Tuesday, 11 April 2023

Champions League 2022/23 - Referee Appointments - Quarterfinals (First Leg, I)

The first two appointments for CL Quarterfinals. Both referees will be observed by committee members. 



11 April 2023

21:00 CET - Lisbon (Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica)
SL Benfica (POR) - FC Internazionale (ITA) 
Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Simon Peter Bennett (ENG) 
Fourth Official: John Brooks (ENG)
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel (NED)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Attwell (ENG) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Georges Lüchinger (LIE)

21:00 CET -  Manchester (City of Manchester Stadium)
Manchester City FC (ENG) - FC Bayern München (GER)
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Barbero (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Ángel Nevado (ESP)
Fourth Official: José Luis Munuera (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro Hernández (ESP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Björn Kuipers (NED)
UEFA Delegate: Adonis Procopiou (CYP)

61 comments:

  1. Good appointment for/of Oliver, I guess the game will be similar to KSAMEX at the WC (furious atmosphere and nervous players), where the Englishman 'kept his council' but always remained tuned in, and his linesmen were excellent too. Rosetti used the Etihad Stadium very cleverly last season to help 'create' István Kovács at the very top of UEFA refereeing, and I guess the plan is to do the same with Gil Manzano. Okay, it is a 'sensible' choice in that regard, but a mid-Cat.1 referee who can run very fast is still a Cat.1 referee... (f.e. Al-Sharif never, ever got any better in ≈10yrs!).

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    Replies
    1. Who Al-Sharif ? Did you mean ex- excellent fifa syrian Jamal Al - Sharif who refereed in 3 world cup consequently

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  2. Personally, I didn't expect Oliver but it is a fine appointment. However, it's early to say that Taylor is out. Not the same apply to Lahoz, I predict that he will be used in difficult to manage UEL games. Of course Gil Manzano was appointed in UCL, I was sure that he will get a game. Indeed I was expecting another one, but he should do ok. Contary to Mikael's opinion I have a pretty good opinion about him, to assess him as a mid Cat.1 is definititely harsh in my opinion. But you know how it is, "De gustibus non est disputandum"

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  3. In my opinion committee is eagerly waiting for Mateu and Del Cerro retirement, indeed now Gil Manzano must be considered Spain nr.1 after them for EURO 2024 and WC 2026. I think that Gil Manzano is basically good referee, but not the talent presented years ago (he never reached that level,, if you ask me). UEFA worked on him and created a certain "appearance", but basically we saw many games in which he struggled and several VAR interventions. Let's see how he will perform in Manchester, maybe the first "real" big exam of recent times for him. Interesting analysis by Mikaeal, I must admit, about the fact that Kovacs was created as talent thank to Manchester City stadium. Indeed, City - Bayern is a very big game in which you can expect both teams focused on football, allowing referee to control it without issues (that's on paper of course). Surely wouldn't have been the same in case of appointment for, let's say, Milan - Napoli, a game in which referee will have everything to lose, especially with the particular Italian focus... so easy to say that if committee wants to follow a certain path for an official, then it will be easy to predict the game.
    In Lisbon good to see Oliver again with an Italian team in this very important stage of the competition, in this case we can expect a dirty match, not easy for referee, but the English at this point has gained the needed experience to handle it. A good message after all the story with him and Juventus. I expected him in Milan, but now there will be a different name. Also, Makkelie should be out from Wednesday's games as Van Boekel gets the role of VAR on Tuesday. The Dutch is maybe planned for a second leg. Maybe Marciniak in Milan, given the possible extremely challenging game, with both teams focused on the well known "Italian style"? We will see... having to mention another option I would say Kovacs, why not? Maybe better the Romanian for first leg and then Marcinak second. The observers would suit with this option: Rosetti in Milan, a normal observer for an experienced Elite in Naples.
    Moreover, possible to expect Orsato in Madrid on Wednesday, we will see tomorrow.

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  4. When do U19 finals officials get released? I see U17 announced.

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    Replies
    1. Where did you see u17 appointments?

