Thursday, 22 February 2024

Europa League 2032/24 - Referee Appointments - KO Play-offs (II)

The following referees have been appointed to handle the second legs of 2023/24 UEFA Europa League KO Play-offs.



Thursday 22 February 2024

18:45 CET - Baku (Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium)
Qarabağ FK (AZE) - SC Braga (POR) 
Referee: Georgi Kabakov BUL
Assistant Referee 1: Martin Margaritov BUL
Assistant Referee 2: Diyan Valkov BUL
Fourth Official: Nikola Popov BUL 
Video Assistant Referee: Ivaylo Stoyanov BUL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dragomir Draganov BUL
UEFA Referee Observer: Petteri Kari FIN 
UEFA Delegate: Fredy Fürst POL

18:45 CET - Freiburg (Stadion am Wolfswinkel)
SC Freiburg (GER) - RC Lens (FRA)
Referee: Rade Obrenovič SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik SVN 
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordež SVN
Fourth Official: David Šmajc SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Nejc Kajtazović SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Asmir Sagrković SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Hansson SWE 
UEFA Delegate: Mark Bos NED

18:45 CET - Rennes (Roazhon Park)
Stade Rennais FC (FRA) - AC Milan (ITA) 
Referee: João Pedro da Silva Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Miguel Alves de Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano António Gomes da Maia POR
Fourth Official: João António Ferreira Gonçalves POR
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Hélder Miguel de Azevedo Malheiro POR
UEFA Referee Observer: David Malcom NIR
UEFA Delegate: Neil Morrow NIR 

18:45 CET - Toulouse (Stade de Toulouse) 
Toulouse FC (FRA) - SL Benfica (POR) 
Referee: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Tegoni ITA
Fourth Official: Marco Di Bello ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Doveri ITA 
UEFA Referee Observer: Jørn West Larsen DEN
UEFA Delegate: Fernand Meese BEL

21:00 CET - Lisbon (Estádio José Alvalade)
Sporting CP (POR) - BSC Young Boys (SUI) 
Referee: Ivan Kružliak SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Branislav Hancko SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Ján Pozor SVK
Fourth Official: Peter Kráľovič SVK
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Pascal Müller GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Clos Gómez ESP 
UEFA Delegate: Hristo Zapryanov BUL

21:00 CET - Marseille (Vélodrome) 
Olympique de Marseille (FRA) - FK Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 
Referee: Tobias Stieler GER
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Gittelmann GER
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Borsch GER 
Fourth Official: Martin Petersen GER
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz GER 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand GER 
UEFA Referee Observer: Nuno Alexandre Parreira de Castro POR
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack LUX

21:00 CET - Prague (Stadion Letná
AC Sparta Praha (CZE) - Galatasaray (TUR) 
Referee: Anthony Taylor ENG 
Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn ENG 
Fourth Official: John Brooks ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Attwell ENG 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee:  David Coote ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Helmut Fleischer GER
UEFA Delegate: Mirosław Ryszka POL

21:00 CET - Rome (Stadio Olimpico) 
AS Roma (ITA) - Feyenoord Rotterdam (NED) 
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Barbero Sevilla ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Ángel Nevado Rodríguez ESP
Fourth Official: Juan Martínez Munuera ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Cyril Zimmermann SUI 
UEFA Delegate: Alojzije Šupraha CRO 

200 comments:

  1. Chefren,
    Regarding the course in Cyprus, I know that many new referees failed the physical tests (SDS).
    Does anyone know who failed?

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    Replies
    1. I don't know, but this can be in case another reason for which we have some appointments of unexpected referee, if committee decided not to appoint, at least so far, the referees who failed the tests.

      Delete
  2. Good luck to Georgi Kabakov and his team!It will be his 38 birthday at 22 February!

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  3. Well, Gil Manzano is now in EL and not in CL, but probably he gets the most important and difficult match, so to me is similar to a CL assignment. Kabakov seems to get back consideration form committee, while Taylor has to me similar meaningful of Turpin's one in ECONFL

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  4. I’ll start the “Gil Manzano would not be given this game with an Italian team had he not given Italy such a blatant advantage” thread (but seriously, this treatment of Italian teams is nothing short of a scandal)

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    Replies
    1. Ha ha… :)
      JGM whistled a wrong handball penalty to PSG. Refcom: “hmm let’s appoint him again to PSG on short term!”
      JGM decided to not whistle a penalty against Italy. Refcom: let’s send him to Rome in his next game!

      Refcom does not realise referees are not stupid :)

      On the other hand, if a referee is heavily criticized by a club/player/president or even threatened after a GOOD game, they can’t officiate the team for a while (or even all Italian teams). What a mis-management :D

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    2. I didn't expect this appointment with an Italiano team for him. Clearly for commitee it's very easy to make such assignment. No problem with italian teams... But of course it would have been Impossible to see him with Ukrainian team. I dislike this management as well. All comfortable assignments. The referees can draw their conclusions. They can easily not take the risk of Dangerous decisions...

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    3. Yes, that is my main concern regarding this management. Nothing personal against Gil Manzano, actually I like him a lot as a referee and I don’t think he made any of these decisions on purpose.
      However, other referees can draw ‘certain’ (bad) conclusions about Refcom’s appointment strategy and Manzano’s management. I’m concerned that it will lead to more favoritism with regard to PSG, Italian teams etc.

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    4. Honesty and integrity should be praised. Regardless of the teams involved.

      Right now, many of us are sensing that 50/50 (or even wrong) decisions favorable to PSG or Italian teams are rewarded. That’s a bad signal by the Refcom.

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    5. I'm a little bit surprised reading the different comments Gil Manzano made a terrible mistake not whistling a penalty against Italy, but I guess that a referee cannot be crucified for one mistake even big. How much should he be out form the pitch ? Before the infamous Italy-Ukraine he did very good performances so it's fair to re test him. Surely not with an Italian teams but a second chance should be assigned to everybody :-)

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    6. @f, I (first comment) am not saying Gil Manzano doesn’t deserve another chance. On the contrary, I do think we should allow referees to recover from a mistake, so assigning him to a game is fine by me. However, if the referee committee keeps sending signals that come down to ‘if you make a mistake to the advantage of an Italian team, nothing will happen, but if you do the contrary there are severe consequences for your career’, we shouldn’t be wondering why 50/50 calls fall the same way all the time. And if the committee hasn’t realized this yet, they’re doing a VERY good job in avoiding this realization (too good of a job I would dare to say)

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  5. Last season appointments in EL KO playoff round, to compare:

    1st leg: Mariani, Peljto, Meler, Pinheiro, Letexier, Grinfeld, Petrescu & Nyberg (replaced by Higler)

    2nd leg: Sánchez Martínez, Kružliak, Hernández Hernández, Orsato, Turpin, Stieler, Vinčič & Del Cerro Grande (replaced by De Burgos Bengoetxea)

    There are 4 First Cat referees in 2nd legs this season, while last year there was only one (Hernández Hernández)

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  6. Darren England returns to VAR in England in the FA Cup for Bournemouth vs Leicester. Paul Tierney is the referee. England has Michael Oliver as his Support VAR official which is sensible.

