Tuesday 6 April 2021

Champions League 2020/21 - Referee Appointments - Quarterfinals (First Leg, I)

Referees in charge of 2020-21 UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals- First legs, to be played on Tuesday 6 April.

06.04.2021, 21:00 CET
Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano, Madrid (ESP)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) - Liverpool FC (ENG)
Referee: Felix Brych (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Mark Borsch (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan Lupp (GER)
Fourth Official: Tobias Stieler (GER)
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sascha Stegemann (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Fritz Stuchlik (AUT) 
UEFA Delegate: Georges Lüchinger (LIE) 

06.04.2021, 21:00 CET
City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester (ENG)
Manchester City FC (ENG) - Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Referee: Ovidiu Haţegan (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Octavian Șovre (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Sebastian Gheorghe (ROU)
Fourth Official: István Kovács (ROU)
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Valeri (ITA) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas (SCO) 
UEFA Delegate: Kris Bellon (BEL)

189 comments:

  1. Expected appointment for Brych in Madrid vs Liverpool and a suprising appointment in City vs Dortmund but a welcome one

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  2. So a Easter of happiness for Șovre, this assignment, with Hategan again back in CL after PSG - Istanbul facts, should be the confirmation that the full team will be confirmed for EURO. I had no doubts about Hategan, but many about Sovre. Good for him.
    In the other game in Madrid, an expected classic appointment.

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    Replies
    1. Indeed! My prophecy thankfully proved to be totally wrong :D

      Haţegan's game in Saudi Arabia went okay, but I think he did a really good job in Slavia Prague - Rangers, and from what I heard / saw, WALCZE too; Romanian is in good form. Happy for the whole trio!

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    2. Don’t jinx it, Chefren!

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  3. Any news from Slovenia about Skomina`s recovery?

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    Replies
    1. I guess if there was any, someone would have already told here. ;) I guess no Skomina in Euro or in CL/EL and Vincic instead

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    2. In Slovenia unfortunately due to the lockdown also national league is stopped so no appointments for referees and players till 12th of April. I hope that after we will see footbal and also Skomina on the field in due time.

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  4. I'm glad to see the Romania trio together again. I'm sure that if the unfotunate incident from december wouldn't happened, they could get the CL final. But if this game will be ok, them who knows... Maybe... Oh, and yes, Hațegan did an amazing job at Slavia-Rangers and Wales - Czech Republic.

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  5. Still no games for Stieler after Atalanta - Real Madrid, he will be fourth official this week. How committee is managing him in recent times, doesn't give me the idea that he is planned for EURO.
    Maybe for Germany at the end, despite so many Elite referees from the country, only one will be at EURO?

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    Replies
    1. As long as Zwayer is not there every other German elite ref at Euro is fine by me.

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    2. I think, Stieler could get a EL QF next week.
      If not, my doubts regarding EURO would also increase.
      However, you still need to find 18 other referees, who deserve it more to participate in the tournament.

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  6. Germany:
    Sascha Stegemann (UEFA Second Category) is appointed for today's important Berlin city derby Union Berlin - Hertha BSC.

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  7. Very happy for Hategan's appointment. It would be a real pity to miss Euro for nothing. Also committee member for him.

    Expect and standard appointment in Madrid.

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  8. Hategan's appointment is not too surprising IMO. He certainly deserves to be at EURO, and he still "needed" a CL KO match before that after missing out in R16. And ManCity-Dortmund is the easiest of the 8 matches on paper. Maybe an EL SF can follow for him.

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    Replies
    1. In "normal" conditions (without PSG - Istanbul events) in my opinion he was candidate for Europa League final, now more difficult and I expect at least an EL Semifinal for him as well.

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  9. Orsato tomorrow in serie B with international trio Giallatini and Preti.
    This can mean EL on Thursday or CL on next week, Tuesday or Wednesday, I think the latter option is more likely.

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  10. Predictions for the remaining games this week:

    BAY-PSG: Kuipers (van Boekel)
    POR-CHE: Turpin (Letexier)

    UEL quarterfinals:
    ARS-SLP: Orsato (Fabbri)
    GRA-MU: Vinčič (Irrati)
    AJX-ROM: Taylor (Attwell)
    DZG-VIL: Dias (Martins)

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  11. Arbitrators who will whistle at EURO will be from large football states such as England,
    Spain, Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Romania, Croatia, Portugal, Russia, and will be

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  12. there will be movements at the last minute filling out the referee panel

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  13. LaLiga’s Cadiz-Valencia has been suspended after Diakhaby, together with his team mates, left the field of play after allegedly having been discriminated by an opponent.

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    Replies
    1. And the match has been resumed in the meantime. Maybe one of our Spanish friends can report on what exactly happened here.

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    2. It seems that Juan Cala insulted Diakhaby with racist words. Also, it is reported that it was Diakhaby who asked his teammates to restart the match.

