Wednesday 12 October 2022

Champions League 2022/23 - Referee Appointments - Matchday 4 (II)

2022-23 UEFA Champions League Group Stage Matchday 4, referees in charge of Wednesday's games. 


12 October 2022

18:45 CET - Naples (Stadio Diego Armando Maradona) 
SSC Napoli (ITA) - Ajax (NED) | Group A
Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER) 
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Lupp (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Achmüller (GER)
Fourth Official: Sven Jablonski (GER)
Video Assistant Referee: Harm Osmers (GER) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz (GER) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Juan Antonio Fernández Marín (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Peadar Ryan (IRL) 

18:45 CET - Madrid (Estadio Metropolitano) 
Atlético Madrid (ESP) - Club Brugge (BEL) | Group B
Referee: Danny Makkelie (NED) 
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries (NED)
Fourth Official: Allard Lindhout (NED)
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Higler (NED) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Aggelos Evangelou (GRE)
UEFA Referee Observer: Mike Riley (ENG)
UEFA Delegate: Mark Evans (WAL) 

21:00 CET - Glasgow (Ibrox Stadium)
Rangers (SCO) - Liverpool (ENG) | Group A
Referee: Slavko Vinčić (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič (SVN)
Fourth Official: Alen Borošak (SVN)
Video Assistant Referee: Matej Jug (SVN)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nejc Kajtazovic (SVN)
UEFA Referee Observer: David Fernández Borbalán (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Iveta Bankova (BUL)

21:00 CET - Leverkusen (BayArena) 
Bayer Leverkusen (GER) - Porto (POR) | Group B
Referee: István Kovács (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Ovidiu Artene (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Mihai Marica (ROU) 
Fourth Official: Cătălin Popa (ROU)
Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefano Podeschi (SMR) 
UEFA Delegate: Jack Grundie (NIR)

21:00 CET - Barcelona (Camp Nou) 
Barcelona (ESP) - FC Internazionale (ITA) | Group C
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL) 
Assistant Referee 1: Paweł Sokolnicki (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Fourth Official: Tomasz Musiał (POL)
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Attwell (ENG) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Lucilio Batista (POR) 
UEFA Delegate: Romano Clavedetscher (SUI)

21:00 CET -  Plzeň (Stadion města Plzně)
Viktoria Plzeň (CZE) - Bayern München (GER) | Group C
Referee: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Marcin Boniek (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Jakub Winkler (POL)
Fourth Official: Krzysztof Jakubik (POL)
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel (NED) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marcin Borkowski (POL)
UEFA Referee Observer: Darko Čeferin (SVN)
UEFA Delegate: Thibault De Gendt (BEL) 

21:00 CET - London (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
Tottenham (ENG) - Eintracht Frankfrut (GER) | Group D
Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Barbero (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Guadalupe Porras (ESP)
Fourth Official: Guillermo Cuadra (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins (POR) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Uno Tutk (EST) 
UEFA Delegate: Luca Zorzi (SUI)

21:00 CET - Lisbon (Estádio José Alvalade)
Sporting CP (POR) - Olympique Marseille (FRA) | Group D
Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: José Naranjo (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Diego Sanchez Rojo (ESP)
Fourth Official: César Soto Grado (ESP) 
Video Assistant Referee: Ricardo de Burgos (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San (SUI)
UEFA Referee Observer: Björn Kuipers (NED)
UEFA Delegate: Duncan Fraser (SCO) 

173 comments:

  1. I think that the most relevant assignments are Frankowski and Hernandez Hernandez (the latter with Kuipers !). Is it their 1st match in CL ? Very important match for Zwayer to me; the german seems back at top level

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's their third and second UCL appearance respectively.

      Delete
  2. some confusion about who the VAR with Makkelie will be. UEFA reports Higler, KNVB reports van Boekel from VAR centre in Nyon on their own website.

    Furthermore it looks for me as regular appointments. Marciniak with a potential hot game, just like Makkelie and Zwayer. Hernández Hernández in Lisbon looks like a smart choice as Spanish referee with a Por-Fra clash.

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    Replies
    1. KNVB website is updated and now also states that it is Higler who is VAR from Nyon in Makkelie's match.

      Delete
  3. For both Hernandez Hernandez and Frankowski is not a debut, they got a few games in CL, I think committee wants to understand more about them, especially the Polish. For Hernandez Hernandez it will be the second game in CL (the debut one year ago), while for Frankowski, the third (one in each season of the last three seasons).
    Having said that, the biggest appointment goes to Marciniak in Barcelona, considering the fact that it will be a big game, important for the group and after what happened in Milan. You can't find a more difficult game on paper than this one.
    Good luck to the Polish crew, times have come for them to get a final, still incredible he got only Super Cup, considering the reputation by committee.
    Then we have some referees officiating again after last week, Vincic, Kovacs and Makkelie. While for the Slovenian it will be a less sonorous clash (expected win by English side), I think that in Madrid committee has clearly noticed that Brugge now must be considered as big team. For this reason they appointed Makkelie. On paper, without looking at the games played so far, this game would have been for a Category 1, but now everything is possible with the Belgian side that seems to be very strong. Kovacs with the other game of the group in which he officiates last week. Very particular but still possible. Of course, very crucial game for him as well. Differently from past, committee is more and more looking at the groups before making assignments, in past there were more flexible appointments based on the names of the teams and the names of referees.
    Del Cerro Grande in London and Zwayer in Naples are regular assignments.
    VAR chapter: Van Boekel out from Makkelie team, but appointed for a less important game with the Polish crew.
    I think in a way committee assessed his mistake as not serious and they accepted his explanation about the decision taken. Otherwise, he would have been out from assignments, clearly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. About Van Boekel: Higler has been Makkelie's VAR on several occasions recently. Perhaps UEFA would like to use more excellent video match officials for VAR than for AVAR.

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  4. Again Portuguese team worh Spanish ref :)

    Did not expect Hernandez in this let's big game,both teams have hot headed players so we can expect some flashpoints at any time.

    Big test for Hernandez for sure.

    Marciniak with biggest match of the night,looks like he is in top 3 refs this season and deservedly so,great form,hopefully he continues like that.

    Expected games for Makkelie,Zwayer and Kovacs,big games and big names for that types of games

    Suprised to see Vincic right back again,I mean yes,VAR is to blame for his last game but still,too soon IMO to give him match given the circumstances.

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  5. The answer is very easy... Champions League games are all under the spotlight of media, different from EL and ECL. For this reason, committee doesn't want to take a risk, in case of mistakes and discussions, people would underline referee from Belarus and so on.
    Sad to say, but this is how it works.
    When things must be done only for opportunities and not because you believe in that.

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  6. Well the reason is what Chefren said.
    But,also,he certainly had in recent past some matches that were unusual,some controversial and too much passive and lenient refereeing from him.

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  7. My feeling about Kulbakou is that VAR really unsettled him + his approach. I watched him closely during 18/19 season when he was promoted and his performances were good. But immediately from the U21 EURO that summer, there were problems (Denmark vs. Serbia game). And events like Sevilla vs. Salzberg only ascertained that impression. I'm sorry for him about Belarus/Russia political circumstance beyond his control (to his credit, he even co-signed a letter against Lukashenko with other FIFA refs from BLR during the protests period), but a demotion is pretty mandatory for him now IMO; his performances have been off for a long period of time.

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  8. He is also not the only one: Bastien and Collum also have no CL match yet without specific reason.

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  9. Highlights of Tamás Bognár's performance in KKS Lech Poznań v Hapoel Be'er Sheva (UECL), if someone is interested ;)

    https://we.tl/t-aNldQpNMS2

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. can I send you an email @euro soccer ref ?

      Delete
    2. Thanks for those. The blue player going down in the box holding his face... *rolls eyes*

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    3. to the address: flore***@gmail.com
      I have already sent a message in polish

      Delete
  10. Italian media, especially La Gazzetta dello Sport, had defended the decision by van Boekel in Inter - Barcelona, today they are highlighting that both main referee and VAR have been appointed after a week for another game, criticizing Barcelona for their claims after the game. It has become a battle between Spain and Italy and I think the task for Marciniak on Wednesday will be more than difficult. We all know what happened to some referees at Camp Nou due to pressure, and it will be extremely difficult to be mentally strong.
    Let's see whether the Polish will be able to bear, with his well-known style that very often led him to excellence.

