Wednesday 14 April 2021

Champions League 2020/21 - Referee Appointments - Quarterfinals (Second Leg, II)

Referees in charge of 2020-21 UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals- Second legs, to be played on Wednesday 14 April.

14.04.2021, 21:00 CET
Anfield, Liverpool (ENG)
Liverpool FC (ENG) - Real Madrid CF (ESP) 
Referee: Björn Kuipers (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Sander van Roekel (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Erwin Zeinstra (NED)
Fourth Official: Anastasios Sidiropoulos (GRE)
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel (NED) 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Higler (NED) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Lutz-Michael Fröhlich (GER)
UEFA Delegate: Peadar Ryan (IRL)

14.04.2021, 21:00 CET
BVB Stadion, Dortmund (GER)
Borussia Dortmund (GER) - Manchester City FC (ENG) 
Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Carlos Yuste Jiménez (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Alonso Fernández (ESP)
Fourth Official: José María Sánchez Martínez (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (ESP) Jesús Gil Manzano (ESP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Markus Nobs (SUI)
UEFA Delegate: João Morais (POR)

198 comments:

  1. Por el BVB-City es el collegiado Carlos Del Cerro Grande - confirmado

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dennis Higler will be AVAR in Liverpool - Real Madrid (source: KNVB)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea will be AVAR in Dortmund - Man City

    ReplyDelete
  4. Del Cerro appointed to big game despite constant weak performances this season. Bad management by Rosetti.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Could this potentially be Kuipers' last game in UCL? In case he is not assigned to the SF or final?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Utterly abysmal, disrespectful comment by Anonymous 10:24! Kuipers is most likely the best referee in history (I would say he's even better than Collina).

      Delete
    2. Everything comes to an end.

      Delete
    3. Well, Collina enjoyed a standing ovation by the public on 2002 WC final and even appeared on the cover of PES 3 and PES 4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Evolution_Soccer_3

      Delete
    4. I cannot agree with you more, anonymous 10:42

      Delete
  6. Kuipers rewarded for Juve x Porto with a tope match in Liverpool - buddy Tasos as CA...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Please do not report appointments prematurely in the comments, you can read that in our opening blog post, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Some HL from last week's games.

    Soares Dias:
    https://ninjastream.to/watch/RkaA5VDbnQVnp

    Karasëv:
    https://ninjastream.to/watch/8zWZ7x6WOm6L4

    Mateu:
    https://ninjastream.to/watch/8ogAv7EbPQGMD

    Haţegan:
    https://ninjastream.to/watch/goVAdq8ekQJnE

    Vinčić:
    https://ninjastream.to/watch/LjKAWVvlzmEBM

    ReplyDelete
  9. https://www.totoknvbbeker.nl/nieuws/toto-knvb-beker/bjorn-kuipers-fluit-bekerfinale-tussen-ajax-en-vitesse

    Kuipers referee Dutch Cup Final next Sunday 18:00. Ajax - Vitesse
    Scheidsrechter Kuipers
    Assistent-scheidsrechters Van Roekel
    Zeinstra
    Vierde official Lindhout
    VAR Van Boekel
    AVAR Van Zuilen

    ReplyDelete
  10. Bjorn Kuipers is, after this match, also the match official for the Dutch Cup-final.
    For the fourth time.

    The final goes between Ajax en Vitesse. Honestly, I don't really understand why Kuipers is needed for that final, for the fourth time.
    Blom (just 1), Nijhuis (just 1), Makkelie (just 1), Lindhout (0), Kamphuis (0), Gozobuyuk (just 1) or Higler (0), Van Boekel (1) were also available. I think that Manschot and Mulder may not be the best choises, even if I'd trust it to Manschot as well, but I don't see why any of these referees with all their years experience at the highest level can't do this match. The last final for Blom was 10 years ago, Nijhuis had one fnal that was between Groningen and PEC...
    I don't understand why Kuipers has to get it AGAIN.

    And to me, it shows what I stated before on this blog: the achievements of Makkelie en Kuipers, who do absolutely great, hide the fact that the management of Dutch referees is not so good. Why do you have someone as a FIFA referee for 4 years, who went to EURO u21, had EL groupstage matches like Higler, if you can't give him a final between Ajax en Vitesse?
    Why did Nijhuis, who is after all still a good referee, never get a final again after his final between two not so remarkable teams?
    Why not reward Blom for his very long career in which he often sacrificed himself for other referees?
    Or, why not choose a younger referee like Lindhout/Kamphuis? Do you always need Kuipers?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't get it too actually. However, Nijhuis whistled two finals (also PEC-Ajax a few years ago)

      Delete
    2. I agree. In England some referees has done the final more times (Taylor..). In Italy, I think (Chefren can correct me) referees only once got a cup final in carreer (also if I remember orsato got 3)

      Delete
    3. I understand your opinion. I expected Higler in the Cup Final, Kuipers was my second choice. Maybye this is the begin of the farewell trip of Kuipers.

