2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, September 2025.
Group J
16:00 CET - Astana (Astana Arena)
KAZAKHSTAN - WALES
Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández ESP
Assistant Referee 1: José Enrique Naranjo Pérez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Diego Sánchez Rojo ESP
Fourth Official: José Luis Munuera Montero ESP
Video Assistant Referee: César Soto Grado ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Cüneyt Çakır TUR
UEFA Delegate: Zaur Hacı-Məhərrəmov AZE
Group E
18:00 CET - Tbilisi (Boris Paichadzis Dinamo Arena)
GEORGIA - TÜRKİYE
Referee: Davide Massa ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Stefano Alassio ITA
Fourth Official: Matteo Marcenaro ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Doveri ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Stéphane Lannoy FRA
UEFA Delegate: Jaroslav Doležal CZE
Group G
18:00 CET - Kaunas (Dariaus ir Girėno stadionas)
LITHUANIA - MALTA
Referee: Giorgi Kruashvili GEO
Assistant Referee 1: Levan Varamishvili GEO
Assistant Referee 2: Zaza Pipia GEO
Fourth Official: Goga Kikacheishvili GEO
Video Assistant Referee: Tamás Bognár HUN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bakur Ninua GEO
UEFA Referee Observer: Ognjen Valjić BIH
UEFA Delegate: Olivier Chovaux FRA
Group A
20:45 CET - Bratislava (Národný futbalový štadión)
SLOVAKIA - GERMANY
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük NED
Assistant Referee 1: Erwin Zeinstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Patrick Inia NED
Fourth Official: Joey Kooij NED
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Erwin Blank NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo ESP
UEFA Delegate: Jonathan Leese ENG
Group A
20:45 CET - Luxembourg (Stade de Luxembourg)
LUXEMBOURG - NORTHERN IRELAND
Referee: Andris Treimanis LVA
Assistant Referee 1: Haralds Gudermanis LVA
Assistant Referee 2: Aleksejs Spasjonņikovs LVA
Fourth Official: Edgars Maļcevs LVA
Video Assistant Referee: Kristaps Ratnieks LVA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Vitālijs Spasjonņikovs LVA
UEFA Referee Observer: Luis Medina Cantalejo ESP
UEFA Delegate: Sergei Hohlov-Simson EST
Group E
20:45 CET - Sofia (Natsionalen Stadion “Vasil Levski”)
BULGARIA - SPAIN
Referee: Srđan Jovanović SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Uroš Stojković SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Milan Mihajlović SRB
Fourth Official: Novak Simović SRB
Video Assistant Referee: Momčilo Marković SRB
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jelena Cvetković SRB
UEFA Referee Observer: Konrad Plautz AUT
UEFA Delegate: Knut Bjørn Nordheim NOR
Group G
20:45 CET - Rotterdam (Stadion Feijenoord)
NETHERLANDS - POLAND
Referee: Simone Sozza ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Giovanni Baccini ITA
Fourth Official: Matteo Marchetti ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Gianluca Aureliano ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Vlado Svilokos CRO
UEFA Delegate: Neil Morrow NIR
Group J
20:45 CET - Vaduz (Rheinpark Stadion)
LIECHTENSTEIN - BELGIUM
Referee: Morten Krogh Hansen DEN
Assistant Referee 1: Dennis René Wollenberg Rasmussen DEN
Assistant Referee 2: Steffen Beck Bramsen DEN
Fourth Official: Mikkel Hedberg Redder DEN
Video Assistant Referee: Jonas Hedegaard Hansen DEN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sandi Dhia Jirjis Putros DEN
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Atkinson ENG
UEFA Delegate: Łukasz Sojski POL
Friday 5 September 2025
Group B
20:45 CET - Basel (St. Jakob-Park)
SWITZERLAND - KOSOVO
Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL
Fourth Official: Paweł Raczkowski POL
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Wojciech Myć POL
UEFA Referee Observer: Juan Antonio Fernández Marín ESP
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack LUX
Group B
20:45 CET - Ljubljana (Stadion Stožice)
SLOVENIA - SWEDEN
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Iñigo Prieto López de Ceraín ESP
Fourth Official: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Javier Iglesias Villanueva ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Pascal Garibian FRA
UEFA Delegate: Róbert Birgir Agnarsson ISL
Group C
20:45 CET - Copenhagen (Parken – Connected by 3)
DENMARK - SCOTLAND
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER
Fourth Official: Sascha Stegemann GER
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Viktor Kassai HUN
UEFA Delegate: Mauro Tonolini ITA
Group C
20:45 CET - Piraeus (Stádio Geórgios Karaïskákis)
GREECE - BELARUS
Referee: Jarred Gillett AUS/ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Simon Bennett ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Robathan ENG
Fourth Official: Samuel Barrott ENG
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Darren England ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefan Johannesson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Hristo Zapryanov BUL
Group D
20:45 CET - Wrocław, POL (Tarczyński Arena Wrocław)
UKRAINE - FRANCE
