The referees in charge of 2024-25 UEFA Europa Leage Quarterfinals, second legs.
Thursday 17 April 2025
21:00 CET - Rome (Stadio Olimpico)SS LAZIO (ITA) [0-2] FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR)
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager GER
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Karen Nalbandyan ARM
UEFA Delegate: Quanyş Qanapiianov KAZ
21:00 CET - Frankfurt am Main (Deutsche Bank Park)
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT (GER) [1-1] TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC (ENG)
Referee: Davide Massa ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Stefano Alassio ITA
Fourth Official: Fabio Maresca ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Chiffi ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Darko Čeferin SVN
UEFA Delegate: Artur Azaryan ARM
21:00 CET - Manchester (Old Trafford)
MANCHESTER UNITED FC (ENG) [2-2] OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS (FRA)
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Stéphane De Almeida SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Jonas Erni SUI
Fourth Official: Lionel Tschudi SUI
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Juan Antonio Fernández Marín ESP
UEFA Delegate: Balázs Makray HUN
21:00 CET - Bilbao (Estadio de San Mamés)
ATHLETIC CLUB (ESP) [0-0] RANGERS FC (SCO)
Referee: Irfan Peljto BIH
Assistant Referee 1: Senad Ibrišimbegović BIH
Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo BIH
Fourth Official: Miloš Gigović BIH
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Clay Ruperti NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Howard Webb ENG
UEFA Delegate: Andrey Medintsev BUL
The QF appointments scream “compensation” for missing the CWC squad.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t expect Massa tbh. If the PSG incident was assessed as DOGSO by UEFA, why is Massa not out (like Makkelie)?
So, neither Gil Manzano nor Makkelie, I don't understand anything. In my opinion, Gil Manzano was better than Sanchez Martinez in his previous match. And Makkelie's situation is a mystery to me. On the other hand, Massa is having a great match, so he hasn't been rejected by Velasco, as it seemed...
ReplyDeleteMakkelie have the dutch cup finale sunday, maybe thats why he have no match.
DeleteAfter this set, one should only give up trying to understand appointments... and the arguments about Mariani swiched with another referee now can't be valid anymore, as, among others, Massa was appointed again (but also other referees who had already a first leg of quarterfinals). Looks like just making random choices, honestly...
ReplyDeleteWhen appointments are so random and political (keep the bigger FAs happy), I wonder what we can expect in the semi’s and finals.
DeleteIt’s unpredictable. Last season, the UEFA finals were already allocated prior to the semi-finals. This season it can be different, due to the English, German, Spanish teams involved. And PSG.
Yes, it is impossible to make predictions and above all, the situation seems very fluid with absolutely nothing already decided, if compared to how it could have been in previous seasons.
DeleteFor me Rangers should have a penalty. Pulling offence, would be a red card too
ReplyDeleteMissed penalty and then a yc for Dessers... Peltjo could have shown a bit more feeling here
DeleteClear DOGSO offence
ReplyDeleteNow having had his shirt ripped Rangers 9 is cautioned for entering the field of play without permission
ReplyDeleteYes, clear penalty in favor of Rangers and red for Bilbao player.
ReplyDeleteIts more shocking from VAR than Peljto, I can uderstand Peljto missing it
ReplyDeleteIn fairness to Peljto it looked like nothing in real time and I would guess that VAR assessed the pull as fleeting and not significant enough.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the player has had his shirt pulled off, a definite penalty and RC
Agreed
DeleteI'm sorry, but I just don't enough in that pull to justify a penalty. The fact that the shirt was ripped tells me more about the quality of the kit than it does about the pull tbh. Had it not been ripped open, this wouldn't even be a discussion, because the pull is purely fleeting and really not impactful at all
ReplyDeleteWell, honestly after watching this video.. I can only think that the quality of Rangers shirt is etremely low! Absolutely soft holding for me, correct by VAR to stay silent, only Peljto should have whistled it, but the idea is that the shirt was broken due to contrary and quick movement of the player than a real holding, honestly..
ReplyDeleteand yes, I think impossible for Peljto to detect that live, in case
https://streambug.org/cv/17f351
Shocking comment to question the quality of the shirt. @chefren you are usually a very impartial honest reviewer but in any context that should be a clear penalty and red card, for me it’s not even debatable
DeleteCorrect penalty after OFR awarded by Massa. Foul by the goal keeper, but Massa definitely should have seen that by him self. Minute 39
ReplyDeleteMy problem is why is that not a red card to the goalkeeper for SFP as well? Very, very forceful kneeing to the ribs of the opponent, while also contact to the opponent's head. Absolutely a red card if you ask me.
DeleteHere a short video of the OFR:
Deletehttps://streamin.me/v/lu7p6w3b
As remark I think it's interesting to say that very often keepers are not seen for some reasons like the other defenders when they are late and they hit only opponent, charging him, not playing ball. I don't know why, but this was what happened to Massa here, indeed he was also a bit reluctant during OFR...
Correct call by Di Paolo.
Lyon players wanting a foul before Dalot scored. Would have been really soft so VAR correct not to get involved.
ReplyDeleteBad first half for Siebert, with three YCs not given to #11, #15 and #4 Bodo; wrong YC for #9 (the foul was committed by another player). Corrected instead the YC to #6 Lazio
ReplyDeleteI saw the situation when Bodo player stepped on opponent at the beginning of first half, this was to me very unlucky circumstance, Lazio player with the tackle putting himself below the opponent, no more than YC indeed and YC can be even harsh for some reasons... but totally missed by Siebert (correct by VAR to stay silent).
DeleteGreat 1st half for Peljto.
ReplyDeleteVery good managment by Peljto in the first 45 minutes. Hopefully he can continue in this way.
DeleteCorrect PK by Peljto in Bilbao, careless trip.
