Thursday 23 November 2017

Europa League 2017/18 - Referee Appointments - Matchday 5

These are the appointments for MD5 of 2017-18 UEFA Europa League. 

Group A, 23 November 2017, 17:00 CET
Astana Arena, Astana (KAZ)
FK Astana - Villarreal CF
Referee: Gediminas Mažeika (LTU)
Assistant Referee 1: Vytautas Šimkus (LTU)
Assistant Referee 2: Vytenis Kazlauskas (LTU)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Manfredas Lukjancukas (LTU)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Robertas Valikonis (LTU)
Fourth Official: Dovydas Sužiedėlis (LTU)
UEFA Referee Observer: Miroslav Vitković (CRO)
UEFA Delegate: Scilla Gennaro (ITA)

Group F, 23 November 2017, 19:00 CET
Stadion Lokomotiv, Moskov (RUS)
Lokomotiv Moskva - FC København
Referee: Javier Estrada Fernández (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Miguel Martínez Munuera (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Teodoro Sobrino Magán (ESP)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Jesús Gil Manzano (ESP)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea (ESP)
Fourth Official: Javier Aguilar Rodríguez (ESP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Andrejs Sipailo (LVA)
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack (LUX)

Group G, 23 November 2017, 19:00 CET
Stadion Města Plzně, Plzeň (CZE)
FC Viktoria Plzeň - FCSB
Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Goran Pataki (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Miro Grgić (CRO)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Mario Zebec (CRO)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Goran Gabrilo (CRO)
Fourth Official: Ivica Modrić (CRO)
UEFA Referee Observer: Kaj Østergaard (DEN)
UEFA Delegate: Mark Evans (WAL)

Group G, 23 November 2017, 19:00 CET
Luzern Arena, Lucerne (SUI)
FC Lugano - Hapoel Beer-Sheva
Referee: Harald Lechner (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Heidenreich (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Maximilian Kolbitsch (AUT)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Harkam (AUT)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Julian Weinberger (AUT)
Fourth Official: Andreas Staudinger (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Nikolay Ivanov (RUS)
UEFA Delegate: Claus Christensen (DEN)

Group H, 23 November 2017, 19:00 CET
RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne (GER)
1. F Köln 01/07 - Arsenal FC
Referee: Vladislav Bezborodov (RUS)
Assistant Referee 1: Valeri Danchenko (RUS)
Assistant Referee 2: Maksim Gavrilin (RUS)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Kirill Levnikov (RUS)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Igor Fedotov (RUS)
Fourth Official: Aleksei Lunev (RUS)
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefan Messner (AUT)
UEFA Delegate: Adonis Prokopíou (CYP)

Group H, 23 November 2017, 19:00 CET
Borisov Arena, Borisov (BLR)
BATE Borisov - FK Crvena Zvezda
Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen (NOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Kim Thomas Haglund (NOR)  
Assistant Referee 2: Magnus Lundberg (NOR)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Tore Hansen (NOR)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Espen Eskås (NOR)
Fourth Official: Jan Erik Engan (NOR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Raymond Ellingham (WAL)
UEFA Delegate: Boris Stankov (BUL)

Group I, 23 November 2017, 19:00 CET
Stadion Salzburg, Salzburg (AUT)
FC Salzburg - Vitória SC
Referee: Andrew Dallas (SCO)
Assistant Referee 1: Graeme Stewart (SCO)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Stokoe (SCO)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Donald Robertson (SCO)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Nicholas Walsh (SCO)
Fourth Official: Alastair Mather (SCO)
UEFA Referee Observer: Eugen Strigel (GER)
UEFA Delegate: Artur Azaryan (ARM)

Group I, 23 November 2017, 19:00 CET
Konya Büyükşehir Belediye Stadium, Konya (TUR)
Konyaspor Kulübü - Olympique de Marseille 
Referee: Sergei Karasev (RUS)
Assistant Referee 1: Anton Averianov (RUS)
Assistant Referee 2: Tikhon Kalugin (RUS)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Sergei Lapochkin (RUS)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Sergei Ivanov (RUS)
Fourth Official: Igor Demeshko (RUS)
UEFA Referee Observer: Domenico Messina (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Kris Bellon (BEL)

Group J, 23 November 2017, 19:00 CET
Estadio de San Mamés, Bilbao (ESP)
Athletic Club  - Hertha BSC 
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Alessandro Costanzo (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Matteo Passeri (ITA)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
Additional Assistant Referee 2:  Marco Guida (ITA)
Fourth Official: Elenito Giovanni Di Liberatore (ITA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Vladimir Antonov (MDA)
UEFA Delegate: Scott Struthers (SCO)

Group J, 23 November 2017, 19:00 CET
Jämtkraft Arena, Östersund (SWE)
Östersunds FK - FC Zorya
Referee: Kevin Blom (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Rob van de Ven (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Charles Schaap (NED)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Siemen Mulder (NED)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Allard Lindhout (NED) 
Fourth Official: Hessel Steegstra (NED)
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefano Podeschi (SMR)
UEFA Delegate: Roxana Berceanu (ROU)

Group K, 23 November 2017, 19:00 CET
Stadio Olimpico, Rome (ITA)
SS Lazio - SBV Vitesse
Referee: Ali Palabıyık (TUR)
Assistant Referee 1: Çem Satman (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Serkan Olguncan (TUR)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Halil Umut Meler (TUR)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Barış Şimşek (TUR)
Fourth Official: Ceyhun Sesigüzel (TUR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Peter Fröjdfeldt (SWE)
UEFA Delegate: José Guilherme Aguiar (POR)

Group K, 23 November 2017, 19:00 CET
Stade de Nice, Nice (FRA)
OGC Nice - SV Zulte Waregem
Referee:  Luca Banti (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrea Crispo (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Fabiano Preti (ITA)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Daniele Doveri (ITA)
Fourth Official: Filippo Meli (ITA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Erol Ersoy (TUR)
UEFA Delegate: Oleg Harlamov (EST)

Group L, 23 November 2017, 19:00 CET
Lerkendal Stadion, Trondheim (NOR)
Rosenborg BK - Real Sociedad
Referee: Daniel Stefański (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Marcin Boniek (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Dawid Igor Golis (POL)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Zbigniew Dobrynin (POL)
Fourth Official: Krzysztof Myrmus (POL)
UEFA Referee Observer: Boško Jovanetić (SRB)
UEFA Delegate: Kieran O'Connor (WAL)

Group L, 23 November 2017, 19:00 CET
St. Petersburg Stadion, St. Petersburg (RUS)
FC Zenit - FK Vardar 
Referee: Bart Vertenten (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Rien Vanyzere (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Thibaud Nijssen (BEL)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Lawrence Visser (BEL)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Bram Van Driessche (BEL)
Fourth Official: Yves De Neve (BEL)
UEFA Referee Observer: Miroslav Liba (CZE)
UEFA Delegate: Bernhard Neuhold (AUT)

Group A, 23 November 2017, 21:05 CET
Netanya Municipal Stadium, Netanya (ISR)
Maccabi Tel-Aviv - SK Slavia Praha
Referee: István Kovács (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Vasile Florin Marinescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Ovidiu Artene (ROU)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Ionuț Marius Avram (ROU)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Horatiu Fesnic (ROU)
Fourth Official: Alexandru Cerei (ROU)
UEFA Referee Observer: Manuel Enrique Mejuto González (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Vasko Dojčinovski (MKD)

Group B, 23 November 2017, 21:05 CET
Stadion FK Partizan, Belgrade (SRB)
FK Partizan - BSC Young Boys 
Referee: Tamás Bognár (HUN)
Assistant Referee 1: Balázs Buzás (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Theodoros Georgiou (HUN)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Ádám Farkas (HUN)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Péter Solymosi (HUN
Fourth Official: Péter Kóbor (HUN)
UEFA Referee Observer: Alfredo Trentalange (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Emil Ubias (CZE)

Group B, 23 November 2017, 21:05 CET
Elbasan Arena, Elbasan (ALB)
KS Skënderbeu - FC Dynamo Kyiv
Referee: Oliver Drachta (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Roland Brandner (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan Kühr (AUT)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Manuel Schüttengruber (AUT)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Dieter Muckenhammer (AUT)
Fourth Official: Roland Riedel (AUT)
UEFA Referee Observer: Rodger Gifford (WAL)
UEFA Delegate: Ionel Piscanu (ROU)

Group C, 23 November 2017, 21:05 CET
Estádio Municipal de Braga, Braga (POR)
Sporting Braga - 1899 Hoffenheim 
Referee: Andre Marriner (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Stephen Child (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Lee Betts (ENG)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Robert Madley (ENG)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Friend (ENG) 
Fourth Official: Ian Hussin (ENG)
UEFA Referee Observer: Charles Agius (MLT)
UEFA Delegate: Rudolf Zavrl (SVN)