Referee: Danny Makkelie NED
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries NED
Fourth Official: Allard Lindhout NED
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Richard Martens
UEFA Referee Observer: Shmuel Shteif ISR
UEFA Delegate: Alojzije Šupraha CRO
Group D
20:45 CET - Reykjavík (Laugardalsvöllur)
ICELAND - AZERBAIJAN
Referee: Sander van der Eijk NED
Assistant Referee 1: Rens Bluemink NED
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan de Groot NED
Fourth Official: Marc Nagtegaal NED
Video Assistant Referee: Jeroen Manschot NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Clay Ruperti NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Thomas Einwaller AUT
UEFA Delegate: Marvin Robinson ENG
Group I
20:45 CET - Chișinău (Stadionul Zimbru)
MOLDOVA - ISRAEL
Referee: John Beaton SCO
Assistant Referee 1: David McGeachie SCO
Assistant Referee 2: Graeme Stewart SCO
Fourth Official: David Dickinson SCO
Video Assistant Referee: Kevin Clancy SCO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Andrew Dallas SCO
UEFA Referee Observer: Karen Nalbandyan ARM
UEFA Delegate: Hanna Bordyuhova UKR
Group I
20:45 CET - Bergamo (Stadio di Bergamo)
ITALY - ESTONIA
Referee: João Pedro da Silva Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Miguel Alves de Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano António Gomes Maia POR
Fourth Official: João António Ferreira Gonçalves POR
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bruno Alexandre da Silva Esteves POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Darko Čeferin SVN
UEFA Delegate: Gerard Lawlor NIR
Group L
20:45 CET - Podgorica (Gradski stadion Podgorica)
MONTENEGRO - CZECHIA
Referee: Marco Guida ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Giorgio Peretti ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Giuseppe Perrotti ITA
Fourth Official: Andrea Colombo ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Michael Fabbri ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Valerio Marini ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski POL
UEFA Delegate: Edgars Pukinsks LVA
Group L
20:45 CET - Tórshavn (Tórsvøllur)
FAROE ISLANDS - CROATIA
Referee: Kristo Tohver EST
Assistant Referee 1: Silver Kõiv EST
Assistant Referee 2: Sander Saga EST
Fourth Official: Karl Koppel EST
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Joonas Jaanovits EST
UEFA Referee Observer: Sascha Amhof SUI
UEFA Delegate: Paul Tompkins ENG
Saturday 6 September 2025
Group K
15:00 CET - Riga (BTA Daugavas stadions)
LATVIA - SERBIA
Referee: Julian Weinberger AUT
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Heidenreich AUT
Assistant Referee 2: Maximilian Kolbitsch AUT
Fourth Official: Stefan Ebner AUT
Video Assistant Referee: Alan Kijas AUT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Manuel Schüttengruber AUT
UEFA Referee Observer: Petteri Kari FIN
UEFA Delegate: Jens Futterknecht GER
Group F
18:00 CET - Yerevan (Vazgen Sargsyan anvan Hanrapetakan Marzadasht)
ARMENIA - PORTUGAL
Referee: Anthony Taylor ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn ENG
Fourth Official: Robert Jones ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Peter Bankes ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Attwell ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Drago Kos SVN
UEFA Delegate: Felix Grigore ROU
Group K
18:00 CET - Birmingham (Villa Park)
ENGLAND - ANDORRA
Referee: Mohammad Al-Emara FIN
Assistant Referee 1: Turkka Joonas Valjakka FIN
Assistant Referee 2: Mika Lamppu FIN
Fourth Official: Peiman Simani FIN
Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bert Put BEL
UEFA Referee Observer: Terje Hauge NOR
UEFA Delegate: Stéphanie Forde BEL
Group F
20:45 CET - Dublin (Aviva Stadium)
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - HUNGARY
Referee: Harm Osmers GER
Assistant Referee 1: Lasse Koslowski GER
Assistant Referee 2: Eduard Beitinger GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager GER
Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Katrin Rafalski GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Clos Gómez ESP
UEFA Delegate: Frédéric Veraghaenne BEL
Group H
20:45 CET - Serravalle (San Marino Stadium)
SAN MARINO - BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Referee: Enea Jorgji ALB
Assistant Referee 1: Denis Rexha ALB
Assistant Referee 2: Ridiger Çokaj ALB
Fourth Official: Florian Lata ALB
Video Assistant Referee: Kreshnik Bajramaj ALB
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Juxhin Xhaja ALB
UEFA Referee Observer: Levan Paniashvili GEO
UEFA Delegate: René Siegrist SUI
Group H
20:45 CET - Linz (Raiffeisen Arena)
AUSTRIA - CYPRUS
Referee: Jakob Kehlet DEN
Assistant Referee 1: Lars Hummelgaard DEN
Assistant Referee 2: Martin Markus DEN
Fourth Official: Jakob Alexander Sundberg DEN
Video Assistant Referee: Jonas Hedegaard Hansen DEN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sandi Dhia Jirjis Putros DEN
UEFA Referee Observer: Stephen Tanner ENG
UEFA Delegate: Kari Haapiainen FIN
Slovakia - Germany who will be observed by Velasco Carballo?
