UEFA Referees Committee has announced the new categories for the second part of 2021-22 season. Several referees have joined the Elite Status
New Elite referees (no demotions from this category):
François Letexier, France 1989
Daniel Siebert, Germany 1984
Davide Massa, Italy 1981
Serdar Gozubuyuk, Netherlands 1985
Srdan Jovanović, Serbia 1986Sandro Schaerer, Switzerland 1988
José Maria Sanchez Martinez, Spain, 1983
Halil Umut Meler, Turkey 1986
ELITE
Kuĺbakoŭ, Oliver, Taylor, Bastien, Letexier, Turpin, Aytekin, Siebert, Stieler, Zwayer, Sidirópoulos, Grinfeld, Massa, Orsato, Gözübüyük, Makkelie, Marciniak, Soares Dias, Hațegan, Kovacs, Karasyov, Collum, Jovanović, Kružliak, Vinčič, del Cerro Grande, Gil Manzano, Mateu Lahoz, Sánchez Martínez, Schärer, Çakır, Meler
FIRST
Jorgji, Lechner, Schüttengruber, Weinberger, Ağayev, Lambrechts, Visser, Peljto, Kabakov, Bebek, Jović, Strukan, Kehlet, Kavanagh, Pawson, Tohver, Gestranius, Brisard, Buquet, Kruashvili, Osmers, Stegemann, Bognár, Vad, Reinshreiber, Di Bello, Guida, Mariani, Treimanis, Rumšas, Dabanović, Stavrev, Eskås, Frankowski, Raczkowski, Stefański, Veríssimo, Martins, Pinheiro, Feșnic, Petrescu, Ivanov, Beaton, Madden, Walsh, Glova, Jug, Obrenovič, de Burgos Bengoetxea, Hernández Hernández, Al-Hakim, Ekberg, Nyberg, Palabıyık, Aranovs'kyy, Boyko
SECOND
Hamiti, Xhaja, Teixeira, Ghaltakhchyan, Hovhannisyan, Nalbandyan, Altmann, Ciochirca, Gishamer, Jäger, Cabbarov, Məsiyev, Dzmitryjeŭ, Kourgheli, Šymusik, Boucaut, Laforge, Lardot, Van Driessche, Verboomen, Bilbija, Kaljanac, Chinkov, Davidov, Draganov, Popov, Stoyanov, Bel, Pajač, Zebec, Dimitríou, Neokléous, Sotiríou, Theoulí, Berka, Klíma, Machálek, Orel, Pechanec, Petřík, Burchardt, Kjærsgaard, Kristoffersen, Krogh, Putros, Sundberg, Attwell, Bankes, Coote, England, Madley, Tierney, Frischer, Jaanovits, á Høvdanum, Troleis, Al-Emara, Hämäläinen, Hyytiä, Munukka, Viljanen, Abed, Delajod, Millot, Pignard, Kikacheishvili, Kvirikashvili, Dankert, Dingert, Jablonski, Schlager, Barcelo, Diamandópoulos, Fotiás, Koumbarákis, Manoúchos, Papadópoulos, Papapétrou, Berke, Bogár, Farkas, Karakó, Árnason, Jónasson, Kristjánsson, Þórarinsson, Frid, Fuxman, Leibovitz, Levi, Chiffi, Fabbri, Irrati, Maresca, Pairetto, Kýchın, Qarabaev, Saxı, Sarıev, Kastrati, Kasumi, Nuza, Anufrijevs, Spasjonņikovs, Lukjančukas, Valikonis, Durieux, Kopriwa, Sabotic, Barbara, De Gabriele, Farrugia, Farrugia Cann, Banari, Muntean, Orlic, Bošković, Savović, Higler, Kamphuis, Kooij, Lindhout, van der Eijk, Jakimovski, Stojčevski, Davey, Marshall, McNabb, Robinson, Hagenes, Hansen, Kringstad, Moen, Saggi, Steen, Jakubik, Musiał, Sylwestrzak, Miguel Nogueira, Luís Godinho, António Nobre, Gustavo Correia, Vítor Ferreira, Doyle, Harvey, Hennessy, McLaughlin, Barbu, Bîrsan, Chivulete, Bezborodov, Kukulyak, Levnikov, Matyunin, Meshkov, Moskalyov, Zani, Clancy, Munro, Robertson, Lukić, Milanović, Minaković, Simović, Dohál, Kráľovič, Očenáš, Kajtazovič, Šmajc, Cuadra Fernández, Martínez Munuera, Munuera Montero, Soto Grado, Karlsson, Ladebäck, Pandzic, Sjöberg, Cibelli, Dudic, Fähndrich, San, Schnyder, Tschudi, Bitigen, Kardeşler, Küçük, Uğurlu, Balakin, Derevins'kyy, Kopiyevs'kyy, Romanov, Shurman, Griffith, Jenkins, Owen
PDF documents:
https://docdro.id/54yuSQo
WOMEN:
https://docdro.id/fVNd5oT
FUTSAL:
https://docdro.id/Un068V5
New FIFA referees:
ReplyDeleteChrysovalantis Theouli (CYP)
Tomáš Klíma (CZE)
Jan Machálek (CZE)
Jan Petřík (CZE)
Jakob Alexander Sundberg (DEN)
Darren England (ENG)
Sven Jablonski (GER)
Daniel Schlager (GER)
Stefanos Koumparakis (GRE)
Evangelos Manouchos (GRE)
Daniele Chiffi (ITA)
Luca Pairetto (ITA)
Sayat Karabaev (KAZ)
Bulat Sariev (KAZ)
Miloš Bošković (MNE)
Miloš Savovic (MNE)
Joey Kooij (NED)
Sander van der Eijk (NED)
Damian Sylwestrzak (POL)
Miguel Bértolo Nogueira (POR)
Evgeny Kukulyak (RUS)
Luca Zani (SMR) (not completely sure about this one)
Nenad Minakovic (SRB)
Martin Dohál (SVK)
David Šmajc (SVN)
César Soto Grado (ESP)
Luca Cibelli (SUI)
Alessandro Dudic (SUI)
Zorbay Küçük (TUR)
Oleksiy Derevinskyi (UKR)
Luca Zani is from San Marino, yes, replacing Barbeno.