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    1. Sorry to say it so clearly, hoping that I won‘t be interpreted conspiratively, but IMO it totally inacceptable that van Boekel is appointed again, only one week after what happened. While I can understand that it is not Vincic to be blamed and he got an appointment, I find it, in a way, terrifiying to see van Boekel‘s appointment. He decided last week‘s match by not intervening in a situation in which the pictures clearly showed that there was a punishable handball. I personally do not accept the excuse that the pictures were not clear enough, they were if van Boekel had chosen the right angle and had considered the arm and ball movement. The missed intervention was heavily discussed - even German media mentioned it despite the lack of interest in Germany as there were no German teams involved. Barca was complaining (rightly so) and even considered to send a formal complaint to UEFA. One must have the impression that UEFA committee did not punish van Boekel because it was a decision for and not against an Italian team. We can only imagine what would have happened if the same situation occured against the Italian team… For me, it shows that there is no consistency in punishments for VARs and/or referees, depending on who would suffer the punishment and depending on the teams involved.

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    2. There is another possible explanation, committee didn't like Spanish protests and they appointed again Vincic and van Boekel both on purpose to defend them. But I must admit, Rosetti never acted in this way and to be honest this would be maybe the last thing you could see by him...
      About the argument If it had happened on the contrary side, well, indeed I hardly imagine an appointment for both. At least, based on the management of officials after very controversial situations against Italian teams. Just to mention one name, Cakir and his crew in recent times.
      I think there is surely something very particular in this management, not seen before, unluckily we can't know more.
      One should think that for committee for some reasons it wasn't a clear mistake!

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    3. And about Marciniak, I think he will handle this match that will be challenging without any problems.

      He's in top form and it's a joy to watch him when he is at top of his game.

      Delete
  11. Big Game for Marciniak!!!If he is still as great as he has been so far, the final of the tournament must become his part this season

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    Replies
    1. Marciniak, Taylor and Makkelie are imo in the running for the UCL final. However, there is also a Nations league final in June 2023.
      As you may know, D. Makkelie is unfortunately not available for this final at his own ground, as the Netherlands is a semi finalist. Anthony Taylor already officiated the Nations League final.

      Moreover, the presence of Italy is always sensitive and if I'm not mistaken, Marciniak's reputation in Italy is pretty good. (@Chefren, correct me if i'm wrong ;)). However this is pure speculations and we learned last year to be not too naive as performance isn't always the decisive factor.

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    2. In addition, a bad performance or controversial incidents in Qatar can also turn everything upside down. Sit back & relax ;-)

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    3. What you said about Marciniak is right, so far clean reputation for Marciniak in Italy, there were some discussions only a few seasons ago for a game involving Tottenham - Juventus (2018). Nothing else after that. But, as you said, now it is definitely too early to talk about that.

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    4. Yes, definitely too early. And it could also depend on the presence of English teams in the final. The one thing we know for sure is that the UCL final referee won't be the same as the Nations League final referee :)

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  12. According to KNVB, Jeroen Manschot would VAR from 12:15 on Sunday (Sparta - NEC) and referee from 20.00 on the same day (Ajax - Excelsior). World premiere?

    https://www.knvb.nl/nieuws/scheidsrechters/aanstellingen/66757/danny-makkelie-leidt-topper-az-feyenoord

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    Replies
    1. No :) Referee is Marc Nagtegaal :)

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  13. My thoughts about this set of appointments:

    Absolutely expected and deserved appointment for Marciniak! He was the most logical choice and is a candidate for everything this season. Certainly in Top 3 in Europe and the one in the best form so far this season in my opinion. I have no doubts that we`ll see a great performance by him.

    Vincic, Kovacs and Makkelie with another appointment. I am dissapointed to see Vincic once again because what happened last week is unacceptable for UEFA standards. I can`t believe Rosetti gave the green light. I hope that simply the Committee was lazy when trying to find a replacement for Vincic, considering that the appointments for MD3 and MD4 were made at the same time.
    While seeing Makkelie again is understandable and somehow even expected, not the same thing I can say about Kovacs because, domestically, there was not a clue. The Romanian was VAR this weekend, while his ARs on Wednesday both had a game, but they were not paired together! I don`t know how many of you remarked, but the experienced AR1 Vasile Marinescu is missing. He was not on the pitch in weekend either so I guess an injury occured. Mihai Marica is the replacement. It would be something to discuss here. After Hategan forced rest, his new AR(Grigoriu, who replaced Sovre before) works now with AR Ghinguleac, usually in Petrescu team. But the other Hategan`s AR, Sebastian Gheorge (a top AR, the second best in Romania if you ask me, after Marinescu) hasn`t apperead in Euorope again. So he could have been a good solution for Wednesday.
    As a final remark, all 3 referees who got double appointments in MD3 and MD4 have some pretty important observers, I mean their names sound a little bit more familiar than usual. Maybe this suggests something.

    Zwayer and CdCG with normal appointments, not much to add here. About Frankowski and Hernandez, both have important games ahead. It is important for them not to screw it up and deliver an expected level performance.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AIA has published the international appointments for this week, including all Italian officials in European competitions. This should mean that we will not see Italian main referees in EL and ECL, otherwise they would have published it tomorrow.
    VAR assignments for Thursday have been anticipated:

    FC Nantes (FRA) - SC Freiburg (GER)
    VAR Michael Fabbri

    FK Bodo Glimt (NOR) - Arsenal FC (ENG)
    VAR Marco Guida
    AVAR Fabio Maresca

    PSV Eindhoven (NED) - FC Zurich (SUI)
    VAR Massimiliano Irrati
    AVAR Gianluca Aureliano

    Real Sociedad de Futbol (ESP) - FC Sheriff Tiraspol (MDA)
    AVAR Paolo Valeri

    PFC Ludogorets 1945 (BUL) - HJK Helsinki (FIN)
    VAR Luca Pairetto
    AVAR Daniele Doveri

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  15. Congratulations to Marciniak. This should be his best season in his career. I hope he will be in the final of the Champions League or the World Cup. It's good that he has a successor in Poland. I mean Damian Sylwestrzak, who gets excellent marks in the first season.

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  16. Regarding Marciniak - He is great, although "best season of his career" is for my taste a too quick conclusion after just 4 international games. Definitely a candidate for one of the finals this year.

    In Qatar, anything can happen. There are no clear favourites imho. A referee is 'as good as his last match'.

    I don't take anything for granted after, for instance, Mazic, Orsato and Turpin were assigned to the UCL final. And there are plenty of other examples. We know it is rather pointless and a waste of time to 'talk a referee towards a final'. Hate to say it, but the Ref com obviously has an idea and meanwhile, we can sit back, watch, enjoy refereeing, assess the performances. And in the end, we can just wait until the politics kick in.

    So far my reserved contribution. ;-)

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  17. It’s quite clear that after the performances of yesterday’s matches the focus will be even more on the games tonight. Again there are some hot and important matches to be played. For example Barcelona - Inter, Atletico de Madrid - Brugge and Sporting - Olympique Marseille. Yesterday there were many OFR’s and without VAR it would have been a big mess!

    As for Siebert; those kind of penalty’s are not accepted at top level. Too soft - rather wrong - and again without any feeling for the game or eye for the consequences. Looking at the development of Aytekin, Zwayer, Stieler and now Siebert we can conclude that German referees are loosing track at international level.