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    3. Diakhaby and Cala started fighting in the middle of play, if there was some kind of racial abuse, Medié Jiménez didn't hear it. Both teams were sent to dressing room and after 10 minutes match has been resumed (but Diakhaby substituted as he insisted on abandoning the game)

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    4. Another sign that football just doesn't how to handle racism. It was reported now that Valencia players were forced to play on because otherwise they would be penalized. As a result, Diakhaby didn't get back on the field of play, while Cala did. I think this is a really shameful and a bad sign.

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  14. Referee alexis Herrera from Venezuela to referee in Saudi Arabia hilal vs Etihad on 9 th April

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  15. It will be a pity if skomina miss the euros.

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  16. Guys, I would like to remind you that there is agreement between Uefa and Conmebol about officials exchange, so very possible that we can se, on example Pitana in group phase.

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    Replies
    1. I'm not sure whether covid would allow that to happen

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    2. If it happens, it probably would also mean that a top UEFA referee participates in Copa America and would not be available for EURO, because both tournaments happen at the same time.

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    3. Hopefully not happen due to covid. I do not want to see any top UEFA referee miss EURO

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  17. Can someone who speaks Russian translate the main points of this video? Substitles not working.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQIMnm_mZlc

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    1. Belarusian Premier League

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    2. The department's specialist supported the referee in the first two points

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    3. In the third episode, in his opinion, there was a push on the part of the striker and so he accidentally played with his hand

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  18. An update about EURO 2020, according to some Italian newspapers, UEFA has asked FIGC to ensure a minimum of 25% spectators in every EURO's game, otherwise the competition won't be played in Italy. UEFA wants strongly that. But at moment, due to a still difficult situation regarding virus, Italian government doesn't give answers.
    In case of withdrawal, EURO should be fully played in England with spectators. The decision should be taken on next days.
    In this context, I can understand the troubles by committee to select referees, better to wait until the very last minute.
    Very, very difficult if not impossible management.

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    Replies
    1. The FIGC recieved today the conformation from Roberto Speranza that fans can be allowed in accordance with the protocal designed by the CTS.

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    2. Same plans in the Netherlands. There will be spectators at the 3 EURO games in Amsterdam

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    3. Sounds risky to me. You guys have a lot of Covid over there in Europe.

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  19. Penalty by Hategan, but I think no contact. Should be indirect free kick. VAR should call.

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    1. The big question is, how intense the contact at the knee was.
      I would not like to have to decide that based on the pictures shown during the OFR...

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    2. I think there was veryyy little contact to the knee of the City player but that was never a penalty. The touch didn't confirm the way how the player falls to the ground. IMO good intervention and final decision to re-start with a dropped ball.

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    3. Don’t think the yellow to Can was rescinded? Do we think that was for protestations, in which case Can was right? Also, goal incorrectly disallowed for a foul by Bellingham, when he clearly took the ball. And a YC. Hategan having a nightmare.

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    4. Yes, YC for Can most likely for dissent - although he wasn't the leader of the protests, I think.

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  20. Should ist be yc for simulation to rodri?

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    1. IMO not. as there was little contact (perspective from behind the goal showed that i think) so it wasn't a clear dive.

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    2. @Lucas, Rodri put his hands on his face as if he was kicked on it. That’s a simulation

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    3. I agree partly, but there was a contact that was just not enough for a penalty call so the correct restart is a dropped ball. As the restart is a dropped ball, there can't be a YC for simulation.

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  21. Possible penalty for Real after foul in Benzema

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    1. For me it's more an offensive foul by Benzema on Kabak than the other way round

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  22. Now another controversial situation in Manchester. This foul whistled against attacker is not so clear as it could look before, Hategan didn't wait for goal before whistling, so VAR couldn't intervene.
    Not the best first half for him.

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    Replies
    1. Very, very bad decision to whistle before the goal. Imo the Dormund attacker is first to the ball and can play on, so Goal. If he hadn't whistled...
      Not a convincing performance so far by the Romanian...

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    2. That's an unbelievable mistake, surely you just wait a couple of seconds to blow the whistle?!

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    3. Attacker intervened dangerously with stretched leg. Hate gam could’ve been smarter and could’ve waited but it’s at least a supportable call

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    4. IMO acceptable to disallow the goal for dangerous play (straight leg).
      But anyway, he should have waited for the goal to be scored to allow a VAR check.

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    5. Agree, would have been to wait until the Dortmund player scored and then whistle to foul to allow the check. Hategan seems to struggle with the extra pressure lasting on his shoulders due to his CL comeback after the debatable game in Paris. I hope he'll calm himself down in halftime to impress with a good 2nd half.

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    6. Very unfortunate first half by Hategan. You could really see that he is under pressure because of his last CL match. Wrong penalty decision, luckily VAR recommended an OFR. I'm happy that Hategan took back his original decision but IMO it was a clear dive by the attacker. Should have been a YC for UB as the attacker tried to perceive the referee and there was no contact.
      Also wrong foul decision prior possible 1–1 for Dortmund. The attacker clearly played the ball and it was the goalkeeper who initiated the contact. One could somehow excuse this wrong perception but it was a big mistake to whistle although the attacker could clearly score. For me this is a sign of high pressure on Hategan. I really hope he finds back to his normal level of refereeing.

