Saturday, 22 July 2023

2023 FIFA Women's WC - Referee appointments for MD1

The first two appointments for Women's World Cup have been released by FIFA, following a press conference about refereeing. 


Match 1 (Auckland)
20 July 2023, 09:00 CET
NEW ZEALAND - NORWAY
Refereee: Yoshimi Yamashita (JPN)
Assistant Referee 1: Makoto Bozono (JPN)
Assistant Referee 2: Naomi Teshirogi (JPN)
Fourth Official: Ivana Martinčić (CRO)
Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzmán (NCA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Carol Anne Chenard (CAN) 
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Chantal Boudreau (CAN) 

Match 2 (Sydney)
20 July 2023, 12:00 CET
AUSTRALIA - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Refereee: Edina Alves (BRA) 
Assistant Referee 1: Neuza Back (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Leila Cruz (BRA) 
Fourth Official: Maria Carvajal (CHI) 
Video Assistant Referee: Daiane Muniz (BRA) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Juan Soto (VEN) 
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Mariana De Almeida (ARG)

Match 3 (Dunedin)
21 July 2023, 07:00 CET
PHILIPPINES - SWITZERLAND 
Refereee: Vincentia Amedome (TOG)
Assistant Referee 1: Carine Atezambong (CMR)
Assistant Referee 2: Fanta Kone (MLI)
Fourth Official: Myriam Marcotte (CAN)
Video Assistant Referee: Drew Fischer (CAN) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Adil Zourak (MAR) 
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Kathryn Nesbitt (USA)

Match 4 (Melbourne)
21 July 2023, 04:30 CET
NIGERIA - CANADA
Refereee: Lina Lehtovaara (FIN)
Assistant Referee 1: Chrysoula Kourompylia (GRE)
Assistant Referee 2: Karolin Kaivoja (EST)
Fourth Official: Iuliana Demetrescu (ROU)
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel (NED)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdulla Al Marri (QAT)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Katrin Rafalski (GER)

Match 5 (Wellington)
21 July 2023, 09:30 CET
SPAIN - COSTA RICA 
Refereee: Casey Reibelt (AUS)
Assistant Referee 1: Ramina Tsoi (KGZ)
Assistant Referee 2: Xie Lijun (CHN)
Fourth Official: Kim Yujeong (KOR)
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Armando Villarreal (USA)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Sian Massey-Ellis (ENG)

Match 6 (Hamilton)
22 July 2023, 09:00 CET
ZAMBIA - JAPAN
Refereee: Tess Olofsson (SWE) 
Assistant Referee 1: Lucie Ratajova (CZE)
Assistant Referee 2: Polyxeni Irodotou (CYP)
Fourth Official: Anahi Fernandez (URU)
Video Assistant Referee: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Salomé Di Iorio (ARG)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Franca Overtoom (NED)

Match 7 (Brisbane)
22 July 2023, 11:30 CET
ENGLAND - HAITI
Refereee: Emikar Calderas (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Migdalia Rodriguez (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Mary Blanco (COL)
Fourth Official: Marianela Araya (CRC)
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Soto (VEN)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Gallo (COL)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Neuza Back (BRA) 

Match 8 (Perth)
22 July 2023, 14:00 CET
DENMARK - CHINA
Refereee: Marie-Soleil Beaudoin (CAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Chantal Boudreau (CAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Stephanie-Dale Yee Sing (JAM)
Fourth Official: Akhona Makalima (RSA)
Video Assistant Referee: Armando Villarreal (USA) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernandez Hernandez (ESP) 
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Shirley Perelló (HON)

Match 9 (Auckland)
22 July 2023, 03:00 CET
USA - VIETNAM
Refereee: Bouchra Karboubi (MAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Fatiha Jermoumi (MAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Soukaina Hamdi (MAR)
Fourth Official: Ivana Martincic (CRO)
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martinez Munuera (ESP) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ella De Vries (BEL)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Michelle O'Neill (IRL) 

Match 10 (Dunedin)
23 July 2023, 09:30 CET
NETHERLANDS - PORTUGAL
Refereee: Kateryna Monzul (UKR)
Assistant Referee 1: Maryna Striletska (UKR)
Assistant Referee 2: Paulina Baranowska (POL)
Fourth Official: Myriam Marcotte (CAN)
Video Assistant Referee: Drew Fischer (CAN)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdullah Al Marri (QAT) 
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Joanna Kate Charaktis (AUS)

Match 11 (Sydney)
23 July 2023, 12:00 CET
FRANCE - JAMAICA
Refereee: Maria Belen Carvajal (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Leslie Vasquez (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Loreto Toloza (CHI)
Fourth Official: Laura Fortunato (ARG)
Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Gallo (COL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Juan Soto (VEN)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Mariana De Almeida (ARG) 

Match 12 (Wellington)
23 July 2023, 07:00 CET
SWEDEN - SOUTH AFRICA 
Refereee: Ekaterina Koroleva (USA) 
Assistant Referee 1: Kathryn Nesbitt (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Felisha Mariscal (USA)
Fourth Official: Kim Yu-Jeong (KOR)
Video Assistant Referee: Carol Anne Chenard (CAN)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzman (NCA)
Offside Video Assistant Referee:  Enedina Caudillo (MEX) 

Match 13 (Adelaide) 
24 July 2023, 13:00 CET
BRAZIL - PANAMA 
Refereee: Cheryl Foster (WAL) 
Assistant Referee 1: Michelle O'Neill (IRL)
Assistant Referee 2: Franca Overtoom (NED)
Fourth Official: Iuliana Demetrescu (ROU)
Video Assistant Referee: 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: 
Offside Video Assistant Referee: 

Match 14 (Auckland)
24 July 2023, 08:00 CET
ITALY - ARGENTINA
Refereee: Melissa Borjas (HON) 
Assistant Referee 1: Shirley Perello (HON)
Assistant Referee 2: Sandra Ramirez (MEX)
Fourth Official: Ivana Martincic (CRO)
Video Assistant Referee: 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: 
Offside Video Assistant Referee: 

Match 15 (Melbourne) 
24 July 2023, 10:30 CET
GERMANY - MOROCCO 
Refereee: Tori Penso (USA) 
Assistant Referee 1: Brooke Mayo (USA) 
Assistant Referee 2: Mijensa Rensch (SUR)
Fourth Official: Akhona Makalima (RSA)
Video Assistant Referee: 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: 
Offside Video Assistant Referee: 
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193 comments:

  1. Anonymous18 July 2023 at 10:47

    To me, this team for the opening game could also be the team for the final. Without knowing the teams, I would say an AFC referee (Yamashita or Jacewicz) with a CONCACAF female VAR (Chenard or Guzmán) is most likely. Of course, they will have to prove themselves during the tournament, but that would be my prediction right now. Best of luck to all referees for this tournament!

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  2. Oliver18 July 2023 at 10:48

    I would have thought we’d have a referee with English as their first language on the first day, in case of VAR review to make it easier explaining to the crowd?

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    1. Chefren18 July 2023 at 11:34

      Collina during the press conference talked about that and he said that indeed it can be difficult for a person who speaks a different language, to make an announcement in English.
      So we must draw conclusion that according to FIFA both the Japanese and the Brazilian have a perfect mastery of the English language, but at the same time one must also consider the overall picture, in which this factor can play a role but surely it is not the first criterion to consider for the opening appointments.

      Delete
    2. smala01719 July 2023 at 04:17

      Is there anywhere to see the full press conference?