DeleteOut of the list: Christofí, Rejzek, Ardeleanu, Maae, Schneider, Brych, Fritz, Skoulas, Tzilos, Doveri, Valeri, Atazhanov, Ismuratov, Milacic, Scepanovic, Kuipers, Nijhuis, Gil, Lapochkin, Barbeno, Djordjic, Gemzicky, Skomina, Estrada Fernández, Bieri, Jaccottet, Özkahya, Kozyk.
DeleteChristofí - retirement
DeleteRejzek, Ardeleanu - suspended (match fixing)
Maae - unknown (performance? fitness?)
Schneider - relegated nationally
Brych - retired
Fritz - lack of progress/age
Skoulas, Tzilos - unknown (performance?)
Doveri, Valeri - lack of progress/age
Atazhanov, Ismuratov - unknown
Milacic - unknown (lack of progress? Referee replacing him is same age.)
Scepanovic - national conflict, suspended, removed from list.
Kuipers, Nijhuis - retired
Gil - retired
Lapochkin - suspended nationally
Barbeno - unknown (lack of progress/age?)
Djordjic - language/performance issues (suspended nationally)
Gemzicky - language issues
Skomina - retired
Estrada - retired
Bieri, Jaccottet - lack of progress/age
Özkahya - lack of progress/age
Kozyk - unknown (lack of progress/age?)
Accoding to what I could observe in the years, regarding Barbeno and the Sammarinese spot, every two or three years there is a change, this is not strictly based on performances / assessments and perspective, they have just only one spot and they want to use it in this way.
DeleteThat's why it will be impossible to see a trio from this country at very high level, there isn't, at least for now, any chance to consider a referee as confirmed in the FIFA list for more than a few years.
Miroslav Zelinka is out of the list too (probably no perspective for the future, replaced by younger Czech referee).
DeleteBarbeno has been on the FIFA list for 5 years, AR Lunardon 7 years I believe he will be replaced too. In these years I have seen some games of them of UEC and EUL and the level was good IMO, sin.
DeleteAbout Atazhanov and Ismuratov - Atazhanov is removed for lack of progress and Ismuratov for this: https://vesti.kz/kazfutbol/chto-skajet-etom-federatsiya-poyavilos-video-intsidenta-293077/
DeleteKozyk is removed for lack of progress
Kukuyan is removed for language
Özkahya - retired
DeleteOndřej Pechanec - retired. Very surprising decision…
DeleteSo the Czech federation lose one place on the list, or can replace Pechanec additionaly? I don’t know the FIFA rules in this case exactly.
DeleteJovanovic is new elite referee too
ReplyDeleteWell deserved promotion to first for Obrenovic, Lambrechts, Glova and Strukan. Happy for them
ReplyDeleteVery surprised on Darren England being included but well deserved. Brilliant referee.
ReplyDeleteI copy-paste myself from previous post (thanks to Anonymous for correcting)
ReplyDeletePromoted to Elite: Letexier (FRA), Siebert (GER), Massa (ITA), Gozubuyuk (NED), Jovanovic (SRB), Sánchez Martínez (ESP), Schärer (SUI), Meler (TUR)
Promoted to First: Weinberger (AUT), Lambrechts (BEL), Strukan (CRO), Kruashvili (GEO), Osmers (GER), Stegemann (GER), Di Bello (ITA), Eskas (NOR), Pinheiro (POR), Fesnic (ROU), Walsh (SCO), Obrenovic (SVN), De Burgos Bengoetxea (ESP), Al-Hakim (SWE)
Jorgji first Albanian referee at First category i think ?
DeleteWow, I didn't even realize.
DeleteYou forgot about Glova
DeleteWow, did anyone see this coming? Looks like a big change in concept.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all promoted referees!
What about assistants?
ReplyDeleteI think Stieler and Sidiropoulos deserved to be demoted.
ReplyDeleteKulbakou, Kružliak, Ajtekin,Colum,Kovac.
DeleteAnd Grinfeld
DeleteWell, I really astonished by the decision to cancel the third category and to include in the elite so many officials. I guess that in this way the concept of categories doesn't make sense and have completely lost its meaningful. Is it correct to have more than 30 elite and to appoint for top clash only 10 of them ?^
ReplyDeleteIt would make sense somehow, if only the Elite referees was used in CL. Then one would need such a high number. But I assume, there still will be some First Group referees appointed in the next group stage.
DeletePromotions to Elite are no big surprises - once you decide to let 8 referees go up.
ReplyDeleteMaybe worth looking at some candidates, who didn't make it:
Ekberg: Seems to have lost trust after the EURO (e.g. only one CL match)
Guida: Probably lost a tight race against his compatriot Massa
Hernandez: Probably lost a tight race against his compatriot Sanchez
Peljto: Maybe his two CL matches came too late. Could be in the pole position for the next promotion
Frankowski, Visser, Kabakov, Rumsas, Treimanis: Understandable, that they are behind the selected ones, but they probably stay candidates.
Interesting thing with new Cat 1-ref Sascha Stegemann: On the first matchday of the 20/21 season, he had his debut in EL groupstage. After that he didn't get a second EL game in 1.5 years - not even a ECL game this season.
ReplyDeleteSimilar for Ricardo de Burgos.
DeleteMaybe UEFA needed them in Cat 1 so they can use them as VARs in higher level competitions?
DeleteHow many of these referees are really ELIT REFEREE?
ReplyDeleteWithout Jovanovic you’re list seems quite accurate.
DeleteWhy such outbursts of hatred towards Jovanovic, who is better than 70% elite referees!?!?
DeleteNo hatred at all, I didn’t say anything negative about his promotion. But it’s utterly unrealistic to name him (and only him of all new elite refs) in the same list as the others mentioned in the list above. Chauvinistic comment I believe.
DeleteI think 14
ReplyDeleteI could write a long post about promotions to Elite, I try to be short.
ReplyDeleteApart from Siebert, definitely no discussions, I was 99% sure about Jovanovic as second name, and indeed he is there.