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  23. Vazques faul on Mane... clear mistake

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    1. Yes, and unfortunately one wonders that if that foul had been called would it have changed the game so that Real doesn't score their second goal.

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  24. Interested situation, before second goal for Real, IMO miss foul and RC for Vazquez

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    1. Agreed! VAR could have intervened there because it was in the attacking phase right?

      Brych did assess both possible PK situations in Liverpool area correctly, but not his most convincing half.

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    2. IMO, we have the next match Where German’s Var doesnt work good

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    3. 50:50 for me. Considering that Brych let the game flow a lot currently the better decision to his line

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    4. The best decision would have been to call foul imho. However, it's not a clear mistake and supportable to play on given the way he let the game flow and only called clear fouls all game.

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    5. Crucial mistake for me. It is not a fair challenge, it is a clear push from behind.

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    6. Do you have a video of the incident?

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    7. I'm surprised how many think this is a clear mistake. I think it's supportable to not call a foul there. Considering Brych let the game flow a lot, it's okay in my opinion.

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    8. Supportable decision by Brych.

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    9. Let game flow by brych is Ok but in this case Mane was clearly pushed by Defender from behind. In any level of refs foul IT should have been foul and VAR had to intervien in this situation.

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  25. Wow, what an mistake by Hategan not to wait for the VAR, I don't think, it's a foul.

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  26. Nothing wrong with Bellingham challenge, Hategan robbed Dortmund of a goal. And VAR couldn't do anything cause Hategan stopped the play before the goal.

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  27. An absolutely shocking performance so far by Hategan. Hugh Dallas will be having a field day

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  28. Bad performance in the first half by Hategan.

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  29. Some big problems in foul detection by hategan. Very good intervention by VAR at the wrong penalty. Would loved to see a yc for simulation.
    The disallowed goal was the right decision IMO.

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  30. Unbelievable mistake by Hategan to blow his whistle when Dortmund player is 2m away from the goal line.

    Sorry but this is unacceptable at this level. Hategan breaks evidently the VAR protocal. He need to wait and then he can disallow the goal (when he think it should be a foul).
    Then Marco di Bello can assess the challenge and can check everything.

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    Replies
    1. However, in my opinion VAR wouldn't have intervened, the call is at least supportable, dangerous play by attacker by putting leg there, but surely not direct free kick (he got clearly the ball and then he was also hit by keeper).

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    2. +1

      IMO, not waiting for the play to end and whistling the foul was a bigger mistake than awarding the foul itself (which is a veeeery soft foul to be honest, a supportable call if we are extremely indulgent).

      Add this to the completely erroneous pen awarded for City and we can agree that the last 15 minutes of the 1st half were a nightmare for Hategan.

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    3. I disagree. Ederson is nowhere near. Attacker is just earlier at the ball and does nothing wrong imo. I just can't see a way to defend both the early whistle and the freekick.

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    4. Agree with Marko23 here. Clearly no foul, just normal play and movement towards the ball. Goalkeeper is responsible of velocity lack and was too late to play the ball early. Crystal wrong decision by Hategan and moreover to whistle so early...

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    5. @Chefren - what would make the call supportable for dangerous play? Dangerous play requires that the opponent not attempt to play the ball for fear of injury. No such thing happened. Ederson fully committed to also kicking at the ball--indeed, he kicked Bellingham!

      If Hategan had not whistled until after the ball was in the net, as he should have, Di Bello should have called him over for an OFR to let Hategan see for himself. He should do that for two reasons. First, from an LOTG perspective, this was not a foul on Bellingham--so the decision is clearly wrong. Second, simply from a global optics situation, a VAR is going to know that most of the world thinks this is wrong. So even if Di Bello somehow thought the decision was supportable, it would still be what "football expects" to let Hategan look again.

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    6. "Dangerous play requires that the opponent not attempt to play the ball for fear of injury."
      I disagree here. By my understanding of the LoTG it is sufficient for dangerous play to "threaten injury to someone". And "preventing from playing for fear" is only a sufficient, but not a necessary condition.

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    7. Sorry, but your understanding is incorrect. The text of the laws is clear and the word "and" means both criteria must be satisfied:

      Playing in a dangerous manner is any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player themself) AND includes preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury.

      The way the provision is written, the action must both threaten injury and prevent an opponent from playing the ball. If "preventing from playing for fear" was only a sufficient condition, the text would say "including" instead of "and includes."

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  31. According to https://1xbet.whoscored.com/Referees/1160/Show/Ovidiu-Hategan, Hategan has only 5 CL appearances. If that is correct, why would he get a quarterfinal appointment? I haven't been following appointments recently, so is Çakır still getting top CL matches? I know he had a little bit of an off night in a match involving Barcelona last season, but he is very reliable overall and would perhaps be a better choice than Hategan.

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    1. Totally wrong statistic! I think they meant this season!

