Sunday 4 December 2022

World Cup 2022 - Referee appointments for Round of 16 (6 December)

The last set of referee assignments for Round of 16, with the games to be played on Tuesday 6 December. Fernando Rapallini (ARG)  and César Ramos (MEX) will be both at their third game.



Game 55 - Al Rayyan (16:00 CET)
MOROCCO - SPAIN
Referee: Fernando Rapallini (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Pablo Belatti (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Diego Bonfa (ARG)
Fourth Official: Raphael Claus (BRA) 
Reserve Assistant Referee:  
Video Assistant Referee: Mauro Vigliano (ARG)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Gallo (COL) 
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Taran (URU)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Julio Bascunan (CHI)
Standby Assistant Video Assistant Referee: 

Game 56 - Lusail (20:00 CET)
PORTUGAL - SWITZERLAND 
Referee: César Ramos (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: Alberto Morin (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Hernandez (MEX) 
Fourth Official: Istvan Kovacs (ROU) 
Reserve Assistant Referee:  
Video Assistant Referee: Drew Fischer (CAN) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Ciro Carbone (ITA)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel (NED) 
Standby Assistant Video Assistant Referee: 

83 comments:

  1. Two referees with normal (maybe bad performance) get K.O games but the first candidate for final doesn't..... Lol

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    1. Well...it makes sense to appoint some big names (Orsato, Makkelie, Lahoz) directly to QF or even SF. Good decision IMO

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  2. 2 uefa, 3 concacaf & 3 conmebol in round of 16
    quarter-final: Orsato, Mateu, Oliver & Gomez?

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  3. I am very surprised that a referee from Europe hasnt got the Por v Swi game.
    It will be interesting to see if QF qualification rules out officials as Holland, France and Argentina already through.

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  4. So for NED-ARG we wait for Faghani?

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  5. Ramos with Portugal again.Hopefully we want see them mad at him like they were 4 yrs ago.

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    1. Totally avoidable. Does Collina even remember POR lashing out at Ramos four years ago?

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  6. What's the reason for Fisher (again? he seems to be appointed every other day compared to other VARs) as VAR instead of Guerrero?

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  7. Claus WC as main referee over, I guess.

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  8. I think that now we can say that Collina kicked out all AFC "staff" from the tournament, it is possible to think they will not get further games anymore... incredibile that in both MD3 and Round of 16 they have been ruled out. Just for this reason, I think one can speculate about Faghani, but indeed we have to wait...
    Rapallini was option for KO stage but his second game was not good like the first and one could still say "normal performances".
    Ramos for me absolutely deserved but indeed in this game one could have expected a UEFA referee.
    Definitely no room for all who would deserve an appearance.
    We have only 7 games and third place final now.
    Interesting to see Kovacs as fourth official: this is a clear strategy, since on paper he could have had to complain, my read is that he will be the "reserve referee" used in the last stages of tournament in this role, differently from the others from other confederations... let's see.
    In the other game, confirmation that WC for Claus is indeed over.

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    1. Hassan gets a QF is possible IMO. I do not like him that much before but this time he really surprises me in a positive way. Orsato and Taylor will definitely get a QF. The other two candidates for QF IMO are Makkelie and Oliver.

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    2. I think you underrate Rapallini's last game, surviving Serbia vs Switzerland is no small feat.

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  9. Really strange appointments for me. I'm really surprised we haven't seen no UEFA ref for Por v Swi.
    Ramos deserves an appointment (I though a QF) Feel for Claus if his tournament is over as I also thought he performed well.
    With the Ro16 games going according to form if you like. Options are running out for Lahoz & Oliver/Taylor in particular who would be extremely unlucky not to get a KO match.

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  10. NO AFC appointments at all in MD3 & Ro16 is incredible!!

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    1. I feel sorry for Hassan and AI-Jassim. They deserve much more!!

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    2. Al-Jassim absolutely deserves a KO game.