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    Replies
    1. You have the site of the appointements ???

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  7. Has AR Borsch returned onto the FIDA list?

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    1. No, but he is in the Team of Stieler until the end of Brych‘s injury.

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    2. He even worked regularly with Stieler internationally before that last season and this one.
      UEFA just doesn't seem to care about the FIFA status.

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    3. Will that completely rule out Team Stieler from Euro 2024?

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    4. Why would that be? If UEFA has no problem appointing Borsch in CL, it shouldn't be different for the EURO.

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    5. Have you seen any non-FIFA ARs at Euro in previous editions?

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  8. Some Elites already appointed in the early UECL/UEL stages. Interesting.

    I’m not sure this is a good sign for Eskas and Kruzliak in terms of Champions League appearances (maybe still a chance if they perform very well?).

    For Nyberg, this will depend on how the observer rated him.

    On the other hand, some experienced names are not appointed yet: Marciniak, Orsato, Makkelie, Vincic, Soares Dias, Oliver. As of now, I would predict they are all assigned in a R16 return in Champions League.

    Gil Manzano and Taylor could go straight to the Champions League quarter-finals, if they perform well on Thursday.

    Turpin's game, I see this as a warm-up before a high profile return game. I would predict the French in either Barcelona-Napoli or Atletico-Inter.

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  9. Surely the most disappointing assignment in this set is for Kružliak, given what we could have expected, but still, this can be a start for something more to follow. Nevertheless, given the choice for first leg (Cat. 1 referee) and the names of the teams is quite particular.
    It is not hard to see that both games for Taylor and Turpin are made specifically because committee sees extremely challenging tasks for them (let's remember Hernandez Hernandez in Istanbul) and the choice of Turpin also explains us that Nyberg appointment in first half in Greece was maybe something "bigger" for committee tthan what we assessed when we read the choice.
    As for the rest, mostly regular choices, excellent appointment for Obrenovic, given the relatively short experience in KO stage, while no Stieler's game doesn't give us further clues about a different status for him (possible selection for EURO as Germany's nr. 2). The appointment is a normal one (first leg with a Cat. 1) like the others we saw in the years for him as rather "low" Elite referee. We'll see his next steps.

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    1. To add, what said for Taylor and Turpin should be valid for Gil Manzano in Rome, an extremely hot game is expected, and here more than other assignments, one can see the difference between first leg, Petrescu, and second, the Spanish Elite.
      I think first argument is that committee thinks the clash in Italy could be more challenging, due to the context, and of course second argument is that Gil Manzano couldn't have got directly CL, in my opinion, given his end of group stage.
      For Mariani, Pinheiro and Kabakov all as expected.
      The Bulgarian is now in my opinion seen by committee as regular Category who can get certain assignments, but not too much "far away" with the game difficulty. In all cases, he has gained more reputation than Treimanis, a referee we can describe in a very similar path with him in the years, fighting togheter in past for Elite category.

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  10. My updated prediction for EURO:

    Locked: Marciniak, Kovács, Oliver, Taylor, Turpin, Letexier, Zwayer, Orsato, Gil Manzano, Vinčič, Makkelie, Nyberg

    Borderline, leaning IN: Peljto, Meler, Gozübüyuk, Massa, Sánchez Martínez, Soares Dias

    Borderline, leaning OUT: Kružliak, Jovanović, Siebert, Eskås, Schärer (not due to performances but due to injuries)

    Dead on arrival: Rest of Elite: Grinfeld, Hategan, Sidiropoulos, Bastien, Collum, Hernández Hernández, Stieler, Kulbakov...

    Support referees: Balakin, Krogh, Rumšas, Saggi, Osmers, Lambrechts, Obrenovič.

    Conmebol guests: Sampaio & Tello (Pinheiro & Mariani sent to Copa América)

    In EURO 2020 there were 18 teams + 1 guest from Conmebol. This time, my prediction is 18+2.

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    Replies
    1. Eskas/Jovanovic lose their spots to Gozubuyuk, Massa, and Sanchez Martinez? IMO leaning IN are Eskas, Jovanovic, and Guida. Are u forget Guida is elite?

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    2. Also Meler, I don’t think he’s better than Jovanovic and his case I don’t think also enough to get his spot deservedly not politically (I mean after what we saw on Cakir treatment)

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    3. Isn’t it strange to select Massa when his compatriot Guida was assigned to the Champions League? That assumes Guida is considered ahead/better now? Unless we will see Massa in the R16 return instead of Orsato (I doubt we can see all 3 Italians in a R16 CL)

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    4. There is now indeed a discussion in Italy about Massa and Guida given the current form of the two,on the road to EURO selection. Some people think that Guida could go to the major tournament, but in my opinion this is absolutely impossible. A path has been followed by Massa in the years, starting from the role of fourth official at EURO 2020. Then it was also clear that committee looked at him on past months (Velasco Carballo as observer in a decisive EURO qualifier). Now he is in poor form, but I think this shouldn't exclude him from the selection, rather, as I wrote some days ago here, it is possible at moment committee is very clever in appointing the referee in a better form for CL KO clashes. Also, I think, it is not mandatory that a referee selected for EURO 204 MUST get at least a CL game in this KO stage, since the process of selection is very long. Nevertheless, I think we will see Massa on next weeks, at least in Europa League, if not more.

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    5. 1) Eskås & Guida are only Elite since this winter. There are also plenty of Elite referees who are DOA. And yes, if Italy has a 2nd referee in EURO it should be Massa.

      2) Committee is run by an Italian, a Dutch and a Spaniard (+ a Slovene), so I'm inclined all of them would push for their own countries to have a 2nd representative, specially if all of them could realistically make it in terms of performance. If e.g. Jozef Marko was still part of UEFA RefCom, Kružliak's chances could have increased... Kružliak could be given a final test in the form of a CL QF 1st leg if he has a good performance today, though. Again, "Borderline leaning out" =/= "Dead on arrival"

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    6. With all due respect for certain path/process that Massa done. In your opinion if I can know Chefren Massa or Guida that more deserved or I don’t know what the right terms at the moment to become ITA #2?

