Wednesday, 12 January 2022

2021 AFCON Referee Appointments - Group Stage Matchday 2

 Referee appointments at 2021 AFCON, Group Stage MD2.




13/01/2022

Group A

Cameroon vs Ethiopia
Referee: Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo (DR Congo)
Assistant Referee 1: Oliver Safari Kabene (DR Congo)
Assistant Referee 2: Gilbert Cheriyot (Kenya)
Fourth Official: Abid Charef Mehdi (Algeria)
Video Assistant Referee: Haythem Guirat (Tunisia)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee : Peter Waweru Kamaku (Kenya)


Cape Verde vs Burkina Faso
Referee: Amin Mohamed Omar (Egypt)
Assistant Referee 1: Mahmoud Ahmed Kamel Abouelregal (Egypt)
Assistant Referee 2: Attia M. Essa Amsaaed (Libya)
Fourth Official: Daniel Nii Laryea (Ghana)
Video Assistant Referee: Mahmoud Mohamed Ashour (Egypt)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee : Ibrahim Abdalla Mohammed (Sudan)

14/01/2022

Group B

Senegal vs Guinea
Referee: Bamlak Tessema (Ethiopia)
Assistant Referee 1: Souru Phatsoane (Lesotho)
Assistant Referee 2: James Fredrick Emile (Seychelles)
Fourth Official: Mario Escobar (Guatemala)
Video Assistant Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee : Fatiha Jermoumi (Morocco)

Malawi vs Zimbabwe
Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
Assistant Referee 1: Mahamadou Yahaya (Niger)
Assistant Referee 2: Samuel Pwadutakam (Nigeria)
Fourth Official: Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda)
Video Assistant Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee : Zakaria Brinsi (Morocco)

Group C

Gabon vs Ghana
Referee: Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)
Assistant Referee 1: Ibrahim Abdalla Mohammed (Sudan)
Assistant Referee 2: Seydou Tiama (Burkina Faso)
Fourth Official: Amin Mohamed Omar (Egypt)
Video Assistant Referee: Abid Charef Mehdi (Algeria)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee :Mahmoud Ahmed Kamel Abouelregal (Egypt)

Morocco vs Comoros
Referee: Sadok Selmi (Tunisia)
Assistant Referee 1: Hassani Khalil (Tunisia)
Assistant Referee 2: Liban Abdourazak Ahmed (Djibouti)
Fourth Official: Peter Waweru Kamaku (Kenya)
Video Assistant Referee: Haythem Guirat (Tunisia)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee : Mahmoud El Bana Zakaria Moustafa (Egypt)

15/01/2022

Group D

Nigeria vs Sudan
Referee: Victor Miguel De Freitas Gomes (South Africa)
Assistant Referee 1: Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela (South Africa)
Assistant Referee 2: Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos (Angola)
Fourth Official: Boubou Traore (Mali)
Video Assistant Referee: Adil Zourak (Morocco)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee : Akarkad Mostafa (Morocco)

Guinea-Bissau vs Egypt
Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi)
Assistant Referee 1: Soulaiman Almaldine (Comoros)
Assistant Referee 2: Hasinjarasoa Andrianantenaina (Madagascar)
Fourth Official: Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius)
Video Assistant Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee :Etchiali Abdelhak (Algeria)

16/01/2022

Group E

Ivory Coast vs Sierra Leone
Referee: Maguette Ndiaye (Senegal)
Assistant Referee 1: Djibril Camara (Senegal)
Assistant Referee 2: Sidiki Sidibé (Guinea)
Fourth Official: Issa Sy (Senegal)
Video Assistant Referee: Gassama Bakary Papa (Gambia)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee : El Hadji Malick Samba (Senegal)

Algeria vs Equatorial Guinea
Referee: Mario Escobar (Guatemala)
Assistant Referee 1: Elvis Guy Noupue Nguengoue (Cameroon)
Assistant Referee 2: Issa Yaya (Chad)
Fourth Official: Ahmad Joshua Bondo (Botswana)
Video Assistant Referee: Fernando Guerrero (Mexico)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee :Ibrahim Abdalla Mohammed (Sudan)

Group F

Gambia vs Mali
Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco)
Assistant Referee 1: Lahcen Azgaou (Morocco) Zakaria Brinsi (Morocco)
Assistant Referee 2: Zakaria Brinsi (Morocco) Fatiha Jermoumi (Morocco)
Fourth Official: Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo (DR Congo)
Video Assistant Referee: Redouane Jiyed (Morocco)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee : Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco) Lahcen Azgaou (Morocco)

Tunisia vs Mauritania
Referee: Mahmoud El Bana Zakaria Moustafa (Egypt)
Assistant Referee 1: Mahmoud Ahmed Kamel Abouelregal (Egypt)
Assistant Referee 2: Hossam Ahmed Taha Ibrahim (Egypt)
Fourth Official: Mohamed Marouf (Egypt)
Video Assistant Referee: Mahmoud Mohamed Ashour (Egypt)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee :Ahmed El Ghandour (Egypt)

181 comments:

  1. Could the delay in the FIFA referee list being released be the fact that all the badges haven't been delivered yet?

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    Replies
    1. All Afcon refs are wearing 2022 FIFA badges.

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    2. I just know that they haven't got them in every country yet. Spain and England were still wearing the 2021 badges the last few days.

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    3. Munuera Montero was wearing his 2022 FIFA badge yesterday during Real - Barcelona.

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    4. Pitana's situation needs to be clarified before new list will be released. Pitana was removed by AFA, but wanted by CONMEBOL and FIFA. Sounds similar to Faghani a year ago.

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    5. Michael Oliver is wearing a 2022 badge tonight in Liverpool - Arsenal!

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    6. Canada Soccer announced yesterday the 17 National list match officials who were named to FIFA list, including three first time badge holders. I have seen that two of them already have the 2022 badge through their social media.

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    7. have been told by media officers the list will be released soon

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  2. Any appointments for tomorrow?

