Friday, 28 January 2022

2021 AFCON Referee Appointments - Quarterfinals

Referee appointments at 2021 AFCON, Quarterfinals. 




29/01/2022

Gambia vs Cameroon
Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi)
Assistant Referee 1: Ibrahim Abdalla Mohammed (Sudan)
Assistant Referee 2: Seydou Tiama (Burkina Faso)
Fourth Official: Boubou Traore (Mali)
Video Assistant Referee: Haythem Guirat (Tunisia)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Khalil Hassani (Tunisia)

Burkina Faso vs Tunisia
Referee: Joshua Bondo (Botswana)
Assistant Referee 1: Arsenio Maringula (Mozambique)
Assistant Referee 2: Gilbert Cheriyot (Kenya)
Fourth Official: Peter Waweru Kamaku (Kenya)
Video Assistant Referee: Redouane Jiyed (Morocco)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Adil Zourak (Morocco)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Fatiha Jermoumi (Morocco)

30/01/2022

Egypt vs Morocco
Referee: Maguette Ndiaye (Senegal)
Assistant Referee 1: El Hadji Malick Samba (Senegal)
Assistant Referee 2: Djibril Camara (Senegal)
Fourth Official: Sadok Selmi (Tunisia)
Video Assistant Referee: Fernando Guerrero (Mexico)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos (Angola)

Senegal vs Equatorial Guinea
Referee: Victor Miguel De Freitas Gomes (South Africa)
Assistant Referee 1: Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela (South Africa) Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos (ANG)
Assistant Referee 2: Souru Phatsoane (Lesotho)
Fourth Official: Daniel Nii Laryea (Ghana)
Video Assistant Referee: Mahmoud Mohamed Ashour (Egypt)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Mahmoud El Bana Zakaria Moustafa (Egypt)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Mahmoud Ahmed Kamel Abouelregal (Egypt)

116 comments:

  1. Could anyone share VAR and AVAR appointments for AFC qualifiers (27 January and 1 February)?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 27/01

      LBNKOR
      VAR: Adham Muhammad Tumah Makhadmah (JOR)
      AVAR: Ahmad Faisal Muhammad Al-Ali (JOR)

      UAESYR
      VAR: Muhammad Taqi Aljaafari bin Jahari (SIN)
      AVAR: Jumpei Iida (JPN)

      IRNIRQ
      No VAR

      KSAOMA
      VAR: Muhammad Abdullah Hassan Muhammad (UAE)
      AVAR: Ammar Ali Abdullah Juma'a Al-Junaibi (UAE)

      AUSVIE
      VAR: Kim Jong-hyeok (KOR)
      AVAR: Kim Dae-yong (KOR)

      JPNCHN
      VAR: Khamis Muhammad Al-Marri (QAT)
      AVAR: Saud Ali Al-Adhba (QAT)

      Delete
  2. About Roldán, my opinions to follow. I made some videos about first half situations, the file I downloaded for second half is corrupt so I wait for a better download.

    13' Red card for SFP
    https://streamable.com/rzi8hn
    In this case, I think that referee must be strongly blamed for having missed live the assessment of situation. First argument is SFP, this is definitely an awful challenge by keeper and must be punished accordingly. DOGSO is a minor argument there, in the meaning that it must be discussed only later but no need.

    20' Second YC
    https://streamable.com/p27xot
    Particular situation, Brazilian player is going fairly for the ball, then the opponent is very clever in his action and I think defender didn't expect that. The consequence, reckless action, can't be denied, but in my opinion not a 100% clear situation because most is made by Ecuador player. As observer, however no doubts about a full support for referee. Not calling it wouldn't have been a mistake, though. I know that this point of view can be discussed...

    26' RC for SFP removed after OFR and changed in YC (reckless)
    https://streamable.com/r87g7g
    A red card for Alisson wouldn't have been a 100% wrong decision, but I think in this case you have only about a 5% because after a very clean action on the ball would be extremely harsh to punish keeper for the consequence. Also in this case, the contact with player occurs by far later than the clear kick to ball, YC for reckless challenge is the best solution, I agree with this final decision, but I think strictly according to what had happened, VAR didn't have to intervene on a theoretical plan (by protocol).

    56' Penalty annulled.
    In this case in my opinion VAR intervention is wrong and referee is very unsure, because one can't deny that a very soft contact had happened at the tip of the foot. Not enough? I think that this is impossible to check. UEFA wouldn't have called this OFR, I think.

