Thursday, 22 February 2024

Europa Conference League 2023/24 - Referee Appointments - KO Play-offs (II)

2023-24 Europa Conference League KO Play - offs. Referee appointments for Second Legs. 



Wednesday 21 February 2024

18:00 CET - Ghent (Ghelamco Arena)
KAA Gent (BEL) [0-1] Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR)
Referee: Matej Jug SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Matej Žunič SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Manuel Vidali SVN
Fourth Official: Martin Matoša SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Alen Borošak SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dragoslav Perič SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Michaíl Argyroú CYP
UEFA Delegate: Eugène Westerink NED

Thursday 22 February 2024

18:45 CET - Razgrad (Huvepharma Arena)
PFK Ludogorets 1945 (BUL) [0-0] Servette FC (SUI)
Referee: Əliyar Ağayev AZE Assistant Referee 1: Zeynal Zeynalov AZE Assistant Referee 2: Akif Əmirəli AZE Fourth Official: Kamal Umudlu AZE Video Assistant Referee: Alper Ulusoy TUR 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdulkadir Bitigen TUR UEFA Referee Observer: Fredy Fautrel FRA 
UEFA Delegate: Maksims Krivuņecs LVA

18:45 CET - Zagreb (Stadion Maksimir)
GNK Dinamo (CRO) [1-0] Real Betis Balompié (ESP)
Referee: Urs Schnyder SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Marco Zürcher SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Zürcher SUI
Fourth Official: Sven Wolfensberger SUI
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Lukas Fähndrich SUI
UEFA Referee Observer: Vladimir Antonov MDA
UEFA Delegate: Michaíl Mítas CYP

18:45 CET - Bodø (Aspmyra Stadion)
FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) [2-2] AFC Ajax (NED)
Referee: Anastásios Sidirópoulos GRE Assistant Referee 1: Polychrónis Kostarás GRE Assistant Referee 2: Lázaros Dimitriádis GRE Fourth Official: Vasílios Fotiás GRE Video Assistant Referee: Ángelos Evangélou GRE Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Evángelos Manoúchos GRE
UEFA Referee Observer: Edward Foley IRL
UEFA Delegate: Bert Andersson SWE

21:00 CET - Bratislava (Národný futbalový štadión)
ŠK Slovan Bratislava (SVK) [1-4] SK Sturm Graz (AUT)
Referee: Orel Grinfeeld ISR 
Assistant Referee 1: Roy Hassan ISR 
Assistant Referee 2: Idan Yarkoni ISR
Fourth Official: Gal Leibovitz ISR
Video Assistant Referee: Ziv Adler ISR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Roi Reinshreiber ISR
UEFA Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn GER
UEFA Delegate: Colin MacDonald SCO

21:00 CET - Frankfurt am Main (Deutsche Bank Park)
Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) [2-2] Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL)
Referee: Espen Eskås NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Isaak Elias Skjeseth Bashevkin NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Anders Olav Dale NOR
Fourth Official: Rohit Saggi NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Clay Ruperti NED 
UEFA Referee Observer: Alberto Undiano Mallenco ESP
UEFA Delegate: Paul Lyon GIB

21:00 CET - Budapest (Groupama Aréna)
Ferencvárosi TC (HUN) [0-1] Olymbiakós SFP (GRE)
Referee: Clément Turpin FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Erwan Finjean FRA
Fourth Official: Ruddy Buquet FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod FRA 
UEFA Referee Observer: Volodymyr Petrov UKR
UEFA Delegate: Mark Evans WAL

21:00 CET - Warsaw (Stadion Miejski Legii Warszawa im. Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego)
Legia Warszawa (POL) [2-3] Molde FK (NOR)
Referee: Harm Osmers GER
Assistant Referee 1: Eduard Beitinger GER 
Assistant Referee 2: Dominik Schaal GER
Fourth Official: Tobias Reichel GER 
Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniel Schlager GER 
UEFA Referee Observer: Markus Strömbergsson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Orxan Hüseynzadə AZE

55 comments:

  1. Where can I see Uefa appointments for games? Like uefa under 17,19, youth league?

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    1. UEFA appointments can be found on the website: uefa.com