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  3. There is still discussion about what happened yesterday in Limbe, where the referee Janny Sikazwe whistled the end of the game a few seconds before the end and without conceding additional time. The game will most likely be replayed due to technical error of the Zambian referee, which was defended by Essam Abdel-Fatah. The latter would have confided that Sikazwe would have been victim of sunstroke and for this reason he would have lost concentration. Sikazwe was reportedly taken to hospital after the match for some checks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sunstroke? For the entire match? Because he was pretty atrocious for the entire 85/89 minutes. It's yet another clownish excuse from CAF to try to absolve one of its referees.
      Had they said "heat exhaustion", then maybe that would be more believable. But to say sunstroke/heatstroke is ridiculous. Because actual sunstroke/heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency if not treated immediately.

      We're still waiting on actual/factual answers to this farcical, questionable, and dubious referee performance.
      So try again CAF.

      Delete
  4. According to this interview:

    https://weszlo.com/2022/01/12/tomasz-mikulski-szef-sedziow-wywiad

    Paweł Raczkowski will handle the big SL derby Panathinaikos - Olympiakos on Sunday. VAR will be Bartosz Frankowski.

    HFF hasn't announced the appointment yet.

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  5. The 56' PK call from Marriner in Chelsea/Spurs is one of the worst you'll see from a top level ref in Europe this season.

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    Replies
    1. First one is also bad. Always when it looks inside it’s outside the penalty area. When will refs learn this?

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    2. Look at his positioning on both incidents. Terrible. His movement around the field is just awful.

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    3. Terrible performance from a Premier League referee. Looked disinterested and lazy. Body language was awful. Without VAR it is a complete scandal.

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    4. Is anybody here privy to the actual fitness standards for EPL referees? Because seeing some of the match officials PGMOL employs. The fitness standards can't possibly be too high and/or demanding.

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  6. https://metro.co.uk/2022/01/13/afcon-referee-janny-sikazwe-taken-to-hospital-after-tunisia-mali-controversy-15911735/

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    Replies
    1. I feel bad for Sikazwe. I hope the comments here speculating that this incident would mark the end of Sikazwe's international career are wrong. I don't think it's right to hold a medical emergency against him; the heat stroke is the reason for his strange actions yesterday, he was not himself. Ok maybe you can say that his fitness / diet / preparation were not good enough, but this may have just been a fluke incident.

      We know, and FIFA knows, that Sikazwe is a very good elite referee, one of the best in Africa. Does it really make sense to throw away a decade of effort developing an elite referee because he suffered a medical emergency (assuming the doctors don't say that this is likely to happen again or that he would be in danger)? I don't think so, that would be a big waste. What happened in this game is very unfortunate, and IMO the last 10/15 minutes plus added time should be replayed, but it would be foolish to give other games a worse referee than Sikazwe because of it.

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    2. If he was not feeling good why he didnt say anything? Fourth official would referee instead of him and there wouldnt be shocking mistakes.

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    3. @unknown: I am no expert but I read online, that "usually don't notice you have heat stroke until it's too late. It's not like a fever or a headache, you get confused and disorientated and it eventually gets worse.

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    4. Also, on the VAR review for the red card (which happened near the end of the match), he actually ran past the VAR monitor .. which he had already run to two times before. - he was definitely disorientated.

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    5. Hopefully everything will be ok with Sikazwe.
      Nevertheless, I was always told, if you are unfit before the game, report it and don't take the whistle.
      I you become unfit during the game, stop and report it, and the 4th official comes in charge.

      Delete
    6. CAF can't even choose the right excuse to use. Had they said "heat exhaustion" instead of "heatstroke/sunstroke". It would be more believable. Because both of those ailments are vastly different. With sunstroke/heatstroke being a life-threatening medical emergency if not treated immediately. They keyword being "immediately".

      Coming from CAF, I'm not buying it. I believe that there is more to this story. And CAF is simply trying its best to minimize the expected and deserved scrutiny.

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

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  8. OT:

    Analysis of how every game at WC 1986 was officiated, with highlights and clips of the big incidents, can be found on my now-completed dedicated blog! Link below -

    wc86refs.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much Mikael! So much effort, I want to have a look what you wrote. The streamable links posted have been taken down, could you maybe update it?

      Delete
    2. Thanks David! Nothing is hard work when you are deeply passionate about sth :)

      About the streamable clips - regrettably, all my streamable clips were deleted in mid-November, including all old WCs and the EURO from the summer, so I lost motivation to cut specific clips that I know will invariably be deleted.

      Is a shame because those 5/6min long sequences gave a really nice, short, review of the matches. I tried to provide as many time stamps as possible for future matches though, and hope that the key decisions are still easy to access if you so wish.

      Delete
  9. So Benbraham, who was only listed as VAR, is promoted to the referee position. Furthermore we have two referees working as AVAR - not sure, that was planned before. And then, some VARs as 4th officials
    Will be interesting, whether there are further changes to the lists.

    BTW: Does anyone know, who worked as VAR in MRT-GAM instead of Ghorbal?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Due to Camille testing positive a few hours before the match, Adil Zourak was the VAR for both Group F matches.

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    2. CAF - who was AVAR?

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    3. Mokrane Gourari, his and Abdelhak Etchiali initial designations were reversed.

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    4. Regards CAF!

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  10. Ndala Ngambo seems to become a new star in Africa. If some of the big names do not perform well, he will break through.

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    Replies
    1. I watched the second half of CMR-ETH, and he "looked" strong, but I think his technical decisions were not really good. I don't have any clips, but there was a challenge leading to a CMR scoring chance (later ruled offside) with the studs that, to me, was at least reckless, and then a few minutes later a similar challenge by an ETH player. No cards shown either time. Also with 5 or 10 minutes left, I think he missed an SPA, but with the score at 4-1 I think he was too lenient about that one.

