The referees in charge of 2024-25 UEFA Europa Leage KO stage Play-Offs, first legs.
Thursday 13 February 2025
18:45 CET - Budapest (Ferencváros Stadion)FERENCVÁROSI TC (HUN) - FC VIKTORIA PLZEŇ (CZE)
Referee: Giorgi Kruashvili GEO
Assistant Referee 1: Levan Varamishvili GEO
Assistant Referee 2: Giorgi Elikashvili GEO
Fourth Official: Aleko Aptsiauri GEO
Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Johann Pfeifer GER
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate:
18:45 CET - Brussels (King Baudouin Stadium)
ROYALE UNION SAINT-GILLOISE (BEL) - AFC AJAX (NED)
Referee: Donatas Rumšas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radiuš LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis LTU
Fourth Official: Manfredas Lukjančukas LTU
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee:Daniele Doveri ITA
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Georges Lüchinger LIE
ROYALE UNION SAINT-GILLOISE (BEL) - AFC AJAX (NED)
Referee: Donatas Rumšas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radiuš LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis LTU
Fourth Official: Manfredas Lukjančukas LTU
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee:Daniele Doveri ITA
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Georges Lüchinger LIE
18:45 CET - Herning (Arena Herning)
FC MIDTJYLLAND (DEN) - REAL SOCIEDAD DE FÚTBOL (ESP)
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:Dennis Johan Higler NED
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Filips Dhondt BEL
FC MIDTJYLLAND (DEN) - REAL SOCIEDAD DE FÚTBOL (ESP)
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:Dennis Johan Higler NED
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Filips Dhondt BEL
18:45 CET - Istanbul (Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi)
FENERBAHÇE SK (TUR) - RSC ANDERLECHT (BEL)
Referee: Nikola Dabanović MNE
Assistant Referee 1: Vladan Todorović MNE
Assistant Referee 2: Srđan Jovanovic MNE
Fourth Official: Miloš Bošković MNE
Video Assistant Referee: Pascal Müller GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
UEFA Referee Observer:Augustus Constantin ROU
UEFA Delegate: Alzhanov Ayan KAZ
FENERBAHÇE SK (TUR) - RSC ANDERLECHT (BEL)
Referee: Nikola Dabanović MNE
Assistant Referee 1: Vladan Todorović MNE
Assistant Referee 2: Srđan Jovanovic MNE
Fourth Official: Miloš Bošković MNE
Video Assistant Referee: Pascal Müller GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Alzhanov Ayan KAZ
21:00 CET - Enschede (FC Twente Stadion)
FC TWENTE (NED) - FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR)
Referee: Sebastian Gishamer AUT
Assistant Referee 1: Santino Schreiner AUT
Assistant Referee 2: Alexander Borucki AUT
Fourth Official: Walter Altmann AUT
Video Assistant Referee: Alan Kijas AUT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Sokol Jareci ALB
UEFA Delegate: Scott Struthers SCO
FC TWENTE (NED) - FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR)
Referee: Sebastian Gishamer AUT
Assistant Referee 1: Santino Schreiner AUT
Assistant Referee 2: Alexander Borucki AUT
Fourth Official: Walter Altmann AUT
Video Assistant Referee: Alan Kijas AUT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Sokol Jareci ALB
UEFA Delegate: Scott Struthers SCO
21:00 CET - Alkmaar (AZ Stadion)
AZ ALKMAAR (NED) - GALATASARAY (TUR)
Referee: João Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia POR
Fourth Official: João Gonçalves POR
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera ESP
AZ ALKMAAR (NED) - GALATASARAY (TUR)
Referee: João Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia POR
Fourth Official: João Gonçalves POR
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera ESP
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Aleksandra Pejkovska MKD
UEFA Delegate: Aleksandra Pejkovska MKD
21:00 CET - Thessalonki (Stadio Toumba)
PAOK (GRE) - FC FCSB (ROU)
Referee: Lawrence Visser BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Rien Vanyzere BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Thibaud Nijssen BEL
Fourth Official: Simon Bourdeaud'hui BEL
Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bert Put BEL
UEFA Referee Observer:Costas Kapitanis CYP
UEFA Delegate: Gijs De Jong NED
PAOK (GRE) - FC FCSB (ROU)
Referee: Lawrence Visser BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Rien Vanyzere BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Thibaud Nijssen BEL
Fourth Official: Simon Bourdeaud'hui BEL
Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bert Put BEL
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Gijs De Jong NED
21:00 CET - Porto (Estádio do Dragão)
FC PORTO (POR) - AS ROMA (ITA)
Referee: Tobias Stieler GER
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Gittelmann GER
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Borsch GER
Fourth Official: Florian Badstübner GER
Video Assistant Referee: Sören Storks GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Alberto Undiano Mallenco ESP
UEFA Delegate: Patrick Dempsey IRL
FC PORTO (POR) - AS ROMA (ITA)
Referee: Tobias Stieler GER
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Gittelmann GER
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Borsch GER
Fourth Official: Florian Badstübner GER
Video Assistant Referee: Sören Storks GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Alberto Undiano Mallenco ESP
UEFA Delegate: Patrick Dempsey IRL
Chefren,What do you think about the fact that only 2 elite referee appointment made today(Alkmaar-Galatasaray(Pinherio),Porto-Braga(Stieler).Can you say that the committee attaches more importance to these teo matches than the other matches?