      * Under 17: https://www.uefa.com/under17/fixtures-results/
      * Under 19: https://www.uefa.com/under19/fixtures-results/
      * Youth League: https://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/fixtures-results/

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  2. Bodo - Ajax: Sidiropoulos (GRE)
    Dinamo Zagreb - Betis: Schnyder (SUI)
    Ludogorets - Servette: Aghayev (AZE)
    Legia - Molde: Osmers (GER)
    Ferencvaros - Olympiakos: Turpin (FRA)
    Eintracht - Union SG: Eskås (NOR)
    Slovan Bratislava - Sturm Graz: Grinfeeld (ISR)

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  3. EL

    Qarabaq - Braga: Kabakov (BUL)
    Freiburg - Lens: Obrenovič (SVN)
    Rennes - Milan: Pinheiro (POR)
    Toulouse - Benfica: Mariani (ITA)
    Sporting CP - Young Boys: Kruzliak (SVK)
    Marseille - Shakhtar: Stieler (GER)
    Sparta Praha - Galatasarai: Taylor (ENG)
    Roma - Feyenoord: Gil Manzano (ESP)

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  4. Interesting choice to have as many Elite referees in Europa League as in Conference League in this round.
    First of all, that's a good sign for the 4 First group referees appointed in EL.
    Then hard to say something about the 4 Elite referees in ECL, because they are in so different situations. Normally such an appointment could indicate, they are out of favour, but this seems unlikely for the newly promoted Eskas and also Turpin (although his GS appointments weren't that great...).

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  5. I guess that Turpin's assignment is just a presence waiting for a more strong match, in CL return leg or most probably directly in quarter finals. i really don't know how to comment Eksas' appointment: same like for Turpin a preparation match for Cl return leg (but the observer seems not move in this direction) or only Conference League KO stage for him after his promotion ?
    On other hand I would rate very low the appointment of Grenfeeld: only Conference in an almost decided match. Fully expected the other names

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  6. It is said that Bodo - Ajax is a test for Sidiropoulos for a possible Euro selection.

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    1. Only if they expand the number of referees to 64.

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    2. There is a rumour that Sidiropoulos will be selected for EURO only as 4th official

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  7. Appointments of last season in KO playoff, to compare:

    1st legs: Al-Hakim, Rumšas, Lechner, Pawson, Kehlet, Osmers, Strukan & Jug (replaced by Del Cerro Grande cuz he lost the flight due to an incident at Frankfurt airport)

    2nd legs: Zwayer, Treimanis, Ekberg, Siebert, Collum, Mateu Lahoz, Bastien & Dabanović

    Al-Hakim and Pawson repeat at having a 1st leg, Osmers & Jug have 2nd legs. Rumšas & Dabanović 'jumped' to EL 1st legs this season.

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  8. The game in Hungary looks indeed like the most challenging one in UECL but to assign Turpin here seems a little bit too much.
    Osmers also have a difficult game ahead, this is the main surprise from this set in my opinion.
    Excellent game for Urs Schnyder, it is a little bit unclear what are the plans with him but it seems like he is on a good path.
    Obviously, I was expecting more for Eskas. It is still a pretty good game on paper, with an important observer. We will surely see him in QF in UEL in case of a good performance.
    Not so good appointment for Grinfeeld. Despite the fact that he attended Euro 2020, I do not think he will get the ticket to Germany. There was not much progress in the last years for him.
    Standard appointments for Agayev, Jug and Sidiropoulos.

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  9. First remark: Eskas and Guida promoted to Elite two months ago, the Italian with a straight Champions League KO stage debut, the Norwegian starts from Conference League. It is possible that Eskas will get CL to follow, but it is interesting to report this different treatment, even more considering how much Norwegian did well in last months. The game is good for him in Frankfurt, an open one, not a top clash, but still teams from certain country (Germany and Belgium), making this one better than other matches.
    Here, we will see Dieperink, confirmed as VAR, that's surely important to report, because it is possible committee didn't assess as mistake what happened in Braga (but then I would be in trouble to explain it).
    In Poland we will see Osmers, a referee followed by committee in recent years, but I didn't have the chance to say more about him, I think at moment still no real progress, but just a position as "German Category 1", with rather solid base. He follows after the three Elite.
    The game for Sidiropoulos will be interesting only because Ajax at moment is in a very poor shape and everything is possible, the Norwegian team can dream again about significant progress in this competition, but on paper the Greek got this appointment just to get a game, same should be said for Grinfeeld, his times as trusted Elite seem to be over. In this case, I can't blame committee, he also attended EURO, but the path for the Israeli was never excellent.
    Schnyder presents himself again as Schaerer's "substitute", while all is regular with Aghayev and Jug assignments.

