Wednesday, 3 November 2021

Champions League 2021/22 - Referee Appointments - Matchday 4 (II)

2021-22 UEFA Champions League group stage Matchday 4, referee appointments for Wednesday's games.

3 November 2021

18:45 CET - Milan (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)
AC Milan (ITA) - FC Porto (POR) | Group B
Referee: Clément Turpin (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Cyril Gringore (FRA) 
Fourth Official: Jérôme Brisard (FRA)
Video Assistant Referee: François Letexier (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert (GER) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Karen Nalbandyan (ARM)
UEFA Delegate: Per Eliasson (SWE) 

18:45 CET - Madrid (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu) 
Real Madrid CF (ESP) - FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) | Group D
Referee: Benoît Bastien (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Aurélien Berthomieu (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pages (FRA)
Fourth Official: Jérémie Pignard (FRA)
Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sascha Stegemann (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Roberto Rosetti (ITA) 
UEFA Delegate: Edgars Pukinsks (LVA)

21:00 CET - Manchester (City of Manchester Stadium)
Manchester City FC (ENG) - Club Brugge (BEL) | Group A
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Pau Cebrián Devís (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Díaz Pérez del Palomar (ESP)
Fourth Official: Santiago Jaime Latre (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Francesco Bianchi (SUI)
UEFA Delegate: Neil Morrow (NIR) 

21:00 CET - Leipzig (RB Arena) 
RB Leipzig (GER) - Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) | Group A
Referee: Andreas Ekberg (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Mehmet Culum (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan Hallberg (SWE)
Fourth Official: Fredrik Klitte (SWE)
Video Assistant Referee: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marco Guida (ITA) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Leslie Irvine (NIR)
UEFA Delegate: Peter Lundström (FIN)

21:00 CET - Liverpool (Anfield)
Liverpool FC (ENG) - Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP) | Group B
Referee: Danny Makkelie (NED) 
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries (NED)
Fourth Official: Dennis Higler (NED)
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel (NED) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jochem Kamphuis (NED)
UEFA Referee Observer: Bertrand Layec (FRA) 
UEFA Delegate: David McDowell Zor (SVN)

21:00 CET - Lisbon (Estádio José Alvalade)
Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR) - Beşiktaş JK (TUR) | Group C
Referee: Sergei Karasev (RUS)
Assistant Referee 1: Igor Demeshko (RUS) 
Assistant Referee 2: Maksim Gavrilin (RUS) 
Fourth Official: Kirill Levnikov (RUS)
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bartosz Frankowski (POL) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Frank De Bleeckere (BEL)
UEFA Delegate: Paul Zaharia (ROU)

21:00 CET - Dortmund (BVB Stadion)
Borussia Dortmund (GER) - AFC Ajax (NED) | Group C
Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Simon Peter Bennett (ENG) 
Fourth Official: Darren England (ENG)
Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Attwell (ENG)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
UEFA Referee Observer:  Tomasz Mikulski (POL)
UEFA Delegate: Steen Michael Dahrup (DEN)

21:00 CET -  Tiraspol (Sheriff Stadion)
FC Sheriff Tiraspol (MDA) - FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) | Group D
Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER) 
Assistant Referee 1: Rafael Foltyn (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Achmüller (GER)
Fourth Official: Sven Jablonski (GER)
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Harm Osmers (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Lucílio Cardoso Cortez Batista (POR)
UEFA Delegate: Mark Blackbourne (ENG)                  

197 comments:

  1. Interesting set of appointments. Big game for Turpin. Makkeille returns for another Liverpool v Athletico clash at Anfield. He was exceptional last time, and perhaps his first big european clash since euro so hopefully we see a repeat.
    Good games for Oliver who has a third appointment already, and Ekberg.
    Lahoz for a game which would appear to be one sided though on table standings could be important.

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  2. Big names of observers this time: Bianchi, De Bleeckere and of course Rosetti. I don`t know how to interpret this for Bastien though. A swap with Letexier eventually could be possible in summer earliest in my vision.
    Still no game for Cakir after the controverse from Milano :(
    PS: Why you chosed to use Zwayer`s photo on Facebook post? I think it`s the appointment that we will talk the least :D

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    Replies
    1. Why would Mateu have a big name as observer? Is he still competing for something (like a WC spot)?

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    2. I don`t know, this is a delicate topic. Carlos Del Cerro Grande is preselected for a long time even if Mateu Lahoz would deserve more to be in Qatar. And two referees from the same country wouldn`t be fair imo.

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    3. Wow, that sounds so unlogical. I think we all agree that every ref should earn his/her WC spot? This should never be something garanteed, to keep refs focused (and hungry) during this season. And Spain should send their best ref.

