Fernando Rapallini and Ismail Elfath will be the referees for Group G MD3 games. Let's comment their performance here.
SERBIA - SWITZERLAND
Referee: Fernando Rapallini (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Pablo Belatti (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Diego Bonfa (ARG)
Fourth Official: Kevin Ortega (PER)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Jesus Sanchez (PER)
Video Assistant Referee: Mauro Vigliano (ARG)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Julio Bascunan (CHI)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Taran (URU)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Leodan Gonzalez (URU)
Standby Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Martin Soppi (URU)
Game 48 - Lusail (20:00 CET)
CAMEROON - BRAZIL
Referee: Ismail Elfath (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Kyle Atkins (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Corey Parker (USA)
Fourth Official: Ma Ning (CHI)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Shi Xiang (CHI)
Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martinez Munuera (ESP)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Pau Cebrian Devis (ESP)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Ricardo de Burgos (ESP)
Standby Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Roberto Diaz Perez Del Palomar (ESP)
Atkins and Parker have swapped roles here, for what it's worth. No idea why.
ReplyDeleteAlso two very good opening cautions from Elfath. Different approach from him, this.
Elfath has been spot on for me through 30 minutes.
ReplyDeletePossible foul before the 1:1 (Switzerland vs. Serbia). Replay not very good. Possible trip, ball not played by Serbian.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent opening 35 minutes from Elfath. Foul detection combined with interactions with players spot on.
ReplyDeleteNothing to say about decisions, but elfathi looking so good
ReplyDeleteElfath impressive first half
ReplyDeleteMissed YC from Rapallini to Lukic...
ReplyDeleteOtherwise good 1st half from him
Agreed, that was a YC for me also, however I'm pretty satisfied with everything else. Rapallini is in full control of a potentially hot match (in fact, the only stronger dissent was by Xhaka about that missed YC after another one issued to SUI). Foul detection seems to be good, both YCs were correct and all PA incidents solved correctly. A single issue to remark on are two missed corners (30', 40'), one on each side.
DeleteVery good Rapallini in first half
ReplyDeleteNo consistent line, no control, several misttakes. Weak IMO.
DeleteGreat first half from Elfath. He's not skimping on yellow cards and that's really helping him. Rapallini also putting in good work in a game with a lot of tension in the undertone.
ReplyDeleteThen I'm looking forward to watching the recording of Elfath's game, I'm happy to hear about a better performance by him, being quite critical towards him last time.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAnother very good performance by Rapallini so far, totally accepted by players
ReplyDeleteSorry. Not at all.
DeleteAfter that good no penalty decision, Switzerland captain came close to Serbian bench and grabbed his crotch...
ReplyDeleteTechnical area incident after the no penalty decision in SRB v SUI (which looked a lot like simulation):
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/my8owu
watch 0:29 in that video, Switzerland captain grabbed his crotch and that is why the bench exploded.
DeleteAccording to German TV : Possible handball by Schär? 0:03 stopped
DeleteGood argument - arm is in a very risky position and looks like it makes contact with the ball. If anything, this would have been a possible valid appeal for a penalty.
DeleteA different view of the potential handball situation:
Deletehttps://streamable.com/nipx8g
A lot of people here said decent job by Rapallini, but how it could be when you have missed handball and the captain who showed his crotch as a deliberate act of provocation. And so many VAR referees and nobody asked why the Serbian bench exploded. What they were doing there, if they didn't pick it up on replays?
DeleteWell users on this blog usually give more benefit of the doubt to refs from UEFA and CONMEBOL.
DeleteI don't care about who is the referee or VAR. They are over there to see crucial incidents, special with all those cameras, and possibly to stop the game, review and come back with correct decision.
DeleteThis is not an expected ball (e.g. from a shot or pass). The player is simply marking their opponent (clumsily) and the ball hits the hand. Not a clear and obvious error.
DeleteThe crotch grab by the Swiss player could be anything. Again not clearly and obviously an offensive gesture.
DeleteIf you think that "crotch grab by the Swiss player could be anything" you should know about the history of those two nations and some local language to translate what he said.
