Friday 21 September 2018

FIFA Circular for 2019 FIFA Refereeing International Lists

FIFA has finally published the circular with guidelines to be followed by national federations, for the nominations of FIFA referees since 01/01/2019.



The deadline is 01/10/2018. The proposed referees  shall be at least 25 years old (23 years old in the case of assistant referees) on 1 January of the year for which they have been nominated. Referees must be born no later than 31.12.1993 and assistant referees must be born no later than 31.12.1995 in order to ensure a minimum level of experience. FIFA reserves the right to require referees over the age of 45 (born in 1974 or before) to undergo additional technical assessments as well as specific medical examinations and fitness testing on a case-by-case basis.

READ AND DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENT BY CLICKING HERE:
2019 FIFA Refereeing International Lists - PDF 

114 comments:

  1. I wrote this post also because I got some mails through the contact form on the blog, some readers asked for that, but I couldn't answer because they didn't leave their contact.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hillary and Obama are giving loads of money to Google, Facebook and Twitter to steal the election and put crooked
      democatic politicians back in power to push open borders Look at this

      Delete
  2. From Spain, José Luis Munuera Montero will join the FIFA list as main referee. Íñigo Prieto López de Cerain will do so as AR. Miguel Martínez Munuera has been removed from it (AR).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alberola Rojas is now doing the 2nd phase of CORE, so he is expected to take Undiano's FIFA badge in January 2020.

      Delete
  3. About Italy: due to age Banti, Mazzoleni and Rocchi are in the same situation and they should leave the list for having reached the domestic age limit (45 in this season), however it seems as Rocchi will be confirmed at least for the next 6 months on FIFA list, and he will be replaced only at the end of 2019. Domestically, maybe he will get a derogation for 2018-2019 season. Banti and Mazzoleni will leave in my opinion for sure the list now, being replaced by Fabbri (1983) and another referee. Difficult to be sure about this second name, but my idea is that Mariani (1982) will get it despite of not so convincing performances at moment. Another contender is Maresca (1981). To follow, Abisso (1985) and Pasqua (1982) but they need still experience before this step.
    So my prediction is: Banti and Mazzoleni out, Fabbri and Mariani in.

    About assistant referees: out Di Liberatore, Tonolini and Di Fiore due to age (Di Fiore has been already removed from serie A panel), and Crispo for technical reason (he has been dismissed from serie A panel). So we will have four new assistant referees, they should be: Alassio (1980), Carbone (1978), Peretti (1981) and Tegoni (1979).
    Another contender is Lo Cicero (1981) but I think he could get the badge on next years.
    Let's see whether we will have something like that...

    ReplyDelete
  4. I remember reading on an old form of the FIFA Circular that in order someone to be eligible for the FIFA badge, he must be a referee at his top category for 2 years.

    Was this abolished?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it has been abolished. Now such experience is not required and even referees from low domestic categories can get the FIFA badge.

      Delete
  5. About France, only the assistant referee Cyril Gringore (46 years old on 2 October 2018) has reached the age limit. However it seems that he will stay for 2018-2019 season since he started the new european season with Turpin.

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  6. For The Netherlands, I expect that everything stays the same. One option could be to let Van Boekel leave the list and have Kamphuis on the list instead. For sure, Kamphuis is a very good teammember for Makkelie and he has grown into a reliable referee in the Netherlands.
    In team Kuipers, things seem to have changed a bit already because Higler is AAR1 now. Van Boekel has had his best years internationally, even though his demotion was undeserved in my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  7. "2.
    Each candidate must be ranked based on the marks obtained
    for officiating games at the national
    level during the 12 months prior to being nominated to the list of international referees. Please do
    not put the nominees in alphabetical order."

    What will the DFB do? We don't have marks at top level any more.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Some situations from Wednesday in CL that I cut, that weren't already posted.

    Bastien (PLŹ-CSKA)
    https://streamable.com/n7dxc (Disallowed Goal)
    https://streamable.com/zkq97 (Penalty)

    Aytekin (YB-MNU)
    https://streamable.com/iolee (Penalty)

    Orsato (MNC-LYO)
    https://streamable.com/8mm9c (AR1 Disallowed Goal)
    https://streamable.com/6sxd1 (Penalty Appeal)

    Mateu (BEN-BAY)
    https://streamable.com/q17al (Penalty Appeal)
    https://streamable.com/okyzv (Penalty Appeal)

    Del Cerro (AJX-AEK)
    https://streamable.com/jp8kv (Penalty Appeal)

    I watched Brych in full, I agree with what Ray said that "his finger wasn't on the pulse" of the match, he seemed distant from the players but not really in (his usual) firm manner.

    UEL 'Review' I'll post below. Apologies it is not perfect, with not so many angles etc, but I hope nevertheless it is interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!
      I fully agree with Orsato decision to play on, following the penalty appeal. Almost no faults by defender there, it was the attacker looking for something. Good read of the action. Correctly disallowed goal by AR1 as well.

      Foul leading to disallowed goal in Bastien's game is for sure a correct decision: player hit the ball but then also the opponent in a very reckless way, it could have been also YC. Not a clean challenge for sure. See how much AAR2 was determined there, indicating the point of the foul, that is a very positive note for Miguelgorry. Not afraid of taking such crucial and very important decision in that moment of the game.
      Penalty is a correct decision as well.