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  11. I think there is still a possibility we can see a referee from AFC in QF, just like Claus or Tello... Maybe Netherlands vs Argentina for Faghani or Mohammed, next option is somebody, who had also RO16 game for this match (Elfath, Ramos) or FIFA can break the confederation rule a nominate Lahoz or Orsato.

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    1. I also think people who get R16 can get a QF and I completely agree AFC is possible to get a QF

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  12. My idea at moment for NED - ARG is Mateu Lahoz and more generally I think FIFA will have to break confederations rule again in that stage.

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    1. I agree Lahoz for Ned v Arg seems logical
      Oliver,Taylor only option is CRO v BRA if they want an English team out.
      Turpin could also work the first two QF's
      More options for others on the second 2 QF'z

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    2. I think the confederation rule will hold. They will just continue to pretend Argentina is in Europe.

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  13. It will get interesting with England, France, Netherlands and Argentina already qualified to QF and beyond. As few non UEFA referees have excelled thus far, the pool of candidates for the next stages may be the narrowest ever.

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    1. Especially taking into account that there are only 8 remaining spots in the middle. Orsato, Lahoz, Faghani (?), Taylor/Oliver, Makkelie (?) comes to mind. Who else?

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    2. I think Faghani is surely eliminated and any Round of 16 referee is still in play.

      Lahoz, England, and Makkelie may simply be unlucky because of how the team advancements played out. Maybe 1 or 2 gets an opposite side QF in a break from tradition due to the narrow field.

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    3. @Anon, I don't get how you're dead sure about so many things.

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  14. Not if FIFA get rid of referees whose teams are in QFs. Turpin will be on his way

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  15. Id be happy for Orsato or Lahoz for EngFra (would love Makkelie)

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  16. No surprise with an Argentina crew as a last game due to their team in the QF.

    Ramos is a surprise on an all Europe game and with doubts how FIFA rated him. It seems FIFA want to see the 3 big CONCACAF referees in a battle for the last games.

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  17. My prections are
    NED-ARG: Mateu
    ENG-FRA: Makkelie

    If there is a JAP-BRA, Oliver and Taylor in an incredible fight to see which Englishman gets it, I go with Taylor

    In the case of CRO-BRA, there is still a fight with these 2, but since Taylor recently obtained CRO-BEL, here I go with Oliver

    If the ESP-POR Orsato or Marciniak is given, I'll go with Orsato and leave Marciniak for a SF

    And regarding the final, only God knows what Collina thinks

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    1. And for the SF, as I already said, Marciniak in one and for the sake of dating and for Collina's mental health, Ramos has to do a good job to do the other SF

      In the end it is very complex

      If Spain does not arrive, Mateu
      If France does not arrive, Turpin
      If the Netherlands does not arrive, Makkelie
      And so...

      Obviously the rule of confederations will break sooner or later

      All these predictions I make if Faghani goes back to Iran

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    2. ESP-POR recently had Nations League decider and Orsato was in charge of that match.
      Dont know how much that influences things,but just to let you know.

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  18. Very surprising appointment for POR-SUI, especially when looking at further mathces.

    UEFA: I expect Lahoz, Makkelie, Orsato and at least one of the English to get another match. I think we will see three of them in the quarterfinals.
    CONMEBOL: If Claus is indeed done, we might see Tello in a QF on the 'European' side of the bracket? Or Sampaio again?
    CONCACAF: I think all CONCACAF referees are done now. Another appointment for either one of them would not be justified imo.
    AFC: I still haven't completely ruled out Faghani. Maybe in NED-ARG? Other AFC referees are done I suppose.
    CAF: Gomes in a quarterfinal maybe?

    To summarize, I expect a lot of UEFA referees in the remaining matches and rightly so. They have performed very well throughout the tournament.

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    1. I disagree with your opinion on CONCACAF referees: On the contrary, I think that CONCACAF referees have the highest chance to get the Final in long decades just on this tournament.

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    2. Stanley is no longer here.