DeleteLooked like Zakaria made a headbutt motion during that mass brawl
ReplyDeleteHe did and Rapallini did not see that, like so many other things tonight. Really bad job!
DeleteNow bad management by Rapallini in the double mass confrontation, too many whistles and no control of the situation
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteThis was the NON PLUS ULTRA of "excessive use of whistle", really terrible and extremely poor by Rapallini, and he continued and continued, what is the meaning of doing that, when players continue to do what they want?
ReplyDeleteThe logic end of his missing control of the game.
DeleteMass confrontation at the end of SRB v SUI
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/z9hoos
VC for the headbutt at 23s (Zakaria), not picked up by the ref or VAR
DeleteNone of the head butts were clear RC offences.
DeleteI will say this. When a referee incessantly whistles, they are like police cars with sirens on - attracting all sorts of attention and a crowd. The whistling puts fuel on the fire. Noise never helps in a confrontation.
If the referee simply moves in quietly with a card in hand, things will settle much faster. Start with YC in hand and switch to a RC if anything is clearly VC.
Elfath can expect a KO game after a very good performance
ReplyDeleteBut remember he can't do Morocco or the United States so he has fewer options compared to the other concacaf referees.
DeleteAfter the weak performance in his first game POR-GHA, this was it for Elfath
DeleteI think is possible he will in charge an eventual game of Round of 8 without US or Morocco.
DeleteI think it was a quite good performamce from Rapallini. Not an easy game to lead but he did well not let get things out of control. Also most key decisions were right and his line was clear. Probably not the last game of him at the world cup.
ReplyDeleteI agree as well. I don't agree with the comments saying he lost control. How was a referee supposed to keep such a match in control, such a rivalry with so much at stake!? He deserves credit for not letting it boil over more than it did through his focused style and authoritary approach. Great performance from the Argentine, I think those who think otherwise don't understand the historic tensions of this match.
DeleteHe wasn't suppose to keep such a match in control, it was impossible. He was supposed to manage it better.
DeleteHis performance was overall okay but never great.
(He is one of my favorite refs outside of Europe)
Elfath handled the 2YC very well. He let the player have his moment before hugging him and sending him off with a smile.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully handled !
DeleteVery welcome scene after the aggressive behaviours we saw from players today.
https://streamable.com/67a84o
Agreed, a very empathic and humane approach by Elfath. It's a really beautiful and welcome sight.
DeleteClassy officiating
DeleteIt went too far for me. Too exaggerated and comes across as a look at me moment the same as his attempt to do a group hug with the two arguing opponents in the last game.
DeleteClearest evidence that Serbia should have had a PK for handling.
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/nipx8g
DeleteNatural position for the given action is very easy to justify here.
DeleteWhat is natural position here??? The arm of the defender was in natural position? Come on...
DeleteSeeing as the given action is the defender stretching his right arm out, initiating contact with the attacker and subsequently deflecting the ball with his left arm as it swings up, not sure how you can justify “natural position.”
Delete"A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation."
DeleteHis movement is completely normal for the situation, he is trying to put his hands on the opponent to defend him / feel him / slow him down. We see defenders do this all the time.
If contact arm - ball should be penalty, but I think this is the missing evidence. For me absolutely NO NATURAL position, the player from Swtizerland interacts with opponent and takes the risk by using arm in that way. I'm not sure whether the touch existed or not, and I would even say VAR didn't go deep in this scene because not common and very difficult to read.
DeleteAnalysis of CMRBRA
ReplyDeleteKey match incident:
38' SYC to CMR19 ?
https://streamable.com/p78mlc
https://streamable.com/xosngh
A borderline situation, but I must say I liked this call from the US referee. After playing advantage, Elfath rightly didn't penalize the SPA nature of the offense. The possible recklessness of the foul is now to evaluate. IMO, it's absolutely acceptable to deem this as careless: the point of contact is the back of the shoe and not in either the heel or the Achilles tendon, with a neglectable intensity. I believe this was the better call to make according to both LoTG and the famous "spirit of the game".