      Mateu Lahoz: in both situations you can support referee, first situation maybe even fully correct to play on.

      Del Cerro: not a penalty, correct.

      Aytekin: for me not a penalty, arm was in natural position, only thing to do to avoid the penalty was to put the arm behind the back, that's of course not required. In second half, there was a penalty appeal by YB for another possible handball, in that case I think supportable decision by Aytekin to play on. The exact point of the touch is not clear, it can be shoulder / upper body.

      Delete
  9. UEL

    Alberto Undiano took charge of PAOK-Chelsea. His second AR, Prieto, took an excellent onside for the 0-1 (see below).
    Experienced referee rejected a penalty appeal and whistled HT all in a few seconds (https://streamable.com/jlzg7),
    and then gave both players a caution for UB here, perhaps Spaniard was lenient (https://streamable.com/la42c)

    Besides, there were second cautions for Jug (https://streamable.com/w0jan), Kristofferson (https://streamable.com/mid0l),
    Lardot (https://streamable.com/s3sdc)
    and Stefański (https://streamable.com/1gs9n).

    Penalties were called by Lardot (https://streamable.com/5a12v),
    Nilsen (https://streamable.com/7d0wf),
    Aghayev (https://streamable.com/iphbq)
    and Mažeika (https://streamable.com/sj9td).

    Other interesting incidents include, a disallowed goal by Kabakov for handling (https://streamable.com/4aog8),
    and Kovács using wait-and-see technique well in the penalty area (https://streamable.com/e4691)

    Excellent onside by AR2 Prieto in Salonika (https://streamable.com/qhhp5),
    and offside by AR2 Zogaj in Vienna (https://streamable.com/e2tbr), a commendable work by the assistants.

    I surely missed some incidents, but there is a summary from highlight show.

    ReplyDelete
  10. About Greece.

    There will probably be 3 spots. Aretopoulos, Mantalos and Kalogeropoulos will be removed.

    Tzilos, Skoulas and Diamantopoulos seem to be the favorites to receive their badges.

    A big ? is about FIFA AR Chasan Koula. He failed the fitness test and should probably be removed but it is rumoured that he will have a 2nd chance (even though such thing is against regulations).

    ReplyDelete
  11. I really liked the two red cards decisions by Iglesias Villanueva in Huesca - Real Sociedad: the first one was the consequence of two YCs in a row, referee had booked the player and then he made clear dissenting gestures (and maybe also words). No hesitation by Iglesias.
    Second RC was a straight one for a clear violent conduct inside the box, excellent spot by referee without VAR.
    Meanwhile, in serie A game Sassuolo - Empoli, 3-1 by home-team was scored after a missed throw-in by AR1 (ball was entirely out), but VAR didn't intervene. I guess reason was the fact that a clear replay was not shown until a certain minute, a few time after the incident. I think that in these situations, VAR should wait even some minutes if needed. They need all videos available, a goal can be very crucial for a win (luckily today this was not the case...). Still important point for improvement in VAR use.

    ReplyDelete
  12. in Sassuolo-EMpoli, the referee has been sent off a player of away team after a simulation. he was booked.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q0mKcvFveI from the minute 2:50

    ReplyDelete
  13. Unfortunately today is a sad day for Greek refereeing.

    The young (21 y.o.) referee who collapsed 10 days ago during the fitness tests for candidate referees for 3rd league, died at the hospital this morning.

    My condolences to his family and friends. RIP.

    ReplyDelete
  14. CAF Champions League, Quarterfinal Second Leg

    Medi Abid Charef handled TP Mazembe - Primero de Augusto, awarding two penalties
    https://streamable.com/506iq (Penalty 1)
    https://streamable.com/lbytj (Penalty 2)
    I wasn't really impressed with the Algerian, weak fouls detection, and despite talking to the players quite a lot, never really managed them. Perhaps there are better North African names for WC 2022.

    Victor Gomes took charge Tunisia's Derby, hopefully I can write a full report later about him.

    Bernard Camille refereed Wydad Casalanca - Sétif, and did a good job. He was a little too lenient (missing a clear reckless tackle at around 30') for my taste, but always had full control of a hot match. Players had a big respect for this Seychelles referee, and he was always firm and calm. A shame he did not attend WC 2018 (injured since a year at least?), I think he was better than at least one of the CAF officials who did make it.

    Last Quarterfinal, between Al Ahly - Horoya, will be whistled by Bakary Papa Gassama tonight at 2100CET.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Correct RC after VAR intervention from Cordero Vega. Ba sent off for an elbow on Calleri while Ibai was scoring, clear VC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's the very first one since VAR is used in LaLiga.

      Delete
  16. Missed RC for SFP by Atkinson in Fulham Watford. Straight leg studs up with force into the leg of the opponent.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed, just seen it on MOTD. A perfect of example of why VAR is needed - the referee's view is blocked by another player, would've been sorted fairly quickly.

      Delete
  17. Sánchez Martínez just issued a RC for SFP in Getafe-Atlético.

    IMO at least a supportable decision, studs in the leg.

    ReplyDelete
  18. 3rd offside decision overturned by VAR for de Francisco Grijalba (Mateu Lahoz's AR2) this season.

    ReplyDelete
  19. In serie A today we had the first VAR intervention for a "normal" foul play (no handball, no offside) and it has been the first time ever that a RC originally issued for SFP has been annulled. Last season this kind of intervention didn't happen at all.
    Game Fiorentina - SPAL, referee Davide Ghersini (serie B referee):
    https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6u2au8
    RC was changed after review in YC.