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    2. We all know that, in the current circumstances, management is preferred instead of cards, especially in a match already decided (Cameroon was visibly better in the second half).

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    3. @Anonymous, and what are the current circumstances? Corrupted referees and committees taking bribes from bookies?... Not only in Africa but in all competitions in the world which are included in the betting sites?

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  11. Victor Gomes was assigned to Ghana Gabon, as Lahlou Benbraham is now listed, should be another positive.

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  12. Please, someone give me information on Amin Mohamed Amin Omar, Egypt, 37 y.o. ? Thanks

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  13. Highlights

    MARGHA: https://fromsmash.com/MARGHA-JoshuaBondo-HaythemGuirat
    COMGAB: https://fromsmash.com/COMGAB-PeterWaweruKamaku-MahmudMuhammadAshur

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    Replies
    1. Thank you very much ESR! I would also be interested, if you could add your own thoughts on the games and the most important moments :)

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  14. Don’t know if it is already shared one the blog. But some VAR news from the Netherlands. Jeroen Manschot has been selected by the KNVB as FIFA VAR Referee for 2021.

    Haven’t heard yet if there are already others FIFA VAR referees published.

    Source: LinkedIn profile of Manschot.

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    Replies
    1. Jeroen Manschot, Clay Ruperti and Rob Dieperink are the new FIFA video match officials from the Netherlands.

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    2. And which referees are removed from the VAR-list besides Nijhuis?

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    3. @RikB

      Kuipers was not included on the 2021 list:

      https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/73018d1c158c1fd5/original/2021-FIFA-Refereeing-International-Lists.pdf

      Delete
  15. OT :

    Ayroldi with a very challenging match, 3 red cards and plenty big decisions in Napoli - Fiorentina match.

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    1. Incredible game! The second RC for Napoli was a bit unlucky looking at circumstances for Fiorentina, because Ayroldi stopped the game in the midfield when a clear counterattack by away-team had started. I think attacker would have had a godl a scoring opportunity, but Ayroldi had in case to assess it from midfield when he had to issue a second YC against the opponent. He decided to stop game and to book the player. The protests came from Fiorentina, but he managed to explain the reasons of his choice to coach. A very difficult scenario, basically playing against a team with a man less is an advantage, but in this context, very last minute of added time, score 1-2, the 1-3 would have closed the game. A few seconds later Napoli scored for 2-2 and game is now at extra time.

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    2. But no harm at the end.

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  16. Does anyone know who the CAF referee designator is? What country is he from?

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    Replies
    1. Fatah (Egy) is the chairman of the CAF Ref Com, while Maillet (Sey) is the head of the CAF Ref Dept.

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  17. Thanks. Who are the favourites for the final?

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  18. Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Amin Omar's performance was very high. I would say a European approach.

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    Replies
    1. I would use the word “modern” instead of strictly “European”, but I agree. I’m surprised this was my first time seeing his name / watching him, because he seemed very talented.

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    2. Agree with you both. Tidy performance in a normal difficulty game by the Egyptian ref, smart use of disciplinary measures. To rewatch - penalty appeal at 22’(ish).

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    3. I'm curious to see how far the Egyptian referee will go in this tournament. I used the word european but it also fits modern, I agree.

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  19. AFCON Umbro referee kits on my page – check it out!
    @refkithistory
    https://twitter.com/refkithistory/status/1481823967442837508

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    Replies
    1. The socks are nostalgic. But overall it's yet another bland and boring referee kit.
      Diadora, Eescord, and Legea seem to be the only brands willing to create edgy and eye catching kit designs for referees.

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    2. IMO referee kits should not be 'edgy and eye catching' but sober and functional. I like them.

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    3. I disagree. While the referee himself (performance wise) shouldn't stand out. The referee kit should stand out from the players on the pitch.
      Thus the reason why I believe that the USA 1994 World Cup referee kits were and are the best ever. Out with the boring black and in with the vibrant colors. #groundbreaking

      Delete
    4. I don't like the socks at all... Personally I do like the Italian shirts a lot. Anyone knows where to get those?

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    5. I don’t like these kits honestly. They look like cheap t-shirts with the very round collar and the very low/saggy pockets. It looks very amateurish to me.

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    6. The white cuff on the socks is horrible and does not go well with the rest of the uniform.

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    7. Rik B, the Italian ref kits are made by Italian brand Legea. But it seems that their own website doesn't even sell the kits.

      I agree with smala, the tops look like cheap of the rack cotton t-shirts that fit the referee terribly and sag in an unsightly manner when the referees sweat.

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

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  21. The Organising Committee of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 met today to deliberate on the match between Tunisia and Mali played yesterday, 12 January 2022.

    After examining the protest of Tunisia and all the match officials report, the Organising Committee decided the following:

    To dismiss the protest lodged by the Tunisian team.
    To homologate the match result as 1-0 in favour of Mali.

    ______

    I guess, this is because CAF gave the opportunity to Tunisia to continue the game but they didn't want to do that. Still, not a 100% linear situation if you ask me, but I don't see room for an appeal by the team, they had to accept to continue the game.

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    Replies
    1. What about Sikazwe and the other referees assigned to the match?

      I hope that one day match officials will be open (allowed) to explaining their decisions, including admitting errors, so that fans can better understand. The key word here is "explain", which is different from justify. From VAR to on-pitch referees, too often we don't know why or how a decision was taken. When the players make mistakes, we accept them as such. Maybe if referees were allowed to speak more openly, we would accept their errors more readily.

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    2. 100% agree with you Arbiter

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    3. Janny's mistake or no mistake... can you imagine FIFA choosing a referee involved in such a situation? I already see headlines "Referee who finished match in minute 86 is joining the World Cup". Do they want such headlines?

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    4. Everyone knows that it was because of a medical situation. He cannot be held at fault for that. FIFA shouldn’t care what the headlines will say, those are very unfair. And frankly, they can come up with plenty of malicious headlines about most referees. Hategan, Vincic, etc all have skeletons in their closets that are absolutely not any fault of their own, and thankfully UEFA doesn’t let the press scare them into throwing away these very good and fair referees.