ReplyDeleteI would go for Serdar Gözübüyük.
DeleteExcellent prediction, Peter.
Delete@Chefren can you put in appointments for friendly games to as you did in the past. Regards
ReplyDeleteCroatian league
ReplyDeletethe strongest match of the round ended in a draw. Neither team was overly satisfied with the judging. The hosts had a camera focused only on the referee. After the game, they published a video with, according to them, mistakes to their detriment.
https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=1102437208688777
Is there a dispute here?
Arguably the two best games so far (top 2 teams of the group) for the two Dutch Elite referees.
ReplyDeleteNot so great games for Hernandez and Pinheiro (surprisingly after their CL PO appointments).
Sozza with the best game among the First Group referees.
Gillett the first one from the Second Group (in the complete campaign), maybe other games (e.g. LTU-MLT) would have been more obvious for this choice.
About Pinheiro, it's just the classic focus by Rosetti on Italy, even more after having lost first game against Norway. Different treatment if compared to other national teams, it's very clear, and well, following this pattern, one could even expect a very very big name for Israel - Italy (Israel situation, and this game very discussed outside the pitch for external reasons, as you can easily guess).
DeleteI don't understand the construct of "even after..." It's precisely because they lost to Norway that this is happening.
DeleteItaly is in *some* real danger of not qualifying, again, for a World Cup and a lot of danger of being forced into a playoff. Of course there will be big names on all Italian matches until that situation changes. I would imagine even the away match in Moldova will have a decently big name.
The same would apply if any of the truly "big" nations--Spain, Germany, England, France--were in jeopardy of missing out.
It says “even more after”
DeleteAh, so it does. Hadn't had coffee yet over here and missed that. Apologies. Though I still would argue the treatment is the same the other big nations would get in any similar situation.
DeleteThoughts on gilletts appointment also I believe brooks has been added to the VAR list I think was only in as referee before
ReplyDeleteScottish referees like Walsh and Beaton, nearly always get games that probably nobody else would like to get! Teams like Israel and other small Eurasian teams like Azerbijan, lichenstein, malta... Maybe soon they could start getting proper big assignments! On the other hand, no disrespect to these nations!
ReplyDeleteI think lui godinho and and antonio nobre needs tests
ReplyDeleteHow do you explain the emphasis placed on Serdar Gözübüyük at such an early stage in the season?
ReplyDeleteIs this observation merely a matter of “testing” what he can handle in the group stages?
I think so... with Makkelie as No.1 and Van Der Eijk coming behind I think Gözübüyük has a good opportunity with Velasco to demostrate his potential (he has already shown it, but let's remember that last season was not so good).
DeleteVan der Eijk has an interesting profile. I notice he consistently works with the same ARs, indicating strong support from both the KNVB and UEFA. This is noteworthy, as his acceptance among players in the domestic league appears lower compared to referees such as Kooij and Nagtegaal. That said, it must be acknowledged that Van der Eijk has made few errors in his international assignments to date.
DeleteGözübüyük, I think, is a bit of a late bloomer. He had a consistent season domestically last year. However, he hasn’t yet managed to translate that into strong international performances. Hopefully, he’ll pull it off this season — the competition is good for Makkelie too. I think they’re currently fairly close in terms of level. But at the same time, they’re very different; for example, I don’t think Gözübüyük is particularly strong in “heated” contexts, like with Italian teams. He often ends up with double-digit card counts in those situations.
MARCINIAK FOR KOSOVO????? how come?
ReplyDeleteThe reason should be that SUIKOS is politically and emotionally quite a sensible game.
DeleteAgreed @Cassius. I'd also argue that in these four-team groups with a quick sprint, almost any team could finish in second place (maybe possible exception of Belarus?) so I wouldn't be surprised to see some bigger names (at least Cat 1) on most of these matches, even some of the "lesser ones" as things progress.