      I am satisfied with the Dutch FIFA refs, good-olds Blom and van Boekel + Manschot. Behind the group above, i do not really see the real upcoming referees who should be the new FIFA-ref for the Netherlands. Maybye Van der Eijk, he has a great fitness level, but after 18 Eredivisie games it is too early.

      A good indicator for me is the referee appointments of Ajax' games. Ajax has always the fifa-refs and sometimes Blom van Boekel or Manschot because they have the trust of the KNVB.

      Delete
    4. Oh yes. Nijhuis indeed also had PEC - Ajax. Also not a real sonorous clash. But yes, he had two.

      Van der Eijk, Van de Graaf, Van den Kerkhof, Kooij - they are all good officials. And I expect Van der Eijk as the next FIFA-referee. Or maybe Van de Graaf, as most experienced choice.
      But I also struggle to pick the most suitable referee for it. Mulder is not an option for me. Manschot is too old and is a really stable referee, but not really FIFA-material.

      But again: why not give Higler the experience? Or give the farewell to Blom / Van Boekel? Especially Van Boekel was treated awfully by the KNVB in his career.

      Delete
    5. How do you see Kooij as a good ref Rik? Last matchday he got totally lost in Fortuna-emmen and IMO his level is just not enough. Similar level with Mulder only difference is that Kooij has more personality. But his personality (arrogance) seems to annoy the players. For me Kooij and Mulder should not be in Eredivisie at all...

      Delete
    6. Rik, i agree with you, i have nothing against Kuipers, he is maybe the best referee we ever had in the Netherlands, but it's simply not fair to other referees, even i'm a big fan off him, i'm getting slowly a bit tired off seeing him and Makkelie in every classico/cup final in the Netherlands, in my vieuw every referee who got promoted to fifa-list should be ready to do such a game like Ajax-Vitesse, and even a Ajax-Feyenoord/PSV, why you otherwise promote them to Fifa-list!
      Also with this strategy of appointments the younger less experienced Fifa referees don't get their chances and stay low in experience. In my opinion next Fifa-referee will be Kooij, even he was long time out because an injury, next year when Nijhuis leave Fifa-list it will be Van der Eijk i think, maybe because off Kooij's injury it will be the opposite way, but Kooij and Van der Eijk are getting prepared for it i think!

      Delete
    7. Anonymous.... I think you are lost, Where in fortuna-Emmen Kooij made mistakes in your opinion?
      If you follow the laws Kooij made 3 excellent important calls, penalty and red card correct, 2nd penalty correct, and cancelled goals after var, correct! Kooij is a rising star in my vieuw! Young, has a lot off talent, and got personality, you know what you see on tv, is many times not the truth, about Nijhuis long time and even nowdays you hear things about his personality (arrogance), i meet him in real life, i'm a referee coach at my footballclub and had the opportunity with 2 young 12\13 year old boys to go backstage in the Feyenoord stadium where they can meet Bas Nijhuis and his team before a friendly match!, he is a very very nice guy specially with kids, i send a letter to KNVB as request to do this with the kids, and Nijhuis was actually the only referee who responded in a positive way, so don't always believe media.

      Delete
    8. I disagree about Higler, Kamphuis and Lindhout. Higler is just not ready and has not proven to be ready. Kamphuis and Lindhout get chances, Lindhout had a semi-final this year, Kamphuis last year. Both had a top clash this season (AZ - Ajax and Feyenoord - AZ). I can definetely see a clear strategy here. Blom had some internal trouble this season and Van Boekel has been disastrous since the introduction of VAR. This leaves only Gözübüyük (had the last cup final), Nijhuis (had a semi-final) and Makkelie. They could have given it to Makkelie but he will get more in the future still (or planned for Ajax - AZ maybe).