ReplyDeleteCorrect penalty by Peljto, but attacker putting himself ahead of defender, yes, it's easy to get a penalty in this way...
ReplyDeleteI hate these penalties, but correct calls by book.
https://streamin.me/v/797f6ff0
Chefren, I often see you "defending" the defenders when it comes to such situations, I wonder why is that? As a referee, one should always wonder if the defender acted careless, not if the striker could've done something different
DeleteHere I think, one could actually see it as tripping by the attacker, who is not in possession of the ball (or plays it) before the contact. So what is the argument against that?
DeleteSituations, where the attacker is in possession or plays the ball first, are different - then it's mostly a penalty, even if the attacker creates the contact. But here...?
I hate these too. Attacker has one purpose and I don’t see what the defender is doing wrong there. Normal running motion, I mean, he has to land his feet somewhere. Not a clear-cut foul.
DeleteAgreed. One could argue that the attacker is invading the space of the defender by moving in front. However, I agree with Chefren, unfortunately still a correct call by the laws.
DeleteMax, the comment you can read above can give you the answer.
DeleteI hate such situations because in this particular case, the Rangers defender is just running, can he expect that atacker will put leg there? No? So in other words, what should he do? Can we say he was careless in his action? He should have only stopped to allow attacker to arrive before on the ball, to avoid this penalty, do you find this fair?
Of course, that's only my point of view, but this penalty is accepted by all.
Sorry, there was nothing to be whistled for, but if, a huge if, the ref is going to make a call, it should have been against Athletic's no. 21 (Sannadi), who went into the path of Rangers's no. 5 (Souttar), and not vice versa.
DeleteFor me penalties like these are blatantly wrong. What is the careless action by the defender in this situation? Accepting these calls as correct is killing for football.
DeleteThen compare this to the (too?) slight, but deliberate holding offence not sanctioned and one can easily be left with a nasty taste….
@Chefren I actually get it in this case, I just noticed it a few times in the past, that's why
DeleteFully correct pk, well spotted by Peljto.
DeleteThese are never penalties. See it all the time. Attacker is the one tripping the defender and deceives the referee.
DeleteAnother YC not given by Siebert (48'): he seems to have prepared the game by choosing never to draw cards, even at the cost of rewriting the rules. Also, many fouls on corner kicks whistled in favor of defense to avoid problems: fearful Siebert. Meanwhile, two penalties claimed by Lazio (for possible handball and possible foul), which as usual protests a lot: Siebert correctly didn't whistle
ReplyDeleteMany fake injuries, simulations, and wasted time on the part of Bodo, which were made possible by the fact that Siebert from the beginning of the game was tolerant and characterless. At the moment, however, no crucial mistakes
DeleteStrange but correct handball given that led to the Lyon goal. United player kicked ball at teammates arms who were in the air.
ReplyDeleteCorrect second yellow (SPA tripping) from Scharer
ReplyDeleteI didn't see any contact
DeleteCome on come on. No contact here and clearly MU is tripping himself ! What a Big mistake by swiss ref. Are VAR sleeping here ? Disaster !
Delete2yc for Lyon player when there was no touch at all. In these moments you regret that there is no VAR for 2ycs
ReplyDeleteThere was a clear touch, one of the camera angles made it clear that he tripped the opponent's foot into that opponent's opposite leg, clear tripping offense and correct second yellow.
DeleteThe Lyon player didn't complain at all
DeleteNo intention here at all. And after MU tripped himself to fall. Never a YC here for that micro-contact. Never.
DeleteUnlucky touch. Supportable 2YC, it was a promising attack.
DeleteLyon player didn't exactly complain. Looked a clear yellow watching it live so can't blame Scharer that much.
DeleteNot clear enough for review but I have a penalty against the Frankfurt goalkeeper (again...) at 90'+1', but it'll never be given by VAR.
ReplyDeletePoor management by Massa in this sequence, as he let Frankfurt continue attacking while their own Goalkeeper was down injured, and then stopped play once Tottenham got the ball. The fairer thing to do would have been to stop immediately. Once you let Frankfurt attack, you kind of have to give Tottenham the reciprocal opportunity too.
Another strange management by Massa, really hard challenge (borderline red perhaps, maybe in another time or place...), and initially allows a Frankfurt advantage before pulling it back for the free kick no less than 10 seconds after the foul. Really strange.
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry to have to write something like this, but such poor management as in this scene shouldn’t happen at this level. It would have been better to blow the whistle right away, but if he decides to play the advantage like he did here, he can’t just go back and give the foul 10 seconds later. When this happens to referees at the grasroots level, we tell them it shouldn’t happen – but from a top Italian referee at this level?
DeleteIndeed, he correctly went back to give the YC after the advantage but it was far too late to give the FK too, kind of messy.
DeleteMore incidents from Massa Game if some is interested:
Delete2 Play on in possible SPA scenario
38 Penalty + yc to FRA#40 given after OFR
45 Management of conflict
45+7 Management of conflict right in front of bench, yc to TOT#22, RC to someone on Frankfurt bench
57 correct yc reckless tackle to FRA#13
70 PAI careless kick?
78 correct yc reckless tackle TOT#30
90+1 Bad management of goal keeper injury
90+5 yc to FRA#3 for UB
90+7 correct yc very reckless tackle to TOT#17, bad management regarding possible advantage
A pretty challenging game for Massa, especially during the additional time of both half’s. Disciplinary wise, a very strong performance but he somehow lost his mind in the last minutes with very poor management. Also, one decisive error in initially not awarding a clear penalty (thankfully overturned after OFR). I don’t think Čeferin will be satisfied…
Why Mr.Scharer is doing a toss for extra time ? I thought it was only at thé beginning of thé match and for penalty shootout.
ReplyDeleteYou thought wrong.