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    5. Speaking of high level referees suddenly removed from WC list, do we know what actually happened to Al Mirdasi just before WC2018, besides the short Saudi statement at the time?

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    6. "Everyone knows that it was because of a medical situation"
      Do we though? Or is it because CAF said so? CAF's credibility isn't necessarily something to be applauded.

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  22. NEWS

    As part of the protocol between UEFA and CONMEBOL, Maria Sole (ITA) and Luís Godinho (POR) were appointed to represent UEFA at the CONMEBOL start-of-season course from 15 to 19 January 2022 in Asunción, Paraguay.

    Two quality young referees.

    Congratulations

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess you mean Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi? the first two are the names and the last two are surnames :)

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    2. Yes, Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi!

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  23. It turns out that Millot was suspended by FFF for a month (14 December - 10 January) for having missed a UEFA appointment due to logistics reasons. The committee pointed out that all was exclusively his fault. There aren't more details.

    https://media.fff.fr/uploads/document/94e7abd4e5aa33cbb7512dceea758740.pdf

    So this should be the reason why he was removed from African Cup of Nations appointments.

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  24. Tessema is always very interesting to watch. Super old fashioned style, so different from most modern referees.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not watching the game, but I absolutely agree about his style :)

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    2. Brilliant defensive freekick, no penalty, decision taken instantly at 47’ by him today.

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  25. Cape Verde - Burkina Faso penalty appeal:
    https://streamable.com/85v4ps
    Referee whistled handball against attacker, when he fell to ground.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The handball decision is wrong IMO. Clearly not deliberate and also not in an unnatural position.
      No penalty is OK, because the attacker jumps too early.

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    2. For me, this is a PK. Attacker is very genuine and tries to avoid contact, but can't.

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    3. Lots of defending free kicks in doubtful situations... is Coulibaly instructing the refs? :)

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    4. No PK, because there's no actual contact.
      Not simulation, because attacker loses his balance and goes down as he tries to avoid the challenge.
      Not handling, because the attacking player has to use his brace himself as he falls and unintentionally handles the ball.

      IMO, simply allow play to continue.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous makes a good point, I am also noticing a lot of free kicks awarded to the defending team in situations where there is (also?) a penalty shout for the attackers. I know this happens normally anyways, but it seems to be happening more often at this tournament from what I've watched; I noticed one or two such situations of very soft or completely nonexistent free kicks awarded in the Gabon-Ghana game too. They might be being instructed to look for a whistle rather than allowing play to continue in such situations.

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  26. The situation mentioned by Mikael W. in SEN - GUI:
    https://streamable.com/eed03k
    You will never find another referee with his style.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And a reckless vs SFP scene.
      https://streamable.com/1wbs37

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    2. IMO:
      47' calling a foul on the striker is wrong. I think he goes down a bit early (and easy). If he waits until the defender falls into him from behind, he may get a PK.
      49' I prefer a YC, as the ball was played. With a full contact it would be a RC; quite the lunge and not in great control of his body.

      Question: If at 47', the defender falls and brings the attacker down with his hands (similiarly to Nigeria vs. Egypt), would you consider it a PK?

      Delete
    3. Agree with David on 49’.

      I watched the whole game and saw a good performance by Tessema with his quirky style - he managed to keep everything under control and was visibly aware that he had to actively achieve that, even if eg. the caution to Keita was harsh / de facto wrong. I guess the Ethiopian is in with a shot of getting the final.

      I caught most of Morocco vs. Comoros too - very good zero tolerance approach for that sort of game by Sadok Selmi in the 1H. The second was played almost entirely in one end, but did contain some interesting calls at the end - a penalty given (80’) and not given (84’) to Morocco, plus an offside call overturned by VAR team for the clinching goal (90’).

      Delete
    4. 47' The link seems to be broken, so I'm going off of memory, but I don't really like the defensive free kick there. It is something of a 50-50 tackle, but if anybody had position and got held/charged from behind, it was the attacker more than the defender. If there's a foul here at all, it's a PK for me. But very much a judgement call.

      49' We've seen a few of these tackles this tournament, where the studs make glancing contact above the ankle (I think in particular of the 1' challenge in the opening game, but I believe I've seen others as well). There have certainly been a number of times and places where these challenges have been expected to result in a red card, but so far this tournament it's been yellow every time. To me they are more red, but if it's consistent like this I can't really complain.

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  27. Highlights

    NGAEGY: https://fromsmash.com/NGAEGY-BakaryPapaGassama-BamlakTessemaWeyesa
    SDNGNB: https://fromsmash.com/SDNGNB-IssaSy-LahlouBenbraham

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    1. Can you share your thoughts on the important moments? :)

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    2. Not much time to be honest. As you can see, I have quite big delay as I can't cover more than two games per day. I will try to sum up the performances shortly after I cover each matchday.

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  28. Morocco - Comoros (Sadok Selmi):

    81' Penalty
    https://streamable.com/x0vwrr

    84' Penalty Appeal
    https://streamable.com/khrs89

    89' VAR intervention for correcting offside decision
    https://streamable.com/60vonm

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    Replies
    1. 81' I think correct PK, on first viewing it looked soft, but the last step into the attacker makes it a PK for me.
      84' Never a PK. Or am I missing something?

      Delete
  29. Hilarious scenes at the end of GAB vs GHA. Huge scuffle broke out after the full time whistle, Benbraham had to pull his headset out of his pocket and put it back in his ear, and eventually he pulls out a red card for Ghana #25 for hitting an opponent in the head. However, #25 had already disappeared into the locker room! So Benbraham stood on the edge of the pitch and instructed a member of the Ghanaian to retrieve #25 so that the red card could be administered normally, but #25 obviously didn't show back up. So Benbraham simply held the red card straight up in the air while pointing to it with his free hand and seemingly saying "twenty-five" repeatedly.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, looked a bit strange, but I think, basically the correct procedure. Maybe he could have decided a bit sooner to just inform the captain about the sending-off though. But not easy to find a really good soluition under the circumstances.