    ReplyDelete
  18. UEFA Under-17 Championship - Qualifying Round



    Group 1
    Date: 16-22 November 2022
    Teams: FRO, KAZ, POR, SVN

    Referees:
    TBC

    UEFA Referee Observers:
    TBC



    Group 2
    Date: 24-30 October 2022 in Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Teams: AZE, BIH, LIE, UKR

    Referees:
    Eldorjan Hamiti & Xhulio Mani (ALB)
    Tim Marshall & Georgios Argyropoulos (NIR)
    Miguel Bértolo Nogueira & Hugo Manuel Freire Marques (POR)

    Benjamin Deljković & Amel Novalić (BIH)

    UEFA Referee Observers:
    Salustià Chato Ciprés (AND)
    Mehmet Murat Ilgaz (TUR)



    Group 3
    Date: 25-31 October 2022 in Georgia
    Teams: ENG, GEO, ISR, LTU

    Referees:
    Ferenc Karakó & Norbert Bornemissza (HUN)
    Adam Ladebäck & Daniel Yng (SWE)
    Viktor Kopiyevsʹkyy & Viktor Nyzhnyk (UKR)

    Aleko Aptsiauri & Giorgi Elikashvili (GEO)

    UEFA Referee Observers:
    Juan Antonio Fernández Marín (ESP)
    Edgar Steinborn (GER)



    Group 4
    Date: 19-25 October 2022 in Malta
    Teams: CZE, MLT, NIR, SCO

    Referees:
    Evángelos Manoúchos & Konstandínos Nikolaḯdis (GRE)
    Visar Kastrati & Edmond Zeqiri (KOS)
    Martin Dohál & Patrik Kmec (SVK)

    Daniel Portelli & Mark Ciantar (MLT)

    UEFA Referee Observers:
    Nerijus Dunauskas (LTU)
    Viktor Shvetsov (UKR)



    Group 5
    Date: 20-26 October 2022 in Poland
    Teams: AND, AUT, MNE, POL

    Referees:
    David Fuxman & Idan Zoler (ISR)
    Bolat Sarıev & Sergeı Kalachev (KAZ)
    Thomas Gary Owen & Connor Philip John Thomas (WAL)

    Łukasz Karski & Bartosz Kaszyński (POL)

    UEFA Referee Observers:
    Gevorg Hovhannisyan (ARM)
    Emil Božinovski (MKD)



    Group 6
    Date: 26 October - 1 November 2022 in Romania
    Teams: BEL, DEN, EST, ROU

    Referees:
    Daniel Schlager & Robert Kempter (GER)
    Stéfanos Koumbarákis & Chasán Koúla (GRE)
    Miloš Savović & Vladislav Radenović (MNE)

    Rareș George Vidican & George Florin Neacșu (ROU)

    UEFA Referee Observers:
    John Ward (IRL)
    Dimitar Mečkarovski (MKD)



    Group 7
    Date: 20-26 October 2022 in Croatia
    Teams: ALB, CRO, SWE, WAL

    Referees:
    Rauf Cabarov & Namiq Hüseynov (AZE)
    Chrysovalándis Theoulí & Pávlos Georgíou (CYP)
    Oleksiy Derevinsʹkyy & Vitaliy Skoblya (UKR)

    Patrik Kolarić & Luka Pajić (CRO)

    UEFA Referee Observers:
    Kostadin Gerginov (BUL)
    David Fernández Borbalán (ESP)



    Group 8
    Date: 5-11 October 2022 in Kosovo
    Teams: FIN, GRE, ITA, KOS

    Referees:
    Elçin Məsiyev & Elşad Abdullayev (AZE)
    Ondřej Berka & Lukáš Slavíček (CZE)
    Luca Cibelli & Matthias Sbrissa (SUI)
    —-
    Mervan Bejtullahu & Arbnor Bullatovci (KOS)

    UEFA Referee Observers:
    Luc Wouters (BEL)
    Erol Ersoy (TUR)



    Group 9
    Date: 25-31 October 2022 in North Macedonia
    Teams: FRA, ISL, LUX, MKD

    Referees:
    Dzmitryj Dzmitryjeŭ & Dzianis Jemiaĺjančykaŭ (BLR)
    Jan Petřík & Martin Leška (CZE)
    Aleksandrs Anufrijevs & Deniss Ševčenko (LVA)

    Hristijan Božinovski & Aleksandar Nedevski (MKD)

    UEFA Referee Observers:
    Niklas á Líðarenda (FRO)
    Rune Pedersen (NOR)



    Group 10
    Date: 20-26 October 2022 in Norway
    Teams: ARM, BLR, IRL, NOR

    Referees:
    Jan Machálek & Marek Podaný (CZE)
    Miloš Bošković & Marjan Paunović (MNE)
    Joey Kooij & Dyon Fikkert (NED)

    Marius Lien & Ole Andreas Skogsrud Haukåsen (NOR)

    UEFA Referee Observers:
    Michaíl Koukoulákis (GRE)
    Matteo Simone Trefoloni (ITA)



    Group 11
    Date: 1-7 November 2022 in Cyprus
    Teams: CYP, GIB, SRB

    Referees:
    Sven Jablonski & Lasse Koslowski (GER)
    Sander van der Eijk & Patrick Inia (NED)
    Alessandro Dudic & Pascal Hirzel (SUI)

    UEFA Referee Observer:
    Chaim Ya’akov (ISR)



    Group 12
    Date: 19-25 October 2022 in Moldova
    Teams: GER, LVA, MDA, SVK

    Referees:
    Viktar Šymusik & Siarhiej Firynovič (BLR)
    Kári Jóannesarson á Høvdanum & Jógvan Breckmann (FRO)
    Nenad Minaković & Bojan Banović (SRB)
    —-
    Igor Boșca & Sergiu Bogdan (MDA)

    UEFA Referee Observers:
    Konrad Plautz (AUT)
    Marco Borg (MLT)



    Group 13
    Date: 13-19 October 2022 in Bulgaria
    Teams: BUL, SMR, SUI, TUR

    Referees:
    Danııar Sahı & ıÝrıı Tıhonıýk (KAZ)
    Gustavo Fernandes Correia & Hugo Manuel Freire Marques (POR)
    David Šmajc & Tomaž Černe (SVN)
    —-
    Stanimir Trenchev & Georgi Minev (BUL)

    UEFA Referee Observers:
    Thomas Einwaller (AUT)
    Domagoj Vučkov (CRO)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I really don't like that some people here protect referee performance at any cost just because they are elite . Yesterday both Dias and Siebert was under 8,0 mark and you can read both on twitter or you could hear in sports studios from former elite referees that it was very poor performance for this standards.

    Siebert is pushed by committee but he is lost almost in every game, first to lenient,then to card happy the guy is different in every game. Frohlich domestic and Rosetti in Europe should push more Zwayer and Osmers.

    Artur Dias again yesterday with many crucial mistakes , never convinced with him.

    Uefa referee committee will have worst period in many years .Next year Lahoz,Dell Cerro Grande,Orsato retires .

    We already lost Brych,Cakir,Hategan,Karasev,Aytekin in short period. We gonna have very short list of really great refs for some years. Like only 10 names who can take on biggest games. Only 5 years ago we had 20 referees.

    It will take some years to get big referees and I think it will be Letexier,Visser,Osmers. But as I said next 5 years we will have huge problems and many situations like yesterday with Siebert . Lucky that we have VAR now because I can only imagine without VAR how many crucial mistakes it would be.

    Turpin,Kovac,Vincic,Jovanovic,Taylor,Oliver,Zwayer,Makkelie,Scharer,Grinfeld is only 10 names I trust for big games for next season.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is gonna be an interesting period from this point of view, but you forgot to add to your list Marciniak and Gil Manzano, who will be even more important names than now.

      Delete
    2. As a generation of referees reaches retirement age, people will always worry that the next generation will not be strong enough to take over. It was so with Collina, Merk and Frisk. We got Rosetti, Michel and Busacca. Then when this generation retired, Webb, Cakir, Kuipers and Brych grew to surpass their heights. Now we have Marciniak, Makkelie, Kovacs and others performing well.

      My point is that once you give referees the chance to show their quality, the biggest talents will shine through. This chance, however, often comes only with the passing of the torch to the next generation. We will see which referees will define the next generation.

      Delete
  20. KMI from Oliver's game:

    38' PK for tripping
    https://streamable.com/uhb9br

    59' PK for tackle [OFR]
    https://streamable.com/6ek0lg

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    Replies
    1. 38': Correct decision, nicely seen by Oliver. The defender missed and ball and "cleared" the attacker instead. Clear PK.