Group C, 23 November 2017, 21:05 CET
Ludogorets Arena, Razgrad (BUL)
PFC Ludogorets - İstanbul Başakşehir
Referee: Miroslav Zelinka (CZE)
Assistant Referee 1: Ondřej Pelikán (CZE)
Assistant Referee 2: Jan Paták (CZE)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Radek Příhoda (CZE)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Karel Hrubeš (CZE)
Fourth Official: Jiří Moláček (CZE)
UEFA Referee Observer: Kaj Natri (FIN)
UEFA Delegate: Jovan Šurbatović (SRB)

Group D, 23 November 2017, 21:05 CET
Olympic Athletic Center of Athens "Spyros Louis", Athens (GRE)
AEK Athens - HNK Rijeka
Referee: Mattias Gestranius (FIN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jan-Peter Aravirta (FIN)
Assistant Referee 2: Mikko Alakare (FIN)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Antti Munukka (FIN)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Dennis Antamo (FIN)
Fourth Official: Jukka Honkanen (FIN)
UEFA Referee Observer: Nuno Alexandre Parreira Castro (POR)
UEFA Delegate: John Taylor (SCO)

Group D, 23 November 2017, 21:05 CET
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan (ITA)
AC Milan - Austria Wien 
Referee: Andris Treimanis (LVA)
Assistant Referee 1: Haralds Gudermanis (LVA)
Assistant Referee 2: Aleksejs Spasjonnikovs (LVA)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandrs Golubev (LVA)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Edgars Malcevs (LVA)
Fourth Official: Raimonds Tatriks (LVA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Neale Barry (ENG)
UEFA Delegate: Ainar Leppänen (EST)

Group E, 23 November 2017, 21:05 CET
Goodison Park, Liverpool (ENG)
Everton FC - Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio
Referee: Jakob Kehlet (DEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Lars Rix (DEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Heine Sørensen (DEN)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Michael Tykgaard (DEN)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Jens Maae (DEN)
Fourth Official: Henrik Larsen (DEN)
UEFA Referee Observer: Paulius Malžinskas (LTU)
UEFA Delegate: Rainer Koch (GER)

Group E, 23 November 2017, 21:05 CET
Stade de Lyon, Décines (FRA)
Olympique Lyonnais - Apollon Limassol 
Referee: Paweł Raczkowski (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Michal Obukowicz (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Musiał (POL)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
Fourth Official: Radosław Siejka (POL)
UEFA Referee Observer: Rien Koopman (NED)
UEFA Delegate: Leonid Kaloshin (RUS)

Group F, 23 November 2017, 21:05 CET
Stadionul Sheriff, Tiraspol (MDA)
FC Sheriff Tiraspol - FC Fastav Zlí
Referee: Ola Hobber Nilsen (NOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Tom Harald Grønevik (NOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Geir Isaksen (NOR)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Kai Erik Steen (NOR)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Tom Harald Hagen (NOR)
Fourth Official: Øystein Ytterland (NOR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Stávros Tritsónis (GRE)
UEFA Delegate: Álvaro Albino (POR)

140 comments:

  1. Sergei Karasev in UEL is a surprise 😮 Probably due to his mistakes in Bayern Munich v Celtic match??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I think so. Mistakes at the beginning of that game were too blatant.

      Delete
    2. On the other hand he's in a shortlist of 10 referees for the World Cup seminar while Eriksson is ignored :)

      Delete
    3. I respect Karasev and he has absolutely improved in recent times, for certain aspects he deserved the call to WC, but of course the main reason is that he is from Russia. We have nothing to hide here. At the same time, one must be honest: Eriksson's form, in recent times was really poor.

      Delete
    4. Absolutely correct about Eriksson but Karasev is absolutely at par with him based on current form... I can recall lots of mistakes by Karasev in recent times, Eriksson sort of returned well in Roma v Chelsea but then nationality does matter... Karasev didn't have a very special U20 WC either with 2 absolutely nothing games and no test for him whatsoever... But overall if we are honest Eriksson, Kassai, Hategan, Karasev all these names don't deserve World Cup call up based strictly on performances... Turpin has turned things in his favour after performing really well in Lima...

      Delete
  2. Another debut. This time for Ola Hobber Nilsen. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Including the return of Tom Hagen on the international stage!

      Delete
    2. Indeed, very interesting to read the name of Tom Harald Hagen again.

      Delete
  3. It should be the last game in European competitions for Tagliavento, given that he will be replaced on the list due to (domestic) age limits. Daniele Doveri should be the new name, while, as I already said, Di Bello is planned to join replacing the spot of Rizzoli.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What is the age limit for FIFA referees?

      Delete
    2. What is the age limit for FIFA referees?

      Delete
    3. For FIFA, age limits have been totally abolished. A referee can get the badge and then can stay on the list as long as the national association wants. However, the problem with Italy is that we have age limits of 45 years old. So, Tagliavento should retire for that. Even in case of confirmation on the list for the next years as FIFA referee (possible choice for FIFA), he should get some special derogations for keeping his status as serie A referee.

      Delete
    4. Thanks for the reply, do you know if in England there's any age limits?

      Delete
    5. For what I know, but surely other readers could give a sure answer, there aren't age limits in England.

      Delete
    6. There is no age limit in England, Mike Dean is 49y old, Johnantan Moss is 47 so i think that if you can pass fitness test you can continue refereering

      Delete
    7. Roger East is the oldest one with 52y olds..

      Delete
    8. Big problems in England replacing the old referees with younger, Dean and Moss are good and deserve their place. Mason and East for example, surely there are two better young referees to take their place, but I'm not so sure there is honestly.

      Delete
    9. Also, Chris Foy retired with 52 two years ago, while Phil Dowd retired last year 53 years old. Two great referees

      Delete
    10. Current List of Premier League Referees

      Bobby Madley 32 years, 37 days
      Michael Oliver 32 years, 265 days
      Chris Kavanagh 33 years, 134 days
      Stuart Attwell 35 years, 37 days
      Paul Tierney 36 years, 322 days
      Craig Pawson 38 years, 117 days
      Anthony Taylor 39 years, 23 days
      Lee Probert 45 years, 91 days
      Lee Mason 46 years, 14 days
      Kevin Friend 46 years, 127 days
      Martin Atkinson 46 years, 226 days
      Andre Marriner 46 years, 315 days
      Jonathan Moss 47 years, 25 days
      Mike Dean 49 years, 163 days
      Mike Jones 49 years, 208 days
      Graham Scott 49 years, 264 days
      Neil Swarbrick 51 years, 327 days
      Roger East 52 years, 184 days

      Delete
  4. Most interesting observers: Mejuto for Kovacs, Trentalange for Bognar, Castro for Gestranius, Strigel for Dallas and Frojdfeldt for Palabiyik. To mention Karasev, he will be observed by Messina . Nilsen's debut will be observed by Stavros Tristonis. I think those are most interesting, I will post other as soon as I come home from work ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looks like this is going to be the last appointment for Andre Marriner in international matches :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. No referees from Rep of Ireland in UCL or UEL Groups since Oct 2013, Neil Doyle Cat 2 refereed WCQ in Belgium in August, a long time for this country

    ReplyDelete
  7. Are the assistant referees attending next week's WC course?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It should be only for the referees, but I can't give this info as 100% sure.
      http://www.tff.org/default.aspx?pageID=248&ftxtID=28311
      Turkish federation reports only Çakır called for this course.
      We will see whether the assistant referees who are appointed with the preselected officials, will appear in domestic leagues this week end.

      Delete
    2. I asked because Pau Cebrián Devís (Mateu's AR1) is appointed for a match in Copa del Rey on November 28th, so I thought it was "strange". Thanks for your answer!