Then, the rest of promoted referees were all likely or even expected, so no real surprises inside this "circle".
As Italian, the situation regaring Massa and Guida has been very interesting to follow, at the end it is fair that Massa gets this promotion, for what he has achieved at UEFA level until last season.
Among others, I will always mention Chelsea - Sevilla, an appointment for a Category 1 with a too big reputation to stay only as Category 1 in future, and indeed. But then, the domestic issues for Massa at the beginning of this season, and the suspension. In this period I think that committee used Guida in the games that were planned originally for Massa (if he had been available from the start of the season) and nothing else. So this was a bit deceiving for us, indeed Massa was ahead of Guida and I wrote many times that. In my opinion, Guida is not still at an Elite level, but I would call him a "middle" referee between Category 1 and Elite.
About Umut Meler, I would a bit question only about the timing of promotion, very early and with only a few CL games, if compared to other referees. This argument will be always controversial: not all the promotions seem to be done with the same methodology, that's not a speech against the referees, but we see very often different treatments.
Then, a few words about the big disappointment: Ekberg, with such background, on the road to Elite by years and years, I think this was the end of his hopes, difficult to see him promoted in future.
Very particular after having attended EURO, committee had big expectations on him, for sure. At the same time, now there is a new try for Sweden with Nyberg first and then Al-Hakim. Two final words on Kabakov and Treimanis, at least for now (they can still hope, in my opinion, differently from Ekberg), it is fair that they don't reach Elite. Wouldn't have been deserved.
The promotions to Category 1 are all expected names as well, I'm happy for Kruashvili but his treatment after U21 EURO has been really weird, then I would like to underline Fesnic, as I wrote to Matei14 on the blog, the fact that the game of Tottenham had been annulled didn't matter at all, he was indeed planned for a promotion, being observed by Dallas.
@ Chefren
DeleteThank very much for you explanation, but I have some question and also comments from my side:
Totally agreed about Jovanovic and Siebert.
About Massa and Guida, my opinion that the are equal, but you better knowing situation inside Italy and offcource Italy need second referee in Elite.
But please explain about Umut Meler, how referee, who has debut in UCL only ( not important matches ) in current year, could be promoted in Elite? But another referees should showing their potential in tuff matches. How another referees after this desicion of UEFA committee, can trust to Rossetti? You think this is political decision? By the way before UEFA Rossetti worked in Turkey
The same with Jose Martinez, I undesrtand he is from Spain, but very short term for him.
Good example of unfair is Ekberg. Referee in season 2020/2021 did 3 UCL matches, big matches with national teams, but not promotion in 2020 winter. In 2021, 3 play off macthes and Euro, but still no promotion. Why? I agree maybe not so lucky current autumn, but for 2 unsucess matches such punishment.
And why you think Ekberg is end of his hopes, not any more talented referee?
Serdar Gozubuyuk- again surprise for me, not stabille performance. during EURO he is critiсising UEFA, no reaction. But promotion, just because he is for Netherlands or what?
Sandro Shaerer- good young referee, but after mistake with two yc in the match Lokomotiv-Galatasaray, any other referee would be suspended for a long time. In the blog was discussion about this moment, but sorry this is a clear mistake ( showing yc and 1,15 on more time to the same player)
Offcourse Swiss need elite referee after Bussacca, but Shaerer need to showing his potential in the more difficult matches.
Would like to add, about another very talented, but not promoted referees, which are showing good perfomance during 3-4 years.
If we watching in the past:
-Kabakov in season 2018/2019 has 1UCL and 2 UEL, play off macth; season 2019/2020- U-21 semifinal, WorldCUP u-17 quartalfinal, UCL-2matches, season 2020/2021- Olympic games and UCL matches-but still no promotion. Very succesfull for him was season 2019, but promoted in Elite was Kovacs ( U-21 and U-17 only group stage and the same UCL number of matches) and Grienfield ( semifinal U-21 and 3 uCL)
Madden- season 2018/2019 debut UCL and 2 UEL, 2019/2020 UCL, national teams matches.
Allready mentioned Ekberg , since 2018 till 2021 autumn perfect perfomance, attended U-21 and WC-17.
Pawson-referee with Premier league experience, good performance in challenging matches in UCL and UEL.
Treimanis, 2018/2019-2 ucl+1 uel, season 2019/2020 ( u-21 and final in WC-17)+UEL matches, 2020/2021 1ucl +2 uel matches
If we compare with promoted referees... Mistake? all referee makes mistake...But if one or two mistake during 3 seasons
, I could mentioned a lot of examples, but:
Considering the above mentioned, I have question:
-What you think @Chefren, does UEFA referee committee have some system or methodology for evualation and promotion/demotion referees or just political and opinion of two/three persons?
Because now it looks very unfair...
-Why UEFA referee committee abolished third category? any comments?
-Why nobody not demoted from Elite? this means if you are Elite referee this is life reward?
I can't deny that most of your arguments are indeed valid, let me say at first that I can give my opinion and that's not of course committe's point of view, but indeed there seems to be different treatments for referees who are in contention for promotion. I don't know why and I can't know that, but this is by years, even with Collina. While you have some referees who are tested and tested over the years, you have other ones who easily access to important games and top categories. Why? That's for sure a big question. As external observer, I could say that the first argument on paper maybe can be he fact that referees come from countries in which development of football is better than other nations and for this reason there isn't a real need to test for a long time them. But then this doesn't match with some choices made by committee. If this can explain why José Maria Sanchez Martinez got the Elite so early (indeed you are right, I must add him to Umut Meler, similar treatment with only one CL game), not the same for the Turkish, who seems to have got the Elite without real efforts, if compared to other referees. Here I really don't know... political choices can explain something but not everything, because otherwise all would be political choices, without the need of testing referees :) Also, you are right when you say that Ekberg indeed could have been promoted in past. He has been followed by committee by at least 3 years if not more, so at a certain point one could say: why no promotion? Other referees in a short time are able to get more. Here I really don't understand. And I was already very suspicious about the treatment of the Swedish for years, but at the end only committee knows the truth. Being objective, one must admit that some referees are more in favor, while others must really fight for something. The pitch performances very often show that all make mistakes, that's true, and I agree that sometimes it is difficult to find a difference between some referees, but for some names you mentiond I find correct that they were not promoted Elite: Treimanis, Kabakov, at least for now. Despite of a long focus by committee on them, they were quite disappointing in recent times. All in all, judgding a referee is surely a "grey area" as well, but in some situations it is observed that indeed other referees have a special treatment.