DeleteWith Hauge as observer, I think there could be a particular choice for England - Andorra, he is not the name for an expected assignment. We will not see an Elite referee, and not even an experienced Cat. 1.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't exclude a female assignment here, given how it happened in past. We will know soon.
Noticed Mohammad Al-Emara has the England game. I watched him live in a Conference League qualifier recently and he was absolutely hopeless. He's nowhere near the standard required to referee matches like this. Terrible referee who made that match all about him.
ReplyDeleteHe was schocking, horrendous referee!
DeleteJust to be clear im not one to ever make those comments on referees but being very serious, he is very very poor.
DeleteThat's a judgment based on a single game and it's universal, right?
DeleteI absolutely agree its only one game, but as they sometimes one chapter can tell the whole story...
DeleteSeems like Jakob Kehlet is back as main referee, after several months missing despite he's experienced cat.1 referee and many times took the role as VAR in that time. Anyone know what happened to him? Injury? Initially I think he switch his focus to be VAR specialist but with very good red card in Besiktas match he seems back.
ReplyDeleteKAZWAL
ReplyDelete16' Could've been an interesting handball penalty area incident but no replay was shown, unfortunately
https://streambug.org/cv/933071
Apart from that, the usual very lenient performance from Hernández Hernández:
https://streambug.org/cv/7b4283
70' Interesting challenge by GK
Deletehttps://streambug.org/cv/6957b8
Disciplinary 2H:
https://streambug.org/cv/ed5a42
70', ball by keeper, but then a more than reckless challenge on opponent, but no referee would ever call this as foul, be sure...
DeleteI think gil manzano deserves alot of respect because I think even he is better kovac , letexier
ReplyDeleteGood first half for Massa. Yet, not a challenging game though.
ReplyDeleteChefren,the referee observers for the first week of the Champions League matches have been announced.Based on this,can we say that the referees who will officiate the first week matches have been appointed with only two weeks left?
ReplyDeleteYes, they have been appointed!
DeleteI feel like Massa should have spotted that RC live, but not even foul was whistled.
ReplyDeleteAgree, around minute 70
Deletehttps://streamin.me/v/e8c2c1c8
DeleteBig miss by Massa here, not whistling the foul is the worst possible scenario for him...
DeleteFull sequence:
Deletehttps://www.streambug.io/cv/ded1c7
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteChallenging end for the Georgian referee in Lithuania.
DeleteFirst RC, a straight one for SFP after OFR:
https://streamain.com/en/Ugv2132nh7An27X/watch
Penalty call, direct decision by referee following a corner kick:
https://streamain.com/en/0OhC7hEu83FwZer/watch
Second RC, this time for a second YC:
https://streamain.com/en/5GVgnz7bMHF5Pox/watch
For me correct intervention early on in luxembourg for handball penalty but IMO wrong sanction. For me defender knows what he is doing and it is a deliberate DOGSO rather than accidental
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/c5cfcd
DeleteOne could argue that defender wanted to go with head but he failed and he touched by arm.
DeleteA fellow referee gave an interesting remark - he wouldn't intervene as VAR as the attacker still had OGSO after an offence. What do you think?
DeleteYC for Luxembourg in 34 minutes. Cannot believe there wasn't a detailed check for a potential RC
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/a255fd
DeleteExtremely borderline but maybe if compared to other situations not a clear mistake if VAR didn't intervene...
DeleteLIEBEL 37'
ReplyDeletePenalty for non-existent handball revoked after OFR
https://streambug.org/cv/96b999
See the reaction by players, nobody expected this call, leaving penalty area.
DeleteClassic situation in which a penalty is whistled based on a sensation and not after having watched the touch, something that shouldn't be done.
We know that on the field there can be feelings before a whistle, but with hanbdall very often it's like that.
The Danish made a decision based on the change of direction of the ball and he thought about a touch by arm without having watched it.
UCL MD1 OBSERVERS
ReplyDeletePSV-UnionSG (Luis Medina Cantalejo ESP)
Athletic-Arsenal (Björn Kuipers NED)
RealMadrid-Marseille (Gianluca Rocchi ITA)
Benfica-Qarabağ (Cüneyt Çakır TUR)
Juventus-BDortmund (Hugh Dallas SCO)
Tottenham-Villarreal (Rune Pedersen NOR)
Olymbiakós-Pafos (Rien Koopman NED)
SlaviaPraha-Bodø/Glimt (?)