      Delete
    9. Higler not ready??? are you serious??
      AZ-PSV, and already multiple times Feyenoord-PSV or PSV-Feyenoord
      He is definetly the number 3/4 on the Dutch list!
      1.Kuipers
      2.Makkelie
      3.Gozubuyuk
      4.Higler/Nijhuis

      Delete
    10. And Higler also did final off supercup (johan Cruijff schaal) in 2019, Ajax-PSV

      Delete
    11. I agree with Anonymous 13:50. Higler in no way ready. When the game flows easily he's a fine ref, but when it gets just a little bit harder he's lost. This season he completely lost control in cup tie between Ajax and Utrecht, missed a red card in AZ - PSV, and had some very big management difficulties in his EURO U21 matches. His first Super cup final in 2019 he lost all control. I can see why KNVB ignores him.

      Delete
    12. To anonymous: One matchday is not enough to judge a referee. Yes, he has had some trouble, but we should not forget he is extremely young and is rapidly building experience. In my opinion, most of his decisions in the match were right.
      Also, I've always found that giving this kind of relegation matches to unexperienced referees a bit of a shame towards these referees and these teams. Their mistakes often have a big impact.

      Delete
    13. @Eric, and how did that Supercup go? Both sides AND neutral fans absolutely furious with the referee, same for the cup tie Ajax - Utrecht this season. He just does not convince. Zwayer could get a CL SF based on appointments in past seasons but not based on performance. Same with Higler: you could argue about the cup final being possible based on his appointments, but if you look at performance only his name should not be mentioned.

      Delete
    14. And there we go again, anonymous just made my point! A referee is not getting more experienced when he always get the easy games, a referee should get at some point a more risky game, get used to it, and deal with the emotions in such games, btw iff Uefa, and the KNVB don't trust Higler, he would never make it to an EuroU21 tournament! Higler has shown in many matches he is a trustworthy referee, he just makes mistakes like any other referee.

      Delete
    15. Eric, if that is your point then I agree with you. I'm not saying Higler should not have games like AZ - PSV or PSV - Feyenoord, I'm saying he does not convince in those games enough in order to deserve a cup final. A cup final is not the type of game to gain experience: a cup final is a game which you deserve if you convince enough in games that should increase your experience. Higler will get there in the future I think, but it is not enough now.

      Delete
    16. Btw, it is perfectly normal that if a referee messes up a game of a finalist in the route to the final (like Higler did with Ajax - Utrecht), to not give him the final because of that. There is no way Pitana would have gotten World Cup Final if he messed up his France game like that before the final.

      Delete
    17. Well in my opinion... Ajax-Vitesse is not such a special game, Iff Higler can do a PSV-Feyenoord or Feyenoord-AZ, AZ-Ajax, then Ajax-Vitesse is less difficult i would say! To compare Pitana With Higler is not fair in my vieuw! In world cup we have normally the 24 best referees of the world, in the Netherlands there are 7 international referees, wich should be normally the best off this country, and Higler not only in cup, but also in league referees Ajax, or any other club regular, so i don't see your point, iff he makes mistakes sometimes, every other referee does, and always will do specially complaints from clubs or managers should not count against referees, and luckily the don't, nice example off that is the appointment Of Nijhuis at PSV-Feyenoord

      Delete
    18. It’s not about mistakes, because indeed every referee makes mistakes. With regard to Higler it’s his unsophisticated soft skills. IMO he’s one of the most unauthentic, artificial referees in the league, and - as other Anonymous said - in more heated matches he’s not very able to gain the players’ trust and acceptance. So I agree with the other Anonymous that he has not earned the cup final yet (it’s not a regular Ajax - Vitesse game, it’s the cup final). Kuipers is a good choice in my view.

      Delete
    19. The final of such a competition should go to the most deserving referee, regardless of how many times they've already been appointed.

      Delete
    20. The problem in my opnion is you never try, you also never fail! People in general are getting better/stronger by failing sometimes, iff you don't get chances to fail sometimes you are not getting better also.
      After already 4 years of Fifa status, i think Higler has enough credit to get such a match, once you should a referee who is already 4 years on FIFa list give a chance to a cup final, not only Higler, but also Kamphuis and Lindhout, in my opinion al 7 referees who are in FIFA list should have the quality and trust to referee a CUP-Final, in their own Mickey Mouse league:-)

      Delete
    21. Let's just agree to disagree :).
      For sure Higler will get a final in the future, hopefully we can both agree on it being deserved at that time.

      Delete
    22. Anonymous, agreed :-), at least we discussed it in a polite way, although we might have other opinions, this is the way it should be discussed, i wish you a good evening!

      Delete
    23. What about Dieperink? Good management skills, makes few mistakes.

      Delete
    24. But not enough matches recently, I think...