DeleteI came to conclusion that, for having an oustanding careeer, you must be also lucky, because for some reasons you can be out from the favor of committee. Having said that, I would have made some different choices for this update, but overall one can understand most of the decisions taken by committee and that's already good. A perfect assessment of referees can't exist, and I think we must accept that.
Then, about the fact that an Elite referee is never demoted, this is a story about which I don't know more, very likely there is pressure by federations, and they don't want that a referee misses the status, once promoted. This is indeed a nonsense for me as well... let's wait what the future will show us. Finally, about the abolishment of Category 3 my final analysis is that they want to have quicker options for a development, once a referee joins the international lsit, we saw that for Women with some of them making a double jump.
@Chefren, Thank you very much for great explanation, I totally agree. Good point for referees from big nations.
DeleteBut I hope in future appointment and promotions will be more fair and objective and based on clear criteria
Hi Chefren, Meler is considered as a replacement for Cakir in both national and international level. Both is supported by the father of Cakir who was former referee and former president of Turkish referee commitee. He is really a hot prospect. Early promotion might be an encouragement for his development.
DeleteUEFA Women Elite
ReplyDeleteMartincic Ivana
Adamkova Jana
Zadinova Olga
Welch Rebecca
Lehtovaara Lina
Frappart Stéphanie
Hussein Riem
Kulcsar Katalin
Projkovska Ivana*
Mularczyk Monika*
Braz Bastos Sandra
Demetrescu Iuliana Elena*
Pustovoytova Anastasia
Watson Lorraine
Huerta de Aza Marta
Olofsson Tess
Persson Sara
Staubli Esther
Monzul Kateryna
Foster Cheryl
Mularczyk was Elite before as well, right? I remember her at EURO's in 2017. Strange development.
DeleteYes indeed in this regard I wanted to ask Polish readers what happened with her.
DeleteAs far as i know she was injured so she didn't go to WC in France and WC U17 in Uruguay. I think this is the reason.
DeleteLina Lehtovaara was nominated as the first female to Finnish Division 1 referees list, with a female AR. She has done matches in Division 1 previously, but now officially part of that referee group.
DeleteSo most likely we'll see her in men's competitions in 2022, along with Frappart, Monzulʹ and Martinčić.
DeleteUEFA Futsal Elite
ReplyDeleteVrijens Stefan
Kolev Borislav
Babić Vedran*
Jelić Nikola
Cerny Ondrej
Nissen David Grøndal*
Birkett Marc
Ošomkov Grigori*
Naishouler Kirill
Chaix Victor
Pelissier Cédric
Kovacs Gabor
Manzione Nicola*
Cardoso Santos Cristiano José*
Fernandes Coelho Eduardo José
Oliveira Castilho Miguel Duarte
Kadykov Vladimir
Radojcic Petar
Pesko Lukas
Močnik Perič Aleš*
Zahović Admir
Cordero Gallardo Juan José
Martinez Flores Alejandro
Urdanoz Apezteguia David*
Matkovic Daniel
Schaerli David*
Cetin Kamil
Also two women in Elite. Chiara Perrona and Irina Velikanova.
DeleteYes sorry, indeed for some reasons they were not listed.
DeletePavel Kukuyan (Russia) is missing. It seems he did not pass the English test for the second time.
ReplyDeleteGood evening and sorry for the delay. Istvan Kovacs had a very good performance yesterday in the hot derby FCSB-Rapid 3-1. The game was even stopped in the 3rd minute for about 5 minutes because of the fireworks thrown on the pitch by both teams’ fans:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKfnDYPA4Cs
Key moments:
https://www.looksport.ro/exclusiv-istvan-kovacs-prin-ochii-lui-stanciu-si-eric-asta-le-as-spune-jucatorilor-daca-as-sti-ca-i-arbitreaza-kovacs-dialogam-singur-la-fel-ca-sapunaru-20508812
40- YC for dissent, some people were suggesting a red card but given the context he general opinion is that the decision not to unbalance the game was the best
This pictures are very suggestive:
https://pasteboard.co/NUuytsVstxdg.jpg
https://pasteboard.co/lQGyot5bZrZ0.png
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zk6PHE2pMk
45+4 – Penalty for Rapid. From Kovacs`s angle you can see a shirt holding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo6IraFxEYE
76 – Second YC for a Rapid player – pretty clear imo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cg0xZNvY6A
90+1 – Penalty for FCSB. Also correct
Kovacs`s prestation was praised by the media, which is pretty rare in Romania. The journalist Dan Udrea by example and former referees Craciunescu, Porumboiu, Avram all had good words about Kovacs last night.
An incident happened after the game when Rapid`s captain Sapunaru accused Kovacs of insulting here in the 40th minutes. Very unusual for Romania, short after that Kovacs had a reaction for GSP and denied the accusations, even saying that Sapunaru was the one who was provoking. The discussions are always recorded, and it seems like Sapunaru indeed lied because he didn`t come up with a reaction so far.
Other topics:
VAR to be implemented in Romania from the next season.
Vassaras had a press conference a few days ago and analyzed some situations, showing that some wrong decisions presented by the media were in fact correct ones.
As you saw, no changes on international referees list.
Fesnic was promoted to First Category, which was justified even if Tottenham-Rennes was suspended. But because he had only one random UECL this autumn, I expect him to get in February in compensation a same level game and maybe with an important observer too. Bonus, he had a game today in Liga 1, Vassaras was spotted at the stadium even if he was not the observer for this game.
I watched the PK situation at 90+1 and there was a firework thrown right next to the player, who reacted well and ran away! Very dangerous. https://youtu.be/1Cg0xZNvY6A?t=21
DeleteAlso, do you have a link to that press conference from Vassaras? I really like him.
