The Third Set of appointments for 2022-23 Champions League Round of 16 Second Legs.
14 March 2023
Manchester City FC (ENG) - RB Leipzig (GER)
Referee: Slavko Vinčič (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič (SVN)
Fourth Official: Rade Obrenovič (SVN)
Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro Hernández (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nejc Kajtazović (SVN)
UEFA Referee Observer: Leslie Irvine (NIR)
UEFA Delegate: Anna Bordiugova (UKR)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nejc Kajtazović (SVN)
UEFA Referee Observer: Leslie Irvine (NIR)
UEFA Delegate: Anna Bordiugova (UKR)
21:00 CET - Porto (Estádio do Dragão)
FC Porto (POR) - FC Internazionale (ITA)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Paweł Sokolnicki (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Fourth Official: Paweł Raczkowski (POL)
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)
UEFA Referee Observer: David Fernández Borbalán (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Borja Bilbao (ESP)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Paweł Sokolnicki (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Fourth Official: Paweł Raczkowski (POL)
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)
UEFA Referee Observer: David Fernández Borbalán (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Borja Bilbao (ESP)
Interesting that they gave Marciniak:
ReplyDeletea) more-difficult-than-sonorous format of tie (per se)
b) Fernández Borbalán, who is normally trusted to give sound resumes of younger ‘up-and-comers’ back to Nyon
(c would be an Italian side, but I don’t think that is soooo relevant here personally)
C Porto (POR) - FC Internazionale (ITA)
ReplyDeleteReferee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Paweł Sokolnicki
Assistant Referee 2: Tomasz Listkiewicz
Fourth Official: Paweł Raczkowski
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bartosz Frankowski
I'm curious to know if Marciniak was assigned to Porto-Inter from the beginning or it was swapped with Real M.-Liverpool referee after the first leg result
ReplyDeleteSo for Napoli-Frankfurt, the obvious choice would be Taylor (as only remaining very big name without a CL R16 game).
ReplyDeleteBut if UEFA thinks, it doesn't require him after the first leg, they could be more experimental. There isn't an obvious name for that though, I think.
So, del Cerro Grande and Mateu seem to be the first alternatives to Taylor.
For similar reasons (no remaining names outside England and Spain), Zwayer seems quite likely in Madrid.
Obviously, Mateu is also a "very big name" per se, but his current status with UEFA is not clear after the Conference League appointment.
DeleteI think that, clearly Tarloy will have game tommorow
ReplyDeleteStandard appointment for Vincic while for Marciniak we could say that UEFA committee is going on with the management before WC: not sonorous clash but very open games very often involving Italian teams.
ReplyDeleteNow, in my opinion Taylor is a bit wasted for Napoli - Eintracht but this should be the assignment, the English can't officiate the other game and it is difficult to think that he has been totally ruled out from this round.
In Real - Liverpool impossible to see a Spanish so I'm very curious, there is Zwayer as option but...
Maybe a Spanish in Napoli, Taylor out and another name in Madrid?
This seems to be difficult to happen.
Hi Chefren, is Siebert or another game for someone such as Scharer possible. Or what are your thoughts in general. Thanks.
DeleteIn the Madrid game I mean.
DeleteMy opinion is that the only German referee possible for Real - Liverpool is Zwayer. It is hard to believe that committee will give another chance to Siebert. About Schaerer, he already got a CL Round of 16 first leg and so far we had all different names for the games played. Would be an extra-ordinary appointment, but we can't exclude it.
DeleteIf Zwayer in Madrid, it will be nevertheless a very good news for him.
I'm waiting for Zwayer in Madrid and Taylor in Italy. If Zwayer's appointment is confirmed, I think that with a good performance he will regain the confidence of the committee and, why not, fight for a place in 2026. Who knows... We'll see...
DeleteUEFA had so many other options they could have appointed to RMA-LIV, so I think whoever they pick there must be a good reason for it, rather than some "best of all available bad options" situation.