    ReplyDelete
  20. First RC in LaLiga after VAR intervention in Rayo-Alavés. Referee Cordero Vega, VAR Munuera Montero.

    https://streamable.com/h6k80

    ReplyDelete
  21. List Slovakia referee FIFA 2019 (ranking):
    Referee:
    1. KRUŽLIAK Ivan (Bratislava, 24.3.1984)
    2. GLOVA Filip (Košice, 15.2.1988)
    3. OČENÁŠ Michal (Žilina, 7.1.1991)
    4. KRÁĽOVIČ Peter (Trnava, 5.6.1983)
    5. MARHEFKA Boris (Badín, 27.7.1987)

    Assistent referee:
    1. SOMOLÁNI Tomáš (Bratislava, 23.12.1977)
    2. HANCKO Branislav (Prievidza, 17.9.1987)
    3. POZOR Ján (Bratislava, 22.3.1983)
    4. BENKO Miroslav (Prešov, 29.3.1974)
    5. FERENC František (Tročany, 2.3.1986)
    6. VOREL Tomáš (Žilina, 21.9.1982)
    7. WEISS Erik (Košice, 5.2.1979)
    8. KOVÁČ Peter (Nové Zámky, 4.6.1982)
    9.TOMČÍK Michal (L.Mikuláš, 5.6.1984)
    10.ŠTRBO Milan (Trnava, 22.10.1986)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you especially for having posted the official list according to ranking, it is very interesting. ;)
      So, international career is over for Roman Slyško.

      Delete
  22. I cut from MOTD

    Kavanagh (BRI-TOT)
    https://streamable.com/su8w2 (Penalty, Handball)
    https://streamable.com/ea85u (Penalty?)

    Atkinson (FUL-WAT)
    https://streamable.com/sx8yl (Serious Foul Play?)
    https://streamable.com/3pxai (Penalty?)

    Oliver (CAR-MNC)
    https://streamable.com/otgu1 (Serious Foul Play?)

    Coote (LEI-HUD)
    https://streamable.com/s8rv7 (Serious Foul Play?)

    Taylor (BUR-BOU)
    https://streamable.com/uw7ld (Penalty?)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Kavanagh: for me is handball and then a penalty, the second could be penalty but for me correct go on.
    Atkinson: here no doubt for the SFP: he had to sent off the player and for the possible penalty, for me is a grey area, then 50%/50%
    Oliver: serious foul play: red card.
    Coote: Serious foul play: red card.
    Taylor: correct the free kick, the player in the area touches the ball, well done IMO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. English top referees still struggling to punish properly the SFP...

      Delete
    2. Nothing new in England. This has been the troubling trend in the EPL for a few years now. Seems to me that they are hell bent on reliving the brutal days of the late 80's/early 90's. Vinnie Jones would be happy.

      Delete
  24. Please who has d appointment for EFL cup third round

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://us.soccerway.com/national/england/league-cup/20182019/3rd-round/r46370/

      Click on each match to find the appointments

      Delete
  25. Another RC for SFP in LaLiga. Parejo puts studs into the ankle. Referee is Jaime Latre, no VAR intervention.

    IMO correct decision (btw, I still dislike this kind of card showing procedure)

    https://streamable.com/o94wo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There was another situation in 90' when VIL player fouled VAL player,very borderline.
      Also VAL player should have been booked for protesting.

      Delete
    2. For me, Gaspar challenge on Coquelin was even more clear RC than Parejo's one, but indeed he only got a YC. No VAR intervention (González González)

      I couldn't find a video, but here's an image of the challenge.

      https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DnyqhVjWkAELdj5.jpg

      Delete
    3. A video. Unbelievable no VAR intervention.

      https://twitter.com/el_journalista/status/1043907536376737794

      It doesn't really affect the outcome of the match given the minute it was, but it is a really dangerous challenge which is far more SFP than Parejo's. Parejo's is, IMO, borderline. Both YC and RC are supportable (and given the line the referee used in this match, which by the way was totally unpredictable, it should have been just YC, IMO), but here I see a crucial mistake that VAR has not corrected.

      Delete
  26. Three controversial decisions have been made in Germany's Bundesliga and in the middle of all these is (again) VAR.

    Dortmund - Hoffenheim: missing penalty for Dortmund (no VAR intervention), this being for me a clear and obvious error as the tripping occurs on the line and it brings the player to fall.
    => https://streamable.com/b0uvh

    Dortmund - Hoffenheim: RC for Diallo (DOR) for DOGSO.
    => https://streamable.com/qk7oy

    Nürnberg - Hannover: RC for Albornoz (HAN) for DOGSO, after VAR review (was playing on here actually really a clear and obvious mistake?)
    => https://streamable.com/82kl9

    What are your thoughts?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1) Penalty for me. However, I'm quite sure that the VAR will be backed for not intervening. DFB recommends to intervene in very clear and obvious occasions. Supportable no-intervention if we consider that.
      2) RC for DOGSO is correct or at least supportable. Correct no-intervention by Dingert.
      3) No clear and obvious mistake. In this case, I'm very sure that this intervention will be considered wrong by DFB - and rightly so. I guess Dankert was asked whether he saw the contact, which was made with the defender's arm - and he didn't. After an OFR the referee can stick to his original decision, but Dankert decided to go for a RC and changed his decision. I would have prefered play on.