      Delete
    3. Jackson19 July 2023 at 11:44

      +1 smala017 I also would like to see the full press conference.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous19 July 2023 at 11:55

      You can watch the press conference via the link below. https://www.fifa.com/technical/refereeing

      Delete
  3. Anonymous18 July 2023 at 11:16

    The AFC published their interviews with Asian referees of the tournament.
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_womens_world_cup/news/oh_hyeon-jeong_i_hope_to_inspire_other_women_referees_1.html
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_womens_world_cup/news/kim_yu-jeong_excited_to_make_my_world_cup_debut__1.html
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_womens_world_cup/news/yamashita%E2%80%99s_return_to_the_global_stage.html
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_womens_world_cup/news/reibelt_ready_to_make_home_crowd_proud_1.html
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_womens_world_cup/news/jacewicz_looks_forward_to_second_finals_1.html

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  4. Chefren18 July 2023 at 11:26

    Key points from the press conference.

    Christopher Beath, following his retirement, will not attend this tournament as VAR. Kari Seitz reported that he had troubles in his family. Maybe this was the reason for which he retired. We all hope that it wasn't something serious.

    Additional time: positive results following the guidelines in Qatar, the same has been asked to officials at this tournament. Collina seems to be quite satisfied.

    The announcement after OFR about the final decision taken is confirmed, referee will shortly describe the offense. This follows some tests in previous tournaments, that were positive, according to Collina.

    Public praise for Tatiana Guzmán, appointed as VAR for the opener.

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    1. Jackson19 July 2023 at 11:48

      If Beath is no longer attending, which is news to me by the way (The media release from Football Australia when they announced he was doing the A-League Final was that the Women's World Cup would be his last involvement in refereeing before retiring), can we have an updated list of Match Officials who are definitely participating in this tournament?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19 July 2023 at 15:41

      Seitz said that Beath is the only one missing and will not be replaced.

      Delete
  5. fest18 July 2023 at 13:48

    What do you think, who is a favourite to be in a middle in final?

    Three Europeans in a row, so it;s time for...? Yamashita? Alves Batista? Mukansanga?

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    1. Anonymous18 July 2023 at 14:36

      Mukansanga? After some performances I have seen in the past, IMO no change.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18 July 2023 at 15:08

      Yamashita I think could be chosen, similar path with Nishimura if he wouldn’t whistle the PK.

      Delete
    3. Elliot18 July 2023 at 17:30

      Yamashita favourite for me

      Delete
  6. Chefren18 July 2023 at 14:07

    Classic appointment for a CAF official, with an expected and easy win by UEFA side, but as you know everything can happen.
    About VAR language in those games, I think English for Yamashita / Guzman, Portuguese for sure Alves / Munuiz and maybe French for Fischer / Amedome. I think the VAR from Canada is fluent in French, otherwise English in this case as well.

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    1. smala01720 July 2023 at 05:19

      Anything can happen, it is probably the 3rd best team in the group against the 4th.

      Are you sure that Fischer is fluent in French? Everybody in Canada learns some French at school, but he's from a thoroughly anglophonic part of Canada (the only Canadian official at the tournament who is not from Quebec, actually).

      Delete
  7. Anonymous19 July 2023 at 07:37

    21 July
    NGA-CAN
    Lehtovaara (FIN), Kourompylia (GRE)-Kaivoja (EST), Demetrescu (ROU), Van Boekel (NED)-Al-Marri (QAT)-Rafalski (GER)

    ESP-CRC
    Reibelt (AUS), Tsoi (KGZ)-Xie (CHN), Kim (KOR), Fritz (GER)-Villarreal (USA)-Massey-Ellis (ENG)

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    1. Anonymous19 July 2023 at 10:23

      Al Marri? I can’t believe he still trusted by Collina, or Collina didn’t have enough power to reject Qatari interference. Can you imagine if that circumstances happened in UEFA? He’s ruined the chance for one of the best referee ever to lead the final.

      Delete
    2. MARIO19 July 2023 at 11:41

      Second Hypothesis to me: Unfortunately, Arabian countries are becoming so hugely powerful that everybody must accept their requests

      Delete
    3. Mikael W19 July 2023 at 12:59

      Hany Taleb Ballan Al-Raeesi from Qatar is the new Farouk Bouzo :)

      Delete
    4. Anonymous19 July 2023 at 13:20

      I can easily imagine that we will have another Qatari officials in Indonesia

      Delete
  8. AHMED ADERDOUR19 July 2023 at 11:13

    Nigeria- Canada

    Refereee: Lina Lehtovaara (FIN)
    Assistant Referee 1: Chrysoula Kourompylia (GRE)
    Assistant Referee 2: Karolin Kaivoja (EST)
    Fourth Official: Iuliana Demetrescu (ROU)
    Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel (NED)
    Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdulla Al Marri (QAT)
    Offside Video Assistant Referee: Katrin Rafalski (GER)

    Spain - Costa Rica

    Refereee: Casey Reibelt (AUS)
    Assistant Referee 1: Ramina Tsoi (KGZ)
    Assistant Referee 2: Xie Lijun (CHN)
    Fourth Official: Kim Yujeong (KOR)
    Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz (GER)
    Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Armando Villarreal (USA)
    Offside Video Assistant Referee: Sian Massey-Ellis (ENG)

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  9. Oliver20 July 2023 at 09:46

    AR1 not flagging on unclear throw in calls and flag in the wrong hand a lot of the time

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  10. Anonymous20 July 2023 at 09:47

    How about the refereeing of YOSHIMI in opening game no COMMENT so far on LAW FIVE BLOG?

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  11. Ecosse20 July 2023 at 09:50

    Only thing to note in 1st half is that there was no added time

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  12. Anonymous20 July 2023 at 09:53

    Good authority and personality shown by Yamashita!! Always made players know In no uncertain terms with gestures what she did not want and also did her best to let the game flow, relatively easy game tho.

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  13. Daniel Bailey20 July 2023 at 09:54

    Zero added mins in a Fifa match! Who knew it possible... but that sums up that half well. Very little for the team to do, and what was done has been generally done well. I like the waving away of small contacts, signal is clear, both literally, and in setting a similar tone for the tournament as Qatar as to what is acceptable. Only two points, I was unconvinced around 40' when a throw in was given by AR1, the ball didn't look out, but it's always difficult to be sure from the camera angles shown. There was also one handball it took about 7 seconds to be given, communication could be quicker. But by how minute these points are, you can tell there are no real problems. An easy, but solid start to the world cup

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  14. Chefren20 July 2023 at 10:44

    The policy of CAF appointments is very clear, now the referee from Morocco gets USA - Vietnam...

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    1. Philipp S20 July 2023 at 11:32

      Not so bad appointment IMO, because the US games probably will have more attention than most others.
      And I wonder now, who will be the support referee from CAF with Karboubi and Amedome already appointed.

      Delete
    2. smala01720 July 2023 at 11:54

      Mukansanga should have better appointments, one would think.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous20 July 2023 at 14:09

      @Philipp S the support Referee from CAF is definitely gonna be Akhona Makalima from RSA

      Delete
  15. Chefren20 July 2023 at 10:45

    Now, 85', I would say a very harsh YC, especially in the context of the game, she could have avoided that...

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  16. Chefren20 July 2023 at 10:46

    Clear handball, missed by referee. Should be checked whether inside or outside. OFR should follow.

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  17. Ecosse20 July 2023 at 10:46

    Should be a penalty if it is in the box

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  18. Chefren20 July 2023 at 10:49

    As always happens, the explanation for the decision it is not audible due to crowd celebration following the communication... something should be done in this regard. Referee should maybe wait the end of the shouts.

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  19. Chefren20 July 2023 at 10:50

    And Qatar is here... 9 minutes of added time :)

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  20. Daniel Bailey20 July 2023 at 10:51

    Correct OFR and penalty, I don't think any doubts there. But... do folks really gain anything from the 'performance' that is an announcement, compared with what fans used to have of a big screen saying 'VAR: penalty, handball'. I don't think so...