DeleteYou don't need to be arrogant like that. Relax.
DeleteIf anybody should calm down and mot be arrogant it’s you. You asked why he did it and that you thought it doesn’t apply. I said you thought wrong. Meaning that the referee was right. So calm down and appreciate that you learned a new thing.
DeleteOk
DeleteAll German teams eliminated. My general idea is that Zwayer will get a final, the question is which one.
ReplyDeleteIf my senses are right, the German will skip the semi-final entirely.
The English officials are unlucky, English teams still everywhere. The main question is: will one English crew (Oliver?) be preserved, waiting for the final pairings……
And Lyon out creates the possibility to assign Letexier to one of the smaller finals; UECL or UEL.
DeleteCorrect penalty given by Scharer
ReplyDeleteGood penalty call by Scharer
ReplyDeleteIncredible game at Old Trafford
ReplyDeleteEarly prediction
ReplyDeleteTottenham - Bodo: Kovacs / Letexier
Bilbao - ManUnited: Siebert / Mariani
Final: Schärer (or Zwayer or Eskas)
I personally believe Zwayer is more or less already booked for the final with these results tonight
DeleteWith everything ready for the semifinals, I’d say:
ReplyDeleteUCL
Arsenal-PSG: Nyberg SWE
PSG-Arsenal Vincic SVN
Barcelona-Inter: Turpin FRA
Inter-Barcelona: Marciniak POL
Final: Oliver with PSG or Kovacs with Arsenal
UEL
Tottenham-Bodo: Sánchez ESP
Bodo-Tottenham: Schärer SUI
Athletic-Man United: Makkelie NED
Man United-Athletic: Mariani ITA
Final: Zwayer GER
UECL
Betis-Fiorentina: Siebert GER
Fiorentina-Betis: Eskås NOR
Djurgardens-Chelsea: Pinheiro POR
Chelsea-Djurgardens: Kovacs ROU
Final: Letexier FRA
Regarding the final in Munich, I really hope that PSG advances and as a result Oliver as referee. As I read a comment, the 3 European finals for Kovacs in 3 years would be a lot for him, but NOT undeserved if you ask me. He still has a long way to go to get that UCL final, maybe in about 2 years... But the lack of options in case Arsenal advances makes me think that he should not be ruled out. We'll see…
DeleteZwayer and Letexier for the other 2 finals seems logical.
We'll see what Refcom decides to finish one of the worst seasons in terms of designations I've seen.
This is my idea, too.
DeleteAnd in the Nations League finals, I’d predict a referee who missed the CWC Squad. For example Mariani or Peljto.
Agree. Let's also remember the Super Cup, the consolation prize of the season, we'll see who takes it ;).
DeleteActually, I hope that Makkelie can “recover” with a very good performance in the Dutch cup final and for example a semi-final UEL. Just in case Arsenal does qualify for the final, he could be another option.
DeleteIt would be FairPlay to the Dutch imo, as none of the referees really stands out at the moment. Kovacs, Zwayer, Letexier…. They all had plenty of OFRs this season. Oliver domestically as well.
Yes, but let's see, I also hope that Makkelie returns and I think the treatment he has had is an injustice, and I am sure that most, if not all, we agree. But this comes from Croatia-Italy in the EURO, unfortunately there is something there that we do not know that affects him and even if he gives a masterclass in his next games, I think that the maximum is a SF, no more.
DeleteUntil a "cleaning" is done in those offices, things will not change, unfortunately.
So let's not be surprised if Mariani makes a final this year, or even Vincic repeats the Champions League final ;)
Yes, I have the same feeling, because Makkelie is never really “backed” when he performs below par. Unlike others.
DeleteOne of Peljto/Mariani in the Nations League finals. And the other one consolidated with the Supercup….. A Spanish is another option in the Supercup, if no Spanish teams are in it.
Exactly. And yes, for the super cup there are many options but we have to wait. I agree that Peljto and Mariani seem to be the most viable options for a Nations final. I don't rule out Schärer or, why not, Oliver.
DeleteI also hope that the CWC is a new beginning for Makkelie, I wish him the best.
Now I also remember, another topic would be the work of Kuipers. It seems that if he didn't care or didn't have the "power" to give Makkelie a little push. To be honest when Kuipers joined the committee I already saw Makkelie with several finals in his pocket, but it's not like that…I expected more support from who for me, has been the best referee my eyes have seen.
DeleteThank to Jojo for reporting the incidents in Massa game, here the clips.
ReplyDelete2' Play on in possible SPA scenario
https://streambug.org/cv/c55f56
https://streambug.org/cv/afbfa7
Not convincing replay, possible foul, but surely no more than SPA so correct by VAR to stay silent.
38 Penalty + YC to FRA#40 given after OFR
https://streambug.org/cv/9e6f5b
https://streambug.org/cv/b7f0c5
Discussed above. Correct call by VAR, Massa unaware of the action by keeper.
45' Management of conflict
https://streambug.org/cv/a20231
45'+7 Management of conflict right in front of bench, yc to TOT#22, RC to someone on Frankfurt bench
https://streambug.org/cv/b68079
57 correct yc reckless tackle to FRA#13
https://streambug.org/cv/10fe22
70 PAI careless kick?
https://streambug.org/cv/3872ff
I think correct decision, as first argument I would say that it was attacker putting leg there, but after that, honestly it's hard to say there was a contact. Can't spot a clear one. Maybe only to be supported if whistled but by far more controversial decision in that case.
78 correct yc reckless tackle TOT#30
https://streambug.org/cv/791fec
Mandatory booking but no more than YC.
90+1 Bad management of goal keeper injury
https://streambug.org/cv/834b12
Really hard to understand why he didn't stop game before and then he did that after a few time. Again, no focus on keepers, after the missed penalty, he didn't realize that keeper was injured this time...