      Delete
    2. 1) Not an clear and obvious error, because there is the argument against penalty, that the attacker could be falling deliberately. But for me also quite clearly a penalty.
      2) For me a wrong RC, because it is doubtful, whether the attacker would have controlled the ball. Even the foul itself is not clear (could be assessed as mutual holding). But there are different opinions on that (see above...), therefore no VAR intervention correct
      3) I agree with Ref_1707. You could even argue, that the RC then was a clear and obvious mistake (but rather not).

      Delete
    3. 1) Not a clear and obvious mistake?! OK, if that's how VAR should be used, we can end this experiment now.

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

      Delete
  27. Very good performance of Danny Makkelie in the Dutch clash PSV Eindhoven- Ajax. All the YC were correct and no mistakes, but also his game control was excellent.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Brych in the 76th minute of Eintracht v Liepzig - Frankfurt player through on goal (though at the corner of the penalty area) flagged offside and whistle blown, before a shot is taken that goes into the net. From the replay it looked like he was just onside, bit disappointing that the AR flagged for a close call and the referee didn't wait a few seconds to blow the whistle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In that match even in other sit. Brych not convincing, especially no consistent line in fouldetection and one more clearly wrong offsidecall...

      Delete
  29. Hello Everyone,
    Awhile ago I asked for everyone thoughts on the best performances of the last 10 years. Having watched many of those games, I now am wandering if people would to share the best performances they can think of from 1998-2008.
    I know it was awhile ago but if people remember and would like to share that would be great.

    You could also use this as an opportunity to share some of your favorite past referees.

    Look forward to your responses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To start with, some very good performances in big games:
      Merk, EURO final 2004
      Mejuto Gonzalez, CL final 2005
      Rosetti, CRO-TUR EURO 2008 QF

      Some referees to consider as leading in that time:
      Collina, Krug, Levnikov, Frisk, Meier, Nielsen, Merk, Michel, Mejuto Gonzalez, Hauge, Rosetti, Busacca
      Aquino, Ruiz, Larrionda, Amarilla, Chandia
      Prendergast, Batres
      Maidin, Al Fadhli
      Codjia, Coulibaly, Damon

      Delete
  30. http://kronikasedziowska.blogspot.com/p/etoiledusahel-esperancedetunis.html

    Report on Victor Gomes, in CAF Champions League.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Jesus/Carlos good work on VAR , RC correct

    ReplyDelete
  32. Seven (!) RC have been issued in LaLiga MD5:

    -Juanmi (HUE-RSO), Iglesias Villanueva, 2 YC.
    -Théo Hernandez (HUE-RSO), Iglesias Villanueva, violent conduct.
    -Abdoulaye Ba (RAY-ALA), Cordero Vega, violent conduct, after VAR review.
    -Iván Alejo (GET-ATM), Sánchez Martínez, SFP.
    -Dani Parejo (VIL-VAL), Jaime Latre, SFP.
    -Clément Lenglet (FCB-GIR), Gil Manzano, ¿SFP?, after VAR review.
    -Markel Susaeta (BET-ATH), Estrada Fernández, 2 YC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The EPL could definitely learn a lesson from La Liga. Zero good comes from overly lenient and overly permissive refereree's. All it does is put players health, safety, and overall physical well being in danger.

      Delete
    2. At first, they should implement VAR

      Delete
  33. Does anyone have a full match record for these matches?
    Partizan - Crvena Zvezda, Grujić
    PAOK - AEK, Gestranius

    Regards
    Mikael

    ReplyDelete
  34. DFB has announced that Sascha Stegemann will replace Manuel Gräfe on the FIFA list, who has reached the age limitation. Moreover, assistant referee Guido Kleve has decided to quit the FIFA list and will be replaced by Christian Gittelmann.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those two were the most likely options IMO, although there were alternatives (Osmers, Brand; Schaal). Apparently, both have also participated in the UEFA CORE program.
      Stegemann's national appointments in recent times were already on the level of the FIFA referees. E.g., he had play-off-matches in the last three seasons.
      Gittelmann is a member of Stieler's Bundesliga trio, so he could proof himself in national top clashes already and could join him internationally as well.

      Gräfe was expected not to extend his international career after not getting much in the last years. After his highlight Real-Juventus, he did not get any more CL GS or EL KO match. I hope, he will get a farewell match in EL or NL or at least a nice friendly.
      Kleve was not expected, but him not being part of Aytekin's team in the first matches could have been an indicator. Like Gräfe, he never made it to the very top, but 18 CL and 18 EL matches in 7 years is surely an achievement.

      Delete
    2. Congrats to both and good luck!
      Sascha Stegemann with constant high level during the last 2 years - well deserved. Brand needs 1-2 more years - and hopefully will be back soon recovering from injury - I don't have further infos about him, he wasn't in charge for long time now. But there are young refs who could rise quickly, esp. Petersen, Storck and Jablonski. Not to forget Osmers, intensively backed by dfb, brave and with much charisma, but in my view still not constant enough. (View Hoffenheim-Dortmund, he got the big clash, but RC clear crucial mistake, PK call after maybefoul ag.Pulisic one more for most comment.- not me - but missed 2nd YC Dahoud. A very challenging match, but still too many errors. He needs more time and guidance.

