Thursday, 18 August 2022

Europa Conference League 2022/23 - Referee Appointments - Play-Offs (I)

2022-23 Europa Conference League Play-offs. Referee appointments for First Legs.



Wednesday 17 August 2022

18:45 CET - Stockholm (Tele2 Arena)
Djurgårdens IF (SWE) - APOEL (CYP)
Referee: Juxhin Xhaja (ALB, 2nd Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Rejdi Avdo (ALB)
Assistant Referee 2: Dojando Myftari (ALB)
Fourth Official: Kreshnik Bajramaj (ALB)
UEFA Referee Observer: Peter Sippel (GER)
UEFA Delegate: Gilles Petitmangin (FRA)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Germund Nilsson (SWE)

Thursday 18 August 2022

18:00 CET - Częstochowa (Miejski Stadion Piłkarski “Raków”)
RKS Raków Częstochowa (POL) - SK Slavia Praha (CZE)
Referee: Rohit Saggi (NOR, 2nd Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Geir Oskar Isaksen (NOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Morten Jensen (NOR)
Fourth Official: Mohammad Usman Aslam (NOR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Raymond Ellingham (WAL)
UEFA Delegate: Artur Azaryan (ARM)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Sebastian Jarzębak (POL)

19:00 CET - Riga (Daugavas stadions)
RFS (LVA) - Linfield FC (NIR)
Referee: Əliyar Ağayev (AZE, 1st Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Zeynal Zeynalov (AZE)
Assistant Referee 2: Akif Əmirəli (AZE)
Fourth Official: Elçin Məsiyev (AZE)
UEFA Referee Observer: Miroslav Tulinger (CZE)
UEFA Delegate: István Huszár (HUN)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Vadims Direktorenko (LVA)

19:00 CET - Sofia (Natsionalen Stadion “Vasil Levski”)
PFK CSKA-Sofia (BUL) - FC Basel 1893 (SUI)
Referee: Duje Strukan (CRO, 1st Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Bojan Zobenica (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Alen Jakšić (CRO)
Fourth Official: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
UEFA Referee Observer: Kóstas Kapitanís (CYP)
UEFA Delegate: Metin Kazancıoğlu (TUR)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Ivo Kolev (BUL)

19:00 CET - Tel Aviv (Itztadion Bloomfield)
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC (ISR) - OGC Nice (FRA)
Referee: Allard Lindhout (NED, 2nd Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Rogier Honig (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Roy de Nas (NED)
Fourth Official: Erwin Blank (NED)
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefan Meßner (AUT)
UEFA Delegate: Mark Blackbourne (ENG)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Danny Krasikow (ISR)

19:00 CET - Bern (Stadion Wankdorf)
BSC Young Boys (SUI) - RSC Anderlecht (BEL)
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (MKD, 1st Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Dejan Kostadinov (MKD)
Assistant Referee 2: Kuštrim Lika (MKD)
Fourth Official: Aleksandar Grujoski (MKD)
UEFA Referee Observer: Volodymyr Petrov (UKR)
UEFA Delegate: Alina Capațîna (MDA)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Stefan Kohli (SUI)

19:00 CET - Uherské Hradiště (Městský fotbalový stadion Miroslava Valenty)
1. FC Slovácko (CZE) - AIK (SWE)
Referee: Horațiu Mircea Feșnic (ROU, 1st Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Valentin Gabriel Avram (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Alexandru Cerei (ROU)
Fourth Official: Sebastian Constantin Colțescu (ROU)
UEFA Referee Observer: Thomas Einwaller (AUT)
UEFA Delegate: John Taylor (SCO)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Jan Paták (CZE)

19:00 CET - Molde (Aker Stadion)
Molde FK (NOR) - Wolfsberger AC (AUT)
Referee: Anastásios Papapétrou (GRE, 2nd Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Trýfon Petrópoulos (GRE)
Assistant Referee 2: Iordánis Aptósoglou (GRE)
Fourth Official: Evángelos Manoúchos (GRE)
UEFA Referee Observer: Leslie Irvine (NIR)
UEFA Delegate: Michał Listkiewicz (POL)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Bjørn Magne Myklebust (NOR)

19:30 CET - Drobeta-Turnu Severin (Stadionul Municipal)
Universitatea Craiova (ROU) - Hapoel Be’er Sheva FC (ISR)
Referee: Nicolas Walsh (SCO, 1st Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Graeme Stewart (SCO)
Assistant Referee 2: Calum Spence (SCO)
Fourth Official: Donald Robertson (SCO)
UEFA Referee Observer: Alain Hamer (LUX)
UEFA Delegate: João Morais (POR)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Sorin Andrei Antonie (ROU)