      Delete

  8. Copa Libertadores Final 2017
    First Leg, 22 November 2017

    Gremio – Lanus
    Referee: Julio Bascunan (CHI, photo)
    Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Astroza (CHI)
    Assistant Referee 2: Christian Schiemann (CHI)
    Fourth Official: Diego Haro (PER)
    VAR: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
    AVAR: Roddy Zambrano (ECU)
    VAR 2: Christian Lescano (ECU)
    Referee Assessor: Carlos Torres (PAR)
    Referees Committee: Wilson Seneme (BRA)

    Second Leg, 29 November 2017

    Lanus – Gremio
    Referee: Enrique Caceres (PAR)
    Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardozo (PAR)
    Assistant Referee 2: Juan Zorrilla (PAR)
    Fourth Official: Eber Aquino (PAR)
    VAR: Mario Diaz de Vivar (PAR)
    AVAR: Victor Carrillo (PER)
    VAR 2: Milciades Saldivar (PAR)
    Referee Assessor: Hector Baldassi (ARG)
    Referees Committee: Wilson Seneme (BRA)
    Posted on Monday, November 20, 2017
    Email This
    BlogThis!
    Share to Twitter
    Share to Facebook
    Share to Pinterest

    Copa Sudamericana – Semi-finals

    First Leg, 21-23 November 2017

    Libertad – Independiente
    Referee: Victor Carrillo (PER, photo)
    Assistant Referee 1: Jonny Bossio (PER)
    Assistant Referee 2: Coty Carrera (PER)
    Fourth Official: Michael Espinoza (PER)
    Referee Assessor: Miguel Buitrago (VEN)

    Flamengo – Junior
    Referee: Jose Argote (VEN)
    Assistant Referee 1: Luis Murillo (VEN)
    Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Lopez (VEN)
    Fourth Official: Juan Soto (VEN)
    Referee Assessor: Francisco Mondria (CHI)

    Second Leg, 28-30 November 2017

    Independiente – Libertad
    Referee: Roddy Zambrano (ECU)
    Assistant Referee 1: Christian Lescano (ECU)
    Assistant Referee 2: Byron Romero (ECU)
    Fourth Official: Omar Ponce (ECU)
    Referee Assessor: Juan Lugones (BOL)

    Junior – Flamengo
    Referee: Roberto Tobar (CHI)
    Assistant Referee 1: Claudio Rios (CHI)
    Assistant Referee 2: Kose Retamal (CHI)
    Fourth Official: Jorge Osorio (CHI)
    Referee Assessor: Victor Rivera (PER)

    ReplyDelete
  9. First half by Mazeika: a very nice football game in Kazakhstan. Overall, expected level without major issues. However, referee was forced to issue a YC in 43' for complaints by a player from home-team. In my opinion, he could work more on the communication and prevention for avoiding such behaviors, because it is not nice if you have to issue the first card of the game for this reason. In any case, nothing extra-ordinary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I only saw the last minuted and there was an interesting situation with Kabananga booked for simulation (although he wasn't waiting for referee's whistle and tried to continue play immediately afterward, it was a clear case of simulation). After the whistle but before the card was shown, Kabananga strongly kicked the ball with anger. I believe it should be two yellow cards in this case: for simulation and for dissent by action. Maybe DutchRef will help us with the video!

      Delete
    2. This should be the situations mentioned:

      43' YC Shomko (AST) - protest
      https://streamable.com/4qfb7

      90+4' YC Kabananga (AST); simualtion - protest
      https://streamable.com/7mscg

      Delete
    3. Clearly two bookable offences in 90+4'! Such case has been included in the last IFAB circular!!!

      "Where two separate cautionable (YC) offences are committed (even in close proximity), they should result in 2 x cautions (YCs), for example if a player:
      - enters the field of play without the required permission and commits a reckless tackle/stops a promising attack with a foul/handball, etc.

      Delete
  10. Overall good 1st half from Bebek .
    He tried to let as many advantages as it was possible,good no penalty call,but he made lets hope not crucial mistake at the end of first half.
    He booked wrong player cause he couldnt see the foul .
    Looks like 4th official gave him wrong information.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At the end,pretty good job from Bebek,bit more lenient that usual but overall ok.

      Delete
  11. Solid performance from Stefański so far. Some dissents from Rosenborg players but quick reactions (relaxed at first and very firm in second case) solved the problem for now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One penalty incident
      https://streamable.com/uspzr

      Delete
    2. Penalty incident
      https://streamable.com/3qwv2

      Is verbal warning enough?!
      https://streamable.com/glyyq

      Crucial decision - offside by AR1, disallowed Rosenborg's goal
      https://streamable.com/qpy1y

      Delete
    3. On the last situation, was that offside?
      And what about a possible foul on keeper? But yes, Stefański whistled for offside.

      Delete
    4. No YC and just verbal warning is okay and even the preferable decision against the background the freekick is hit towards the defending player to get him cautioned, rather than as an attacking move.
      Good management, a YC would have seemed inflammatory there, in my opinion.

      No penalty and enough involvement by the (one?) offside player to justify the decision of the First Assistant- I like Stefanski's gestures in that situation also.

      Delete
    5. offside zoom
      https://postimg.org/image/dv8ufdo9d/

      Delete
  12. Very soft penalty call and RC for DOGSO by Karasev in Konyaspor Kulübü - Olympique de Marseille, minute 80'. I wouldn't have called it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Still penalty-happy, brave Russian then. However, I didn't watch the incident.

      Delete
    2. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6ag5vv

      Delete
    3. i think it was abnormal charge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ7HhzKtbyA

      Delete
    4. The video you posted in not available in my country.
      However, it is for sure a supportable decision, but really, really soft. RC is just a consequence, and it is a correct choice, but I would have liked to see a more than clear foul there. Very likely, Karasev did this call also because in previous game he missed a penalty and RC for DOGSO, so in doubt he prefered to whistle this time.
      That's my reading...

      Delete
  13. Minute 82. My opinion but I can’t see anything else other than obvious serious foul play minute 82 Östersund match. Kick in the face. He knows the opponent is there and risks his safety. Only a yellow given.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Victor For me red card, i agree with you, big mistake Kevin Blom

      Delete
  14. Huge mistake from Obukowicz in Lyon - Apóllon
    https://streamable.com/msp6v

    Handball
    https://streamable.com/iz31z

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mistake by AR: I think he was deceived by keeper's intervention. Actually a save, so offside was still active and to be punished.

      Handball: in my opinion penalty.

      Delete
    2. In addition bought simulation and missed yellow card for illegal use of arm. However, I think Raczkowski can be backed re handball.

      Delete
    3. Falling for simulation
      https://streamable.com/gmvwk

      Missed YC for illegal use of arms, the YC shown was for UB
      https://streamable.com/c6dnu

      Penalty incident, penalty should've been given, imo
      https://streamable.com/ljnb5
      https://streamable.com/u8q8z

      Unfortunately, Paweł Raczkowski is far from his top form two years ago. He couldn't recover from the poor Fenerbahçe - Kuban' game. Overall 8.2/8.3 if we close eyes for either simulation or illegal use of arm + at least one crucial mistake (penalty + potential wrong judgement at offside goal). There was the Elite Group on the horizon but he's far away from potential advance at the moment.

      Delete
    4. 24': a clear simulation.
      44': YC to be issued for illegal use of arms, reckless.
      61': Mhh I think referee can be backed

      Delete
    5. In holland there was a lot of discussion about the offside situation on tv. The commentator, presenter and analyst were divided in 2-2.

      They contacted Jaap Uilenberg and he explained that within FIFA/UEFA this is offside.

      Danny Makkelie was contacted and stated that it is no offside. The GK misjudges the situation and can't hold the ball. So new situation and no offside.

      Kevin Blom stated that (by text) this is offside. There was a shot on goal with a "save" from the GK.

      Delete
    6. Thanks, Fidje. Is the video of those talks available anywhere?

      Delete
    7. https://www.foxsports.nl/video/2025965/buitenspel-niet-deel/

      Don’t know if the link works outside the Netherlands because of broadcast rights.

      Delete
  15. Possible offside in the build up to second goal for Partizan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was tight onside, great call to by AR

      Delete
  16. The two penalties given in Athletic-Hertha:

    33' Penalty ATH and YC Langkamp - challenge
    https://streamable.com/yc6ae

    65' Penalty ATH - handball
    https://streamable.com/fbja4

    ReplyDelete
  17. Good performance by Andris Treimanis in an easy-going game. One missing YC (43' - even an orange one), otherwise faultless, including some tight offside situations for both AR. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  18. More than chaotic end of the game in Braga for Marriner, some scenes reminded me of Braga - Fenerbahçe with Bebek...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Surprising to hear that because Germans dont have that passionate type of personality that Turkish team had when Bebek handled that match.

      Delete
    2. There is red card:https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6agbsk

      Delete
    3. what a pity! All portugal clubs like tricks..

      Delete
    4. No cards after sixty minutes! Match from nowhere got intense, Marriner then YC for anything above a regular foul (no verbal warnings, tbf I agree with that choice), not exactly prevention on a high level it was just cards. Riots at benches could have been prevented not a big feeling, and a good RC for a VC. Still solid enough in maybe his last international assignment.

      Delete
  19. Looks like Marriner had challenging match judging by number of cards shown(12 yc,1 rc).

    ReplyDelete
  20. https://youtu.be/3FjSYam8A3c

    Quite a soft Penalty awarded by Bezborodov in Köln

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good call, red player played the ball, defender pushed the striker using hand.