I found some fractions:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycEM-PWAOH0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTcvV8-amJ4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRdrAGFLnxc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek0Z1IXkLPY
Still looking for one full
thank you :)
DeleteI agree with everything but this clip here: https://youtu.be/Ek0Z1IXkLPY?t=76
DeleteThe player is absolutely not in control, two footed challenge with a lot of speed. IMO it is only luck, that there was no studs contact with the opponent. RC for me.
Vassaras says it is a YC (says UEFA has same guidelines)
I completely disagree with you David. The defender is in full control of his body - he is a professional athlete and he is completely aware that his lunge will be IN FRONT of the attacker and also that the follow through will NOT BE FRONTAL but AWAY from the attacker. That is the big difference - when you know that the follow through can hurt the opponent and you still do it then it is a MUST read card - but not in this particular case.
Delete@Anonymous: Thank you for your comment. Any other oppinions about this situation?
DeleteI think Vassaras is well-informed. If UEFA and FIFA consider this a YC nowadays than we should give credit to the referee. If the contact would have been made with the boot, than yes, RC in that case.
DeleteI`m sorry but I couldn`t find the whole conference. I searched everywhere.
I strongly disagree with determining a Serious Foul Play offence by searching for an open studs contact.
DeleteThere are more things to consider: intensity/fore/speed, body control,...
Vassara said sth like: if he had hit him with with a studs-to-shin contact (with this same tackle), he would have endangered his opponent.
It's a totally wrong development to say that a painful contact is the equivalent to 'endangering the opponent's health'.
This goes along with the 'follow-through' issue and the too outcome-focused approach to SFP offences in genral.
When a player clears the ball fairly and unluckily lands on his opponent it's more of a RC than a player sliding into his opponent with high intensity/speed but not hitting his opponent with direct studs contact.
In this specific a YC is a supportable choice for me while I prefer a RC, mainly because of the intensity, here (contrary to Anonymous, I don't necassarily think he knew that his tackle would end in front of his opponent).
But the whole discussion goes beyond this specific scene IMO.
I agree with you Flip, it should not be only outcome-based. What are the oppinions about this 'challenge' from Gerrad? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkw8p-4y-R4
DeleteThis should be the list of new Women referees for 2022:
ReplyDeleteMirela Cemeri (ALB)
Maria Ennsgraber (AUT)
Maryia Buiko ((BLR)
Caroline Lanssens (BEL)
Lisa Benn (ENG)
Fabienne Michel (GER)
Anastasia Mylopoulou (GRE)
Deborah Bianchi (ITA)
Silvia Gasperotti (ITA)
Martina Molinaro (ITA)
Claire Purcell (IRL)
Maria Krcova (SVK)
Olatz Rivera Olmedo (ESP)
Do you have the new futsal referees?
Delete@chefren: is category 3 only cancelled in men or also in women/futsal/beachsoccer?
ReplyDeleteCategory 3 cancalled for all Men, Women and Futsal.
DeleteBeach Soccer referees are not categorized by UEFA.
There are indeed cases of very particular "big jumps" from the previous Category 3 to Category 1 for some referees in Women.
DeleteCan you please name those Women referees with big jumps from Cat 3 to Cat 1? Thank you
DeleteOk let‘s write something about todays promotions.
ReplyDeleteElite:
Siebert is absolutely deserved with his performances in the last year. The same goes for Jovanovic, Schaerer and Letexier and Massa. About Sanchez Martínez I am a bit suprised, of course he is a good referee, but IMO Hernández Hernández is a bit better. Serdar Gozubuyuks promotion is understandable because of the retirement of Kuipers.
The biggest suprise for me is my compatriot Halil Umut Meler. Of course he is a big talent, but to be honest he has not so much experience at the highest level. Possibly it’s a sign that Cakir will retire after Qatar 2022.
First category:
As Chefren wrote most of them are expected names. To be honest I don‘t know all (Fesnic, Weinberger, Strukan, Jorgji, Walsh, Obrenovic) of them but for sure they deserve it.
I miss only a few other names. Especially Balakin, Higler, Kamphuis and Frid.
May I ask why you want Kamphuis to be promoted? As a main referee he only had a UECL-Q2 match this season, why would that warrant a promotion? Nationally, Lindhout is doing much better than Kamphuis as well. Kamphuis is a known name as VAR, but he hasn't really done anything as main referee yet (on international level), so it really surprises me that you want to see him promoted.
DeleteMoen is still on the list, despite no UEFA appointments in the last 2 years? How can that be explained?
DeleteMassas promotion together with Gozubuyuks is a joke, but I guess thats due to the lack of talent nowadays. Purely political.
DeleteAbout Moen I am very curious too. Can someone explain his downfall over years?
DeleteMoen was punished by UEFA but Norwegian federation doesn't agree so they keep him on the list.
DeleteBut in that way, Norway is basically losing one spot every year... What is the point in doing that?
DeletePoor situation in Norway. Waiting for better times.
DeleteDe Burgos promotion sounds a joke. Now tell me that he deserved that!
ReplyDeleteYou´re better, sure ;)
DeleteDe Burgos is a great ref. He started really well in La Liga, but IMO the comitee led by Sanchez Arminio went too fast with him and he was not ready yet for that Barcelona-Real Madrid, where he performed really bad. After that, the new comitee led by Velasco did not managed well with him, denostating him with poor appointemets, but in the last couple of years he´s doing really well in the domestic competition, and I think that he will have the trust of Medina Cantalejo.