19:45 CET - Istanbul (Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu)
İstanbul Başakşehir FK (TUR) - Royal Antwerp FC (BEL)
Referee: Jérôme Brisard (FRA, 1st Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Erwan Finjean (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Alexis Auger (FRA)
Fourth Official: Thomas Léonard (FRA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Elmir Pilav (BIH)
UEFA Delegate: Charles John Grundie (NIR)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Alper Yusuf Döğmen (TUR)

20:00 CET - Mostar (Gradski stadion Mostar)
HŠK Zrinjski (BIH) - ŠK Slovan Bratislava (SVK)
Referee: Julian Weinberger (AUT, 1st Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Maximilian Weiß (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Michael Obritzberger (AUT)
Fourth Official: Alan Kijas (AUT)
UEFA Referee Observer: Karen Nalbandyan (ARM)
UEFA Delegate: Kris Bellon (BEL)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Tarik Kečo (BIH)

20:15 CET - Maribor (Stadion Ljudski vrt)
NK Maribor (SVN) - CFR 1907 Cluj (ROU)
Referee: Pavel Orel (CZE, 2nd Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Dan Vodrážka (CZE)
Assistant Referee 2: Jiří Kříž (CZE)
Fourth Official: Zbyněk Proske (CZE)
UEFA Referee Observer: Igor Pristovnik (CRO)
UEFA Delegate: Tammo Beishuizen (NED)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Alen Borošak (SVN)

20:30 CET - Poznań (Stadion Poznań)
KKS Lech Poznań (POL) - F91 Diddeleng (LUX)
Referee: Manfredas Lukjančukas (LTU, 2nd Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Vytenis Kazlauskas (LTU)
Assistant Referee 2: Edgaras Bučinskas (LTU)
Fourth Official: Kęstutis Bartuškevičius (LTU)
UEFA Referee Observer: Emil Božinovski (MKD)
UEFA Delegate: Ciprian Paraschiv (ROU)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Adam Kupsik (POL)

20:30 CET - Bucharest (Arena Națională)
FC FCSB (ROU) - Viking FK (NOR)
Referee: Giorgi Kruashvili (GEO, 1st Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Levan Varamishvili (GEO)
Assistant Referee 2: Zaza Pipia (GEO)
Fourth Official: Davit Kharitonashvili (GEO)
UEFA Referee Observer: Barış Şimşek (TUR)
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack (LUX)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Cristina Mariana Trandafir (ROU)

20:30 CET - Cologne (RheinEnergieStadion)
1. FC Köln (GER) - MOL Fehérvár FC (HUN)
Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins (POR, 1st Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Luís André Ferreira Pinto de Campos (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Hugo André Pires Ribeiro (POR)
Fourth Official: Luís Miguel de Branco Godinho (POR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Geórgios Bíkas (GRE)
UEFA Delegate: Emil Ubias (CZE)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Jürgen Aust (GER)

20:45 CET - València (Estadi Ciutat de València)
Villarreal CF (ESP) - HNK Hajduk Split (CRO)
Referee: Aliaksiej Kuĺbakoŭ (BLR, Elite)
Assistant Referee 1: Dzmitryj Žuk (BLR)
Assistant Referee 2: Alieh Maslianka (BLR)
Fourth Official: Viktar Šymusik (BLR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn (GER)
UEFA Delegate: Alex Miescher (SUI)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Vicente José Lizondo Cortés (ESP)

20:45 CET - London (London Stadium)
West Ham United FC (ENG) - Viborg FF (DEN)
Referee: Marco Di Bello (ITA, 1st Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Fabiano Preti (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Giorgio Peretti (ITA)
Fourth Official: Juan Luca Sacchi (ITA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Renáta Tomášová (SVK)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Andrew Paul D’Urso (ENG)

21:00 CET - Skopje (Nacionalna arena “Todor Proeski”)
FK Škupi 1927 (MKD) - KF Ballkani (KOS)
Referee: Ívar Orri Kristjánsson (ISL, 2nd Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Birkir Sigurðarson (ISL)
Assistant Referee 2: Jóhann Gunnar Guðmundsson (ISL)
Fourth Official: Þorvaldur Árnason (ISL)
UEFA Referee Observer: Jan Willem Wegereef (NED)
UEFA Delegate: Emmanuelle Puttaert (BEL)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Besar Abduli (MKD)