PSG-Atalanta (Martin Atkinson ENG)
Bayern-Chelsea (Ichko Lozev BUL)
Liverpool-Atlético (Frank De Bleeckere BEL)
Ajax-Inter (Karen Nalbandyan ARM)
ClubBrugge-Monaco (Howard Webb ENG)
Copenhagen-Leverkusen (Elmir Pilav BIH)
ManCity-Napoli (Marián Ružbarský SVK)
Frankfurt-Galatasaray (Jon Eilif Skjervold NOR)
SportingCP-Qairat (Carlos Velasco Carballo ESP)
Newcastle-Barcelona (Jan Willem Wegereef NED)
LUXNIR 66'
ReplyDeleteSecond YC to the same player who committed the handball offence after which the penalty was awarded in the first half. It seems it's for UB - putting legs on the opponents after falling down, but no good replay. There was VAR-check information shown, so maybe even a straight red card was possible for VAR.
https://streambug.org/cv/bb92a1
One should stay at live sequence, replays don't help us, broadcaster didn't understand reason of YC. Seems rather a supportable decision, but impossible to say more.
DeleteNEDPOL 80'
ReplyDeleteExcellent onside by Giovanni Baccini at Poland's goal.
https://streambug.org/cv/48adc9
Day of Italian ARs then. Also Filippo Meli with an very excellent onside in Tbilisi in minute 63
DeleteEarly predictions CL:
ReplyDeleteAthletic-Arsenal: Sozza ITA (Kuipers) *Kuipers here probably means a debut*
PSV-Union SG: Dabanovic MNE (Cantalejo)
Juventus-Dortmund: Letexier FRA (Dallas)
Real Madrid-Marseille: Schärer SUI (Rocchi)
Benfica-Qarabag: Jovanovic SRB (Çakir)
Tottenham-Villarreal: Turpin FRA (Pedersen)
Olympiakos-Pafos: Taylor ENG (Koopman)
Slavia Praga-Bodo Glimt: Unknown observer but maybe Gözübüyük after Velasco watched him today (???)
Ajax-Inter Milan: Vincic SVN (Nalbandyan)
Bayern-Chelsea: Makkelie NED (Lozev)
Liverpool-Atletico: Peljto BIH (De Bleeckere)
PSG-Atalanta: Sanchez Martinez ESP (Atkinson)
Brugge-Monaco: Agayev AZE (Webb)
Copenhague-Leverkusen: Balakin UKR (Pilav)
Frankfurt-Galatasaray: Lambrechts BEL (Skjervold)
Man City-Napoli: Zwayer GER (Ruzbarsky)
Newcastle-Barcelona: Guida ITA (Wegereef)
Sporting-Kairat: Sylwestrzak POL (Velasco Carballo) *Another locked debut IMO*
My predictions
DeleteAthletic-Arsenal: Pinheiro (Martins)
PSV-Union SG: Rumsas (di Paolo)
Juventus-Dortmund: Schärer (San)
Real Madrid-Marseille: Oliver (Gillett)
Benfica-Qarabag: Guida (Pairetto)
Tottenham-Villarreal: Mariani (di Bello)
Olympiakos-Pafos: Taylor (Salisbury)
Slavia Praga-Bodo Glimt: Lambrechts (van Driessche)
Ajax-Inter Milan: Peljto (Dingert)
Bayern-Chelsea: Letexier (Brisard)
Liverpool-Atletico: Vincic (Borosak)
PSG-Atalanta: Zwayer (Dankert)
Brugge-Monaco: Kruzliak (Ruperti)
Copenhague-Leverkusen: Gözübüyük (van Boekel)
Frankfurt-Galatasaray: Sanchez (del Cerro Grande)
Man City-Napoli: Turpin (Delajod)
Newcastle-Barcelona: Stieler (Storks)
Sporting-Kairat: Kabakov (Draganov)
Interesting situation in Gozubuyuk match,SVK-GER.
ReplyDeleteAround 93rd minute,SPA,clear as day whistled,he was going for his pocket bu Germany quickly took the free kick and he allowed that without booking the player.
Then on the next stoppage,player was not booked.
Was that clear and intentional miss or complete blackout?
Yeah, I expected him to use the rare LotG clause there (and it would have been a perfect application!) but it seems he changed his mind for some reason.
Deletehttps://www.streambug.io/cv/4d8809
Another interesting situation in additional time where he awarded Slovakia a freekick but still rightly booked their fouled player for making a reckless kick moments later.
https://www.streambug.io/cv/4be3b0
Velasco should assign a good mark for Gozubuyuk, who refereed well in a normal-difficulty match. As for what the Spaniard's more holistic observations might be: in my eyes, praise is in order for the Netherlands referee, who improved a lot in recent years (changing to a law-enforcer style which works well for him), but personally I still see Gozubuyuk as a bit too insecure in both decision-making and presence on the FoP to be one of the top ≈15/20 referees in Europe.