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    2. Bulgariavia association have announced

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    3. Can you please share the link?

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    4. https://law5-theref.blogspot.com/2023/04/2023-womens-finalissima.html?m=1#comment-form Comment from Euro Ref

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    5. https://bfunion.bg/news/49181/0

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    6. Thank you

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    7. He will be one of the best referees after Kabakov.Remember his name:)

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  5. Pawel Raczkowski who had appointed to officiate the match of the greek paly of between AEK Athens and Aris Thessaloniki, arrived yesterday night at the airport of Athens with his assistants. They had consumed very big quantity of alcohol and they are drunk. After that they spit other travellers on their flight and they attacked verbally at other greek travellers of the flight. Until now the Hellenic federation couldn't communicate with the Polish referees and they are absent. Finally, they replaced from the 4th referee of the match Aristotelis Diamantopoulos (with VAR: Evangelou). Unbelievable!

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    Replies
    1. Big, big shame for the Football Association of Poland and Greece and UEFA.

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    2. Pawel Raczkowski presented his version for the yesterday facts:
      "I was attacked by a Panathinaikos fan after landing in Athens. He spat on me and hit me. This guy was drunk and said he was going to ruin me by talking to the press. He got up from his seat and said that he is a Panathinaikos fan and that he will destroy us. A drunk and aggressive guy was
      We wanted to go to the police, but the security man from Greece told us that we would end up spending the whole night at the police station, and we had an important match on Sunday, so it would be better to go to our hotel"

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    3. Stop lying, there is no evidence and referees are not missing and Greek airlines denied anything like this happening.

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    4. Maybe this is a set up by Greek referees? So they can referee big 4 clubs again?

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    5. Now Olympiacos is stating that the referees were never drunk and it is completely fake narrative being portrayed by EPO and the EPO Referee Board.

      https://www.gazzetta.gr/2212435/olympiakos-oyte-methysmenoi-diaitites-yparhoyn-oyte-epeisodia-ola-stimena-apo-tin-symmoria

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  6. Hi are you waiting for retirement yes or no waiting Daniele Orasto 47, mateu lahoz 46, Carlos cerro del grande 47,

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  7. Spanish refs are even more surprising tofay.

    A.Ruiz signals that there will be 5 added minutes in Valladolod vs Mallorca.

    That is not the problem, but problem starts when he goes to VAR,gives penalty correctly and in that whole procedure,he whistles end 1 minute after penalty was scored.

    Atleast 3-4 minutes should have been added,who knows what would happen in those minutes.

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    Replies
    1. What is your General opinion about him? I am very interesting because he did not convince me in any game in any aspect so gar.

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    2. Did not watch him so far,only yesterday.

      Only time when I watched him also was briefly when Espanyol-Sociedad played.

      What I have seen is that he has so much inconsistency in terms of fouls and bookings.

      His added time and management of that is really bad and he also struggles with players accepting his decision.

      Very mediocre ref that I dont see reaching far.

      If he continues like this,in couple of years demotion is possible for him.

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  8. Official statement by Polish referees committee, re: the Raczkowski incident in Greece:

    https://pzpn.pl/federacja/aktualnosci/2023-04-09/oswiadczenie-przewodniczacego-kolegium-sedziow-pzpn

    The chairman of the PZPN Referee Board, Tomasz Mikulski, took a position on the reports of the Greek media regarding the incident at the airport and on the plane with the participation of Paweł Raczkowski and his assistants, who were to conduct the Super League match between AEK Athens and Aris Thessaloniki.

    The PZPN Board of Judges is already investigating the case, but in no way prejudges the guilt of the Polish arbitrators, because the message is biased, devoid of evidence and presents the position of only one side.