90+5 yc to FRA#3 for UB
https://streambug.org/cv/6fee59
Very clear YC, but in some cases in this game it seems players felt allowed to do too much, despite of referee's presence close to them..
90+7 correct yc very reckless tackle to TOT#17, bad management regarding possible advantage
https://streambug.org/cv/dec5ab
Well, we could say an extreme application of delayed whistle :) but it wasn't.. I think Massa missed the nature of the foul, because otherwise you can't explain and then the YC was reported by either FO or AR1. So, having Massa missed it before, he returned back, without confirming a possible advantage, because he hadn't seen it. All in all, quite poor because it would be too easy to officiate in this way :)
Looks like the Italian referee felt too much pressure in this game. Basically I can agree there was good decisions like the clear yellow cards and the penalty area incident in which he played on. But given that decisive goal was scored thank to a missed penalty by referee, awarded after OFR, and the other troubles in management he faced, with an attitude by players to be very nervous (strange in a German - English tie, but still possible..), I think this performance was not definitely at an expected level. I think Massa was not calm for some reasons and he really experienced the game being too much tense.
I see that Schaerer had very challenging extra times.
ReplyDelete109'
Correct penalty
https://streamin.me/v/9s7tkx9d
112'
Penalty after OFR, agree with VAR call, late challenge by Lyon player
https://streamin.me/v/nh32ykcd
116'
Penalty area incident
https://streamin.me/v/f6d37eca
Correct by VAR to stay silent, rather mutual action, maybe more by defender, but to be whistled only by referee. There was sometihng made by attacker as well...
116 is absolutely a penalty. Clearly gets pulled in the shirt.
DeleteThe discussed missed YC in Lazio - Bodø
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/5e2e0d
Serdar Gözübüyük (Manschot, Kooij), Ivan Kružliak (Očenáš) and Szymon Marciniak (Kwiatkowski) in Saudi Arabia this week.
ReplyDeleteRight, predicting UEFA finals has never been so complicated. Based on performance level, no one really stands out at the moment. I believe all final candidates have had an off day. We’ve seen plenty of OFRs. Two OFRs in one game has been no exception.
ReplyDeleteThen you know that there will be a political component. Including compensating referees who missed CWC Squad.
- Is 43 y.o. Zwayer trusted enough to officiate the UCL final in his own country?
- Can Kovács officiate a sensitive final between PSG and Barcelona? And should Kovács get 3 UEFA finals in 4 years?
- Are the English VARs trusted enough to be assigned to the Champions League final? Please, no Pol Van Boekel as VAR.
- Should Letexier get a final this season after his rather unexpected success at EURO '24?
- Is Anthony Taylor 'hidden' or is there more behind this? Reminds me of Soares Dias last season. After all, Taylor has been added to the CWC squad, so he is still trusted.
- And what’s going on with Makkelie after 5 UCL games? Instantly sidelined after an off-day, while non-decision makers like Massa and Obrenovic can keep making appearances after poor performances?
- Zwayer was trusted with an EURO SF and didn't disappoint this season, so there can't be a clear no regarding trust. However it would make more sense to give him a CL SF and/or EL final first, I think. He still has more seasons to get the CL final. And the location doesn't really matter, if we look at previous CL final referees.
Delete- 3 finals in 4 years shouldn't be a problem for Kovacs. PSG-Barcelona (or maybe even Barca itself) however could be a problem.
- I rather don't think, there would be an English VAR even with Oliver/Taylor in the CL final. Neither Gillett nor Salisbury seem experienced enough. But this isn't really a problem. One could use Higler or one of the Germans in that role. BTW, the same counts for a Kovacs final - I don't expect Popa there.
- Letexier deserves one more game this season, I think. Could be a final, but doesn't neccessarily have to be.
- Taylor didn't really have games in the QF other the two he did, and this continues in the SFs given he apparently can't do English, German and Italian teams. But in previous rounds, CL would have been possible. I think, he won't get anything this season - and it could very well be a deliberate punishment after the EURO QF. Maybe he can achieve something at the CWC though.
- A big appointment for Makkelie in the remaining games would be hard to justify due to his lack of games, I think. Would be interesting to know the reason, why he didn't get any QF, while several referees worked twice. Also here: The CWC could be an opportunity for a successful end of the season.
My anticipated nominations:
ReplyDeleteLM:
Arsenal - PSG: Daniel Siebert GER
PSG - Arsenal: Sandro Schärer SUI
Barcelona - Inter: Irfan Peljto BIH
Inter - Barcelona: François Letexier FRA
Final: Istvan Kovacs ROU
LE:
Tottenham - Bodo/Glimt: Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez ESP
Bodo/Glimt - Tottenham: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Bilbao - Manchester United: Szymon Marciniak POL
Manchester United - Bilbao: Clément Turpin FRA
Final: Felix Zwayer GER
LK:
Betis - Fiorentina: Davide Massa ITA
Fiorentina - Betis: Joao Pedro Silva Pinheiro POR
Djurgarden - Chelsea: Ivan Kružliak SVN
Chelsea - Djurgarden: Espen Eskas NOR
Final: Danny Makkelie NED
For Makkelie I don't think a Conference final is possible, it's okay, he's not at his best but he already has a Europa League, would be a complete joke if that happened tbh.
DeleteThe NL final would make some sense for Makkelie, I think. Would be somehow in line with Taylor and Zwayer - experienced referee, but not at the very top at that moment.
DeleteHowever the CWC nomination might be an argument against that.
Your CL SF would be quite a shift to the younger generation. IMO a bit too early for that, but maybe that is the SF line-up in one of the next seasons.
One or two of those four working in this year's SF seems possible though.