Very good with the YC to Slovakian player but the free kick to them for the foul before, while the previous situation wasn't managed in the best way, as he wanted to book but then game resumed and he changed his mind or even forgot it. Would have been a perfect application, as Mikaal said.
DeleteI agree that the Dutchman, after years and years of refereeing at UEFA, has improved his level, but there are probably still moments of hesitation that prevent a full increase of quality.
I haven’t seen the video, but
DeleteFrom Laws of the Game; Rule 12.
I remind that if Gozubuyuk evaluated the foul as SPA, no sanction is needed after the free kick is taken quickly.
“Delaying the restart of play to show a card
Once the referee has decided to caution or send off a player, play must not be restarted until the sanction has been administered, unless the non-offending team takes a quick free kick, has a clear goal-scoring opportunity and the referee has not started the disciplinary sanction procedure. The sanction is administered at the next stoppage; if the offence was denying the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, the player is cautioned; if the offence interfered with or stopped a promising attack, the player is not cautioned.“
I think it is time to question whether Hernandez Hernandez actually should be a candidate for demotion; having just now watched Euro Soccer Ref's highlights of his performance today in Kazakhstan-Wales, these two incidents stuck out to me for negative consideration:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.streambug.io/cv/a212ed
https://www.streambug.io/cv/bfe78e
In my eyes, he was doing well until the 22/23 season, but ever since then whenever I watched one of his games, it was refereed poorly - a simply too low level of technical accuracy, missed fouls/cards, and very isolated from the players. One can compare to the amount of (positive) progress that Gil Manzano made in this period, to the almost equal amount of regression for the Canarian official. Imo, Hernandez should now be fighting to retain his place in the elite category.
Agree,these 2 were clear missed bookings from him,something that someone like Siebert or any other big elite would have not missed.
DeleteWhat's worse is that #5 KAZ was eager to get booked,he ws persistent in that and yet Hernandez forgave him every time.
Also,37'is also very reckless and there he missed YC,as well as 39'and 75' were stamps happened.
I feel that once you whistle foul that he whistled in 90+5 YC should be shown and no other option. Dangerous situation,oportunity to shot and player was recklessly stopped in that.
His main problem is that he joined cult of refs ,cult that only allows lenient approach that is modern in Spain and rest of Europe.
Little bit sarcastic from me,but you have to aknowledge the fact that every year refs are allowing way too much.
Looks like leniency and little cards in match are resulting in good grades for refs.
So what about Massa and Kruashvili yesterday?
They showed plenty cards,so what,they had bad performances???
I remember him in his better performances and his better years,now as he gotten older he obviously thinks that he will solve everything with talking.
Do you remember how good were Vinčič and Nyberg before their promotions? They were EXCELLENT in punishing any form of dissent and unsporting behaviour. They have become very passive (especially the Slovene) and lenient since joining the Elite. It seems there are unwritten instructions to be lenient and not to interfere with players immediately when you are accepted by TOP to handle the biggest games.
DeleteTrying to be as neutral as possible assessing the two clips:
DeleteClip 1 - min 30. While it may seem a mandatory caution for delaying a restart, this is one of those that I feel are encouraged to manage rather than punish. Especially given score (KAZ down and early in the game). I would have liked to see, however, action of some sort by Hernandez such as a visible warning to cease on that behaviour.
Clip 2 - this incident for me, despite obvious and cynical by the Kaz player, is borderline and can be managed in two different ways depending on the antecedents up to there, moment of the game and location. Arguably looking at the minute, location near the benches and Kaz player behaviour, the caution should have been shown. However, if a no card is shown I would like to see a stern warning or visible bollocking instead (though being in the last 15 min of the game this can be of little effect but just for theatrics). As an observer I would back Hernandez approach of no card if the temperature of the game did not rise after this, nor any other dirty tricks or behaviour happened. I would penalise this action if the temperature rose or the cynical behaviour continued in later actions. This can be one of those actions where you have to balance your risk Vs reward. I feel there is no reward in running the risk of no cautioning, but also I wouldn't penalise for that choice if it turns successful for the referee as discussed
Does somebody know why Danny Makkelie has Dennis Higler as VAR for the last 4 international games? Normaly Rob Dieperink was his VAR in international games.
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed remarkable. Especially in a World Cup year, and I believe Dieperink has built a stronger reputation within FIFA than Higler. On the other hand, the latter had an excellent VAR season within UEFA last year, with a Champions League final as the highlight.