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    7. Supposing 18 places and one of them is already booked by COMNEBOL referee (Sampaio ?), l see the following 12 names as 100 % sure:
      - Artur Riberiro SOARES DIAS (POR)
      - Francois LETEXIER (FRA)
      - Clement TURPIN (FRA)
      - Michael OLIVER (ENG)
      - Anthony TAYLOR (ENG)
      - Glenn NYBERG (SWE)
      - Danny MAKKELIE (NED)
      - Felix ZWAYER (GER)
      - Daniele ORSATO (ITA)
      - Szymon MARCINIAK (POL)
      - Svlatko VINCiC (SLO)
      - Istvan KOVACS (ROU)
      13 places are boked. For the remaining 5, one will be for sure assigned to a spanish referee and right now it seems that GIL MANZANO has hugely eroded his advantage respect to SANCHEZ MARTINEZ; if nothing bad will appear in the next match to MANZANO, I guess he will be the selected one.
      For the remaining 4 places I see a pool of 7 candidates: PELIJTO, KRUZLIAK, EKSAS, JOVANOVIC, a second spanish, (Sanchez martinez ?), a second italian (Massa ?) and a second german (Siebert ? Stieler?).
      To me Jovanovic and a second german is very unlikely, while Massa is most probable. The excluded ones from this pool could be worthily appointed at Olympic games in Paris
      On top of this selection I expect, among elite referees, Hategan and Hernandez Hernandez to be selected as VAR, since they very often act in this role.
      But my key question is : when Uefa commette will release the name of selected referees ? If I'm not wrong, they never wait so long time, generally in december names are unveiled

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    8. @f I think they'll do it in March/April, as they did for EURO 2020. Before EURO 2016, the list used to be announced in December.

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  11. OT.

    Who do you think will be selected for the Olympic Games in Paris ? What kind of referees are selected for the Olympics ? Trusted/experienced referees or promising talents ?

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    Replies
    1. Looking at previous edition, I expect referees preselected for FIFA WC 2026, that means referees not very experienced who need to be tested in a FIFA competition to prepare WC 2026. For Uefa I would see: Sanchez Martinez, Pinheiro, Mariani, Peljto and Nyberg

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    2. UEFA (4): Marciniak (POL, there are rumors he asked it to Collina), Peljto (BIH), Meler (TUR) & Pinheiro (POR)
      CONMEBOL (3): Rojas (COL), Abatti (BRA) & Garay (CHI)
      CONCACAF (2): Fischer (CAN) & Martínez (HON)
      CAF (2): Sy (SEN) & Mutaz (LBY)
      AFC (2): Al-Ali (KUW) & Kim Jong-hyeok (KOR). AFC qualifying tournament hasn't been played yet, so there aren't clues on which referees might be uneligible due to their NT team qualifying
      OFC (1): Kawana-Waugh (NZL)

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    3. And no referee from the host country ?

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    4. Letexier would obviously be a choice in case they want a French referee.
      I also must say that I admire Marciniak's determination wanting to referee everywhere and including in a youth tournament but it feels like he would also take up a place from a younger referee with an entire career ahead of him

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    5. (We don't know if the rumours are true obviously)

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  12. IMO supportable PK by Pinheiro in Rennes-Milan.

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    Replies
    1. The penalty is wrong decision in my opinion, the classic very easy whistle that rewards too much attacker. But of course absolutely correct by VAR to support.
      OFR now for the Portuguese referee, clear handball and penalty expected decision.

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  13. Correct 2YC for QAR44 by Kabakov.

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  14. Obrenovic with a pathetic no-call for a crystal clear penalty

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  15. 61' IMO missed penalty by Obrenovic. Quite clear foul in my book, but I didn't like his attitude, he didn't took a clear decision, instead he pointed to his ear waiting for VAR and booked an attacker for dissent. Didn't look very good....

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  16. No VAR intervention in SCF v RCL after what looked to be a clear foul by RCL player. Obrenovic plays on. IMO, a clear and obvious error. More than natural contact and a clear and obvious foul. OFR should have been recommended.

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    1. Agree. Defender with no intention to play the ball, just the man. Hard to defend this as a clean shoulder on shoulder challenge. Simply a foul for charging. Suprised with the no intervention. Agree with the comment above about the no-call management. Not a good image.

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    2. Can understand why Obrenovic might have felt that it was just a shoulder to shoulder duel at first, but I think with the lower body contact you have to give a penalty here

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  17. PK after OFR by Pinheiro for handball, almost impossible to see live.

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  18. Here the penalty area incident in Obrenovic game:
    https://streamable.com/tx5bx4
    In my opinion a very clear penalty, AR2 should have reported that.
    As Elliot explained, indeed the argument by referee should be that he assessed a shoulder - shoulder fair duel. He couldn't have exact perception of the incident, a confirmation of that is the hand to eye, looking for inputs by VAR. If I'm not wrong, that's not the first time Obrenovic immediately looks for communication after a crucial incident. This should be avoided because makes the refeee look unsure about his decision. But this penalty shuld have been whistled, too clear.
    Why no VAR intervention? We can try to explain this one with the fact that when there are incidents like this one with a player charging opponent, "objective" criteria are missing for an OFR. Here VAR should have called just making his personal assessment about a clear and obvious mistake, but he didn't do that. He is again in a controversial decision after Jovanovic game...

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    1. Wow.. unexplainable..

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    2. Obrenovic has all the skills to be a top elite referee but again he is doubting himself, overcomplicating matters, this was a clear penalty and he saw it quite clearly... pity.

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    3. Penalty for me as well, a quite clear one to be honest. IMO, this shouldn't be considered a fair shoulder to shoulder challenge; it's a charging foul, evidently aimed at the opponent only. What's more, contact with the lower body is another argument in favour of a penalty. As for the VAR intervention, my personal preference would be for the review to be recommended.

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    4. Even though there is no contact between feet/legs VAR must consider that: attacker comes first to the ball, defender is late with no chance of hitting the ball, attacker does not change his running speed or direction to win a penalty.
      These arguments are strong enough to recommend OFR.

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    5. When there is no clear pushing, tripping or hitting in the back of the attacker, it's difficult for Var to intervene, when he has to asses only intensity of the defender. So for me right call for var to not intervene.

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  19. Another handball vs no-handball VAR situation for Hernández Hernández :O

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  20. Could be a long night for gil manazo in rome at this rate

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    Replies
    1. Looks like he had no idea of the match he’s refereeing

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  21. Correct PK by Kabakov in Bakú. Possible missed RC-DOGSO? YC given, VAR checked both situations.

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    Replies
    1. Missed red Kabakov

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    2. I saw the situation and can report that imo is CLER SPA as at the moment of the offence the attacker has no control of the ball and another defender is there. Correct decision from my taste.