DeleteOT:
ReplyDeleteFabbri has very challenging match in Rome, lots of pressure bein put on him by crowd and players, interesting to see how will he perform last 30 minutes.
Given the very challenging context and the known style of Fabbri, I would say not that bad so far, but clearly if you make a regular analysis still below expectations perfomance.
DeleteAt the end one can say that Roma players get always red cards because Mourinho teaches them to play with nerves and not with technique.
Alright performance, but if the result was any closer, then we would talk otherwise.
DeleteWhen the game was close, he showed too much inconsistency, sometimes too lenient, sometimes too easy on cards.
It seems to me that under pressure he folds and he does not perform well.
Now, with all the teams qualified for Indonesia, who do you think will be present there?
ReplyDeleteDo you think there will be women in the field?
I would love to see that, especially with the Women's World Cup so close.
What do you think?
I try some predictions:
DeleteAFC: Fu (CHN), Al Hoaish (KSA), Kimura (JPN), Support: Hattab (SYR)
CAF: Ndabihawenimana (BDI), Selmi (TUN), Omar (EGY), Support: Traore (MLI)
CONCACAF: Montero (CRC), Santander (MEX), Parchment (JAM), Support: B.Lopez (GUA)
CONMEBOL: Ostojich (URU), Rojas (COL), D.Herrera (ARG), Maza (CHI), Support: Mendez (BOL)
OFC: Yareboinen (PNG), Support: Kawana-Waugh (NZL)
UEFA: Ekberg (SWE), Grinfeeld (ISR), Jovanovic (SRB), Schärer (SUI), Letexier (FRA), Mariani (ITA), Meler (TUR), Support: Visser (BEL)
I don't think, there will be women, exactly because they have their FIFA highlight a bit later in the year. And I hope, the WWC is considered higher than the male U20WC...
It's a reasonable list, I like it.
DeleteOnly 1 thing, I am from Costa Rica and Montero will not be in this WC.
He doesn't have as much support from Concacaf as other referees and his performance is very, very poor in the local tournament.
On behalf of my country, I consider Juan Gabriel Calderon and Keylor Herrera better options thinking about 2026. Calderon made a SF of the Gold Cup 2021 and was support in the u17 tournament in Brazil in 2019, he is also considered the best referee in Costa Rica by part of Rizzoli in Concacaf (just see his appointments).
And Herrera, he is very young but with a good prospect.
Thanks for the information regarding Costa Rica. I picked Montero above Calderon due to his Champions League QF 2nd leg last year. And he has a lot of experience for his young age (just turned 37).
DeleteBut of course, I trust your judgement, that Calderon is clearly ahead and therefore more likely to be considered for 2026.
I echo Diego's thoughts about the Costa Ricans. It's a shame Montero's progress stalled (or "was stalled", depending upon your perspective), because he had a lot of potential, even 8 years ago he was getting huge matches while still in his 20s. Hopefully whatever went wrong, Concacaf learns from these mistakes so that the likes of Martinez and Barton don't have the same fate.
DeleteOn Parchment, I think you would be more likely to see Oshane Nation from Jamaica. Parchment is the better referee, but he is 41 and has never been (to my knowledge) involved in any FIFA tournament. I think he is a reliable hand for some of the harder (but not necessarily the hardEST) Concacaf matches, especially when you need competent refs for matches between Mexican and American teams, but I think his potential doesn't go much farther than that. Nation, who is only 32, has more potential.
B. Lopez, who is only 34 as well, also has potential and has already had some good matches.
From South America I hope they bring only Paraguayan referees ;) or at least bring one. Gotta get them some international experience somehow. The treatment from their confederation is really unfair.
My U20/U17 2023 WC picks from UEFA
DeleteU20 (7): Schärer (SUI), Sánchez Martínez (ESP), Meler (TUR), Letexier (FRA), Nyberg (SWE), Mariani (ITA) & Jovanović (SRB)
U17 (5): Pinheiro (POR), Rumsas (LTU), Obrenovič (SVN), Eskås (NOR), Peljto (BIH)
God I hope there wont be any AFF referess really, when AFF themselves are not interested to use them at AFF competitions.