      59': Very good (and mandatory) VAR intervention, a bad tackle by Verratti, very reckless. Oliver very quick in reaching a correct decision at the monitor, however it's still a rather bad mistake IMO, judging by the position he was in when the tackle occurred. But most importantly, correct decision in the end.

      Delete
  21. I just watched the entire ESP-COL match in the U17WWC and I can report a very good performance by Iuliana Demestrescu (ROU)

    A single VAR intervention to annul a Spanish goal, by handball.
    Good decision.

    Great moment for the Romanian referees.

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  22. Confirmation that VAR will be introduced in the Scottish premiership from the 21st of October

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  23. Penalty for Brugge taken back after OFR. Well spotted by VAR that the attacker first stepped onto the defender, so defensive free kick is the better call, I think. But was it clear and obvious or could it still be seen as tripping by the defender?

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    Replies
    1. I think it's clear and obvious, I don't think we can make any argument for a trip when the contact is the attacker treading on the defender who hasn't moved into their path.

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    2. Excellent VAR intervention!

      Delete
  24. OFR in Naples for a punishable handball by Alvarez, penalty correctly awarded

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alvarez should in fact be Timber. For Zwayer very difficult to spot live, hardly to blame.

      Delete
    2. Never a penalty. The player did his best not to be deemed handling the ball. The right hand has been withdrawn and the left was in a natural position according to his movement. Osmers shouldn't have intervened, and when he did - the angle he chose manipulated the situation and duped Zwayer.

      Delete
  25. Correct OFR in Naples, correct penalty, and a good performance by Felix Zwayer so far.

    ReplyDelete
  26. The Italian newspapers will be satisfied ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope for Zwayer that the deadline of the newspapers passed

      Delete
  27. Imo no penalty, his arm is in a natural position.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it depends on the angle of the video. From behind it seems that the ball hits the elbow of Timber's right arm, but a frontal view (shown to Zwayer by VAR) clearly shows that the ball hits the hand of an outstretched left arm.

      Delete
    2. I also think its not a penalty. The arm looks outstretched to the side from some angles, but it is more behind him than next to him. Also he tries to avoid contact just before contact. If given by the referee okay, but the points above plus the very close distance should be enough doubt for noVARint IMO

      Delete
  28. AR 2 and also AR 1 in Zweyer game - Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Now a too harsh, not to say wrong YC to Bassey (65.) for an alleged holding+SPA. This was no foul.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Makkelie with excellent 2nd YC to Brugge player,kicking the ball away.

    Great Makkelie so far.

    ReplyDelete
  31. The penalty awarded to Ajax (81.) is a rather wrong decision to my taste. The backward holding of the attacker IMO was more serious than the slight holding of the defender

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IMO this 2nd PK was absolutely ridicolous. Never enough for a foul, but maybe a diver...

      Delete
    2. You are absolutely right. At most a tussle between two players who used some force. More accurate - the Ajax initiated the unsporting incident by holding/pulling the defender's shirt before the latter reacted. I put the blme at Zwayer's door - Osmers could have intervened as Higler did in the Atletico Madrid-Brugge encounter, but as it was more of a 50-50 situation, it was right for him not to intervene and let the on-pitch decision to stay.

      Delete
    3. I personally would have liked a VAR intervention. As Brobbeys foul starts earlier and even wihtout Brobbeys holding it was a very very soft PK. I don't even think the striker expected a whistle there.

      Delete
  32. Committee must have new directive for disciplinary . I have not see so many cards in Champions League in last 20 years. I don't see that as negative just saying that referees do not miss mandatory cards like before. Wonder if FIFA will ha same directive in WC or keep with lenient style from before. Siebert,Zwayer,Makellie 30 cards combined wow.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Zwayer: in my opinion a very good performance in terms of control of the game and card management. Also, some skills that I saw by him very often in relationships with players (take as example when he talked to Ajax player that had kicked ball away...). But regarding crucial decisions, definitely many things to be reviewed.
    The first penalty, for handball, was impossible to see because the open arm was the one covered by body to Zwayer's view.
    The second penalty is something similar to Siebert yesterday, and for me a mistake. Luckily this time happened in a moment of the game in which it wasn't relevant for the final score. Zwayer leaves always the sensation that he can do by far more, but there is always something to discuss about his games. Still I think positive today if you look at overall perception, but poor in terms of crucial incidents, due to the second penalty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, but there were two crucial misses of great opportunities of advantage. He robbed Napoli of an advantage in the 33' minute, and sinned against Ajax in the 37'. These cases separate the "men" (excellent referees) from the "boys" (ordinary or mediocre refs), and Zwayer obviously belongs to the latter.

      Delete
    2. About Zwayer it is really strange. Even in Bundesliga it looks like his communication and matchcontrol is much better now... But on the other side he made so many mistakes, his foul detection was really bad so far.

      Delete
    3. I would never see a similar situation to Siebert yesterday. This was only one short holding, and the attacker used the contact in the hope to be rewarded with a PK. And thats what happened. Poor.
      Yesterday Tomori hold Mount not only once, but 3!!! times, and Mount still tried to score, but could not, because he had lost his speed and power, a clear consequence of the holding. A textbook PK and RC!

      Delete
  34. Short videos of two crucial incidents from Makkelie game.
    I saw that there were disallowed goals for offside as well.

    OFR after penalty whistled:
    https://streamable.com/ri5f7t

    Second YC for kicking ball away:
    https://streamable.com/b909my

    Mandatory decision in the second case, while regarding the penalty incident, I think that from referee's position, you will see always a penalty there, assuming the first contact by defender going against attacker. Then, closer replays showed the reason for which VAR invited him, it was attacker with contact before. Correct YC for him as well, this shows concentration by the Dutch because he continued in the process of analysis about what had happened, most of referees don't do that, once annulled penalty, end of the process.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OFR: Agree with Chefren, fully understandable mistake by Makkelie, no real blame on him here. Very good job by VAR Higler in correctly assessing this situation.

      SYC: Correct decision, a mandatory YC for unsporting behaviour and a pretty stupid action by the Brugge player.

      Delete
    2. Always understandable mistakes by Makkelie :) How come this. I am really sorry but i will say it again. No matter what he does - there is no problem in his mistakes. However other guys are not having this option and stay in the freezer.

      Delete
    3. Great VAR intervention! Almost impossible for referee to assess the situation in full speed. I disagree with GRef.

      Imo Makkelie showcased a great firmness and management during the fiery match that could escalate quickly. '45 '79 '89 are great examples. Compare that with the passiveness showcased by other referees when they officiate teams like ATM.

      Delete
    4. @GRef - did Danny Makkelie steal your lunch money in school? It's clear you are not a fan!

      Delete
    5. Respectfully disagree, GRef. I am of the strong opinion that this situation was almost impossible to see for Makkelie. Of course, when he makes a mistake, I will be the first to say so.

      Delete
  35. Not really sure about the OFR in TOT-FRA and it seems like del Cerro Grande was not convinced either, if I interpret his body language in fron of the monitor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Looked correct to be, because the replays showed a clear leg contact. But yes, always difficult to say, whether the "clear and obvious" level was surpassed or not in such situations.

      Delete
  36. By the way correct OFR in LEV-POR, Kovacs gave a YC for diving, but it was a clear foul instead. Also, crystal clear penalty + 2nd YC correctly given by Hernández Hernández.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Tottenham - Eintracht Frankfurt OFR for Del Cerro Grande:
    https://streamable.com/imw3z0
    I disagree with VAR. Not a clear and obvious mistake, we don't have factual criteria in this possible foul.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Completely agree with you, not VAR stuff. IMO more play on than penalty

      Delete
    2. Hmm, differently from yesterday, I tend to agree with the penalty decision here, as well as the VAR intervention. For me, there is a clear contact with Kane's left leg, blocking it and putting him out of balance, as well as some body contact (I saw one replay from behind on Croatian TV, it seemed even more clear from that angle). I also cannot see any attempt by Kane to initiate a contact to win a penalty, and he was somewhat in front of Jakić and definitely in a better position to initiate an attack. Croatian refereeing analyst Mario Strahonja said almost the same on Croatian TV.

      Delete
    3. I dont understand that this penalty is debatable. This is clear pnalty and VAR intervention if not awarded. Please dont watch it in slow motion. This need to be watched 100 or max 50% of speed.