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  22. Penalty by Stieler. No comment

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  23. Correct PK by Stieler for a careless trip in Marseille.

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    Replies
    1. https://streamin.me/v/4328934d

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    2. Looks like a dive.

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    3. Anonymous 21:42 : Me too.

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    4. You can discuss if contact was enough for the player to fall down like that, but at the end of the day it was contact, it was clumsy from the defender and absolutely a supportable penalty

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    5. Supportable penalty for me as well, for the same reasons stated by Elliot. Also, Stieler was in a good position to assess the situation and gave the PK immediately and firmly. I simply don't see a reason to deem this decision as wrong, although I do understand why it can be seen as soft.

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  24. Ridiculous behaviour already in the first 30 minutes by the Italians in AS Roma vs Feyenoord. Trying to pressure the referee in an embarrassing way, mobbing him after every decision he takes. Example, a YC awarded to FEY in 28th minute, where both players challenge with studs up in an equal way, but the Italians pushing the referee to issue a yellow. I fear it’s going to be a very, very difficult evening for Gil Manzano.

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    1. No fans here, please

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    2. Then please leave @Anonymous 21:42 :)

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  25. Missed FK+ YC for step on foot by Taylor just at the edge of the box at 45+2.

    Great offside decision/disallowed goal by AR2 a few minutes earlier.

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  26. Hopefully Gil Manzano will change style in the 2H. He’s not in control, both teams are heavily protesting. No decisions are accepted. It can be a tough second half

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    Replies
    1. Actually, both trams are protesting for a good reason - Gil Manzano's foul detection is absolutely ridiculous and game understanding is not existing. His theatrical face impressions probably work only in his family. All the problematic situations till now have been created by the referee himself.

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  27. (UgurB) watching Sparta Prag-Galatasaray in the first half, Anthony Taylor had issues with faul detections. Some missed fouls especially one stamp on foot (missed YC) at 45th min. I must admit that players of both teams are not helping him. Second half will be more challenging.

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    1. Usual Anthony Taylor performance, foul detection is a weaker part of his refereeing. He tries to let the game flow but it results in clear fouls being missed while not so clear fouls being called.

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  28. Manzano with a grin on his face going into ht knowing he has absolutely no idea how to control this game. Just hope for the best and try and get out of their alive

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  29. If we see the performances from referees in the CL games last night en in general all the CL games last week, the quality of referees and refereeing are so much better then the performances from tonight in the EL en Conference L.

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    1. We must also look at the nature of the games, most of CL first legs were played without high intensity and we saw MOSTLY fair games. Today is different, some hot clashes. Nevertheless, there are evident mistakes, that's true.

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    2. Agree Chefren. The game in Rome looked so much more difficult than anything I saw in the CL so far. The same can be said about other UEL/UECL games yesterday

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  30. 55’ Another missed YC by Taylor for illegal use of arms in Sparta - GS. Taylor awarded the free kick to the offending player.

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  31. For the situation in 56' in Rome, in Italy w see always penalty, that's an encoded incident: player kicking the ball before, and then defender hitting him. No intervention by Hernandez Hernandez is seen as controversial. In my opinion, not all this kind of contacts must be always penalty, but this one could have been whistled.

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  32. (UgurB) Perfect VAR intervention for RC on 69th min at Sparta Prag- Galatasaray game.

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  33. RC for SFP by Taylor in Prague after OFR. Very clear, good intervention.

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  34. What’s going on with Taylor and Turpin? Not the best period for them. Come on guys!!!

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    Replies
    1. About Taylor red card, for me not easy to see. Turpin handball by far most evident mistake.
      Good interventions by VARs in both situations.

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  35. Which VAR ‘s are going to EURO2024, give me your opinions guys: and how many can go from 1 country?

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    1. My prediction:
      Attwell, Bebek, Brisard, Dankert, Delajod, del Cerro Grande, Dingert, Fritz, Higler, Irrati, Kajtazovic, Kwiatkowski, Martinez, Martins, Ulusoy, Valeri, van Boekel
      I think, max. 3 per country like last time

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    2. I'm quite certain we will see Dieperink considering his good relationship with Makkelie, di Paolo and San also quite given for me. I don't think Ulusoy is trusted enough by UEFA and I very much hope we don't see Martinez Munuera considering his performances recently (Panama-Jamaica WWC, Greece-Netherlands EQ and Sporting-Rakow EL)

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    3. I think all VARs who attended the last advanced course in Cyprus (+ Hernandez and Hategan?)

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  36. Great ONSIDE by Taylor's AR2 for Sparta Prague goal.

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  37. Any chance that someone have link for red card in Bratislava given by Orel? Would be much appreciated .

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    1. Correct decision for me, all criteria for DOGSO are fulfilled. The only possible outcome IMO.

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  38. Stuart Attwell is actually the most underrated VAR in the world. He gets a lot of stick, yet his decision making accuracy while on VAR is certainly up there with the best and he makes no more mistakes than other officials.

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    1. Attwell’s better on field than in VAR. He’s only in there because his communication is strong

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    2. Complete opposite is true, he is weak on field, especially when the game starts to get a bit challenging it gets away from him. His missed red card in Sheffield United vs Brighton is a clear example of why he is better in VAR

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    3. He is an excellent var for the English officials in uefa comps.he’s fairly weak onfield

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  39. Lucky Gil Manzano, as Roma moves on. Quite bad performance

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    1. Below expected level surely - open season on mobbing, (visibly) unsure when making decisions, and indeed, I expected Hernandez to intervene at 56' for careless kicking. It would seem Gil Manzano is experiencing a post-Leverkusen hangover; this wasn't the good form which the Spaniard showed in 2023.

      Delete
    2. as somebody wrote earlier, he was not prepared for this match. Some matches are different and this was one to referee immediately in a compete different way. Lenient whistles, poor foul detection, couple of missed YC in 1H. In 2H, the match became less aggressive but the 56’ incident is a clear mistake both from him and VAR. Fortunately this did not affect the outcome, but I can imagine what we would have read if Roma did not pass

      Delete
    3. I managed to watch the full game in live broadcast and, unfortunately, I have to agree with you: not a good performance by Gil Manzano tonight. Foul detection was below the expected level, even poor on occasions, and it certainly didn't contribute to maintaining match control, which was pretty questionable in some moments. This was especially visible in all scenes of mobbing that happened almost anytime a decision was taken, and I don't have a single positive word to describe the way Gil Manzano tried to deal with such behaviour. As Marco said, he didn't seem to be prepared, especially in terms of what to expect from the players in terms of mobbing and dissent. To be honest, he left a pretty shaky impression on me tonight. As for the situation in 56', I also expected an intervention for the same reason Mikael stated above.