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  3. Bastien to be observed by Rosetti, I think the Frenchman is in potentially serious problems regarding his Elite status (beside other names in the highest category) with his compatriot Letexier being convincing in his last appearances.
    Good matches for Turpin, Makkelie and Oliver who get the top clashes in Milan, Liverpool and Dortmund.
    Rather normal appointments for Zwayer, Karasev (and probably Lahoz) with not so sonorous but potentially hot matches.
    Leipzig - Paris is quite a good assignment for Ekberg, but I would like to highlight Guida as AVAR for that match after his last matchday's appointment for that duel.

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  4. Ivan Kružliak dgradacion?

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  5. This is really bad for Tobias Steiler who cannot even get a very not so important game, 4 match days into the competition… No second game for Taylor yet as well as Carlos del Cerro after his below par performance between City and PSG. Cakir is also out after his penalty award and Antonio Mateu hasn’t gotten a top game since the Euros.

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  6. Any idea why Anthony Taylor and Carlos DCG didn't get a second game?

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    Replies
    1. Ivan Kružliak 0 games!

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    2. Carlos DCG did get a second appointment in the Europa league, why he might have not gotten in CL since is probably because he wasn’t so good in his first match in UCL this season where he missed a clear Red card. For Anthony Taylor, only the committee knows💁‍♂️ While for Ivan Kruzliak, he did have some issues with his national referee committee and was out for a while but to be fair he had a huge game in WC qualifiers between Denmark vs Austria and also a good Europa league game but to get UCL it might be a while.

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    3. It will interest you to know that Spain has 5 teams in this years UCL and that implies that only 3 groups would not contain Spanish teams and in turn only those 3 groups available for Spanish referees to officiate but well Alejandro Hernandez will be the 5th Spanish referee to officiate in this season’s UCL… it all means that there is really no excuse for any lack of appointments, if the committee wants to appoint you they will definitely do and they find a way Lol because the management of the Spanish referees has been efficient to say the least. And Hdz Hdz debut coming so quick probably implies that Jose Sanchez wasn’t so convincing.

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    4. Good point about the amount of Spanish teams. Didn't realize it were 5(!). I would add that, for me, it is not very clear who are the numbers 1-2-3, therefore it makes sense that all refs are tried out on CL level.

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  7. "I have been a fan of Sporting since my childhood", - Melo Pereira, current Head of the Referees Department in the Russian Football Union, boss of Sergey Karasev.

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    Replies
    1. This is the extract from his September interview. De Bleeckere is the member of the RFU referee experts commission.

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  8. https://www.sport-express.ru/football/champions-league/news/karasev-naznachen-na-match-lyubimoy-komandy-ego-rukovoditelya-kak-tak-poluchilos-1852495/

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  9. Very important observation for Bastien, I think that Rosetti wants to understand if he can still rely on the French, after a quite long time of below standard performances. Basically I think there wouldn't be a need of demotion, because France can surely keep even three Elite referees, in case, so I think the observation can be read as something positive. We will see how he will officiate the game in Madrid.
    About the rest, many names for previous rounds, Mateu Lahoz gets something similar to Brych, a game in which a Category 1 was expected. This can be for several reasons, there are groups in which Spanish referees are not allowed and maybe there wasn't a different choice, looking also at MD5 and 6 in which I think both Brych and Mateu will get important and big gamers. Zwayer back with an Italian team, quite good game for him, still an expected win by Italian side but this can be maybe more difficult than the game in Milan handled by Makkelie. The latter is back in a top clash, with Liverpool - Atlético extremely hot, Spanish side needs to make points, many controversies after Siebert officiating two weeks ago.
    Most of these referees will very likely get at leat 4 games in GS.
    Good assignments for Karasev and Oliver in an open group, the same for Ekberg, after Guida another Category 1 for the German - French clash. Turpin in Milan for Milan - Porto follows the same pattern of Brych in Porto - Milan, big name for the Italian team in the very last chance to hope for a miracle.
    About Kruzliak, I don't think one should now say demotion, I rather expect him in Europa League, or, at worst, in Conference League, let's see tomorrow. But for sure since his promotion he never looked like an Elite referee.

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  10. Replies
    1. Yes agree. Surprise he has not an importent observer.

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  11. Expected appointment for Makkelie at Anfield, he was exceptional in the fixture last time around.

    Lahoz back with a Manchester City game which is good to see, only his second City game after the CL QF in 2018, but I think we can all agree that his performance in the most recent City game was simply amazing.

    Great to see Oliver with another top game. But slightly surprised to see Attwell as his VAR not Kavanagh? I know Kavanagh had a game yesterday (Sunday) but surely enough time for him to still be VAR in Dortmund?

    All round a good set of appointments, best of luck to the officials!

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    Replies
    1. Kavanagh could be in EL, he is also a First Class referee 😃

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    2. I don't agree with you about Kavanagh. His body language is quite controversial. He always look scared. But I agree that he is good referee though. But he still needs time to develop.

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  12. Big game for Andreas Ekberg. Congratulations for him. Another easy game for Felix Zwayer, who won't be able to step into the shoes of Felix Brych and succeeding him as German N1, IMO.