    90+1' Penalty annulled after OFR.
    I think in this case VAR was again wrong in intervening because after having hit ball here the action by keeper on opponent can be considered as reckless as it was for the final decision in first half. All is about how much for CONMEBOL "playing clearly ball before" is a strong argument or not. In this case, for VAR it was strong for removing the penalty. Then the confusion about how to resume play.

    In most of the incidents you can see a very annoyed Roldán, he didn't know what to decide, too long time in almost all situations. Very poor performance and without VAR would have been a nightmare, mostly after the first incident missed.
    Personally I never liked him and this performance explains why his credit must be now over. He had some shocking performances at World Cup as well. Never clear why he was always rated so highly.
    Having said that, in terms of VAR I would say only situation at the beginning of the game is the one you can't question, the rest is about style, confederation's ideas about how to use it in mostly grey areas and so on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes absolutely, after OFR referee can decide what he wants.
      Even confirming his original decisions.

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    2. Lack of personality from Roldan I have to say

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    3. The missing clips:

      56'
      https://streamable.com/b1xm03

      90'+1
      https://streamable.com/m32b6b

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    4. In 56' I can understand, why Roldan needed so much time at the screen - really difficult.
      The initial idea that the defender stepped on his opponent's foot can be rejected with the slow-motions and freeze frames. Indeed, the defender placed his foot first and the attacker stepped on it. But isn't that still tripping by the defender, who obstructs the progress of his opponent? I can't really decide. But yes, doesn't seem like a clear and ovious situation in any case.

      Delete
  3. How to ruin a colleague's performance? He felt compelled to change his initial decision even though the decision was not clearly wrong.

    I think the first big decision caused the rest ... brittle mentally after that first undetected red on the field.

    The following VAR calls were not to comfort and encourage him.

    This game was certainly a test for the selection in Qatar. He did not convince...that's the least we can say unfortunately.

    Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I feel like SF appointments could be conditioned by results of referees' national teams (Gassama/Gambia, Jiyed/Morocco, Omar/Egypt, N'Diaye/Senegal)

    Tessema and Ndala Ngambo are 'lucky' in that sense.

    ReplyDelete
  5. CONMEBOL referees selected for the FIFA World Cup 2022 course in Buenos Aires from 21 to 25 February. I haven't confirmed the full VAR list, so I won't share it yet

    Fernando Rapallini (ARG)
    Facundo Tello (ARG)
    Gery Vargas (BOL)
    Raphael Claus (BRA)
    Wilton Sampaio (BRA)
    Roberto Tobar (CHI)
    John Ospina (COL)
    Andres Rojas (COL)
    Guillermo Guerrero (ECU)
    Eber Aquino (PAR)
    Diego Haro (PER)
    Kevin Ortega (PER)
    Leodan Gonzalez (URU)
    Andres Matonte (URU)
    Alexis Herrera (VEN)
    Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I Said, no Roldan!!!

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    2. I don't actually know why this is surprising to some, Roldan was never in the process for 2022, he was dropped by FIFA Ref Com shortly after the 2018 World Cup.

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    3. Because he still is one of the top names in CONMEBOL based on appointments and clearly ahead of Ospina and Rojas in South American competitions.

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    4. Well, in this case it's a little lack of knowledge from people from other continents, I'm European but I try to know about all continents, and that's not just in assignments, knowing a little behind the scenes of refereeing is also important, and anyone that dig a little deeper, could have the knowledge that Roldan, and I could add Nestor Pitana until last year, continue as top referees in CONMEBOL, but from the beginning of the cycle they already knew that they were not candidates for another World Cup.

      Delete
    5. No se entiende porqué si un árbitro está descartado para la cita mundialista le siguen dando partidos importantes en la eliminatoria, tapando a otros, como sus compatriotas Ospina y Rojas, que podrían estar acumulando experiencia para ese certamen, si llegan y en general para el futuro.

      Delete
    6. Mis candidastos para Qatar 2022 son Rapallini, Claus, González, Tobar y Alexis Herrera.