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  21. Ecosse20 July 2023 at 10:51

    I think publishing actual VAR conversations post match will be more effective than these ice hockey style announcements. They seem to be more for.show than any practical benefit

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  22. Oliver20 July 2023 at 11:02

    These announcements don’t mean much to us referees but to people with no idea it helps them. Also for fans in the stadium, sometimes it’s unclear what’s being checked

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  23. smala01720 July 2023 at 11:03

    The opening match of a tournament is an opportunity for a referee to set the tone for the whole tournament. While it was a pretty easy game, the tone that Yamashita set is one that mirrors what we saw in Qatar 2022: expect referees to try to manage situations using other tools, and only going to their cards as a last resort.

    Norway played a surprisingly rugged style, with several sequences of consecutive careless fouls, especially in the first half. Yamashita chose to verbally and visually warn at the 22' and 31', but not in 38' when the same player as 22' committed another careless foul. In the 60' NOR had another late (but not quite reckless in isolation) foul, followed immediately by a charge in the back foul by them also. She had an opportunity to caution a NZL player for a really hard challenge at 77' too, but played advantage and didn't go back to it. We also saw the expected level of leniency towards some minor restart delays.

    If the lower-skilled teams in the tournament are paying attention, I think there is an opportunity to play rather physically at this tournament (remembering how e.g. Senegal played at the qualifiers, this concerns me).

    Other notes from this game:

    - The game was disjointed and difficult to predict, but Yamashita was caught in the way in some moments (e.g. 54').

    - Long handball check in the 52nd minute. I think it should be given if contact can be confirmed using the SAOT system.

    - Excellent no-foul call at the 55th minute, on a potential foul that would have surely been a YC for SPA just outside the Norway penalty area.

    - Only one YC, in the 85th minute to Norway #20. I don't think it was for the foul, maybe for dissent afterwards, but the broadcast doesn't see it.

    - Handball penalty 86th minute: Yamashita raised her whistle to her mouth but didn't call anything in real time, well-corrected after an efficient OFR.

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    1. Howard Maxi20 July 2023 at 13:01

      Very good summary, agree on nearly everything. I think a game where no cards until 85' (poor work by the directing department, cutting away so we can't see what happened after the foul, did indeed look like there was dissent) is justified.

      As for the added times, it seems FIFA has moved far far away from times (2006) where DtR was carded, nowadays unless it is ultra-blatant they just ignore it and slap on exaggerated added time. Says a lot about FIFA refereeing.

      Delete
  24. Cassius20 July 2023 at 12:25

    Alves allows quite a lot physically.

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    1. Cassius20 July 2023 at 12:34

      At least two possible if not mandatory YC not given so far.

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    2. smala01720 July 2023 at 12:53

      To the same player… 31’ and 45’+1’, the latter of which she didn’t even give a foul. Also I think the player kicked out at an opponent after the hard but probably fair challenge in the 38th minute.

      And I need to see a replay but I think the YC she gave was less bad than these.

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    3. Refiref20 July 2023 at 13:24

      The YC was for dissent as far as I‘m concerned.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous20 July 2023 at 14:27

      Yes, it was for the dissenting reaction of the irish player and I liked the YC there. Alves missed to set clear boarders concerning physical play, reckless challenges and so on, but she did not tolerate clear unsportingly dissenting reactions. That was fine in my opinion.

      Delete
  25. Cassius20 July 2023 at 12:52

    6 minutes additional time, very much.

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  26. Daniel Bailey20 July 2023 at 12:57

    Started to heat up towards the end of the half. Little to speak about. An injury + a VAR check with no replay to comment on will have contributed to added time. Unsure the yellow given calmed anything down or was necessary. Many little whistles, but a decent enough 45

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  27. Howard Maxi20 July 2023 at 12:59

    I don't know why anyone honestly can see Edina Alves Batista as a referee for games like this. Zero inclination to step in when there is rough play, failure to realize Raso vs McCabe is a heated duel (three incidents + McCabe stamping on players twice, no action taken) and her foul line leads to two challenges going unpunished and of course the players reacting angrily when the third hard one that follows suddenly leads to a whistle. A whistle and nothing more. Look in 31' in the first McCabe stamp scene how she just whistles it from far away and remains rooted to the spot.

    Only card given the result of not whistling stuff and when a foul is called against Ireland, another IRL player complains and gets booked...

    Leniency is one thing, but these are some basic level deficiences one can see here. And refs who are more keen to act against offences against them (dissent) then against other players never strike the right note with me.

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    1. Anonymous20 July 2023 at 13:21

      Spot on analysis. To maintain flow of the game AND gain respect/trust from the players, referees need to stay close to the situations and also communicate/explain. Furthermore, it is not nice to see a referee who constantly looks dead serious, almost uninterested and angry. Use various facial expressions, show that you enjoy your task.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous20 July 2023 at 19:25

      Alves has no other facial expression and or body language. It's always the bitter don't look at me or talk to me angry "Karen".

      Delete
  28. Anonymous20 July 2023 at 13:18

    Soft penalty but VAR has to support, more like the attacker was holding her run to expect the push from the defender

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  29. Howard Maxi20 July 2023 at 13:36

    Sorry, I really don't want to "hate" on one referee, but this is getting ridiculous. Irish defender runs across half the pitch to win the ball, comes flying into the tackle, misses the AUS player who is understandably miffed, IRL player goes up to her and shoves her. Alves Batista? Nowhere to be found.

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  30. Howard Maxi20 July 2023 at 15:06

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F1ehMGdaUAA7sO7?format=jpg&name=medium

    After Luliana Demetrescu, FIFA media continues to show to either have no quality control or simply not giving a damn.

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    1. Anonymous20 July 2023 at 19:21

      That's amazing! I had no idea that Martincic was Costa Rican and Croatian. ;)

      Delete
    2. Chefren20 July 2023 at 19:50

      Clearly a mistake that can be explained by the similar code of the countries: it was written CRC instead of CRO.
      And you can draw conclusion that people working at that didn't have any idea about refereeing at this WC, othwewise they would have noticed.
      In a previous WC edition, I wrote from the Twitter account of the blog to FIFA Media to report a mistake.
      The answer? They banned the account... without any reason. No answer and the mistake remained there.
      This is how some (paid...) people work.

      Delete
    3. Arbiter20 July 2023 at 19:58

      Wow that crazy Chefren. But it just goes to reinforce the perceived image that FIFA has. They truly believe that they above any and all reproach. How very wrong they are. We the referees, the fans, the players, and the coaches are what make FIFA what it is worldwide.

      Delete
  31. Anonymous20 July 2023 at 16:32

    Who are the SUPPORT referees in FIFA WOMEN'S WM 2023?

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    1. Mapet22 July 2023 at 11:53

      After the first 15 matches, the following referees have at least two 4th official assignments:
      Myriam Marcotte (CAN)
      Ivana Martincic (CRO)
      Kim Yu-Jeong (KOR)
      Iuliana Demetrescu (ROU)
      Akhona Makalima (RSA)

      Delete
  32. MARIO20 July 2023 at 17:01

    Who are referees assessor (or referee observer as Uefa says) on WWC matches ? Do you know if the whole FIFA referee committee (I mean Rizzoli, Rosetti too) is in Australia/New Zealand now and is acting as referee assessors ?

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  33. Anonymous20 July 2023 at 19:18

    The CONMEBOL/Brazil bias is the only reason I see for Alves getting what she gets. We've seen her be a disaster at previous World Cups. Yet she gets away with it because there continues to be no sort of accountability with her.
    Her foul recognition is, has been, and will always be poor. Her matches always turn into unwatchable physical "wars" wiith the skilled players not taken care of. Her facial/body language reads as if she hates being on the pitch. A permanent "RBF" for the entire match which fails completely to connect with the players.

    If I had to describe her matches. My description would be, "go ahead and hack each other to death, just don't you dare speak to me".

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  34. Arbiter20 July 2023 at 19:52

    With two games played. The "tone" (in refereeing terms) has definitely been set for the tournament by Yamashita and Alves.
    The matches will be foul fests. Definitely not the type of football worthy of spending 2 hours watching. Matches in which the players will be allowed to get away with multiple and continuous fouls without being cautioned. The referees will gesticulate exaggeratedly and speak until they're blue in the face. But the cards will stay in the pockets at all costs The "lesser" teams will exploit this by attempting to stay in matches by being overly physical in an attempt to thwart the more skilled teams and players.