DeleteKruashvili:WCQ 1, NL 1, EURO U21 4, {FINAL}, CHLQ 1, EL -GS 2, ELQ 1, ECL-GS 2, YL 1 TOTAL 13
ReplyDeleteStrukan: WCQ 2, U-19 Qual. 2, EL -GS 2, ELQ 1, ECL-GS 1, ECLQ 3, YL 2 TOTAL 13
Obrenovic: WCQ 2, NL 1, U-21 1, CHLQ 1, ELQ 2, ECL-GS 3, ECLQ 2 TOTAL 12
Al-Hakim: WCQ 2, NL 1, U-21 1, EL -GS 1, ELQ 1, ECL-GS 2, ECLQ 2, YL 2 TOTAL 12
Eskas :WCQ 2, U-21 1, EL -GS 1, ELQ 1, ECL-GS 2, ECL-GS 1, YL 2 TOTAL 10
Pinheiro :WCQ 2, NL 1, CHLQ 1, EL -GS 1, ELQ 1, ECL-GS 1, ECLQ 2 TOTAL 9
Osmers :WCQ 1, NL 1, EURO U21 2, CHLQ 1, ELQ 1, ECL-GS 2, ECLQ 1, TOTAL 9
Lambrechts :WCQ 2, NL 1, CHLQ 1, EL -GS 1, ECLQ 1, ECL-GS 2, YL 1 TOTAL 9
Di Bello : WCQ 2, CHLQ 1, EL -GS 2, ELQ 1, ECL-GS 1, ECLQ 1, TOTAL 8
Fesnic : U-21 1, U-19 Qual. 2, ELQ 1, ECL-GS 2, ECLQ 2 TOTAL 8
Jorgji : WCQ 1, NL 1, U-21 1,ELQ 1, ECLQ 1,ECL-GS 1, YL 2 TOTAL 8
Weinberger : WCQ 1, NL 1, U-21 1, ECLQ 1,ECL-GS 1, YL 2 TOTAL 7
Walsh : WCQ 1, U-21 1, ELQ 1, ECL-GS 2, ECLQ 2 TOTAL 7
De Burgos : WCQ 1, NL 1, CHLQ 1, EL -GS 1, ELQ 1, ECLQ 1, TOTAL 6
Stegemann : NL 1, U-21 1, EL -GS 1, ELQ 1, ECLQ 1, TOTAL 5
Here are all the matches for this season for the promoted to Cat1
Watching the numbers I don't know if its well deserved for all of them. if we watch deeper on the level of the matches I really have some doubts for some of them but lets wish a good luck on the future to all referees
ps : sorry if I have made any mistake
You forgot about Glova
DeleteGlova:WCQ 2,NL 1,EL-GS 2, ELQ 1, ECL-GS 2, ECLQ 2, YL 1 Total 11
DeleteWould you post the new PDFs, so we could see all lists?
ReplyDeleteYes, when available.
DeleteThese shoul be new Futsal referees:
ReplyDeleteNicolas Nicolaou (CYP)
Maximilian Alkofer (GER)
Giovanni Zannola (ITA)
Dominykas Norkus (LTU)
Vitalii Groshev (RUS)
Darko Boskovic (SUI)
Only men, if there are new women they are not listed here. Will try to integrate this info later.
Women making the "big jump" from the previous and abolished Category 3 to Category 1 (this didn't happen for Men, still not checked for Futsal):
ReplyDeleteVeronika Kovarova (CZE)
Abigail Byrne (ENG)
Victoria Beyer (FRA)
Katalin Sipos (HUN)
Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (ITA)
Katarzyna Lisiecka-Sęk (POL)
Ionela Alina Pesu (ROU)
Jelena Medjedović (SRB)
Marina Višnjić Živković (SRB)
Ainara Andrea Acevedo Dudley (ESP)
Women's Euro is coming in less than a year and UEFA is needing more competition for the Euro spots?
Deletewell i think the pool of referees is almost clear, right? usually refs are preselected a year or two in advance. and then in the year of the tournament a couple of weeks before the final list is made by committee. i think it would be rather unusual to then select somebody new in that category who dont have that much experience...
DeleteWill there be a var list
ReplyDeleteThe VAR list is published by FIFA.
DeleteThe VAR list will be apart from Fifa referees or it will be the same list ?
Delete@chefren: for you as experienced commentator here whose opinion i highly regard - do you have any idea what sense it makes to cut out an entire category? political issues? financial issues? "clearer" appointment structure? like only elite-refs can get champions league etc? first group europa league and third group then conference league?
ReplyDeletetbh i cannot really see any idea behind this? maybe you can help me.
i mean, "formally" cat3 has been cut. but technically, to me it seems more that former cat1 and former cat2 have been merged. yes, those "list"-referees from cat3 are now the new cat2. but is this really a "promotion"? i highly doubt it. most cat2 refs stayed in cat2, and some were moved to new cat1.
i dont see the bigger picture behind this reform, maybe somebody can give me their opinions?
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi, can i just check where is karasev?
ReplyDeleteElite Category
DeleteJust a couple of question to you who are more expert than me about the promotions:
ReplyDelete- I was very very surprized by missing Ekberg in the elite class, especially after his attendance at Euro 2020. What happened ? I'm sorry to stress you on this point but in my opinion this demonstrates once again that Uefa category concept is just a theoretical one. Two 1st group referees are selected for Euro 2020, one of them is not promoted to elite while a pool of 15 referees are never trusted.
- I never saw a match officiated by Meler, Sanchez Martinez and Letexier and I was surprized by their promotion, do they really deserv it ?
- I saw just one time Guzubujuk and in my opinion he is not an elite, means he is not at level of Taylor, Mateu, Turpin, etc
Ekberg failed at EURO. His performance in AUTMKD was below par. He lost control and allowed far too much (it seems to be a Scandinavian thing - NOR, SWE referees often can't change their ultra lenient approach in UEFA competitions). I didn't see him after that but most likely his further performances were not brilliant either.
DeleteI saw Meler on several occasions and I was never convinced. Players don't respect him. He is quite an isolated figure who can't connect with players nor arouse respect as a strong leader. His disciplinary control is often inconsistent. I am surprised about his promotion, too.
As you, I perceived Gözübüyük as a medium-low First Category referee (technical accuracy, overly relying on assistants, big problems with reading the game) but this season he performed extremely well on several occasions. That combined with strong NED position makes this promotion somehow expected.
I see Sánchez Martínez as a top elite referee. He has the authority needed at the highest level. I think the battle between him and Hernández Hernández was really close and maybe the latter will replace del Cerro Grande / Mateu Lahoz when they retire. I think Sánchez Martínez has more charisma than his 'opponent' and that was key for the committee.