      Delete
  21. You are right Victor, Kevin Blom gave a yellow card, But this is a RED CARD, 82 min. For me clear mistake. Ostersund - Zorya


    Good red card Marriner Braga match 96 min

    ReplyDelete
  22. My predictions for CL MD6:
    Benfica-Basel: Eriksson
    Manchester-CSKA: Jug
    Bayern-Paris: Thomson
    Celtic-Anderlecht: Stieler
    Chelsea-Atletico: Marciniak
    Roma-Qarabag: Kulbakov
    Barcelona-Sporting: Vincic
    Olympiakos-Juventus: Makkelie
    Maribor-Sevilla: Buquet
    Liverpool-Spartak: Cakir
    Feyenoord-Napoli: Bastien
    Donezk-Manchester: F.Borbalan
    Leipzig-Besiktas: Rocchi
    Porto-Monaco: Kralovec
    Madrid-Dortmund: Hategan
    Tottenham-APOEL: Gil Manzano

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was wondering whether we can expect another debut from referees who attended under 21 tournament, but very likely time has not still come for Madden, Lechner and/or Gözübüyük.

      Delete
    2. I would have expected it, if there was a match with nothing to play for. But with the current tables rather not.
      If any, then I think Gözübüyük in Tottenham is possible.

      Delete
  23. My predictions for CL MD6:

    Benfica-Basel : Slavko Vincic
    Manchester-CSKA: Danny Makkelie
    Bayern-Paris: Pavel Kralovec
    Celtic-Anderlecht: Matej Jug
    Chelsea-Atletico: Szymon Marciniak
    Roma-Qarabag: Aleksei Kulbakov
    Barcelona-Sporting: Jonas Eriksson
    Olympiakos-Juventus: Ruddy Buquet
    Maribor-Sevilla: Craig Thomson
    Liverpool-Spartak: Cüneyt Çakir
    Feyenoord-Napoli: Michael Oliver
    Donezk-Manchester: Viktor Kassai
    Leipzig-Besiktas: Gianluca Rocchi
    Porto-Monaco: David Fernandez Borbalan
    Madrid-Dortmund: Ovidiu Hategan
    Tottenham-APOEL : Jesus Gil Manzano

    ReplyDelete
  24. Am I the only blog guest who doesn't expect Hategan on MD 6 after his crucial mistake in Belfast? I think one has to differentiate between a "rejected penalty" (because the referee didn't clearly recognize the incident) and a "phantom penalty" (a referee may only award one if he is absolutely convinced of his decision). Having regrettably disadvataged Northern Ireland is one thing, the "special type of error" (which never should happen) another that PLC could regard as inexcusable.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ok, I try my predictions.

    Benfica - Basel: David Fernández Borbalán (ESP)
    Manchester United - CSKA Moscow: Ovidiu Hațegan (ROU)
    Bayern - PSG: Craig Thomson (SCO)
    Celtic - Anderlecht: Matej Jug (SVN)
    Chelsea - Atlético: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
    Roma - Qarabag: Aleksei Kulbakov (BLR)
    Barcelona - Sporting CP: Jonas Eriksson (SWE)
    Olympiacos - Juventus: Danny Makkelie (NED)
    Maribor - Sevilla: Ruddy Buquet (FRA)
    Liverpool - Spartak Moscow: Cüneyt Çakır (TUR)
    Feyenoord - Napoli: Pavel Královec (CZE)
    Shakhtar - Manchester City Viktor Kassai (HUN)
    Leipzig - Besiktas Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)
    Porto - Monaco Jesús Gil Manzano (ESP)
    Real Madrid - Borussia Dortmund Slavko Vinčić (SVN)
    Tottenham - APOEL Serdar Gözübüyük (NED)

    Let me add, I have the feeling that it is possible we will see for the fourth time a referee who already got three games. I don't see so many options for some games and predictions are almost forced. Still, the number of Elite referees seems too low. But this is good because many Category 1 officials can get their chance there...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I too have an outside feeling that either Damir Skomina or Björn Kuipers will appear for a 4th time... Or maybe Sergei Karasev!!

      Delete
    2. I forgot Oliver from my predictions, in case he could even handle Real Madrid - Borussia Dortmund, as first (but maybe too early?) signal for his promotion.
      In case I would confirm him for Madrid and then I would send Vinčić for Tottenham - APOEL. No room for debuts in that case.
      However, as somebody already wrote there, it would be better to appoint Oliver for a crucial game in Europa League, that would be the last exam before a possible promotion...

      Delete
    3. In this regard what's your view on Taylor's appointment to the Anderlecht v Bayern Munich game with a not so important observer watching??

      Delete
    4. I don't know, I can't answer exactly to that question, however one thing is sure: it has been a long time since both Oliver and Taylor have been observed by many important observers and committee members. Now decisions should come without doubts. It is possible that both will be promoted. We will see.

      Delete
    5. It is odd that Vincic hasn't refereed any matches at all in Slovenua since U17 WC, he still isn't appointed. He did appear as AAR to Skomina in Napoli. Strange.

      Delete
  26. Extremely difficult situation in Polish Ekstraklasa game between Cracovia and Lechia Gdańsk (referee Piotr Lasyk, VAR Jarosław Przybył). VAR - imo wrongly - invited the referee to watch a replay and put an anormous pressure on him. Two possible handballs before penalty shout, same foul not being so obvious...

    https://streamable.com/o5s5c

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In my opinion referee on the pitch had taken the best decision. We can't say whether it was a clear simulation or not, but surely more simulation than penalty, in my view.
      Tackle is not on the ball, but at the same time the opponent is not hit in a significant manner. Fall is more theatrical than real, a small touch existed but in my opinion this was not revelant. Still OK to book for simulation.
      In such situations, despite of the advice by VAR, referees on the pitch should keep their decisions. The call by VAR shouldn't influence the mind of the referee. Difficult, because once watched the video, you have pressure and you think that you took a wrong decision. The fact that referee took a so long time to rewatch indicates everything: he was really in doubt, until the end. I repeat myself: a pity that he changed idea.

      Delete
    2. This is a clear penalty in my opinion. The defender is nowhere near the ball, and just clatters into the attacker. How can it not be a penalty?

      Delete
    3. How can it not? Do you see red player falling down before any contact? Clear simulation and crucial mistake.

      Delete
    4. What about handball in the build-up? Deliberate or not?

      Delete
    5. In my opinion not a deliberate handball, because I don't see an "additional movement" to touch the ball, arm was already there because player was trying the tackle.

      Delete
  27. Good evening. I leave here the appointments for matchday 13 in LaLiga (Source: RFEF-CTA):

    November 24th 2017, 21:00 CET
    RC Celta de Vigo – CD Leganés
    Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (FIFA, 2nd group)
    Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez (FIFA)
    Assistant Referee 2: José Enrique Naranjo Pérez
    Fourth Official: Daniel Palencia Caballero

    November 25th 2017, 13:00 CET
    Deportivo Alavés – SD Eibar
    Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero
    Assistant Referee 1: Alfonso Baena Espejo
    Assistant Referee 2: José Alcoba Rodríguez
    Fourth Official: Pedro Eugenio Muñoz Piedra

    November 25th 2017, 16:15 CET
    Real Madrid CF – Málaga CF
    Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano
    Assistant Referee 1: Ángel Nevado Rodríguez
    Assistant Referee 2: Javier Martínez Nicolás
    Fourth Official: Guillermo Conejero Sánchez

    November 25th 2017, 18:30 CET
    Real Betis Balompié – Girona FC
    Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande (FIFA, 1st group)
    Assistant Referee 1: Juan Carlos Yuste Jiménez
    Assistant Referee 2: Abrahám Álvarez Cantón
    Fourth Official: Álvaro Varón Aceitón

    November 25th 2017, 20:45 CET
    Levante UD – Club Atlético de Madrid
    Referee: Daniel Jesús Trujillo Suárez
    Assistant Referee 1: José Carlos Escuela Melo
    Assistant Referee 2: Francisco Javier Martín García
    Fourth Official: David Jesús Pinto Herrera

    November 26th 2017, 12:00 CET
    RC Deportivo de La Coruña – Athletic Club
    Referee: José Luis González González
    Assistant Referee 1: Rubén Becerril Gómez
    Assistant Referee 2: Ignacio Rubio Palomino
    Fourth Official: Fernando Román Román

    November 26th 2017, 16:15 CET
    Real Sociedad de Fútbol – UD Las Palmas
    Referee: Pablo González Fuertes
    Assistant Referee 1: César García Fernández
    Assistant Referee 2: Marcos Álvarez Moreno
    Fourth Official: Óscar Martínez Santos

    November 26th 2017, 18:30 CET
    Villarreal CF – Sevilla FC (*)
    Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas
    Assistant Referee 1: Iván Hernández Ramos
    Assistant Referee 2: Marcos Cerdán Aguilar
    Fourth Official: Mohamed Massat

    November 26th 2017, 20:45 CET
    Valencia CF – FC Barcelona (*)
    Referee: Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva
    Assistant Referee 1: Alfonso Costoya Rodríguez
    Assistant Referee 2: Enrique José Ramos Ferreiros
    Fourth Official: Ricardo Escudero Marín