      Delete
  11. With Kuipers and Del Cerro Grande on the last QF matches, I think that we can surely expect Cakir and Makkelie on the SF stage.

    I think that the 3rd name could be Turpin in case of a good performance in Seville.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cakir is indeed a man of the semi-finals:)

      Delete
    2. Agree, and I think for the games like Bayern-Madrid or PSG-Madrid in Semifinal, we can also expect to see Taylor. (I prefer to see Taylor in 1st leg and Cakir in 2nd leg in this case)

      Delete
    3. But that won't happen, Bayern/PSG plays ManCity/Dortmund. :)
      So maybe no match available for Taylor.

      Delete
    4. So Taylor has to keep his fingers crossed for Dortmund or for Madrid AND Porto.
      What bad luck for the English this season.

      Delete
    5. Oh yeah, hopefully Dortmund can win and Taylor can be in CL SF :)

      Delete
  12. This is Kuipers' 8th CL match of the season, which means a new record for matches/season (if I am not missing something).

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nijhuis did not have 2 finals Rik. Groningen-PEC was refereed by Richard Liesveld.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes. Sorry. Mixed things up. You all got me, I think....

      Delete
  14. OT

    Bartosz Frankowski, in contrary to his UEFA campaign, had a very weak time in Polish Ekstraklasa. He had problems with setting the threshold for intervention as VAR but what is most important allowed definitely too much in the Górnik Zabrze vs Legia Warszawa clash. Legia's player Luquinhas was persistently fouled and the referee didn't take appropriate actions through the game.

    After that, the president of Legia, Dariusz Mioduski, wrote a letter demanding that Frankowski is not appointed to games involving Legia anymore this season.

    Zbigniew Przesmycki immediately appointed Frankowski as VAR to Legia's next game against Piast Gliwice in Polish Cup. And again there was a controversy. Frankowski didn't intervene after potential SFP by Piast player.

    It seemed that the Referee Committee will keep Frankowski away from Legia as long as possible but Przesmycki surprisingly appointed Frankowski to Polish Classic Lech Poznań vs Legia Warszawa what received a lot of media attention.

    The game was played yesterday and wasn't challenging for Frankowski who (again) chose a very lenient approach. He could've sent off two Lech players but opted for yellow cards that were supportable I think. Players behaved well and fair throughout what made Frankowski's job much easier.

    His leniency is striking though as he came across as a rather strict law enforcer in his early years as top Polish referee. Starting from last season he's totally changed his way of handling games. To be honest, I don't like it at all as he isn't a players' friend type of referee and being law enforcer suits much better to his personality. But most likely his goal is to reach elite category and therefore tries something new in order to get more acceptance from players. I wonder how he will develop his 'new' style in the nearest future.

    But well, what a brave, uncompromising man Przesmycki is. It's so rare to see a head of referees not being submissive to (big) teams and not trying to be everyone's friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well done to him.

      Maybe Clattenburg could take a lesson from him. Or two...

      Delete
    2. You need courage and integrity to avoid clubs interferences.

      Delete

  15. Someone got information about yellow
    card in 81 min during Roma- Bologna ? It was for Soumaoro or Mihajlovic ? Are they cancel it? How it is possible

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great to see Van Roekel back, Kuipers had another world class performance in Juve/Porto, got every big decision right in pressure situations, totally undeserved was his criticism, and he deservedly gets the Liverpool game!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Still we had that situation when CR7 got trainwrecked by the Porto GK and in the same minute Bernadeschi stomped the Porto players with his foot and only recieved a YC.. Big descisions, yes.. Got them right? Not in my book.. But his game management is top class and probably the main reason he is a go to ref when it comes to big games.

      Delete
  17. For me these names have realistic semifinal + final chances:

    UCL: Brych, Cakir, Makkelie, Taylor + Mateu Lahoz
    UEL: Grinfeld, Vincic, Orsato, Stieler + Turpin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grinfeld was very poor in Rangers-Slavia, I wouldn't give him another game game season.

      Delete
    2. Regarding to Grinfeld, although I think he will be in EURO, he is still not 100% in yet so committee may give him another chance this Thursday or EL semi-final

      Delete
    3. Madrid losing against Liverpool or in semis and I have almost no doubts Lahoz will get the final. But if Madrid will make it I have no idea...may be Makkelie? All the other obvious candidates already had their European Cup finals.

      Delete
    4. I don't think Grinfeld was poor in the Rangers match. In fact all the key decisions were spot on. Yes, may be he lost control at the end but it was really an impossible job to calm down the situation.

