The referees in charge of 2024-25 UEFA Europa League Semifinals, first legs.
Thursday 1 May 2025
21:00 CET - London (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC (ENG) - FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR)
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Iñigo Prieto López de Ceraín ESP
Fourth Official: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: César Soto Grado ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Nicola Rizzoli ITA
UEFA Delegate: Alexander Miescher SUI
21:00 CET - Bilbao (Estadio de San Mamés)
ATHLETIC CLUB (ESP) - MANCHESTER UNITED FC (ENG)
Referee: Espen Andreas Eskås NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Elias Skjeseth Bashevkin NOR
Fourth Official: Morten Krogh Hansen DEN
Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Chiffi ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Sokol Jareci ALB
UEFA Delegate: Per Svärd SWE
Despite the situation of Spanish referees seem not clear (no one at Club WC), at this moment Sanchez Martinez is definitively ahead than Gil Manzano. Is it deserved in you opinion ? Big match for Eskas, fully deserved, probably Peljto in Manchester at 2nd leg
ReplyDeleteDeserved for the last 5 years
DeleteAbout yesterday => Turpin is indeed having a very strong season. Better than Letexier. I want underline that I admire Turpin’s mental strength, to have a season like this after ‘losing’ the EURO final 2024 to Letexier. That is worth a tons of compliments.
ReplyDeleteAbout the 2026 World Cup, it is too early to draw conclusions about potential favourites. First of all, we can foresee a Collina vs Seneme storyline. Moreover, a lot can happen in the meantime. I recall that Szymon Marciniak officiated the semi-final of the UCL (1st leg) in April 2022. At that time, he was not the favourite to lead the World Cup final in Qatar (Dec 2022). Orsato, Makkelie and Turpin were all better than him before the summer break. However after the summer break, we saw a different Marciniak. He travelled to Qatar in top form. To conclude, a lot can happen in a few months, or even weeks.
I would also like to point out that Turpin gained a lot of acceptance thanks to his reputation. The RC he issued in Athletic-AS Roma (against an Italian club) was criticized here, and also in the Italian media. It had no consequences for Turpin, I suspect due to his reputation. It could have been a different story for other (inexperienced) referees, right?
Moreover in Spain-Netherlands, Turpin whistled two very cheap penalty-kicks. Obviously not what UEFA wants, however it had no consequences for the French official, because it was a great game and nobody complained after the match. But all the blah blah by FIFA & UEFA about uniformity is truly a fairy tale. We will never ever reach uniformity in football when such isolated decisions are supported. UEFA just cares about avoiding controversy, that’s it. And I really don’t like the current policy.
Turpin and Marciniak both seemingly have a gift that every decision is accepted, even when it is an unpopular decision against Italian clubs. Vincic on the other hand is a non-decision maker. It crazy how he keeps getting away with his style. The KMI with Kvaratskhelia/Timber easily could have been a penalty, but I guess it won’t have any consequences for the Slovenian referee as PSG won the game. How different had it been when Arsenal scored 2 goals shortly after the KMI? :P
What does KMI stand for? Key match incident? 🤔
DeletePeter, yes.
DeleteYes
ReplyDeleteOT: From Issa Said,
ReplyDeleteAFC already dying organization. I think it's not Asian Football Confederation anymore but Arab Football Confederation. The man that much worse than Rosetti it's very clear right now, the one and only HANI BALLAN!
The venue was already in Arab countries, one of the team from Arab countries, the referee and the VAR from Arab countries. Another fact that worsening this catasthropic management is AFC didn't care at all about Fu Ming status as a referee in J-League 1 (top-tier).
Al Ahli-Kawasaki Frontale
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (QAT)
Assistant Referee 1: Taleb Salem (QAT)
Assistant Referee 2: Ramzan Al-Nuaimi (QAT)
Fourth Official: Ahmad Al-Ali (KUW)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Abdulhadi Al-Enezi (KUW)
VAR: Khamis Al-Marri (QAT)
AVAR: Fu Ming (CHN)
Referee Assessor: Subkhiddin Mohd. Salleh (MAS)
Simply unacceptable appointment, just based on what we called nepotism, unfortunately there's no clear barrier and no sanctions for that in football.