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    2. It's Hategan's 33rd CL match and he is in his 10th CL season. So he certainly earned this appointment over a long time.
      Cakir didn't get the very top matches recently, but I still expect him to get a further match in this CL season. He had Dortmund last round, so it was quite unlikely to see him in Manchester tonight.

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    3. Do more research first before leaving your comment. You said you have followed appointments recently, but it seems you do not follow at least since five years ago

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    4. Can't believe there are people here thinking that Hategan has only 5 CL games

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  32. I feel like I am taking crazy pills reading the reactions to the Bellingham foul. He leads with the studs and makes contact studs to the GK's kicking foot. It seems like a pretty standard yellow card to me.

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    Replies
    1. Look at the image, Ederson is nowhere near the ball. Honestly, if Bellingham would have fallen, Ederson could have received a RC for this:
      https://ibb.co/9sPZZZ0

      Also, how is a player supposed to approach a ball that is 1m up from the ground? You cannot head it, you cannot chest it, and apparently you cannot use your foot either because it's dangerous play?

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    2. Completely agree Keyser, some referees here seemed to deny footballers to play...football ! Incredible to support this kind of decisions with replays. More difficult to assess live with goalkeeper exaggerated attitude but NEVER a foul !

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    3. Agree with Keyser. This is a clear error by Hategan. And it is compounded by him whistling early.

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  33. https://twitter.com/zawodsedzia/status/1379522801565110273?s=21 Penalty situation, foul and YC

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    1. I don't see a clear foul here. The contact is initiated by the white player as well.

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    2. Correct assessment by Brych IMO. Benzema is looking for the leg. Penalty would have been way too soft.

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    3. Find complete video, because when you watch entire situation it is very clear it was foul by Benzema and not on Benzema.

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  34. Unfortunately they game seems to be too big for Hategan.

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  35. No good First half for Felix Brych

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  36. Extremely nervous and weird body language by Hategan IMO

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  37. Hategan always very good referee in years and years but when it comes to crucial moments...

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  38. Here is the foul whistled by Hategan prior to 1-1 BVB:
    https://streamable.com/2sy38k

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  39. Come on, how can you defend Brych's and Fritz' choice to assess the CLEAR careless charge as no foul?! Do you have a different version of Laws of the Game? This blog becomes worse and worse due to such amateurish comments. Charge in back is a clear, clear foul and fortunately even UEFA posted a clip with identical situation from Arsenal - Olympiacos in Ref Network blaming Del Cerro for lack of concentration/awareness!!! I am sure Rosetti will be very unhappy with this mistake of German team (REF-AR2-VAR)!

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    1. How does one get access to Ref Network - I'm very interested to learn more if possible.

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    2. You should be a UEFA referee, it is a private network.

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    3. if it´s a private network only for UEFA referees... why do you share private information from it?. what is the meaning for you about the confidentiality? :)

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  40. IMO Man City-Dortmund should not be a very difficult game to handle, and I expected Hategan can handle this (especially this is the 1st leg). I am sorry to see he is not performing well.

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  41. Terrible decision by hategan. Dont think it was good idea to give QF game with no R16 game before.

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    Replies
    1. I disagree. Hategan missed last round because of the Paris incident and I think committee wanted to hold him for a while after the incident happened. For me, Hategan is deserved to get Man City - Dortmund.

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  42. Hategan is not sure in his decision...

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  43. Committee did not expect a so open game in Manchester.

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  44. If we will have a CL final with spanish and england team, we can exclude Lahoz and Taylor for final. What do you think, who will be a CL final referee in this case? Turpin? Makkelie? They are only 38..

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    1. Imo too early for Turpin. After Serbia Portugal not sure if Makkelie will get it. In that case likely we get a ref with second CL final as no other ref is ready.

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    2. For me only two referees possible for CL final: Lahoz and Makkelie. Makkelie ahead based on performances, but for Lahoz it can be a farewell match. Turpin without EL final and less impressive. All will depend on Real Madrid in the final yes or no.

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    3. So a committee doesn'y have many options. We can see any crisis - Cakir, Skomina, Brych, Kuipers are close to retirement, and we can't see next generation if we have a problem with CL final referee if Real will be in final...

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    4. Totally agree with anonymous, Makkelie will get CL final if Madrid is involved in final, in this case, age should not be a big concern. If Madrid is not involve, then Lahoz is very likely to get CL final. Turpin is one of the top candidates in EL final this year, and I am sure he will get CL final in the near future.

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    5. Wouldn’t be surprised if Taylor gets CL final the way he is being treated by UEFA

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  45. Makkelie cant be blamed for that goal. Would be very harsh to punish Makkelie for that.

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    1. I agree, except when Porto reach the final.

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    2. I agree. Depends on perception by Uefa. If 1 CL final per ref is maintained than only choice is Makkelie.

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  46. Small report on the Real Madrid - Liverpool game.