      Delete
    4. Gil Manzano was in a great form last season. Although we have to add a small nuance, he just handled 1st leg games in Champions League which are easier, less intense, flow based and players behave better.
      Yesterday was a return, a rough and fierce one, with level of mobbing he didn’t experience last season.
      Gil Manzano is on his best in flow-based games imo.
      If I may add: almost all Elite referees would have struggled there. Orsato and Makkelie were obviously not available. Taylor impossible. Lenient Turpin: not ideal. They can’t always send Marciniak when Feyenoord plays a team from Rome…

      Delete
    5. I don’t think Nyberg would be struggle there. Just poor performance, it’s not his day, still good referee, that’s it.

      Delete
    6. Agree with the most common opinion you shared.
      I would add a personal feeling: it looked to me that Gil Manzano didn't want to officiate that game, especially at the beginning, when he had all the mobbing, his reaction was close to zero. Very often I condemn the anonymous comments, but one anonymous comment yesterday was partially right, ha made some facial expressions that definitely couldn't work in the game. A mix between being surprised and bored about what he had to do. Nevertheless, at the end one could still say OK because Roma qualified, but the possible penalty has been assessed as incredible mistake by both him and VAR, so you can easily argue that in case of Feyenoord qualified, well, Gil Manzano would have followed a similar path to Taylor regarding Italian teams...
      In all cases, this was an appointment to be avoided, but at first for the serenity of the referee, it was clear to me that in a different game he would been more at his ease.

      Delete
    7. @ Anonymous 9:45

      Nyberg has huge potential, but has never officiated an Italian team in the CL or UE, hence to be fair, we can’t know how he would do.

      Delete
    8. Feyenoord goal: https://www.streambug.io/cv/0a03fe
      1H appeal Roma: https://www.streambug.io/cv/ab93a2
      2H appeal Roma: https://www.streambug.io/cv/680286

      First three YCs: https://www.streambug.io/cv/2d5a40
      End of the 1H: https://www.streambug.io/cv/6070ee

      Delete
  40. What do you think, is Roma the most difficult (Italian) team to officiate right now, in international contexts?

    ReplyDelete
  41. Ivan Kruzliak whistled two correct penalties without VAR interventions in Sporting Lisbon - Young Boys.
    https://streambug.org/cv/7859f8
    https://streambug.org/cv/ee6472
    TBH a CL assignment at this point should follow...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The second one is very well spotted!

      Delete
    2. An excellent performance!

      Delete
  42. Taylor showed poor match management yesterday. His yellow card applications were very wrong. Likewise, his fouls were not up to standard. It's not a good management for his career.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Early predictions
    Sporting - Atalanta: Sanchez / Letexier
    Sparta - Liverpool: Nyberg / Kovacs
    Marseille - Villareal: Eskas / Zwayer
    Roma - Brighton: Siebert / Meler
    Benfica - Rangers: Gil Manzano / Peljto
    Freiburg - West Ham: Guida / Turpin
    Milan - Slavia: Grinfeeld / Jovanovic
    Qarabag - Leverkusen: Collum / Gözübüyük

    Genf - Pilsen: Dabanovic / Lambrechts
    Ajax - Aston Villa: Kabakov / Obrenovic
    Molde - Brugge: Krogh / Mariani
    St.Gilloise - Fenerbahce: Strukan / Pinheiro
    Zagreb - PAOK: Glova / Bastien
    Graz - Lille: Jug / Frankowski
    Haifa - Florence: Treimanis / Hernandez
    Olympiakos - Tel Aviv: Pawson / Kruzliak

    (with Massa, Taylor, Soares Dias, Makkelie, Oliver, Orsato, Vincic, Marciniak in CL)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Something odd is that, according to Transfermarkt, Vincic has whistled his last game on 12 December 2023. Not sure this is updated accurately though. For this weekend, I don’t see Vincic appointed on NZS’s site as well… :(

      If Vincic is absent for some reason, it could be a reason for Jovanovic’ observation by committee recently. But that’s just a speculation..

      Delete
    2. Probably nothing unusual for referees from the countries with a long winter break. His AR1 also had his last match on 12 December, according to worldfootball.

      Delete
    3. PRVA Liga is back since 10 Feb, so it’s not that they just started.

      Also no games in Saudi or UAE.

      I hope he’s back soon, however maybe it’s too early for a CL return without too much match rhytm

      Delete
    4. Quite possible to see Balakin again in first round of Conference League. Very good season for him.

      Delete
    5. I wouldn't appoint Obrenovic again after yesterday's mistakes....

      Delete
  44. Vincic got injured in Sevilla seminar for WC, but nothing too serious, he will be back soon.

    ReplyDelete
  45. https://en.uaf.ua/article/50662

    what do you think? polygraph test for referees

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not needed in developed countries.

      Delete
    2. Kateryna Monzul' is the head of referees? Has she ended a referee career?

      Delete
    3. Indeed this looks absolutely strange, she is still on FIFA list, and according to that she couldn't be head of referees (FIFA regulations)!

      Delete
    4. Frappart is Head of Women's Refereeing in France.
      According to FIFA regulations, an active match official cannot be part of any referees committee, but there are no restrictions with respect to being employed in the referee department or any other department of a member association.

      Delete
    5. Is it any different than Makkelie being the head of referee for amateur football in Netherland?

      Delete
    6. @Fred based on your logics professional = amateur?

      Delete
    7. Head of Referees means employed in the referee department, not referees committee, which is allowed by FIFA regulations.

      Delete
  46. CONCACAF IS A JOKE OF A CONFEDERATION!!!
    It's under the control of a bunch of misogynistic and sexist pigs. The "VAR" system that is being utilized for their "top" women's competition (CONCACAF W Gold Cup) is amateurish at best. The bare minimum of cameras are being utilized in all the stadiums. Just enough cameras to provide the referee teams with poor images and angles for on field reviews. Leaving the referee's to basically guess during on field reviews.
    I guarantee that no top men's competitions would be played with such poor infrastructure in this joke of a confederation. It shows how little those that run CONCACAF think about women's football.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Any concrete example where there were not enough cameras for an OFR?

      Delete
    2. 1) The 2nd PK called against the Dominican Republic versus the USA. The “best” camera angle that they showed the referee was at distance from the side and behind the goal. Where the referee had to look through the goal net. In this case the VARs failed to show the referee a somewhat better camera angle (a trailing camera angle). Where it was clearly visible that the Dominican player gets a touch on the ball.