      Delete
    7. Otherwise my opinion from the outside view (more based on appointments than performance)
      In ARG, Rapallini seems to be ahead of Tello
      Vargas should have no chance, did not even do a single WC qualifier in this campaign.
      BRA is very tight. Both seem to have a similar status in CONMEBOL. The bigger experience (also on FIFA level) could tip the balance for Sampaio.
      Tobar is at the very top in CONMEBOL for some years and should be quite safe.
      The two Colombians are too far away from the top level, it seems.
      Guerrero might be a good option as support referee, more would be rather surprising, but not impossible after a good U17WC.
      Aquino doesn't have any FIFA experience, therefore quite low chances for him.
      Haro is interesting with already 3 FIFA youth WCs, but not many big appointments in South America (but CHI-BRA in September). Could be an option, if there is one spot with no good alternative.
      Ortega had a Olympic SF, so certainly on the radar. Due to his small experience overall, I think, only a support spot is realistic for him - if Haro isn't selected.
      In Uruguay already a preselection with Cunha and Ostojich not on the list. Gonzalez seems to be higher up in the CONMEBOL ranking and did two recent FIFA tournaments, but there could be a reason, why suddenly Matonte appeared for the Arab Cup.
      The two referees from VEN both have appointment profiles, which make them strong candidates for the WC, so one of them should go. Valenzuela could be slightly ahead.
      So overall I would say:
      Rapallini, Tobar, Sampaio, Gonzalez, Valenzuela + Guerrero or Ortega as support

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    8. Matonte's career is quite remarkable to say the least. Only been on the FIFA list since 2019, he's already been appointed as the referee for the Copa Sudamericana final and was also a referee at the Arab Cup. Would be very harsh on Gonzalez but currently I think he's actually the better out of the two.

      Delete
    9. It's not just names and designations, try to find out what also happens in matches and off the field, and you'll quickly know why Ostojich and Cunha are not (Cunha is in the seminar as VAR candidate).

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    10. Then maybe you can let us (who are not from South America) know what happened off the field with Ostojich and Cunha?

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    11. Ostojich, Cunha are suspended by Conmebol. After I believe ARG X BRA

      Delete
    12. VAR candidates should be Delfino, Vigliano, Reway, Toski, Traci, Gallo, Orbe, Cunha, Soto.

      Delete
  6. OT

    Luis Godinho (UEFA 2nd) will handle the SL derby PAOK - Olympiakos on Sunday. His assistants are Rui Teixiera and Pedro Mota. VAR is Hugo Miguel.

    Also Nikola Dabanovic (UEFA 1st) will handle the important match Ionikos - Atromitos. His assistants are Vladan Todorovic and Milutin Djukic. VAR is Hugo Miguel.

    ReplyDelete
  7. OT

    RFU has given a second chance to experienced russian referee Evgeny Turbin (42 years old, never international). He will go to winter gathering with other RPL referees.
    More: https://www.sports.ru/football/1105827016-otstranennyj-god-nazad-ot-sudejstva-arbitr-turbin-vozvrashhaetsya-k-ra.html

    He was banned by RFU year ago for indefinite term for disastrous match Sochi - Rostov along with two other referees. This season he had overseen only FNL games and has been VAR at RPL games.

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  8. Both Brazilian assistant that forget their flags on yesterday game between CHI X ARG are suspended by CONMEBOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saw it. Unacceptable to see ARs using reflective vests instead of proper flags in a FIFA competition.

      They don't have flags in the local referees association to ask somebody to bring them to the stadium? What was referee liaison officer doing?

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    2. Both ARs suspended for 4 months by CONMEBOL.

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  9. We have to appreciate CONMEBOL's transparency with its use of VAR, for posting all audios on their youtube channel.

    Based on their assessment: (please correct me if I misunderstood any Spanish)

    13' Red card for SFP
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah7NsYUKQvk
    Roldan missed it, VAR recommended OFR for SFP. Correct intervention with correct outcome.

    25 RC changed to YC after OFR
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW6Qu3A8lbA
    The original on-field decision was input by his AR. The main reason for overturning the decision was the fact that the keeper played the ball first and had no place to land it subsequently.

    56 Penalty annulled after OFR
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVpsJXf1vvI
    The OFR was recommended to "interpret again ... to see who step on who." Roldan, during OFR, said contact was exaggerated. It was overturned because Brazil player placed his foot first, hence it was deemed no penalty.

    90+1 Penalty annulled after OFR
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfWsavnRE2s
    VAR recommended OFR, said it was fundamental(?) and better to see it. VAR did say to Roldan that the ball was played first by GK but the contact was strong. They used the same idea from the first possible red card incident in which GK plays the ball hence has no place to land its body part. Basically, the contact was inevitable

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    Replies
    1. Thank to CONMEBOL for this transparency indeed, we can only praise that. My comments about VAR work.

      13' - After having watched the challenge, it seems as VAR wants to be sure again about having played ball or not, but this becomes absolutely marginal and without any importance, this would be only my small point of criticism, the process of calling referee could have been quicker. Also, the referee asking the reason for RC (whether SFP or DOGSO), I think this should be easily seen by himself at monitor!