DeleteMaybe Tuan Taqi of Singapura as VAR.
Puudom is better suited for U17 reserve official
@Juan: Indeed there are several candidates in AFC. All the names you mention also seem logical options based on recent appointments. Furthermore there are also Al Kaf and Makhadmeh, who already have been at the last U20WC, but could also be in the race for 2026.
DeleteUEFA First group referees are not impossible, but it needs someone who is clearly considered for 2026, i.e for a quick progress in the next years. Mariani seems quite possible in that regard, whether the same counts for Peljto or Nyberg remains to be seen.
Montero is now being used by Concacaf as a specialized VAR. Calderon was much liked by Hall. After he left, Herrera got promising appointments in Concacaf.
DeleteGil manzano disallowed Bilbao goal very harsh
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely correct decision for a previous clear handball.
DeleteI hope this wasnt already posted elsewere on this blog. But last sunday a interesting VAR intervention in NL because we had audio from the referee so the People at home could well understand what trade-offs were being made. there was a lot of praise from other football players and in the media. I hope you can see this. I can come up with an English translation if necessary
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/ESPNnl/status/1635185982726184960?t=sWUpB2VS-GBgPbPhS2Wklw&s=19
https://www.facebook.com/100063502271702/posts/pfbid0qWb3icLqEAz6zqkCETBCw9Pz7YWjgHW4q58ve1QTBn9DQTbE1PupBHzvBzJeutVRl/?mibextid=Nif5oz
ReplyDeleteIs this the Sergii Boiko who is a FIFA referee from Ukraine being assigned in the USL Championship?
Yes.
DeleteThere was a strange management of both Boiko and Aranovskyi regarding the new FIFA Ukrainian list for 2023, we noticed that on the blog a few months ago. While FIFA confirmed both names for 2023, they were out from UEFA categories.
DeleteDiscussed here:
http://law5-theref.blogspot.com/2023/01/uefa-referees-categories-for-second.html
Maybe the difficult times in Ukraine and not clear things about their future at that date, were the reasons for this situation.
At least, Conger went straight to MLS. Is USL Championship considered Division 2 or 3 in US Soccer?
DeleteUSL Championship is considered Division 2 in US Soccer
Delete@anonymous 19:27 I don’t know what your purpose to comment like that, I think Conger also start from USL
Deletehttps://au.soccerway.com/referees/matthew-conger/104988/
Conger also started in USL, correct. Also, Conger communicated with PRO and PSRA about his desire to get games in the U.S. in preparation for WC22 given the COVID restrictions in NZ and the fact that his family had temoporarily relocated back to the U.S. His longer-term stay was only confirmed after Qatar.
DeleteBoiko is more of a mystery. Obviously he has communicated with PRO. But to my knowledge, he has not communicated with PSRA. So the referee union is just now learning about things regarding Boiko, whereas they had prior communication with Conger. I know Boiko has additional assignments coming in USL. Whether or not the long-term plan calls for hiring him into MLS is unclear at the moment. I'm sure more information will come out soon.
I think wrong corner kick assigned by AR2 in Porto, keeper didn't touch ball. Luckily, nothing happened after that.
ReplyDelete1. Yes, shot on goal or close at it,
ReplyDelete2. yes arm hand out of body, but seriously ?
Ball never changed direction, it baraly touched the hand. Ball totally unexpected.
I dont believe football expects penalty here.
Yes, when defender's back is to the ball, his arm away from his body because he's jumping, and the ball barely glancing his arm and not changing it's course, this is where VAR's nitpicking hurts the spirit of the game.
DeleteModern handball had to be given after OFR in Manchester. Unsure as to why a YC issued as ball seemed to be going down and not an attempt on target (or to put it another way, a YC would never be given in England)
ReplyDeleteAgree, wrong YC, the header was no 'threat' on goal.
DeleteAgree as well, I was puzzled by it when it was issued.