The situation of English referees Oliver and Taylor is uncertain in all semi-finals there is an English team, one of them may get some final, but as long as English clubs are in the game their situation is uncertain
ReplyDeleteWeak argument, since you also predicted Davide Massa for Betis vs. Fiorentina. 😉
DeleteRzeczywiście, mój błąd wyznaczyłem Włocha do włoskiej drużynu, ale Rosetti byłby zadowolony😅
ReplyDeletePredictions:
ReplyDeleteChampions League:
Arsenal - PSG: Schärer / Marciniak
Barcelona - Inter: Makkelie /
Vinčić
Europa League
Tottenham - Bodø Glimt: Pinheiro / Turpin
Athletic - Man United: Mariani / Nyberg
Conference League:
Betis - Fiorentina: Gozubuyuk / Peljto
Djurgårdens - Chelsea: Eskås / Siebert
The UCL semi-finals are easy to predict except for Arsenal-PSG (1st tie).
ReplyDeleteMarciniak and Vincic are the obvious choices in the return legs. One of the French referees is the easy choice in Barcelona-Inter.
That leaves Arsenal-PSG. You won’t see Zwayer there if he is preserved for the final. Kovacs another name, but he could be the alternative in a Arsenal final.
An Italian or Spanish to be pushed again, after missing CWC?
Yes, that sounds good.
DeleteThe apparent number ones from Italy and Spain just had PSG in the previous round though, which makes it less ideal. But probably Gil Manzano and Massa can't be excluded as well.
Also Eskas and Schärer could be pushed further and get the Arsenal-PSG first leg.
Predictions:
ReplyDeleteChampions League:
Arsenal - PSG: Schärer/Marciniak
Barcelona - Inter: Turpin/Vinčić
Europa League
Tottenham - Bodø Glimt: Sánchez Martínez/Mariani
Athletic - Man United: Nyberg/Makkelie
Conference League:
Betis - Fiorentina: Oliver/ Peljto
Djurgårdens - Chelsea: Eskås/Siebert
Predictions:
ReplyDeleteI thought about Nations League too because I do think that the NL-Final Four is somehow connected to the club games. I don’t know when the referees will head to the CWC but maybe there is just enough time for CWC-selected referees to participate in the NL. I know, some choices are a little particular but I have to say I really struggled…
CL:
Arsenal - PSG: Kovacs / Vincic
Barcelona - Inter: Turpin / Marciniak
Final: Makkelie
(Somehow I think there must be something behind such a strange management Makkelie got)
EL:
Tottenham - Bodø Glimt: Sanchez Martínez / Nyberg
Athletic - Man United: Eskas / Letexier
Final: Zwayer
ECL:
Betis - Fiorentina: Peljto / Schärer
Djurgårdens - Chelsea: Pinheiro / Siebert
Final: Eskas or Nyberg
NL*:
Germany - Portugal: Mariani
Spain - France: Kovacs
Third place match: Peljto
Final: Oliver
(I don‘t think Oliver has a chance in the club-competition finals because of the 4 English Teams, NL the only option for him IMO)
OT:
ReplyDeleteDe Burgos showed leniency as I never saw before in a La Liga match,maybe Rojas can come close with these type of performances.
De Burgos showed leniency but @Peter did not,he quickly has written all my mistakes.
Hopefully De Burgos can learn from @ Peter. 🙃
Taylor, Kovács, Letexier, all had two OFRs in the QFs.
ReplyDeleteI’m mostly curious whether this has any consequences for a possible SF-F appointment. To draw a comparison, Glenn Nyberg had two OFRs in his R32 match (Benfica-Monaco). He ended the game without controversy, however UEFA did not assign Nyberg to a R16 match. Tbh it is not clear when UEFA attachs consequences and when they don’t.
IMO, unfortunately we shouldn't be curious, draw comparison-conclusions, or use any theories or even conspiracies anymore. Just look at the Mariani-Massa-Turpin appointment, we can't predict anything now, and we shouldn't be surprised by any future assignments either until Rosetti step down.
DeleteIMO the number of OFRs should not be decisive for further appointments.
DeleteOn the one hand, mistakes, which lead to an OFR, can be more or less excusable (e.g. how hard or easy it was to detect something).
On the other hand, it isn't the only factor in a performance. Other aspects (like management, positioning, general foul detection) should also be considered.
Also, not only the last performance should be relevant, but also the general form over the last few games or even the season.
So it would be too simple to expect a clear correlation between number of OFRs and quality of appointments.
Furthermore the goal should not be to punish referees for mistakes, but to appoint those referees, where one can expect the best performances.
DeleteTbh UEFAs policy — when a referees are backed or rejected — feels completely random and too political at the moment.
I recall Zwayer did not punish a clear handball in Serbia-Denmark and VAR did not overturn it. The decision had impact on the scoreline, but it had no consequences on Zwayer’s next appointment.
Generally, I think UEFAs Management regarding OFRs is very bad…
DeleteThe Committee apparently doesn’t really care about OFRs even though an OFR means that a clear and obvious mistake was committed by the referee.
On the other hand, UEFA punishes referees for taking controversial decisions, that are surely not the optimal decisions but supportable and not 100% wrong (therefore not overturned by VAR).
So the Committee basically suggests that committing a very clear mistake (—> VAR intervention) is better than taking a controversial and not optimal decision (perhaps 70% wrong but not clear enough for an OFR). There are so many examples were Referees ended their season or tournament because of a situation, in which you can decide in both directions (Makkelie in Germany-Hungary and Meler in Brugge-Atalanta are the most recent examples I think).
More headlines about the decision can’t be a sufficient explanation IMO, UEFA should feel stronger than the tabloid.
Qatari referee Mohammed Al-Shammari was appointed for the final of AFC U-17 Asian Cup.