      26' - Roldan says: "He plays ball", so I guess he had indeed totally misread the incident before, when he issued the straight RC. In this case the intervention as I said is very reasonable but one could still say not 100% correct according to protocol. However, once noticed that referee had a wrong perception, a bit more justified. Interesting that referee asks an opinion to VAR as well, I'm really curious about this, because in UEFA and especally in Italy I can't imagine a referee on the pitch asking for that deliberately, but only hearing what they say to him from the VAR room. If we say that the central figure must be always referee on the pitch, this conversation makes him very weak.

      56' - I agree with VAR that the contact is made bigger by attacker, but I disagree when they say that Brazilian defender puts his foot before and for this reason shouldn't be a penalty. Why? The attacker was running in the patch of the ball, while defender tries to intervention and he must also consider the risk. In my opinion not a clear situation as they describe, the analysis can be shared, but this is not VAR stuff and sounds like "moviola" (Italian term that I'm in trouble to explain in English) than a real factual analysis. Also, Roldan again asking who puts foot before, can't be detect it by himself? Sometimes I'm really very suprised by how many things referees ask to VAR in CONMEBOL. I repeat myself, in Italy they don't ask more than showing particular angles. Question of style... they must always decide by themselves.

      90'+1 - At first let's remark "This i a crucial decision so better if you see this again..." Correct statement by VAR? One could argue that in case of similar situation during the game, without a real importance for the outcome, they would have treated it differently. Not good for him, I know that I'm harsh... :) Then, also in this case referee didn't understand who had played ball before. So again, like before, VAR has some elements for intervening but in my opinion too many "lessons" by VAR to referee, this is something that makes me really astonished. One has just to accept that...

      Delete
    2. Very good point by Chefren at 56'. IMO just because the striker stands on the foot of the defender, does not mean it's 100% no penalty. Like in CL 2019 between Barcelona and Lyon: https://youtu.be/cYdzMRNad-E?t=103 (Referee Marciniak). What do you think Chefren and others? Clear penalty?

      Delete
    3. I should read again before publishing, I meant "path" and not "patch" but the concept is indeed clear...
      The situation in Marciniak game, in my opinion the defender making such tackle is aware he can commit a foul, a penalty that basically it is difficult to consider as wrong, but this case is different from Ecuador - Brazil, because attacker is more aware of the intervention by defender, and he is already controlling the ball, so if he decides to step on the legs of opponent, this could be punished as well. Point of views.

      Delete
    4. Apart from the technical and disciplinary decisions, as well as the unnecessary interventions by the VAR in minutes 56 and 90+1, I assessed an extremely weak management by Roldan. Not a single firm decision could be observed. Brazilian players were overruling Roldan. Brazilian players dictated 'te law' and they were more in charge than the referee.

      Delete
  10. I'm surprised to see the referee appointment for Canada - United States (which I will be attending!). The referee will be Cesar Ramos, who is on the roster for the Club World Cup which starts just four days later.

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  11. Chefron I agree that under VAR protocols as they stand over here using an OFR to double check does not exist. But I like it for that.
    In rugby the conversation would be "at the moment I see it as this, can you show me the angles so I can check?"
    90%+ of time at least the decision was correct but now everyone knows its correct.
    Also rugby TMOs would say "let me show you that angle again" if they want referee to reconsider 😏
    All of this done on mic heard by anyone watching

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  12. Very interesting documentary about Shona Shukrula and her life as referee and justice officer.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4w8yyi0Blg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing. She was also in the news some time ago because of a relationship with a footballer (That she met during a match)

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    2. I liked it very much, it is in my opinion the portrait of a very determined woman, for what I can point out. How she manages to arrange both refereeing and a so important job in her life is surely something very difficult. Also, admiration for having admitted publicly her issues with COVID, but surely now she is stronger than before. What I like is that she has very clear ideas about her goals and she is very focused on everything she does. I write that because, looking at it with my Italian glasses, this is something very incredible to notice. Here referees are always hidden, we don't know anything about their private life, sometimes it looks like they are not human. This is why they are very often blamed, also because they can't talk. For sure two opposite cultures, but I really like to hear these stories, you can definitely learn many things.

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    3. I wish I could understand it, but unfortunately Dutch seems too difficult to me and there are only Dutch subtitles...