ReplyDeleteGreenfeld is still "on the paper" an elite referee :-) BTW, great assignement for Dabanovic, Fenerbache - Anderlecht is a top match like as Porto- Rome; Great attention to Kruhashilii with Kuipers, while I would have swapped Gishamer with Saggi (Peter please don't hate me :-) ), with the Norwegian in Europe League
DeleteThere is Grinfeeld, so three Elite referee, but at moment the Israeli is considered less than other Elite referees. In my opinion indeed there is more focus on AZ - Galatasaray and Porto - Roma, especially the second game with an experienced Elite. This choice was absolutely expected with the Italian team in a potentially hot game. One must say very good path for the German, and at moment it seems very hard to understand about a possible ranking. Nevertheless, Zwayer stays as nr. 1 in my opinion. For Pinheiro in Alkmaar, a definitely better game than the previous one.
DeleteBut before that, maybe one should have mentioned Kruashvili with Kuipers, chances for a promotion? That's very interesting in my opinion. I think that his previous performance in Anderlecht game, despite of possible handball (now he will have German VARs), had been a very good one. Still, looking at the big picture the referee from Georgia should achieve more before thinking about a big step and I think he should have got more games, but the path is OK, and we have only to see how he will officiate in Hungary (a must-see game). The rest, experienced Category 1 with rather normal assignments for them, let's see how far the Austrian can go, it seems in a good moment.
Hi Chefren, the path of the Georgian referee is noteworthy indeed. The development of the Georgian referee towards a certain path is clear. One side note, Cuneyt Cakir is the head of referees in Georgia for some years now. I think he made a good contribution to the development of Georgian referess recently. I have read somewhere that his contract is extended for another 2 years recently.
DeleteIt is incredible to watch the develeopment path for the Georgian referee and while comparing of the downfall of Turkish referees.
Absolutely one must fully agree on that. More than evident development for Georgian refereeing, starting also from testing referees. After Kruashvili, now Kikacheishvili is in a good path as well. Sometimes the presence and the work of a former and very famous international referee, with some links to UEFA committee and their names, can be the starting point. The problem for other countries in my opinion is that there is nobody who can enhance the local refereeing, and potential talents are lost. I don't say that just having focus is enough, but very often I think this is not even done as first step of a process, like it was maybe in Georgia some years ago.
DeleteAnd yes, if we think about Turkey, we must say as first thing that Cakir was very lucky in his long careeer to escape most of troubles of the local association, now extremely evident, and maybe he also understood (but I can't know that for sure, just speculation), that trying to create something abroad for him, would have been easier, than remaining in his own nation.
@MARIO: I just spoke to Roberto on the phone and asked him: "Rosie, why don't you appoint Rohit for the Twente match instead of Sebastian?". He replied: "I'm afraid the Dutch might reject a Norwegian referee against a Norwegian opponent.".
DeleteWhen we look at the appointments for the Europa league and Conference league we can see that only referees who attended the course in Athens are appointed. So, can we conclude that referees like Schnyder or Osmers who didn't attend the course will miss the knockout stage of these two competitions?
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly, but I'm not sure, in recent years, a couple of referees who hadn't attended UEFA course, were assigned only to Conference League but not in Europa League (CL not even to be mentioned, of course). Let's wait now for second legs on next week, if not, then very likely I think that committee will appoint only referees who were in Athens a few days ago (unless replacements and other reasons).
DeleteI even think to remember that in the knockout phase, only referees who had attended the UEFA Advanced Course for Top Referees were used. In my case (Austria), depending on whether Harald Lechner was invited or not, I already knew for many years whether Austria would still be represented in one of the three competitions in spring. If he was invited, he also got a game, although only one in the round of 32 of the Conference League. If not, neither he nor any other Austrian was called again. This year, I already expected Sebastian Gishamer, although rather in the Conference League. The only difference to previous seasons seems to be that the group phase in the new format extends partly into the new year where a few referees who are not invited to the UEFA Advanced Course for Top Referees are appointed (such as "our" Julian Weinberger).
DeleteFinally, Visser with an entirely Belgian team. If you look at the complete list, this is still not for granted for morer countries. But in my opinion, Bert Put still is not UEFA VAR (Van Driessche is). This means, I think, that - if ever again - Visser would whistle a (meaningless) CL game - I know Chefren : you don't believe it :) -, Bert Put would most probably not be designated as assistant VAR, because of lack (at this moment) of UEFA VAR badge ?