      Delete
    5. Lahoz deserves the final, Taylor doesn’t even deserve a quarter final lol. Makkelie deserves the semi final.

      As for Europa league there is no way Orsato will get demoted from Champions league lol, not with the Italian favouritism involved.

      Delete
    6. IMO Taylor deserve CL semi-final as I think he is good/above average in CL, and more importantly, he has shown his consistency in performance. For EL, it is completely possible to see top elite, like Orsato and Brych, in semi-final. I would not call this "get demoted" as those would be normal and expected appointments

      Delete
    7. Oliver is better than Taylor he should be getting a CL semi of the English refs in my opinion Oliver is the best English ref not Taylor

      Delete
    8. IMO Oliver is lucky enough to still be in the Elite Group.

      Delete
    9. Lol do you watch football or basketball 😂 Oliver is miles ahead of Taylor in England, Taylor has a reputation of messing up on the big stage, Oliver hardly even makes any mistakes! Collina preferred Oliver all day long despite him being significantly younger than Taylor.

      Delete
    10. Your argument may be true in England but on UEFA/FIFA matches Taylor is clearly better and rightfully trusted by Rosetti.

      Oliver has failed numerous times in Europe....

      Delete
  18. Given that the CL final referee nearly never referees a QF before, the choice should be between Makkelie and Taylor for the final...

    Of course, that it is not a fixed rule, but the statistic evidence is too big to be ignored, I think.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for raising this point. This is a "rule" I extremely dislike. If Madrid is not in final and Lahoz still does not get the final, I will be very surprised and feel sorry for Lahoz, who is deserved to be in final last year and this year

      Delete
    2. Philipp, that is a new "rule"; in the past they actually used to choose a referee from among those who did the QFs.

      Delete
    3. Depends on what you consider "new". The last one was Webb 2010, so there have been 10 editions in a row where it didn't happen.

      But indeed, in the years before, it was mostly the case (with the exceptions Puhl, Collina, Braschi, Nielsen and Michel).

      Delete
    4. If that is the case Oliver should get it over Taylor for English refs he is better than Taylor in my opinion

      Delete
    5. Yes. He is far better in the prem, but as the argument went a while ago, Taylor is the ref with the more modern uefa style about him. Whereas Oliver is more the traditional English ref. And, while Oliver has been better in the prem this year, Taylor has been consistent enough in the CL to warrant a semi imo.

      Delete
    6. Let's not forget that Clattenburg had a semi-final before his final in 2016

      Delete
  19. Any info about Lahoz recovery?

    ReplyDelete
  20. One of the worst VAR decisions I have ever seen just happened in West Brom vs Southampton:
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyyhJGDXMA8_nd9?format=jpg&name=small

    West Brom #17 scored from a clear onside position, as the image shows, still VAR did not revert the on-field decision.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. + 2 more images:
      https://storify.com/services/proxy/2/Eq1TO2dm69f7e-9P3cPCLA/https/media.fyre.co/83VUh6DnQfKHeuwR9JPc_image%20-%202021-04-12T180816.693.jpg

      https://storify.com/services/proxy/2/HhKq_9FyKNrVlgzY1tWKTg/https/media.fyre.co/xC9sEUtNTkKcqiMAlIks_image%20-%202021-04-12T180759.811.jpg

      Delete
    2. Yeah. they are saying now they were not able to draw the definite line and so decided to stick with the original decision. Embarassing really.

      Delete
    3. It's the premier League. Do you expect anything else?

      Delete
    4. Wow, that's so obvious that it scares me. I would dare to say: I would do it better.
      Especially the last photo is very clear.

      Delete
    5. I have no words polite enough for this! So basically they didnt want to believe their eyes, but rather said they cant draw the line definitely?!?! Or they watched the wrong player, because it is simply unbelievable.

      Delete
    6. I will continue to write this: English VAR is a JOKE! JOKE!!! Maybe the biggest disgrace in nodern football is that VAR in England. And their referees are among the worst in whole World. Every week so many obvious mistakes from referees both on the pitch and in the room. The literally destroy Premier league, their quality is faaaar from the quality of the League. If Englishmen are not so proud (no reason to be) they should engage the refs from the rest of Europe, as Saudi Arabia, UAE and the rest do.

      Delete
  21. Benevento-Sassuolo 43'
    Ref Valerio Marini

    Excellent communication skills to manage a player like Schiattarella like this!
    Maybe somebody has a video?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Dear all, What do you think about this? First, the referee gave the goal, then canceled the goal when the players objected.