      Delete
    4. You can use the simultaneous translation, should be active in all browers by opening subtitles settings! I did that, all languages are available! Of course translation is not 100% accurate, but mostly you understand without problems the basics.
      See the picture:
      https://ibb.co/k9s5TLz

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    5. Wow Chefren, as I Dutch I already didn’t understand how it was possible for you to watch it :) That’s a good trick.

      IMO it’s good if referees are allowed to clarify decisions, because so many people simply don’t know the rules, the VAR-protocol or how rules are applied. Supporters, players, reporters or even football analysts. Moreover, its nice to ‘get to know’ the person behind the referee (a little bit) and for example their other jobs besides refereeing. This makes them human, increases the public appreciation and for sure it is good publicity for the ‘art’ called refereeing as well.

      This is also why I liked the Man in the middle series so much. Hope to see more insides like that in the future.

      Delete
  13. What do you think about this red card c.OFR in the Jamaica vs. Mexico WCQ game for a follow-through challenge incident? Referee was Salvadorian Ismael Cornejo [VAR: Chapman (USA)].

    https://send.cm/d/8PQA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 2021 AFCON style (unless last Gassama's game) in CONCACAF qualifiers as well :)
      My opinion is that in this case the red card is very harsh and I wouldn't have expected a VAR intervention. We can add some arguments for assessing it as reckless: at first, the contact with ball before, then the point of contact, not that up.
      Again, if we start to punish all these challenges with RC it becomes extremely harsh and maybe a bit out of reality.
      Of course, if RC issued by referee on the pitch, no doubts, absolutely OK decision, but too many doubts about a VAR intervention. Also, let me add, despite of being so close, in my opinion clearly impossible for referee to assess as SFP live, too difficult to have the real perception of what had exactly happened.

      Delete
  14. Finally I'm managing to watch some minutes of an AFCON game with Italian commentators, the previous ones were aired on an "additional pay tv" :D difficult to explain and I didn't know about today broadcasting until now.
    In the minute 73', they congratulate Pacifique Ndabihawenimana for the performance so far, not a really challenging game, but he was ready and alert, according to them.

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  15. OFR for possible Tunisia penalty but sticks with original decision.

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    Replies
    1. Shocking that he stayed with the original decision and even more shocking that there was not a check also for a red card in the same situation.

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    2. I disagree.
      It's a controversial decision with arguments for both sides and therefore not a clear situation, i.e. IMO even a wrong OFR.
      It seemed, nobody on the field expected a penalty there, the Tunisians rather wanted to continue than having the scene checked by the referee.
      An additional check for Red Card doesn't make sense, I think. If it's already no penalty for the referee, it can't be a RC. And if the referee detects a foul in the OFR, he is free to choose the disciplinary action.

      Delete
  16. Another OFR this time for a red card upgrade for a Burkina Faso player. Not 100% sure with this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RC is the correct decision IMO. The hitting movement doesn't seem to be part of the natural jump. Furthermore the elbow hits right in the face with high intensity.
      Whether this is clear enough for a VAR intervention could be discussed though.

      Delete
    2. And here a shocking VAR intervention. This is a comedy, it is not refereeing. Unfortunately it is pretty much the same level of refereeing everywhere and it will be like that while people who do not have any football background get the chance to be referees and even referees' bosses. Their football knowledge is absolutely non-existent and the damage they bring to football is frightening.

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    3. Maybe this poor guy also has received a sun stroke and that's why signalled the end of the game 15 seconds earlier?

      Delete
    4. Finishing earlier is indeed an unneccessary mistake, although with a free kick for BFA nothing would have happened.
      Also the additional time (4 min) was too short, the stoppages around the two OFR took 5 minutes (in total) alone.

      Delete
    5. Philipp S, I see your comments and I find you a perfect example of the picture of the referee who I have described above. Someone who has never played football before, maybe also never watched, but one day just decided: 'Hm... Maybe I should become a referee'. Than took a short course and now you are absolutely free to impose your opinion on people who have played or coached football the whole their life. You are reading the rules but you completely don't understand them simply because you don't have the base.

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    6. @Anonymous I think you should respect more people's opinion.
      Very arrogant words, definitely not needed. Imagine somebody saying that to you.

      Delete
  17. Bondo makes a confident and composed impression in both OFR situations, still appearing in charge of everything. Better than some of his colleagues in this aspect.

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  18. Penalty situation BFA - TUN:
    https://streamable.com/mssbc5
    I agree with Philipp, as very often happens :)
    Never VAR stuff in my opinion, because having clearly played ball before is a strong argument to support no call, but then in my opinion better decision penalty because action is too reckless on opponent's body. My ideal solution is penalty + YC for a reckless challenge, but never VAR. About a possible RC, the check already includes that, referee can view the scene and if he thinks SFP, then he issues RC. But in my opinion this is YC at most.