ReplyDeleteand the winner is.. Hani Ballan from Qatar :)
DeleteIt's shocking, ridiculous and scandalous. The referee with the worst performance of the tournament, with two missed red cards in one game, tolerating a bandit assault in front of him, not only bad calls but also no charisma and totally clueless in KSACHN... Sorry, but AFC is the worst confederation regarding refereeing, we saw that at the last WC and most likely it's even worse now. This Hani Ballan should be fired as soon as possible.
Delete
DeleteThere is nothing shocking about this. Refereeing has always been about being liked by the right people. Never about who is the best. That’s how refereeing works at all levels.
But everywhere favouritism, although clearly present, has its limits. Ballan is simply shameless in his 'management'...
DeleteI don't know this referee and haven't followed the tournament in question. However, he has been a FIFA referee since 2019. In my opinion, a U17 final in his seventh international year does not reflect successful nepotism by his patron so far.
DeleteNo more comment needed, right?
Deletehttps://streambug.org/cv/23ec6d
I was referring more to the fact that I don't find a U17 final in one's seventh international year so exceptional. Collina, who became a FIFA referee in 1995, officiated the 1996 Olympic final, the 1999 Champions League final and the 2002 World Cup final. While it may be undeserved, calling a referee in his seventh international year to a U17 final can hardly be considered a milestone in a so-far lackluster career.
DeleteI don't want to believe that you're comparing Collina with this guy :)
DeleteI think one could guess the actually intended content of my contributions: Al-Shammari has been on the FIFA list since 2019, but has few successes to show. At UEFA level, one would rather remove him from the FIFA list than appoint him for the U17 final. It may well be that Hanni Ballan is desperately trying to push one Qatari after another: After Khamis Al Marri (U17 World Cup 2019), Abdulrahman Al Jassim (World Cup 2022) and Salman Falahi (U20 World Cup 2023), it is now Mohammed Al Shammari. However, it is unlikely that FIFA will consider him the upcoming World Cup final referee because of this. When I think of UEFA U17 finals, the last three referees (Gidzhenov, Karaoglan and Ciochirca) have made it (at most) to the Conference League this season. In this respect, I wouldn't overrate such U17 tournaments.
DeleteI’m reading the predictions here and see Makkelie mentioned frequently as a candidate for the UCL final. Let’s take a look at his season. He officiated five UCL group stage matches: Celtic - Bratislava, Salzburg - Dynamo, Liverpool - Leverkusen, Sparta Prague - Atletico Madrid, and Benfica - Barcelona. Only in the last match was there one OFR, and some controversy from Benfica regarding a late penalty appeal that was not awarded — correctly so, as it wasn’t a penalty.
ReplyDeleteIn December, he refereed the final of the FIFA Derby of the Americas at the Intercontinental Cup in Qatar. In the knockout stage, he officiated Lazio - Plzen without any issues. In the Nations League, he refereed Romania - Kosovo, where a handball penalty was overturned by VAR.
So in total: 7 matches, 2 OFRs, and only controversy from Benfica. Is that serious enough to keep Makkelie from another final? Last week, he was also selected for the FIFA Club World Cup, where he previously officiated a semi-final.
Tomorrow, he’s officiating the Dutch Cup final and earlier this season handled both Feyenoord - Ajax and Ajax - Feyenoord.
Nasser El Khalif ;-)
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DeleteIn general, I think UEFA has created a big issue for themselves, by using an unclear framework for "rejections". Too much politics. And furthermore, the threshold for VAR overturns is not clear.
ReplyDelete- Appointments are governed by the tabloids, instead of a proper (and detailed!) report from the referee observer;
- Some referees MUST have a career, and are pushed even after (big) mistakes or otherwise poor technical performances -> Obrenovic, Italian referees
- Decisions against certain clubs have more consequences. PSG, Real and Italian teams among others
- What role plays the difficulty of a match? One match can be very difficult, full of KMIs, players doing everything to win, a tight scoreline, while the other is not;
- Meler's season seems over after Atalanta-Bruges. But should we just blame Meler, or should the VAR have protected him? Example; Brisard did make a OFR last week for the 2nd penalty whistled by Letexier in Real-Arsenal.
- Nyberg had 2 OFRs in Benfica-Monaco (R32), but UEFA did not assign him to a R16 game. While other referees with 2 OFRs actually could get another game.
- A referee with 3 OFRs (Turpin) was assigned to another match at the EURO, and even a quarterfinal, while a missed penalty that wasn’t overturned by VAR can be fatal.
- Etc. I can go on for a while, but you get my point.
Absolutely agree with this. UEFA has created a confusing and inconsistent environment by not providing a clear and transparent framework, especially when it comes to what constitutes a “rejection” or how VAR thresholds are applied.
DeleteAppointments should be based on structured evaluations, not tabloid narratives or political pressure. The fact that some referees seem “untouchable” despite repeated poor performances, while others are sidelined after one debatable call, shows the lack of consistency.
The weight of a match, the difficulty, the context, these all matter and should be factored in properly.
You made me interested in this tournament :D
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RM-ZJx1x24
Two red cards against UZB by the Qatari referee.
Just watched these incidents in the end of first half, don't know whether there is more in the game.
39:10 violent conduct I think reported by AR1, to be confirmed by VAR, but it wouldn't have been stuff for OFR in case.
42:30 second incident, blatant action by elbow against opponent as reaction, VAR silent.
45'+1 second RC, for DOGSO, correct as one can guess attacker could have reached ball before keeper without the foul.
Maybe somebody inside AFC reading the blog and informing the officials? :D
However, I don't like the referee's body language, even when he took correct decisions, always apparently very agitated, looking for immediate confirmation, hand in the earphone always looking for the VAR, distracted from keeping the players under control, typical of AFC. Weak appearance.
46:40 Penalty for UZB after OFR (handball)
DeleteMehdi Rahmouni, Letexier AR, hit by an object thrown by St. Etienne fans during St. Etienne - Lyon. Game abandoned.