As for Letexier, I didn't watch him lately but from what I saw in the past he is technically good but lacks a little bit of charisma / can't reach players. Maybe he improved last times, I don't really know.
I agree with almost all your points Euro Soccer Ref. But Sanchez Martinez couldn't convince me in his only CL match. Quick with his cards, could not really manage the players. Because there is no urgent need of a 4th Spanish referee in Elite, I would have preferred to let the 'battle' between Hernandez and Sanchez Martinez continue one more year.
DeleteEkberg is under investigation by Swedish police for tax fraud (not declaring refereeing income on his tax returns). I believe this perhaps explains his missing promotion.
ReplyDeleteIs that a rumour or official news (link)?
Deletetheres the official news: https://www.fotbollskanalen.se/uefa/avslojar-ekberg-utreddes-av-aklagare-for-skattebrott-tvingas-betala-600-000/
DeleteParticular to see that now Netherlands will stay for a certain period of tim without Category 1 referees at all, this never happened in recent times for a "major" federation. So far, Higler was the closer name to make this step, but he didn't manage. Somebody from Category 2 should be promoted soon.
ReplyDeleteAgree! Still time for Higler to develop, he is only 36. Lindhout is doing very well domestic so I foresee him in First Group soon. Van der Eijk and Kooij should develop, and for Kamphuis the second group seems to be the highest achievable IMO.
DeleteBig news: Stéphanie Frappart has been categorized in both lists for Women and Men, in Men's list she is ranked as Category 1.
ReplyDeletePDF have been released, I will upload them soon, this evening.
And Kateryna Monzulʹ in Second Category.
DeleteWe had discussed this option before.
DeleteI like the decision, because it makes their status in the men's competitions much clearer. Furthermore they now have the chance to fight for promotion like any other referee in these categories.
I expected Martincic but probably she must be appointed more regularly in Croatian league to be included in man's categories. Fraapart in first and Monzul in second is expected and appropriate IMO.
DeleteMEN:
ReplyDeletehttps://docdro.id/54yuSQo
WOMEN:
ReplyDeletehttps://docdro.id/fVNd5oT
FUTSAL:
ReplyDeletehttps://docdro.id/Un068V5
No Dutch referee in category 1 is indeed particular. Although the promotion of Gözübüyük is definitely a political one.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been watching a lot Dutch referees this season and I must say, in NL-domestic league Gözübüyük is a bit too capricious. Leaning too much on VAR and therefore had to be saved a few times by the VAR. This season he also already sent off 6 players, which is the most of all Dutch referees. This can be described as not being very tactical, not feeling the game or either not managing situations. In International games, he wasn’t bad though!
I also analysed Lindhout, Kamphuis and Higler.
- Lindhout is having a great season. One of the best rated referees in newspapers; certainly not critized a lot. I would describe him as lenient (lets the game flow), good advantages, nice pace in his games. Lindhout is very background-minded: not the authoritive guy. His style obviously works very well when players behave and are focused on playing football. Not sure if his style and personality would work well in international games. Could be interesting to see if he can adapt. Time will tell us.
-Kamphuis and Higler have been a bit capricious, too. In particular in the beginning of the season. Their last matches have been pretty good. Higler’s style would work better in international games than Lindhout’s, I assume. A few years ago, Higler started as the typical ‘to the book ref’. Now he starts to feel the game better and better. Just needs to work on his match control and draw a consistent line. It will be interesting to see him officiating ‘El Classico’ this weekend. I hope he performs well and can make the next step.
All referees are far behind Makkelie though, who has been the least discussed referee in Dutch media this season. No crucial mistakes, no red cards which implicates good management and using his YC’s tactically well. Only one OFR so far which was overruled by Makkelie himself (and a correct decision).
Penalty stats are also very interesting: 25 games, no penalty’s. I’ve seen a few PK appeals in his games but all soft calls IMO. This was one thing I didn’t like about Makkelie’s officiating: in last season he provided a few PK’s which were a bit too soft for my taste. Maybe he learnt from ENG-DEN after all :)
The point you make about Lindhout hits the nail. When games run smoothly there are no problems, but as soon as things start to get more emotional he’s in trouble.
DeleteIn the derby between NEC Nijmegen and Vitesse he really lost control before half time (due to a too lenient start and insufficient personality).
A couple of weeks before (FC Groningen-Vitesse), after a heavily criticized red card for the hole team after OFR, he wasn’t able to convince either.
Yes agree. Thats his development point. Build a stronger personality and change his style when needs too. Still he gets better reviews than fe. Higler, Kamphuis and Gozubuyuk because “mostly” his style works well.
DeleteYou are right about that derby. That was a tough one. I assume almost all referees would struggle in that game :)
Probably you’re right, but I don’t take the Dutch media reviews as a criterium for the quality of referees. Referees are generally rated high when nothing happens or impopular decisions are avoided (keeping the background as you said), while issuing many cards often leads to lower marks. Dutch in general have some issues with authority, they prefer leaders who don’t use regulatory sanctions too much.
DeleteActually this is the main problem IMO with (almost) all Dutch and Scandinavian referees. We can see time and time again that they cannot adopt when they manage games between South European teams. They continue with their ultra lenient style, which works perfectly well for them in their domestic championships, no matter how ridiculous and out of place it looks in certain games.
DeleteI know that there are a lot of fans of Kuipers and Makkelie here and I will receive a lot of critics but I am absolutely astonished how overated these referees are. I have seen them struggle almost every time when they didn't referee Bayern or Liverpool :) games. I really think that when we observe a referee's performance we should be a little bit more analitycal and not so supportive. We should always analyze the game's dificulty and based on that I think that the Elite circle is even more narrow than we think. In my humble opinion the referees who can handle a high-pressure, decisive games nowadays are Orsato, Lahoz, Cakir, Taylor, Oliver and maybe Siebert. These are the referees who I can feel are safe pair of hands NO MATTER of the opponents.
Not sure I agree with everything (and the names) you mention. It is an interesting topic for sure.
DeleteAccording to you, what are the most complicated teams/countries to officiate? Could be interesting to map those and see who are often appointed to those teams.
