 42':
    https://streamable.com/zidsdj
    The perception of Italian media is clear penalty, you already know that, in my opinion very borderline, and in past a VAR intervention would have been expected. Now we can be more flexible, but in this case I think more penalty than play on. If the ball had hit the other arm, no dicussions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is penalty. The hand makes the volume of the body bigger. It is very strange that there is no VAR intervention.

      Delete
    2. Indeed until a few time ago this criterion was a "must" and all interventions were justified, making the application of this rule consistent and more objective. Now with this new course, it is definitely impossible for me to talk about handballs, the topic becomes extremely hard. In Italy such incident would be a clear and expected VAR intervention. I can find as argument the fact that arm was in that position because player was running, but still... he blocked the ball.
      It is impossible to have consistency with handballs nowadays.

      Delete
    3. I support no VARint from this. In England they don't want a PK, in Italy they want. It is not deliberate and can be seen as natural with the running and blocking (with one leg) motion. IMO

      Delete
    4. Exactly David, the position is natural. Bravo to the VAR to keep silent

      Delete
    5. Very difficult, for me more penalty

      Delete
    6. Oof, these are exactly the scenes the new flexible law makes diffucult.
      In this case, it's rather a penalty IMO because the defender's way of enlarging the body surface exactly when the sharp cross pass is about to be played seems to be not explainable with his running movement.
      However, VAR has de facto no chance to intervene for that; there is no active movement to the ball, the arm is not totally outstretched, running movement - too much speaks again it.

      Delete
  26. Really borderline. In slowmotion everyting looks worse.
    Look at the cross in normal speed. The attacker crosses the ball with so much power. Then a defender can't do anything about it, can he?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Full clips from Del Cerro Grande game.

    12' penalty appeal
    https://streamable.com/vmvgtx

    12' First YC of the game, reckless challenge (it includes replay of previous situation)
    https://streamable.com/gnspea

    18' penalty appeal for handball
    https://streamable.com/6kzfke

    42' Penalty appeal for handball
    https://streamable.com/zidsdj

    43' YC SPA
    https://streamable.com/v3dues

    73' YC Reckless challenge / SPA
    https://streamable.com/pfltiz

    79' Correct offside AR2, disallowed goal
    https://streamable.com/ot71t4

    80' Correct ONSIDE AR2, allowed goal
    https://streamable.com/zpdd3j

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would have liked more replays of the situation in 73', because it looks like a "orange" card... the player obstructs our view in the only replay, for sure VAR checked that.I guess it was rather on the foot, so correct decision.

      Delete
    2. I think the camera team did not do the best job in this match! xD
      At 12' it's hard to see but one can guess that the defender got the ball. Similiarly, at 73' the replays are not conclusive.

      Delete
    3. Thanks for the clips, Chefren!

      12' - looks like a carbon copy of the most famous penalty from the recent EURO, actually (:D); correct play on

      13' - seems to be a reckless treading (ankle) foul, correct caution; informed by a teammate(?), there was apparently some delay in the card's showing

      18' - deflection followed by hitting an arm tucked in, no (unreasonable) increase in the defender's body surface, correct play on

      42' - quite a clear penalty IMO, defender has enough time to see the ball and simply blocks it with his arm; besides any talk of the new LotG, we shouldn't forget we can quote this from the laws text: "it is a handball offence if a player deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm"; following the TURITA precedent, surely Rosetti wants intervention here (for more than one reason? ;))

      43' - correct call, deliberate + SPA(-ish) should generally equal always yellow IMO

      73' - defender gets a small but decisive touch on the ball before following-through on his opponent's shin/foot; the intense contact looked to be on the latter, so max RAP 7

      And finally correct/expected calls by Roberto Alonso Fernández (79', 80').

      Delete
  28. Italy - Croatia Women
    Referee: Petra Pavlíková (SVK)
    https://streamable.com/s2pnt5
    Penalty call and management of the execution.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good call IMO, seems to be a charge in the back and contact on the foot.

      Delete
  29. (OT) Paris Saint-Germain vs. Leipzig ||
    Marco Guida [Marco Di Bello]

    Big Decisions:

    9' - potential foul before the 1-0 goal?
    https://streamable.com/psyfxk

    14' - potential penalty to Leipzig (challenge)
    https://streamable.com/faen84

    50' - potential SYC to Paris no.27 (challenge)
    https://streamable.com/8x6sba

    52' - potential penalty to Leipzig (holding)
    https://streamable.com/do1x2c

    73' - penalty given to Paris (impeding)
    https://streamable.com/aw58rj

    +93' - after OFR, penalty given to Paris (tackle)
    https://streamable.com/z6wgje

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Managing the Game:

      Until (IMO, 100% correctly) awarding Paris a penalty at 73', Marco Guida was having a strong performance under the eyes of newly important observer David Fernández Borbalan. However, he struggled a bit in the twenty minutes after that key decision.