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  19. As I sometimes read, that referees from countries, who take part in the QFs will be eliminated before the QF:
    Ricci did a QF in 2018, although Brazil was in the QF.
    Pitana did a QF in 2014, although Argentina was in the QF.
    Elizondo did QF and final in 2006, although Argentina was in the QF.
    So I don't think, such a rule does exist (anymore).

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    1. Andrés Cunha SF in 2018 as well ;)

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    2. They only used this rule for *THREE* WCs ever!! :)

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  20. Makkiele only option for qf in ( winners from Morocco and Spain vs winners Portugal vs Switzerland )

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  21. Netherlands vs Argentina faghani iran / England vs France claus Brazil / spain or Morocco vs Portugal or Switzerland makkiele Netherlands / Brazil or Korea Republic vs Japan or Croatia lahoz Spain & &&&&

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  22. Now, a situation is really interesting:
    NED-ARG: Faghani (if not out), if Faghani is out -> Lahoz
    ENG-FRA: Makkelie
    if JPN-BRA: ENG, maybe CAF (Gomes?)
    if CRO-BRA: Mohamed? maybe CAF
    SPA-POR: Orsato/Marciniak/ One of them for QF and main candidate for F, second one for SF

    I think that UEFA will take min 2 matches, maybe 3. And imo CAF and AFC will get min 1 KO match

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  23. For me:
    NED-ARG: Faghani (IRN)
    ENG-FRA: Orsato (ITA)
    if JPN-BRA: clean operation for Siebert (GER) and goodbye!
    if CRO-BRA: Lahoz (SPA)
    SPA-POR: Claus (BRA)

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  24. * SPA-POR: Claus (BRA) or Matonte (URU)

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    1. Irmatov was only 32 when he officiated a SF at 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

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    2. @ Barry Porter, the point you raised is not representative in either Claus or Matonte. Irmatov got four games before the SF in 2010, let's not forget this fact. Matonte only got one game and he had no further chance in the tournament

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    3. @Sam, you didn't get my point. I just had Matonte in mind because the "too young" argument was only made about him. I insist: you can claim Matonte doesn't have enough experience, but bringing up the age issue doesn't add up as younger referees have made deep runs in the past.

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  25. I think the appointments now start to make themselves. Part of all the upsets in group games now means little chance for knockout surprises.

    NED-ARG: Elfath
    BRA-???: Ramos
    ENG-FRA: Orsato
    POR-SPA: Makkelie

    ARG-BRA: Orsato
    FRA-SPA: Marciniak

    Final: Elfath (Ramos if something happens)
    3rd: Frappart

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    1. 3/8 games for CONCACAF is a scandal but 5,6,7 games for Europe is not? FIFA must now determine a quality, neutral referee for the final and this is the path unless they see enough today to send someone directly.

      AFC and CAF could have gotten a consolation in R16 but not enough quality for further participation. Maybe Collina is retiring and stood on merit.

      CONMEBOL is also weaker than usual coupled with a draw that makes it nearly impossible for them anyway.

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  26. For me I have
    NEDARG: Faghani or Mohamed, (depending on how FIFA assessed his penalty kick decision.)
    ENGFRA: Orsato

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  27. Outside UEFA/conmebol, you got a very valid option for the final in Victor Gomes.

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  28. For me
    NED-ARG: Faghani
    FRA-ENG: Orsato(prefer to keep Makkelie for possible POR- SPA tie)
    BRA-CRO/JPN: GOMES
    Both North and south America got 3 in R16 and Europe 2. So want to give best African and Asian one each.

    For semis:
    1.Marciniak
    2.Ramos
    They have vast experience, capable of controlling high profile match, recent performance is good and their teams are already out.

    Final: Orsato
    Vast experience, recent cup performance is perfect, no big competitor for other Confederation. Only physique is slightly down.

    Despite good performance Lahoz, Taylor, Rapa can't get matches because spot is limited their team in QF.

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    1. Brazil vs Japan could be available to Lahoz/ England refs

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  29. *BIG RUMOR*

    I've heard that France had a deal with Blatter to give TURPIN the final. Looking at all the circumstances, this appears to be true.