      Delete
    4. I agree with GRef on this one. In real time it definitely looks a penalty. With slowing it down, you can make a case for shoulder to shoulder (fair challenge), but the defender has no chance to play the ball and impedes the movement of Kane IMO

      Delete
  38. You must see the incident happened right now in Kovacs game, the referee was exactly in the point of the foul! Saying too close is not enough to describe that.
    VAR changed the decision in penalty, he had given free kick outside.
    Quite difficult to have the best view when you are covering the incident with your body...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apart from the not so fortunate positioning I’m a bit in doubt what to think about the foul itself. It seems a rather harsh call to me. Would VAR have intervened if Kovacs had not whistled a foul here?

      Delete
    2. For me also a soft penalty - not enough for a VAR intervention, but I am not sure, whether UEFA will like it.
      Also the following Porto penalty not that clear, a bit similar to the one for Tottenham, but IMO a bit less of a foul.

      Delete
    3. Anybody who can paste a video link, please ?

      Delete
    4. My intention is to post all the incidents from Kovacs game, he had a very challenging match. Maybe tomorrow if nobody will anticipate me (in case, absolutely welcome).

      Delete
    5. I wait, no problem. Take your time!

      Delete
    6. The postioning of Kovacs was a problem several times... Is that a general problem of him? On the other side, body language and match control convince me.

      Delete
    7. It's a shame. His positioning has always been the weak part of his game and he has really been working hard with it over the past 18 months & was getting it right. The improvements really showed. His positioning let him down a couple of times & affected his focus and decision making. A reminder to him that he needs to keep working on his positioning, the rest of his game is excellent. He'll bounce back stronger next match.

      Delete
  39. Del Cerro Grande totally forgot that he had already booked a player, he was mobbed by players and had to check that again. Red card followed... extremely poor management.

    ReplyDelete
  40. 79' Imo, this foul is SFP and RC for Dembele, only YC given by Marciniak.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Another 2YC by Hernández Hernández in Lisbon, looked like dissent by word by Sporting player just after being booked for a reckless challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  42. One cannot even comment on everything tonight, there are so many things going on…. Penalties, OFR, sent-offs, VAR interventions - crazy!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Mexico vs China
    Maria Ferrieri (ITA)
    VAR: Omar Al Ali (UAE)

    https://streamable.com/k610x0

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hand contact not really proved by the OFR, is it? Looks more like it only hits the upper arm, which is close to the body.

      Delete
    2. Sorry but I don't understand where is this handball?
      Not even a contact with arm, and I watched it many and many times to be sure! Why VAR call and after that, why penalty decision? Everything seems absurd, am I missing anything?

      Delete
    3. Well, even after reading your comment I have troubles in detecting the possible handball, I would say a fully wrong intervention by VAR, impossible to have any evidence. This is not how VAR should be used. We know that FIFA has different ideas than UEFA, but Collina will agree this is too much in this case...

      Delete
    4. Fully agree with Chefren, I cannot detect a definitive contact with the arm even after 10-15 replays. It seems like a touch by shoulder or upper lateral chest. A completely wrong usage of VAR here, IMO. However, blame is also to be put on the referee, I still cannot understand what Maria thought she saw there. A pity because she seems to have a really high potential to succeed on the highest level, also in the men's game, at least to me.

      Delete
    5. Disgraceful. It literally hits her shoulder as she turns, nowhere near 'the arm' and should not under any circumstance EVER been given a penalty.

      Delete
  44. Clear RC for SFP missed by Marciniak, but even more by AR2 who was very passive while this incident was happening right in front of him.
    Excessive force with studs on the leg. I don't know why VAR didn't intervene but checking full sequence it looked like Marciniak resumed very quick the game and they didn't even think about that.
    I would say a possible explanation is that it was a full miss by Polish VAR otherwise he would have suggested OFR to Marciniak, maybe he didn't realize that such kind of foul had happened.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apart from that very good performance from Marciniak in challenging game, but unfortunately one incedent could spoil the whole picture.

      Delete
    2. An unfortunate miss the the while crew. But I praise Marciniak for his management today, he felt very good that this game could have escaladate easily and turn into a real madness. He chosed the right approach.

      Delete
    3. Fully agree, clear SFP and RC missed. VAR intervention mandatory for me, a mistake by Kwiatkowski. I had the feeling Marciniak didn't perceive the incident correctly, rather passive booking for Dembele and a quick restart by him. AR2 should have helped and especially should have shown a more active approach.

      Otherwise, a very good performance by Marciniak for me: maybe a missed foul here and there in the 1H, however I fully agree with matei14 in assessing his management as very good, especially the increased alertness during the ending stage of the match (with all the incidents occurring one after another on both sides), as well as good fitness level (6' of additional time added, 7' played, with many incidents during that period). A real pity that one incident somewhat spoiled an otherwise very good performance.

      Delete
    4. From gazeta.pl (https://www.sport.pl/pilka/7,65041,29019344,dotarlismy-do-decyzji-uefa-ws-szymona-marciniaka-po-barcelona.html#e=RelRecImg5)
      As we have found out, UEFA shared the opinion of the Polish refree regarding the lack of a red card for Ousmane Dembele. - The leg of the French only slipped on the tibia of the rival, not stopping on it with full force - we heard. Therefore, taking into account the entire match, UEFA was to decide to award the highest marks not only to Marciniak, but to the entire Polish team of referees, which had full control over the events on the pitch.

      Delete
    5. https://streamff.com/v/eac434 link to the video

      Delete
  45. Canada vs France
    Bouchra Karboubi (MAR)
    VAR: Letticia Viana (SWZ)

    https://streamable.com/8vu49j

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are absolutely welcome with these clips, feel free to post everything and thanks for that!

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Najaah.
      Possible handball, but I think there is no evidence, like in Ferrieri's game. IMO correct decision by referee and wrong call by VAR

      Delete
    3. Interesting that we have again the question, whether there was any hand contact. It looks like it touches the fingertips, but hard to be 100% sure. Therefore I like the referee's decision here, also because a penalty would not be in the spirit of the game, I think.

      Delete
    4. Good decision by Karboubi IMO. However, I tend to be almost completely sure that there is a touch by fingers here, definitely a different situation then in Ferrieri Caputi's game. But I also agree with Philipp in assessing this handball as not punishable: the player's hands seem to be going down from a rather natural position for that jump, the hand is in front of the head/body (not making it unnaturally bigger) and last but not least, the hand seems to have been protecting the player's head. Therefore, no punishable handball for me.

      Delete
  46. Just compare penalty given by Del Cero after OFR for alleged foul on Kane, and not given penalty by Mateu last night for clear push on Cuadrado! We do not know anymore what is penalty and what isn't, what is VAR stuff and what isn't. If we change these two refs in these matches, we would have PK for Juve and no PK for Tottenham. That shouldn't happen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, LOTG are not mathematics, they still need interpretation and that will never change... And hey, if not, what should we discuss about?

      Delete
  47. Anthony or Chefren

    Is it possible to find some video when Sergio Roberto gets yellow card from Marciniak. Watched game and did not noticed that, would love to see why did he got it .

    ReplyDelete
  48. Replies
    1. Group E: after what happened at the San Siro, interesting to see the referee in Zagreb (Dinamo vs AC Milan). Orsato and Taylor not possible, Makkelie recently officiated Milan, hence we can pencil Turpin for this game. And that would confirm the 'special' treatment of Italian teams. No way that game really needs Turpin. ;-)

      Group C: after a Polish, Dutch, French and Slovenian referee, Bayern - Barca will be an Englishman.

      Group D is a very open group and some top guns are expected there. I think, we can expect Makkelie at MD5 or MD6 there.

      Group G: Dortmund - Man City is an interesting game for 1st place. The English, German, Spanish are out and Orsato already used. Interesting to see the referee in Dortmund MD5. My initial thought was Turpin, but after what happened in Milan...

      Final prediction, it is possible that the POR - ATM game (MD6) could be (again) decisive for the second place. I think, committee will save Orsato for that game. If not him, Anthony Taylor.