    Key Match Incidents:

    32' - correct play on after a penalty area incident

    36' - CLEAR missed charging foul in the build-up to the (2)-0 goal, I'm stunned that people say this is an acceptable call because the ref had a lenient line thus far - 100% that's a foul!

    Incident is a borderline one in terms of DOGSO, but personally I would err against a RC there (probability of reaching the ball) - JUST.

    Assessing that not as a missed RC, but missed foul in the build up to a goal, then it's an excellent seminar incident is to whether the foul is in the same APP or not as the goal (reminds me of a ARGPAR incident in WCQ from last year?).

    I guess we can expect this scene NOT to be in the RefNetwork, for being too controversial :)

    83' - by the book Liverpool no.66 should have been sent off, reckless strike and then clear dissent against AR Mark Borsch (caution only for dissent)


    Managing the game:

    Felix Brych started off in an extremely passive way (12', 23', 25', 32', 35'), but had no problems in keeping the game under control at first.

    After the 36' incident, the game became much more tense and a long caution procedure was needed at 39' to ensure everything didn't boil over.

    German ref actually struggled at the end of the first half in terms of acceptance (43') and foul selection (45, +46'), but got through to the halftime whistle 'intact'.

    Second half sported two correct and tactically valuable cards for reckless fouls (49', 56'). Very attacking / football-focused game after HT, not much work for the ref.

    Brych seemed to clock that Liverpool no.66 was remaining a problem AFTER his warning to him at 70', (eg. 73'), but didn't / couldn't do anything to calm him; 83' was the consequence.

    Very good onside by Mark Borsch for the goal at 51'!


    Balance:

    36' is the big incident in this performance. Besides that, I guess there is little to discuss for those interested only in the bigger picture.

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    Replies
    1. Totally agree. I had the feeling that the daily form is not his best, but otherwise solid performance. I am irritated that it looks that Mane will never get foul in this match.

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    2. the situation in 36' is what i usually call "var-nightmare", you can not do anything right in this situation.

      i agree with you mikael, it is a clear foul! a clear push in the back and even with brychs interpretation of the lotg in the 35 minutes before he would have whistled this for sure, even somewhere in midfield.

      var needs to check two things in this situation: dogso and potential foul in app

      1) dogso: is this an obvious goal scoring opportunity? and hence, is this a clear and obvious mistake?
      --> no! when the foul/push began, the ball was in mid air and not playable by either attacker or defender. gk was already on his way to catch the ball at edge of the box. but this is the time when you need to "freeze" the picture and check if it is a goal scoring opportunity. for me not, as there is no ball control, attacker if he gets the ball needs to get control over it first, gk already there and in "better position" etc...so not a clear and obvious mistake in terms of dogso, maybe spa, but spa is not of var-business as we know...

      --> potential foul in app: well this is for me the bigger "grey-zone" with different interpretation possibilities as i am not fully aware of the uefa app definition. every country handles it differently, i think we agree that in england and italy this would not have been an issue...the problem is twofold and i would understand and accept different opions here of course:
      1) if the ball goes out of play or another offence (foul, offside, whatever) nobody cares as it is not clear dogso

      2) does a new app start, when the defender heads the ball to the attacker? yes! why? the app usually ends, if the defender plays the ball in a controlled/delibarte manner! this is here the case! L66 controlls the ball by deliberatly heading it back to his gk (in case of offside this would have been badplay!).

      so IMO this describes that entire var-trauma :-) no clear and obvious dogso, and new app due to controlled playing the ball by L66. foul and yc would have been the "elegant" option IMO, so i have brych somewhere at 8.2 or 8.3 on my deck...

      what do you guys thing about the deliberatly playing/heading of L66 and new app? i dont see why this is not a new app, but i am open for discussion :-) it is truely controversial and thats why i say it is not clear and obvious enough for me to intervene as var...

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    3. IMO, the playing by L66 doesn't end the APP. More controled actions or clearing the ball from the dangerous area are required for the termination of the APP.

      I rather wonder, whether the APP really started with the potential foul by Mane. I mean, the attack surely started with the release by the GK. The foul could still be relevant for VAR, if it caused the GK to get possession. But is that really the case here? It seems quite possible, that the GK had caught the ball anyway, because Mane would not have gotten there before him.

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    4. adding to my idea above: why no foul in app?
      --> real does not gain ball-control by a foul. ball possession does not change due to a foul as neither team has ball controll as the ball is in the air...
      --> if we consider liverpool had clear ball possession before then the attacking possession phase would end in first instance when the ball is played back and forth in midfield by real and latest when it is played back into the own half to toni kroos. there is no "stringent" or "consecutive" build up or attacking phase like a counter attack or so
      --> at the latest with the deliberate play by L66 the attacking possession phase ends...

      so IMO VAR is not to blame in this, but a clear refereeing on field error...is sometimes wonder why AR2 did not spot the clear push in the back. or maybe ref ignored his input? bad teamplay then...ref in his position can not clearly spot the push from his angle, but AR2 must see it, as he is side angle and can spot it easily and can give headset-input...