ReplyDeleteWhat you are saying is rather correct. When UEFA leaves the option of VAR crew assignment to the domestic federation (like it was in this case for Visser's game), they don't ask for any further requirement. Also the main VAR can be a NO FIFA but of course he must be a rather experienced official for working at that level.
DeleteDifferently in CL, where most of the VAR assignments are directly made by UEFA and they work from Nyon. In that case, they make a more accurate (according to their opinions, of course) selection, and you find either professional VAR or very trusted VAR with the international badge.
Since this year, both Bert Put and Jan Boterberg are the new video referees of Belgium with FIFA Badge.
DeleteThey replace Erik Lambrechts and Lawrence Visser.
I was also surprised that Sebastian Gishamer will be supported by Carlos Del Cerro Grande as AVAR: Austria didn't have a VAR for a long time, but now, in addition to Sebastian Gishamer and Alan Kijas, also Christian-Petru Ciochirca, Harald Lechner, Manuel Schüttengruber and Sara Telek would be available on the international list. My personal conclusion is that by appointing him directly in the Europa League, Sebastian Gishamer shall be given the chance to perhaps be used again in the Conference League in the next round, while Austria's VAR level, with the exception of Kijas', is considered not trustworthy enough for this phase of the tournament at the moment.
DeleteThanks for the info Mathias. What I am wondering : do you get this info from inside, or can we consult it on any website ? Moreover : I have read that Boterberg will be VAR (or at least assistant VAR, I don't know) in Turkish first division match or matches ?
DeleteEarly VAR overturn for Grinfeeld, on-field decision was DFK but the contact was quite clearly inside the box, so PK in the end
ReplyDeleteVery low performance by Dabanovic at first half. I think he missed a penalty for Anderlecht. Muller also confirmed no penalty.
ReplyDeleteAlso second goal for Fener, there is an elbow to face in app.
DeleteNo elbow,hand to the face so supportable call.
Deletehttps://i.imgur.com/4CCyI1H.png
DeleteAre you sure?
24:50 is a clear penalty. CLEAR and 100% VAR intervention.
Deletehttps://x.com/AnderlechtES/status/1890109536620691627
DeleteVideo showing a hand play violation. The center referee doesn't see what is happening 1 meter in front of him. Var doesn't intervene!
OT:
ReplyDeleteCesar Ramos is having himself a not so good performance in Saudi League big match,Al Ahli vs Al Nassr.
He is compesating a lot and his lenihas led to some questionable decisions,as usual it is the case with him.
Ot: According to a reliable source here in Brazil, Seneme (director of Brazil Referees) was fired.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.instagram.com/p/DGBmhv6ySwC/?igsh=MWl0ZTg2dXViZWZ2Mw==
Pretty good Dabanovic tonight with two situations that are at least supportable. But,full control of the game in hot atmosphere,good disciplinary control,top communication, great physical aspect! At the end, satisfied what I saw.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteYour comment is totatly not objective. Movement not good. 24:50 - Clear penalty. Hand in unnatural position, blocking movement and 100% penalty. No call and no intervention. :(
DeleteCorrect penalty by Pinheiro. He is doing so well so far.
ReplyDeleteBusy first half for Stieler, it seems like both teams are playing very physically aggressively. Six yellow cards, all justified except perhaps the one to Salamanca. A word to both captains in added time asking them to help get control.
ReplyDelete62' After an advantage and the ball not going out of play for a while, he warns Roma #4 during live play that he's on a yellow card for the challenge.
DeleteI really like Stieler's work from what I've watched, very proactive to potential flash points and is communicating well with the players. Relatively difficult game and he's done well.
Now a second yellow for Roma number 4. The broadcast completely missed the first yellow so I imagine some are very confused.
DeleteWell done by Stieler
DeleteVisser with an eventful 1st half in PAOK - FCSB:
ReplyDelete2' - missed foul and possible YC for PAOK for foul near the right touchline. AR2 could have helped more there.
8' - PAOK goal correctly disallowed, ball was out the field of play before scoring.
13' - correct YC for PAOK, aggresive sliding tackle with both legs in front.
16' - Aerial foul by PAOK #16 missed, jumping straight in FSCB player.
17' - Foul by PAOK #22 missed near right side corner flag, clear push in back.
32' - 1st YC for Taison for stamp on foot, well spotted by Visser.
34' - PAOK goal disallowed for offside, excellent decision by AR1, the scorer was in front of the ball at the moment of the pass.
42' - Possible foul by PAOK #15 missed, elbow to face. Not the highest intensity but still more clear than the foul received by Club Brugge vs Atalanta.