    November 27th 2017, 21:00 CET
    RCD Espanyol de Barcelona – Getafe CF
    Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera (FIFA, 2nd group)
    Assistant Referee 1: Diego Barbero Sevilla (FIFA)
    Assistant Referee 2: César Manuel Noval Font
    Fourth Official: Sergio Escriche Guzmán

    KEY: (*) Young/promising referee or interesting appointment/match.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Copa del Rey appointments

      November 28th 2017, 19:30 CET
      Málaga CF – CD Numancia (*, first leg result: Numancia 2 – 1 Málaga)
      Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez (FIFA, 2nd group)
      Assistant Referee 1: Xavier Aguilar Rodríguez (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 2: José Gallego García
      Fourth Official: José David Martínez Montalbán

      November 28th 2017, 19:30 CET
      CD Leganés – Real Valladolid CF (first leg result: Valladolid 1 – 2 Leganés)
      Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero
      Assistant Referee 1: Alfonso Baena Espejo
      Assistant Referee 2: José Alcoba Rodríguez
      Fourth Official: José Luis Guzmán Mansilla

      November 28th 2017, 21:30 CET
      Real Madrid CF – CF Fuenlabrada (first leg result: Fuenlabrada 0 – 2 Real Madrid)
      Referee: Pablo González Fuertes
      Assistant Referee 1: César García Fernández
      Assistant Referee 2: José Manuel Matías Caballero
      Fourth Official: Pablo Fernández Pérez

      November 28th 2017, 21:30 CET
      Levante UD – Girona FC (first leg result: Girona 0 – 2 Levante)
      Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (FIFA, Elite)
      Assistant Referee 1: Roberto Alonso Fernández (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 2: Íñigo Prieto López de Ceraín
      Fourth Official: Pedro Sureda Cuenca

      November 28th 2017, 21:30 CET
      RC Celta de Vigo – SD Eibar (first leg result: Eibar 1 – 2 Celta)
      Referee: Xavier Estrada Fernández (FIFA, 1st group)
      Assistant Referee 1: Pau Cebrián Devís (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 2: Ignacio Rubio Palomino
      Fourth Official: César Díez Cano

      November 29th 2017, 19:30 CET
      Sevilla CF – FC Cartagena (first leg result: Cartagena 0 – 3 Sevilla)
      Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (FIFA, 2nd group)
      Assistant Referee 1: Teodoro Sobrino Magán (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 2: José Enrique Naranjo Pérez
      Fourth Official: Raúl Martín González Francés

      November 29th 2017, 19:30 CET
      FC Barcelona – Real Murcia CF (first leg result: Murcia 0 – 3 Barcelona)
      Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas
      Assistant Referee 1: Iván Hernández Ramos
      Assistant Referee 2: Marcos Cerdán Aguilar
      Fourth Official: Luis Collado López

      November 29th 2017, 19:30 CET
      Real Sociedad de Fútbol – Lleida Sportiu Terraferma CF (first leg result: Lleida 0 – 1 Real Sociedad)
      Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera (FIFA, 2nd group)
      Assistant Referee 1: Diego Barbero Sevilla (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 2: César Manuel Noval Font
      Fourth Official: Miguel Bosch Doménech

      November 29th 2017, 21:30 CET
      Athletic Club – SD Formentera (*, first leg result: Formentera 1 – 1 Athletic Club)
      Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande (FIFA, 1st group)
      Assistant Referee 1: Juan Carlos Yuste Jiménez
      Assistant Referee 2: Abrahám Álvarez Cantón
      Fourth Official: Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias

      November 29th 2017, 21:30 CET
      Club Atlético de Madrid – Elche CF (*, first leg result: Elche 1 – 1 Atlético de Madrid)
      Referee: David Medié Jiménez
      Assistant Referee 1: Andoni Huerga Cermeño
      Assistant Referee 2: Aitor Villate Martínez
      Fourth Official: Óscar Sauleda Torrent

      November 29th 2017, 21:30 CET
      UD Las Palmas – RC Deportivo de La Coruña (first leg result: Deportivo 1 – 4 Las Palmas)
      Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (to be FIFA from January 1st)
      Assistant Referee 1: Jon Núñez Fernández
      Assistant Referee 2: Iker de Francisco Grijalba
      Fourth Official: Víctor Pérez Peraza

      KEY: (*) Young/promising referee or interesting appointment/match.

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. November 30th 2017, 19:00 CET
      Deportivo Alavés – Getafe CF (first leg result: Getafe 0 – 1 Alavés)
      Referee: José Luis González González
      Assistant Referee 1: Miguel Martínez Munuera (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 2: Rubén Becerril Gómez
      Fourth Official: Germán Cid Camacho

      November 30th 2017, 19:30 CET
      RCD Espanyol de Barcelona – CD Tenerife (first leg result: Tenerife 0 – 0 Espanyol)
      Referee: Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva
      Assistant Referee 1: Alfonso Costoya Rodríguez
      Assistant Referee 2: Enrique José Ramos Ferreiros
      Fourth Official: Sergio Espasandín Cores

      November 30th 2017, 19:30 CET
      Villarreal CF – SD Ponferradina (*, first leg result: Ponferradina 1 – Villarreal 0)
      Referee: Santiago Jaime Latre
      Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Bueno Mateo
      Assistant Referee 2: Fernando Tresaco Escabosa
      Fourth Official: Sergio Usón Rosel

      November 30th 2017, 21:30 CET
      Real Betis Balompié – Cádiz CF (first leg result: Cádiz 1 – 2 Betis)
      Referee: Daniel Jesús Trujillo Suárez
      Assistant Referee 1: Marcos Álvarez Moreno
      Assistant Referee 2: José Carlos Escuela Melo
      Fourth Official: Alexander González González

      November 30th 2017, 21:30 CET
      Valencia CF – Real Zaragoza (first leg result: Zaragoza 0 – 2 Valencia)
      Referee: Mario Melero López
      Assistant Referee 1: Manuel Ángel Torre Cimiano
      Assistant Referee 2: José Luis Martínez Serrato
      Fourth Official: Iván González González

      KEY: (*) Young/promising referee or interesting appointment/match.

      Looking carefully, Estrada's appointment looks like a replacement for Mateu Lahoz, as Cebrián Devís is Mateu's AR1 and Rubio Palomino has been his AR2 many times too.

      Delete
  28. Premier League
    Matchday 13

    Friday 24 November

    20:00 West Ham v Leicester City
    Referee: Martin Atkinson
    Assistants: Peter Kirkup, Constantine Hatzidakis
    Fourth official: Jonathan Moss

    Saturday 25 November

    Crystal Palace v Stoke City
    Referee: Mike Dean
    Assistants: Simon Long, Daniel Cook
    Fourth official: Roger East

    Man Utd v Brighton
    Referee: Neil Swarbrick
    Assistants: Richard West, Marc Perry
    Fourth official: Andre Marriner

    Newcastle United v Watford
    Referee: Chris Kavanagh
    Assistants: Stuart Burt, Andy Halliday
    Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

    Swansea City v AFC Bournemouth
    Referee: Stuart Attwell
    Assistants: Adam Nunn, Eddie Smart
    Fourth official: Graham Scott

    Spurs v West Brom
    Referee: Mike Jones
    Assistants: Scott Ledger, Derek Eaton
    Fourth official: Peter Bankes

    17:30 Liverpool v Chelsea
    Referee: Michael Oliver
    Assistants: Gary Beswick, Simon Bennett
    Fourth official: Craig Pawson

    Sunday 26 November

    13:30 Southampton v Everton
    Referee: Kevin Friend
    Assistants: Simon Beck, Mark Scholes
    Fourth official: Lee Probert

    14:00 Burnley v Arsenal
    Referee: Lee Mason
    Assistants: Harry Lennard, Matthew Wilkes
    Fourth official: Jonathan Moss

    16:00 Huddersfield Town v Man City
    Referee: Craig Pawson
    Assistants: Lee Betts, Ian Hussin
    Fourth official: Neil Swarbrick

    Big match for Oliver, and Mason is designated for fixtures above his merits in my opinion. Otherwise regular .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SERIE A TIM - Matchday 14

      25 November 2017

      Bologna FC 1909 - UC Sampdoria (15:00 CET)
      Referee: Fabio Maresca
      Assistant Referee 1: Giacomo Paganessi
      Assistant Referee 2: Francesco Fiore
      Fourth Official: Daniele Chiffi
      Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Orsato (FIFA)
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Antonello Balice

      AC ChievoVerona - SPAL 2013 (18:00 CET)
      Referee: Ivano Pezzuto
      Assistant Referee 1: Alfonso Marrazzo
      Assistant Referee 2: Claudio La Rocca
      Fourth Official: Antonio Di Martino
      Video Assistant Referee: Rosario Abisso
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Eugenio Abbattista