DeleteAgree with everyone about Hernandez Hernandez. Both in La Liga and Europe he is in big down trend.
ReplyDeleteIncredible that he missed this mandatory yellow cards and his AR1 and AR2 keeps quiet and not helping him.
What is even worse situation in 37 and 39 minute where mandatory yellow should be shown he does not even give verbal warning.
Kazak player kick ball way to avoid fast taken free throw and he just don't care nothing from him. 2 very dangerous stamps as M said and nothing not even verbal warning and he was just 2 meters away and could see them clearly.
Good advantage by Sánchez Martínez before Swedish goal.
ReplyDeleteIn 29' a very good assessment by Pinheiro, following a penalty appeal by Italy. It was the attacker, Retegui, to make the most of the situation here. However, in 36' he decided to forgive a YC to the same Italian player, it seems his classic style.
ReplyDeleteYC for Scotland just before half time. Hight studs contact on knee but I imagine a lack of intensity saves it from being an OFR
ReplyDeleteSuper lenient first half from Sanchez, hope he will not lose this game
ReplyDeleteIs not Martinez Munuera the 4th official instead of De Burgos?
DeletePossible red card for Scotland. Siebert rejects OFR
ReplyDeleteAn utterly embarassing OFR in Copenhagen correctly dismissed by Siebert
ReplyDeleteDenmark v Scotland - why is that even a free kick let alone an OFR or yellow card given how high up the arm it hits the defender?
ReplyDeleteThe ball has travelled a long way, and it's not at the very top of the arm (some of the contact is below the line). That being said, in much of the UK, it would be interpreted more like you have done. As for the OFR, 'clear and obvious RC' it was not. I think it's clear every top VAR still has big issues at times, I feel Attwell has been unfairly treated, others have had as many errors as him and still get appointed
DeleteAn absolutely Shocking decision to send over Siebert to the monitor in Copenhagen, to review a DOGSO handball, excellent Siebert is Brave and doesnt upgrade!
ReplyDeleteHow's Jarred doing in Greece
ReplyDeleteOFR for handball penalty, it can be controversial.
Deletehttps://streamain.com/en/PuicGBvpOIC8Mw9/watch
The player leans his arm towards the ball. I'd expect that to be given for delibrate handball. Good intevention from Brooks
DeleteIMO this is area where AR must help...
DeleteI suppose AR wasn't sure if the player played with his shoulder or his hand, so he followed the line of least resistance and waited for VAR to check
Good VAR intervention
Simply awful decision to bring siebert for an OFR. Too many soft cautions for a referee of his experience. Although well done in not accepting the OFR
ReplyDeleteSiebert OFR:
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/159e93
Wrong OFR. YC is enough, not a clear DOGSO.
Suprised by the comments about the foul! It's a more than big handball, if you don't see that, it's hard to agree and find consistency in refereeing, sorry. If you justify this touch by arm in that position, you can justify everything about handballs.
I think Siebert had a good performance, he was respected and most importantly he was brave to stick with his original decision! Overall he never lost control and arguably both teams can have nothing to complain about!
ReplyDeleteBULESP (Srđan Jovanović)
ReplyDeleteKMIs
10' PAI: https://streambug.org/cv/f77ca4
32' PAI: https://streambug.org/cv/1ca961
52' PAI: https://streambug.org/cv/c1adb1
74' Offside AR1 vs PAI: https://streambug.org/cv/80d8c7
Disciplinary
Delete29' Pot YC 4BUL reckless: https://streambug.org/cv/059aad
33' Pot YC 5BUL reckless: https://streambug.org/cv/d8b31b
39' YC 3ESP holding: https://streambug.org/cv/b0b6dc
47' Pot YC 6ESP reckless: https://streambug.org/cv/8eae94
52' Pot YC 19ESP reckless: https://streambug.org/cv/52ffd9
53' Pot YC 18ESP DtR: https://streambug.org/cv/9b1da3
60' Pot YC 18BUL DtR: https://streambug.org/cv/c40275
64' Conflict management: https://streambug.org/cv/6f2aa1
KMIs:
Delete10' Correct decision to play on
32' Gray area but I prefer play on as there is no full contact
52' Correct decision to play on because the arm is in a natural position
74' Wrong offside by AR1 and then no decision on the pitch from the referee (foul/no foul) so he just awarded IFK. Gray area again
Some of these can go unbookable,but not all imo.
DeleteFor instance,52'is clear YC,SPA with reckless elements.
Even that can be forgiven .
But 60'and kicking the ball away after the whistle in such manner.
No other solution than YC here is possible imo.
Then we have to question are all refs on the same page and have same guidelines in terms of punishing that kind of behaviour or everyone has their own ideas and style.