Overview:
After a poor performance in PORGHN, Ismail Elfath was quite lucky to be given another game in this group stage ! However he definitely didn't miss this opportunity and delivered a very good performance tonight. The Moroccan-born referee "won" his game by his simply excellent handling of the first half, it was simply faultless: excellent disciplinary control (early cards in 6' and 7' for reckless tackle and reckless studs challenge, sharp verbal warning in 27', YCs in 28' for SPA and in 32' for SPA/reckless tackle), great advantages (28',38',45+2'), spot-on use of mimics and facial expressions (6',7',17',27',32',45+3').
The 2H was much less challenged, nevertheless Elfath remained focused and accurate, maintaining a good foul recognition and correctly cautioning two blatant SPA offenses (81',85') and showing a SYC to CMR10 for removing his shirt after scoring a goal (his management of the situation was excellent: empathic and respectful presentation coupled with a nice gesture for the player before the card procedure).
He savoured a very high level of acceptance from the players, thanks to a friendly and confident demeanor, and most importantly a natural ability to take the correct decisions.
Both assistants had an eventless game, nothing to report.
The most interesting now is to wait if Elfath will be appointed again as referee: surely this display is a strong argument for another game, but with such a deficient first game, would it be acceptable to give him a KO match ? Opinions can definitely differ on this question.
Marks:
Ismail Elfath - 8
Kyle Atkins - 7
Corey Parker - 7
Alejandro José Hernández Hernández - III
Honestly, if we only look at the World Cup, forgetting a little about the history of referees in regional games, we can see that there are large variations in performance in general.
ReplyDeleteSo it is very difficult to say between better or worse. What can be said is that everyone somehow had successful performances on some days, and on others not. Makkelie, Siebert, Claus, Rappalini, Turpin were not immune to this, which was also the case for Elfath in the first game, but he was compensated by an excellent performance in the second. He knew how to manage the game well, he was rigorous in the right measure, correctly marking most of the fouls, and he made good use of body language to avoid possible discussions. Maybe he will be rewarded with a Round of 8 match if favorites advance, while USA and Morocco dont
What I don't understand is how Elfath returns after Match 1 but the VAR was demoted to a standby and not kept on this crew. VAR could not review the denied goal and contact on the penaldo means VAR could not say clear and obvious error. I think that leaves this game as a consolation prize knowing the referee wasn't up to his own level, this game of low difficulty/importance, and limited other options.
DeleteWho knows. Maybe they thought one had courage and the other didn't... accuracy be damned.
DeleteAnalysis
ReplyDeleteKey match incidents:
23’ - https://streamable.com/agu41f
Correct no-penalty call after 15SUI did everything to win it - put his leg in front of an opponent and unnaturally fell down after a marginal contact. A possible yellow card for simulation wouldn’t have been a mistake by the excellently positioned referee.
26’ - https://streamable.com/lph4bd
Possible foul initiating an APP before SRB goal. Replay shows that it was a SRB player who touched the ball and then a clash of boots occurred. Correct play-on call from the referee whose sight was most likely blocked by a SRB player though.
38’, 45+3’ - https://streamable.com/1893r3
Two correctly rejected penalty appeals when the ball hit a hand glued to the body. Rapallini was well positioned in both cases.
44’ - https://streamable.com/94lyf1
Two very good onside calls by brilliantly positioned AR2 Diego Bonfá before the SUI goal.
55’ - https://streamable.com/1id47u
YC to 2SRB for studs-challenge against an opponent’s knee. Quite low force, as the Serbian was finishing his challenge at the moment of contact, and only heel studs contact (not the full one) indicate that the YC was an optimal decision.
60’ - https://streamable.com/z3b6iy
Possible 2YC to 17SUI after unsporting (careless / SPA-like) charging against SRB goalkeeper. Rapallini played an advantage what is still OK but I think the optimal management would be stopping the game immediately in order to sharply and sternly warn 17SUI giving him the last chance, but also calming down the Serbians who could’ve felt hard done by letting such behaviour go without a visible strong reaction.