Gulf Cup Final: Al-Jassim (QAT)
AFC U-17 Asian Cup Final: Al-Shammari (QAT)
Gulf Champions League Final: VAR and assistant (QAT)
AFC Champions League 2 Final: VAR and assistant (QAT)
AFC Champions League Elite Final: Al-Jassim (QAT)
FIFA Club World Cup selection: Salman Falahi and his team (QAT)
Hahahahaha you can only laugh really
DeleteI can only feel sorry for all AFC-referees that are not from Qatar or UAE. This must be incredibly demotivating for them.
DeleteDont know how much relevant, but one of pages on FB(i forgot the name and I am sorry), said that Marciniak will officiate second leg between Inter and Barcelona.
ReplyDeleteIn the other blog post, someone posted a German rumor that Zwayer will officiate the return match between PSG-Arsenal. And although Zwayer is a decent choice, it would still surprise me a bit to be honest. Mainly because it can risk his final chances, also in one of the other UEFA competitions. Vincic would have been the more obvious choice in a return leg.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, it could mean that Kovács is saved for the UCL final regardless of a potential PSG-Barcelona pairing (25% chance). Sounds like a quite sensitive appointment in the Catalan tabloids tbh. If Kovács gets the final - 3rd in 4 years - it would also confirm that the influence of Kyros Vassaras within UEFA is even bigger than I already thought.
On the other hand, it is also possible that all final candidates will officiate a semi-final (like Oliver). In all fairness, none of the final candidates really stands out atm.
One fan fact in way of UEFA managment with referees. From establishing UECL, none of referees who officiate final of UCL was included in UECL elimination phase.
ReplyDelete*fun fact.
DeleteVery good offside decision by Eskas' AR2 in Bilbao.
ReplyDeleteOFR for Eskas. One should expect a red card here.
ReplyDeleteGood decision from Eskas
DeleteLong time needed at monitor exactly for that.
DeleteEven with the foul, attacker missed the ball for a small second, so one can be 100% sure without foul, he would have had the obvious goal scoring opportunity in front of him.
Correct outcome and finally a not genuine attempt is seen as not genuine attempt :)
Very rough first half for Eskås, especially with that PK. Missed handball on Garnacho in the buildup, then misses the foul.
ReplyDeleteOverall poor control of the game, set the bar high for fouls early on but didn't really work out. Athletic will feel very hard done by.
That can't be a handball, unless it is directly in the goal. Arm is on the ground for support, therefore natural position.
DeleteI urge you to watch the replay again. The contact isn't when the arm is on the ground/for support, but instead used to control the ball when he gets up.
DeleteAgree. And additionnaly, masterclass first half by AR2 Isaak Elias Skjeseth Bashevkin. 100 % correct and lot of Offside decisions !
DeleteHe retracted the arm when he was on his way up and the ball accidentally struck it. He didn't use it to control the ball or anything, no handball offence imo
DeleteI have a handball offense here, but I think the variety of discussion here proves the following point: it's not a clear and obvious error, so the VAR must check-complete it.
DeletePenalty is clear, but I'm not sure it's DOGSO, due to unclear likelihood of the attacker controlling of the ball. I'd prefer a yellow card.
MQ, I hear what you're saying, but are we going to start measuring the distance of if the hand is off the ground? IMO he was retracting his hand after using it for support, therefore still natural position, and the ball is kicked by Garnacho into his arm in a natural position and therefore no offense. If we use your logic, then the Valverde incident in the Copa del ray should have been punished as a handball.
Delete@Kapetan It is of course a very accidental handball, but also a crucial one to control the ball and keep possession and thus the attack going. Natural/justifiable position are always harder to judge when a player is on the ground, but I think it's not right to treat it as a supporting arm (since well, he's at this point already going up on his feet).