      2) PK call against Argentina for a supposed intentional handling that resulted in a 2nd yellow card and red card to the player.
      The “best” images VAR was able to show the referee were from quite a distance (camera possibly located at midfield). When VAR zoomed in, the images were grainy and indecipherable at best. Definitely not nowhere near enough to determine clear and obvious.

      Delete
    3. All CONCACAF is doing by providing this poor excuse of VAR for this tournament. Is giving the VAR hater’s more reason to deride and demonize the system. I can wholeheartedly say that the tournament would be better off without it. If the system is not going to be used to its full potential by utilizing a full compliment of cameras in all the stadiums. Just scrap it and let the referee’s fend for themselves.

      Delete
  47. Surprising news from Netherlands. The red card for this handbal was a incorrect decision according to the disciplinary committee of KNVB. The reason is 'that the ball hits his chest first'.

    Eredivisie: Feyenoord - RKC
    https://x.com/ESPNnl/status/1759256523404902505?s=20
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GGohGKGWAAEOs9b?format=jpg

    In the Netherlands, the disciplinary committee once again shocks the referee committee with a strange ruling, this time for the first time in almost a year. Last time, the red card in this footage was judged to be incorrect. The reason was that 'it was not an intentional handbal'.
    https://youtu.be/OoQ7ZYlZQJU?t=395

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unbelievable. They are over-complicating things. The goalkeeper runs out as, jumps and blocks the ball like a handball-keeper, with the arm (okay, via the chest on the arm). To me that is a punishable handball. No intention, sure, but by running out like this the goalkeeper is taking a big risk. And by blocking the ball, he prevents an attempt on goal.

      In NL, I know the general preference is a more lenient rule regarding handballs (like in England and Germany). To add, this goalkeeper has A LOT sympathy among the Dutch public and that has contributed to the public debate for sure. One thing is sure: they certainly don't help referees by overruling this decision.

      Delete
    2. I can blame Italy for many reasons regarding refereeing, but something like this, very common in countries like Netherlands, England and so on, will never happen. A field decision can't be object of appeal, unless very clear technical mistake (but referee must admit), leading to game's replay. But of course now this doesn't happen anymore. You have referee on the pitch, you have VAR, it's simply impossible to think about a third assessment. Of course mistakes will happen, even from VAR, but they must be accepted, otherwise it's very easy to think, stop to send human people and send machines. It is simpy said, if you start to question on every decision, you lose even more the plot. We have already extremely difficult situations to read on the pitch, let alone handballs... so for me making an assessment in this way means creating even more confusion and I think as referee I would give up without finding motivations to do my job.
      Under this aspect, very happy that here we don't have such possibilities by clubs.

      Delete
    3. Chefren, thank you for your interesting opinion.
      The Dutch are very argumentative, and they always take for granted the authority to contest punishments in the disciplinary committee. That in itself is probably a good thing. In 2020/2021, where VAR was already involved, 9 RCs were disallowed by the disciplinary committee in the whole season. It was speculated that the absence of spectators due to the coronavirus may have had a significant impact on the ability of referees to concentrate.

      But, unfortunately, these two cases are unnecessarily complicated. The disciplinary committee completely ignored the referee's argument that the RC given by DOGSO has nothing to do with whether the handball was intentional or not.

      As for whether handballs can be punishable when the ball hits something other than the hand/arm first, the KNVB themselves have publicly explained that they are "always not punishable", that is also their responsibility. And most people in the Netherlands already believe that this is the rule.

      Delete
    4. Sorry, to be exact, there were several cases in the 9 RCs of 2020/2021 in which the referee committee canceled itself. For accuracy.

      Delete
  48. Today in Saudi Arabia

    At-Ta'i vs Al-Ahli
    Mohammed Al-Hakim (Fredrik Klyver, Max Robin Wilde; VAR Pol van Boekel)

    ReplyDelete
  49. Can I ask what series/brand that usually professional referee use?

    ReplyDelete
  50. Manchester United vs Fulham [1-2]
    24.02.2024
    Michael Oliver

    Only a YC for Maguire foul on Lukic in min.36? SFP all day long. Of course in any other league in the world it would have been a red card, with or without VAR, but this one seems extreme even for Premier League standards... This kind of leniency endanger the players.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://packaged-media.redd.it/jr45mokk1kkc1/pb/m2-res_720p.mp4?m=DASHPlaylist.mpd&v=1&e=1708876800&s=dc9ab8e5a7301a9aa0086dedf6eae4cac9233548#t=0

      Delete
    2. It's low and on the foot. I think in England we're happy enough with yellow only for that (I know, controversial elsewhere)

      Delete
  51. Today in Saudi Arabia

    Ash-Shabab vs An-Nassr
    Tamás Bognár (Balázs Buzás, Péter Kóbor; VAR István Vad)

    ReplyDelete
  52. 80' Motherwell Celtic. Willie Collum called for an OFR for DOGSO, however stayed with onfield decision of a YC. I think good from Collum, but not entirely sure why the OFR. I don't think that could be considered a 'clear and obvious' RC anywhere

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rtWFFeejAg
      Should be this one, 06:20 in the video (OFR moment is not shown).
      In my opinion no clear RC indeed, correct by Collum to stay with YC, mostly due to the other defender very close who can easily run (and indeed you can see him already doing that), trying another save after the teammate. I think that VAR called only for the central position of the fou, straight to the goal, but there are other arguments.

      Delete
  53. Not the best start to the cup final for Chris Kavanagh, missed three clear yellow cards for Chelsea players and one potential red. Excellent offside decision by AR2 Mark Scholes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 24' Caicedo very fortunate, clear YC, very reckless.
      32' Agree, excellent Offside
      45+2' I really don't know what Bradley did. Seems to be the typical, there's a scrap so book both, but if you had to book one of each I would have gone with the Liverpool player who charged in at Chilwell after, Bradley unfortunate and I can see why Klopp unhappy.
      Most of the game played more fairly and other than the reckless tackle, officiated well

      Delete
    2. Classic British refereeing. Ignore blatant yellow card offences to keep 11v11 to every price possible and not ”ruin” the game. I don't watch British tv but I guess the pundits are happy 🤷‍♂️

      Delete
    3. And then book any player who is involved in starting a push and shove even if they haven't done anything

      Delete
    4. VAR rules out a goal for offside after OFR, for blocking the attacker. However, he is never going to be able to defend the ball coming in, and the defender grabs hold of the attacker. Officials are loosing the plot here

      Delete
    5. England ref: Can you really rule out the defenders ability to play the ball? When the ball is played, van Dijk is basically holding the defenders jersey that got blocked by Endo. He's within touching distance so it's impossible (IMO) to rule out his possibilities to defend that cross.