      Delete
  35. Images from the French clash Olympique Lyonnais - Olympique de Marseille (referee : Clement Turpin)

    - PK awarded after OFR : https://streamable.com/m69yu

    - RC for Marseille’s defender (SFP) : https://streamable.com/kdpqq

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1) Fully correct decision. Careless foul, impossible to spot for Turpin from his position, well done by VAR.
      2) Correct decision as well, player was going to goal and able to shoot from there. Also the ball goes still in the direction of the goal, so RC for DOGSO is the fully correct decision.

      Good work by team Turpin.

      Delete
    2. 2) Very good collaboration with Gringore too who takes 5 steps back to indicate to the central that the fault was out of the penalty area.

      Delete
  36. OT : French appointements

    Saint-Etienne - Monaco ( 28/09 - 20h45 ) :
    Referee : Jérôme Brisard (FIFA)
    Assistant referee : Benjamin Pages (FIFA) - Eric Danizan (FIFA)
    4th : Pierre Gaillouste
    VAR : Johan Hamel
    AVAR : Sylvain Palhies

    Nice - Paris SG ( 29/09 - 17h00 ):
    Referee : Clément Turpin (FIFA)
    Assistant referee : Nicolas Danos (FIFA) - Cyril Gringore (FIFA)
    4th : Abdelatif Kherradji
    VAR : Willy Delajod
    AVAR : Alexandre Castro

    Angers - Guingamp ( 29/09 - 20h ) :
    Referee : Nicolas Rainville (FIFA)
    Assistant referee : Yannick Boutry - Mikael Berchebru
    4th : William Lavis
    Var : Amaury Delerue (FIFA)
    Avar : Mehdi Mokhtari

    Caen - Amiens ( 29/09 - 20h ) :
    Referee : Benoît Bastien (FIFA)
    Assistant referee : Hicham Zakrani (FIFA) - Frédéric Haquette (FIFA)
    4th : Mickael Leleu
    Var : François Letexier (FIFA)
    Avar : Stéphane Bré

    Lyon - Nantes ( 29/09 - 20h ) :
    Referee : Frank Schneider (FIFA)
    Assistant referee : Djemel Zitouni - Philippe Jeanne
    4th : Mathieu Vernice
    Var : Johan Hamel
    Avar : Romain Delpech

    Strasbourg - Dijon ( 29/09 - 20h ) :
    Referee : Eric Wattellier
    Assistant referee : Stéphan Luzi - Mathieu Grosbost
    4th : Yann Gazagnes
    Var : Karim Abed (FIFA)
    Avar : Hamid Guenaoui

    Reims - Bordeaux ( 29/09 - 20h ) :
    Referee : Hakim Ben El Hadj
    Assistant referee : Gwenael Pasqualotti - Alexandre Viala
    4th : Gaël Angoula
    Var : Antony Gautier
    Avar : Bruno Coué

    Rennes - Toulouse ( 30/09 - 15h ) :
    Referee : Thomas Léonard
    Assistant Referee : Gilles Lang - François Boudikian
    4th : Mickael Leleu
    Var : Florent Batta
    Avar : Christian Guillard

    Montpellier - Nîmes ( 30/09 - 17h ) :
    Referee : Ruddy Buquet (FIFA)
    Assistant Referee : Guillaume Debart (FIFA) - Julien Pacelli (FIFA)
    4th : Bastien Dechepy
    Var : Jérôme Miguelgorry
    Avar : Wilfried Bien

    Lille - Marseille ( 30/09 - 21h ) :
    Referee : Mikael Lesage
    Assistant Referee : Michael Annonier - Julien Aube
    4th : Benjamin Lepaysant
    Var : Olivier Thual
    Avar : Lionel Jaffredo

    ReplyDelete
  37. LaLiga MD7 appoitments, only referee and VAR revealed by CTA-RFEF. Biggest match so far (Madrid derby) goes to Martínez Munuera, interesting matches also for Gil Manzano and Jaime Latre.


    Rayo Vallecano-Espanyol (Friday 28, 21:00 CET):
    Referee: Javier ALBEROLA ROJAS
    VAR: Eduardo PRIETO IGLESIAS

    Real Sociedad-Valencia (Saturday 29, 13:00 CET):
    Referee: Jesús GIL MANZANO (FIFA Elite)
    VAR: Alejandro HERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ (FIFA 2nd)

    Barcelona-Athletic (Saturday 29, 16:15 CET):
    Referee: Santiago JAIME LATRE
    VAR: Pablo GONZÁLEZ FUERTES

    Eibar-Sevilla (Saturday 29, 18:30 CET):
    Referee: Xavier ESTRADA FERNÁNDEZ (FIFA 1st)
    VAR: Alberto UNDIANO MALLENCO (FIFA Elite)

    Real Madrid-Atlético Madrid (Saturday 29, 20:45 CET):
    Referee: Juan MARTÍNEZ MUNUERA (FIFA 2nd)
    VAR: José Luis GONZÁLEZ GONZÁLEZ

    Huesca-Girona (Sunday 30, 12:00 CET):
    Referee: Adrián CORDERO VEGA
    VAR: Antonio MATEU LAHOZ (FIFA Elite)

    Villarreal-Valladolid (Sunday 30, 16:15 CET):
    Referee: Ignacio IGLESIAS VILLANUEVA
    VAR: Ricardo DE BURGOS BENGOETXEA (FIFA 2nd)