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.me/v/e08a857f
https://streamable.com/cflhvl
ReplyDeleteRed card overturned by Letexier after OFR. Thoughts ?
Here in France, everybody agrees that RC was the right decision. IMO, incomprehensible call by VAR Delajod. Player was evacuated and transferred to hospital.
Also in Poland commentators were shocked by both OFR and overturn. Never a VAR intervention if you ask me, Letexier could have stuck to his initial decision as well...
Deletehttps://streambug.org/cv/b56e8b
I don't find arguments for the intervention. Showing RC is not only never a clear and obvious mistake, but the only correct outcome in my book. Letexier got it right on the pitch and should have upheld his decision. Having in mind that he ejected a player in Lyon-Reims a few weeks ago for a similar but a (imo) bit less severe foul makes this decision even more surprising for my taste.
DeleteDealing with SFP offenses has been a mess in Ligue 1 in this season tbh, with many calls lacking consistency with other or simply major blunders.
I can only agree with the comments above, for me both the OFR and final decision is absolutely incomprehensible
DeleteDon’t understand this OFR too…made by….Delajod. CL VAR involved in this call. Perhaps contact on shoe ? Really really strange…
DeleteI have been watching this red card situation for 5 minutes and can not understand it really . This is one of the best referees in Europe and to listen to Willy Delajod and overturn clear red card is absolute disgrace and they both must be punished .
ReplyDeleteAgree. Huge, huge scandal in France, and disastrous signal sent to the players. They ought to be punished.
DeleteTo add, the player who should’ve been sent off scored the decisive goal…
Add to all this he missed clear red card in Monaco-PSG foul on Donaruma . We are talking about referee who had euro final . And as you said player that should left the pitch in 24 minute scored later decisive goal.
ReplyDeleteGautier must show guts here and give both Letexier and Delajod big suspension . For me they should be out for rest of the season or them or other referees will not learn anything from this.
Isn't Gautier another fan of leniency?
DeleteLetexier and Delajod must be suspended. The incompetence of both is not understood, regrettable.
ReplyDeleteWhat a week for "the best referee in the world"... yes, of course...
It's a pity that Letexier so easily took Delajod's advice and/or narrative. He should've been more independent. The player who should've been off scored the decisive goal, so the mistake stays as a very big AND important one.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, the (still young!) Frenchman didn't appoint himself to the EURO final and he still has to gain experience at the very top level. We saw that in his last two games. He shouldn't be criticised as a EURO final referee but as a very promising, young top elite referee, imo. His overall handling of the games is top class, he is almost faultless, those are the key match incidents (too easily accepting VARs narrative?) that haunt him.
I agree, he still lacks experience (and saying that of a referee of a EURO final, well, shows how things were carried out in Germany). I also remember the disaster in the U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023 in the Uruguay-Gambia match of the Round of 16, several expulsions and complete disaster.
DeleteHe isn’t a bad referee, just as you said, these key moments…
Absolutely terrible week for Letexier. I’m his first fan, I think he’s a superb referee and will undoubtedly by a top Elite referee for many years, but this week was his weakest in years. I personnally think that both he and Delajod should be suspended for what is arguably the worst VAR call since the introduction of VAR in Ligue 1.
ReplyDeleteDelajod should be nowhere near top level football. Remember that ridiculous handball he gave in Iceland a few months ago. I’ve never seen him have a good game in Ligue 1 either
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ReplyDeleteMy opinion is also RC, with mainly Delajod as VAR to blame here. It is not easy for most referees to stick to their opinion in front of the monitor. “Suspended until the end of the season”, those are strong words for an interpretable call. A suspension doesn't help Letexier, I would assign the latter temporary to lower profile games and suspend Delajod as VAR. Period.
ReplyDeleteWell, let's say that in my opinion Delajod's arguments here were relatively the low intensity and the contact point high but not very high. He therefore made a very strict evaluation of the parameters but without looking at the situation as a whole. This is typical for those who are at VAR and make major mistakes, they are more concerned with reasoning by applying forced criteria without analyzing with a free mind.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, Letexier should have rejected. But he doesn't seem a referee who can reject VAR calls, we saw that he could have done it in the Champions League match but he followed all the suggestions. This distinguishes him from other experinced and "mature" referees who can also allow themselves to go against a wrong OFR, even if it always remains difficult. The issue of suspensions that the committees give in the case of refusing an OFR is true, and these are a trouble for referees, forr this reason many confirm the change of call just for this, because then they are afraid being suspended but at a certain point the personality should come out.
Personally, I was already convinced that assigning Letexier to another final would have been excessive, you make this guy burn every stage, I think now he should have his moments to recover, he has a career ahead of him, among other things also to become better, and I hope that this path will be followed, with many years ahead.
A few words also on Delajod, initially followed by UEFA also for an important path, before often doing VAR duties, it seems to me that the failure is clear, perhaps now also as VAR. He looks like a referee a bit too eccentric on disciplinary sanctions with a very particular vision.
Finally, in my opinion, Turpin, unlike Letexier, would have refused this OFR...
@Unknown , 4 games left in season and i think it is fair to suspend them both as this is crucial mistake.
ReplyDelete@ Chefren, intensity was high as Talisso went to hospital.
This red card overturn affected the score as we all can admit 99% St Ettiene would not win here with 10 man from 24 minute. This decision may very well affect team like Le Havre to get relegated .
We are talking about top 10 referee in the world here not some cat 2 referee so this mistake must be punished and talk about more.
There is no chance Turpin would overturn this red card as he is safe in his decisions. Looks like Delajod wanted to help St Ettiene here in their relegation battle or avoid problems with fans if home team would lose and that is very bad.