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    1. Maybe Sheriff - Inter is not that big game, but important for the group and still with an Italian team, so we know how much committee is worried about that. I think overall Zwayer is in a good form at moment and he recovered from the extremely difficult period that eliminated him from all big tournaments, but still, it seems as main focus is fully on Siebert and the latter will be Germany candidate for WC 2022.
      Stieler in an even worse situation, without any CL game since the famous Atalanta - Real Madrid...

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    2. I can't follow your analysis:
      Ekberg will handle RB Leipzig (that will remain fourth in this group) - Paris Saint-Germain (that will remain in the upper half of this group) - for me not really a "big game".
      Zwayer will handle FC Sheriff Tiraspol - FC Internazionale Milano. Both teams are separated by just two points. Should the Moldovans (and Real) win, the Italians might already struggle. In any other case, this group will remain fully open - for me not really an "easy game".

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  13. Pourquoi Benoît Bastien a eu du changement des assistants ???

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    Replies
    1. Seems to be no UEFA matter. Zakrani is also out in his home country France and Pages assisted Bastien at Olympique de Marseille - Paris Saint-Germain last week. Probably an injury or some other kind of illness.

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    2. Zakrani seems injured and Frédéric Haquette not FIFA listed now. Aurélien Berthomieu replaces him on Bastien’s team.

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  14. Important appointment for top referee Michael Oliver who is a candidate for the 2022 world cup, am so surprised why Kavanagh is not his VAR team... Good to see Lahoz back in action.

    Kavanagh is at low level this season, his start is so shocking.

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  15. OT:
    Mourinho "slams" Italian refs on Instagram with the picture of players entering the box when his player was shooting PK vs Juventus.
    They missed the penalty but penalty was not retaken, and as comparison he used yesterday's retaken penalty from Juventus, where he thinks is very similar player movement.

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    1. Mourinho in this case is not wrong.
      It was a clear mistake by VAR PRO (Professional VAR) Luigi Nasca, without any explanation, the penalty had to be repeated because the player who entered the penalty area before the execution, then saved ball after the missed penalty.
      A few days ago in serie B in a 100% similar situation another VAR (guess who?) correctly informed referee and a penalty was retaken for exactly this reason.
      It was reported that Rocchi urged his VARs to pay more attention to that, but to be honest I can't believe that a VAR can miss such infringement, when on a penalty you have just to check all about that... objective mistake.

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  16. What a terrible penalty awarded in youth league against Red Star. Clear simulation !!

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    1. Is there a video available?

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    2. Here it is
      https://www.instagram.com/tv/CV0l9xsIwxq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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    3. https://www.newsit.gr/athlitika/diaititis-fotias-tha-eprepe-na-ntrepetai-grafoun-oi-servoi-gia-to-penalti-pou-edose/3400151/

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    4. Yes this is a big mistake

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  17. I think that should ve been a penalty for Shahtar

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    1. I agree with you. Im ok with no VAR interventiom but it should have been penalty

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  18. Not the best half for Bastien for sure. Is he afraid to give free kicks against Madrid and YC to Madrid players?

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    1. This is absolutely not true!!! He manage the game superbly with strong warnings and eventually issued the first yellow card when it was mandatory surprise surprise to a Madrid player… but he did miss a clear yellow card to a Donetsk player.

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    2. At least 2 dangerous free kicks missed for Shahtar and 2 YC to Madrid players in the first half. Ans a penalty of course. I don't suspect him of bias but really every 50/50 ball and and even 30/70 he gave to Madrid. Very strange.

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  19. According to former serie A referee Gianpaolo Calvarese, talking in this video, the 0-1 by Porto was irregular.

    Italian focus on the incident:
    https://streamable.com/h41nrp

    The goal in live sequence:
    https://streamff.com/v/fb085d

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    Replies
    1. He said that VAR couldn't intervene (correct), but clear mistake by Turpin according to him.

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    2. Its very difficult to spot for Turpin imo

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    3. Why couldn’t VAR intervene? If the Trip was clear then he should, it’s possible to be seen live so that’s why VAR should purposely intervene except they missed it as well

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    4. Chiagozie, you can see that a VAR intervention for a "normal" foul before a goal is something very rare. It must be something very, very evident, in case VAR had called Turpin to an OFR for this situation, would have been very discussed, Rosetti doesn't want that. That's why this situation can be described as "pitch stuff" as Calvarese said, the call must be made by referee....

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    5. I'm not agree with Calvarese. It's a clear tripping. Var should intervene for an ofr.
      What if this situation will be inside penalty area and milan player is an attacker still it's not penalty and ofr?

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  20. Top 2 French referees officiating at the same time in Turpin and Bastien.. The Later allows a lot of physical game and contacts while the former actually plays a very safe game by blowing almost every contact and it works for him but as a neutral I really don’t like matches like that…

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  21. I wouldn't go that far but agree not the best Bastien's match. He gave Madrid everything even the clearest fouls were not whistled in favour of Shahtar.