65’ - https://streamable.com/i88teq
https://streamable.com/zjxclh
Penalty area incident - 22SUI slightly impedes 9SRB who makes one further step and theatrically falls down. Initially, I thought it was quite blatant impeding offence but replays didn’t confirm my impression. 9SRB should have been cautioned for simulation instead. However, what has been missed by everybody (most likely also by VAR Mauro Vigliano) is a handball by 22SUI that can be detected on the extra view footage presented by German ZDF analysts. The arm (intentionally or not) moved towards the ball and was extended in order to keep a physical contact with the attacking player, therefore a defender should not get the benefit of the doubt regarding the “natural position of the arm” in this scenario. Having said that, I am not 100% sure that VAR was able to detect it having no analytics tools like ultra zoom, etc. Technically speaking, a penalty kick and RC to 22SUI for DOGSO should have been awarded.
After Vigliano gave the ‘check complete’ signal and Rapallini was about to restart the game with a dropped ball, some unnecessary arguments between 10SUI and SRB bench occurred. 10SUI added fuel to the fire by grabbing his crotch at the direction of somebody on the bench. As the LotG state:
A player, substitute or substituted player who commits any of the following offences is sent off:
[...]
using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or action(s)
[...]”.
Unfortunately, it was another incident that was not spotted by any official at this scene.
71’ - https://streamable.com/gr4y6y
At first 3SUI makes a contact with 9SRB who then clearly pushes 22SUI and a defensive FK is awared. Surely no foul by 3SUI, correct no-penalty and FK to SUI calls.
90+4’ - https://streamable.com/dej14d
DeleteMass confrontation after an altercation between 10SUI and 4SRB who seemed to block the opponent’s leg using his legs. Both players correctly cautioned afterwards. During the confrontation, 2SRB approached 6SUI who performed a little headbutt - I think a YC to 6SUI would suffice in this case. After two yellow cards to 10SUI and 4SRB were brandished, 10SUI continued to provoke (already cautioned for wild dissent in 82’) 9SRB and another small confrontation between the two players happened. Personally, I would prefer to send them both off for second yellow cards…
90+8’ - https://streamable.com/afyrvi
Already cautioned 4SRB makes a clear dissenting gesture. The referee was no longer in control of players actions / behaviours and let it go. Technically, a clear 2YC should have followed. By the way, similar dissenting behaviours were allowed in 6’ (of course 4SRB after FK call) and 32’ (15SUI after play-on call). When you allow such disrespectful actions from the beginning, you have to be prepared for escalation later in the game.
Overview:
DeleteAbsolutely crazy game for Fernando Rapallini but it was somehow expected. Two players of Albanian descent in the Swiss team (Xhaka, Shaqiri) vs Serb(ian)s and eternal conflict about Kosovo was the background of all that was going to happen.
The Argentine didn’t take the chance to show who was in charge when ignored blatant dissent by action (gestures) from 4SRB (6’) and 15SUI (32’). No reaction to the same behaviour by (already cautioned then) 4SRB in 90+8’ was a consequence of not keeping control of the players actions from the beginning.