21:00 CET - Florence (Stadio Artemio Franchi)
ACF Fiorentina (ITA) - FC Twente (NED)
Referee: Daniel Stefański (POL, 1st Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Dawid Golis (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Michał Obukowicz (POL)
Fourth Official: Damian Sylwestrzak (POL)
UEFA Referee Observer: Niklas á Líðarenda (FRO)
UEFA Delegate: Paul Lyon (GIB)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Giampaolo Mazzetti (ITA)

21:00 CET - Vaduz (Rheinpark Stadion)
FC Vaduz (LIE) - SK Rapid Wien (AUT)
Referee: Kristo Tohver (EST, 1st Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Silver Kõiv (EST)
Assistant Referee 2: Sten Klaasen (EST)
Fourth Official: Martti Pukk (EST)
UEFA Referee Observer: Levan Paniashvili (GEO)
UEFA Delegate: Loukás Siótropos (GRE)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Ellero Ziegler (SUI)

21:00 CET - Belgrade (Stadion FK Partizan)
FK Partizan (SRB) - Ħamrun Spartans FC (MLT)
Referee: Filip Glova (SVK, 1st Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Peter Bednár (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Poláček (SVK)
Fourth Official: Michal Očenáš (SVK)
UEFA Referee Observer: Rune Pedersen (NOR)
UEFA Delegate: Sviatlana Hrynkievič (BLR)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Dragan Bogićević (SRB)

21:00 CET - Alkmaar (AFAS Stadion)
AZ Alkmaar (NED) - Gil Vicente FC (POR)
Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández (ESP, 2nd Cat)
Assistant Referee 1: Ángel Nevado Rodríguez (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: José Antonio Garrido Romero (ESP)
Fourth Official: Pablo González Fuertes (ESP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Robert Sedlacek (AUT)
UEFA Delegate: Claude Runavot (FRA)
UEFA Referee Liaison Officer: Wilco Lobbert (NED)

103 comments:

  1. Shkupi-Ballkani can be a very difficult match, if we assume both of the teams, are albanian based teams.

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    Replies
    1. There is no Macedonia as a country. Macedonia is a region of Greece. Unless you suggest that Skopje is also a region of Greece.

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  2. Isn't Giorgi Kruashvili (GEO) a category 1 referee? If I'm not mistaken I've seen Kruashvili written as a category 2 referee twice :)

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  3. Set of appointments in which all Categories are represented, starting from the Elite and ending with Cat. 2.
    I would say, in terms of relevance, the game in Villarreal and the one in Skopje are the two "borders".
    In the middle, some regular assignments, mostly Category 1 referees.
    Among other names, big work on Brisard and Lindhout by committee this summer.

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  4. I expect a challenging game for Strukan in Sofia, a good opportunity for him to show his abilities. 1st leg, hot atmosphere, no clear favourite according to betting coefficients. Bebek as FO might actually be valuable for dealing with benches and possible confrontations.

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  5. OT) What a simply excellent referee Roberto Rosetti was - I just watched his Bayern vs. Lyon CL SF from 2010 and was (again) blown away by the masterclass level of the Italian's officiating. Even ignoring the RC calls for a moment: in personality/management, disciplinary, presence, we are talking about one of the TOP football referees of ≈all coloured television era.

    I genuinely can't emphasise enough *how* good Rosetti was! For those interested, RC calls -
    Ribéry: https://clip.dubz.co/v/9cywst
    Toulalon: https://clip.dubz.co/v/ws2raj

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    Replies
    1. Mus agree, Rosetti was great referee. Regarding this match, if I remember well, this was his first and only match in knock-out faze that season, I think he was injured and considering it was WC it was reasonable to recover as much as possible.
      Unfortunatelly, that WC and two huge mistakes (which today are practicaly impossible with VAR) led to the retirement of two great referees (IMO best in their confederations at that moment) - Roberto Rosetti and Jorge Larrionda.

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    2. While I agree that Rosetti was one of the greatest referees of his time, could anyone explain, based on LOTG, the second yellow card to Toulalan? If the contact was between studs and the opponent's foot, yes, but the video seems to show that his studs made full contact with the ball, not the opponent.

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    3. Rosetti is one of the best referees I have ever seen, just brilliant. Very unfair that he did not referee any Champions League final. Although it was not the only one, it also happened to other greats like Frisk, De Bleeckere, Van der Ende...

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    4. I'm rewatching quite a few old CL matches atm, I can post some clips / impressions from each game if it is sth which interests readers?

      About Toulalon: this is a paramount example of a reckless challenge IMO. He sprints for about ten yards to jump into the duel, studs-showing and foot-up; of course it is quite short of Pepe's such foul a year later, but on the same spectrum IMO. Of course you can look at the slow-motion replay and say "but what contact?", however in reality this was a nailed on SYC by Rosetti.