      One problem with this performance was that the Italian referee was often stuck in the midfield in the way of the players, and this was most problematic at 8', where he actually blocked off a player, and then awarded a panic phantom freekick, unfairly denying Leipzig a promising attack.

      However, I was pleasantly surprised that a) he then warned a Leipzig player for his inevitable dissent in a formal manner, and, b) he managed to 'connect' with the player whom he was warning.

      After an understandable play on call at 15', he gave a very good yellow card at 18' for a deliberate impeding foul on star attacking player Mbappé. This sent a very good signal to the players for the rest of the match. The caution was actually given after an advantage.

      As it turned out, it would have been better if the ref didn't try to play advantage, but at the 'moment of truth', Messi had the ball with a promising through ball on; Guida rightly played it safe there and let the game go on! :D

      For the rest of this period, I thought Guida used the yellow card very sensibly:
      - 32' (LoR holding) was more of a caution than the 38' one given (SPA-ish challenge), but okay
      - expected YC at 48'
      - VERY good no SYC at 50', there was no reckless stamp
      - borderline but okay no caution c. advantage at 56'
      - really good caution at 64', the decision 'took the initiative' in the match + his presence, gestures

      However, after the first penalty given, Guida took more of a backseat in the match, and it felt like it was beginning to get away from him a bit, even if he did deliver the game and keep control in the basic sense until fulltime.

      The following incidents occurred in this period:
      73' - starting from the penalty scene, his hitherto successful interactions with the players rather disappeared
      76' - angrily shouting at a dissenting player from a distance, he became an isolated leadership figure at the end of the game
      77' - correct not to award a penalty, he didn't really feel in control of what happened afterwards (dissenting Leipzig players, player altercations 'bubbling')
      84' - correct and mandatory YC for SPA
      86' - rather missed YC for reckless tackle, and then missed what would be 10/10 advantage; can't really blame him for the latter
      88' - simply bore a very blatant dissent by Veratti without a card, and still the 'loser' of the scene
      +93' - see above
      +96' - has to jump in to prevent an altercation after correctly penalised careless foul

      It felt like Guida lost his self-belief a little bit after the 73' penalty call, and became more stuck in the centre of the FoP, unable to influence/manage the match from then, only now just calling the necessary fouls from the middle of the pitch.

      However, I should clearly state the Italian kept his hand on proceedings enough in order to avoid actually losing control of this game at the end.


      Balance:

      Marco Guida showed the aptitudes to be an Elite referee for over three-quarters of this match under the eyes of important observer David Fernández Borbalan. However, what happened the end of the game gives a more ambivalent impression for my taste.

      I would perhaps draw a comparison to Danny Makkelie's performance in his EURO SF - (very) good for most of the game, but seemingly and perhaps unconsciously put off after that by a correct, instinctively taken, huge call in the penalty area.

      Delete
    2. Thank you Mikael! So, what is your oppinion on the OFR at 93' Do you think the VAR was correct to intervene? Did the defender not get enough contact on the ball?

      Delete
    3. Thank you for this report, Mikael, really excellent work.
      It seems as there is always the same problem: Guida is missing in something for making a further step in his career. Having observed him for a very long time in many games, I can be sure, this is the maximum he can reach.
      Reading your analysis I agree that it is possible the penalty call he made was a bit suffered and maybe he thought he had whistled a soft penalty afterwards, however in these situations you can really understand how much a referee is ready for facing pressure. Would have been a very good game in my opinion without the last minutes.
      I would also add, and making so I answer to David as well, that originally I had a wrong perception of the penalty in 90'+3, I thought that defender had hit only the attacker in a full clear-penalty scenario, but this wasn't the case, as the ball was slightly touched before. I don't think that this is a strong argument for play on, of course, but at the same time my eyes don't see this situation as 100% worthy of an OFR.
      I can also add, Guida expected that something could happen there and he was focused, see how he made an effort to follow the counterattack, then after that he had something like a small hesitation and he didn't whistle. I think that he assessed a quite fair challenge on the ball, this should be explanation.
      Drawing conclusions, my opinion of course: I think that he can officiate regularly in Champions League, but so far, a progress is difficult to expect, maybe this was just a confirmation of that!