    To have wait for four years for a World Cup to be played. Only for it to be ruined by an idiotic approach/style of refereeing is truly disheartening. And we wonder why players at the grassroots levels act the way they do. They're being exposed to the worst possible example of non-referee friendly football on the biggest stage.

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  35. Chefren20 July 2023 at 19:53

    I read very often that some referees are aware when they allow physical play, this can be true, but I don't know why we shouldn't think that there are cases in which a referee allows something just because he is unable to make better and so he just misses fouls...

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    1. Anonymous20 July 2023 at 20:11

      An occasional missed foul in a match understandable. Bad positioning, wrong perception, etc. But when the entire match seems as if the referee is just "letting things go". Then that not just a "missed foul".
      I can stomach a few missed fouls in a match. But what really grinds my gears is when a referee refuses to show mandatory by the LoTG yellow and red cards.

      Delete
  36. Chefren20 July 2023 at 21:47

    The VAR check for a possible handball in NZL - NOR, 52':
    https://streamable.com/umw7ba
    Correct to play on, no touch by arm, but only by leg before.
    Clear replay shown, this is how VAR should always work.
    But then, in case of:
    1) direct touch only by arm, not leg before 100% penalty
    2) touch by arm after leg for me still penalty because very open arm. One should wonder about the criteria for considering a handball "enough" for an OFR if the punishable touch happens after a deflection on another part of body. This was never clear and many interpretations made it even worse. I think only deliberate play before can save a defender.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren20 July 2023 at 21:54

      55': interesting situation, as reported above by Smala.
      No foul, goal kick, possible simulation, no corner.
      Did the referee read the situation exactly as it happened?
      https://streamable.com/5ibw9s

      Delete
    2. Philipp S20 July 2023 at 22:25

      52': I completely agree, also regarding the cases. In case 2) maybe no OFR, if the referee had clearly seen both the handball and the touch with the leg (and still thought no penalty). Otherwise VAR should intervene.
      Once again quite remarkable in women's football, that there are rarely protests in such situations, but they rather seem a bit annoyed that they have to wait for the VAR check.

      55': I assume, she just saw it very correctly, because this is the only explanation for goal kick here. No simulation IMO, that looks more like genuine stumbling.

      Delete
  37. Anonymous20 July 2023 at 23:11

    Until world football adopts world rugby's open mic approach to using the VAR (TMO in Rugby). The current announcements after the review are plain and simply pointless. The referee's just state what the call is going to be or not be. But they don't elaborate as to why or how they arrived at the decision. That would be cleared up if the entire conversation was open and public. That would do way more to clear up situations and leave less doubt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21 July 2023 at 01:44

      The Referees are expected to provide a brief reasons for the change in decisions (e.g. after on field review, penalty is given for deliberate handball by number X). It's something all referees have been practicing in the last two weeks.

      Delete
  38. diego61221 July 2023 at 02:44

    Carvajal (CHI) for FRA-JAM
    Koroleva (USA) for SWE-RSA

    ReplyDelete
  39. Jackson21 July 2023 at 04:52

    20 mins into the Nigeria v Canada game and already a couple of dangerous looking challenges. So far no cards.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Howard Maxi21 July 2023 at 04:58

    Unfortunately, Lehtovaara's first 20 minutes do nothing to disprove what Arbiter said: "Matches in which the players will be allowed to get away with multiple and continuous fouls without being cautioned. The referees will gesticulate exaggeratedly and speak until they're blue in the face. But the cards will stay in the pockets at all costs."

    She had three scenes where she could have easily opened the cards: SPA-ish extended shirt pulling (10'); reckless over the ball tackle where the studs catch the shin (15'); SPA-ish reckless tackle (18'). The first two scenes drew extended talks, the third nothing, with the players getting anxious. All three are rather mandatory, the tackle by itself only by hitpoint being a bit away from SFP.

    This is why whenever I read Collina and Co. speaking about how the priority is player safety, I wonder if they even believe it themselves.

    Not too uninteresting penalty area incident in 5' as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. smala01721 July 2023 at 05:05

      I agree with every word. The lesser-skilled teams at this tournament should know by now what they can do to get ahead.

      Delete
    2. Oliver21 July 2023 at 05:30

      The first one is not mandatory, especially early in the game. The second one maybe she didn’t see the point of contact, fair enough. The third one (18’) is terrible refereeing. She saw exactly what happened, a tackle like this is the definition of a yellow card

      Delete
    3. Howard Maxi21 July 2023 at 05:40

      I can agree with not mandatory on the first one, even though I remember days when shirt pulling of less intensity and tactical nature was consequently punished. Missing the nature of the tackle is something a WC referee should not do at any rate. And if she gives a warning, she must have seen it?

      Delete
  41. Chefren21 July 2023 at 04:59

    The crucial penalty call in Australia - Ireland:
    https://streamable.com/v77gu2

    ReplyDelete
  42. Howard Maxi21 July 2023 at 05:41

    Penalty for Canada after OFR, Lehtovaara was close, but the somewhat exaggerated fall of the Canadian player seemingly gave her pause. Penalty is saved.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Howard Maxi21 July 2023 at 05:43

    Wild frontal tackle with SPA factor finally draws the opening card.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Anonymous21 July 2023 at 05:43

    Clear penalty. Isn't there a mandatory YC for stamp also?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jackson21 July 2023 at 05:54

      Apparently studs on the top of foot is no longer a YC. That's 3 now in the opening 3 games that haven't been punished by my count.

      Delete
    2. smala01721 July 2023 at 07:07

      Have you guys forgotten Qatar 2022 already?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous21 July 2023 at 07:12

      I didn't watch Qatar

      Delete
    4. Arbiter21 July 2023 at 07:30

      I stopped watching after the second day of matches. When the refereeing went to $h!+

      So what do you (Smala) mean about Qatar?

      Delete
  45. Howard Maxi21 July 2023 at 05:45

    56' NGA player just kicks the ball against a CAN player lying on the ground, knowing perfectly well she'll get away with it.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Howard Maxi21 July 2023 at 06:23

    89' If she indeed flagged the last scene there, incredibly poor flag by Chrysoúla Kourompýlia.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Howard Maxi21 July 2023 at 06:34

    RC for SFP, very clear, Lehtovaara had to upgrade after an OFR. That makes two interventions for her.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Jackson21 July 2023 at 06:35

    And we have our first RC of the tournament.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Anonymous21 July 2023 at 07:01

    Very disappointed with the Finnish Crew. I don't expect them to get another game

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21 July 2023 at 07:14

      They're just following orders.
      They've been force-fed a ridiculous approach/style of refereeing.
      So, can you really blame them?

      Delete
  50. Arbiter21 July 2023 at 07:08

    In response to Howard Maxi's spot-on comment above.
    "This is why whenever I read Collina and Co. speaking about how the priority is player safety, I wonder if they even believe it themselves."

    How I wish someone with good knowledge of refereeing at a press conference would to his (Collina) face question the Ref Comm's supposed "priority" of player safety. And rebut whatever he/they say(s) with actual facts and specific incidents in which the referees failed to enforce the LoTG. And as such didn't protect the players.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Howard Maxi21 July 2023 at 07:15

      Nobody really cares enough of these people there. FIFA does not highlight the refs beyond "feel good stories", appointments are announced via a Twitter subpage that is riddled with mistakes, no overview of refs beyond a bare PDF, no dates or information (I haven't even been able to find birthdates for some of the officials), VARs/Reserve ARs not announced at all in some smaller tournaments. All part of a trend in my book. Refs are to stay in the background, not just on the pitch.