DeleteIf it is a big touch or small touch to the hand it doesn't matter, if the ball touches the hand is a fact, according to latest RAP, also a yellow.
ReplyDeleteCould someone please link the guidance/law on this, please?
DeleteIn which instance sorry? Like, if in area? If shot on target? (It wasn't that) Or is there a broad interpretation of SPA for handlings now?
DeleteMy opinion is no handball. Wrong intervention by Hernandez
ReplyDeleteHow is that not a foul from Ederson?!
ReplyDeleteWoow, just woow…. Very poor decision!
DeleteNever offensive foul.
DeleteThat ist a good question. Offside one Minute later is the next interesting decision.
DeleteNo hand raised at the restart so, it seems, Vinčić judged the foul as *on* Edersen! And then Werner's dissent just followed. Absurd...
Delete100% clear penalty for UEFA, like last week in London, no discussion. You can argue about "harsh" blah blah blah, but in the end you can't deny the clear guidelines.
YC was for dissent.
DeleteClear YC. Indirect FK an YC die Werner given.
DeleteVincic not seeming very convincing right now
ReplyDeleteThat’s a blatant foul and YC for Ederson
ReplyDeleteNow missed simulation.
ReplyDeleteWOW. Whats happening? Is Vincic drunk!? :o What a foul by Ederson, and not even a foul + yellow!? :o
ReplyDelete35' Another example of unnecessary stoppage at an offside in Manchester. Play the advantage!
ReplyDeleteWOW I think I'm watching the wrong game :D Nothing happening in Porto but everything in Manchester!
ReplyDeleteI think Vincic completely lost his concentration. Blatant foul missed and YC but a minute later AR2 assigning goalkick and it was executed from 12 meters, like it was offside. I could not see any offside situation there and in case there was Vincic could allow a simple advantage, therefore I think it could be a goalkick. But then totally wrong execution.
ReplyDeletedf
DeleteMissed YC for simulation imo and a wrong FK against De Bruyne now. Not good at all from Vincic tonight.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the current rating for Vincic in this game? 7.x?
ReplyDeleteOthers mistake by vincic: Stamp on foot by de bruyne on raum but freeekick given for city
ReplyDeleteYes exactly that! at least 5 or 6 mistakes so far by Vincic
DeleteVincic is having a total nightmare of a game. Worthy of his end of this years KO stage IMO. An easy game which he made difficult for himself unfortunately. He is Lucky with the scoreline however this kind of performance deserves the end of this years KO stage for him IMO
DeleteNo problems for Marciniak in Porto so far. Good feeling for the game, one absolutely mandatory YC for SPA given in 33'. He is allowing quite a lot of physical play until now, he pushed his approach to its limit in the last minutes of 1H (40',41',45+3'). One must underline his usual excellent management of dissent.
ReplyDeleteThat pushing to the limit led to small mobbing by Inter players, for sure challenging 2nd half is in store for him.
DeleteI watched Porto-Inter but nothing really happened there. A consistent line applied by Marciniak, no soft penalties as UEFA want. Full control.
ReplyDeleteMany incidents seems to be happen in Machester. I would like link with that Ederson foul, please.
Also any thoughts about a possible foul from Haaland on the Leipzig goalkeeper before the second goal?
ReplyDeleteI have to say clear foul after seing the replays. But I am Not sure whether the var had the possibility to look at it, because the Foul did Not have an Impact on the goal i think
DeleteThe handball in Manchester:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamja.com/AEzN9
Ridiculous handball call. That's 100% natural. Every human in the world will get their arms swinging like that while landing.
DeleteDownright absurd.
DeleteAbout Marciniak first half, some protests by Italian side for alleged missed fouls, but the Polish is using a certain approach and players don't realize that. Nothing important happened.
ReplyDeleteCase for an LoR Holding caution at 50' in Porto? :D
ReplyDeleteIn 69' Dzeko was booked for reckless use of arm, hitting opponent with elbow to keep him distant. I think the decision can be supported, but there was room for thinking about a careless foul (maybe Porto player made a bit of scene about intensity). Whistling it was mandatory, though.