As for disciplinary control, Rapallini made mostly correct choices:
15’ - correct YC 3SUI for SPA impeding
23’ - possible YC 15SUI for simulation
24’ - missed a great opportunity to balance cards after late tackle by 16SRB (very good advantage and nice warning afterwards though)
34’ - correct YC 17SUI for reckless late challenge but 10SUI was right while asking the referee about no card in 24’, SUI players could’ve felt hard done indeed
39’ - good management of small conflict betwen 10SUI and 18SRB
45+1’ - avoiding another YC to Swiss team by friendly managing players after rather reckless knee kick by 5SUI
46’ - no reaction to blatant delaying the restart offence by 22SUI who did that to prevent a quick throw-in execution by SRB
47’ - correct YC 20SRB for SPA / reckless tackle
53’, 54’ - correct no disciplinary sanctions to 7SUI and 10SUI after hard but careless challenges
55’ - correct YC 2SRB for reckless studs challenge
60’ - supportable no 2YC 17SUI for deliberate (SPA / careless but clearly unsporting) charge against SRB GK but no real management of the scene: unnecessary advantage, no stern and sharp warning to 17SUI
65’ - possible YC 9SRB for simulation, no sanction 10SUI for abusive gesture, YC 12SRB (substitute) for UB
74’, 79’, 80’ - correct no disciplinary sanctions to 8SRB, already cautioned 2SRB and 16SRB after late challenges of two former and SPA-like foul by the latter - but no control / management visible
81’ - correct YC 8SRB for SPA holding
82’ - correct YC 9SRB for wild dissent against the referee, complaining about FK procedure taking too much time but terrible card showing procedure
87’ - unnecessary advantage and possible (calming) YC 16SRB for holding offence
90’ - supportable no YC 13SUI after SPA-like impeding - the ball played to the side by SRB player who had no teammates to pass the ball to
90+4’ - correct YCs to 10SUI and 4SRB for conflict leading to mass confrontation, missed YC to 6SUI for light headbutt and possible 2YCs to 10SUI and 9SRB for continuing mutual provocations
90+8’ - possible 2YC to 4SRB for dissenting gesture
90+9’ - interesting scene to assess what was better: advantage or FK and YC 16SRB for SPA impeding
We can see that not the particular choices were the most important but rather poor management skills and not enough verbal communication with players. To make a call or issue a card with a whistle in mouth and avoid any word even when you are confronted by players is a really poor image. Not every game can be ‘managed’ only by using the stature and physique of the referee. Sometimes you just have to find a way to verbally reach the players.
To sum it up:
four correctly rejected penalty appeals (23’, 38’, 45+3’, 71’)
correctly assessed challenge initiating APP at SRB goal (26’)
very good onside calls by AR2 Diego Bonfá at SUI goal (44’)
correctly assessed challenge (as only reckless) by 2SRB (55’)
missed - but extremely hard to spot - penalty kick in favour of SRB and RC to 22SUI for DOGSO by handball (65’)
missed RC 10SUI for abusive gesture (65’)
lost control by allowing dissenting behaviour (6’, 32’, 90+8’) or suboptimally ‘managing’ players (46’, 53’, 54’, 60’, 74’, 79’, 80’, 82’, 87’, 90+4’)
Marks:
Fernando Rapallini - 4
Juan Pablo Belatti - 7
Diego Bonfá - 8
Mauro Vigliano - II
Cmon, 4 is your final grade?
DeleteI agree about situations in the end of the game up to a point, but anyone who watched the game saw that the problem was not accepti g the referee and his decisions, but simply bad behaviour from the players towards each other which of course escalated when Serbian players realized they are about to lose and go home. There were several situations that were managed excellent also, some fouls and verbal warnings/gestures where players were literally showing thumbs up and almost apologizing.
Normally I agree with you, Euro Soccer Ref, but I think your mark here is excessive. Rapallini's game wasn't flawless at all, but IMO not so bad as you describe here.
DeleteI agree that Rapallini didn't show top management skills like an Elfath, Lahoz, or Orsato, but still, the decisions were very good and allowed for basically as high control of the game as we ever could have expected in such a match, with so much background context. The grade is way too low, Rapallini had an imperfect but good (arguably even great) match.
DeleteMark myopia... I know Euro Soccer Ref put much effort into this report and he did a great job, and it is a bit easy to focus on simply on the grade at the bottom. And, I think you can easily defend it TBH - no way was Rapallini in control at the end of the game. And 7,5-7,7 in UEFA on 'my' scale results in a 4 here. It is a bit disappointing to see only comments of this nature, I must be honest.
DeleteI can agree with what you are saying Forlan, Xabi, Smala but ESR's report *excellently* outlines why it is much too cheap just to say "any referee of this game was doomed" - no, nobody is saying it was easy, but step-by-step Rapallini lost control of the game and the communication deficiencies especially were REALLY glaring. I certainly wouldn't give the Argentine another game in Collina's stead - even if a rejection would be exaggerated IMO taking EVERYTHING into acount.