    The Chairman of the College of Judges informs that:

    – we have not received any official complaint, we rely only on media coverage, and this is too little to draw any conclusions;

    – our judges strongly deny the version distributed by the Greek media and claim that they were the victims of the incident on the plane, not the ringleaders. Based on the information gathered so far, we have not the slightest reason not to believe the version of our arbitrators;

    – according to verbal information provided to us, there is no evidence that Polish judges were under the influence of alcohol;

    – the head of the Greek judges gave verbal information that he had no objections to the conduct of our arbitrators, based on, among others, on the liaison officer/judge relationship. He made the decision to remove the Polish arbitrators from the cast due to strong media pressure, wanting to avoid the risk that the situation would affect their work and its perception;

    We ask the media to refrain from implicating the judges until the case is investigated, especially since no similar allegation has ever been made against any Polish arbitrator.

    Tomasz Mikulski, Chairman of the College of Referees of the PZPN

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  9. Predictions for tomorrow
    RMA-CHE: Vincic
    MIL-NAP: Marciniak

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  10. Huge controversy Liverpool v Arsenal. AR1 appeared to throw an arm at Andy Robertson at half time

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    1. https://streamin.one/v/7aa52ae8
      I think we have an evidence...

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    2. Not 100% convinced. Seemed he was more truing to shrug off the player. Looked like an elbow but it isn't.

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    3. That was also my impression. Either way it looks bad and an official should never adopt such an openly aggressive stance towards a player

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    4. I don't know if you are pretended to be blind or what? There is a clear punch in the player's head with the elbow, and it wasn't self defense because he wasn't attacked at all. His career should be over, at least in the Premier league.

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    5. There isn't clear evidence of any contact

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    6. Nole. You must be blind as it wasn't a punch

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  11. Mitrović was punished as if he killed a referee, let's see how this referee will be punished now!?!?

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    Replies
    1. An 8 match ban isn't "as if he killed the referee". No need for such partisan hyperbolic comments.
      The AR will be rightly suspended, I'd imagine for the remainder of the season

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  12. Strange choice of fourth officials there with little international experience in both cases.
    You would expect bigger names there at this stage, e.g. Pawson and Sanchez. Or even some Elite referee from another country like Sidiropoulos for Taylor last season.

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  13. Saudi Arabia

    Sun 9 April 2023

    21:00 Al-Faiha'a Al-Majma'ah - An-Nassr Riyadh
    Tamás Bognár - Balázs Buzás, Péter Kóbor (all HUN)
    [István Vad HUN]

    21:00 Al-Wahda Mecca - Al-Ittihad Jiddah
    Artur Soares Dias - Paulo Soares, Pedro Ribeiro (all POR)
    [Tiago Martins POR]

    Mon 10 April 2023

    21:00 Al-Hilal Riyadh - At-Ta'i Ha'il
    Georgi Kabakov - Martin Margaritov, Diyan Valkov (all BUL)
    [Dragomir Draganov BUL]


    Kuwait

    Tue 11 April 2023

    20:30 Al-Kuwait - Al-Arabi
    Artur Soares Dias POR
    [Tiago Martins POR]

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  14. Oliver will be able to this game. He DOESNT have the personality to mitigate troubles when they start to develop. His body language and facial demeanor show little confidence. He cannot talk his way out. The calming words don't come out.
    I know this is a minority opinion but an experienced one.

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  15. Good display by Gil Manzano in a trouble-free first half at Etihad Stadium. Numerous good advantages, good warning to Grealish after his careless-reckless tackle in 15'. Maybe a foul on GK could've been whistled in 34' and unlucky no advantage in 39'.

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    Replies
    1. My opinion as well, and I would have liked to see that foul on the GK in 34' given (as my only negative remark for the 1H).

      Now 2 correct (IMO) YCs in the 2H, one for each side.

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    2. And 48' again, a small delay when whistling would have led to a good advantage

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    3. Potential SFP that tackle in 48'.

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    4. +1
      Despite the growing score, the match followed the expected refereeing scenario, this kind of games are fairly easy to officiate. He had full control the entire game. Everyone will be satisfied with Gil Manzano's performance.

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    5. Fitness level from Gil was perfect for this dynamic match.

      Expected level,at the end match was not that difficult.