    *Summary*
    - End of 2021: Batta leaves the UEFA Refcom after having an agreement to give Turpin the UCL final 2022.
    - Early 2022: Turpin is invited to the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup.
    - Spring 2022: Bayern-Salzburg (R16), a football-focused Chelsea-Real 1st leg (QF) and a bunch of Europa League appointments.
    - May 2022: Champions League final - a surprise for many of us.

    - After the UCL final 2022, he disappears into the shadow again, with Liverpool-Rangers and a fight for third place: Atletico-Leverkusen.
    - VAR Brisard never works with other referees in the UEFA competition. Just Turpin, and Turpin only. This is all about protecting them from any kind of controversy before the World Cup.

    - World Cup 2022: Turpin is appointed to two Low profile-games in group stage, that do not involve any "Top countries". Uruguay-Korea and Senegal-Ecuador. The R16 competition can also be added to this list. Nobody in Refcom expects Korea to create any difficulties for Brazil, in advance.

    With a hindsight, it is striking that all Turpin's games in UCL Knock-Outs always involve (at least) one German- or English team - those that are easier to manage in general.

    TURPIN always gets the low profile / easy matches, while Marciniak, Orsato, Makkelie etc. have to work their ass off in the high profile fixtures and the most challenging ones.

    FIFA = CORRUPT.

    Justice? France making it to the semi-finals, and FIFA forced to appoint a referee to the final that has showed his true worth in Top games.

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    1. In addition, dear FIFA, UEFA:

      Shame on you. Such pre-arrangements are extremely *demovating* for all the other Top referees.

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    2. +1

      This is more than unfair towards the other Top referees.

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    3. Do those rumours also give us a clue how FIFA will ensure to make the way free for Turpin? Wouldn't it be "advisable" that England eliminates France already in the quarter-final then? Was there also a specific referee pre-elected last year just to guarantee that the French national team will be eliminated?

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    4. :D:D
      I don't believe in conspiracy theories. Turpin has it in the bag, unless the French NT reaches the semi final. If they do, I expect FIFA to move focus to Marciniak.

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    5. About Brisard, indeed. I can't find any logical explanation except that he is shielded.

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  30. In my opinion orsato and faghani are candidates for the final

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    1. Believe me. Orsato is never a candidate after two Italians worked on a WC final this century, + Iratti as VAR in 2018.

      Faghani is no longer an option after the PK call. There are rumors he's already sent home.

      Everything points in Turpin's direction, but Marciniak, Orsato and Makkelie deserve it more on MERIT. They've always saved Rosetti's ass by handling the most challenging or high profile fixtures.

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    2. TG, "Orsato is never a candidate after two Italians worked on a WC final this century, + Iratti as VAR in 2018." How do you make this argument? I do not see the logic between this and Orsato who IMO is one of the strongest candidates for the final. I am curious about the "link" here and can you explain more?

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    3. Politics my friend. Just like Makkelie and the English refs won't be the main candidates for EURO2024 on beforehand, after their countrymen Kuipers (2020) and Clattenburg (2016) were in charge of the most recent editions. It's political bullocks, nothing more or less.

      But how do they keep those referees motivated?

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  31. TG is right. I recall that Clément Turpin was in the middle of Inter-Bayern (MD1). At that time, I already found it strange that he got this exact game. Why not saving your UCL final ref for a more decisive BAR-BAY of INT-BAR in this group? Think again. Add the non-competitive LIV-RAN and ATM-LEV fight for a 3rd place, the way Turpin was pushed in 2022, the lower profile games at this WC, and the fact that Garibian has recently resigned (job done?). Everything points in Turpin's direction.

    Compare this to Szymon Marciniak's games: ATM-POR, BAR-INT, DZA-MIL, MAR-TOT. All his games were either challenging or decisive for spot 1-2 in the groups.

    We ain't not stupid and neither are the UEFA referees (!!!). They know the politics and appointment strategies even better than us, therefore these pre-arrangements and ridiculous appointment strategy are extremely demotivating for all of them !!!