    Red card after OFR:
    https://streamable.com/834arx
    Extremely borderline to me, still I think RC can be correct, but we miss the evidence, I think, about a deliberate action by player, and this should be the factor to analyze in this case. Player is aware that opponent is there, I think he doesn't care too much about that and then he makes such action with elbow. A RC is fully justified, but again for me, you don't have the 100% evidence. However, by far more resonable intervention than previous one.

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    Replies
    1. I didn't watch all of BFA-TUN today, but what I saw from Bondo, I did like.
      He stuck to the No Penalty decision, which I find correct. He plays the ball and honestly can't/shouldn't have to anticipate where exactly the Tunesian player is moving towards.
      He changed the YC to RC, which (although I don't like the VAR intervention), seems correct to me as well just given the intent of the latter elbow movement.

      If you add the confident, but not arrogant, demeanor, it was one of the more convincing performances at this AFCON from the ref.

      Delete
    2. One thing that I dont really like is the way RC are shown. I don't think the referee should have a smile on his face while doing so. Maybe the referees are encouraged to do so, because I saw it very similiarly from Benbraham in Senegal vs. Cap Verde. Also, I learned in one of my first courses, to not have the whistle in the mouth when approaching (and talking) to players. But this is just a minor point and I think the referee did well with both VARint this game. Similiarly to Alisson vs. Ecuador, it is important how much later a reckless (or more) contact happens after having played the ball. If it is not directly after playing the ball, more responsibility goes to the player getting hurt to avoid the challenge. Do you agree?

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    3. Yes, I agree about your last remarks, but let's remember that surely all situations are always different. We must try to understand whether the opponent can maybe avoid the contact, or it can be considered as a normal contact of play. While in the cases when the contact is immediate after having hit ball, this responsibility can be given more to original offender (still on paper...).

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    4. What do you think about referees smiling when giving a RC?

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    5. Basically this must be avoided, but in the particular case of Bondo in this game I think that it was rather the way of presenting himself to players after the OFR, he didn't want to laugh about the decision, he was sure about the decision, in my opinion this smile was an "aspect" of his body language, and I agree with some people who wrote above: very convincing, differently than other referees after an OFR, because he was sure about what to do.

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  19. Don't forget Jean Ndala Ngambo (DRC), very good performance in CIV-EGY. Only 34 years of age, but did referee CAF Super Cup in December last year

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  20. The winning goal of Burkina Faso was illegal since the player who scored touched the ball with his hand in the same action. Please watch carefully in slow motion.

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  21. Hmm. Definitely a sense of a handball there. Hard to tell for sure from my phone.

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  22. Confirmed by former WC ref Ghandour on BeInSports, who showed it clearly, using a close up image.

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  23. I've looked frame by frame at the replays shown after the goal and I don't see anything clear. The ball seems to be reaching it's apex right near the height of the hand and I don't see a clear change in spin or velocity on the ball.

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  24. I do not have a link as I watched it live on BeInSports TV. They have a post-match show in Arabic where Ghandour makes a referee analysis after each game. He said the goal should have been disallowed for a handball by the player who scored and they showed a close-up where you could see the ball touching his hand.
    Ghandour also said that a penalty kick should have been awarded to Tunisia after OFR since the defender made a movement with the other leg after playing the ball. Regarding the early final whistle, he just said that he cannot understand why Bondo did that, especially after the Sikazwe incident. It was on live TV, so I do not have a link or clip.

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  25. Could anyone share the VAR and AVAR appointments for Concacaf WCQ MD10 ties on January 30? Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. I'm really disappointed by how nowadays WC qualifiers appointments are treated, not even reported on official sites.
      Until some years ago, all assignments were regularly on FIFA site, now we have VAR and that's the difference, but one between FIFA and/or the involved confederation should ensure at least an official release of the assignment...

      Delete
    2. CANUSA
      VAR: Fernando Hernández (MEX)
      AVAR: ?

      MEXCRC
      VAR: ?
      AVAR: ?