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    6. I loved everything about Gil Manzano's performance yesterday. Many great advantages, perfect fitness and positioning as usual, flawless decision-making. Perhaps not the most difficult match, but he ensured that it stayed that way.

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    7. Coming back at Mikael's comment about "City of Manchester Stadium", one could say mission accomplished :D

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    8. :)

      48' is a good (even, clear!) example of a red card to be given in eg. EL qualifying first rounds but hardly needed in such a 'sophsticated' (or, sterile :)) match at CL QFs.

      https://files.catbox.moe/mdjg27.mkv

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    9. Also hard to sell a RC for SFP, if the opponent doesn't seem to be harmed at all - and even wants to play on.
      Actually, the advantage was missed here by the referee.

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  16. Quiet first half for Oliver so far. One correct YC for reckless studs challenge in 22', correct rejected penalty appeal in 30', nice advantage in 32'. His classic unobstrusive style works well for him tonight.

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  17. In Romania who was the best rania who refereed in 3 world cup or igna who refereed in wc 1986 or ion cracencu who refereed ucl 1995 final or hategan or kovacs ?

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    Replies
    1. Nicolae Rainea was the best referee Romania offered to the world. But it is expected that, at the end of his career, Kovacs will be at least nr.2

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    2. What about ion cracencu who refereed ucl final 1995 and he is the last Romania refereed ucl final from 28 years until now ?

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    3. When I was young, I followed a lot Ioan IGNA in the 80's especially at WC1986 and during his Uefa cup final match, besides many international match. I appreciated him very much, really precise and harsh. I guess he is N 2 in the romanian history ahead of Kovacs. @Matei14 what do you think ?

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    4. Yes, pretty much, Igna is nr.2. In fact, he is the one that discovered Hategan, when he was a young talented and ambitious referee in the 4th division. I am much, much younger - Rainea, Igna, Craciunescu are referees from other generation that I have not seen live performing.
      Craciunescu had the UCL final on 1995, but was not at WC. The worse part about him, he is frequently invited as refereeing specialist at TV but it's a disaster. When he is invited, the circus begin. With all the respect for his career, he is totally overcome. if it were up to him, every match would have 10 penalties and 5 red cards. He is not updated with the modern refereeing instructions and often trashtalk referees. Also, Craciunescu is one of Vassaras biggest hater. I can't watch him on TV, he is by far the most toxic TV pundit. The sad part is that many people believe any piece of crap that he says.

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  18. Benfica - Inter. 78' handball Joao Mario (Benfica). VAR intervention by Van Boekel. Penalty given by Oliver. 82' penalty scored, 0-2.

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  19. Not a good second half for Oliver.

    69' Possible RC for SFP, late reaction by referee, no card.
    https://streamja.com/Op2AO

    78' OFR and penalty for handball
    https://streamable.com/guw264

    This was impossible for referee, maybe AR could have helped, but not the kind of handball you expect to be whistled by an Eglish crew, indeed an intervention by Van Boekel was needed. One can discuss about the possible previous touch by head, only in case of deliberate play before, the touch wouldn't be punished, but I agree with VAR that the position of the arm was a risk taken by defender and of course this is a penalty in Italy.

    My idea about Oliver is that he can easily control games when teams are focused on playing football, but when it comes to give something more due to a challenging context and crucial decisions to be taken, especially with Italian / Spanish teams and so on, he is rather not a suitable referee. Taylor seems to have something more under this aspect, a "versatile" and European approach, but still in my opinion all is about the totally different approach and the idea of football that Premier League referees have in their mind.

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    Replies
    1. That should be Bennett shouting "no no no no no" into the comms which is picked up by the effects microphone beside him, right? :)

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  20. Daniele Orsato designated as fourth official in Serie A, in Cremonese - Empoli, could Chelsea-Real Madrid make a comeback?

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    Replies
    1. Yes fourth official on Friday. Both assistant referees appointed in serie B on Saturday, and Irrati referee on Friday as well in another game. This should mean that they have a game in CL on Tuesday, and Chelsea - Real Madris is only option in that day.

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