45'+4 - 2nd YC for Taison for dissent, after not receiving a foul moments before.
Very hot and tense atmosphere made by the Greek fans, who are constantly booing and whistling at every decision going against them. The Greek team is also playing very aggressive, with a special remark for team captain #22 who made 3 or 4 fouls without getting yellow carded.
Now the away team has equalized, so we might expect an even more tense match in 2nd half.
Player management - PAOK captain #22
50', 64' - correct YC's for FCSB, stamp on foot and late sliding tackle
Delete67' - simulation from PAOK #19 trying to get a YC for his opponent, well spotted by Visser not to intervene.
72' - correct YC for FCSB #33, foul stopping a dangerous attack.
75' - soft YC for FCSB #18, dangerous play.
82' - phantom foul on a solo run by PAOK #7 who fell without any contact.
Overall a decent performance by Visser, and RC to Taison the most important decision in this game is fully supportable.
Correct second yellow card by Pinheiro.
ReplyDeleteTaison 2YC (Visser, dissent): https://streamin.me/v/fa981521
ReplyDeleteKaan Ayhan 2YC (Pinheiro, SPA): https://streamin.me/v/2d148c53
A player is always responsible for his actions. But when a referee provoces with a ”get up” gesture and then again after the ball is out of play does a ”stop it” gesture he creates a situation.
DeleteCorrect decisive penalty by Gishamer in minute 93
ReplyDeleteAll in all a good match for Stieler. Maybe a couple of YC could be avoided, correct 2YC. Return match will be for top ref
ReplyDeletePinheiro had an excellent performance today. Congratulations to the Portuguese team!
ReplyDeleteAll KMI's correct, no need for VAR. I think Pinheiro might get another game next week (unless he has a domestic game?). But given it were just Pinheiro and Nobre at the UEFA course, a double appointment to Pinheiro could be an option (perhaps in Paris).
DeleteTurpin at Roma - Porto?
ReplyDeleteI didn't watch the match, but Roma and fans are furious once again against Rosetti.
ReplyDeleteThe refereeing of the Stieler was heavily criticized, even though it didn't seem to have been a match with particular incidents and the second yellow card could be accepted. Criticized for some soft yellow cards in the first half, the general management, the approach to the match, and the relations with Roma players .
From Ranieri, a great sportsman, I've never heard statements like this one, he has always respected the referees.
Roma has the background of Taylor and other past matches in which they claimed refereeing mistakes against them, the fans are now even more angry against Rosetti.
Some statements from Ranieri:
"We asked for a substitution, the assistant referee knew there was a substitution. We played two corners, he knew there was a substitution".
"We played, we came here to win, it was a beautiful match. I speak to Rosetti: everyone knows you are a person of integrity, very honest, how can you send a referee like that to Porto?" ,
"The referee was waiting for something to happen in the penalty area to make them win the match. He referees like that. The referee does his job, he is convinced he did it well. He didn't deserve a greeting in the end. I told the team to go away".
So after Atalanta, another trouble for Rosetti. I don't know, but this is very evident, and I would have said to all people, players, coaches, fans "you are wrong", but when Ranieri says something like that, it's absolutely unexpected. Will try to watch the game today and to understand more but I think this was rather more about the attitude of referee with the Italian players.
Yesterday I wrote “all in all a good match”, and I was a bit surprised with Ranieri’s words, but actually he’s got a point. RC is correct but the general Attitude was very poor from the German, 8 YC for Roma are just too many, especially in a match with low intensity. Porto players accentuated any contact, looking for more YC, adapting to the refereeing style. One must say that with another coach, this match would have become a battle, Ranieri managed to keep players as calm as possible.
DeleteRanieri mentioned an interesting statistic: Stieler had 22 European matches so far - 13 home wins, 9 draws. Not a single away win.
Let’s see how Rosetti will manage Atalanta and Roma matches next week, it’s going to be heated
Letexier is the best choice in Bergamo. He has not officiated Atalanta or Brugges this season either.
DeleteRome it is a difficult choice. I think very few Elites are able to control that, it would be sacrificial. Marciniak is the perfect choice. Having said that, in that case you cannot use the experienced Pole in Madrid/Milan/Eindhoven where there is more at stake (more money). I am curious what Rosetti will decide.