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  22. Ekberg shows yellow card for Danilo and decided to penalty for Leipzig.

    Possible Red Card for Danilo?

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    Replies
    1. https://streamja.com/nXGkB

      Indeed RC for DOGSO (not a genuine attempt to play ball) more appropriate than YC for SPA, but I notice that this kind of intervention is very rare because you can find always some arguments in favor of SPA. Even more Irrati, he acts exactly in this way in serie A as VAR as well.

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    2. In my opinion he judged the situation well.

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    3. IMO, the leg contact is the decisive one and therefore it can be seen as genuine attempt to play the ball.

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  23. Excellent YC by Makkelie to Sane at about 15' for simulation. Contact on back of Sane's leg, but he went down a second or two later after taking a step or two without any problems, which was very hard to see in real time. More YCs for simulation should be given so there are some consequences for it.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, I was not sure if it was for simulation or dissent. The simulation was clear but it was in the middle of the field, so it is pretty unusual booking a player in this situation.

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  24. Replies
    1. Long VAR check. For me too harsh

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    2. Never, never, never red card. No fault.

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  25. Makkelie missed YC for Koke for foul on Mane (28’).

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    1. Now missed clear foul again on Mane snd had some talk to him, something like warning. Two mistakes from Makkelie in few minutes provoking reaction from crowd.

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    2. Not sure about YC, it's supportable though, but a clear foul missed on Mane right in front of the AR (31')

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    3. And now gave RC for foul on Mane. Makkelie simply allowed too many harsh fouls on Mane and this is product of that. Lot of protests and several YCs in next minutes for Atlético players.

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  26. Red card for Dortmund and a long VAR-check. In the end, the red card stood. I think to be honest, that a yellow card could have been enough. Maybe not VAR-stuff, but for me a red card is really a bit too much.

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    Replies
    1. I don't see any reason why red should by justified.
      No direct contact, force rather low.

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  27. Red card by Oliver, this will be hugely discussed! The player sent off for his challenge was stepped on his leg by opponent!

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    Replies
    1. No problem to misjudge that live, but again (!) Attwell acts clearly wrong IMO. Classic case of "clear and obvious mistake".

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    2. If the Ajax player hadn't gone down as if he was badly injured, would the red card have been brought out?

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    3. Incredible!

      https://streamable.com/x1jgmb

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    4. A big mistake. Completely agree with Flip

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  28. Soft, at least for "Italian standards", but not wrong penalty by Karasev.

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  29. Wrong Red card by Oliver!!! Why can’t VAR intervene l, it’s clearly wrong. Yes it met the criteria for SFP with the jumping and all but the contact was missing

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    Replies
    1. True ! ✅ For me is not Red card. My opinion

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  30. Now the VAR does intervene for a penalty to Dortmund - also wrong in my opinion. I think VAR should have intervened for the red card, but this penalty given to Dortmund is for me never a penalty...

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    Replies
    1. Was ok for me, I guess Oliver missed the contact on the studs and just saw the contact with the arm.

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    2. Bellingham wird getroffen für mich ein Elfmeter für Leipzig

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  31. Classic case of the var using their english approach rather than the uefa approach

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  32. Now Attwell called an OFR for a penalty, also in this case I think one can discuss, was this a clear penalty? However, less discussions than the red card for sure.

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  33. Oliver totaly lost it. This is a very harsh penalty and never VAR stuff

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  34. Never a Penalty. Ridiculous

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    Replies
    1. lol so you're allowed to clip a players leg just as they are about to shoot?

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  35. Probably the weirdest red card in liverpool

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  36. RC for SFP by Danny Makkelie. Correct IMO.

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    Replies
    1. Never a red card. Difficult minutes for Danny, he is losing control.

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    2. Only saw one replay, but looked more like straight trip than kicking Mane in the back of the legs.

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    3. Looked to me like Makkelie wanted to give a YC, but Felipe was not showing respect by ignoring the multiple whistles from the ref to report to him

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    4. Anonymous, I believe it is Makkelie's decision to give RC and the RC is not related to Felipe reaction

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  37. What is up with Makkelie tonight, I think he thinks he’s still a police officer! 😂

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  38. Straight red shown Makkelie too. SFP

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  39. I think English VARs should have called Oliver for changing that RC decision, too much harsh. Then, add that opponent jumped on him. I don't think this was a RC.

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    Replies
    1. The VAR has many doubts (long check) and compensate this with the penalty

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  40. Big call by Makkelie! Very unexpected to those watching; commentators and fans.

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    Replies
    1. Looked like Makkelie wanted to give a YC, but Felipe was not showing respect by ignoring the multiple whistles from the ref to report to him

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    2. I don't think Felipe's behaviour influenced Makkelie's decision. He would have show 2 YCs in that situation.

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  41. Unacceptable behaviour from players, he's having none of it.