I know that you didn't mean to be 'unkind' and I'm sure you appreciated the effort put into this work, but maybe there are ways of framing stuff, I'd politely suggest (the effort we put into the analysis isn't insignificant!!! :)).
I think we can all agree that usually it's not the final grade that matters, but the overall analysis which gives a deep insight into all aspects of this performance that are relevant to assess it as a whole. Like in school, a grade is just a way to squeeze everything into a statistically manageable category for further processing. And yes, I have read the analysis in detail, pondered over it (slightly more in detail) and I cannot even imagine how much time and effort it took to put it together (thank you, Euro Soccer Ref).
DeleteNow, coming to Rapallini's performance, I can perfectly understand both "camps" here, however I am also of the opinion that, if we are to insist on a grade, it should not be as low as stated in the report, although it technically is exactly that low (as Mikael correctly stated). I'm using the term "technically" because, in my opinion, we shouldn't forget everything that surrounds this match, but has nothing to do with football at all. Serbia and Croatia are neighbouring countries, which gives me some pretty quality insight into all the political aspects surrounding this game and, believe me, things are everything but simple. I don't want to start a (geo)political debate, but we should be aware of this aspect to fully understand the dynamics of this match and player interactions (or altercations, to say it better).
However, as refereeing is not politics, I can fully agree with Euro Soccer Ref that Rapallini's control gradually declined as the 2H progressed. Everything stated in this report is absolutely true IMO, and also nicely and professionally explained. Let me just emphasise one situation (mentioned in the report) which can illustrate the loss of control at the end of the game: Mitrović's pretty wild dissent against Rapallini in 82', for which he was correctly cautioned, but in such a way it didn't prevent him from continuing with the exact same behaviour. Believe me, the words he uttered were everything but nice (involving certain action with someone's, probably referee's, mother IIRC), and what did Rapallini do about it on a management and assertive communication level? Nothing. (You can probably feel the disappointment in my tone here.) This situation is a perfect proof for the loss of control Euro Soccer Ref argued for, IMO. However, I can state pretty confidently that Siebert lost control in his match as well, with consequences way greater than in Rapallini's match, where players did leave the FoP rather calmly and on "friendly" terms. Therefore, I agree with Forlan, xabi and smala017 that the overall image of this performance is not so bad as it may seem from a technical standpoint (there were also some scenes which were managed quite well and in which Rapallini's reputation among the players was clearly visible).
To end this (too) long comment (sorry about that):
1) although probably being a handball penalty and DOGSO RC, I am not sure that the situation in 65' will be an issue for FIFA (they will probably use the "no 100% proof" argument);
2) sending Xhaka off for his crotch-grabbing provocation would have probably inflamed the match to an unmanageable level and is probably not what FIFA want to see (although he should have been sent off, technically speaking);
3) sending Xhaka and Mitrović off for SYCs in 90+4' is exactly what I would want to do in such a situation, however I think that my previous statement applies here too.
Lastly, big compliments to Euro Soccer Ref for his analysis again.
Thanks to all of you for a nice discussion here! Usually nothing follows after us posting the reports so I totally missed it :D
DeleteTo be clear, I had some doubts about the final mark, too! But exacty, what Dukat explained very well, the moments when it was soooo visible that Rapallini lost any control by almost non-existent interactions with players (he was quite good when talking to them when the game was still easy - at first YC, etc - but then completely isolated himself from players) were crucial to assign him the 7.7 mark in UEFA scale and it means exactly 4 in Mikael's scale. I couldn't really see a room for marking the performance on an 8.0 level or better.
So, it's my point of view but I see Mikael assessed Siebert differently, giving him '6'. To be honest, and I'm sure Mikael will agree, the mark should be the same for both performances. We will have a discussion and maybe change our marks but they are really not so important. In retrospect, I would also upgrade Valenzuela's mark in ENGUSA from '6' to '7', to be consistent with other reports. :)
Thank you, Euro Soccer Ref. You are very honest and your analysis are simply excellent. I enjoy a lot your work, much apreciated
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