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  47. Another controversy surrounding Hategan's crew. One of his AR (I believe it's Sovre) asked for Dortmund's player Hallan for his autograph in the tunnel which was captured on camera. I personally don't mind but it should have happened outside of public view, especially with the performance not being favorable to Dortmund's fans.

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    1. Here is the link:

      https://twitter.com/i/status/1379550543329255427

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    2. Interesting, and I hold the same opinion as you.

      Delete
    3. I agree - nothing wrong with asking for an autograph in itself, but it's an inexcusable oversight to do it in front of cameras. Do it in the dressing room afterwards, have a word with the equipment manager, send the referee liaison, but doing it on live TV is terrible for the appearance of impartiality.

      Delete
    4. For sure, it was Sovre!
      If the signature was for his kids, his friend, his parents, his wife or who else, this is NOT DONE.
      IMO, end of appointments in UEFA/FIFA matches.

      Delete
    5. He has now been suspended by UEFA and he wanted it for charity

      Delete
  48. - https://twitter.com/sbienkowski/status/1379550543329255427?s=21&fbclid=IwAR1sBU0-fQzeqqzxBLWA6Fw-Vfs-t4fmF9coJJFoIOSo4ZTmzPwxNno6tVo . Hategans AR ask for a signature from Haaland right in front of City players. This is absurd, and not professionalisme..

    ReplyDelete
  49. OK, a not so good performance can happen for the Roumanian crew. But then after that asking the star player of Borussia for his autograph is just... just...
    I’m going to close my eyes and go to sleep, unbelievable......

    https://twitter.com/rogerdismal/status/1379547837797707779?s=21

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was Sovre, who just returned after the PSG incident... unbelievable!!!

      A few years ago, the Paraguayan AR Yegros took a photo with Messi... after that he was never appointed again in an international match...

      Many years ago, one of Hauge's ARs was photographed with a shirt of one of the teams he was going to referee... he was replaced immediately and never appointed again to any international match...

      Unbelievable mistakes by top level match officials, whose image should be neutral at all times...

      Delete
    2. 2006 Champions League final: "Norwegian assistant referee Ole Hermann Borgan has been stripped of his duties for tomorrow night's Champions League final after being pictured in a Barcelona shirt. Borgan was photographed by a newspaper in his home country wearing the colours of the finalists, who face Arsenal at the Stade de France in Europe's biggest club match. While Borgan insists he would have been impartial, UEFA have decided against using him and will replace him with fellow Norwegian Arild Sundet. Sundet is not yet even in Paris, but will be flown in tomorrow morning to assist referee Terje Hauge, another Norwegian. UEFA tonight announced: "The UEFA referees committee has decided that the Norwegian should be substituted by his compatriot Arild Sundet." Earlier, Norway's refereeing supremo Rune Pedersen told newspaper Drammens Tidende - who printed the picture: "It was a bit strange of Borgan to pose with one of the final team's shirts ahead of the final tomorrow night. "It is an unwritten rule that referees should not do anything that can doubt their impartial stance. This picture can be brought up beforehand and also after the game, if there are any dubious incidents."
      https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2006/0516/204731-referee/

      Delete
  50. I'm surprised no one but Mikael noticed the yellow card to Mané was issued clearly after Brych communicated with VAR. He whistled a foul, waited some seconds, play was restarted but he blew the whistle and gave a yellow card. VAR was surely checking a potential RC incident - SFP. To be honest, it should've been a red card for this challenge:

    https://snipboard.io/h0omTG.jpg

    ReplyDelete
  51. Bloody hell. Now Sovre caught asking for Halaand autograph after game! How many scandals can you have in one night! Hategans team will not be trusted with a big game for a long time now i think.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hategan disallowing that Dortmund goal is genuinely one of the worst mistakes I’ve ever seen in Champions League. Brych missed a clear DOGSO on Manè, in fact he was missing fouls on Manè for the whole match!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He was missing fouls on Mané too! :D

      Delete
    2. it's a Clear foul but no Dogso , the ball was in mid air and not playable with decion By player . it's better say a Spa

      Delete
  53. To be fair, both decisions Hategan had to take (the wrong penalty and the wrong goal) were very hard to see. The outcome may be very unfortunate, especially compounded by the AR asking for an autograph..., but I feel for Hategan. Nobody makes these mistakes on purpose, and the incidents were difficult to correctly see live.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hategan will be more than fuming at his AR. He is already under scrutiny and controversy and made wrong decisions under pressure, which is forgivable, but his AR just made his life a million times harder.

      Delete
  54. UEFA Referees Terms and Conditions: “Match officials undertake to behave in a professional and appropriate manner before, during and after any UEFA match for which they have been appointed.”

    ReplyDelete
  55. Personally I don't have problems in seeing an assistant referee asking for autograph, but this must be done very far away from cameras.
    I can just say that Octavian Sovre is doing everything to miss EURO.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. Maybe he wanted an autograph for e. g. his child.
      I don't see a bigger problem with that itself, but after such a match, especially because it wasn't a mistake-free evening, one must avoid the public places including cameras.