      Delete
    2. Arbiter21 July 2023 at 07:27

      That's completely unacceptable and utterly ridiculous. FIFA along with IFAB as an accomplice seem hell bent on minimizing the role and importance that referees play in any and all matches at all levels. Without referees, all you have is a "scrimmage".

      Delete
  51. Howard Maxi21 July 2023 at 07:12

    Well well well... Amedome opens the cards in 8' for a shirt holding after the SUI player lost the ball. I expected nothing here considering the early stage and that it wasn't "ultra clear".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. smala01721 July 2023 at 07:15

      Very odd YC, especially considering what we've seen so far this tournament.

      Then in the 11' there is a push by an attacker and Amedome signals... penalty kick? Followed by whistling for offside, and then there is a VAR check. Did I miss something?

      Delete
    2. Oliver21 July 2023 at 07:28

      She doesn’t know what she’s doing. At least the Finnish referee showed a bit of ability she was just struggling to follow Collina’s instructions. Amedome is terrible, awful positioning and no authority. World cups deserve better…

      Delete
    3. Arbiter21 July 2023 at 07:34

      Deserve better? No we don't. We get this because of poor leadership and instruction within the Referee Committee.
      What we deserve to have better of, is Referee Committee leadership.

      Delete
    4. smala01721 July 2023 at 10:01

      In retrospect the 8’ YC was not so bad, in theory it is SPA. It’s just so different from what we’ve come to expect already this tournament, the other games have had worse SPAs overlooked.

      Delete
  52. smala01721 July 2023 at 07:41

    It seems that Amedome doesn't subscribe to the "keep cards in pockets at all times" philosophy that we've seem so far...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. smala01721 July 2023 at 08:59

      Yet somehow the aerial challenge in the 93rd minute isn't even a foul... just unbelievable. Huge forearm to head collision, absolutely at least a yellow and we can even discuss possible SFP.

      Delete
  53. Howard Maxi21 July 2023 at 07:47

    I can't warm up to VAR penalties given for a player who tackles with studs showing, happens to touch the ball and the defender just tries to kick the ball and gets caught...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JB21 July 2023 at 07:58

      Couldn't disagree more. It's a principle in football that the person who gets to the ball first gets the decision unless they do so in a manner which is dangerous to their opponent. That has always been the standard.

      Delete
    2. smala01721 July 2023 at 08:07

      What is the argument against a foul? The attacker gets to the ball first and then the defender kicks her forcefully in the Achilles. It’s a foul, it’s a penalty.

      Delete
  54. Philipp S21 July 2023 at 07:54

    Was the Canada penalty really clear enough for VAR intervention?
    Yes, there is a clear contact, but also an "exaggerated fall" (like Howard said above) and it looks like the attacker could have continued, if she wanted. Furthermore the referee had a clear view and already assessed the scene - and seemed to have some doubts during the OFR.
    So in my opinion not really a situation, that VAR was invented for.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JB21 July 2023 at 08:02

      The player had their foot stomped on. Them exaggerating doesn't negate that fact. This should have been a caution also but that was the least of the referee's missed cautions in this game.

      Delete
    2. Arbiter21 July 2023 at 08:17

      Completely and totally agree JB.
      "Game, set, match!"
      Nothing more to say nor room left for a rebuttal.

      Delete
  55. Philipp S21 July 2023 at 08:04

    Regarding the public communication after OFR:
    The way, Lehtovaara did it, is at least helpful for the stadium audience, who didn't see, what happened.
    So telling them the reason for the PK/RC is an improvement IMO, even if it is only "careless foul by #XY" or "serious foul play".
    There have been examples in the past, where you didn't have a clue as spectator in the stadium, why a PK or RC was given.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arbiter21 July 2023 at 08:13

      The Rugby TMO way is the best way. Open and audible communications heard in the stadium and the TV broadcast. Then the fans can actually hear the referee crew formulate and ultimately arrive at a decision.
      But of course, this goes completely against FIFA's cloak of secrecy.

      Delete
    2. Philipp S21 July 2023 at 10:47

      Amedome's communication shows one disadvantage:
      She said the penalty was given for "tripping", but the offence clearly was "kicking".
      So a wrong reason can be added to a correct decision and therefore raise some doubts about the assessment by the referee - even if it's only due to language issues.

      Delete
  56. Anonymous21 July 2023 at 09:53

    🇸🇪 Suecia vs Sudáfrica 🇿🇦
    R: Ekaterina Koroleva 🇺🇸
    A1: Kathryn Nesbitt 🇺🇸
    A2: Felisha Mariscal 🇺🇸
    4to: Kim Yujeong 🇰🇷

    🇫🇷 Francia vs Jamaica 🇯🇲
    A: Maria Carvajal 🇨🇱
    A1: Leslie Vasquez 🇨🇱
    A2: Loreto Toloza 🇨🇱
    4to: Laura Fortunato 🇦🇷

    ReplyDelete
  57. Anonymous21 July 2023 at 10:40

    Really didn’t like the first-half penalty decision by Reibelt, and imo VAR should have intervened (though this also depends on what Reibelt saw). However, a referee who takes such penalty decisions cannot be sent to the KO-stage, imagine this as a decisive penalty…

    ReplyDelete
  58. Chefren21 July 2023 at 11:32

    About Nigeria - Canada, in my opinion correct VAR intervention, evident foul by defender. But I think that after OFR player should have been booked, this was objective and in my opinion a step on foot. Less intensity but still that kind of foul. Most important in negative way is no reaction by referee live on the pitch, she should have whistled the foul. I think these are the important mistakes that Collina doesn't like.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren21 July 2023 at 11:38

      Perfect work by van Boekel with the second OFR for SFP in the last minutes of the game.
      In this case I think quite difficult if not impossible for referee to spot directly. Maybe AR1 if she had been closer...
      All in all not the best game for the Finnish, if you add some minor mistakes as well.

      Delete
  59. Chefren21 July 2023 at 11:50

    The penalty situation in Philippines - Switzerland is very difficult to read, one can't blame too much referee. Attacker makes a tackle to reach the ball and then she is hit by defender who was already trying to kick. Live, referee could have taken the contrary decision, but here I must admit that, given the particular situation, one can have doubts about OFR. Despite of having been hit by defender, it was attacker to "create" that. I would say a classic FIFA OFR, in which you can indeed expect a penalty, but not all people would maybe agree.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21 July 2023 at 12:31

      You can blame Amedome, idiotic positioning, always moving to give herself a 0°!!
      Very amateur. My impression chimes with Oliver's...

      Delete
  60. Chefren21 July 2023 at 12:00

    Spain - Costa Rica: the penalty is more simulation for me. Almost no contact following the tackle, but attacker uses it to get the call. VAR is forced to confirm, but a penalty that in reality shouldn't have been whistled. In case of no whistle, nobody would have complained, a question of seconds. You can perceive that nobody would have asked for it, but referee was quite hurry in whistling it. In my opinion, these are the situations in which you must be very wise, even waiting a bit more and then taking the most appropriate decision. Still supportable but for me to be deemed as wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Mikael W21 July 2023 at 12:54

    Reibelt's penalty was 100% correct - clear contact by the Costa Rican on the attacker's left foot, she was more than 'entitled' to go down from that, having unbalanced her movement as she later swings her left foot. You can see it quite clearly imo from the slow-motion (see below). Unlike Amedome, the Aussie ref's positioning and movement is excellent in this incident, always on the move, looking to generate a good angle to assess a potential PAI, and she was 'rewarded' for that in this scene, finding herself in a great location to make the right call.

    https://streamin.one/v/d2e086a9

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mikael W21 July 2023 at 13:02

      As a general remark, four of the five penalties given so far have been absolutely nailed on from my perspective, with the exception being Alves Batista's, which was de facto wrong IMO. It reminded me of Mateu's second penalty in the famous PORFRA game - making an educated and somewhat panicky guess on an aerial duel having not watched it the whole way. In reality, the Australian attacker generated the 'crash' knowing she wasn't going to reach the ball. Still, of course also a correct non-intv by the VMOs at the same time.