DeleteI end up focusing on: does he gain an clear advantage from a handball, albeit an accidental one? Yes, a huge advantage.
"Gains an advantage" is not a rule, MQ. That would only matter if the player himself immediately scores a goal. Otherwise, this is not a proper consideration.
DeleteThe advantage and being part of the direct buildup is in regards to it being something for VAR to look at (which they seemingly didn't - too busy checking penalty situation). I think it's a foul in isolation, too.
DeleteI would say that the arm position is justifiable for the action being taken by the player (i.e. getting up off the ground). Yes he was on his feet, but he was still bent over and trying to regain his balance. Very hard decision I must say
DeleteNever a penalty nor a red card in my opinion.. I don’t know how you are agreeing with Eskas .. Terrible half
ReplyDeleteCrowd and Athletic club players goes crazy at AR2 for not flagging for offside...was clearly onside
ReplyDeleteHernandez now AR1 in London.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am not happy with Eskas tonight either, but I think, your language is a liitle out of control.
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DeleteATH-MUN
ReplyDeleteThe OFR and RC — It is a foul, but when so many things happen in the build-up (rough tackle Ugarte and potential handball), it is tough for Eskas to sell a triple punishment here. Eskas could’ve managed the build-up differently to avoid a dubious scene and match deciding incident.
Then in 57. United’s Maguire escapes a Dogso sending off after a holding offence waves away by Eskas.
DeleteUnbelievable decision ...
DeleteThe Maguire non-call is right, but the way Eskås has been handling "compensation calls" this game you half expected him to give it.
Delete@MQ
DeleteDid you not see the holding?
And if you did - did it not keep the Athletic player from directly going for the goal?
I tell you what: I think Eskas didn't have the guts to show a RC.
Correct decision or not: RC hardly seems like a too bold a decision against the away team which controls the match. The RC against the home team in the first half required much more guts.
DeleteGreat no-call on Maguire. There was touching with the arms, but never a hold.
DeleteI'll watch the replays again, from the initial ones I don't think there was enough in it. Yes a loose arm swing from Maguire in the duel, but hardly actual holding. But there is a case for it! Maybe a different angle shows a possible foul better.
DeleteIn the context of the game I don't see how it's a question of having the guts to make the call. If anything it's an easier decision to, in front of the home crowd, compensate for first half PK & RC.
Well, I am pretty satisified what I saw from Eskas in hard condiditions that he should work. But, he is still not for big matches, he still need adittional experience and develop himslef in knock out stages. For this season, he can be proud.
ReplyDeleteSorry but nowhere near intervention threshold. If psg penalty for holding which was much clearer is not given this one certainly cannot. Where is the consistency!
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteAnd additionally, Kvaratschelia was in control of the ball. Højbjerg wasn’t.
ATH-MUN was a textbook example of Europa League being often more difficult to officiate than, let’s say, a QF 1st leg in the Champions League.
ReplyDeleteBoth games ending 3-0 could open an opportunity to change the initial appointments. Vincic was proposed for UEL 2nd legs. Why else did he get a 1st leg (as former UCL final referee?). Crazy things can happen in Manchester, but I don’t think they really need Vincic there. Peljto or Mariani can handle that, too.
Poor management with Vincic imo. The Slovenian wouldn’t have been out of place in the return leg of the Champions League, where the scores are tight. Zwayer and Kovács are mentioned as candidates for the return in Paris. But why would UEFA appoint Zwayer or Kovács in the return, while they are still aiming for a Champions League final unlike Vincic? Is this all about keeping Vincic ‘clean’ in his road to CWC (opening game)?
It's obvious, he can't manage a big match, he's good for group matches, that's all.. For Eskas
ReplyDeleteGuida finally back in serie B after more than 4 months, he has been appointed for a game on Sunday, Reggiana - Spezia (but the season is now over...).