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  42. RC by Makkelie: https://streamwo.com/J8kdbl8
    To be honest, this looks to be an excellent RC decision.
    See the deliberate kick from behind without any intent to play ball.

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    Replies
    1. I disagree, YC for sure, for RC is too harsh and IMO is wrong

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    2. Surely the RC was for the dissent….no way he’d have waited for him to come to him for a red. We’re only debating because of the old fashioned ‘red and yellow wallet’ aren’t we!!

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    3. Hahahahahahahahahaha

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    4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    5. IMO, technically the Red Card is simply excellent; the ATM player violently kicks the opponent, quite similar to Siebert's RC in EURO (Wales - Denmark).. These offences are not so much about the contact itself but about the violent character of the kick in the leg.

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    6. We can't know, however if the card was for the foul, I really praise it. It can be even violent conduct.

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    7. The deliberate kick (if it exists) would not be enough for SFP in my opinion - this looks more like a standard SPA.
      Unless it was a stamp on the heel - which was not clear from the pictures.
      Just now (44:45), there was a better replay: The contact was at the heel, but the intensity was not high, so I am not sure, that qualifies as a stamp.

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    8. I think Chefren is right because it looks like the Atletico player tries to hook Sane's foot but misses and then kicks him with his studs on the back of the ankle. Not overly harsh contact but still studs to back of ankle so potentially dangerous.

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    9. The slow motion at about 27 seconds into the replay is best view.

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    10. Yes now I watched this replay as well, contact upper than foot, not high intensity but still, I think Makkelie gave RC for that.

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    11. I agree with Chefren, if the RC is given for this kick (and not dissent) it is an excellent decision.

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    12. I believe the RC is for the foul itself and not related to dissent. If it is for the dissent, 2YCs will be shown rather than a straight RC

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    13. Guided by the RAP program, this is for 8 - orange card.

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    14. For me the RC for SFP is totally correct.

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    15. IMO excellent decision by Makkelie

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  43. I very much doubt the red card was for SFP, and from the replay just shown it doesn’t seem like he does anything to Makkelie except ignore him. So a direct red card absolutely baffles me to be honest.

    Everything else has been fine by him except this.

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  44. Bad performance from Makkelie in first half. Many problems and mistakes, somewhere after 25’ he lost control. RC was harsh, but I think he was nervous because of 2 things: 1. he made 2 mistakes few minutes before for fouls on Mane and 2. he was calling Felipe several times to give him a card, Felipe didn’t show any respect and it looked like Makkelie was provoked and showed RC. There was one replay before the end of the half the showed whole situation.

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    Replies
    1. You mention he lost control, but it’s the overuse of cards that has made him lose control in my opinion. He hasn’t tried to manage the situations whatsoever.

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    2. Again, I say the RC is for SFP. Otherwise he would have shown 2 YCs. I really doubt Felipe's behaviour changed his decision.

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  45. I don’t think Attwell is doing Oliver any favours being his VAR, I must say.

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  46. Fantastic decision by Makkelie, but he should have shown one yellow for the foul and then another for lack of respect for the game.

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  47. I said in the Euros Makkelie is not a top referee and everyone had a go at me. He is terrible, and let’s not start on Michael Oliver.... what an awful red card decision. Not learning from the incorrect red he gave at the Euros to Switzerland and falling for the exaggerated reaction from the player fouled again

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    Replies
    1. Makkelie is a top referee, Oliver’s red card at the Euros was correct.

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    2. You don’t have to tell me 4 times, and no it wasn’t, but it was a more understandable call than the one today

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  48. Not convinced at all by Oliver this evening. He doesn't let the game flow, a lot of soft fouls in het beginning. It doesn't help either that VAR Attwell made two mistakes. UEFA won't like his performance..

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  49. @Chefren, do UEFA issue official confirmation why the RC was issued?

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    Replies
    1. UEFA site says for the challenge on Mané (Liverpool).

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  50. Peter Walton agreed with Makkelie's RC but commentator thinks it was borderline and then when Atletico player didn't come over, Makkelie decided on RC.

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  51. Someone has a video of Oliver´s red card? Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. This is the OFR for the penalty https://streamja.com/LVXwO

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    2. Awarding a spotkick here is the much better call for me, player is tripped from behind, defender has no chance to reach the ball and the attacker is not creating the contact.
      But the way he falls down.. I have doubts re. the VAR intervention. In the end, I think it's Attwell's second mistake tonight, but definetly not as bad as the RC incident.

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    3. I have many doubts, no VAR stuff here for me. Horrible Atwell tonight

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  52. Does anyone have a longer video for the RC at Makkelie?

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    Replies
    1. https://streamwo.com/J8kdbl8
      This is the full sequence, I think enough to understand.
      Typical Makkelie's decision making, waiting for a while and then issuing the card.
      I think there was a misunderstanding by player who thought that referee was about to book him, but there isn't any signal that he deliberately acted against Makkelie and the latter was angry for that. Definitely not.. RC is clearly for the challenge in my opinion.