I followed Ranieri's press conference and I'm personally disgusted of what he said and I never expected by a so respectful and intelligent man. The theory that on 19 matches officiated by Stieler, the hosted team never won and in 12 cases the host team won it's simply ridiculous. Is a referee skilled and good only when his palmares is divided into three equal parts: 33% of host winner, 33% of balance and 33 % of external winner.... Or is a referee good and skilled only when he got 100 % of Italian team victories ? What does it mean the statement " a friend told me that Rosetti had appointed Taylor for the Europe League match , so everything is clear..." Rosetti is the committee chairman so his duty is to appoint referees. Come on. I'm italian but I'm so disgusting about this fight again referee world. Since last monday the main italian newspaper "La Gazzetta dello Sport" is only insulting referees and their operating job on bot national and international duties, starting from mistakes done last sunday up to the nasty words for Meler. You can complain on the fact that the referee didn't allow the substitution but you cannot invent un-existing theory. All in all I'm very surprised by the behavior of the Uefa referee committee: it's completely absent, demonstrating a sign of weakness and could arise suspects. It would be appreciable a strong position by Rosetti and his team with clear declaration to the press, recognizing mistakes, when they happened and publicly defending the referees when they are accused without reasons. With the help of the technology and the TV, Rosetti could demonstrated what the referee saw in real time and explain why some decisions, stating, based on fact, when mistake and when not mistake. No leadership by referee committee; if I was an international referee, I would feeling myself completely abandoned (see Taylor-Rome or Makkelie- PSG examples)
Delete+1
DeleteMario, that's a more than great comment.
DeleteI must praise you. Many points on which I fully agree.
At first let me say, I think that our international readers can't understand how the refereeing is "lived" and perceived in Italian football by fans. In my opinion this season we reached a "no return" point. I didn't mention all about Gazzetta, the recent mistakes in serie A and all the issues we had, but it's incredible hat in other countries it looks so different :)
Then, you are absolutely right about the statistics that very often is presented about a referee: how many home-team wins, draws, and away-teams wins. Absolutely withou any meaning. The skills of a referee are not related to "protect" an away-team, or to make them win more games, because both teams in a game must be seen and officiated at the same way. In addition, there can be multiple factors, it's impossible to say that just because a referee had more games with a home-team win in his international career, he is not good for the visitors. But I read this argument many and many times, also from expert journalists, I never found the logic in that. Indeed you know me, in years and years of this blog (and the previous one as well) I never talked about this topic, because I'm absolutely not interested. Only the pitch says if a referee is good or not, not the numbers.
About Ranieri, it's still surprising and I wrote the previous comment, because I could expect something like that by all people, believe me, all people in Italian football, but unless him...
Finally, about the last main argument: fully agree. Committee is not interested in making public defense for referees, but maybe that's because they prefer to have all clubs happy, as we said many times on this blog for a long time, it seems they care more about avoiding a controversy, than making real and public declarations or assessments, that would help people to understand more, especially in terms of protecting referees.
But maybe first of all the right word is "strong" and indeed you used it, they should be "stronger" in protecting referees, making assessments clear, and not allowing people to think about everything.
I agree that the absence of the committee is “dangerous”. It’s not onto about protecting referees, but also about explaining. We usually spend days/weeks/months discussing about an episode and then after 6 months we have RAP where we finally get an explanation. UEFA is too slow to adaptation, an opener approach would benefit every party in the game.
DeleteI agree that this year in Italy the public opinion is soooo frustrated with the AIA, but they are being so inconsistent and mostly only hiding the dust. UEFA should not make the same mistake. Some years ago, after each match there was a report about disputed incidents which clarified many aspects. It stopped after the first crucial mistake - I think it was Kassai - in Madrid.
It’s time to be open to dialogue, it’s time say “sorry, but we make mistakes” and it’s time to speak out against bad behaviors from coaches and players. It’s time to draw a line
I completely agree with you, Marco. The lack of explanation, clarification and communication by referee boards in general is a disgrace.
DeleteBut the root of all this starts on the pitch.
Sometimes, and watching especially Stieler in Bundesliga games, you get the feeling that the ref. gives a sXXt (please excuse my French) of what players and the ticket buying public think of crucial decisions. This is not only a matter of lack of explaning the decision, it is sometimes (again Stieler is an example for that) the attitude of arrogance against his sports colleagues on the pitch.
Stieler - and Turpin, not to stick everything to the German - sometimes behave as if they were the players superior enemy and not a paternal friend who takes care of LotG.
Sometimes I get the feeling, that sportsmanslike behavior (of refs.) is strongly underestimated in assessing the refereees performance on an international level. You could not explain Stieler's international career otherwise.
i’m really surprised by what Ranieri said in the interview with the journalists. Generally, he’s a very balanced and polite person. This revelation of statistics about Home and Away games refereed by Stieler is absolutely irrelevant, and let me say a bit pathetic.No really big mistakes made by Stieler in IMO and friendliness with players is very discretionary, you do not judge a referee from that.
DeleteI think we will have Kovacs in Bergamo. He might have the right attitude to avoid any problem on the pitch and he refereed Atalanta in last year EL final (easy game, well managed btw).
ReplyDeleteAnd of course I expect Van Boekel to be out of UCL for this season so far
Why Van Boekel out for season? Do you think he should have intervened?