      Delete
    2. Very early, but my current predictions (VAR in brackets)
      Zagreb - Milan: Mateu (Martinez)
      Salzburg - Chelsea: Grinfeeld (van Boekel)
      Celtic - Donetsk: Sidiropoulos (Evangelou)
      Leipzig - Real: Soares Dias (Martins)
      Dortmund - ManCity: Turpin (Brisard)
      Sevilla - Copenhagen: Vincic (Jug)
      Benfica - Juventus: Makkelie (Higler)
      Paris - Haifa: Collum (Kavanagh)
      Ajax - Liverpool: Marciniak (Kwiatkowski)
      Napoli - Rangers: Dabanovic (Dankert)
      Brugge - Porto: Rumsas (Irrati)
      Atletico - Leverkusen: Letexier (Delajod)
      Inter - Viktoria: Meler (Kalkavan)
      Barcelona - Bayern: Taylor (Attwell)
      Tottenham - Sporting: Schärer (San)
      Frankfurt - Marseille: Jovanovic (Valeri)

      Delete
  49. István Kovács incidents from Bayer Leverkusen - Porto.
    Not the best performance in terms of assessing crucial situations for the Romanian.

    14' OFR for assigning a penalty after original simulation decision
    https://streamable.com/wgoukr
    In this case one can understand why he did the mistake, without the action by defender that makes it a penalty, the movement of attacker, running close to defender's path and then falling, is exactly the one of a clear simulation. He was behind without a good view and based on this attitude, without seeing more, in my opinion he decided for simulation. Still, a clear mistake, but if you watch live without considering the touch by defender you get why he decided for simulation.

    51' VAR intervention for changing free kick in penalty
    https://streamable.com/c36w6a
    As said, the Romanian was too close in this case, to say it better, he was interfring with action and he had to make particular head movement to see what was happening "under" him. Then, about the contact, it is very soft, VAR still out from intervention and indeed they just changed the decision from outside to inside.

    63' Penalty directly whistled by referee
    https://streamable.com/d62bkc
    Very soft, to me wrong. There is a kind of impeding the action of attacker with that leg looking for the ball, but never penalty to me, normal contact. For a penalty I expect more, never a clear mistake, though.

    Let's say that in this round of CL there was the record of extremely soft penalties, Rosetti shouldn't be happy after all he said in past about that, especially during EURO.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In my opinion 51' is softer than 63', because in 51' it looks more like an accident and the attacker is already leaning backwards (to avoid the referee?). While in 63', the defender is simply too late and it looks like a genuine fall to me.

      Otherwise I agree, especially with the last remark.
      Maybe it's time to say, that if soft penalties are considered wrong penalties the consequence is that clearly soft penalties are considered clearly wrong penalties, i.e. VAR should be allowed to intervene?

      Delete
    2. '14 my preference is play-on without a YC. The contact is soft and like Chefren noticed, based on the movement of the player, and his unnatural fall, he is obviously 'searching' for a PK, so I can understand why Kovacs spotted a simulation here. I'm not a fan of this VAR intervention and I wonder if the VAR would send it down for OFR if Kovacs didn't issue the YC for simulation. What do you think?
      '51 my preferred call is play-on. Once whistled, not easy to detect whether the foul was within or outside, even when the referee is in a better position. Very tight call.
      '63 I agree with Philipp, for me the most supportable PK call of the night. The ball is not played, player doesn't seem to initiate the contact himself, he is surprised by the impeding and it's a genuine fall for me. If the referee does not whistle it Live, no VAR stuff for me though.

      Delete
    3. 14. I agree - very understandable call. His positioning had let him down and his view was not what it should have been. Red #5 was very gobby though...

      51. The worst I have seen his positioning in a while. Shame for him because he has worked so hard on improving that area of his game and it has showed. There is a kick to the back of the ankle so the foul is supportable. VAR had no choice but to intervene on the whole inside/outside thing. Not convinced he would have whistled a foul if he wasn't right on top of it but I think VAR would have been needed to determine inside/outside even if his positioning had been better.

      63. Soft maybe but not wrong. Defender doesn't play the ball but uses his hip and knee to bring the attacker down. The view from behind the goal shows it best. Supportable call.

      Overall, not the best night he has had, nor the worst. He wasn't firing on all cylinders, his positioning that he has worked so hard to improve on let him down at key moments. He's a great referee though & will be back to his best next game.

      Delete
    4. 14': Agree with Chefren and bmb, an understandable mistake, it was very easy to assess the situation wrongly. However, still a mistake for me, it seems Kovacs was caught out of position, having to run around one Porto player while this incident was happening. I would agree with the VAR intervention and subsequent penalty: contact on the leg is significant enough to justify it.

      51': I have to agree again, very bad positioning by Kovacs in this situation, it seems his momentum carried him on into the penalty box, right along the path of play. Consequently, a wrong foul call for me because the contact on the heel is rather trifling IMO, however it certainly exists and therefore no VAR intervention seems OK according to UEFA guidelines. I don't like this penalty at all. However, let me say that this can happen to anyone (it certainly happened to me way more than once) and it should be a very good lesson on which aspects he has to improve.

      63': First, let me say that I really don't like this penalty, too soft for my taste. However, Philipp, Unknown and bmb are right, IMO: this one is supportable on the grounds of impeding, contact is clear, the defender is late and the attacker's fall doesn't seem like acting. Once again: I would never have whistled this, however it is supportable, therefore correct by the VAR to stay silent.

      I would fully agree with the thoughts of Andrasch and bmb in several threads: positioning seems to have been the most important issue for Kovacs yesterday. A pity, I deem him one of the best in terms of personality and management at the moment.

      As a last remark, I fully agree with Philipp's last sentence: if any contact can justify the lack of intervention by the VAR, where does it lead? This is certainly not basketball and if we want to get rid of soft penalties (as much as we can), then VAR should be used appropriately.

      Delete
  50. Possible RC in Marciniak game.
    https://streamable.com/9yovse
    Too quick restart and officials (especially AR2) not aware.
    Clear SFP for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can only confirm my comment from yesterday: very clear SFP and RC missed. Such a nasty challenge from Dembele: watching it live, I was sure it would result in a RC, however a lack of concentration n that one second somewhat spoiled an otherwise very good performance by Marciniak and crew.

      Delete
    2. Clear RC for SFP. The AR2 was not concentrated to potential outcomes of the incident, did not set his priority well as he forgot to monitor the challenge all the way until the Barcelona's player foot touched the ground. Instead he monitored the ball trajectory which was not that important at that particular moment.

      Delete
    3. According to Polish sport.pl UEFA said that YC is OK in this situation. Full article: https://www.sport.pl/pilka/7,65041,29019344,dotarlismy-do-decyzji-uefa-ws-szymona-marciniaka-po-barcelona.html?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=SM&utm_campaign=FB_Sport&fbclid=IwAR0tSKGOMIxt7mQuwiTdd0fz6jVKu94wfEDPl4__H6NJvP-HR4pLso1wQpo

      Delete
    4. Well, let's just say that I fully disagree with UEFA on this particular matter.

      Delete
    5. First of all, they do not mention a source.
      Secondly, if they have a reliable source, why is the Polish media publishing details about ratings? Isn't that confidential information?

      Frankly, the article raises my eyebrows a little bit. In the country I live, referees are never praised to the skies like this. I wish they did ;)

      Delete
    6. Those info about UEFA alleged official assessments come very often from both Polish and Turkish sides, it happened many times with Cakir and other times with Marciniak. Of course, never reliable informations.