      US Sassuolo Calcio - Hellas Verona FC (18:00 CET)
      Referee: Paolo Valeri (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: Giulio Dobosz
      Assistant Referee 2: Giuseppe Opromolla
      Fourth Official: Valerio Marini
      Video Assistant Referee: Gianpaolo Calvarese
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alessandro Giallatini (FIFA-AR)

      Cagliari Calcio - FC Internazionale Milano (20:45 CET)
      Referee: Luca Pairetto
      Assistant Referee 1: Gianluca Vuoto
      Assistant Referee 2: Stefano Del Giovane
      Fourth Official: Fabio Piscopo
      Video Assistant Referee: Maurizio Mariani
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Martinelli

      26 November 2017

      AC Milan - Torino FC (15:00 CET)
      Referee: Massimiliano Irrati (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: Giorgio Peretti
      Assistant Referee 2: Alessio Tolfo
      Fourth Official: Juan Luca Sacchi
      Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Tagliavento (FIFA)
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Mauro Vivenzi

      Genoa CFC - AS Roma (15:00 CET)
      Referee: Piero Giacomelli
      Assistant Referee 1: Alessandro Lo Cicero
      Assistant Referee 2: Valentino Fiorito
      Fourth Official: Marco Guida (FIFA)
      Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni (FIFA)
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Mauro Tonolini (FIFA-AR)

      Udinese Calcio - SSC Napoli (15:00 CET)
      Referee: Marco Di Bello
      Assistant Referee 1: Sergio Ranghetti
      Assistant Referee 2: Matteo Passeri (FIFA)
      Fourth Official: Daniele Minelli
      Video Assistant Referee: Antonio Damato
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Lorenzo Illuzzi

      SS Lazio - ACF Fiorentina (18:00 CET)
      Referee: Davide Massa (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: Giorgio Schenone
      Assistant Referee 2: Gianmattia Tasso
      Fourth Official: Davide Ghersini
      Video Assistant Referee: Michael Fabbri
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Salvatore Longo

      Juventus FC - FC Crotone (20:45 CET)
      Referee: Claudio Gavillucci
      Assistant Referee 1: Stefano Liberti
      Assistant Referee 2: Luca Mondin
      Fourth Official: Riccardo Ros
      Video Assistant Referee: Luca Banti (FIFA)
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Andrea Crispo (FIFA-AR)

      27 November 2017

      Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio - Benevento Calcio (20:45 CET)
      Referee: Fabrizio Pasqua
      Assistant Referee 1: Antonino Santoro
      Assistant Referee 2: Giovanni Baccini
      Fourth Official: Marco Piccinini
      Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Doveri
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Stefano Alassio

      Delete
    2. LIGUE 1 CONFORAMA - Matchday 14

      24 November 2017

      AS Saint-Étienne - RC Strasbourg-Alsace (20:45 CET)
      Referee: Benoît Bastien (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: Frédéric Haquette (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 2: Hicham Zakrani (FIFA)
      Fourth Official: Arnaud Baert

      25 November 2017

      Stade Rennais FC - FC Nantes (17:00 CET)
      Referee: Ruddy Buquet (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: Guillaume Debart (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 2: Frédéric Cano (FIFA)
      Fourth Official: Alexandre Perreau-Niel

      Dijon FCO - Toulouse FC (20:00 CET)
      Referee: Stéphane Jochem
      Assistant Referee 1: Gilles Lang
      Assistant Referee 2: Sébastien Denis
      Fourth Official: Willy Delajod

      ESTAC Troyes - Angers SCO (20:00 CET)
      Referee: Salem Hakim Ben El Hadj
      Assistant Referee 1: Mikaël Berchebru
      Assistant Referee 2: Mathieu Grosbost
      Fourth Official: Alexandre Castro

      FC Metz - Amiens SC (20:00 CET)
      Referee: Antony Gautier (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: Michaël Annonier
      Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pagès
      Fourth Official: Benjamin Lepaysant

      Montpellier HSC - LOSC Lille (20:00 CET)
      Referee: Thomas Léonard
      Assistant Referee 1: Frédéric Hébrard
      Assistant Referee 2: François Boudikian
      Fourth Official: Jérémie Pignard

      SM Caen - FC Girondins de Bordeaux (20:00 CET)
      Referee: Karim Abed
      Assistant Referee 1: Julien Aube
      Assistant Referee 2: Aurélien Drouet
      Fourth Official: Romain Galibert

      26 November 2017

      OGC Nice - Olympique Lyonnais (15:00 CET)
      Referee: Frank Schneider
      Assistant Referee 1: Djemel Zitouni
      Assistant Referee 2: Nicolas Henninot
      Fourth Official: Sylvain Palhies

      Olympique de Marseille - En Avant de Guingamp (17:00 CET)
      Referee: Amaury Delerue (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: Bertrand Jouannaud (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 2: Laurent Stien
      Fourth Official: Johan Hamel

      AS Monaco FC - Paris Saint-Germain FC (21:00 CET)
      Referee: François Letexier (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni
      Fourth Official: Nicolas Rainville (FIFA)



      DOMINO'S LIGUE 2 - Matchday 16

      24 November 2017

      AC Ajaccio - Stade de Reims (20:00 CET)
      Referee: Olivier Thual
      Assistant Referee 1: Matthieu Lombard
      Assistant Referee 2: Cyril Saint-Cricq Lompré
      Fourth Official: Yohan Gagnant

      Delete
    3. BUNDESLIGA - Matchday 13

      24 November 2017

      Hannover 96 - VfB Stuttgart (20:30 CET)
      Referee: Christian Dingert (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: Tobias Christ
      Assistant Referee 2: Jan Neitzel-Petersen
      Fourth Official: Robert Kempter
      Video Assistant Referee: Robert Hartmann
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sven Waschitzki

      25 November 2017

      Borussia Dortmund - FC Schalke 04 (15:30 CET)
      Referee: Deniz Aytekin (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: Christian Dietz
      Assistant Referee 2: Eduard Beitinger
      Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager
      Video Assistant Referee: Günter Perl
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Martin Petersen

      Eintracht Frankfurt - Bayer 04 Leverkusen (15:30 CET)
      Referee: Patrick Ittrich
      Assistant Referee 1: Norbert Grudzinski
      Assistant Referee 2: Sascha Thielert
      Fourth Official: Frank Willenborg
      Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Cortus
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Patrick Alt

      FC Augsburg - VfL Wolfsburg (15:30 CET)
      Referee: Tobias Stieler (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: Matthias Jöllenbeck
      Assistant Referee 2: Christian Gittelmann
      Fourth Official: Dominik Schaal
      Video Assistant Referee: Tobias Welz (FIFA)
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Christof Günsch

      RB Leipzig - Werder Bremen (15:30 CET)
      Referee: Sascha Stegemann
      Assistant Referee 1: Christian Fischer
      Assistant Referee 2: Mike Pickel (FIFA)
      Fourth Official: Guido Winkmann
      Video Assistant Referee: Wolfgang Stark
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Robert Kempter

      SC Freiburg - 1. FSV Mainz 05 (15:30 CET)
      Referee: Daniel Siebert (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: Lasse Koslowski
      Assistant Referee 2: Jan Seidel (FIFA)
      Fourth Official: Markus Schmidt
      Video Assistant Referee: Felix Zwayer (FIFA)
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Florian Heft

      Borussia Mönchengladbach - Bayern München (18:30 CET)
      Referee: Manuel Gräfe (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: Guido Kleve (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 2: Markus Sinn
      Fourth Official: Tobias Reichel
      Video Assistant Referee: Jochen Drees
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benedikt Kempkes

      26 November 2017

      Hamburger SV - 1899 Hoffenheim (15:30 CET)
      Referee: Bastian Dankert (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 1: René Rohde
      Assistant Referee 2: Markus Häcker (FIFA)
      Fourth Official: Holger Henschel (FIFA-AR)
      Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz (FIFA)
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tobias Reichel

      1. FC Köln - Hertha BSC (18:00 CET)
      Referee: Bibiana Steinhaus (FIFA-W)
      Assistant Referee 1: Christof Günsch
      Assistant Referee 2: Thomas Stein
      Fourth Official: Florian Heft
      Video Assistant Referee: Guido Winkmann
      Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniel Schlager



      2. BUNDESLIGA - Matchday 15

      25 November 2017

      Eintracht Braunschweig - 1. FC Nürnberg (13:00 CET)
      Referee: Sören Storks
      Assistant Referee 1: Mark Borsch (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 2: Stefan Lupp (FIFA)
      Fourth Official: Bastian Börner

      Holstein Kiel - FC Ingolstadt (13:00 CET)
      Referee: Harm Osmers
      Assistant Referee 1: Christian Bandurski
      Assistant Referee 2: Tim Skorczyk
      Fourth Official: Stefan Zielsdorf

      27 November 2017

      Fortuna Düsseldorf - Dynamo Dresden (20:30 CET)
      Referee: Benjamin Brand
      Assistant Referee 1: Michael Emmer
      Assistant Referee 2: Christian Leicher
      Fourth Official: Benjamin Bläser



      3. LIGA - Matchday 17

      25 November 2017

      1. FC Magdeburg - Hallescher FC (14:00 CET)
      Referee: Sven Jablonski
      Assistant Referee 1: Thomas Gorniak
      Assistant Referee 2: Viatcheslav Paltchikov

      Würzburger Kickers - Sportfreunde Lotte (14:00 CET)
      Referee: Robert Kampka
      Assistant Referee 1: Rafael Foltyn (FIFA)
      Assistant Referee 2: Marcel Göpferich

      Delete
    4. Out of interest does anyone know if Luca Pairetto from Italy is he one for the future? He is 33 years of age.