      I just think this is textbook "impacting an opponent" stuff, and I'm a Liverpool supporter.

      Delete
  54. Interesting (and probably correct) VAR intervention for offside - interfering with an opponent - while technically correct, no one appeals and most fans would expect a goal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The defender grabbed hold of the attacker and stopped.

      Delete
    2. The action falls under 'making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an
      opponent to play the ball'.

      Delete
    3. "Making an action" He just stood still

      Delete
    4. His action was holding a defender's shirt and making a block - preventing him from marking van Dijk. It's a deliberate tactical action that 'impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball' (per the Laws)

      Delete
    5. Correct decision to disallow the goal.

      Delete
  55. Perhaps what Mauricio Pochettino said the other day is impacting the officials.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Based on the Newcastle decision the other week, that should have been a penalty for Endo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Challenging an opponent for the ball and making an obvious action are not the same part of the law. Schär could not be considering challenging yet as the ball was nowhere near

      Delete
  57. Booking for Mac Alistair, very inconsistent with what was being given earlier

    ReplyDelete
  58. Booking for Konate, didn't touch the chelsea player

    ReplyDelete
  59. Very poor performance from Kavanagh, but did we expect to be better? English refs are far worst than any other in Europe! What a disgrace to have such referees in such strong league, the best in the World.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Kavanagh's performance was mostly okay to be honest for a) England and b) a(n English) final.

    At least no decision by him in the final was so bad as the one made in the game I turned over to, that to award Paris SG a stoppage time penalty against Rennes: Goncalo Ramos sold the officials down the river, deliberately placing his foot into the goalkeeper with the ball in the other direction, the duo of new French FIFAs for 2024, VAR Eric Wattelier and then referee Bastien Dechepy, fell for it in turn - spot kick given after intervention. I would anticipate another public statement by Lannoy this week regarding this call!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mikael can you elaborate on your 1st sentence please, not sure what you mean by that.

      Delete
  61. My list: EURO 2024
    1: Peljto or Jovanovic but I think Peljto
    2: Oliver
    3: Taylor
    4: Manzano
    5: Sanchez
    6: Letexier
    7: Turpin
    8: Zwayer
    9: Guida??
    10: Orsato
    11: Gozubuyuk
    12: Makkelie
    13: Marciniak
    14: Dias
    15: Kovacs
    16: Kruzliak??
    17: Vincic
    18: Nyberg
    +1 Sampaio (Brasil)

    I think MAKKELIE go to Conmebol or Sanchez, of course fantastic appointment

    If yes, Then 1 place for: Meler or Scharer, but we have to say also about Meler (big problems in Turkey, mentally and fitness, same for Scharer, when was his last match??, Dias at this moment no games in Portugal injury?? Vincic i hope soon back from his out. Big fan of him and no 1 candidate final CL

    ReplyDelete
  62. Next week games CL, predictions??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Final CL for me Vincic or Taylor (depend which teams of course)

      Delete
    2. Its much too early to call names. But if everyone performs at least expected level Makkelie should be the first in line for this years CL Final. Much much better than Vincic, and Taylor has had his EL final only a year ago. Oh and forgot to mention that Makkelie already should have had the final the year Turpin got it as a political appointment. That year he really was UEFAs best. It doesnt mean Makkelie gets it, but if everyone performs as they should he should be the first in line considering who have not got the big call yet!

      Delete
    3. Vincic would be the worst referee to be given a Champions League final, Taylor wouldn't be too far behind

      Delete
    4. For me the same, Vincic or Taylor are candidate for the CL. Especially after what happened after his final game with the spectators. It will be a fantastic statement to give him the CL final, otherwise Vincic.

      I was always fan of Makkelelie, but this is not the same Makkelie as some years ago. New generation are coming who will get the chances. That’s why I like so much this ref committee who gave young refs chances and also from little countries. And it’s hard, but the president of PSG will never accept mr Makkelie after the dressing room scandal to do any final anymore…

      Delete
    5. Yeah 'not the same Makkelie as some years ago' is still far better than your Vincic

      Delete
    6. Too early to draw any conclusions. It depends on form and the teams in the final. Nothing more or less. And after Marciniak handled the semi-final and final last year, we must even consider one referee doing the champions league final for the 2nd time.

      It's bizarre that you keep coming back to that PSG-story. Last year, UEFA had no issues to give the final to a far-right wing orientated person, regardless of the media attention it could generate. Quality and merit should prevail.

      Talking about PSG. Vincic has a lot of political support from Ceferin and Sajn. It is no secret they are friends. Ceferin does not appear neutral, is often seen with the PSG president. If PSG reaches the final, they should not appoint Vincic imo.

      Makkelie is performing much better than last season. Very steady, barely any VAR interventions. No headlines. But he has to show that in the knockout rounds. He won’t get the final based on compassion.

      I certainly wish Taylor to end his career with a CL final, however he can’t do the final if an English or Italian team is in it.

      Delete
    7. Makkelie needs a few more years to prove his mental health is back.

      Delete
    8. @ 08:18
      Funny that you, as an outsider, can say something about a persons’ mental health. And even more funny: draw conclusions that other referees are “stronger” mentally without any arguments.

      May I remind you that Makkelie used to be a policeman and has experienced a lot of pressure during his daily job? Or that he had a fantastic season-ending after the PSG game two years again? And that he and his team were threatened by the hostile audience at ADO The Hague after the relegation play-off and only 3 days later he refereed Scotland-Ukraine perfectly? And finally, Rosetti has always trusted him for the most sensitive games?

      Delete
    9. The route to success is never a straight line. It’s a bumpy road!

      Don’t forget that the greatest sportsmen have suffered disappointments, sickness or weak periods. A great sportsman bounces back and is stronger than ever. Don't underestimate the power of mental resilience.

      Delete
    10. I agree with anonymous @08:41, Makkelie in past took the most challenging difficult decisions against some teams, but he wasn't backed by committee for external reasons... if this doesn't mean that he has strong mind, I don't know what having a strong mind should mean :)

      Delete
    11. Please Chefren stop, we all know you love Makkelie no matter what. You kill your Italian referees for small things and defend Makkelie at all cost.

      Delete
  63. predictions EL
    Sporting - Atalanta: Sanchez / Letexier
    Sparta - Liverpool: Nyberg / Gozubuyuk
    Marseille - Villareal: Eskas / Mariani
    Roma - Brighton: Siebert / Zwayer
    Benfica - Rangers: Gil Manzano / Turpin
    Freiburg - West Ham: Guida / Peltjio
    Milan - Slavia: grinfeldd / Jovanovic
    Qarabag - Leverkusen: Collum / Letexier

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Letexier is good but he isn't that good that he can do two games at the same time

      Delete
    2. Two German Referees seems very unlikely on Roma vs Brighton

      Delete
  64. is there any video footage available from the collision of AR1 Ms. Porras with the cameraman during Betis 1:0 goal vs Athletic, after which she was taken to the hospital with quite some blood on her face?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hopefully she’s alright now of course, wishing her a speedy recovery!