DeleteOf course he should. That's a clear and obvious mistake and he did not save his colleague who will now be off for the remaining matches. If VAR should not intervene for such a clear simulation than anyone could be VAR at this level, just to check offsides with the semi-authomatic system
DeleteI think you shouldn't be a FAN here.
DeleteIf you would be VAR wouldn't you save your colleague there? Me yes!
DeleteI think both Stieler and Van Boekel are gone for the CL, too big mistake to give a PK like that in Brugge-Atalanta. Too big discrepancy between light touch on the face of the attacker and the dramatic collapse which followed. Clear and obvious error.
DeleteSomething else that caught my attention are the appointments of Rob Dieperink (VAR of Makkelie) after the Benfica-Barcelona game. Dieperink has been AVAR three times. Analysing carefully, I noticed that Dieperink was AVAR to Jérôme Brisard twice, who is the best VAR in Europe imo. “Learning from the best” is not your everyday punishment.
ReplyDeleteI commented before that Gozubuyuk will get a game, however given the fact that Makkelie is out this weekend and Lindhout works tonight (usually his 4th official), a game on Tuesday or Wednesday is definitely possible for them.
Some clips from Stieler game, I tried to focus on the key point.
ReplyDelete20' YC for reckless
https://streamable.com/4gr28z
Very clear one and mandatory. One could discuss even about more, but OK to stay with yellow.
34' YC for reckless
https://streamable.com/4y120z
This one was criticized, to me a classic situation in which booking or not depends on referee's approach. And indeed Stieler started with a very harsh approach. Low tackle targeted on the ball, but you can say dangerous for the opponent. Could have easily whistled foul without card.
45'+2 YC, management
https://streamable.com/40sgq0
Long sequence, must be watched. Possible second YC for Roma player who had been booked before must be mentioned (reckless arm), then in my opinion referee was rather too passive not preventing what was about to happen. Roma criticized the YC to their player, saying that it was a very easy one. I think the German decided to solve in this way the confrontation according to UEFA guidelines and indeed he can't be questioned for that. Maybe a different management would have prevented the late cards.
72' Second YC for holding, SPA
https://streamable.com/3xyqkh
As it was reported above by Smala, the broadcaster missed the first YC to the player minutes earlier, so no video.
A fully correct decision here.
The point seems to be definitely about the approach, the Italian team would have liked a different officiating with a referee more inclined to give warnings and communicate with players, than the contrary (early cards). I think the German prepared the game in this way, knowing it was hot. In my opinion it wasn't a poor performance, but a classic game in which the referee was too much visible. This isn't a fault in some cases, but maybe the German could have managed some moments differently. Let's see how Rosetti will work for second legs. And, after having known the appoinment, the style that the return game referee will use for the match in Rome.
Dear Chefren,
Deletefirst of all THANK YOU for providing the crucial sequences to us here!
I, too, have the feeling, that Stielers approach to the game was simply wrong. As I've written above, Stieler (and others) sometimes behave right from the start as if they were the players' enemy. And yesterday's game is what you get for an approach like this.
It goes without saying the this does not excuse Ranieri's and others' mentions after the game.
Sometimes refereeing is like in real life: If you behave like a foreman in a slaughterhouse, your work is bloody.
I would be generally happy with Stielers performance. He could have chosen another approach, true, but it is also in the player's responsibility to understand the style of refereeing and to behave sccordingly.
DeleteTecnically, I only critzise the YC to the aroma player in 45+2.In my eyes, only the Porto player shows unsporting behaviour.
I'm surprised you think 34' is a harsh yellow, to me that one is very clear.
DeleteRegardless, it's easy to sit here after the fact knowing the game ended with many yellow cards and try to look back and find which ones we can eliminate; Stieler does not have a crystal ball on the field. If he opted to round down on a borderline yellow card in the first half, we might have wound up sitting here talking about how he missed his opportunity to control the game and it turned into a bloodbath.
The only mistake in the disciplinary department is the yellow to the Roma player at 45'+2', IMO. Only the Porto player was guilty there.
I'm surprised to see some people above describing the performance as "arrogant" or lacking in communication—did they watch the same game? Stieler communicated with both teams frequently (for example, the captains' discussion at 45'+2'), he gave them every opportunity to understand the disciplinary standard, but the teams mostly decided not to change their approach. It's ludicrous to hear Ranieri complaining about the referee when his player Cristante picks up a dumb second yellow despite having every opportunity to know what would happen.
News are saying that the Galatsaray-Fenerbahce on Monday 24th will be refereed by a foreign referee .. When was the last time it happened? and any prediction for which referee will take it?
ReplyDeleteIn an interview with Ekol TV, TFF Board Member Ural Aküzüm confirmed that a Turkish referee will officiate the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby.