      Delete
    5. @Ryan

      From what I've heard yes, of course he is the son of his father who whistled a EURO Final, and then went on to be a huge part of Calciopoli. Someone said to me the media is too praising of his performances (!), but especially against the background of not seeing any huge Italian talent, I think he could be an Elite one day. Maybe Chefren could add to that?

      Talking about talents, Letexier joins the biggest match of his career; probably the same for Javier Alberola Rojas- I am close to certain both will be Elite one day, big big potential especially of the Spanish, considering his (future) modern style.

      Delete
    6. I think that Pairetto is not an option for a FIFA careeer. His first year as serie A referee, on last season, was definitely poor. Rumors reported that he was about to be dismissed but he was confirmed. Now, with the change of committee, he could try to recover but he definitely needs time as for now.
      He has been discussed many times just because son of Pierluigi Pairetto, if you ask me this is not fair. However, his performances must be better in order to achieve something.

      Delete
    7. Thanks for the replies. Planning on watching his game tonight Cagliari v Inter Milan.

      Delete
  29. OT

    Does anyone know what happened to Michael Kempter, great talent in 2009 and then disappeared?
    Any chances for him to return?

    ReplyDelete
  30. In early 2010 it became public, that Kempter had a relationship with Manfred Amerell, a former referee, who was working in the DFB referee adminsitration. Amerell supported Kempter during his fast rise to Bundesliga.
    Kempter accused Amerell of sexual approaches, which were against his will. He remained silent for some time to not endanger his career, but informed DFB in December 2009.
    Kempter could/did not maintain all allegations in following lawsuits.
    DFB took him off the Bundesliga and FIFA list. In 2012 he started refereeing in the 5th division again and was promoted to 4th (Regionalliga Südwest) in 2014, where he is still refereeing nowadays.
    With 34 now, he seems already too old to return to the top. Referees, who get promoted from 4th to 3rd division, are usually several years younger.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting... A shame.
      Many thanks Philipp!

      Delete
  31. Good advantage goal given yesterday in Stuttgart vs. Hannover, well done by Christian Dingert! Attacker is very likely ONSIDE on the replays, the goal was also accepted by VAR.

    https://streamable.com/3eh9v

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, nice. Very brave from Dingert. He was also lucky, because, given the action, it was difficult to score immediately there, but this happened. :)
      Excellent NO FLAG by assistant referee as well.

      Delete
  32. UCL predictions:
    Benfica - Basel: Jonas ERIKSSON (SWE)
    Manchester United - CSKA Moscow: Danny MAKKELIE (NED)
    Bayern Munich - Paris Saint Germain: Viktor KASSAI (HUN)
    Celtic - Anderlecht: Benoit BASTIEN (FRA)
    Chelsea - Atletico Madrid: Szymon MARCINIAK (POL)
    Roma - Qarabak FK: Pavel KRALOVEC (CZE)
    Barcelona - Sporting CP: Cüneyt CAKIR (TUR)
    Olympiacos - Juventus: Craig THOMSON (SCO)
    Liverpool - Spartak Moscow: Ovidiu Alin HATEGAN (RUM)
    Maribor - Sevilla: Tobias STIELER (GER)
    Feyenoord - SSC Napoli: David FERNANDEZ BORBALAN (ESP)
    Shakhtar Donetsk - Manchester City: Ruddy BUQUET (FRA)
    FC Porto - Monaco: Gianluca ROCCHI (ITA)
    RB Leipzig - Besiktas: Daniele ORSATO (ITA)
    Real Madrid - Borussia Dortmund: Michael OLIVER (ENG)
    Tottenham - APOEL Nicosia: Slavko VINCIC (SLO)

    UEL predictions:
    Slavia Prague - FC Astana: Istvan VAD (HUN)
    Villareal - Maccabi Tel Aviv: Stefan JOHANNESSON (SWE)
    Dynamo Kyiv - Partizan Beograd: Simon Lee EVANS (WAL)
    Young Boys - Skenderbeu: Halis ÖZKAYHA (TUR)
    Hoffenheim - Ludogorets Razgrad: Tony CHAPRON (FRA)
    Istanbul Basaksehir - Braga: Pawel GIL (POL)
    Austria Wien - AEK Athens: Bas NIJHUIS (NED)
    Rijeka - AC Milan: Orel GRINFELD (ISR)
    Apollon Limassol - Everton: Robert SCHÖRGENHOFER (AUT)
    Atalanta - Lyon: Bobby MADDEN (SCO)
    FC Koebenhavn - FC Sheriff: Aleksey KULBAKOV (BLR)
    Zlin - Lokomotiv Moscow: Aleksandar STAVREV (MKD)
    FC FCSB - Lugano: Charalambos KALOGEROPOULOS (GRE)
    Hapoel Beer Sheva - Viktoria Plzen: Sandro SCHÄRER (SUI)
    Arsenal - BATE Borisov: Carlos DEL CERRO GRANDE (SPA)
    Crvena Zvezda - FC Cologne: Serdar GÖZÜBÜYÜK (NED)
    Marseille - Salzburg: Aleksey ESKOV (RUS)
    Vitoria de Guimaraes - Konyaspor: Sergey BOYKO (UKR)
    Hertha Berlin - Oestersunds FK: Aliyar AGAYEV (AZE)
    Zorya Luhansk - Athletic Bilbao: Matej JUG (SLO)
    Vitesse - Nice: Hüseyin GÖCEK (TUR)
    Zulte-Waregem - Lazio: Andreas EKBERG (SWE)
    Vardar Skopje - Rosenborg: Evgen ARANOVSKIY (UKR)
    Real Sociedad - Zenit St. Petersburg: Paolo MAZZOLENI(ITA)

    ReplyDelete
  33. I really hope that Gautier, Atkinson and Tagliavento will get a farewell match. They deserv it. Atkinson and Tagliavento on CL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also Chapron already selected by Gitzlo

      Delete
    2. Tagliavento got already 4 game (3 CL + 1 EL).
      I think he wont appear again on MD6.

      Delete
    3. Stefan Johannesson too, as far as I know.

      Delete
  34. Next Dec. 6th Uefa will review its categories. I'm expecting that Borbalan and Thomson will be demoted while Tagliavento andd Atkinson are leaving their fifa badge.
    I guess Oliver, Taylor and Buquet promoted. What do you think about Eriksson ? In the past he expressed his willing to leave, now that he will not be at WC could be the time to take this decision.
    Do you agree Soares Dias to replace him into elite ?
    I think that Bastien, Gil Manzano and Mazeika are on the right track but probably next year to be tested again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't expect any demotions in the current Elite Group. However, I expect some changes. I assume that three referees will leave the FIFA list: Atkinson, Tagliavento and Thomson (being 45 years old).

      Among the sure promotions, I expect Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver. They are quite consistent in terms of performances, they handle top clashes in their domestic league easily (Oliver reffing Liverpool-Chelsea today) for a couple of seasons. Furthermore, I would add Soares Dias to possible names for promotion, given the fact that he could still be VAR in Russia (and FIFA very likely wants Elite referees).

      Concerning the two Frenchmen mentioned: although I wish, I don't think that Buquet will enter Elite Group, especially now with Bastien coming up. I think that Bastien has already overtaken Buquet and once Bastien is in Elite, he will also easily overtake Turpin IMO. Therefore, I expect a promotion for Bastien, but that should happen only in summer at earliest in my view. Same counts for Jesus Gil Manzano, who will very likely be promoted in summer, replacing Fernández Borbalán in Elite, who retires at the end of the season.

      Mazeika is for me at the moment no candidate for promotion (2x EL, 1x CL this season, 2 CL games over two seasons in total only): I think he's in the same situation like De Sousa and Buquet: regular 1st Group referees, who can referee CL group stage matches, but who won't reach Elite.