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    2. From what I've seen of AFCON so far, what a shit show!

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  30. Mass con at the end of Gabon - Ghana, with a red card shown after final whistle... not sure whether to a Ghana player or to the Ghana head coach if they did not identify the player... Ghana #25 should have been sent off for VC.

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  31. GAM vs MLI: Samir Guezzaz (MAR)
    CIV vs SLE: Maguette N'Diaye (SEN)
    TUN vs MTN: Mahmoud El Banna (EGY)
    ALG vs EQG: Mario Escobar (GUA)

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  33. The full sequence after final whistle, Gabon - Ghana:
    https://streamable.com/2hvmmo

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    1. One thing I would say is thati love how security are quickly on the scene to protect the referee!!! This has been a problem in African football but I love the new mandate of securing the officials first of all!!

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    2. African football is easily the most entertaining.

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    3. @Chiagozie I agree completely, something i have noticed this tournament as well. They were also very strong at the end of Sikazwe’s game. Bravo CAF and bravo Cameroon for this improvement.

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    4. As a referee from the CONCACAF region. I can't help but to look at CAF and feel that we aren't so bad after all.

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  34. Predictions MD3
    CPV-CMR: Traore (MLI), Mahamadou (NIG), Jermoumi (MAR), Dahane (MRT) - Karboubi (MAR), Siwela (RSA)
    BFA-ETH: Mukansanga (RWA), Ahmed (DJI), Etchiali (ALG), Guirat (TUN) - Charef (ALG), Samba (SEN)
    MWI-SEN: Heeralali (MRT), Almaldine (COM), Andrianantenaina (MAD), Ndabihawenimana (BDI) - Guerrero (MEX), Noupue (CMR)
    ZIM-GUI: Benbraham (ALG), Ibrahim (SDN), Tiama (BFA), Ghorbal (ALG) - Gassama (GAM), Siwela (RSA)
    GAB-MAR: Martins, dos Santos (both ANG), Pwadutakam (NGA), Marouf (EGY) - Gomes (RSA), Samba (SEN)
    GHA-COM: Ngambo, Kabene (both COD), Cheriyot (KEN), Sy (SEN) - Escobar (GUA), Noupue (CMR)
    GBI-NGA: Waweru (KEN), Komba (TAN), Sidiki (GUI), Guezzaz (MAR) - Guirat, Hassani (both TUN)
    EGY-SDN: Dahane (MRT), Amsaaed (LBY), Okello (UGA), N'Diaye (SEN) - Karboubi (MAR), Gourari (ALG)
    CIV-ALG: El Bana, Abouelregal, Taha, Omar (all EGY) - Zourak, Akerkad (both MAR)
    SLE-EQG: Laryea (GHA), Brinsi (MAR), Atemzabong (CMR), Selmi (TUN) - Heeralali (MRT), Almaldine (COM)
    GAM-TUN: Sy, Samba, Camara (all SEN), Jiyed (MAR) - Benbraham (ALG), Jermoumi (MAR)
    MLI-MRT: Ndabihawenimana (BDI), Siwela (RSA), Noupue (CMR), Bamlak (ETH) - Charef (ALG), dos Santos (ANG)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Highlights

    ALGSLE: https://fromsmash.com/ALGSLE-AhmadImtehazHeeralall-AdilZourak

    KMI
    10' Penalty incident - handball; after carefully studying replays it seems that the ball hit the left hand of defender that didn't make him bigger, so good play-on call here
    48' SLE goal disallowed due to offside; good call by AR1
    73' Penalty incident - handball; it's rather shoulder under today's interpretations, so good play-on here
    74' Penalty incident - step on foot; no replay shows a significant contact that could have led to such reaction of ALG player, good play-on call
    77' SPA vs DOGSO; the other defender is quite far away but given that the attacking player had to run in his direction, it gives him the chance to be active in defence, correct YC

    Disciplinary
    - The referee didn't recognize persistent infringing the LotG by 12SLE who performed several (more reckless than careless) late challenges in 1', 15', 46' and 60'
    - correct yellow cards in 34' (reckless use of arm) and 77' (SPA)
    - possible yellow cards not given in 27' (SPA?) and 37' (SPA?)


    EQGCIV: https://fromsmash.com/EQGCIV-RedouaneJiyed-BouchraKarboubi

    KMI
    05' Possible foul before 0:1 goal; it seems there was a slight contact (kick) with the defending player's foot but I think the play-on call was not a clear and obvious mistake
    39' Penalty incident - handball; after carefully studying the replay it looks like the ball hit the left, slightly outstretched hand of CIV player; as always with handballs it's difficult to judge if play-on call was a clear and obvious mistake
    60' Penalty incident - trailing leg tackle; here I have no doubt that VAR should have invited the referee for an on-field review; the defending player recklessly hits the attacking player with a trailing leg while performing the tackle - it doesn't matter that he played the ball at first!

    Disciplinary
    - 6EQG was quite troublesome player: initiated a conflict in 9', ostentatiously demanded a yellow card to an opponent in 11' and 55' and recklessly used his arm in 16' - the referee should show more alertness against such players
    - correct yellow cards in 30' (off-ball charging + step on leg) and 67' (reckless tackle)
    - possible yellow cards not given in 50' (reckless tackle), 60' (reckless tackle in the penalty area), 66' (shoulder-to-face challenge) and 73' (reckless tackle)

    In addition, for my taste, the referee had too arrogant attitude on several occasions.

    ReplyDelete
  36. 31' Missed RC for DOGSO in GNB-EGY right now imo. Only explanation for me for YC is that attacker has no control of the ball yet and ball is in the air.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Yellow card in the 31st minute to a Guinean defender but it was a clear DOGSO. what a mistake!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YC is the better decision IMO, as the ball is not under control and it is still speculative, whether the attacker would reach the ball first and in a manner that allows him to score a goal.