DeleteSource : https://fenerbahcefootball.com/2025/02/13/tff-confirms-no-foreign-referee-for-galatasaray-fenerbahce-derby/
This situation has never happened before. The only similar case was during a friendly match in Germany, where the German referee abandoned the game due to the behavior of the fans.
ReplyDeleteLast season, the VAR official was Fabio Maresca.
Although it's not confirmed yet, there is a possibility. Yesterday, a representative from the football federation stated that only Turkish referees would be on the field this season. However, I’m skeptical about such announcements in Turkey because the federation's president previously claimed that no foreign VAR officials would be used—yet here we are.
In my opinion, Marciniak is the only referee capable of handling this game.
Just to make you understand how it works in Italy, La Gazzetta dello Sport, the most important Italian newspaper, today has published this article: https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Roma/storie/14-02-2025/roma-rosetti-dalle-corna-di-cassano-agli-sfoghi-di-totti-sensi-e-de-rossi/mexes-e-lo-scambio-di-persona.shtml
ReplyDeleteAbout Rosetti and his "long story" with AS Roma, starting from when he was still active referee. Incredible how "journalists" are able to collect everything in order to write such "dossier"... but it's shocking because this can only contribute to make fans even more angry against him. One should strongly condemn that, but surely I don't know how long the former Italian international referee will continue to bear this stuff without saying anything.
OT:
ReplyDeleteDecisive game in Bundesliga title race:
Second vs First clash this Saturday (18:30 CET):
Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern München:
Daniel Siebert
Jan Seidel
Rafael Foltyn
Christian Dingert
Benjamin Cortus
Thorben Siewer
IMO deserved appointment for Siebert who has had a good Bundesliga season so far (except Dortmund - Stuttgart last weekend where he lost control). Good luck to him!
Here the VAR clip published by TFF about the famous penalty incident in Galatasaray game.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS2r18p0u8o
Just a "silent" work by Danish VAR Sundberg.
He confirms the penalty and then he checks APP without adding a single comment about.
I can understand that this can maybe happen when a VAR is called abroad for a foreign game (different language) but it's strange he didn't say any single thing about what he was analyzing.
The problem here, he never thought about simulation. He saw the contact and went for checking APP.
DeletePS: In Turkey every OFR is published by TFF. That is also another reason that referees are more careful while they are talking.
In Italy several VAR clips are published every week exactly because it is necessary to hear the VAR's evaluation on a single incident, and in all cases they always talk, even between VAR and AVAR for an exchange of ideas, they certainly can't remain silent. It makes no sense that the VAR themselves don't talk because they then know they are published.
DeleteHowever, the Danish VAR should have been surprised when he looked at simulation, this way of acting seems really strange to me.
There is a very high pressure on referees in Turkey, that's why i can be a little understanding. Just an example, fans found Sundberg's contact details and started to text messages to him.
DeleteAnd also after foreign VARs started coming, Turkish AVARs are there just to help foreign referees with translation unfortunately.
Also my comment about publishing this VAR record. This is very risky for TFF. Because now every club will ask to publish records about all incidents they think VAR didn't intervene.
There was an offside incident in another game Kayserispor - Konyaspor. SAOT didn't work because players were too close each other and VAR used virtual lines. They even asked VAR records about that incident also. TFF published a statement about incident.
What do you think about the red card shown to Jude Bellingham and the penalty won by Osasuna in the Osasuna - Real Madrid match?
ReplyDeleteI did not see the penalty. About Bellingham‘s RC: We can‘t know what was saif exactly but to me me it is so refreshing to see Bellingham punished once for his regular disgusting behaviour towards the officials (maybe some of you have seen the video shortly where he screams „fuck you mate“‘ towards the linesman). Of course we cannot retaliate as referees, so without knowing what he said we cannot deem the decision as right or wrong but I am somehow still pleased with this RC. Having said that, I fully trust a FIfA referee for having heard an insult that warrants a sending off when he does so (regardless of the player).
DeletePenalty is late tackle and step on foot. Correct
DeleteRed Card, we never know what he said but referee looked very confident.
@Jonas
DeleteWell it is refreshing.
It would be more refreshing if all refs had no tolerance like Munuera and that they would punish everyone the same.
Of course,not all refs are the same but if we are seeing examples in Germany and England where players ad behaviour is punished severely,than we can see that in Spain constantly.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGGkyTyIb_C/?igsh=eGcycW5oYXd4Yzlp
DeleteWhat's worrying is that in plenty big Europe's top leagues we rarely have a league where referees are not in centre stage.
ReplyDeleteNot just leagues,but Uefa competitions.
Italy,every round there is something,different criterium,ref is favoring this and that team and so on.
England,two of most trusted refs,Oliver and Taylor are for sure England's non trusted refs right now.
Spain,every round some team is getting favourable calls or calls against them,Barca claims they are the victim,Real claim they are and Atletico who also sees some bad refereeing decisions.
Portugal also,top 3 teams constantly protesting.