For instance Siebert,Zwayer or Kovacs would for sure have showed YC there.
M: I think that Jovanovic devised a rule that if you impressively score a goal in an act of DtR, then you can waive the consequent yellow card 😀.
DeleteThanks for this Euro Soccer Ref; performance comes across as too sloppy with both reckless 'entries' (29', 33', 47') which were simply missed by Jovanovic and the ignored incidents mentioned by M. 32' was a careless step-on-foot but it's understandable not to intervene for a penalty there. In all games during 2024 and 2025 that I watched, the Serb hasn't convinced at all. Like Hernandez, I think he should be fighting to retain his position in the elite category.
Very good performance for joao pinheiro
ReplyDeleteSanchez?? Why not cleat caution Slovenia 66.15? 89.27 throw inn from wrong position but they can take it one more time and they score the 2-2-goal. Follow the laws referees!
ReplyDeleteAre you Swede? :) Sanchez was OK, don't remember less talking about the referee when being live on the stands. He had control, he didn't influence the match.
DeleteYes, he eas quite tolerant with positions of throw-ins and free kicks, but for both teams. And yes, he whistled a few soft fouls (to be objective, mostly in the favour of Slovenia), but this is minor stuff.
DeleteGuys, does anyone know what happened to Meler? He's not appointing any UEFA or Qualifiers game since 14 August. Is UEFA going to lower his category?
ReplyDeleteSome impressions from Montenegro-CzechRep which I watched this morning:
ReplyDelete1- Funny moment (https://www.streambug.io/cv/dd46cf) which means not top marks for the UEFA delegation controlling the match 😅.
2- Total blackout from the Italian linesman Giuseppe Perrotti (https://www.streambug.io/cv/0e3119) who apparently missed the both the quite clear reverse crossover offside and the ball very clearly crossing the line for what would otherwise have been a clear Czech goal. Expect the unexpected! Fabbri as Var solved everything correctly.
3- It was nice to see Guida again, I think he is a very good referee. In this match he took a forgiving view of deliberate careless fouling, but was alert to potential conflicts. Overall, good performance. The same story as ever: now an accomplished style with strong personality skills, but only patrolling the centre of the FoP and thus unable to produce optimal viewing angles for assessing incidents. This format of referee tends to correspond with 'top domestic official but not internationally' (eg Hooper), however Guida has managed to make it work in UEFA matches. However, I think the odds of this type of referee being selected for the World Cup are low (<10%); which is pity, because personally I see him as above Mariani to a rather significant degree. Finally, an interesting scene from the game (https://www.streambug.io/cv/6cbc52), taking the words about Guida's style into practice.
Thanks for reporting!
DeleteIncredible mistake by AR2, but I think he was fully unaware about the change of action, indeed, he didn't expect that attacking team would have regained ball possession and he was 100% out of focus. Missed both big offside and the goal. Terrible mark expecting him, honestly at this level something we rarely or almost never see. I think Guida, despite of the classic situation in which it's maybe hard to understand if goal or not, should have struggled more to see and detect the goal, then VAR would have made the correction.
I would also say that VAR didn't expect this one, so they took a longer time, because even the offside is evident when you rewatch, maybe from the room they couldn' believe that all had been missed by AR live..
Thanks for the report!
Delete“Patrolling the centre of the FoP” - Funny :)
But aren’t there quite a few Elite referees who tend to do that? From what I’ve seen, the levels of athleticism, pace and agility vary a lot, even within the Elite group.
Sure, but I think with Guida it is quite an extreme case (reminds me of Diaz Vega's style in the period 1997-99 when the Spaniard knew he had no more chances to attend a big tournament but still consistently handled important games for UEFA).
DeleteDidn't watch with attention, but it didn't look like a challenging one for Al Emara, rather calm game (one could have guessed a slightly higher level of difficulty due to Andorra way of playing).
ReplyDeleteNope, no challenge at all for him. There were a small handful of unconvincing incidents but really nothing major to report. I was impressed with Al-Emara on the previous occasions that I'd watched him referee; I think UEFA consider him a possible Elite in the future.
DeleteRC for DOGSO in San Marino:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.me/v/d51198c5
The only possible point for discussion is the other defender, but it's sure never a clear and obvious mistake, correct by VAR to stay silent. I think YC wouldn't have been questioned either.
Now in 41' Jorgji whistled a penalty to San Marino for holding but he was too quick without waiting for AR. The latter immediately after called offside and the the Albanian referee changed decision. All correct, but teamwork can be improved.
DeletePersonally I would have preferred a YC due to the other defender and the dynamics. I think this is not yet a OGSO, but that is subjective.
Delete