      PANJAM
      VAR: Eduardo Galván (MEX)
      AVAR: Jorge Antonio Pérez Durán (MEX)

      HONSLV
      VAR: Ángel Monroy (MEX)
      AVAR: Óscar Macías (MEX)

      Delete
    3. MEXCRC
      VAR: Edvin Jurisevic (USA)
      AVAR: Tristley Jansen Bassue (SKN)

      Delete
    4. Totally agree Chefren. FIFA and CONCACAF don't publish anything on VAR/AVAR appointments especially how important they are now as part of the match official teams. Wishing more emphasis was put on it.

      Delete
  26. Indeed it looks like attacker remains in control of the ball, thank to handball, and then he immediately scores.
    Impossibile to say without a closer replay, though.
    https://streamable.com/tbg5rv
    A quite difficult task for VAR because in this case a more "VAR - Developed eye" is needed. We can just wish that they checked that.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Referees now have thier names at the back of their shirts.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Correct penalty by Ndiaye.
    https://streamja.com/O4gZ6

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think he wanted to give a penalty but the AR kept pointing for a Corner kick so probably a missed incident.

      Delete
    2. I noticed now that it was given after OFR. Big miss then at least by AR2 who had a good view on the incident, should have been spotted live.

      Delete
    3. I really wish he'd dish out a few more cards for dissent of players and benches.
      This is so hard to watch.

      Delete
    4. Agree, not a fan of his style with his lenient approach, onkay talking, not action.

      Delete
    5. Now big escalation, that to me is result of his approach.

      Delete
    6. Am I the only one who thinks that PK given to Morocco is a dive?

      Delete
    7. I understand your argument but once you have a defender trying a tackle, missing the ball, and the opponent running for it in penalty area, I think you make it complicated to judge as simulation. Surely attacker could have avoided contact but in this case in my opinion it wasn't required like other situations, given the risky challenge by defender he assumed the responsibility of committing penalty by just impeding attacker.

      Delete
    8. Very good spot Quilava. I was thinking the same for a moment but agree with Chefren in the end. It is such a risky challenge without the ball. I also think there would have been contact and the attacker just goes down a bit early, maybe to protect himself. It would be hard to justify noPK but there must be small doubts about a VAR intervention. I remember Ronaldo vs. West Ham this season there was a very similiar situation, where Cristiano goes down before the challenge. PGMOL said it was correctly no PK but it definitely looked like a PK
      Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgtkE3oMmwk

      Delete
  29. This is a digression, but what does everyone think of the quality fo Premier League refereeing? Here's a video on its questionable VAR decisions this season: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmWnct2ITQw, some of which seem inexplicable. Is it perhaps the referee training for its referees isn't up to par with the other organizations in Europe? It seems there hasn't been a higher echelon English elite referee since Clattenburg. Taylor and Oliver are in the elite category, I think, but not in the upper level, and I don't think there are that many FIFA referees in the Premier League in general, though I could be mistaken.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Taylor is definetely in upper elite. Together with Makkelie, Turpin and Orsato.

      Delete
  30. Good point. Taylor could be upper level.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Seems like dos Santos (ANG) replaced Siwela (RSA) in the current match SEN-EQG.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Good piece of refereeing from Victor Gomes in the 1H of Senegal-Equatorial Guinea.

    Three correct cautions(9' for reckless use of arms, 18' for SPA-holding, 35 for UB), sensible foul detection coupled with a strong personality. A great verbal warning to the Guinean coach who was asking for VAR review in 10'. A missed advantage in 19' is the only point of improvement.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very strong body language while issuing warnings, I would add.
      Convincing performance so far.

      Delete
  33. Now penalty for handball, defender's arm in a fully natural position.
    It is not required to put it behind back.
    Correct VAR intervention for my taste.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Excellent to revoke this penalty after OFR. IMO this situation is a textbook example of a arm in a natural position, therefore no handball is the very right call.

      Delete
    2. The CAFTV Youtube stream commentator saying that it was 'the clearest PK we'll see in a long time' XD

      Correct intervention for me.

      Delete
  34. OT:
    UEFA Youth League play-offs

    Referee appointments

    February 8, 2022

    AZ Alkmaar - Villarreal
    Ref: Robert Jenkins (WAL)
    AR1: Daniel Beckett (WAL)
    AR2: Johnathon Bryant (WAL)
    4th: Erwin Blank (NED)

    Rangers - Sevilla
    Ref: Allard Lindhout (NED)
    AR1: Rogier Honig (NED)
    AR2: Roy de Nas (NED)
    4th: David Dickinson (SCO)

    Žilina - Inter
    Ref: Sebastian Gishamer (AUT)
    AR1: Roland Riedel (AUT)
    AR2: Maximilian Weiss (AUT)
    4th: Michal Očenaš (SVK)