      Delete
    2. pita falta, there are 4 criteria for DOGSO:
      - direction: yes
      - distance: yes
      - defenders: yes
      - likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball: no
      Since one of the four DOGSO criteria is not met, there is no DOGSO.

      Delete
  38. Not really a fan of the OFR to disallow GNB’s goal here. It’s a soft foul at most. I think the angle from in front of the players shows that there’s actually little to no force in the arm that has allegedly pulled the Egyptian player back; to me he leans back and falls down on his own pretending that he was held.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I also think, that the OFR was rather wrong there. One can give a foul by the attacker, but not a clear situation.

      Delete
    2. Yup clearly not a "clear situation". Because lets totally ignore the kick which swipes out the Egyptian player leg and the hands up near the neck/shoulder area which clearly pull the player back.

      But eh, lets do anything and everything to not call fouls. Turn Reds in Yellows. Turn Yellows into a strong word and a scornful stare. The LoTG? What are those?

      Delete
    3. To be honest, I was looking only at the arms, I didn’t notice the leg kick until reading these comments.

      I have to change my opinion, this is a clear kicking / tripping foul.

      Delete
  39. Guinea Bissau - Egypt VAR intervention:
    https://streamja.com/p6WJm
    What a poor call by VAR there, referee should have had the courage to confirm the goal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It can be foul, but never a clear and obvious mistake...

      Delete
    2. It's clearly a foul. If you don't see it that way. Then as a referee you suffer from poor foul recognition. Hands don't belong anywhere near an opponents neck/shoulder area to pull them back.

      Delete
    3. I think the foul was by the red player’s right leg on the white player’s left leg, and not by the hands.

      I agree that VAR should not have intervened, but since he did then the referee had no choice other than to disallow the goal.

      Delete
    4. Agree with anonymous....clear and obvious foul! Iff you don't see a foul here (by the arms off the attacker), i don't know what you are looking at, but it's not the right place you spot! Perfect intervention by VAR

      Delete
    5. Clear foul at White player’s left leg. Good intervention.

      Delete
    6. Punishable foul by leg not by hand. Also, very good decision earlier in the SPA vs DOGSO situation (no ball possession or very low probability to get the ball by attacker). Former WC ref Ghandour, currently TV analyst, rated the referee 10/10.

      Delete
    7. Excellent VAR intervention, the foul on the leg is clear, this was a clear and obvious error that lead to a goal.

      Delete
    8. Nothing for VAR IMO, but it is quite borderline. The fact that there is half a foul with the hands and the kick maybe was too much for VAR not to intervene. The hand is on the shoulder, but there is negligibale force for me. I think the defender has to be stronger.

      Delete
    9. I'm astonished by so many opinions in favor of VAR intervention, but I respect them! I'm still convinced this was definitely a very wrong decision and referee had to stay wth the original decision to play on. This is rather a second officiating than a real VAR intervention. In Italy we can't imagine such an intervention, at UEFA should be questioned as well.

      Delete
    10. One has also to repeat the VAR principle: It can be a clear foul in your personal opinion. But for a "clear and obvious" error it needs more, namely that it is a clear foul in the opinion of nearly everyone (with sufficient knowledge). And I don't have the impression, that is the case here.

      Delete
    11. i'm a referee now for 13 years, but i would definetly give a whistle for this behaviour of the attacking player, in my games i never got any comment iff i give a whistle for such things.... using hands/arms in this way simply said is not allowed.... it's not a rugbygame... maybe some people here are biassed or think about rugby or American football, but according to the Laws off the game i don't understand how people can defend the original referee descision.... really i don't, clearer than this you don't get a foul!

      Delete
  40. Cameroon & cap vert ( sadok selmi TUNISIA)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Andalusian derby Betis-Sevilla (Copa del Rey Round of 16) suspended in minute 40 after Joan Jordán was hit in the head by an object thrown from the stands while local fans were celebrating a goal (referee is De Burgos Bengoetxea)

    Most likely outcome is the match to be resumed tomorrow behind closed doors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Incredible scenes, really!

      Too bad, De Burgos was doing well, the game itself was very interesting until the incident.

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

    ReplyDelete
  43. Interesting intervention for a penalty yesterday in Victor Gomes' game [VAR: Zourak]. What do you think?

    https://send.cm/d/7tSL

    From what I saw, a classic Gomes performance in Nigeria vs. Sudan. Very lenient approach to disciplinary measures, but with his strong soft skills (+ quite aggressive, but successful, manner) keeping the game under control.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, there is a step on the foot and shirt pulling, so the penalty can't really be wrong and once at the monitor, it's hard to ignore/deny that.
      However, the fall of the attacker can't really be caused by the pull (wrong direction) and starts before the step on the foot. So he seems to deliberately go down, which raises some doubts about the penalty.
      But in the end, there still is a careless step on the foot.
      And it is most likely a missed incident.
      So I think, VAR intervention is supportable, but assessing it as too soft by VAR would also be OK.

      Delete
    2. IMO, this should never be a PK for the step on the foot. It's not intentional, the player would not have gotten to the ball aswell. A shirt pull is always intentional, so that would make more sense. But it looks worse because the player is already going down because of the step on the foot. What do you think Mikael and others?

      Delete
    3. The shirt pull plus the stamp/standing on the foot equals good intervention by the VAR. You said Gomes was "very lenient". So not surprised that he refused to call this PK himself in real time.

      Delete
    4. In short: very strong arguments for a penalty, as you all discussed, but for me again, like in the other game, still a wrong intervention. It looks like something taken apart from the context and sent to referee, VAR should act differently.
      However, until yesterday, I was definitely surprised that there hadn't still been questionable VAR calls in the tournament.
      Yesterday we started...