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    5. Refereeing was better 2000-2010. They had personality and were fun to watch. Not just Rosetti.

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    6. Mikael: I am interested. Thanks, as always.

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    7. Yellow cards are for reckless fouls, not for reckless challanges. Other than being considered a "management card" after Ribery's red card, not sure that Toulalan's is a SYC if no contact with opponent's foot.

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    8. Of course, please post these clips!

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    9. "Refereeing was better 2000-2010. They had personality and were fun to watch"
      I completely and totally agree with this statement. That was when referees were allowed to be themselves. When they were allowed to use the style that best suited them and the individual match. When Referee Committees were competent enough to assign referees to matches based on their individual strengths and weaknesses.

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    10. Thanks Xabi and Rik!

      Here are extended clips from Çakir's Manchester United vs. Real Madrid in 2013:
      grosfi.ch/5YmjKeKejGD

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    11. I also am interested and thankful to review some moments of great former referees. Thank you, Mikael!

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    12. Jorge Larrionda was as crocked as they came his retirement was a joyful occasion his officiating in that world cup was damm near criminal

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  6. And the commitee fixed it again! Spanish referees for Portugees team!
    Sporting Lissabon-Ajax (Sanchez Martinez)
    Ajax-Benfica (Del Cerro Grande)
    AZ-Gil Vicente (Cuadra Fernandez)
    out off six matches (return/group) 3 times Spanish referees for Dutch against Portugeese, why Rosetti?? Why?? please stop this monotonous policy!

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    Replies
    1. yes, indeed quite strange to see the monotonous policy, if we don't want to call it there is an indication of political intervention.

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    2. I think with all the referees in Europe, UEFA should assign different referees, from other countries other than Spain or Belgium (for example).

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    3. This is indeed is particular, because IMO the Spanish style suits the Portuguese teams better.

      Btw, the same can be said about a Dutch referee - if an English team faces a Spanish side, the English have the advantage imo.

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    4. @N: yes, I agree, Southern Europe (Italy, Spain, France and Portugal) has an advantage if they are playing a Northern European team with a referee from Southern Europe - the same can be said in reverse with Northern Europe (Netherlands, England, Germany) - therefore UEFA should try as much as possible to mix this to not give one team an unfair advantage in a tie

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  7. 7 referees of second categories this summer where in full focus by referee committee, below you fill find their appointments. We have 3 of them 4/4 rounds (Lukjančukas,Xhaja, Saggi). It will be interesting to know even the observers for each match but is a lot of work to do :) also we will see in the near future if all of them will still have full focus on group stages of UECL or UEL Which of the names has surprised you the most?

    Manfredas Lukjančukas (LIT) 30

    Hibernians - Shamrock Rovers UCLR1
    Sparta Praha – Viking UECL R2
    Vaduz – Konyaspor UECL R3
    Lech Poznań - Diddeleng UECL Play-off

    Juxhin Xhaja (ALB) 32

    HJK – RFS UCL R1
    DAC – Víkingur Gota UECL R2
    Vikingur – Lech UECL R3
    Djurgårdens – APOEL UECL Play-off

    Rohit Saggi (NOR) 31

    La Fiorita - Inter Escaldes Preleminary Round
    Diddeleng – Tirana UCL R1
    Rapid Wien – Neftçi UECL R3
    Raków Częstochowa - Slavia Praha UECL Play-off


    Pavel Orel (CZE) 33

    Floriana - FC Petrocub-Hincesti UECL R1
    B36 – Viborg UECL R3
    Maribor – CFR Cluj UECL Play-off


    Allard Lindhout (NED ) 34

    Zürich – Qarabağ UCL R2
    Raków – Trnava UECL R3
    Maccabi Tel Aviv – Nice UECL Play-off

    Henrik Nalbandyan (ARM) 26

    Vitória SC - Puskás Akadémia FC UECL R2
    Levadia – Hibernians UECL R2
    Viborg - B36 UECL R3

    Anastásios Papapétrou (GRE) 37

    Maribor – Shakhtyor UCL R1
    Osijek – Kyzylzhar UECL R2
    Molde – Wolfsberger UECL Play-off










    ReplyDelete
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    1. Papapetrou should replace Sidiropoulos

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    2. The scary thing is that Papapetrou is even worse tbh...

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    3. I can't really decide who is worse, Mikael. After all, they are both too arrogant referees.

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    4. They are not arrogant . Papapetrou is lacking international experience , whereas Sidiropoulos is a very good ref who somehow lost his confidence once foreign referees started to ref in Greece.