    Empoli - Borussia Dortmund
    Ref: Igor Pajač (CRO)
    AR1: Bojan Zobenica (CRO)
    AR2: Goran Pataki (CRO)
    4th: Matteo Marcenaro (ITA)

    February 9, 2022

    Midtjylland - Club Brugge
    Ref: Donald Robertson (SCO)
    AR1: Ross Macleod (SCO)
    AR2: Jonathan Bell (SCO)
    4th: Morten Krogh (DEN)

    Genk - Chelsea
    Ref: Rohit Saggi (NOR)
    AR1: Geir Isaksen (NOR)
    AR2: Morten Jensen (NOR)
    4th: Kevin Debeuckelaere (BEL)

    Hajduk Split - Atletico de Madrid
    Ref: Jeremie Pignard (FRA)
    AR1: Aurelien Drouet (FRA)
    AR2: Laurent Coniglio (FRA)
    4th: Ante Jurić (CRO)

    Deportivo la Coruna - Dynamo Kyiv
    Ref: Antonio Emanuel Carvalho Nobre (POR)
    AR1: Pedro Ribeiro (POR)
    AR2: Nelson Filipe Vila Pereira (POR)
    4th: Alexandre Lopez Vila (ESP)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Semifinals predictions:

    Burkina Faso - Senegal
    Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (ETH)

    Cameroon - Egypt
    Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo (COD)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mine are:
      BFA-SEN: Selmi, Hassani (both TUN), Ibrahim (SDN), Bamlak (ETH) - Benbraham, Charef (both ALG), Jermoumi (MAR)
      CMR-EGY: Gomes (RSA), dos Santos (ANG), Phatsoane (LES), Waweru (KEN) - Karboubi (MAR), Guerrero (MEX), Brinsi (MAR)

      The second SF is quite tricky, because many candidates already had one of the two teams (e.g. Ngambo had EGY in R16).

      Delete
    2. Gomes is a big candidate for the final. Tessema, Gassama and Selmi are candidates for the semi-finals. Bondo must have ended his Afcon after two KMIs in his QF.

      Delete
    3. Predictions:

      BFA-SEN : TESSEMA/IBRAHIM/AMALDINE/SELMI/HASSANI
      CMR-EGY : GASSAMA/DOS SANTOS/YAHAYA/CAMILLE/EMILE

      THIRD PLACE: WAWERU/CHERUIYOT/ADRIANTENAEIN/AMIN/ABOUELREGAL*

      FINAL: GOMES/SIWELA/PHATSOANE/NDABIHAWENIMANA/MARENGULA

      *if EGY reach final only!

      Delete
  36. Anyone knows who was AVAR in CANUSA today?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OneSoccer in Canada didn't show the VAR/AVAR during the introduction of the match officials. Just cut straight to Canada XI graphic. Wishing VAR/AVAR would be promoted by CONCACAF and FIFA.

      Delete
    2. AVAR must have been from Central America, since it was not announced along with the Mexican VAR and could not be from Canada or USA.

      Delete
  37. OT

    Does anyone have the VAR and AVAR appointments for AFC MD8 (1 February) and CONCACAF MD11 (2 February) ties? Would be very much appreciated if shares available. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  38. For anyone who watched CAN v USA, and I don’t say this lightly. I think César Ramos just had one of the best CONCACAF referee performances in a long time. He might have confirmed his spot in 2022 World Cup selection.

    ReplyDelete
  39. @Chefren,

    can you confirm the (digital ?) UEFA Referee winter course is ongoing now?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. I only know that it has been annulled, maybe they are holding it online, but I don't have any info about that.

      Delete
  40. Who will referee Egypt vs Cameroon and Burkina Faso vs Senegal ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Read the predictions some posts above.

      Delete
    2. I meant the official appointment from caf

      Delete
  41. African Nations Cup 2022 Cameroon
    Semifinals

    Burkina Faso vs Senegal

    Referee: Bamlak Tessema (Ethiopia)
    Assistant Referee 1: Ibrahim Abdalla Mohammed (Sudan)
    Assistant Referee 2: Gilbert Cheriyot (Kenya)
    Fourth Official: Peter Waweru Kamaku (Kenya)
    Reserve AR : Attia M. Essa Amsaaed (Libya)
    Video Assistant Referee: Redouane Jiyed (Morocco)
    Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
    Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Fatiha Jermoumi (Morocco)
    Referee Assessor : Latre-Kayi Edzona Lawson Hogban (Togo)

    ReplyDelete

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