      Delete
    5. No penalty for me. The holding is not a foul because it does not impede the opponent (this is the new standard for holding since the definition for holding in the LOTG was changed a few years ago). The step is maybe a foul but I don't really see it as careless; there's no force in it, and it is beyond accidental. By that I mean, not only is it accidental, but I don't think the defender can even be considered at fault for it; both players simply step in the same place at the same time. He doesn't act without precaution or show a lack of attention or consideration.

      Delete
  44. From serie A game Juventus - Udinese
    https://streamable.com/gaasiw
    Player pulled by hair. VAR took a bit of time, but then confirmed play on. What do you think? And how to read hair pulling? Should be that violent conduct in all cases? According to some people, it should be considered the same as shirt pulling, but here I strongly disagree. No references in the LotG about that.
    To add, I think that referee didn't see at all the particular or the hair.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think, this is a holding offence as (in my interpretation) he impedes the movement of his opponent with the pull.
      I don't think it should be VC, if it's done for tactical purposes or unintentional. Maybe SFP, if it's harder than in this example. Here I would like a YC for a reckless foul (SPA would be no card in case of penalty).
      IMO, VAR should have intervened, especially if the referee missed the action.

      Delete
    2. Absolutely a penalty IMO - a reckless SPA-ish pull that impedes the attacker from progressing.
      Here, the force is not really enough for a sending-off, I agree with Philipp. Nonetheless, hair pulling is always quite violent, so a RC offense is more likely - but here not the case for me.

      Delete
    3. Reminds me of this game in Scotland a fee years ago, at 1:20.
      https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a7PrTUBenTU
      Decision was red card in this game

      Delete
  45. OT

    Greek SL PAOK-OFI (Ref Fotias, VAR Tzovaras)

    Thoughts on this handball?

    https://streamable.com/yq750i

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At first we should point out that it looks to be a totally missed incident by officials on the pitch: no reaction by both AR2 and referee. Then, the unlucky circumstance is that the team even scores a goal after having gained the possession of the ball.
      Having said that, in my opinion this is not VAR stuff because there is a previous deflection and the arm could be still considered in a natural position, given the action that defender is trying. Nevertheless, having totally missed it and the fact that a goal was scored later also thank to that, can be arguments in favor of OFR.

      Delete
    2. IMO, this is not really a penalty - the defender cannot expect that the ball touches his arm as it is a deflection from the leg.
      Even before the ball changes the direction and hits the arm, the defender's arm is in this position, he doesn't put his arm there when expecting the ball but immediately when starting the sliding movement - therefore, it's rather unintentional for me, the enlargement of the body surface is justifiable by the whole (sliding) body movement.

      Delete
    3. According to current IFAB rules, this is not a penalty. Also, VAR cannot interfere in this position.

      Delete
  46. All UEFA officials attending the FIFA course are not whistling games this weekend?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, indeed about Italy the last appearance was Valeri, VAR on Friday. No referees called at the course for yesterday's and today's games. I checked some other countries and if I'm not wrong, Van Boekel had a game yesterday.
      I can also add that Ricardo De Burgos will ask for a special permission to FIFA for officiating today the continuation of the suspended Seville's derby. He will fly to UAE later than the expected.

      Delete
  47. Two very interesting situations in Augsburg-Frankfurt right now (Referee: Jablonski; VAR: P. Müller)

    33' - Penalty given by Jablonski; followed by a lot of confusion, then OFR -> decision YC against attacker (maybe even RC for SFP?)
    45'+2 - OFR for a possible penalty (handball) -> NOT given after OFR

    It would be highly appreciated if someone can cut clips.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Gambia - Mali, two OFR to assign penalties.

    First:
    https://streamja.com/bJoBE

    Second:
    https://streamja.com/MyXVl

    The latter for handball is quite clear, it doesn't seem the same for the first one... but better to wait for full sequence.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Very good performance by De Burgos Bengoetxea in Andalusian derby (resumed behind closed doors from 40' after yesterday's incident), now he will attend FIFA course as VAR.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Did Afcon refs get new uniforms or Egyptian refs doing Tun-Mtn got special socks, without any white lines? :)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Highlights

    TUNMLI: https://send.cm/d/7uJZ

    KMI
    22' Reckless vs SFP kick by 21TUN; I believe it's SFP but the replay shown by the broadcaster is not conclusive enough to call a referee for an on-field review; I would like to know what angles had VAR to confirm this YC-only call...
    47' Penalty and YC for handball; correct call as the TUN player's target is to block the shot and does it with hand that makes him unnaturally bigger
    51' Penalty incident - tripping; as a Pole I have an advantage of having great Zbigniew Przesmycki as a head of referees for 10 years and he always brilliantly explained such situations: if the ball is moving away from the players, putting a leg in front of your opponent is tripping; MLI player had his shot being unfairly prevented -> penalty to be given, VAR intervention required!
    60' Penalty incident - tripping; here situation is quite similar at first sight but the difference is not won position by the attacking player, so the play-on call is at least acceptable
    63' Possible 2YC to 21TUN after illegal use of arm against goalkeeper; careless or reckless action? benefit of the doubt to the referee (and player involved)
    65' Penalty incident - kicking; a very difficult situation for the referee; both players are focused on fighting for a high ball, 28TUN puts his leg in front of coming 18MLI who carelessly kicks him; the referee decided for a FK to defending team while I'm more for penalty; was no penalty call a clear and obvious error though? it depends if we are looking for the optimal and by-the-book call or we consider also the overall perception and expectations
    74' Penalty awarded for handball after OFR; the hand makes the player bigger but is it unnaturally positioned? is the player's action focused on blocking a pass or he simply stands on the path of the pass? while I am fully OK with the final penalty call and I strongly prefer it, I wonder if not assessing this handball as punishable was clearly and obviously wrong
    74' Red card to 9MLI for SFP upheld after OFR; I see arguments for both RC (no intention to play the ball, contact above the ankle) and YC (contact only with top of the shoe, not full studs contact) so I don't like the OFR in this case

    Disciplinary
    - I didn't like two forgiven yellow cards to 6TUN after quite clear SPA offences in 16' and 32'. The trailing leg tackle by 28TUN in 44' and head strike by 18MLI in 63' also deserved to be booked.
    - The yellow cards shown in 18' (reckless SPA-tripping), 22' (reckless-SFP kick), 33' (not leaving the field of play on stretcher, according to tournament's guidelines), 47' (blocking a shot with hand) and red card shown in 87' were at least acceptable calls.