      Delete
    2. Jackson22 July 2023 at 05:02

      I am not seeing what you are seeing, in BOTH incidents.

      Delete
  62. Elliot21 July 2023 at 15:40

    Is Zourak not trusted by FIFA to be main VAR to Karboubi? Also weird that Beaudoin has an American VAR when there are two Canadians at this tournament (also will likely mean that Villarreal won't be working with Koroleva on Sunday

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21 July 2023 at 16:48

      In the case of Zourak I could imagine this being a deliberate strategy to “force” refereeing teams to converse in English on key match incidents so FIFA can better track and assess their deliberations.

      Delete
  63. Chefren21 July 2023 at 20:35

    Philippines - Switzerland
    16': disallowed goal, broadcaster doesn't help us but quite sure that AR1 raised the flag with a short delay because at first it looked that goal had been allowed. Maybe players had missed to watch to AR, continuing celebration. FIFA site reports indeed pitch decision and no VAR intervention (just silent check). Good decision.
    https://streamable.com/7rjfi1

    42': penalty after OFR, as discussed above (I agree about positioning, she looked to go away from penalty area than the contrary, but still very difficult situation to read):
    https://streamable.com/qtcq6e

    ReplyDelete
  64. Anonymous21 July 2023 at 20:42

    Who is the referee that presented a good level in your opinion??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21 July 2023 at 20:53

      I’d say Yamashita (with the qualification that she needed an OFR to catch the handball) and Reibelt, if you deem the penalty for Spain correct. In all fairness though, neither had a tough match.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous21 July 2023 at 23:13

      For me (a different Anonymous person) the best job so far is by Aus- Reibelt. Some would say she had an "easy" game, but the fact that the Costa Rican frustration at being dominated by Spain did not result in a lot of nasty fouls is due to her managing the game early and well. The worst performance is by the Finn - Lehtovaara. Nigerian players #8 & #13 had at least 6 fouls between them - 3 of which were very nasty. No card for reckless and no card for PO. It was this lack of discipline that led to #13 NGR stomping the Canadian girls lower leg that was absolutely cringe worthy - can't believe she was not seriously injured there. It took OFR to get the needed RED. Canada commits 6 fouls and NGR committed 16 fouls in total - . An early caution would have cut that number down and made the game much safer. Message delivered: lower skilled teams can play nasty and get away with it.

      Delete
    3. smala01722 July 2023 at 03:32

      Reibelt's match was very easy but, as far as I noticed, she didn't do anything seriously wrong, so that's by default the best performance so far. I also think she shows good management skills; rather than just ignoring the borderline cautions that FIFA wants not sanctioned, she talks to players to manage the situation.

      Yamashita was OK but spoiled a bit by the missed penalty late.

      Delete
  65. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 02:17

    🇮🇹 Italia vs Argentina 🇦🇷
    A: Melissa Borjas 🇭🇳
    A1: Shirley Perello 🇭🇳
    A2: Sandra Ramirez 🇲🇽
    4to: Ivana Martincic 🇭🇷

    Alemania vs Marruecos 🇲🇦
    A: Tori Penso 🇺🇸
    A1: Brooke Mayo 🇺🇸
    A2: Mijensa Rensch 🇸🇷
    4to: Akhona Makalima 🇿🇦

    🇧🇷 Brasil vs Panamá 🇵🇦
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    A1: Michelle O'Neill 🇮🇪
    A2: Franca Overtoom 🇳🇱
    4to: Iuliana Demetrescu 🇷🇴

    ReplyDelete
  66. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 03:48

    U.S. vs. Vietnam about 40' closest of close OFR calls for PK, as defender may have gotten slightest sliver of touch on ball before taking down offensive player but very hard to see. I haven't watched a lot of football lately, so is the referee's explanation of a call after the OFR new to this tournament, or was it instituted before?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Daniel Bailey22 July 2023 at 03:59

      Some minor Fifa tournaments have been trialing it in the last year or two, but this is probably the widest application of the announcements so far

      Delete
    2. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 04:05

      Thanks for the info.

      Delete
  67. Daniel Bailey22 July 2023 at 04:11


    I was very, very unconvinced after that half. Started with a missed trip after 20s, then calling the stretcher on very quickly for little reason. Equally quick in trying to stop the USAs goal celebration. Didn't stop play for a head injury and it was only after the second time the ball had gone out was attention sought. A few times decisions were made/changed late, showing slow communication, including an incorrect corner which was clearly a goal kick. Vietnam also tried to stop many free kicks by failing to retreat the 10yds, which wasn't dealt with. Foul detection seems inconsistent, as did the application of advantage. Then came the penalty OFR. Took a long time to call the OFR, then around a minute at the monitor! Seemed very excessive for the trip.
    The one good sign was AR1, who made three EXCELLENT On/offside calls, and was very unfortunate with the fourth at the end of the half being onside when she flagged, but correctly delayed.
    Overall, not a fan of the style, and would be surprised if this team get a second game based off that half.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 04:26

      Yes, it didn't seem like a strong showing in the first half.

      Delete
  68. Daniel Bailey22 July 2023 at 04:42

    73' No real advantage, advantage played, free kick then given immediately to opposition. Not great

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 05:14

      Yes, I agree.

      Delete
    2. smala01722 July 2023 at 05:17

      There were several instances of ill-advised advantages in this game.

      Delete
  69. Daniel Bailey22 July 2023 at 04:45

    Very very strict application, including cautions, of leaving the field at the closest point when subsituted. Vietnamese captain unhappy she can't give her armband to someone without being booked. This is fine if consistent throughout the tournament, which I highly doubt it will be

    ReplyDelete
  70. Daniel Bailey22 July 2023 at 05:12

    A quieter and slightly better second half. Again, little to counter (proactively or otherwise) Vietnam retreating 10yds at free kicks (and then moving forward considerably when taken). Again, quickly trying to stop goal celebrations which could be allowed a few more seconds. And again, inconsistent foul detection. But less errors than the first half.
    AR2 this time with some good offside decisions.
    Overall, I would be surprised to see this team again, but nothing that affected the outcome of the match so who knows...

    ReplyDelete
  71. Oliver22 July 2023 at 09:23

    Interesting interpretation of “played at” or not. For me a goal like that should always stand

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Philipp S22 July 2023 at 09:51

      But surely the contact by the defender was not controlled play and then the ball came to the player in the offside position. So this is clearly offside regardless of the previous impact on defender.

      Delete
    2. Oliver22 July 2023 at 10:41

      For me the ball isn’t moving quickly and she had enough time to position herself correctly, so ignoring the impact on the defender this should otherwise be a goal

      Delete
  72. smala01722 July 2023 at 09:25

    First useful announcement of the tournament: Tess Oloffson overturns Japan's goal for offside after OFR (not factual review because there were subjective elements of impact on opponent and/or deliberate play vs deflection later) where she announces that it is offside for "impact on a defender." This indicates that she, correctly, identified that the offside offense was before the defender's touch, and it was for attempting to play a close ball when this action impacts on an opponent.

    ReplyDelete
  73. smala01722 July 2023 at 09:35

    Really should have been a yellow card at 28', we didn't get a replay but it looks like studs to the kicking leg, above the ankle, at pretty high speed from JPN #11: https://imgur.com/H74zGz7

    ReplyDelete
  74. smala01722 July 2023 at 09:36

    And it's crazy how 30' (another studs to shin, this time by JPN #10) doesn't get a card either...

    ReplyDelete
  75. smala01722 July 2023 at 10:18

    Japan goal disallowed for offside, then two minutes later a correctly-given Japan penalty also taken back for offside. Tough few minutes for AR2 (though the first of these decisions was extremely close).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. smala01722 July 2023 at 10:24

      On the penalty, I would have really liked if Oloffson gave us an explanation for whether or not the YC to the goalkeeper for the challenge stands - did she pull the card out for reckless or DOGSO?