    Levante-Alavés (Sunday 30, 18:30 CET):
    Referee: Mario MELERO LÓPEZ
    VAR: Carlos DEL CERRO GRANDE (FIFA 1st)

    Betis-Leganés (Sunday 30, 20:45 CET):
    Referee: José María SÁNCHEZ MARTÍNEZ
    VAR: David MEDIÉ JIMÉNEZ

    Celta-Getafe (Monday 1, 21:00 CET):
    Referee: Guillermo CUADRA FERNÁNDEZ
    VAR: José Luis MUNUERA MONTERO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Under my point of view Velasco are over-exposing Gil-Manzano. This year he has directed many important games like Atletico de Madrid-Valencia, Betis-Sevilla and Barcelona-Girona yesterday. In all of these games he has had controversial performance and also he had a big mistake in UCL. For his next appointmen he will change his "couple" in the VOR. We will see..

      Delete
    2. Shouldn’t Mateu Lahoz have been appointed? It was his “turn” right?

      Delete
    3. It was. Could mean international appointment on Tuesday.

      BTW, if those appointments have been made today (not just announced), it means that the decision of not sending off Mario Gaspar for this foul (https://www.sport.es/es/videos/resumenes-liga/20180923/la-patada-de-karate-de-mario-gaspar-que-el-arbitro-no-considero-roja/4462835.shtml) has been considered correct (or at least acceptable) by CTA. If that is the case, I don't understand how that assessment is possible. If that is not the case, I don't understand how the main referee of that situation (Jaime Latre) gets one top clash, but specially how VAR (González González) gets to be in Real Madrid-Atlético as VAR. That doesn't really go well with the "form principle" that Velasco Carballo says he is going to use.

      Delete
    4. Well, last season Iglesias Villanueva and his team were appointed for Atlético-Valencia 2 months after missing a clear goal in Valencia-Barcelona.

      Delete
    5. One thing is 2 months and another one, a week… form can be recovered in that lapse. In a week, really difficult. I'm not saying that Jaime Latre/González González should have not been appointed. Just that not to those matches.

      Delete
  38. China. 2 conscutive yellow cards for dissent. Also, an awkward try to stop the referee of issuing the RC...

    Does White #6's action require disciplinary sanction? Which one and why?

    https://streamable.com/usizj

    ReplyDelete
  39. Mauro Vigliano had a lot of crucial decisions in his Superclásico yesterday

    https://streamable.com/zwiun (Violent Conduct?)
    https://streamable.com/z4fqm (Penalty?)
    https://streamable.com/ugqp8 (Serious Foul Play?)

    Find these situations, plus more and a full performance review, in my report below

    http://kronikasedziowska.blogspot.com/p/bocajuniorsriverplate.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, just to add, I have read that Pitana is injured and he is out from officiating in these days...

      Delete
    2. 1) Clear RC. Elbow used as a weapon and with excessive force.

      2) Difficult without a replay.

      3) Borderline.

      Delete
  40. Greek Superleague Panionios - Olympiakos

    https://streamable.com/j4nht

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Difficult to accept this mistake at top level...

      Delete
  41. With the AFC Champions League Semi-Final pairings set. And keeping in mind the Referee exchange program between CONCACAF and AFC.
    I am curious to see what CONCACAF referee along with his crew will be chosen to represent CONCACAF in Asia.

    What semifinal match up will they be assigned to? Will it be Al Sadd (QAT) vs Persepolis (IRN) or will it be Kashima Antlers (JAP) vs Suwon Bluewings (KOR)? And will it be a 1st Leg match or a deciding 2nd Leg match?

    Ravshan Irmatov and his crew were assigned on April 10, 2018 to the 2nd Leg semifinal match between Club America (MEX) vs FC Toronto (CAN/"MLS") played at the mythical Estadio Azteca.

    Call me biased. But IMO, I see Cesar Ramos and his crew handling the 2nd Leg between Al Sadd and Peresopolis at the imposing Azadi Stadium in Tehran.

    Opinons?

    ReplyDelete
  42. What a brilliannt refereeing in Serbia derby match Partizan vs.Red Star from Danilo Grujić.... He was perfect... Only one situation for discussion AAR 1 Djokic allowed goal for Red Star for 1:1... https://youtu.be/IrvSExYitgw

    ReplyDelete
  43. Premier League
    Round Seven

    Saturday 29 September
    12:30 West Ham United v Man Utd
    Referee: Michael Oliver
    Assistants: Stuart Burt, Simon Bennett
    Fourth official: Paul Tierney

    Arsenal v Watford
    Referee: Anthony Taylor
    Assistants: Gary Beswick, Neil Davies
    Fourth official: Martin Atkinson

    Everton v Fulham
    Referee: Roger East
    Assistants: Simon Beck, Andy Garratt
    Fourth official: Jeremy Simpson

    Huddersfield Town v Spurs
    Referee: Craig Pawson
    Assistants: Ian Hussin, Andy Halliday
    Fourth official: Peter Bankes

    Man City v Brighton
    Referee: Lee Mason
    Assistants: Matthew Wilkes, Mick McDonough
    Fourth official: Oliver Langford

    Newcastle United v Leicester City
    Referee: Simon Hooper
    Assistants: Richard West, Daniel Cook
    Fourth official: Mike Dean

    Wolves v Southampton
    Referee: Stuart Attwell
    Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, Peter Kirkup
    Fourth official: Robert Jones

    17:30 Chelsea v Liverpool
    Referee: Andre Marriner (pictured)
    Assistants: Scott Ledger, Simon Long
    Fourth official: Chris Kavanagh

    Sunday 30 September
    16:00 Cardiff City v Burnley
    Referee: Martin Atkinson
    Assistants: Stephen Child, Lee Betts
    Fourth official: David Coote

    Monday 1 October
    20:00 AFC Bournemouth v Crystal Palace
    Referee: Mike Dean
    Assistants: Dan Robathan, Mark Scholes
    Fourth official: Kevin Friend

    ReplyDelete
  44. Two handball penalty incidents in Polish Cup game between ŁKS Łódź - Lech Poznań (referee Łukasz Szczech, VAR Szymon Marciniak). No penalties, no VAR interventions.