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    5. They are not arrogant, indeed. I think that for some aspects, the problem of Sidiropoulous is the contrary, maybe he should be a bit more arrogant, being sure of himself when taking decisions.
      About Papapetrou, unfair to judge based only on one game, but that Roma - Bodo was an absolute shocker

      About Saggi, it was written in another post that now committee is focusing on him, leaving Eskas out. I don't think that the latter statement must be necessarily connected the previous one, Norwegian refereeing needs a full recovery, the situation is the worst possible by years. After all the work made on Eskas, he should start to get important games, to see whether he is ready for something more, while Raggi must now do, if they want to focus on him, what his countryman did in past.

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    6. If you have watched Greek SL matches, then you would have understood why I am calling them arrogant.

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    7. I fully agree with Chefren. Very fair comment . Has Sidiropoulos been given a play off game or he is off ? He should have had a better game in Scotland . Many small mistakes And far too many cards .

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    8. I doubt Saggi will surpass Eskas or even reach the level of Moen in his prime, given Saggi's performance in Vienna. Nothing special, in the sense that he doesn't have the kind of charisma or natural talent to become a top elite referee. Let's see in the next few years.

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    9. I’m fully agree what Chefren has written about 2 Norwegian Eskas and Saggi. For Papapetrou the problems are deeper than a bad match in Roma – Bodo and it will be very difficult to see him high stages. I expect Lukjančukas to be the next star of Lithuanian referee after Mažeika. What I have reading here in the comments for him and watching the support he has from committee he will be in highly stages very soon. The one who has surprised me the most is Xhaja and here is why. Four matches for him including a play off after was observed by De Bleckere and only two (no play-off) for his compatriot (Jorgji) who is in the Talent-Mentor program and has had two important names as observer (Melo Pereira, Velasco) Is Xhaja very talented (as Mikael has written often for him) and committee is very satisfied with his performances or they are pushing him because Jorgji didn’t convinced Velasco. The future appointments will give us the answer. About Orel and Lindhout we have discussed on the blog many times so nothing to add. The Armenian is still young and it will be very wrong to push him for no reason, let him to be mature naturally

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  8. There has been a lot of criticism towards Sidiropoulos and Collum as the only ones from the Elites who made huge mistakes and cannot control games . Kovac had a nightmare game in Bulgaria and profoundly influenced the result . Shocking refereeing in a very easy game from a ref that has been selected to ref in the World Cup. I think he deserves to stay out of action for a few weeks

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  9. To say the Scottish referee can not control games is nonsense
    So if can not referee why is he still there
    The person who has written this .
    We’re is he in refereeing or for that matter in Uefa or Fifa.
    Yes give a opinion but so he can not control games In my opinion.
    Is absolutely wrong

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    Replies
    1. Agree. He's refereed a Super Cup final and a Europa league semi final and Champions league quarter finals. His best for seems past but to suggest he can't control games is nonsense

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  10. OT:
    Outstanding SPF red card by Makkelie in GA Eagles vs PSV, without VAR involvement!

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    Replies
    1. Video
      Player left the pitch injured

      https://twitter.com/FutebolHolandes/status/1558504241249009669?s=20&t=vHNSEO37L6LXSX6mIZMNFQ

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    2. Well done Makkelie! Protect the players.

      That's such a disgusting challenge! Absolutely no care is shown for the physical well-being of a fellow footballer. The player's intention is targeted at solely trying and inflict harm upon his opponent. This is the type of crap football that we as referees need to do our part to eliminate from the game.
      I wholeheartedly hope that the innocent victim is not seriously injured.

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  11. OT

    What are the consequences for a referee if he fails the fitness test from UEFA?

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    Replies
    1. He won’t be appointed in UEFA matches until he passed the retake, often in his domestic association.

      The same goes for the LotG test, for which 5 attendants seemed to have failed during the last summer course in Germany.

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  12. (Retrosp.) Some clips from Lyon vs. Bayern semifinal second leg in 2010, Massimo Busacca was the referee:

    https://clip.dubz.co/v/pt80za
    https://clip.dubz.co/v/50dmxq
    https://clip.dubz.co/v/247hzm
    https://clip.dubz.co/v/0qcvg4
    https://clip.dubz.co/v/n2t93b
    https://clip.dubz.co/v/30j3ht
    https://clip.dubz.co/v/yr20r9

    The football spectacles in both Bayern-Lyon games were pretty modest, especially compared to the spectular matches in the other semifinal tie (I can report a not good night for Portuguese crew in Milan, weak performance by Benquerença), so the level of difficulty for Rosetti/Busacca was more-or-less at 'normal'. Cris's SYC for sarcastically applauding his late tackle booking is the fifth video, and it is quite interesting to try and piece together the full sequence of events, particularly if Busacca took the decision by himself, or conjuction with a teammate (it seems he looks out to fourth official Claudio Circhetta). Overall I found the Swiss ref's performance satisfying.