There is absolutely no problem that we don't agree about everything :). That is what the chat is for. I just don't feel comfortable when reading the analyses here and 9 out of 10 people are just looking for the smallest reason to justify a referee's decision. Anyway VAR is doing this :). When I comment here I am just looking for the best possible decision because IMO this is the only way for improvement. In no way I want to attack a referee or underestimate his efforts.
DeleteBack to your question. It is difficult just to name a certain country because usually a team is a reflection of the manager and his requirements. For example, from the last 16 in the CL this year I would say that the most aggressive and difficult for refereeing are PSG, Atletico, Benfica, Sporting and maybe Juventus and Villarreal. Speaking in general, usually these are the teams from Portugal, Spain, Greece and Turkey where it is also the atmosphere in the stadiums electric.
I would like to add something immediately. I often have read after such games that many people here complained from the behaviour of the players. IMO this is completely wrong on many levels. First, these are the games that fans enjoy most. Football is a highly competitive and extremely emotional game and that's what people love. It shouldn't be sterile just to be easy for refereeing. And second, IMO any ambitious referee should look at such games like the highest possible reward. And finally, these are the games from which we can study and make better analyses.
I really like when the discusion sometimes enlarges a little bit the strictly theorethical topic because that it gives you more global way of seeing things and understanding football not just refereeing.
Thanks for the nice discussion, much appreciated :)
DeleteYes, I was also thinking about:
-PSG, Juventus, Atlético Madrid (hello Simeone). Lot of South-American temperaments.
-Greek and Turkey indeed. Also based on the atmosphere in stadiums.
-Ajax can be tricky when they are not in front (many South-Americans). Feyenoord is tricky at home because of the “agressive” supporters.
-A lot of Spanish teams. Not sure about Villareal - I always thought this is one of the fairest team in Spain but I’m not watching every week :)
-TBH I don’t think Liverpool is that easy compared to other English teams. Klopp is quite present at the line and soms players need to be managed well (Mane f.e.). Agree about Bayern: not the team where should be expected that emotions run high.
-The comment about the manager: 100% agree. If you compare Inter during Conte’s era and now, there is a big difference for sure.
I’m very curious to see who will be appointed to (especially):
JUV-VIL / ATL-Man Utd / RMA - PSG / POR-LIV / BEN-AJA.
100% agree about Mateu, Cakir, Orsato, and Taylor.
-I need to see more from Siebert although I already liked him at the Atletico stadium. Not influenced by the crowd at all. And he is doing great at Arab Cup.
-Oliver: great (!) ref in PL, however not always in Europe. Internationally I haven’t seen him a lot with complicated teams. Also never appointed to Italian teams which is really a shame. :/
I really really liked Brych with complicated teams. Many writers on this blog will immediately start about BEL-POR but come one… One can have a bad game sometimes. Brych is a great manager and was always appointed to games when a big name was required.
Kuipers and Makkelie overrated? Nah, I don’t think so :)
Kuipers is well-known for his great ‘player management’. Yes, I do remember that he struggled a bit in CL last season (Porto-Juventus) and also his CL final 2014, however in confederations final (2013 - with thousands Brazilians on the stands), World Cup’s (2014 / 2018) where he officiated some South American clashes, I really liked him. Neymar scenes are still famous :D Also in Greek league he was good and last but not least (I can go on for a while) the EURO
2020 final. I’m sure that Kuipers was able to handle the biggest pressure and the hottest atmospheres very well.
Same with regard to Makkelie. He may have struggled in a few CL-games but I really liked him in LIV-ATL (2020), ATL-JUV (2019), Palmeiras - Tigres (Club World Cup) and Greek league games. I also remember the EL final 2020 (Inter-Sevilla) as one of the most challenging finals of the past years. It may surprises you but Portugal still is country he has officiated the most so far. After the incident in Belgrade he didn’t officiate Portugal or any Portuguese teams…
I believe It is certainly not a coincidence that he got the EURO-opener, the PSG-Basaksehir game when the whole world was watching, Real Madrid-Chelsea right after the Super League debacle (media writing that the appointed ref will whistle against RMA), the prestigious ENG-GER game on Wembley or the other semi-finals. What stands out for me is that Makkelie (who is a police inspector in daily life) always keeps his head cool when the pressure is high.
I really like the discussion you started. Many thanks once again. :)
Some referees indeed made a big carreer while not officiating that many complicated teams. And a referee should indeed(!) aim for that. IMO it is a good angle of view and I also think we should review a referees performance and take difficulty into account :)
@ Unknown,
DeleteI would also like to sincerelely thank you for the discussion. It is fantastic when we can share a little bit different angles of view about refereeing and football and for sure you have brought that with your presence at the blog.
Does Di Bello's promotion mean we'll see him less as VAR in the future?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the answers... :(
DeleteWell, we can't really look into the future.
DeleteI think it's possible, that he gets less games as VAR.
But there are also a few First Group referees, who are regularly used as VAR, e.g. Hernandez and Kavanagh.
Ideally, VARs level should be closer to the referee's level for consistency in the interpretation of various situations. Some refs (eg De Burgos) are being promoted in order to be eligible as VARs for higher level competitions.
DeleteCakir treatment ---> quick promotion to Elite for another Turkish.
ReplyDeleteEasy!
Now that Cakir continues in 2022, anyone knows whether he is on the updated UEFA candidate list for WC22?
DeleteBut Çakır doesn't get what he deserves. See Euro 2020...
DeleteCongratulation for MKD referee special for Projkovska to promote in Elite category.
ReplyDeleteI have a question for 3-ht category in man and women category.
Pavel Kukuian (RUS) is missing in the second category
ReplyDeletehttps://www.docdroid.net/54yuSQo/men-all-categories-second-half-of-2021-22-pdf#page=7
DeleteCheck the official document, he is there.
Yes, I mean in the text of the post
DeleteIs it possible to have the lists of international AR too?
DeleteLos Var profesionales de España seran nuevos 8nternacionales
ReplyDeleteIglesias Villanueva
Estrada Fernández
González González
Medié Jiménez
I'm surprised about Moen. 11 years ago he became an Elite referee and today he is in the second category. Does he really screw this up?
ReplyDelete