      Delete
  51. It obviously doesn't mean too much, but maybe still interesting:
    Del Cerro Grande (consistent; penalty, only YC for Betancur and 2nd YC correct) and Meler (pleasantly lenient, contributed to the good and intense game, all major decisions correct) got very good marks in leading German football magazine kicker, while Kovacs got a very bad one (both Porto penalties wrong, many further small errors).
    To complete it: Frankowski good (no problems, good authority) and Jovanovic satisfying (no major errors in a challenging match, reacted too late to Sevilla timewasting)

    ReplyDelete
  52. OT:

    Sánchez Martínez will referee the Clásico (again, must be his 5th/6th already), tbh I expected De Burgos Bengoetxea but CTA-RFEF played it safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I´m not understanding how CTA-RFEF is behaving towards De Burgos. From one side, they are awarding him with the Acevedo trophy (best ref of last season on eyes of CTA), but then not trusting on him for any mediatic game, like this one. Even in "Copa del Rey", never having a game beyond round of 16 (neither last season, despite his impressive performance in Betis-Sevilla, an extremly hoy game). I am not saying that he deserves the "Clásico", but in this case CTA should apply coherence on the appointments, and not promote a person than later are not trusting on him.
      In this case, Sanchez Martinez, good choice, but he already handled the Clasico exaclty one year ago. Is the 6th one of his career. I think others also deserves the opportunity, otherwise not give them Acevedo awards, etc. It looks like CTA is under external pressures, what is really disturbing !

      Delete
  53. Hernández Hernández in Sporting - Marseille

    First YC to Sporting player
    https://streamable.com/q3uuvc

    Second YC and penalty
    https://streamable.com/1mtf6y

    Two YCs in a row
    https://streamable.com/cg17fu

    In the latter case, most of referees would have ignored player's behavior to avoid another card. Looks like a very strong performance under the eyes of Kuipers. There were also other tense moments in the game, even at the beginning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What did the player do to get two YC in a row? He must have said something or made a gesture. Not visible in this clip.

      Delete
    2. As the player is always shown on camera during last replay, and he doesn't make any gesture, it should be a said word.

      Delete
    3. First situation: Fully correct decision YC, reckless use of elbow.

      Second situation: What a miss by the defender. A genuine reckless tackle (performed literally the same on a fleeing suspect yesterday myself, therefore definitely not to be used in sport). Correct penalty and SYC.

      Third situation: Very nice to see a referee punishing a dissent by word accordingly (provided it was the case, of course, but there is no reason not to believe the referee). So refreshing to see.

      Delete
  54. Some interesting incident from WC play off Portugal - Iceland, handled by Stéphanie Frappart with François Letexier as VAR.
    Before talking about that, just some words about the FIFA and UEFA "conflict". This should be indeed a FIFA game, but we see the officials on the field with UEFA badges and equipment. Very strange. However, the approach of VAR in the first incident shows us that it was rather the FIFA approach in using VAR than the UEFA one. Still, nowadays it seems very difficult to identify the real borders between the European confederation and the maximum football body of the world.

    49' Iceland disallowed goal for a previous foul
    https://streamff.com/v/68fc78
    Letexier suggests to rewatch and the goal is annulled. Frappart could have detected the holding by herself, short but quite blatant, and Portuguese player was impeded in reaching the ball. However, there is big room for discussion if this is a clear and obvious mistake, especially in this context. In UEFA I think a VAR intervention like this would be maybe questioned, the intensity of a holding should be up to referee, also, one could say there isn't a very clear and noticeable effect, but this is not valid as argument. For me, most of VAR wouldn't have intervened, but one can understand Letexier's reasons.

    52' Penalty and RC for DOGSO (not genuine)
    https://streamff.com/v/d30edc
    This incident followed one minute after the resume of the game after previous OFR (I could have made a unique video), in my opinion there wasn't any foul and the fall by attacker is not caused by any action of defender. I fully agree with Letexier in this case, I would have totally annulled this call, but, as you can see, Frappart didn't change idea and she confirmed her original call. I think because there isn't a 100% evidence you can be sure about no contact, but to me, never a penalty. Portuguese attacker seems to be very clever. I would have made the same as Letexier in this case due to the perception of NO FOUL. Interesting that she confirmed the call.
    Based on this incident, I also think that as perception, in this game, there wasn't a big feeling between Frappart and her VAR.

    77' Penalty for handball removed after OFR
    https://streamff.com/v/84e75e
    Here nothing to say, maybe not even touch by arm, but if so, never punishable. Always perception mistakes for such kinds of incidents and it is not the first time that Frappart goes for a very easy handball penalty without thinking too much (I remember another game in past involving NED team with her). But of course that's not only Frappart problem... handballs are a real issue in football and mostly VAR is there for such incidents.

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    1. @49': The question is, what Frappart could have missed live, which she then saw during the OFR. I mean, she had a very good view on that, it seems. And if she wasn't focussing on that duel, she did something wrong. So one would expect, that the referee already evaluated it on the field and then the OFR is questionable. If she somehow missed the holding, it would be a good intervention, I think.

      @52': I don't really understand the intervention as the holding clearly exists IMO. Therefore for me also supportable that Frappart confirmed her decision.

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    2. Strange that she also wears the UEFA trikot. Usually, with FIFA matches, it's adidas. See the men WC qualification play-offs.

      Also, the communication of Frappart after confirming the call, is in my opinion rather weak.

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    3. IMO very weak impresion by Frappart, she doesnt convice me at all.
      49': very blatant foul, she should see live
      52: perhaps no VAR stuff, but IMO no penalty at all. And I have many doubts with RC, because there is no control of the ball.

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    4. 49' - Besides foul play - holding, there is most likely (difficult to detect) offside prior to goal scored.
      52' - No PK, even if there was a PK it was unlikely the attacker would be in goal scoring opportunity as the ball was going away from the goal and there was defender right next to her...
      77' - no HB

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    5. At 52', I don't see the argument for DOGSO. I think that's what the OFR is for. The penalty is debatable so, fine, it stands. But red card? No way. I'm shocked she kept it.

      I'll say the impolite but clear thing here... Frappart looked under a lot of pressure in this match and it will pale in comparison to what Qatar would be like. She's not ready.

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    6. 49': I understand the debate about "clear and obvious", however I like the intervention here: it's a pretty clear holding foul for me, the Portuguese player was prevented from reaching the ball in an unfair manner. Of course, we can talk about intensity, but it is enough to cancel this goal IMO.

      52': No PK IMO. Yes, holding exists, but it's rather trifling for me. Certainly not a penalty I want to see being given. Regarding the VAR intervention, we again come to the debate about VAR intervening at soft penalties: in this particular situation, I agree with Chefren, there is a perception of no foul.
      Now about a far more concerning issue: where is DOGSO? I tried my best to understand Frappart here, but this is a clear mistake IMO. There was not a single criterion for DOGSO fulfilled: there was another defender able to intervene, the attacker doesn't exactly have control over the ball, the ball goes towards the side, away from goal. Therefore, usaref is probably right regarding the reason for the OFR, and it's pretty shocking that Frappart kept her original decision. Clearly wrong RC for me.

      77': definitely no punishable handball, but probably a perception issue for Frappart. Very good support by the VAR here. This instantly reminded me of Vlahović's potential handball not given by Orsato the past weekend, now I'm even more convinced that was a handball, while this is not.

      Just to refer to usaref's last comment: yes, Frappart is definitely not ready to referee a game at the WC. I would be very glad if she were, but she just isn't IMO. Also, her optics in these situations do not convince me at all: she looked insecure, without clear gestures and communication. And I certainly expected more in that regard from a referee of her calibre.

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  55. Felix Zwayer, Napoli - Ajax

    33' and 37', advantage issues
    https://streamff.com/v/4b9acf
    https://streamff.com/v/4b9acf
    In both cases waiting before whistle would have led to great advantages.

    42' Check for a possible handball penalty and management of unsporting behavior (player kicking ball away)
    https://streamff.com/v/183cea
    Given that YC was possible for the Ajax player, I appreciate the way Zwayer approached the player and the very calm and human warning. The action was not so blatant to talk about a clear missed card and I think this way of handling the situation can be accepted.

    59' Penalty and YC for handball
    https://streamff.com/v/377146
    Impossible to see live because view obstructed by player's body. Quick OFR, but I think that once left the monitor, he could have liked to see something more, he made some gestures like he wanted to return to check.

    81' Penalty to Ajax
    https://streamff.com/v/918fdd
    Wrong call for me. VAR supported, but here I see definitely nothing to whistle.

    Apart from that, all cards issued absolutely accurate and correct, with the first one a paramount example of step on foot.