ReplyDeleteForeign appointments
ReplyDelete01-05-25
KSA al-Uḫdūd vs al-Waḥda (Sven Jablonski, Koslowski, Beitinger - Dankert)
02-05-25
KSA al-Qādisīya vs al-Ḫulūd (Andris Treimanis, Gudermanis, A.Spasjonņikovs - Ratnieks)
04-05-25
CYP Omónia Nicosia vs Apóllon Limassol (Julian Weinberger - Obrenovič)
CYP Páfos vs Aris Limassol (Luca Cibelli - Marković)
CYP AEK Larnaca vs APOEL (Jacob Karlsen - Treimanis)
GRE AEK vs Panathinaïkós (Enea Jorgji, Rexha, Çokaj - Van Boekel)
GRE Olymbiakós vs PAOK (Deniz Aytekin, Beitinger, Thomsen - Hanslbauer)
05-05-25
CYP Karmiótissa Polemidión vs Omónia Aradíppou (Andris Treimanis - Marković)
02-05-25
DeleteKUW al-Kuwait vs as-Sālimīya (Georgi Kabakov - Popov)
KUW al-ʿArabī vs al-Qādisīya (Giorgi Kruashvili - Avazashvili)
We foresee a 100% English final in the UEL. That said, whoever referees the decision will have to study elements such as:
ReplyDelete* The Premier League way of playing;
* The criteria of the main English referees in big games (Taylor, Oliver, Kavanagh, Brooks, Pawson, Tierney, Atwell);
* The way the English VAR intervenes in the matches, whether it is positive or negative.
As it is a final between clubs from the same country, it is important to understand the league of that country, the way of refereeing and playing as well. This is an important step in dealing well with the possible final between M.U x Tottenham.
What are the candidates for you to referee this final after your comment?
DeleteBut honestly, even though it’s a game between two English teams, it’s still an UEFA game. Therefore I think we shouldn’t worry too much about it.
DeleteEveryone agrees that there are (blatant) differences between UEFA and PGMOL in the interpretation of the laws (especially handball), however the laws still have to be interpreted the way UEFA does, not the way PGMOL does.
I agree that the Referee appointed for this final, will have to prepare on the way the two English teams will be playing (quite physically etc) and perhaps adapt to it, but in my world every UEFA Elite-Referee should be able to adapt (more or less) to the way the teams will be playing.
So I think the only referees we should exclude from a 100% English Final are the English Referees.
Phenomenal final of the Polish Cup today. Both teams and supporters created a very entertaining show. Marciniak was the referee and there were some tricky incidents
ReplyDeletePOGOŃ SZCZECIN - LEGIA WARSZAWA
Referee: Szymon Marciniak
Assistant Referee 1: Adam Kupsik
Assistant Referee 2: Bartosz Heinig
Fourth Official: Wojciech Myć
Video Assistant Referee: Piotr Lasyk
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marcin Borkowski
13' Good onside by AR2 at Goal LEG
https://streambug.org/cv/8cf4bb
20' [OFR] Goal disallowed for handball in APP but penalty awarded for the previous reckless challenge by the goalkeeper
https://streambug.org/cv/2804d2
Well, it's difficult to be sure about both incidents based on the replays shown by broadcaster and then by Lasyk to Marciniak.
34' YC Ulvestad (POG) for reckless kick - potential RC for SFP?
https://streambug.org/cv/b4f242
39' PAI holding, no replay
https://streambug.org/cv/03bd36
40' No sanction Kapuadi (LEG) for kicking an opponent in the head
https://streambug.org/cv/054b00
45' PAI - missed 2YC Ulvestad (POG) for simulation
https://streambug.org/cv/888fab
I believe Marciniak deliberately decided to ignore this one in the final, you can see him reaching for the whistle but withdrawing in the last second. We know how good in spotting dives Marciniak is and this one was a really blatant one.