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    2. For me NEVER a RC, clear YC IMO. Just a "normal" tactical foul so a 2nd YC fir foul and the behaviour wiuld have been perfect. But, by the way, the player begged for a YC even before. Makkeli without any line and control, I never saw him so week.

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    3. A normal tactical foul…… Of course, why not? Let’s stop a counter attack putting studs above the achilles tendon on the calf! Shameful comment….

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  53. Red Card given by Oliver in BVB-AJA is ver y clearly wrong IMO, Attwell should have intervened here.
    https://streamable.com/tc50sf

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    1. Well, rewatching it even worse decision than what I had perceived before. Borussia player is already trying his tackle when the opponent is coming, then the latter jumps on him... how to back such decision?

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    2. I'm still a bit shocked that the VAR didn't intervene. I think we won't find any reasons for that.

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    3. I was missing the first 60 minutes, thanks for the video. Wow, you can even doubt whether it was a foul by Hummels. Never a RC, not even a YC. I don't find any reasons to back Oliver. This is very, very surprising.

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    4. From Oliver's perspective I understand his decision, but this is a really classical case for a mandatory VAR intervention!!!

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    5. Andrasch: exactly my point. Mandatory intervention. Very very bad Atwell, unacceptable

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  54. 2 VAR corrections for offside in Liverpool - one for each AR. Tight situations. In the second situation, I'm not sure the attacker's offside line was drawn on the player that got the ball, the picture wasn't shown for a very long time.

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  55. Makkelie certainly not with his best performance tonight.

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  56. Neymar us lucky that he wasn‘t sent off now. After his YC he first applauded ironically then went on discussing just to give very ironic thumbs up in the end towards Ekberg again.

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    1. Yes I agree! First the applause, then the 'thumbs up' sign. Both for multiple seconds.
      Quite a clear YC for me.

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  57. Missed 2nd YC for Neymar by Ekberg because clap after yellow card.

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  58. https://i.postimg.cc/G2w54wHh/B.jpg
    Trying a short analysis on Oliver red card for SFP, I think this can be the only reason for which VAR backed him: the player starts his tackle with a "loaded" leg, and this can be dangerous. But... see where opponent is when this happens, it is very difficult to think that the target of this action will be opponent. I think this is not a foul, rather an unlucky circumstance, then I would also add that Oliver had very likely a fully wrong perception, thinking that player had fully hit opponent. The fact that Ajax player looked a bit injured could have played a role in this regard. And to be honest I don't understand why Dutch player did that, it is possible he even simulated.
    When Oliver will rewatch this video he will blame Attwell, I'm sure.
    Should have been carefully checked, too much important decision, too soft.

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    Replies
    1. Clear simulation by Antony. He does this every weekend in Eredivisie. Very dirty and unsportive player

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    2. There is a (big) difference between simulation and making the most of it. But reading your last sentence i think you are not completly objective ..

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    3. Never a Red Card! Really bad night for Oliver.

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  59. Supportable penalty given by Ekberg for Leipzig, but more than doubtful VAR intervention by Irrati. Not a clear mistake to play on.

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    1. Commentators are saying penalty must be given, but I'm incredulous as to why. Please explain. Even if impeding, it would be indirect kick, no?

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    2. Even the German commentator was very surprised about the VAR intervention. And I agree, you can give the foul but was it mandatory?

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  60. OFR in Leipzig now, I think Irrati was right in calling Ekberg.
    The action by PSG player was very dangerous,he charged opponent from behind with a leg on the back, if I watched correctly.
    Not a typical VAR intervention, but justified I think, even more in case of totally missed incident.
    I didn't watch the previous incident mentioned on the blog, but if Neymar applauded Ekberg right in front of him and he saw, should have been a clear second YC.

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    Replies
    1. Justified intervention indeed, the action was dangerous. But how about a second YC for Kimpembe? He stepped with his leg on the back of Leipzig's player.

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    2. Yes in my opinion that was a more than reckless challenge and mostly this was reason for Irrati's call, Ekberg should have booked for sure the player, giving also a strong signal for making people aware about that very important call.

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  61. Looks like Ekberg stuggled in controlling this game, now big tension.

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    1. Yes, missed one or two YC missed for pushing Herrera.

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    2. I‘m quite satisfied with Ekberg. In the end lots YC and quite some tension but managing PSG - as we sadly know - is almost impossible when they receive a late penalty. Their behaviour can‘t be managed better. So, I think Ekberg did well l and I really liked his body language during the hot minutes.

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    3. Extremely poor behaviour by PSG players, indeed.

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  62. Some interesting big decisions tonight, the overall picture was not smooth. In my view, the RC by Makkelie for SFP was correct as the hitting point is clearly above the ankle and the player had no chance to play the ball. However, the RC by Oliver was totally wrong and I cannot understand the no-intervention by Attwell here. Big mistake. In 90', penalty given by Ekberg after OFR for a "challenge" from behind. The result is supportable but the VAR intervention is not justified for me. I hardly doubt that there was a "missed incident" and the challenge was not very clear, I could and would have easily supported the initial decision to play on.