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    Replies
    1. Sorry, wrong link for the second missed advantage, 37'.
      Here:
      https://streamff.com/v/8c814a

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    2. 81 incident. Juan Jesus was holding the shirt of Brobbey with his right arm (sec 28 in the clip) This was on the side that Zwayer could see. Also Brobbey say this afther the match (for what is worth). I think everyone agrees this penalty is way too soft but i can understand the VAR decision

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    3. IMO incident from the 42' is clear 2nd YC. The ball was hit couple of seconds after the whistle and was so clear. For a very similar incident in ATM-BRU Makellie correctly showed a 2ndYC.

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    4. At this level, referee is expected to read the game and anticipate development of attack after the foul is committed. One of the recommendations during promising attack is to "wait and see" what happens after the challenge takes place and the referee failed to apply the recommendation.
      No PK at 81' - I do not know what did the referee see, but from the camera angle there was holding/pushing offence committed by both players.

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    5. What I can point out about the difference between the two incidents, but that's only my opinion of course and YC is still the expected decision according to LotG, is the fact that Ajax player didn't show too much brutality while doing that, differently from Madrid. These nuances are detected by referees on the pitch, I'm sure in case of more blatant action by Ajax player he would have booked him, but still... according to book it should be YC.

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    6. @Chefren - absolutely understood, thanks

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    7. Chefren, for the ofr as you said too fast, he took 12 seconds to see. If was on Brazil was more than 3 4 minutes 😅

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    8. @Shaerer, Chefren
      One other difference between those 'kicking the ball away' incidents: Brugges were surviving and playing for a draw; kicking the ball away was, for my taste, frustrating the opponent, whereas Ajax player is kicking the ball away out of dissapointment because of the standings, not to frustrate the Italian side. Zwayer's match control was not endangered.

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    9. @Shearer Bergwijn wasn´t booked at that time ;)

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    10. 33', 37': Rather poor to see such failure in applying advantage, the scene in 33' is particularly bad. Definitely expected on such a high level and a pretty important point for improvement. It seems the players were frustrated too.

      42': YC by the book, however I like Zwayer's decision here. It's all about managing and controlling the game and players, and Zwayer certainly succeeded using the warning in this regard. Also, the point delivered by Unknown is important to keep in mind when assessing such situations, IMHO.

      59': Not sure about this handball decision, it looks rather wrong to me. Zwayer not to blame for missing it live, fully understandable, however the angle shown during the OFR makes it more than it actually is IMO. The player's left hand seems to be out as a natural part of the specific body movement performed and it was moving behind his body and away from the ball. I'm more for play on than PK here.

      81': I didn't agree with Siebert's penalty, but this is definitely worse. Fully wrong call IMO, I can't detect an actual offence. Very poor decision by Zwayer, and I would have liked to see a VAR intervention for this (mandatory IMO, but probably the contrary for UEFA).

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    11. @Hans If Bergwijn was not booked at that time, than the YC is mandatory IMO

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  56. Vincic had a solid game, bar one poor offside call from AR2. Correctly awarded after a long delay. No idea what was taking so long

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  57. Zagreb - Milan: Ekberg (SWE)
    Salzburg - Chelsea: Bastien (FRA)
    Celtic - Donetsk: Jug (SVN)
    Leipzig - Real: Letexier (FRA)
    Dortmund - ManCity: Rumsas (LTU)
    Sevilla - Copenhagen: Gözöbüyuk (NED)
    Benfica - Juventus: Taylor (ENG)
    Paris - Haifa: Collum (SCO)
    Ajax - Liverpool: Sidiropoulos (GRE)
    Napoli - Rangers: Fesnic (ROU)
    Brugge - Porto: Siebert (GER)
    Atletico - Leverkusen: Kruzliak (SVK)
    Inter - Viktoria: Visser (BEL)
    Barcelona - Bayern: Turpin (FRA)
    Tottenham - Sporting: Gil Manzano (ESP)
    Frankfurt - Marseille: Del Cerro Grande (ESP)

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    1. Didn't Del Cerro Grande just referee Frankfurt?

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    2. These designations will never be given, trust me

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  58. Asked by Scandinavian Referee
    The foul by Sergi Roberto, reckless challenge ad the edge of penalty area, with advantage played by Marciniak and then card at the next stoppage (not shown live):
    https://streamable.com/nh0xkk

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  59. Thank you Chefren. Great game from Marciniak beside RC but it is as you said more on AR2. We all know that many even elite referees would have problem in this game. Pity that "camera people'' miss key situations like this one with Sergio Roberto gets a card. It is huge game and we got confirmation for this card 90 minutes after the game ended. Ofc when UEFA got Marciniaks rapport.

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  60. RB Salzburgo - Chelsea: Del Cerro (ESP)
    Sevilla - Copenhague: Umut Meler (TUR)
    Dinamo Zagreb - AC Milan: Turpin (FRA)
    Dortmund - City: Schärer (SUI)
    Celtic - Shakhtar: Visser (BEL)
    RB Leipzig - Real Madrid: Rumsas (LTU)
    PSG - Maccabi Haifa: Sidiropoulus (GRE)
    Benfica - Juventus: Peljto (BIH)
    Brujas - Porto: Jovanovic (SRB)
    Inter Milan - Viktoria Plzen: Oliver (ENG)
    Atlético - Leverkusen: Orsato (ITA)
    Barcelona - Bayern: Taylor (ENG)
    Napoli - Rangers: Kabakov (BUL)
    Ajax - Liverpool: Sánchez (ESP)
    Tottenham - Sporting: Makkelie (NED)
    Eintracht - Olympique: Marciniak (POL)

    What do you think @chefren?

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    1. For Milan game, after what happened in Milan - Chelsea, indeed Turpin seems the only available option, because Makkelie had already Chelsea - Milan. In case of different appointment we should be happy for committee's management without being influenced by protests, but I think they will send the French in Zagreb. To me, difficult to see Del Cerro for his third CL game this time due to some weakness he showed in Tottenham - Frankfurt. Umut Meler is an option for the game you selected, surely.
      I would be very happy to see Peljto in Lisbon for Juventus game, but I think committee will send an Elite referee. Maybe not a "upper" one, but I don't expect a Category 1.
      Inter - Plzen is extremely important for qualification but on paper easy game for the Italian team. Again, maybe a low Category 1 in this case, I see you appointed Oliver, I can understand why, but maybe committee will send a less ranked Elite. We can mention Schaerer as example, he did a similar game in Turin. In Naples no issues: full green linght for all Category 1, with home team already qualified and Rangers almost out (but they can still reach third place and EL). However, I think committee will send a name to make experience, option for Visser here. Kabakov as well, but after having seen him in Conference today, I think committee has still doubts about the Bulgarian. All the rest seems possible, given that there will be extremely important games like the one in Amsterdam (very last chance for Dutch side) we can indeed expect manuy referees who appeared in this round, then leaving free rom for young names and experiments on MD6. Let's wait for the observers.
      Also, very curious to see what committee will decide for Letexier after his display in Rotterdam... there was surely focus on him.

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    2. Sorry, forgot that Schaerer had already officiated Inter in Plzen.
      Letexier stays as option for this game (if good assessment in Amsterdam), but also Jovanović.

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    3. Is there any reason against Mateu in Zagreb (besides a Spanish referee in the first leg - but UEFA doesn't really care about that anymore, it seems)?

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  61. Tottenham - Eintracht Frankfurt (12.10.2022) - Del Cerro Grande (ESP)

    YC - SPA - DIER
    https://streamable.com/7z8n1q

    YC - TACKLE - 30 BETANCOURT
    https://streamable.com/pbs9wa

    PAI - NO PK
    https://streamable.com/561owj

    PK AWARDED (OFR)
    https://streamable.com/gj2ddp

    YC - SPA - TUTA
    https://streamable.com/d70mdr

    YC - TACKLE - HASABE
    2YC - HOLDING - SPA - TUTA
    https://streamable.com/xfdx72

    NO 2YC HASABE
    https://streamable.com/i61yvn

    YC - RECKLESS TACKLE - SESSAGNON
    https://streamable.com/xsxgpd

    PK AWARDED + YC (DOGSO)
    https://streamable.com/q4mmk1

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    1. IMO excellent Del Cerro in this match. Bravo!!!

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