    Damn........

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    Replies
    1. It is completely unnecessary to argue this way: It is clear that there are more than two or three candidates for the final. It is impossible to rely on just a few names, because anything can happen (bad performance, national team from the same country in progress during the tournament, injury...). Higher chances have the referees from countries, which teams are out of the WC.

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    2. We'll see 18 December ;-)
      Turpin has it in the bag unless France survives. Fifa is corrupt. Pitana was pre-arranged and so is Turpin.

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    3. TG: It is true, that also referee for last EURO was pre-arranged, politics influences also the referee world...

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    4. Correct. Just look at Kuipers' appointments at EURO2020 and how he was kept away from risky games. Rosetti burned Mateu Lahoz and Brych in the Portugal games like he burned Makkelie in Real-PSG.

      The French government (Sarkozy and Platini) played a major role in bringing the FIFA World Cup to Qatar. Six months after the election, Qatar bought fighter jets from the French government for 14,6 million *in exchange*.

      There are strong rumors that Blatter arranged a deal to give the World Cup final to Turpin. Honestly, the way UEFA+FIFA have treated Turpin in 2022 says enough to me. Turpin has it in the bag unless France eliminates England.

      And I find it strange that almost nobody on this blog has noticed this so far? Just read between the lines and it's obvious.

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    5. Interesting. You can apply same arguments to Faghani. The FIFA refcom literally "burned" him in the most challenging game of the groupstage (POR-URU). If he was pre-arranged for the final, they wouldn't risk him in that game.
      Turpin was indeed assigned to the two lowest-profile games that were available for a UEFA ref.
      Marciniak could be the back-up referee for the final. He deserves it "on Merit". How he returned after the long COVID and how he always handles the most challenging games: heads off.

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  32. It's clear that FIFA is suffering a lack of strong, experienced CAF/AFC officials at this World Cup, as well as late-stage CONMEBOL options not from ARG/BRA. Meanwhile, Shukralla/Tessema and Cunha/Tobar are at home... It all seems so avoidable.

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    1. This is exactly why Collina observed Valenzuela yesterday. Brazil and Argentina can both reach the semi-finals. Wilson Seneme insists for a CONMEBOL referee in the semi's. Valenzuela is the answer. But is he good enough for a semi?

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  33. i read everywhere on Twitter about Siebert und Faghani

    Siebert and Faghani have go to home now (if that is true!)

    https://twitter.com/legua_andres/status/1599473364669968384

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    1. Seems like FIFA rejected Siebert's dismal performance then, like I thought they would

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    2. It is obvious that Faghani was sacrifised in that Portugal-Uruguay game (most challenging game *on paper*). FIFA sacrifised Orsato in Argentina-Mexico, Makkelie in Poland-Argentina, Mateu Lahoz in a political sensitive Iran-USA, Rapallini in Serbia-Switzerland.

      Meanwhile, Turpin is blatantly kept in cotton wool with his lower profile games.

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    3. Its all dependent on if a big decision comes along in these games. If it does, its tournament over for these refs no matter what they give. Turpin was poor in the UCL final and is clearly being kept for a final.

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    4. If FIFA really wants Turpin for the final, it would be interesting if France will continue to the final, maybe Turpin get the third place game then :-)

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    5. Ecuador - Senegal was not an easy game, or a low-profile one. But in general I agree about Turpin, that seems to be how he is managed quite often.

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    6. Maybe I'm being incredibly naive here - With the greatest respect to the contributors here, why would FIFA want to sacrifice a referee that was very widely touted to potentially referee the final? (or any referee really that they have chosen) Maybe I'm being a bit thick here, it doesn't make any sense to me anyway (especially with the fact that France could potentially get to the final).
      I get the politics in appointments unfortunately but Surely FIFA want options.

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  34. Hi Can some1 help with the number of potential extra minutes that will be added in the first half (45+#) of Croatia Vs Brazil game? I know it is dependent on the injuries and other factors, but want to know is it also dependent on the refree? i need this for an office prediction game:)

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