    Lost time compensation
    1H: five minutes should have been added instead of two given by Sikazwe who blew for the half-time in 46:45, fifteen seconds too early
    2H: the total amount of TEN minutes should have been added and the game was stopped prematurely in 86' (here the referee quickly realised the mistake) and in 89:45.

    I have to say it: there was something wrong with Janny in the second half. You can see his facial expression during the cooling break in 80'. I am sure he was not totally conscious about what he was doing in the dying stages of the game. I find some comments here, on the REFEREEING blog, terrible and I am really sorry for Janny and wish him a speed recovery!

    I am also shocked by no reaction by the refereeing team (assistants, fourth official, VAR) who didn't realise that the referee is no longer able to handle this game and that they didn't react on the final whistle in 89:45. To be honest, the only possible suspension should be for them, not for the referee who was most likely unconscious what he's doing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 51' totally agree, for me this is a PK. Are you saying if the ball would come towards the two players and the same ,trip' happens, it's not a PK?

      60' The ball is not in control of the striker. Looks like the defender is in a better position. So for me PK would be quite wrong.

      65' Here I disagree with you. It is very clever from the striker. He has a little look (1st replay best) at the defender and puts his left leg into the path. It is unnatural movement into the defenders space IMO. You can see, that the drop point of the ball is not where the 'foul' occurs. I actually agree with the defensive free kick.

      74' Agree with your thoughts.

      Delete
    2. Re. 51' and your question: yes, if the ball move towards the players, both would be entitled to put their leg in front of each other as a part of "shielding the ball" mentioned in the LotG.

      Delete
  52. MTNGAM: https://fromsmash.com/MTNGAM-MustaphaGhorbal-AdilZourak

    KMI
    75' Penalty incident - handball in the wall; replays are not really conclusive here; after studying it carefully, I think the ball hits the left player's hand that's position is hard to judge and then bounce off the second player's hand or chest. Inconclusive replays to judge.

    Disciplinary
    Among many soft whistles the yellow cards given in 28' (reckless use of arm), 30' (SPA), 55' (reckless kick), 90+1' (reckless foul on GK) and 90+1' (SPA?, reckless use of arm?, inconclusive footage) were correct. Was there SPA in 89'?

    In general, that was not a challenging game for the Algerian who had to jump in in the last minutes in spite of infected Bernard Camille.

    ReplyDelete
  53. 6 cards innthe first half of Alg-Eqg! Did Escobar forget his very own style of reffing without cards? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brian Hall and his fellow cronies from the CONCACAF Ref Comm are far far away. So Escobar is free to perform in his true manner and style.

      Delete
  54. RC for Militao? The handball is clear but isn't a YC a better choise here? I mean there is 0 intention from the defender.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The intention doesn't matter but Courtois was right behind him so I'm not convinced he denied a certain goal. YC is a better choice IMO but can't say red is entirely wrong either

      Delete
    2. Correct RC for me. A handball interrupting a header from inside the goal area should be considered DOGSO.

      Delete
    3. There is no DOGSO here. It’s either denying a goal or not. DOGSO is for goal scoring oppurtunities. Did he stop a goal? I think not because it would hit the GK. Yellow is correct. Your criteria that the goal area makes it an automatic red is way off.

      Delete
  55. It seems as FIFA changed appointments for CONCACAF at CWC, now we read:
    César Arturo Ramos Palazuelos MEX
    Alberto Morín Méndez MEX
    Miguel Ángel Hernández Paredes MEX
    VAR: Drew Thomas Fischer CAN

    Previously, CONCAFAF sources had announced Iván Barton (SLV).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe these changes prevented the release of the full appointments? Or maybe FIFA was disappointed by Hernandez and need to test the other Mexican candidate?

      Delete
    2. All options are possible, but maybe COVID restrictions should be considered among the main reasons.

      Delete
    3. Also confirmed that there are 5 referees (all but OFC), 10 AR, and 7 VAR (1 AFC, 1 CONCACAF, 2 CONMEBOL, 3 UEFA). David Yareboinen from OFC as support.

      Delete
    4. If you know all these numbers, maybe you can also let us know the names?

      Delete
    5. It cannot be disclosed, FIFA will do that soon.

      Delete
    6. The blogs who disclosed the CONMEBOL and CONCACAF trios are based on info from within their confederation and always wait until they can disclose such info, so at this point is no longer prevented by FIFA.

      Delete
    7. @chefren
      the uefa referees chosen for the cwc do you already know who they are? where can you find a list?

      Delete
    8. Anonymous 21:54 and 22:25, you must have taken the info from the Mexican FA website, whete they posted exactly the same numbers. The fact that the Mexican FA posted it confirms that the appointments are public information at this time.

      Delete
    9. @Luigi I don't know the names, otherwise I would post them.
      However, given that infos are now reported, I think today or in the next days we will finally see FIFA publishing them.

      Delete
  56. Just a very particular remark, with today's appointment Mario Escobar from Guatemala has met the only (officially recognized) African state in which Spanish is used as official language (Equatorial Guinea).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. From this point of view, Brazil would be the only South American team some CONCACAF referees (Mexicans etc.) could handle in a UEFA-CONMEBOL clash (unless Spain plays against one of the others). But, yes, I also think that national official languages could be considered, especially when there are so many degrees of freedom like currently in the AFCON.

      Peter/Vienna

      Delete
    2. His body language in that game was very distinctive. So aggressive!

      Delete

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