      Delete
  76. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 10:19

    Is the yellow card cancelled since the penalty kick was deleted due to offside?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. smala01722 July 2023 at 10:28

      It is unclear. Presumably not, because she didn't announce that it was, but the camera also cut away from the referee so it's possible she cancelled it visually without us seeing.

      I think it would be correct to not cancel the YC - it really can't be a YC for DOGSO because control of the ball is not there, nor SPA because it was attempt to play the ball. So it *should* be for reckless, but it's unclear if that was what Olofsson called or not.

      Delete
    2. Elliot22 July 2023 at 10:44

      FIFA's app says that the YC stands. But we will probably have to wait until the report is made after the game

      Delete
    3. smala01722 July 2023 at 11:01

      We have our answer. 90+7' penalty and second yellow card for the goalkeeper for DOGSO with attempt to play. Well done Oloffson.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 11:04

      Olofsson: single F but double S. Thanks.

      Delete
    5. smala01722 July 2023 at 11:16

      Oops! Looks like many of my comments here will have that mistake, apologies!

      Delete
  77. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 10:42

    So Many Interventions at this World Cup,,,, wow, it’s absolutely astonishing and most of this decision are prolly because referees are scared of calling them and they leave it to the VAR!!! This isn’t limited to on association but all confederations, really haven’t seen anyone from Concafa yet tho, hopefully it’s much better there

    ReplyDelete
  78. Philipp S22 July 2023 at 10:47

    Predictions MD2
    [COL-KOR: Welch, Aspinall (both ENG), Rafalski (GER), Olofsson (SWE) - Hernandez, Martinez (both ESP), Irodotou (CYP)]
    NZL-PHI: Mukansanga (RWA), Victoire (MRI), Njoroge (KEN), Huerta (ESP) - Zourak (MAR), Al Marri (QAT), Porras (ESP)
    SUI-NOR: Garcia, Diaz, Caudillo (all MEX), Araya (CRC) - Chenard, Fischer (both CAN), Sing (JAM)
    JAP-CRC: Caputi, di Monte (both ITA), Tepusa (ROU), Karboubi (MAR) - van Boekel (NED), de Vries (BEL), Jermoumi (MAR)
    ESP-ZAM: Keighley, Jones (both NZL), Salamasina (SAM), Koroleva (USA) - Al Marri (QAT), Chenard (CAN), Nesbitt (USA)
    CAN-IRL: Oh, Kim, Lee (all KOR), Fernandez (URU) - Bin Jahari (SGP), di Iorio (ARG), Overtoom (NED)
    USA-NED: Jacewicz, Charaktis (both AUS), Saadieh (PLE), Kim (KOR) - Gallo (COL), Muniz, Back (both BRA)
    POR-VIE: Fortunato, de Almeida, Milone (all ARG), Makalima (RSA) - di Iorio (ARG), Soto (VEN), Cruz (BRA)
    AUS-NGA: Martincic, Rodak (both CRO), Vad (HUN), Penso (USA) - Hernandez, Martinez (both ESP), Mayo (USA)
    ARG-RSA: Araya (CRC), Rensch (SUR), Sing (JAM), Garcia (MEX) - Guzman (NCA), Chenard (CAN), Diaz (MEX)
    ENG-DEN: Staubli, Küng (both SUI), Rafalski (GER), Mukansanga (RWA) - Fritz (GER), Villareal (USA), Victoire (MRI)
    CHN-HAI: Huerta, Porras (both ESP), Ratajova (CZE), Monzul (UKR) - Martinez, Hernandez (both ESP), Striletska (UKR)
    SWE-ITA: Frappart, Nicolosi, Coppola (all FRA), Demetrescu (ROU) - Hernandez, Martinez (both ESP), Perello (HON)
    FRA-BRA: Reibelt (AUS), Tsoi (KGZ), Xie (CHN), Marcotte (CAN) - Al Marri (QAT), Bin Jahari (SGP), Tepusa (ROU)
    PAN-JAM: Lehtovaara (FIN), Kourompylia (GRE), Kaivoja (EST), Caputi - Irrati (both ITA), Massey (ENG), di Monte (ITA)
    KOR-MAR: Foster (WAL), O'Neill (IRL), Overtoom (NED), Calderas (VEN) - van Boekel (NED), de Vries (BEL), Rodriguez (VEN)
    GER-COL: Yamashita, Bozono, Teshirogi (all JPN), Keighley (NZL) - Guzman (NCA), Chenard (CAN), Jones (NZL)

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  79. Oliver22 July 2023 at 11:01

    Red card for goalkeeper, 4-0 down with 10 seconds to play. Not to mention the first yellow should have been cancelled. Common sense needed in these situations

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    1. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 11:16

      Should not have been cancelled imo. The Japanese girl flies like a glove

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    2. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 16:10

      The first yellow was for reckless tackle.

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  80. smala01722 July 2023 at 11:16

    I'm pretty impressed by Oloffson tonight. Correctly detected two penalty kicks with yellow cards: the first at 49' was overturned for offside, but the YC remained because the goalkeeper's challenge was reckless. The second was at 90'+7', which led to a second yellow for the goalkeeper for DOGSO with attempt to play the ball. Overall, Oloffson gave off a very confident and professional appearance. Her ability to communicate using the VAR announcements is very good, by far the best until now - though I would have liked her to affirm the yellow card on the overturned penalty kick.

    The only thing I can critique Oloffson for are the Japanese challenges at 28' and 30': as far as I can tell, these are two missed YCs, even for a lenient approach.

    4 reviews tonight, all of which were errors by the Assistant Referees. AR1 Ratajova missed a clear offside leading to a goal at 20'. In the second half, AR2 Irodotou was extremely busy and did make several very good decisions, but missed two offsides: one very close one leading to a Japan goal at 49', then an easier one leading to the aforementioned penalty kick at 51'. She also failed to detect the goalkeeper encroachment on the penalty kick at 90'+9'.

    Poor game by the ARs, but Oloffson and Irrati performed very well.

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    1. Elliot22 July 2023 at 11:34

      Regarding the first goal, I think it is quite likely that Ratajova detected the offside position but not the offence and this shows the importance of teamwork. I wouldn't put that much blame on any of them involved though and more on FIFA for appointing referees the way they did. Why couldn't Olofsson get at least one swedish AR in the form of Almira Spahic who has assisted her many times in other competitons? This was something that former referee Jonas Eriksson talked a lot about before the tournament and I think he's right. The chemistry between referees in those situations is key.

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  81. Oliver22 July 2023 at 11:53

    No penalty for England after OFR. Good communication by referee and corrector decision imo, although possible SFP for Haiti #19

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    1. Philipp S22 July 2023 at 11:55

      Yes, possible SFP. But very good, that she at least gave the YC against #19.
      IMO communication still could have a bit clearer though.

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  82. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 11:54

    Good decision by Calderas not to give a penalty to England after OFR for a previous foul by an attacking player but still good to give a yellow card to the defender who made a reckless challenge that should have been a penalty if the foul prior wasn’t there

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  83. smala01722 July 2023 at 11:55

    ENG-HAI: Rather long check and review for Calderas, but absolutely correct outcome: yellow card for the Haitian defender for the reckless studs-to-shin challenge in the penalty area (at a different time and place, it's borderline SFP, but not at this tournament!), but the result is a direct free kick coming out due to a trip by the attacker just prior. Very well done by the VAR Juan Soto.

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  84. Daniel Bailey22 July 2023 at 11:58

    OFR handball. No complaints, clear penalty, correct procedure

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    1. Philipp S22 July 2023 at 12:02

      Yes, no doubts here.
      Explanation unfortunately was getting inaudible due to the stadium noise. Maybe there should be a technical solution, that the TV audiences still can hear, what the referee says...