DeleteAfter that, many protests by Dzeko, his behavior could have easily caused a second YC, and here Marciniak decided to ignore. It is always the same story in such cases, if a referee shows second YC is fully right, but then he will be accused of having "ruined" a game. Nevertheless, we saw by far more unacceptable behaviors not punished by other referees, so not a big issue for committee I would say.
About the 69' card, Dzeko was probably already on the Pole,'s radar, having commited a similar illegal use of arms offense in 41'. One must also notice that Inter players committed quite a lot of fouls (14) when the offense happened. I believe picking the Czech striker to draw a line was a very good choice and a valuable tactical caution.
DeleteI switched games and started watching Marciniak at about 63', so I can't speak about that previous offence, however the YC itself just "felt" correct at that particular moment. I also tend to deem it more correct than not in terms of the foul itself, to be honest.
DeleteAfter Salzburg-Roma three weeks ago, not the first match with very poor decisions, is someone still surprised by Vincic’s lack of consistence?
ReplyDeleteMarciniak with the "Qatar style" additional time...
ReplyDeleteWith some roughness, but it was absolutely impossible without it, one can say that Marciniak kept the control of this extremely challenging game with the qualification open until the end. While committee will be absolutely happy, I think some people will not like his display due to fouls selection.
ReplyDeleteMarciniak did excellent imo and handled the debacle at the end superbly. The Porto manager probably should've got his marching orders earlier though.
ReplyDeleteApologies he didn't get sent off.
DeleteMarciniak with the 'difficult' match but superior performance whereas Vincic and his team may not send any flowers to Hernandez (VAR). Poor performance, very poor by the team. Of many miss-judgements, NOT taking the opportunity to look at the screen on Ederson challenge (which could have changed the game dramatically) probably the worst decision.
ReplyDeleteDefinetely no mistake by var here. It Was a clear foul and yellow Card but even in German TV there was Not the Idea of a possible Red card
DeleteThe fact he doesn't catch the player with the studs is what saves him. It's high and reckless but doesn't quite endanger the player for me
DeleteCredit to Marciniak for keeping the game in control. 7 minutes additional time was too much, if he would have given 5 nobody complained. Overall, I am very satisfied after watching his performance. Still should be the one in best form in Europe; along with Orsato maybe - despite some negative comments, the Italian impressed me in his game.
ReplyDeleteVery poor Vincic. But he will get matches because name matters not performance! Remember Frappart got matches above Kovacs in WC. With similar offences (handball penalty) Alireza, one of the pre-favourite send packing but Elfath got matches.
ReplyDeleteWe can’t compare UEFA management with FIFA, it was totally different approach
DeleteBefore the game, I had the impression that Vincic might be in the running for the UCL final. Here's why:
ReplyDelete- Similar appointment strategy as Turpin last year: an early test in the europa league (R32). Followed by the "easiest" (not tight) UCL return game on paper. Remember Turpin was in charge of Bayern-Salzburg last season?
- UEFA wants to "prepare" a final candidate for EURO 2024. Marciniak - after his WC final - won't be in the running for a Euro final. Politically speaking, Makkelie is out after Kuipers' EURO-final in 2020. Perhaps the English as well after 2016? Turpin is an important candidate, but the French national team can work against him. Therefore I wouldn't be surprised to see the Slovenian heavily pushed, from a political point of view.
Vincic obviously knew he is among the candidates and was visibly affected after that OFR yesterday. Frankly, when he has an off-day (e.g. Inter-Barcelona), it never has consequences. Let's see what happens now. Based on last season patterns, we can identify the UCL referee in a QF UCL 1st leg.
Thank you for allowing Anonymous comments so we can have 80% of useless comments again, including mine.
ReplyDeleteAre you talking to me? I'd write the same arguments under a gmail account.