    UEFA cannot be satisfied with the referees work today, big decisions wrongly taken, some struggles in having control of the game. VAR work did not fulfil expections.

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    Replies
    1. And to add that: The OFR leading to a penalty for Dortmund is doubtful too. It is way easier to explain this one than the no-intervention, maybe Oliver missed the contact made by the defender. However, I am not sure if it was a careless challenge, I remember some comparable incidents that were evaluated as "accident" by UEFA.

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    2. 2 out of 8 where UEFA cannot be happy.
      Oliver and especially his VAR are a total disappointment.
      Ekberg, probably not ready for elite at the moment

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  63. Only 1 comment about Karasev's game. He had an important observer. Anybody watched the game?

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    1. Very solid performance. Almost no even minor mistakes

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  64. Well, if a cynical stamp on a heel, when being clearly behind the attacked player and having no chance to play the ball, is only a cautionable offence for people, we could go home. Mandatory RC was rightly shown by Makkelie and in case of only YC VAR intervention would be required.

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    1. I have changed my mind and also think it's a very good red card. Not so much for the 'tripping without having a chance to play the ball' but because of the (unlucky) studs contact on the heel of Mane. The trip itself was not violent at all for me and he made sure that Mane trips himself up. Unluckily for Felipe, the studs landed on Manes achilles. The last replay shown at 45' shows it best IMO. I think different countries see it different. Germany is very strict if the player has no chance to play the ball, England much less I I think.

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  65. Watching the RC in Oliver’s game, I think the RC may have been the ARs decision. Attwell should have intervened.

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  66. As expected, Oliver is quite heavily criticised by German media and Mats Hummels (who is known as a very fair player after the matches, admitting correct decisions against his team).
    - Hummels said: "It was an absurd mistake. I don't know how you can give a RC as a referee at the supposed Champions League level. I said to myself, he has to look at that and then give a yellow card. He [Oliver] decided the game today. I think he knows that."
    Speaking about Antony (the fouled player), Hummels stated: "You can't disregard the acting of my opponent Antony, it's grossly unsporting. It's a farce. He's a great footballer, now he has to become a great sportsman..."

    - Kinhöfer (former FIFA-referee) commented: Depending on how you stand, in real speed it can look like he hits him full on. But the video ref has to see that he slides past and hits him. That's a maximum yellow! I have no explanation why the ref doesn't at least look at it."

    - Sandro Wagner (football player, "expert" at broadcaster): "That's a typical Mats Hummels tackle. He's been doing that for 35 years - although he's not that old. The referee is from England. That's not even a yellow. That's a cheek."

    So, I can imagine that we won't see Oliver in Dortmund again for quite a long time...

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    1. I can also imagine that we won’t see Attwell at this level for quite a while. I’m not sure how much UEFA will blame Oliver, if they think he is very much at fault here as well this should have been his last CL game this season as that was an absurd RC.

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    2. Well, Attwell has another game as VAR tomorrow with Taylor... We will see whether UEFA considers the mistake as too big, so they must replace him.

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    3. Most interestingly: It's a game in Leverkusen, so another game of a German team. I am not sure whether this is a good idea. But I don't think that Attwell will be replaced.

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    4. It would be great if he could be replaced, but I don’t think it is an option for now. He, of course, made a mistake with German advantage as well, but I understand your argument as the other mistake was much more severe and game-deciding. If a replacement is not an option for tomorrow, tomorrow’s game should at least be his last for this group stage.

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    5. As a big fan of Oliver I will say there will be 10 tackles worse than Hummels one today in the Manchester derby this weekend where Oliver will not punish as harshly.

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    6. I will add that I usually like Oliver as well and that I was actually very happy when I saw the appointment but not sure what happened today (yesterday technically)…

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  67. My appointments for UCL MD/5:

    GROUP A

    MANCHESTER CITY - PSG ARTUR SOARES DIAS
    CLUB BRUGGE - LEIPZIG DAVIDE MASSA

    GROUP B

    LIVERPOOL - FC PORTO FELIX ZWAYER
    ATLETICO MADRID - AC MILAN TOBIAS STIELER

    GROUP C

    BESIKTAS - AJAX NIKOLA DABANOVIC
    SPORTING - BORUSSIA DORTMUND DANIELE ORSATO

    GROUP D

    INTER - SHAKHTAR DONETSK CRAIG PAWSON
    SHERIFF - REAL MADRID ANTHONY TAYLOR

    GROUP E

    DYNAMO KYIV - BAYERN ALIYAR AGHAYEV
    BARCELONA - BENFICA CUNEIT ÇAKIR

    GROUP F

    VILLARREAL - MANCHESTER UNITED ANASTASIOS SIDIROPOULOS
    YOUNG BOYS - ATALANTA ALEXEY KULBAKOV

    GROUP G

    SEVILLA - WOLFSBURG SRDJAN JOVANOVIC
    LILLE - SALZBURG OREL GRINFELD

    GROUP H

    CHELSEA - JUVENTUS CARLOS DEL CERRO GRANDE
    MALMÖ - ZENIT DENIZ AYTEKIN

    Apparently, Collum and Kruzliak are still injured.