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    Replies
    1. The incident in Braga, I don’t think they will hold just a VMO-official responsible there. Especially when teams haven’t worked a lot together. The subjective Law 11 offences are probably the most difficult to spot and assess for referee teams. This could easily be the result of a miscommunication between CR, AR and VAR, or a lack of input by the referee-team on the pitch.
      Such incidents should be noted by the CR and AR in the first place. If it happened to be Orsato or Marciniak, they could possibly solve the situation with the AR. And if they could not assess it themselves, they would (at least) report the situation to the VAR, which would be a heads-up for their VAR to check the situation.
      VMO’s don’t get a lot time to do their (regular) checks. UEFA VAR’s are expected to take brief decisions, as a lot of delay can lead to a negative report -> Referees get a report from their observer at the stadium, but their performance is also assessed by an observer in front of the television. Nowadays, quite important, as UEFA wants the games to be attractive and fast (and not about the referee).

      Law 11 is a matter of teamwork. A good communication by all involved officials is crucial to spot and assess such incidents. Therefore, I don't think they will blame one person behind a screen if officials on the pitch have missed the entire incident.

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    2. Osmers improved his soft skills, in Bundesliga I saw him several times with a much better body language, and a better communication, well respected by the players. He is brave, has a good foul detection and a clear line. Really promising.

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  10. A lot of German teams for Eskas: In all his 3 CL games so far, the U17 WC final and now this one.

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  11. Second YC by Jug for reckless challenge: https://streamin.me/v/37fa63ca

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  12. Two OFR for Sidiropoulos. The first one for a straight RC for DOGSO, I'm not 100% fully convinced. Second one right now for handball on the line, big miss by Greek crew. Ajax will remain with 9 players.

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    Replies
    1. Scandalous to call a attacking foul on that one. Should have been a penalty + YC. YC more correct than DOGSO in my opinion.

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. First situation is clear DOGSO

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    4. Video of the DOGSO incident: https://streamin.me/v/3e5834e9

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    5. Judging from the video provided by Chefren, that was a DOGSO situation, IMO. All criteria seem to be fulfilled, at least for me. I don't know what was the original decision (Sidiropoulos didn't show the YC being rescinded), but I would have strongly preferred if he and AR1 had managed to solve this on their own.

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  13. ‘52 Bodo - Ajax Var check: correct decision? Imo no foul by neither team, but it’s a very difficult situation

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    Replies
    1. Clear handball. Crazy to call attacking foul. Goalkeeper did not even appeal for a foul.

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  14. If that was a possible Euro test for Sidiropoulos, then he failed miserably.

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  15. Sidiropoulos called a previous foul and not the hand on the line.
    Absolutely sophisticated and unexpected decision. The call answers to the notorious wrong argument "keeper can't be touched".
    A game full of controversial decisions so far.

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    1. You have to wonder if it was a factor that it was the second OFR against Ajax within minutes - and potentially a second RC (although I think it should be a YC). Ref looking for a way out by calling a paper thin foul? Clear penalty imo.

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    2. Just don't want to think about that. I hope they were convinced by the foul on keeper, but this makes the performance even worse because it means referee missed both this foul before and then the handball after.

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    3. He stopped the game. The handball was after that. Incredible.

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  16. Shocking decision by Sidiropoulos

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  17. From a possible 11 vs 9, now we have a 10 vs 10 game.
    Second YC: https://streamin.me/v/6b4c61e5

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    Replies
    1. At least he got this one correct

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    2. Fully correct YC for me, a reckless step on foot, nothing else to be said here.