Turkey we have Galata and Fenerc,circus guaranteed.
Greece,foreign refs,enough said.
Maybe 2 leagues that are bot mentioning refs right now are France and Germany..Maybe Germany sometimes,but not like before.
Maybe there play the factor that teams that are having huge lead are likely to be champions.
But we can all agree that plenty leagues have poor officiating and that has to improve,otherwise instead of watching the game,we will focus on ref cause he will and sometimes is the center stage of the match.
You made an analysis with the final "eyes" of a fan for the conclusions you reach (favorite teams by referees and others not), but you start from correct refereeing bases. The situation in many of the nations you have mentioned is the one you report. It is no coincidence that in my opinion France now with two referees like Turpin and Letexier is at the top of the European refereeing at the moment, with a crisis in other countries for various reasons. In my opinion not so much in Germany, which however has always remained stable at a certain level, but never at levels of excellence (also for how they understand football). In all other big football countries, there are problems for different reasons, as you said.
DeleteIt's incredible to notice how much difference there is when a famous player get a straight red card for insults, comparedto those whio regularly receive red cards for same reason but don't have the same fame. Then they talk about it as if it were something special. If refereeing today has reached a certain low level overall, it's also for this reason. Nothing is accepted anymore. But it doesn't apply to everyone. I'm not talking about exclusive refereeing decisions but about the public's perception. Ancelotti laughing in the same match on the occasion of the penalty is another image that mocks the entire refereeing world, with a team that regularly dominates every match and wins everything, what's the point of putting that behavior into practice? Then the ongoing discussion about "fuck you" and "fuck off" with Munuera who would have mistakenly understood the first thing said, makes me laugh. We end up examining everything to get a ban removed, football is not the same for everyone, I'm sorry to say, it's not the refereeing component, but this is now totally subordinate to other powers that have taken over it nowadays. And we can't go back.
ReplyDeleteI mean, LaLiga referees are notorious for antagonizing players, saying "Take this [Toma!]" when showing yellow cards aggresively, etc. But in any case, this match went out of hand long before the RC incident, but no one here is taking about the merits (or lack thereof) of the penalty shouts in the first half or even the penalty that was given after OFR. Also, I don't think we have to just accept everything a referee does, they are not above reproach, though obviously people often go overboard.
DeleteI think one of the biggest reason is social media. There are many troll fans and they are spreading these behaviours against referees for their teams so fast. And also footgallers, coaches and professionals of clubs also help this to protect their support (!).
ReplyDeleteIn Italy, the referee were always critized... even the best (interbational) one and after they are all praised for the excellent carreer : Pairetto, Baldas, Collina, Braschi, Farina, Ceccarini, Rosetti, Rizzoli, Rocchi, Orsato... and older
ReplyDeleteThat is the same for Turkey. But in the past the criticize was only on tv and on newspaper. And there were not more than 10-20 sports writers. Now because of especially twitter there are millions of sports writers(!). And they think they can say anything about referees and they think it is freedom of speech.
DeleteEredivisie:
ReplyDeleteNAC-Feyenoord
Referee Dennis Higler blew the whistle for a penalty after a Feyenoord player made contact with an NAC player, but after VAR-check he went to look at the footage, reversed his decision and ruled there was no foul. Restarted with a dropped ball to Feyenoord.
https://x.com/ESPNnl/status/1890870122308420047
After the match he stood in front of the cameras!:
"You see me initially whistle for a penalty because I saw contact at the feet. That foul turns out to be outside, but from the contact between me and the VAR it appears that he indicates that he cannot find a footage in which it is a clear foul,"
"Then I myself said: 'If you do not have a clear footage, I want to look at the situation myself.' The current protocols give me the opportunity to go to the screen and see for myself whether it is a foul or not."
"The VAR calls me in case of a clear error, but if I then get the feeling that I want to review a situation myself, I always have the option to go to the screen myself, and that is ultimately what happened. I withdrew the foul and gave a dropped ball. After seeing the footage, I would never blow the whistle for this, not even if it happened in midfield, for example."
People have suggested there may have been a second contact inside the penalty area, but honestly I don't know. If the contact had been outside the penalty area, there would normally have been a simpler option, so why wouldn't Higler have wanted to take that option?
I agree with his stance that there should be no penalty for minimal contact. But I don't know if what he's saying is really true. The VAR protocol just says that if the referee misses something, he can himself decide to go and look at the footage. The most important rule should be that the original decision cannot be corrected unless it clears error.
And in any case, if the contact was outside the penalty area, why was the ball dropped to Feyenoord and not NAC?
By the way, Higler also did this in 2019. He doubted whether the ball was stationary on the restart, so he decided himself to go watch the footage and cancel the goal. At the time the KNVB commented that this was permitted.
https://youtu.be/CghBrsw6tfw?t=458