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    1. My current idea for that
      MANCHESTER CITY - PSG Orsato
      CLUB BRUGGE - LEIPZIG Hategan
      LIVERPOOL - FC PORTO Frankowski
      ATLETICO MADRID - AC MILAN Ekberg
      BESIKTAS - AJAX Guida
      SPORTING - BORUSSIA DORTMUND del Cerro Grande
      INTER - SHAKHTAR DONETSK Soares Dias
      SHERIFF - REAL MADRID Marciniak
      DYNAMO KYIV - BAYERN Meler
      BARCELONA - BENFICA Vincic
      VILLARREAL - MANCHESTER UNITED Siebert
      YOUNG BOYS - ATALANTA Bastien
      SEVILLA - WOLFSBURG Gözübüyük
      LILLE - SALZBURG Karasev
      CHELSEA - JUVENTUS Turpin
      MALMÖ - ZENIT Jovanovic

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    2. Agree with Philipp on pretty much everything apart from Ekberg. Considering how challenging it was for Cakir last time and that the game still has a lot of importance for the final standings I think UEFA will appoint a big name there. Maybe Taylor as Liverpool has already been confirmed as group winners

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    3. Definitely Taylor can't go to Madrid after what happened in Nations League final, with the disallowed goal against Spain and all the criticisms he got for this decision.
      This choice would have satisfied Italian side but in my opinion it is not possible.
      Interesting that all big guns seem to be out for this game, due to the teams involved in the group.
      An extra-ordinary appointment for Slavko Vincic? Without him, the only choice is indeed Taylor (possible appointment because Liverpool already sure of first place)...

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    4. Yes, group B is really difficult, if one wants to follow the normal "rules" with no English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese referees possible and nearly every other big name already used.
      Vincic is an option, but there are similar difficulties for Barcelona-Benfica.
      And indeed I didn't consider the option, that an Englishman might be possible now in the group.
      One also has to consider, that POR-ATL on MD6 might be even more decisive, so one has to find two names for the group.

      Karasev for ATL-MIL might be another option though.

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    5. Right, Karasev, but Italian media would remember the Nations League semifinals! Ah ;)

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  68. The mentioned penalty in Crvena Zvezda - Empoli, Youth League:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JYY5nfEj10
    Minute 05:35 in the video.
    Clear simulation, in my opinion poor decision by Fotias.
    He could have easily spotted the unsporting action by attacker merely looking at this big jump he makes before any contact...

    ReplyDelete
  69. In RB Leipzig - PSG game, when the penalty on 10th minute was taken, Ekberg's AR was positioned on the penalty spot line. Does anybody know, why such things happen?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ARs' usual positioning on a PK is meant to check the GK keeps at least one foot on his line before the shot, and to advise the referee of any sort of infringement.

      But with VAR, the GK encroachments are checked by the VAR (and they can advise the referee if there was an infringement made by the GK when the ball is out of play)

      This AR positioning is simply the standard one when you use VAR in the match: stay at a "normal" place focusing on the play and let VAR check the GK is doing correct.
      I don't remember if this is an instruction of UEFA or a statement written in the LoTG.

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  70. Things seem to become even worse now after his controversial (to say it kindly) sending-off in BVB-AJA yesterday:

    https://www.kicker.de/bvb-prueft-einspruch-gegen-hummels-rot-das-hat-mit-respekt-nichts-zu-tun-877536/artikel
    -> Borussia Dortmund is considering an appeal against the red card for its head of defence Mats Hummels in the clash with Ajax Amsterdam. "That was a more than obvious and clearly provable wrong decision. It ruined our game and decided the match," sporting director Michael Zorc told the SID on Thursday. He announced "contact with UEFA".

    "UEFA promotes respect, but this has nothing to do with respect. Oliver is standing ten metres from the screen, he has to watch that. Mats Hummels misses Antony by 40 centimetres, he even gets on his foot.", Zorc said.
    BVB is currently examining the incident with its legal advisor.

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    1. I think that Attwell will face a very long suspension as VAR, but more generally I'm in trouble to give trust to all English VAR, they work in a too different way in Premier League.
      Remember also the missed penalty by Taylor in Sweden - Spain, reported by Rosetti in an interview as very clear mistake from VAR as well...
      We will see how things will turn, now Kavanagh can become again English VAR for both Elite referees. But.. will this solve the problem?

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    2. I don't think an appeal has any chance, as it still is a subjective decision (and we are not in the Premier League...)

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