      However, that's only my point of view. For December, I only see Taylor, Oliver and Soares Dias as promoted referees. Would be interesting to see the thoughts of the others here. :)

      Delete
    2. I agree with a lot of your points, the only thing I disagree is concerning Jesus Gil Manzano: I don't think, he'll reach the elite group so soon, more likely in 2019, at least not before. He handled only 1 UCL game so far, that's even less than Mazeika.

      Delete
    3. Hmm, is Soares Dias really better than de Sousa? I think they are at least equal if not the other way round. Either both or none of them should join the elite.

      Delete
    4. Soares Dias is clearly pushed by the powers!!

      Delete
    5. It's clear. IMO Manuel de Sousa is a better referee. His last performance was very good.

      Delete
  35. It seems as Aytekin had a more than challenging derby today!
    Incredible game ended in a 4-4 draw!
    Any info about his performance?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Excellent from my point of view (but I haven't seen the full game, anyway the TV commentators praised his job too).

      Delete
    2. first half:
      - goal scored with hand for Dortmund #17,
      -missed 2YC for Schalke #20,

      Delete
    3. 4-0 down, a totally unexpected comeback... with Deniz Aytekin
      Familiar? ;-)

      On the whole I saw a really strong Aytekin, agreed it was a pretty sure 2YC->RC but I think the score made the Bavarian think otherwise, and I could see some (small) arguments for a careless foul.
      Aytekin can shout at players very strictly, and then laugh with them a minute later- I really like his flexibility to be honest, he succeeded for sure in this atmosphere, it was really hot for a match in Western Europe to be honest, from the first whistle to last.
      Especially his management in the early minutes was fantastic, he put up the roadblock when necessary had a big determination, and got an acceptance after twenty minutes he never lost.
      It seems he is THE man for top clashes in Dortmund, vs Hertha, vs Leipzig and now vs Schalke, another class performance.

      Also I can imagine a very happy blogger from Gelsenkirchen :-D

      Delete
    4. A lot of difficult decisions:
      1) Goal (no handball)
      https://www2.pic-upload.de/img/34360917/ezgif.com-video-to-gif186.gif
      https://www2.pic-upload.de/img/34360916/ezgif.com-video-to-gif187.gif
      2) YC (no RC)
      https://img3.picload.org/image/drcaapar/kehrer2.gif
      https://img3.picload.org/image/drcaawla/kehrer3.gif
      https://img1.picload.org/image/drcaacaa/kehrer1.gif
      3) FK (no 2nd YC)
      https://www2.pic-upload.de/img/34360950/ezgif.com-video-to-gif189.gif
      https://www2.pic-upload.de/img/34360947/ezgif.com-video-to-gif190.gif
      4) Throw-in (no 2nd YC or RC)
      https://i.imgur.com/j5hQsrx.gif
      https://i.imgur.com/fceIDjs.gif
      5) YC (no RC)
      https://www2.pic-upload.de/img/34361572/ezgif.com-video-to-gif198.gif
      6) No card (for simulation/time-wasting)
      https://www2.pic-upload.de/img/34362104/ezgif.com-crop16.gif

      Match management / control was indeed very good and the 2nd YC for Aubameyang correct.

      Delete
  36. About promotions/demotions...
    Unless somebody do something very terrible in Matchday 6 I think there won't be demotions from elite category. If Atkinson retires (maybe it is confirmed but I missed it), I think Taylor and Oliver will both be promoted and my prediction is based on three facts: 1) they were appointed for some top matches in Champions League where I expected elite referees plus committee members who observed them indicate that they are considered for promotio; 2) they actually both deserve to be promoted I think, their performances were convincing, 3) as allways, politics... Maybe he is not regulary appointed as observer but I think David Elleray has enormous influence, maybe even bigger than Dallas and Batta (don't forget how much 'chief positions' Elleray holds (England's referees committee, UEFA CORE programm, UEFA talent and mentor programm, tehnical director of IFAB) and he is also FIFA instructor... I think Soares Dias is not ready for elite at the moment and compared to Taylor and Oliver his matches in Champions League were not that important. Plus De Sousa is better as Ray stated earlier. I watched Vinčić for the first time in EURO U21 and I was impressed with him. If he is still like that, he will become elite, not this winter but very soon. Gil Manzano, Stieler and Bastien need more experience to become elite. Buquet, Jug, Mazeika, Kulbakov, Sousa - they will stay first category referees, but will regulary be appointed in Champions League group stage. I would be more happy if that happened to Bebek, it would be better he stayed first category and get appointments in Champions Leauge like Sousa. All in all I think no demotions and Oliver and Taylor promoted to elite. Ekberg and Aghayev I guess from second to first category.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. P.S. About Tagliavent, is it confirmed he won't be on FIFA list for 2018. If so, Athletic-Hertha was his last match. I noticed one funny thing: I remember very well that Vladimir Antonov was also observer in Frank De Bleeckere's last match before retirement.

      Delete
    2. As always, fully agreed with you!
      I have given up hoping on promotion of Tover to First, but it would be deserved for the Estonian.

      Delete
    3. Oh, I forgot about Tohver. He deserves to be promoted, I agree with you Mikael and I don't understand why uefa referees committee ignore Tohver.

      Delete
    4. I'm quite sure about the promotions of Ekberg and Aghayev from the second to the first group too. Both already had a couple of UEL appointments, some good games as well as with some important observers, furthermore there are also quite political reasons for them (AZE has no top referee, SWE loses Johannesson in the first group).

      Delete
    5. For this reason I can also see a promotion of Schärer, but I think that is more likely by the summer than in the coming weeks.
      Not even a First Category from Switzerland is quite remarkable, UEFA surely will change that.

      Delete
    6. My guess is Klossner before Schärer

      Delete
    7. Yeah, Switzerland will surely become a first group referee in 2018. Stephan Klossner is the more expierienced one, Sandro Schärer the younger and more promising one. Klossner had his debut in the UEL group stage already in 2014, since then he handled 5 UEL games but still didn't become promoted. So, I would say he should be in 2018 or he'll never do ('now or never').

      Delete
  37. VAR used in Australia to award a penalty + red card for a late challenge in the box: https://streamable.com/v3wqa - quite often these last-ditch tackles go unpunished so good to see it was spotted by the VAR.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Some photos from Abu Dhabi:
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPdDBVjW4AEf_tK.jpg
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPdDBViXUAAsCOp.jpg
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPdDBVkWkAAelLl.jpg
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPdDBVjW4AAXQps.jpg

    Also an article on FIFA.com with video
    http://www.fifa.com/development/news/y=2017/m=11/news=a-milestone-en-route-to-russia-2921377.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To be honest what Busacca said is kind of worrying...

      Delete
    2. "We see referees coming with different mentalities, and then after one week (we want there to be) only one (European) philosophy"

      That more than backs up the many people that report a too high favouring of a European style at FIFA with Busacca.

      Delete
    3. Thanks, it is always better to hear Collina than Busacca. My sincere feeling is that Collina can apply the severity and the respect of LotG we see in European competitions, differently from what happened to WC 2014. Sorry for Busacca, but that's my opinion.

      Delete
  39. Replies
    1. No... and it is the second time this happens to Barcelona this year (2017). Last season against Real Betis they scored a goal that was not given too.

      Delete
    2. George, I have a question. How it is possible that a "football - country" like Spain is still without (at least!) GLT. That's more than unacceptable, if you ask me.

      Delete
    3. Overall it was a decent performance by Iglesias (not the most modern referee) in a match that wasn't especially challenging on the pitch despite it being crucial in the standings.
      But the goal...

      Delete
    4. That very same question is asked regularly on the press. One of the reasons I read was that, with VAR coming soon, it was considered an unnecessary expenditure, and also some discussions about who should pay for it.

      But there are bigger problems than those that are explained with that reason. There is a big dispute between RFEF (Football Association) and LaLiga (which represents professional football). Also, Villar Lona (elected RFEF president) is accused of corruption and has been banned. I feel there is a battle for power in both sides, with LaLiga repeatedly making statements against RFEF and Villar. All of this creates an unhealthy situation that results in a slow decision-making process. This is, I think (and that's just my personal opinion) the real reason for the lack of GLT and VAR this season.

      It has been announced that VAR will come next season, but again a dispute has raised about who should be the project leader, according to some newspapers. LaLiga wants to put one of his man, a former assistant referee, whereas RFEF wants one of them. To be honest, with Velasco Carballo as FIFA instructor for VAR, the dispute is somehow stupid, but...

      Delete
  40. Mads-Kristoffer Kristoffersen is appointed on Sunday in Danish Superliga with his international team and AAR's, which is not common in the Danish league. This could indicate UEL-debut on MD6 in an not decisive match - Vitesse-Nice would be my guess.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for writing a comment on our blog!