      Overall the number of required VAR interventions is obviously way too high so far. If we count everything, surely more than one intervention per match. I think, the average value at men's top competitions is around one intervention per three matches.
      Or in other words, there would have to be a lot of 7,9 or worse for the referees and assistants without VAR..

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  85. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 11:58

    According to what protocol did they make an OFR if the on field decision was no penalty? And also they confirm the decision but also showed a yellow card?!

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    1. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 12:05

      Yes, Exactly what I was thinking - Why did they call the referee on the screen if the y just confirmed her decision???

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    2. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 12:07

      She obviously missed both fouls and the second one is a lot worse, whereas the first one is doubtful. Even if the first one was clear as day, she didn’t call anything and therefore missed a PK, since play wasn’t stopped. This simply requires an OFR and even without the first foul a ref is able to disagree with the VAR. Procedure entirely correct by both VAR and ref, including the given YC

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    3. Philipp S22 July 2023 at 12:09

      No penalty was a clear mistake, because there was a foul against the attacker - so an OFR was needed to change that decision. Once we had a penalty, the APP needed to be checked (and the VAR had that prepared) and the referee detected a previous attacking foul during the OFR. That's exactly how it should work.
      As the attacking foul was a subjective decision (unlike offside), it was required to show the situation to the referee, who apparently had missed both fouls.

      The yellow card remains, because it still was a reckless foul by the defender, which can't be excused by a previous foul against a teammate.

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    4. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 12:13

      Good points... @ Anonymous22 July 2023 at 12:07 and Philipp S

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    5. Elliot22 July 2023 at 12:17

      Yup, and Calderas could obviously have rejected the first foul and given a penalty if she wanted to

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    6. Philipp S22 July 2023 at 12:42

      Would have really be a good opportunity to explain this in more detail after the OFR like:
      "There was a reckless foul by #19, therefore she gets a YC. But it is no penalty, because there was a foul by England #?? immediately before, so the restart is a free kick for Haiti"

      E.g., the German TV host said at half time, the penalty was not given, because the referee thought the ball was out of play. So more clarification would have been helpful.

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    7. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 12:51

      I would propose the VAR to do the explanation: he / she can use stadium audio and also use images to support the explanation. Some referees seem very uncomfortable, and this would solve that as well. Obviously VAR is in communication with the referee so they will know the reasons used by the referee

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    8. Elliot22 July 2023 at 13:04

      @Philipp S Are you sure the presenter didn't just mean that the ball was dead because a foul happened before?

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    9. Philipp S22 July 2023 at 13:35

      Yes. Maybe he was confused by Calderas' hand gesture, which could be understood as showing a line, when she said "foul in the APP"...

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    10. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 13:53

      Philip S is right - during the training before the tournament, some referees were also coached during the VAR practices to explain the decision is no penalty, but X happened before the foul, so yellow/red card for the challenge, restart is Y.

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    11. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 16:07

      FIFA should look at the conduct of the referee during the England vs Haiti game ,who refusal to give a clear penalty for handball and then not wanting to use VAR .Her body language was saying i want to give England nothing.

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  86. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 12:01

    Everything correct so far, but already 4 things missed by Calderas (2 fouls in first OFR, handball and encroachment) in not even half an hour of which the game was paused more than played… really worrying amount of VAR needed so far in the entire tournament

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  87. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 12:02

    We are going to have, 2 records in this tournament set, for highest Ever penalty abs highest number of VAR interventions!!!!

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  88. Daniel Bailey22 July 2023 at 13:32

    What an absolute mess. End 10s early, pause for 30s, then restart for 2s so the final whistle is after 90+4', completely ignoring a substitution in extra time. Really poor full time/added time management for a World Cup referee

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    1. smala01722 July 2023 at 13:37

      The first "end" was a whistle from the crowd, correct to stop play and give a dropped ball in this situation. However, you're absolutely right, terrible management of the time lost. The whistle from the fan effectively ended the game because Calderas did not add on the lost time after performing the dropped ball!

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    2. Daniel Bailey22 July 2023 at 14:16

      Ahh, okay, from the crowd, thanks. So less of a mess the full time procedure, but absolutely agree not adding the time lost was poor

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  89. smala01722 July 2023 at 13:36

    Frustrating end to the match: 4 minutes added. A whistle from the crowd distracts players and at 93:45, and leads to a dropped ball for England, which is put into play at 94:18 (I am adjusting for the error on the broadcast clock, which was stopped for 20 seconds as a result of the confusion). But Calderas blows the whistle at 94:21, essentially immediately after dropping the ball, instead of finishing the 15 seconds that were left on the clock.

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  90. Chefren22 July 2023 at 14:08

    USA - Vietnam, OFR:
    https://streamable.com/igv6zh
    For me, not even a penalty... to be honest.
    Strange that this was coming from a Spanish VAR.
    Maybe a reason for calling to OFR can be the fact that referee missed the incident live, you can see her running, but very likely arriving too later to see what had happened, problems with positioning.
    I think you can say that attacker makes a movement toward defender and the contact is never a foul.

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    1. Elliot22 July 2023 at 15:14

      I do absolutely see where you are coming from and I would agree with you that an OFR was unnecessary however it's not that clear for me that she actually was searching for contact. Penalty is probably more expected decision here imo

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  91. Daniel Bailey22 July 2023 at 14:19

    17' AR1 looks a poor offside. Which is fine, it happens, but the non-delay of flag or whistle when Denmark still had a chance about 6m from goal is not good

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  92. smala01722 July 2023 at 14:49

    30' in DEN - CHN was a bad tackle that Beaudoin missed. Difficult one to spot in real time. The Danish player won the ball, but then in the followthrough her studs came up and made glancing contact with the opponent's knee. No foul called, but really it should be mandatory yellow card and (I feel like a broken record at this point) at another time and place we could discuss possible SFP...

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  93. Anonymous22 July 2023 at 15:17

    I am surprised Frappart does not get an early match.

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  94. smala01722 July 2023 at 16:07

    Spotless second half from Beaudoin, no mistakes at all other than perhaps a missed hold at 48'. Exciting final minutes: 87' handball shout for Denmark, but the hand was in a completely natural position. The goal at 90' was an excellent no-offside decision from the referee and AR2: #4 was challenging for the ball but was marginally onside, while #3 was marginally offside but not quite committing an offense. Then at 90'+5', a good offside interfering with opponent call by AR1 and the referee on the other end.

    The first half was not as clean for Beaudoin, 30' should really have been a yellow card but she didn't see a foul. 5' also had a similar but less serious incident that I think she missed.

    One more minor point, there were two moments where AR1 could have delayed her flag longer to allow for VAR to check things, at 18' and 80'. She flagged while the ball was falling to a potential shot for the attacking team. 18' was also not offside.

    Overall a mostly good performance with one big missed YC.

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  95. Chefren22 July 2023 at 16:25

    Zambia - Japan, disallowed goal for offside.
    If the touch by defender was assessed as deflection - save, so it was direct offside and understandable, fully correct decision.
    If not, for me questionable to consider the player as active, despite of having jumped for reaching ball she didn't interfere, but still one can say not clear situation in all cases.
    These are the technical detailes that maybe an announcement after OFR should provide, this was not the case. They just said easily only offside.
    https://streamable.com/gwb14e

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    Replies
    1. smala01722 July 2023 at 16:31

      In her announcement, Olofsson said that the offside was for impact on an opponent.

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    2. Chefren22 July 2023 at 16:44

      The annulled penalty for offside.
      If card was given for reckless tackle, then to be confirmed even after the change of decision.
      However, in most of these situations, referee issue cards to keepers only for SPA and DOGSO.
      I think this was a pretty clear reckless action.
      https://streamable.com/2f9uj6

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    3. Chefren22 July 2023 at 16:45

      @smala, thanks, I didn't hear it due to crowd, so extremely good in this regard (communication), but the decision can be discussed. I think they just punished the jump.
      For me more argument to consider the touch by defender not a deliberate play and so direct offside.

      Delete

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