    1) https://streamable.com/2stiy
    2) https://streamable.com/ube9g

    What are your thoughts?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1) No penalty for me, no movement of the arm, natural position when jumping
      2) Debatable, but I can see arms moving toward to ball, could have been a penalty for me

      Delete
    2. Agree with Nathan, both not black-or-white for me though.

      Was the play stopped for the VAR check in 1)?

      Delete
    3. Referee waited for confirmation in both cases. Of course, he still could have given the penalty in 1) even though he whistled for the half-time (as long as he was on the field of play).

      Delete
    4. 1) For sure not a penalty
      2) It can be whistled, if you want to punish the movement made by defender, but being behind the back, one can't be 100% sure, not a clear mistake in any case

      Delete
    5. 1) Natural position of the hand and no movement to the ball. No penalty.
      2) 60-40 penalty for me. Not a clear mistake.

      Delete
    6. I agree with you that both calls were fully supportable and it's good to see VAR didn't intervene.

      One question regarding 1): what about expected ball and time to avoid contact? It was always a very important criterion in Poland (in the pre-VAR era).

      Delete
  45. Penalty for Inter v Fiorentina https://streamja.com/aV32 given after Var asked the ref to look at it again

    Also I noticed the ref (Mazzoleni) had his surname in small letters on the back of his jersey. I had not noticed this in Serie A before. Chefren, do all referees have this in Italy? Is it just from this season?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diadora the official referee kit supplier for the Italian Serie A has done this for quite a few years. I like it! It adds a nice personal touch for each referee.

      Delete
    2. Yes all referees have this since many years, I don't remember exactly when it was introduced for the fist time. However, just to add, this is the last season with Diadora, starting from next season they will end the partnership with AIA after more than 20 years...

      Delete
    3. Finally, because it looks terrible. However, with their colours they were quite modern!

      Delete
  46. After the chaos of PAOK-AEK last season, it seemed Mattias Gestranius, Finnish who became first foreign referee since over forty years to handle a league fixture in Greece, would face a tough task refereeing this season's edition in Thessaloniki, with the refereeing in a huge focus long before the first whistle.

    Find out how he performed in my report below

    https://kronikasedziowska.blogspot.com/p/paokaekgestranius.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mikael
      Where did you find the game? I was looking as well but could not find the full match.

      Btw
      Many thanks for all your reports. I look forward to them and appreciate you share many different leagues with us.

      Delete
    2. Thank you for the report, Michael. I watched the match and my observations are pretty much the same as yours.

      However, Gestranius appointment albeit a safe one, is the worst message for Greek refereeing. There is no trust to top referees and despite the many changes on the lists those 2 last years, the results are worse. Referees and AR's live in constant fear and their management is awful.

      The ref. committee (who btw cost HFF over 60.000e per month) can't produce the next generation of referees. Mostly due to their bad decisions. Plus they take decisions which are AGAINST every regulation. For example, they have a given a 2nd chance to those SL referees who have failed the fitness tests.

      I do wonder what mr Pereira will tell FIFA about that.

      Delete
  47. Incidents from Wisła Kraków - Lechia Gdańsk (referee Piotr Lasyk, VAR Bartosz Frankowski)

    Reckless DOGSO by GK in the box. Was it an attempt to play the ball?
    https://streamable.com/nxnqk

    Reckless foul, serious foul play, unsporting behaviour or violent conduct? Yellow card changed for red card after an on-field review.
    https://streamable.com/4jo7j

    Mistaken identity at public warning ;)
    https://streamable.com/wqb05

    Was it a foul / dangerous play before the yellow card or was it the attacking player who created contact and therefore the play-on call is correct?
    https://streamable.com/ksnm8

    Bad offside mistake :/
    https://streamable.com/32cvo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1) Good call for me, genuine attempt to play the ball by the keeper
      2) Correct red card, high foot on the knee, serious foul play
      4) Correct play on for me

      Delete
    2. 1) It can be read as genuine attempt to play the ball, so not a mistake by referee, at least in my opinion, but there is also room for considering it as RC, because the keeper once started the contact with the opponent, gives me the idea that he is aware he can't reach the ball and he deliberately stops attacker. However, if you ask me, not a 100% black or white. If you consider the situation before the attempt by keeper, it looks genuine, a few later you have a different perception...

      2) RC despite of having clearly hit the ball before the opponent. This is a very particular situation as well. Most of the referee can issue YC there, VAR is needed.

      4) It is mostly attacker responsibility if such contact happens, defender was already kicking the ball when attacker put his head there... no faults for defender.

      5) This is an unacceptable mistake at high level.