      Delete
    2. I looked for the video, but nothing. It seems the scene was not captured. I just wanted to understand how it happened!
      A very quick recoverto her, that's among the worst and unexpected injury you can experience on the field!

      Delete
    3. from one angle you can see during the build-up of the attack that the cameraman is behind her, while she was sprinting towards the corner flag. my assumption is that the cameraman went too close to the sideline and once Porras turned around to confirm the goal with the movement towards the center line, they accidentally collided. during the second half it was visible that the same cameraman was now behind the touchline, not behind the 1AR anymore.

      Delete
  65. Orsato really poor tonight in Milan-Atalanta. Totally past it but was never that good anyway if we’re being honest

    ReplyDelete
  66. Caicedo's challenge in Chelsea vs Liverpool. Thoughts?

    https://streamable.com/3k3qiu

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Minimum YC is mandatory

      Delete
    2. It’s a RC everywhere, except in England.

      Delete
  67. Almere City FC - Feyenoord
    Correct goal or offside due to an intentional play by the defender?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmXEvq9CJgA

    This rule is still unfamiliar to many people (maybe even the referees) and causes considerable debate. For me, offside is correct, but as time passes I'm losing confidence in whether it's 100% claer. The point is as clear as Feyenoord's (assistant Sipke Hulshoff (Arne Slot was sick) made after the match:
    "The only point of discussion for me is that the ball that Beelen plays comes from thirty or forty meters, so he (Ritmeester van de Kamp) has enough time to control that ball. Could he have gained control of the ball or was this not good action on his part? I just think this is a bad receive, but the referee apparently had a different opinion.'"

    I can certainly agree with Hulshoff, as the ball is coming from far enough away and the speed of the ball doesn't seem to be fast enough.

    What is noteworthy is that when the referee watched the footage, he focused on the posture of the defender who touched the ball, and seemed to have little interest in where the ball came from and at what speed.

    Ritmeester van de Kamp, the player who touched the ball:
    'The ball bounces a little differently than expected and I don't receive it properly. The intention was to receive him, I couldn't reach it properly'".

    In fact, this field was really very very very bad and the ball didn't roll properly. Should the referee take that into consideration? This is really difficult. I love this rule and think it's much fairer than before. But in this case I can understand why some people think this is too complicated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In my opinion the recent guidelines complicated the issue and nothing more. With the spirit of the law, this would be a very clear deliberate play (putting leg and hitting ball is 100% enough to say it), but today other arguments like balance, full control, time to play the ball made it worse. I think one can decide everything, I prefer to stay with old regulations, TBH.

      Delete
    2. Chefren. I couldn't agree more.

      Delete
  68. Anyone seen the decision to give penalty to Atalanta vs AC Milan tonight? I think it's a very poor decision

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Orsato very unhappy with VAR intervention, but we know he doesn't like too much this technology, due to his old style if compared to some modern refereing, he rather suffers the VAR interventions in his game.
      Having said that, to answer about the incident, I see a very worrying trend in serie A. In recent matchdays all these similar incidents (defender late, hitting only attacker) are ALL assessedas penalty by VAR. It started after some incidents of the kind of Roma - Feyenoord 56' and now all VARs are calling for very soft penalties. I don't say they are not penalties, Rocchi says this is very good for consistency, but many people disagree for the intensity of the fouls called by VAR. That's indeed one of the cases, VAR was Irrati so you can't be wrong if you say that Rocchi expected this call (difficult to see him making a wrong intervention).

      Delete
    2. We often hear that top referees suffer from an intervention. The disappointment is often visible on their faces imo. For example Orsato yesterday. Also last week, Turpin, the “how could I’ve ever miss that” was readable on his face after he whistled the penalty.
      Another name is Makkelie, I think he also looks like he’s over-analyzing things after OFR’s.
      They mostly do not whistle a better game after an intervention. Apparently it is very difficult for them to (mentally) shake it off and continue undisturbed.

      Delete
  69. I read Mikael's comment saying that Lannoy might make a public statement regarding Bastien Dechepy's decision to award a penalty to PSG against Rennes.

    It's important to note that refereeing in Ligue 1 has been the subject of very harsh criticism from clubs and journalists for several weeks now, with the peak coming last weekend, where the decisions notably by Clément Turpin in Lyon-Nice, Benoît Millot in Reims-Lens, and Ruddy Buquet in Brest-Marseille were strongly criticized, as well as the use of VAR.

    From the Federation's side, it seems that the problem comes from the governance of French refereeing. The dual leadership (Antony Gautier, head of French refereeing, and Stéphane Lannoy, head of professional referees) appears to have its limitations. The criticism mainly targets Stéphane Lannoy, who is reproached for two things: a too vague technical line (he had asked referees to let the game flow more at the beginning of the season, before backtracking on his principles), and above all, too close a relationship with the clubs, not hesitating to publicly discredit his referees in the media, which has annoyed more than a few. One event in particular ignited the fuse: at the end of January, during the Montpellier-Lille match, assistant referee Nicolas Rodrigues raised his flag too quickly and wrongly, depriving Lille of a goal-scoring opportunity because the attacker was not offside. Lannoy would have immediately sent a SMS to the president of Lille to say that the assistant was mistaken. This led to a furious visit from the president of Lille to the referees' locker room at halftime, showing them the SMS in question on his phone. This ended up escalating the anger of the Ligue 1 referees towards their manager, who would be increasingly isolated, while Antony Gautier seems to be more unanimously supported.

    The latest rumors tend to indicate an imminent departure of Lannoy, who should not be replaced before the summer break. This will avoid the confusion related to dual refereeing leadership.

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  70. I don’t watch a lot Ligue 1 football, however given the amount of soft PK that are awarded in the UCL to PSG this season, I won’t be too surprised if the same happened in their domestic league (are referees afraid to take any decisions against PSG?)

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  71. @ Chefren

    Reading some of the comments above, you may have to consider to disable the anonymous comments again when Taylor/Makkelie/Vincic and other final candidates will referee their next match. Unfortunately I foresee that many anonymous visitors have an agenda (try to destroy the competitors of their favorite ref…). The same happened last seasons with Marciniak and Turpin.

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  72. What happened with AR female from Spain, De Porras?

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  73. She collapsed with a broadcast handheld camera man who depicted the celebration of a goal in a disturbing manner

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