I don't know Ligue1 that well, therefore I had to check the standings. The fans (Ultras) of Saint Etienne also have a “certain” reputation, I see….. It’s an assumption, but indeed could have played a role in their minds. We don’t know for sure.
DeleteOT:
ReplyDeleteYour opinions are highly appreciated.
https://streamable.com/wb8ifb
Is it a foul by the attacker on the goalkeeper? Or a goal?
Foul by the attacker
DeleteI don’t really see a foul there. The big impact of the attacker towards the goal keeper comes after the attacker‘s header. The small impact on the goal keeper‘s arm is not enough to call a foul IMO (even though I don’t really know, I have never been in the position of a goal keeper). But to me it looks like the goal keeper misses the ball without having been fouled…
DeleteIMO, a foul by the attacker, the impact on the goalkeeper's arm seems to be very significant and key for this incident.
DeleteRade Obrenovič and Georgi Kabakov in Saudi Arabia today.
ReplyDeleteObrenovič with Vinčić's ARs, and the latter is AVAR in the same game. Could be a cause for concern maybe, an injury perhaps?
DeleteThat is odd indeed; why would a UEFA top Elite take a plane to Saudi to be AVAR? Perhaps, Vincic was appointed as referee with Obrenovic as 4th.
DeleteVincic was already substituted in first domestic league with Matosa also fifa, but after that he had one match in slovenian league. He is also appointed on thirsday for semifinal cup match between Celje and Olimpija two best teams this year. So lets see, but it is really unusual that his ars was with Obrenovic in Saudi league today...should be something with injury...i hope not...
DeleteTense minutes in the Dutch Cup final refereed by Makkelie.
ReplyDeleteMinute 47 PAI careless/reckless kick to body: Penalty given after OFR,
Penalty saved by Keeper, however he came of the line to early.
Before penalty-retake, a lot of conflicts between players, all managed without cards by Makkelie…
I think the penalty was re-taken because of the encroachment. That’s what Makkelie said in his on-field announcement. At least the annoucements do have some added value in such cases :-)
DeleteGood OFR by Dieperink.
What a game. In injury time another correct penalty. 1-1 scored and 30 min extension time.
DeleteWell honestly, I am far away from convinced by the penalty. The defender clearly gets pulled at this shirt and while falling he committed the handball… IMO this is should have resulted in a free kick (offensive foul).
DeleteFor me not enough to whistle a defensive freekick, weird action and movement by Koopmeinders, he shouldn’t dive to the ball like that.
DeleteMy opinions: correct OFR and penalty.
DeleteAbout the second penalty directly whistled by Makkelie indeed defender made scene here exaggerating the holding by opponent. Especially the movement of the arm in that blatant way is not consistent with what before. He did that to show he wanted a whistle. Free kick could have been whistled but absolutely correct by VAR to stay silent. If Makkelie thought not enough, then it is penalty for handball for sure.
Yes, I think football expects a penalty for handball and it was also a good decision to balance things up (after punishing the encroachment). Smart refereeing.
DeleteIntense game with a lot at stake. The winner qualifies for the UEL Groupstage.
AZ is known as a non-Dutch team now. A somewhat predictable image of the match. Wouter Goes often pinches opponents and often causes trouble. In the 89th minute, he pinched Milan Smit. 4e official Lindhout was watching carefully. YC! There were many difficult situations, but ultimately no one talks about the decisions after the game.
ReplyDeleteAfter the first penalty, there were many voices saying it was too light for VAR to intervene. I think it was contact of sufficient intensity. Although it is true that the intensity was due to Ernest Poku's movement, not Joris Kramer's.
By the way, it seems to me that if you touch the opponent with this kind of 'dangerous play', it is always punished as a foul. Are there any exceptions?
Yes agree, very difficult game to manage and officiate. After the match, mainly talks about the unsportsmanlike behavior of AZ and Wouter Goes.
DeleteMakkelie can be relieved — he is not the main protagonist after the game despite a penalty call in the 99th minute. That’s already an achievement!
As usual after each matchday, FFF released audios and analysis of some situations. Here is the audio for yesterday’s Letexier/Delajod situation (French only, sorry) : https://youtu.be/n-Lj9pD7MvY?feature=shared
ReplyDeleteAnd the analysis :
In accordance with the video assistant referee (VAR) protocol, it is the responsibility of the video referee to determine whether the initial decision made by the referee constitutes a “clear and obvious error.” In this situation, the foul committed by Saint-Étienne player no. 32 is characterized by a stamp on the Achilles tendon, then on the foot of the Lyon player, which subsequently causes a significant twisting of the victim’s ankle, without touching the ball. Therefore, even if the description of the Saint-Étienne player’s action provided by the main referee to the video referee was imperfect, sending the images to the on-field review was not warranted, as the initial decision to issue a red card for serious foul play was clearly not a “clear and obvious error.” Furthermore, when reviewing the footage, it would have been advisable to provide the referee with additional camera angles (notably from the “left zoom” camera), which would have allowed for a more accurate identification of the nature of the action and could have prevented the referee from overturning his original decision: the red card should therefore not have been rescinded.
Absolutely correct analysis. Letexier is a great, great takent on his path to becoming a brilliant referee, what he still needs to gain, is some more self confidence, but he will get that for sure...
DeleteSo, no need and reason for drama, guys...
No reason for drama? Tell that to Le Havre who might get relegeted because of team Delajod/Letexier. And what is worst this is his second big mistake this year when it comes to super clear red cards.
ReplyDeleteAgree that he is great talent and fantastic in many aspect of the game. But this crucial decisions is what makes great referees and he has to work on it. I think he and his team was at best average even in Real-Arsenal game. All I want is that they pay for their mistakes when they are not doing their work as they should. They had all time in world to get it right. I just hope that this 2 or 3 points will not affect relegation fight in Ligue 1.