      Delete
    4. David - the touch on the ball is negligible, and it remains remains in the attacker's reach/possession, before there is a careless foul contact. So (penalty and) intervention is correct IMO.

      I understand why Di Bello ordered Guida to stop the game with Leipzig on a promising attack, but we aren't talking Aguilar in SWEKOR level of obvious-ness, so perhaps I would have managed it differently and waited until the play was actually dead.

      Delete
  30. Some news about the next FIFA seminars:
    https://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/psl/top-sa-female-referee-akhona-makalima-earmarked-for-fifa-womens-world-cup-duty-17fd009d-76d1-4058-92a2-c48bb627e940

    ReplyDelete
  31. Appointment today from KSA:

    Al Nassr vs. Al Ettifaq (5pm CET) || István Kovács - Vasile Florin Marinescu, Mihai Ovidiu Artene - Bandar Al-Qahtani -- [Hugo Miguel, Saad Al-Subaiee]

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kovács awarded a penalty (handling) which decided the game; IMO correctly - the Al-Nassr player had a long time to see the ball before controlling it with his arm.

      Clip: https://youtu.be/bgrYTdNeDic?t=335

      Delete
    2. Hard to say but I think the ball touched the defender's hand and changed direction

      Delete
    3. For me, the arm is in a natural position when trying to head the ball. So no offence for me.

      Delete
    4. For me not deliberate - the intention of the defender was to play the ball with the head, not with the arm.
      And I would also say, it's a natural position - part of the jumping movement (like e.g. for the opponent behind him).

      Delete
  32. Straight RC by Taylor after VAR intervention. I support his decision. The intensity was very high.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Crystal clear SFP. Lots of potential RC incidents in this game, will cut clips at fulltime.

      Delete
    2. Taylor really needs to get that RC live. That's arguably a 10 on the UEFA scale.

      Delete
    3. Quite a shame that Taylor needed VAR for this, but it's a bigger shame that VAR didn't intervene for a RC to Ronaldo just before half time.

      Delete
  33. Good performance by Sánchez Martínez in Clásico. Not the most difficult game, but very few will talk about refereeing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree from what I have seen. What was your take on the potential penalty to real in minute 22'?
      Link: https://streamable.com/rl4m87

      Delete
    2. The players know him now so they don't commit unnecessary fouls. Had it been a new referee the game would have been much different.

      Delete
  34. Potential red card incidents during today's Manchester United vs. Liverpool match in the PL, all concerning players from the home team. Referee was Anthony Taylor [VAR: Attwell].

    +46' - Ronaldo (VC?)
    https://streamable.com/24hmgf

    +48' - Fred (SFP?)
    https://streamable.com/7wns0y

    46' - Fernandes (SFP?)
    https://streamable.com/3fh6c9

    54' - Maguire (DOGSO?)
    https://streamable.com/qlz2g0

    59' - Pogba (SFP)
    https://streamable.com/02zpc9

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fred and Fernandes definitely no. Ronaldo and esp Maguire yeah, could have been reds.

      Delete
    2. Thank you for the clips Mikael.
      46' Should be a RC for Ronaldo, I'm not sure if VAR should intervene tough, probably yes.
      48' RC would be wrong and VAR should intervene if RC is given IMO
      54' Very interesting situation. It reminds me of Vestegaard vs. Vardy RC (in may '21) that was rescinded later, where if you give a foul you should also give a RC. But it just looks harsh because the player does get a touch on the ball.
      I can't see how this is not DOGSO, more than the situation I mentioned above.
      59' Good intervention by VAR Attwell IMO

      Delete
    3. Pogba is a RC, Ronaldo had to be one too

      Delete
    4. IMO
      +46': It looks like the last kick is based on frustration and not with the intention to play on, i.e. VC. But not clear and obvious
      +48': YC correct, because it is upward movement and not much contact
      46': More RC (straight leg, point of contact) than YC, but probably not clear and obvious
      54': Without the foul, the attacker should have a very good scoring opportunity, i.e. DOGSO - borderline regarding VAR intervention
      59': Correct RC

      Delete
    5. For me:

      +46' - actually a (clear) VC, but big-picture refereeing / event management dictate for a caution only; at 0-4 and the game dead, I don't really see toooo much problem here

      +48' - reckless

      46' - reckless at most, Jones put his leg across was would have been a fair tackle on the ball and the contact wasn't dangerous

      54' - more DOGSO, but these incidents where a foul is given (correctly) but the ball is played are quite tricky IMO... so yellow is okay for me

      59' - SFP; Taylor relies too much on VAR (in PGMOL games)

      Delete
  35. Your opinions about pk for Juventus after OFR?