    (Bonus clip which made me smile:
    https://clip.dubz.co/v/zk3kk0 :))

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  13. Yesterday Serie A started with new season and after only 4 games we have some big controversy. Two VAR interventions in the early minutes of Sampdoria - Atalanta and Milan - Udinese can be discussed.

    Sampdoria - Atalanta, disallowed goal after OFR:
    https://streamff.com/v/ff20cf
    VAR Pairetto invited referee Dionisi to OFR, in my opinion absolutely wrong intervention. It is not even clear which foul was punished, I think the possible elbow in face? But one can't have an evidence. I would have liked to see the pitch decision confirmed by referee, but it is difficult because Rocchi says always that a referee who doesn't change idea after OFR must pay consequence. These words can create further mistakes, because a VAR will be never perfect, and referees don't have courage to do a different thing. To be honest, the worst start of season for Pairetto after the shocker in Spezia - Lazio some months ago, and he is still a FIFA referee...

    Milan - Udinese penalty after OFR
    https://streamff.com/v/4f8db4
    Marinelli back in A after the famous Venezia - Bologna, discussed on this blog as well. In my opinion in yesterday's game penalty is surely a very comprehensible decision, but I have doubts regarding the clear and obvious mistake. Maybe one could even say that it was attacker to create the contact in a way, it is a very particular collision, not easy to assess. Mazzoleni goes always for calling referee when he sees that defenders don't play ball in their actions, and he is well known for some very wrong invitations to OFR in past. Despite of the possible correct decision in this case, I think he should try to make further reasoning, before inviting referees, otherwise normal consequence is that after all contact without playing balls, even soft ones, there will be always a penalty. Marinelli, after the discussions following his last game, could only change decision... he had also made clear gestures on the pitch, assessing that challenge. For me, play on would have been fully supportable, some contacts can happen and one can't be always black or white in assessing them. But again, this is VAR for penalty area incidents, rather more than imperfect tool...

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    Replies
    1. Another clip, from Lecce - Inter, possible SFP (VAR supported YC):
      https://streamff.com/v/c03926

      Delete
    2. In Italy, VAR doesn't apply the VAR protocol 'clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’.
      I think in Sampdoria-Atalanta and Milan-Udinese, the VAR intervetions are wrongh decisions.

      Delete
  14. A more than heated second part of second half for Juxhin Xhaja with many cards and sending offs, we will see what happened!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Excellent work by Xhaja at Stockholm in a very intense match despite the result. Later on i will provide links of some incidents

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  16. Some clips of yesterday match between Djurgardens vs Apoel

    37’ correct YC APO https://streamable.com/9n4dcy
    45' correct YC APO https://streamable.com/2q48e0
    46' Penalty appeal DIF https://streamable.com/5fx11q
    50' alertness and management of the players https://streamable.com/l7dhxd
    55' missed YC late tackle after advantage was allowed https://streamable.com/xe7n7w
    56' Penalty appeal DIF https://streamable.com/382tnw
    71' correct 2 YC DIF https://streamable.com/174wzs
    77' alertness and management of the players https://streamable.com/6iroki
    85' correct YC DIF https://streamable.com/bygpp5
    94' correct RC DOGSO APO https://streamable.com/msj7en
    ps: the reason of two other YC where for delay of game

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. An excellent, talented referee.

      Delete
    2. See especially the last red card: How close he was, and how determined!

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    3. Thanks Anthony :)

      We can say that Juxhin Xhaja has arrived! What a natural ability to manage the players shown by the young Albanian in a hot context during these clips - exceeding even my own expectations of him. For sure there are further areas for development (eg: management + anticipation(!) of player-player conflicts), but my overall impression was strong, without doubt. Personally, I'd assess 45' and 85' as rather SFP, but I'm sure that Mr Sippel / UEFA have other ideas. Both dismissals are incontrovertible, the DOGSO call at the end was absolutely textbook. At 32(!) yrs old, UEFA have a big talent in their midst.

      If Mr Velasco reported the same impressions to his boss as I took a fortnight ago from the same stadium, then the recipient of the vote in Nyon should now be quite academic: Juxhin Xhaja as Albanian no.1!

      Delete
    4. Also: his leadership style is quite unique, and reminds me much of young Ricardo de Burgos actually. Perhaps one could describe it as 'inelegant', but at least personally, I rather warm to such referees. It will be very interesting to see how these big few weeks for Albania's top refs comes out in UEFA's ideas.