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  18. Cannot understand that decision by Sidiropoulos at all, never ever a foul and would not have been given if it was any other player than the goalkeeper. It was barely a touch, let alone a holding or grabbing. For me handball (deliberate), yellow card for SPA and penalty would have been the appropriate decision

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    Replies
    1. Agree, even the GK did not protest or appeal for a foul. Fair duel, never a foul

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  19. Sidiropoulos has lost all control

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  20. ‘88 Sidiroupoulos waiting, waiting, waiting for an advantage, and then whistles, just as a promising attack is forming for Bodø… Home team will not be happy with him..

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  21. Big miss by Turpin live, very clear handball, he needed VAR, one can be surprsed about this mistake by the French.

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    Replies
    1. Agree, should have been spotted live.

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    2. Extremly huge mistake with the OFR. Because the foul with YC #FTC19 was earlier than the handball in the penalty area. What a mistake.

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    3. He stopped the game. The handball was after that. Incredible.

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    4. He whistled after the handball. Everything OK from VAR protocol POV.

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    5. Clip: https://www.streambug.io/cv/8c44fc

      It's a mistake typical of the Turpin we have seen for a few years now imo (since Covid times?); I don't like his new style - rolled up sleeves, forcing the players to accept his lenient style only by showing that he can't influence them, and it feels like he isn't especially 'focused' on being spot on in key scenes (see ESR's report on the Friday night Ligue1 game, he just stood there, saw everything, and was happy to play on). He got away with it in the WC, but did pay the price in the last EURO (Russia-Denmark). The Frenchman was much better when he operated a focused, strict(er) style but these days seem to have passed now. I don't want to be too critical, and this is only one scene from the game(!), but if Turpin is the third best UEFA referee, then there is a big gap between him and Marciniak/Orsato IMO.

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    6. A really big miss by Turpin indeed, an evident handball that has to be spotted live and, as Mikael stated, an impression of a referee not being focused enough in this particular incident. Frankly, this shouldn't have happened to a referee of Turpin's calibre, it would have been a big miss even in lower leagues.

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    7. I think Turpin is a very smart (but indeed lenient) manager, he’s almost never involved in controversial incidents. That is a huge quality, but as you wrote, he should see and punish the obvious instead of just letting go anything. If he can add that to his management, I’m sure Turpin will be back in great form at the next EURO. And he has a reliable VAR (Brisard), probably the best VAR within UEFA right now.

      Vincic is just like Turpin, the same lenient style, but even worse. Letting go anything, even the most obvious fouls in midfield. His VAR always staying silent (like yesterday with Obrenovic) is worrying too.

      My impression was that Makkelie is definitely on his way back. At least he didn’t forget he booked a player for some time now ;) Domestically, he is ready to whistle a PK. No VAR interventions for him. We just have to wait and see if Dieperink is reliable enough…

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    8. As a referee, it is typical - but of course not unavoidable - that you miss incidents when playing an advantage, especially if there is a YC involved. Focus is lost on the ‘next’ situation - in this case the handball - which is evident in this case

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  22. Missed offside before the corner that led to 0-2 goal by Saint Gilloise :/

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    1. And a potential SFP RC for FRA22 after a studs on knee (82’), or YC still acceptable?

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    2. Generally catastrophic foul detection and avoidance of time wasting by Eskas today. I have hardly ever watched a worse referee in Frankfurt.

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    3. 82: https://www.streambug.io/cv/f0c706

      "Get on and let them know you're there son"... on the more rouge side of reckless, but a YC is sufficient imo. One surely has to put a question mark against the second comment, without mention of specific episodes (unlike the 82' contribution, thank you for that!).

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    4. Well, he certainly did let them know. Joking aside, I agree with Mikael about the YC being sufficient in this incident, "sufficient" being exactly the right word for me, although it definitely came really close to potential SFP. The fact that he didn't apply full contact with the opponent's knee, but rather grazed him with crampons saves him from a RC, for my taste.

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    5. When you have this sort of ‘sliding off’ contact which limits the force, the UEFA guidelines are usually yellow to borderline. Yellow is, imo, the correct the decision here based on the guidelines, although red would naturally not be wrong

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    6. Better and expected decision red card, with yellow card you can put the VAR "in trouble" as he can think about a supportable decision. That's a classic case in which, if missed foul of no card by field referee, OFR is called for sure.

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