DeleteSadly enough, the referee in a Champions League final is never chosen on merit. I wish. The past seasons, it has always been the most 'hidden' referee and thus a heavy political-coloured choice. Last season, Turpin was pre-selected before all knock-outs rounds were played and protected all the way through. Even Ligue 1 kept him away from PSG and all top games in 2022 for months. Coincidentally? Think again.
Think in a reversed direction. If we are the referee chief now and have to appoint the UCL final referee to a rather "safe" R16 game, what game would we give him?
-Not the game Porto; volcano game and potentially the most difficult game this round. Not Chelsea-Dortmund, which was expected to be a very difficult 'foul prone' game after Gil Manzano already needed 10 YC's in the 1st leg.
In my opinion the games in Naples and Manchester are the most sensible. Both games do not need Top Elites.
*Disclaimer: I'm not a fan of this appointment strategy at all. I just wrote down my observations :/:/
Please any info about elcalssico refree
ReplyDeleteSanchez Martinez or Soto Grado, according spanish media
DeleteAccording to Henrichs in German media, Vincic told him that he didn't see a hand contact, neither live nor during review, but trusted the VAR evaluation.
ReplyDeleteAnother big violation of VAR protocol if true?
We find out soon enough when appointments are announced in the next round. Millot hasn't worked as main VAR after he overruled the GLT. Van Boekel on the other hand is with Taylor today, so we can conclude his intervention was deemed correct.
DeleteCurious about the consequences for both Hernandez and Vincic. The latter is at fault too IMO, for not showing any personality in front of the monitor.
I highly doubt a referee would say something like that to a player. There were several occasions during the match where he pointed to the hand when he was talking to Leipzig players.
DeleteWhy all the fuss about this kind of handballs? It's a stupid rule but referee and VAR have to give a penalty based on rules and instructions.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to WC match Argentina-Saudi probably the same reader was killing Vincic again. For what? A missed YC and one wrong foul? Please.
totally agree! many of the people here probably never have officiated on this level and think they are Einstein of refereeing.
DeleteLet be honest, I like Vincic style, but yesterday was not his day we can say. After an OFR, his performance was not good. He was surely affected by this stupid OFR. I hope he can recover soon and be ready for 1/4. I am sure this is max in UCL for him this season. There are referees who are in better form than him at the moment.
ReplyDeleteIf it was City vs PSG or an Italian team yesterday and he gave those decisions against them he would wouldn't be reffing for the rest of the season
DeleteJust watched all the incidents you mentioned in Vincic first half yesterday and I must say this was absolutely the worst performance by him by years... big luck that this was in a 7-0 game! Very big luck!
ReplyDeleteSome mistakes couldn't have been corrected by VAR.
Penalty for handball after OFR
https://streamff.co/v/TKKESgWdiX
MIssed foul by Ederson
https://streamff.co/v/n0gEfgZI5c
Goal kick decision
https://streamff.co/v/abmJTXoQQP
Missed simulation
https://streamff.co/v/TIRwWsuED5
Wrong Free kick, Missed YC for step on foot
https://streamff.co/v/-EE-SOzqCK
My opinions: the penalty was almost impossible to see live, VAR needed indeed time before calling referee, to be sure. I really liked the term "modern handball" written here and I agree, that's how handballs are now treated, especially if compared to past.
Missed foul by Ederson is I think the most blatant mistake, but correct NO VAR intervention (YC for SPA). I think YC given to Leipzig was for protests. About the goal kick, I think AR2 was too hurry, no evidence ball was out. Simulation is very evident and referee should have stopped the game, the very old Vincic, when he was still a Category 1 ready to join Elite, would have booked. Once Elite, he changed his style, being very often lenient in such "technical" situations like simulations and losing a bit of the severity that he had before. Neverheless, good that he doesn't spare cards for protests when needed, and that's good. Finally, the wrong free kick, here he was surely deceived by City player, I don't know why he acted like he had been hit by opponent, no reasons in such moment of the game. This was YC for him for step on foot.
Goal Kick/ offside is a howler
Delete