      Delete
    5. Based on clips, an excellent performance in a quite challenging game, with the only possible YC to be issued for reckless challenge in 55'. It can be a very high mark for him, also firm body language especially in the last clip, being close to assess the DOGSO.

      Delete
  17. Thank you for clips but you miss two important moment. Djurgarden second goal maybe in offside position and apoel disallowed goal for offside .

    ReplyDelete
  18. I was focused more at Referee that's why. But Quilava posted the YouTube link and you can watched there those 2 situations. By the way
    IMO both assistant took correct decision's.

    ReplyDelete
  19. why may Lindhout whistle a for The Netherlands a crucial match?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Talking about club coefficients?

      In that case, French referees can't officiate Dutch and Portuguese clubs, Italians no German clubs, Spanish no English clubs and vice versa. That's a hopeless task for committee.

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    2. And completely unnecessary

      Delete
  20. Very heated atmosphere for Martins in Köln. Acceptable RC against the home team, but YC would have been possible as well, I tend to think that would have been the better decision

    ReplyDelete
  21. https://clip.dubz.co/v/3zd629
    Kristo Tohver (EST) in Vaduz, Vaduz goal was disallowed by AR2 for offside. Is player no. 9 position was considered punishable offside?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the goal it could be a decisive one for Vaduz and maybe Liechtenstein football history

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    2. Looks like offside to me but need an angle from behind the goal to be completely sure

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    3. Its definitely offside but was this player really hindering the keeper? I have my doubts, for me its a good goal

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    4. Impossible to say whether offside or not, looks ONSIDE but we can't know. Then, about the punishable position, I have some doubts... it seems to me that keeper was able to watch the ball when it was kicked. No further action by attacker in offside. Surely an extremely difficult call without VAR, most of referees without thinking too much or maybe even without noticing it, would have allowed the goal.

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    5. same think, yes it was definitely offside but I think the goalkeeper's view was unobstructed and the header was on target (player No.9 tried to avoided)

      Delete
  22. Cuadra loses control in Alkmaar and it’s completely his own fault

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 9x offside and at i have questions by at least 7 of them

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    2. same, not a good first half and he starts the second half quite bad too

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  23. Juxhin (Eugene) Xhaja (Chaya) will referee a round 6 inconsequential game in Champions League this year, in my opinion.

    Mark my words.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Amy clips of the 2 red cards from Walsh in Romania?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Craiova player was sent off in the half-time after confrontation with the rival player.
      75' - PK + 2YC for El-Hamid (HBS), absolutely correct.

      Very calm and confident performance by Walsh, looks much better than Collum... Probably this young man has a bright future.

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    2. Penalty and YC for DOGSO, correct decisions.

      Delete
  25. Does anyone have clips for the red cards by Nick Walsh in Univ. Craiova vs H Beer Sheva

    ReplyDelete
  26. https://youtu.be/DTAilFaVhJE
    Second YC min 4. Correct decision. Dogso attempted to play the ball.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Very chaotic, situation around 80' in Villareal-Hajduk, Kulbakov showed corner, but then it seems that seeing an attacker in blood, he realizes that there was an elbow in face and correctly gives a pk.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Excellent refereeing by Kulbakov in Villarreal-Hajduk.
    First goal by Hajduk great onside decision by AR2.
    Then penalty for Hajduk, Kulbakov firstly showed on corner kick, but than changed his decision to penalty kick when he saw Hajduk's player bleeding. Player was elbowed, PK+YC correct decision. I am sure that Kulbakov didn't saw elbow, but he is very experienced and he felt what happened when he saw player bleeding. Well done for Belarusian team today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. do you have the clip?

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    2. https://youtu.be/bUCl80mgM9Q

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    3. It is true that only correct decision matters, but definitely I wouldn't encourage a referee to work in this way... changing decision based on clues, without having watched anything.

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    4. Definitely, I really dont know how he made the call. Was he aware of the contact but not the actual context, so he realized when he saw the player bleeding, or the AR told him something (but he showed corner so I guess not) or maybe even FO... But in case of none of the above, very hmmm... brave decision to whistle a pk that you didnt see at all.

      Delete
  29. Stefanski fell completely for the Oscar worthy performance of Fiorentina. Terrible match of the Polish.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Strukan with a solid, expected performance in CSKA Sofia - Basel. Some minor missed incidents or wrong decisions (partially due to AR errors) and a bit reserved attitude prevented it from being an excellent performance, but 8.1-8.3 IMO

    ReplyDelete
  31. İstanbul Başakşehir - Royal Antwerp FC
    Referee: Jérôme Brisard (FRA)

    Missing PK.

    https://streamable.com/rzw0lt

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Clear penalty kick and VAR stuff, maybe AR could have intervened? Not easy from referee's position.