      According to several German media, it was Gheoghe, who asked for that autograph.

      Delete
    2. I feel very sorry for Rosetti this morning. He put his 'head on the block' for the Romanian trio with this appointment, and his courage was rewarded with... a mistake totally unacceptable with VAR and this incident.

      Delete
    3. @Flip
      Yes, that was exactly my thought, maybe someone (son, cousin,...) asked him if he can get the autograph because he has a chance of seeing the stars that 99,999% of us dont. On personal level, I would understand that completely. Also on professional level, it is not a proof of non-professional criteria during the game, but unfortunately with everything being recorded it is very careless to do that knowing the potential context.

      Delete
    4. Flip: you can google Sovre's photo and compare it with the video. It was him. As AR1, he goes directly into the tunnel at the end of an UEFA match.
      Forlan: you can say it was professional (if you think so), but surely it was not appropriate and UEFA (as quoted above) expects both professional and appropriate behavior from their match officials in any circumstances.

      Delete
    5. Respectfully, I don't agree with your reasoning, Chefren. I personally don't care about whether or not a referee *looks* professional or *looks* neutral or *looks* fair. I care about whether they *are* professional, neutral, and fair (etc.). So, whether a camera was present or not is irrelevant to me.

      That said, this was unprofessional. Wanting a player's autograph (even if just for your son) undermines the integrity of a match official. Imagine you need to make a split second judgement call mid-game, but it involves a player whose autograph you want for your son. That's not something a referee should have on their mind during a game. If anything, I'd actually be alright if this was done pregame, so the (assistant) referee can have a clear mind during the match.

      Delete
  56. Rosetti has no other option than resigning. The sooner the better for European Refereeing. I still remember how the committee worked under Volker Roth or Collina. Each Elite ref was given 3 games in the group stage, and the best performances were rewarded for the knock-out games. What has been happening in the last 2 years under Rosetti is not fair. Many Elite refs have been completely ignored and others have been constantly used no matter how well they perform ex Vincic.It is still time for Rosetti to step down and a new-more fair-system on appointments to be introduced. PLC, Fandel, Aranda, Frisk etc should become active again to ensure that European Refereeing is back on the right track.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Personally I fully disagree; in the recent years Rosetti shown a real innovative way to appoint referees in future vision aiming to create a new generation and to prepare the future. The huge number of debuts during CL group stage or even during knock out phase was a clear signal to grow new outstanding officials. In one year we will miss Brych, Kuipers, Skomina, Cakir, Orsato and Mateu. Honestly speaking ther isn't a wide geenration who can fully replace them but fortunately people like Taylor, Vincic, Soares Dias, Ekberg and Stieler have already a bit of experience on the arena.
      Technical Mistakes were always done and always will be< people must accept them even when Uefa was managed by PLC, Fandel or Aranda. The scandal happened during 2002 WC is an example as well the terrible strategy adopted during WC 2014 NishimurVelasco. What is unacceptable is Sovre-s behavior, expcially considering the fact that he and his team was under the spot

      Delete
    2. Collina= Cakir, Rizzoli, Cakir,Rizzoli,Kuipers, Rizzoli, Cakir, Cakir, Cakir. Obviously now young referees are not good enough: they didn't have possibilities.

      Delete
    3. @Unknown

      You seem to forget something.

      Each Head of Refereeing in UEFA is working with the referees that are available at that time. It's unfair to compare Rosetti with PLC and Volker Roth. The latter had a completely different Elite Category with big names and referees with personality (which IMO you can't find today).

      Take a look at the Elite list of 2008-9

      Plautz, FdB, Larsen, Riley, Webb, Duhabmel, Layec, Fandel, Meyer, Stark, Vassaras, Rosetti, Trefoloni, Hamer, Braahmaar, Vink, Hauge, Ovrebo, Benquerenca, Baskakov, Cantalejo, Mejuto, Mallenco, Hansson, Busacca.

      If Rosetti had that Elite (with a couple of exceptions), his work would have been much more easier.

      Delete
  57. About the possible missed foul before 2-0 in Brych game, I must say that AR2 should have reported it to referee, but also, Brych made a signal like he had assessed the incident by himself. This very likely didn't give in all cases a chance to VAR to intervene. I also think that this kind of foul belongs to the ones that must be whistled on the pitch and it is ver difficult to have a VAR intervention there, must be a very clear miss. I think YC would have been best option there, due to position of he ball, still to be reached, maybe not 100% very clear DOGSO.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Don't you have an impression, while having watched the Real Madrid vs Liverpool quarterfinal, that the Brych's performance along with his VAR support was disastrous, and completely distorted the result? It is not the first time this referee along with his assistance completely fail. I still remember the incorrect goal in the Wales vs. England game during Euro, and a gift for England to allow an obvoius offside goal. I do not know what UEFA can see in this low-profile referee....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brych low-profile referee?? Interesting...