52' PAI holding
https://streambug.org/cv/990e31
The holding is one-sided but the real impact on the attacking player seems to be marginal and the attacker wanted to fall as soon as he entered the penalty area
67' Good advantage prior to Goal POG
https://streambug.org/cv/975373
What an incredible and deliberate choice by Marciniak to avoid that second yellow card for simulation! A referee who is very well known for punishing accordingly such actions. One could remain speechless, honestly. It is clear he was about to book but then he changed his mind and he had this reaction by making a very blatant gesture (I read that as releasing his tension for thinking about forgiving the player...). At a certain point of his career, he seems allowed to do what he wants in his game, and honestly, that's not good. In UEFA he would have issued a card without doubt! I can say I'm disappointed because we have a referee 100% aware, making a deliberate choice here. Didn't want to leave one team with 10 men in a final... an argument that I hate.
DeleteAs for the rest, to be honest in 20' it seems he didn't make any effort to try to follow the play in the box, he just waited for the end of action and then VAR called. Given that it was extremely hard, and I think he would have missed it even being in tension with following the play, he was rather disconnected in this case, or at least that's what I can perceive.
In 40' I think he thought about an exaggerate reaction by player and for this he didn't book, you can see his gesture to the player lying down. Still, a particular attitude of the Polish, as we know him.
52' is better or even correct not to whistle, and very good advantage in 67'.
34' can be accepted YC because mostly not deliberate and just a case.
Szymon Marciniak will be the referee for the Inter - Barcelona match
DeleteIt was very hard to predict :)
Delete:)
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ReplyDeleteOT:
ReplyDeleteWhat about the national Cup finals for France, Italy, Germany etc?
Any predictions?
Some predictions from my side (I only follow the Bundesliga closely though):
Coupe de France: PSG - ST. REIMS
Jérôme Brisard
Coppa Italia: MILAN - BOLOGNA
Maurizio Mariani
DFB-Pokal: BIELEFELD - STUTTGART
Robert Hartmann (or Christian Dingert)
For other federations, I really don’t know.
Vergoote has the Belgian cup final tomorrow (Brugge v Anderlecht)
DeleteFor France, my prediction was Brisard too, but it seems almost impossible since he had a semifinal (Dunkerque-PSG). My second choice would’ve been Wattellier, but he had the other semifinal (Cannes-Reims). Very hard to predict this year.
DeleteMy bets are Pignard, Léonard or Stinat, but everything seems possible (even Vernice or a repeat of Bastien after 2017 final).
I forgot Delajod. Possible, but unlikely after the famous incident with Letexier.
DeleteI feel for the italian cup, we could see names like mariani,chiffi, fabbri or doveri ... They seem to be really in focus this year by Rocchi
DeleteIn Germany we will have a 3rd division team (Bielefeld) in the cup final. Therefore, perhaps the game might not be as attractive and fast and it’s a perfect opportunity to give the final to a Non-FIFA Referee. Robert Hartmann has had a very good season (he exceeded every expectations) and he is 45 years old. IMO it would be perfect to give him the final as a reward for his career and his excellent season. But Christian Dingert (44 y.o.) is also a good option with more experience in important matches, however Hartmann‘s season was better. Dingert would stay as main candidate in the next year(s).
Delete@Chefren any opinions on Italy?
I think that Mariani and Chiffi should be considered main candidates. My guess would be Mariani because in this way he would also justify and "enforce" the promotion to Elite and some good appearances he had at UEFA level, working for being maybe the next Italy's nr. 1 when Guida will retire (we know about Massa particular situation). Chiffi would also deserve it after an excellent season, the best for sure since he was appointed as FIFA referee.
DeleteThird referee to be considered is Colombo, but I think it would be too early, despite of a very good season, he will have time.
The next appointments in serie A will say more.
What a nightmare debut for 46 yo David Webb in Leicester-Soton. Sustained an injury and couldn’t continue after just 20 minutes.
ReplyDeleteFelt bad i do hope he gets a second chance
Deleteif the reports of Marciniak and Zwayer getting the UCL semi finals return legs, do we have to expect Kovacs in the final? I don't see him go unused for the rest of the competitions no?
ReplyDelete