      Delete

  32. The norwegian referee Rohit Saggi with 4 out of 5 rounds this summer. He was in very good control of the match between Rakow Czestochowa against Slavia Praha yesterday. He showed 4 correct YC and had good management of plenty situations. A small mass confrontation was handled perfectly in the end of match where he identified the 2 key players in the situation. Fantastic physics and a natural runner. Very good performance by the 30-year old.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. later on i will make a more detailed report about his performance , overall good game by Saggi

      Delete
  33. Stefanski at Fiorentina-Twente = Textbook example of much influence on a match without any big mistakes. Too strict approach. Many phantom violations whistled. Really annoyed me (and that doesn't happen often)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't seen the game, but how is it possible to book 4 players of Twente? Probably the team in the league with the least YC's

      Delete
  34. Like many times stated on this blog, don't be surprised when referees will decide to (slightly) whistle in the advantage of Italian teams and PSG.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I must say (and this doesn't happen often...) that I really disliked the performance of Stefanski. Phantom YC against the Twente coach, really strict with protests that were mostly caused by phantom fouls. Just not good.

    The Spanish referee in Alkmaar did a fine job btw.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm watching a Dutch talkshow on ESPN right now and they started the show complaining about this. One analyst grants them Nijhuis for one weekend :)

      Delete
    2. Too much theatrics, asking for cards, time wasting by staying down on the pitch for like 2 minutes and then leaving the pitch for a "treatment"... Nope: immediately re-entering the pitch. This game needs a stronger ref.

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    3. I am curious to Radu Petrescu next week

      Delete
    4. If he’ll perform
      like he did in the AS Roma vs Vitesse Conference League match in March of this year I’m very confident he’ll do a terrific job! In Roma he showed a very strong performance, not influenced by theatrical behavior of players nor pressure made by the crowd.

      Delete
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8YbVkxST5I
    01:20 the DOGSO by Lopes Martins, another case in which today all people want to see YC for SPA, but RC for DOGSO is appropriate decision, and VAR can't question.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Full sequence:
      https://clip.dubz.co/v/gpd2tt

      Perfectly detected and punished DOGSO, well done Mr Martins.

      Delete
  37. RKS Raków Częstochowa (POL) - SK Slavia Praha (CZE)
    In overall a good performance by Saggi with some details to improve but he is still young and I’m sure he will improve by time. The main problem IMO is his attitude, very soft. He has the same problem as his compatriot Eskas, both of them should understand that behavior of players in Europe is not the same as in Norway and the approach with the players should be totally different in European games. During the game despite good foul calls he had many “small” protests by both teams (players raising their hands, disagreement by gestures, by body language etc. ) and Saggi in non-off those protests didn’t made at least an public warning. This in the main point to improve in my opinion. His foul detection was very good during all game, he let it game flow and didn’t interrupted with soft fouls (except at 89’) His fitness was very good, good position during the game and free kicks (except one corner kick at 87’) This was my opinion for what I saw, below you will find the links and everyone can create their own ideas. Good luck in the future Rohit :)

    11' first foul of the match https://streamable.com/30k753
    2 good play on https://streamable.com/3m4jd9
    25' I like it no card here and last warning of the player https://streamable.com/hw6zv9
    26’ wrong offside AR2 https://streamable.com/gg63ti even his foul detection was not good at this game, 2 times Saggi whistles near to him and he gave throw in instead of foul + one wrong foul at 83’
    27' penalty appeal SLP. good play on https://streamable.com/5lxszf
    head to head injury, faster reaction needed https://streamable.com/advvo1
    42' penalty appeal RCZ. good play on https://streamable.com/yvcdjz
    50' more strong presence https://streamable.com/h4i0z7
    53' first YC of the game https://streamable.com/scynl9
    77' strange position during CK https://streamable.com/jlpml7
    81' YC RCZ https://streamable.com/gdymoj
    83' foul by AR2 https://streamable.com/yyo4fp
    89' soft foul who brought small mass confrontation https://streamable.com/w3ckmn


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good comments, harsh on AR over offside call, difficult to be 100% its a wrong call.

      Delete
  38. https://youtu.be/fWxPSOPcapw?t=182


    What a 2nd YC for Slovan player it was,for diving outside the box..

    Bravo ref,many woould not be that brave...

    ReplyDelete

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