      Delete
    2. Your name is "Felix", so I understand you support Felix Brych. Perhaps "low-profile" is not the best expression, I only meant he is not as good as he should be for this level of competition.

      Delete
    3. In Poland there was a situation a couple of decades ago that referees had the biggest impact on Ekstraklasa results, and this made a lot of fans stopped watching football in Poland. I think the performance of UCL referees can trigger the same process in Europe.

      Delete
    4. I cant change the name I was born with ;) low-profile was the absolutely wrong expression. I didn‘t watch the game, because my eyes were on hategan. But you just have to go back to R16 match Atletico-Chelsea. That was a really top-level performance by brych!
      Maybe this one was not as good as it should have been, but no referee is faultless during his whole career.

      Delete
    5. Brych may not be perfect, but is better than many other elite referees. Also, he is able to manage control of his matches in any circumstances. Brych never lost control of any international match; while others did. He should actually continue for one more year, until WC 2022.

      Delete
    6. Wait, hold on. Regardless of one's feelings on Brych... the England goal against Wales in 2016 was a brilliant decision. The ball was played by the Welsh defender to Vardy. At the time, I thought it was an amazing bit of teamwork to get that right. Far too many ARs would have reflexively flagged and far too few referees would have been keyed into the determinative touch/play.

      Sorry, but you lose almost all credibility by referring to that as an "obvious offside goal" and a "gift."

      Delete
    7. Autor: You lost all credibility as soon as you said that it was an offside goal when the pass was clearly a deliberate play by the defender. You probably shouldn't comment more.

      Delete
  59. In the City vs Borussia game the truth is obvious: the attacked was first to grab the ball, and when the goalkeeper realized his mistake, he kicked the attacker, and started to cry. UEFA has VAR, but referees are worse and worse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Attacker went with a straight leg and hit the GK with the studs. Clear and easy free kick and yellow card for a reckless challenge.

      Delete
    2. No. We must have watched different games. In my game the attached got the ball, and the goalkeeper was late and kicked the attacker's studded undersole with his solid kick, probably intentionally to trigger the referee's sympathy.

      Delete
  60. Some situation from yesterdays matches:
    https://t.me/REF_EX/285
    https://t.me/REF_EX/283
    https://t.me/REF_EX/287
    https://t.me/REF_EX/289

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those videos don't work unless you have Telegram

      Delete
  61. Octavian Șovre has been helping the S.O.S Autism Bihor Association for several years, providing sports materials that are put up for auction, the funds obtained going to improve the lives of adults with autism, completely abandoned by the Romanian state.

    So this is the reason why he asked for the autograph.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The biggest Romanian sports newspaper covered the subject:
      https://www.gsp.ro/international/liga-campionilor/octavian-sovre-autograf-haaland-autism-628590.html

      The association is organizing fundraiser gala's each year, where various things are auctioned, including sports materials (shirts, autographs) donated by Sovre. Here is the poster of the 2018 gala as proof:
      https://www.ebihoreanul.ro/modules/news/files/afis-sos-autism.jpg

      Most likely it is not the first time Sovre asked for autographs from players, according to the article he donated stuff since 2015, so I would be surprised if someone from UEFA didn't know about this already.

      Delete
    2. That makes it a bit better, but honestly, if you ask me, a referee shouldn't be doing this anyways. This introduces a potential bias towards star players whose memorabilia would benefit his charity.

      Delete
    3. It is a good cause and his donations are appreciated, but a match official should always be seen as neutral. There are other ways of doing that, for example through the referee liaison officer. No match official, at any level, should risk his neutral image and especially not someone who is under the radar after an incident that happened less than 6 months ago. Really sorry, but a match official should not have any contact with teams, that's why UEFA introduced the role of referee liaison.

      Delete
    4. It was unprofessional for him to do it on camera where he is under immense pressure and scrutiny, he didn’t help himself nor his colleagues by doing that in the open. This makes me feel so much better though now.

      Question is, will Rosetti forgive him though?

      Delete
  62. The Sovre autograph case covers what I find discussable much more: A UEFA Elite referee first executes an OFR without visible confidence or clear decision communication, and second whistles at a moment when an attacker just has to put the ball across the line - this is tolerable in your first or second match with VAR, but not at this level. Both tells me that he isn't safe in using VAR as requested and this gives me light shivers if he handles a game of my national team at EURO.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Please, could it be a bit serious.
    We all love refereeing and therefore credibility of the match official is of paramount importance.
    I have full respect for persons suffering from autism, but even if the act of assistant referee Sovre was requested in that context, it is still inadmissible

    ReplyDelete
  64. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/12269492/referees-told-asking-for-player-autographs-unacceptable-following-erling-haaland-request

    Rosetti is not happy about Sovre

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Referees not talking to the media, not speaking to the public, not explaining their reasons or mistakes. This paradigm has led us to where we are today: Happy only when invisible, not fighting for the best decision but for not creating any newspaper on the next morning. In my opinion this is a way to think on refereeing that belongs into history books. Transparency creates acceptance. Hiding is no solution.

      Delete
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