      Delete
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voU2RgbIc8w

    Fellows, i want your opinion on this decision by Sidiropoulos on tonight's Thessalonikis derby between PAOK and ARIS. Do you agree with his decision?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No. I am quite sure, that #28 did not intend to leave it for his GK at the moment of his contact. And that is the only thing, which matters.

      Delete
    2. Play on for me too. No intention by the defender to leave the ball to the GK.

      What do you think about that scene.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHea-js5LOk

      Penalty, play-on or simulation?

      Delete
    3. About the indirect free kick in penalty area, in my opinion not a deliberate backpass. Defender would have played again the ball again after having touched it. It was the keeper to reach the ball leaving the net on purpose.

      About the scene posted by Edward: defender makes a movement by opening his leg, however contact is caused only by attacker. In this case I would say very good decision by referee. Play on is for me best solution.

      Delete
  49. Really bad Undiano tonight regarding time management. I'm really disappointed with that. I expected much more from him. Only 3 minutes with 5 interruptions to make substitutions, lack of balls, injuries, delayed restart of game. But during the extra time, two medical attendances, Ter Stegen bleeding but allowed to continue on the pitch (instead of stopping play until he is fully restablished) and only 30 extra seconds and partly because there was a corner kick just before the third minute.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Danilo Grujic took charge of one of hottest derbies in Europe on Sunday, between Partizan - Crvena Zvezda.

    Read about his performance below

    https://kronikasedziowska.blogspot.com/p/partizancrvenazvezdagrujic.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Excellent report, as usual! I really enjoy and your work!

      Delete
  51. https://twitter.com/CelticGoal/status/1045054918615289858

    Celtic's Boyata sent off by John Beaton in the final minutes of a Scottish League Cup game. Not sure why he was raging so much, looks like the referee was going with a YC for dissent but upgraded it to a RC when the player wouldn't listen. Also a nudge on the referee as well and no complains from the players.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RC to be issued immediately after the nudge!

      Delete
  52. Four penalty appeals by Liverpool had to be assessed tonight by Kevin Friend in Liverpool-Chelsea in the Carabao Cup tonight. Would be nice to read your thoughts on here, especially on the handballs.
    => https://streamable.com/97lcm
    => https://streamable.com/hjepj
    => https://streamable.com/4fzvy
    => https://streamable.com/sjxms

    Overall, I thought Kevin Friend delivered a very good performance in a game which was challenging to referee. I loved his calm and unimpressed attitude when players were questioning his decisions (especially when the game got really intensive at the end). I must be honest that I was very surprised to see his name assigned to this match (given the fact that I expected one of the "usual ones", e.g. Atkinson, Marriner, Pawson, Taylor, Oliver), but I have been very positively surprised by the man from Leicester. Really a good job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1) I would opt for a penalty to be given but not a clear and obvious mistake to let the play continue.

      2) Missed YC for simulation

      3) A bit tricky in slo-mo, but never a penalty in real time.

      4) Play-on. Close to simulation.

      Also the first Chelsea's goal was interesting regarding offside. If you could find a video...

      Delete
    2. I think with it being a cup match rather than a more important league game, I think they rested the "usual ones" and gave it to Friend who is experienced but doesn't get big games that often. Marriner is in charge for the same game on Saturday indicating to me that game is more important than Wednesday's in PGMOL's eyes.

      Delete
    3. @Vlad: there it is, there was indeed the VAR check for Chelsea's equalizer that I forgot to include yesterday.
      => https://streamable.com/qp8ir

      Delete
  53. OT

    Sandro Schärer (SUI, 2nd Group) has been appointed to the Greek derby Olympiakos - PAOK. His assistants will be SLADAN JOSIPOVIC and BEKIM ZOGAJ. Fourth official will be (soon to be FIFA) Aristotelis Diamantopoulos and ref. observer Juan Fernandez Marin.

    Total disrespect by mr Perreira to all Greek referees.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I fully disagree with Edward.There is a lot of pressure towards all greek referees. By appointing a foreign ref, Mr Pereira would protect greek refs who have been exposed to high amounts of pressure coming from newspapers, clubs and agents that act around greek football. At the same time, Sidiropoulos is doing matches in Saudi Arabia and might ref matches in different leagues. What is wrong with that? Greek clubs want foreign referees; let them have them. Greek refs will still have chances to shine in Europe, and I think being exposed to less pressure would be positive to their development.

      Delete
    2. Does this mean that European club fixtures are totally pressure free? And are you insinuating that Greek referee's are only capable of handling matches in completely stress free situations and environments? if so, then the future for Greek referee's is quite grim.

      On a side note. I am totally against referee's being imported to handle matches in any country. Saudi Arabia, Greece, ect........ These countries have their own local referee's who need to be the ones that are given the opportunities.

      Delete
    3. @ioan dagok

      There is something that HFF could do to protect Greek referees. That would be strict punishments to teams that are making public statements about referees. But this is not happening. Moreover the ref committee should be strict with referees who are making big mistakes. For example Skoulas (Panionios-Olympiakos, MD5) took a 7.9 by his observer and yet he is appointed again as FO (AEL-Panaitolikos, MD6). Other referees were left out of the appointments for 3 matchdays (Papadopoulos) without a 7.9. Is that fair management?

      Plus the ref. committee gave a 2nd chance today to those who failed the fitness tests in August. This is AGAINST regulations.

      Delete

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