    I have to say that I am not convinced at all, the contact seems rather light and after attacker played the ball, both had legs high. Supportable, but I dont see it as clear and obvious mistake and maybe even prefer play on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One player shoots the ball, one player shoots the leg. Clear foul.

      Delete
    2. I completely agree with Forlan. Slight touch, live it looks like nothing. Of course, with super slow motion everything looks much worse. Was that really clear and obvious mistake from a referee? Interventions from Italian VARs just went too far.

      Delete
    3. First I also thought it is soft, but one replay showed the contact very well. So I support the VAR intervention.

      Delete
    4. Clip: https://send.cm/d/5al0

      I basically agree with Forlan, with perhaps an even stronger view. Attacker does well to beat the defender to the ball, successfully plays it, before being lightly kicked by his opponent and fall by his own accord.

      Mariani assessed it live exactly like that, he goes to whistle because he detects the contact, but decides (correctly) that the attacker exaggerates it too much.

      Crucially - this little contact was totally abstract, it had no relevance to anything, the ball was already kicked and it must have been 0% painful for the attacker. So I strongly prefer go on.

      HOWEVER - it is important to remember that we are in Italy, not GER/ENG. Everyone can see this contact, so to NOT intervene would be more controversial for Guida ("is VAR blind?!?"), and at the OFR, to not give a penalty would be more controversial for Mariani, so he 'has' to give it.

      A penalty for our VAR era :/

      Delete
    5. I can add, today appointments for next round have been revealed and we will have Guida again VAR in Lazio - Fiorentina, a very important game, a step below a big match, so this should be confirmation that Rocchi assessed as correct the VAR intervention made by him yesterday.

      Delete
    6. While I get what you (Forlan and Mikael) try to highlight, I think the kick is simply too strong/obvious to be ignored. I'm sure that most of people expect penalty in such scenario and would say exactly what Mikael wrote above ("is VAR blind?!?!") in case of no intervention.

      Delete
  36. Also in Atletico M. - Real Sociedad pk after OFR. Commentators on TV commented that live it looks like nothing, even on replays. However in slow motion, clear pk. I tend to agree with a pk decision more than in Inter-Juve because of the position of defender's leg, but there is IMO reasonable doubt if this is clear and obvious, because the intensity doesnt seem high at all. Always when you need to look slow motion (except if it is the question inside/outside the box and body/arm), there is a discussion.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Dear all, do you know when the new appointments (for match days 5 abd 6) for CL, EL and Conference leage will be made by the Referee Committe of UEFA?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As always, 48 hours before the game. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday for the games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

      Delete
  38. I know in some countries referees are punished more if they do a mistake against a certain club because of their (political) power - for example Olympiacos in Greece, Rapid Vienna in Austria, Real Madrid in Spain, Hajduk in Croatia (and Dinamo before that), FCSB / Steaua in Romania, Red Star in Serbia, etc. Is it the same with Juventus in Italy?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your statement about Olympiakos is not valid anymore. That was the case until 2017. After the HFF elections on August 2018, there is a change on the HFF board members. These days 7 of them belong to AEK and 4 belong to PAOK.

      Delete
  39. What happened at Napoli-AS Roma? Massa eliminated Mourinho in 80' and after the game Spaletti too. But Napoli's coach said he just congratulated Massa fo his prestation but the referee understood this as ironically; even if it was not the case.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Spalletti made an applause to Massa saying "Bravo, bravo...".
      According to Massa, this was ironical and offensive, his perception. However, nowadays applause is punished by YC.

      Delete
    2. I haven't seen the situation, but it is well possible that Spaletti tried to get himself out by saying it was genuine. When do we ever see coaches applauding referees after the game? If they liked the performance, there are better ways to do it, which can not be misunderstood.

      Delete
  40. J.league posted the VAR audio.

    They using 2D offside lines, so this video is new and exciting. Let's find a difference between 3D lines and 2D lines.
    https://twitter.com/sato_fanaccount/status/1452632123915976706?s=21

    ReplyDelete

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