    Ref: Mete Kalkavan

    https://streamable.com/5cjon7

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IMO foul is definetly supportable, two handed push in the back.
      The way he whistles the foul isn't that good, with the delay it seems to be a lack of courage or allertness.

      Delete
  23. Belarusian Premier League Week 4 Refereee Highlights:

    FC Minsk vs. BATE Borisov
    Ref: Vikor Shimusik (UEFA 3rd Category)

    https://youtu.be/vxuPzQmkyIQ?t=406
    Big call from Shimusik (2 dissent cards came from this). I agree with the decision.

    https://youtu.be/vxuPzQmkyIQ?t=548
    Unfortunate miss. Hard to see, but still handball.

    https://youtu.be/vxuPzQmkyIQ?t=606
    Big and ballsy penalty. Good call for holding IMO.

    Shakhter Soligorsk vs. Smorgon
    Ref. Denis Scherbakov (ex-FIFA)

    https://youtu.be/z5RtZAnW5co?t=336
    Bad decision IMO. (Supporting Arm)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2QC5gIFFGs

      Here is the weekly referee review.

      My uunderstanding is that the specialist reviewed all these decisions as correct except the handball.

      If you speak Russian and I am wrong, please let me know.

      Delete
  24. Del Cerro Grande was abysmal in Glasgow a few weeks ago for SCO-AUT with plenty of mistakes and bad game management. Lot to improve on tonight for such a big game

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Del Cerro is one great referee as Rossetti knows.

      Delete
  25. I've just watched Turpin in Chelsea - Porto. I didn't recognize him to be honest. I remember him as strong manager with consistent disciplinary line. Yesterday he was somewhat absent. Some very good preventative runs that really helped him to deescalate some potential conflicts and control everything but... no even public warnings after some incidents where YCs were mandatory I think, especially in the first half (Pepe in 3', James in 10', Jorginho in 13', Pulisic in 30', Sanusi in 85'...). I fear Clément is not in a top form at the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  26. What is with Turpin, he likes so much long sleeves. Is it some style or what?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He is superstitious, never wore short sleeves.

      Delete
  27. Jesús Gil Manzano is AVAR.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Missed foul + (at least) YC by Kuipers in the first minutes.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Missed foul and dark YC by Kuipers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with the missed foul, but not with the card colour. Milner clearly gets the ball first in a normal manner, everything else is unlucky. This can be a YC IMO, but never a RC. That early in the game, even a strong warning would have been OK, I think.

      Delete
    2. I disagree, Philipp. Also in the early stages of the game, this has to be a YC. (Very) reckless tackle.

      Delete
    3. I completely agree with Philipp, this is nothing but a clean and normal way of challenging for the ball, which is clearly played. Also after a normal challenge the foot has to come down somewhere, just unlucky. Not even a YC for me.

      Delete
  30. Good cooperation now between Kuipers and Sidiropoulos in a small mass confrontation

    ReplyDelete
  31. Possible mistaken identity by Del Cerro Grande? I think the card should have been for Akanji and not Bellingham.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bellingham pushed the opponent before Akanji's sliding tackle, so it's OK to punish that SPA, I think.

      Delete
    2. No for Bellingham was correct

      Delete
  32. Surprisingly clean and quiet first halves foul-wise for both matches. Will surely heat up in the second halves.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Real poor decision from Del Cerro Grande with no YC for denying promising attack by Dortmund number 2 on De Bruyne

    ReplyDelete
  34. Penalty. Player wanted to play ball with head, he committeed clearly unintentional handball, but still punishable.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Emre Can heads the ball on his own arm. Though situation imo

    ReplyDelete
  36. 100% shouldn't be penalty based on this new interpretation:
    https://resources.fifa.com/image/upload/ifab-laws-of-the-game-2020-21.pdf?cloudid=d6g1medsi8jrrd3e4imp

    Handling the ball For the purposes of determining handball offences, the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit. It is an offence if a player: • deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, including moving the hand/arm towards the ball • scores in the opponents’ goal directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper • after the ball has touched their or a team-mate’s hand/arm, even if accidental, immediately: • scores in the opponents’ goal • creates a goal-scoring opportunity • touches the ball with their hand/arm when: • the hand/arm has made their body unnaturally bigger • the hand/arm is above/beyond their shoulder level (unless the player deliberately plays the ball which then touches their hand/arm) The above offences apply even if the ball touches a player’s hand/arm directly from the head or body (including the foot) of another player who is close. Except for the above offences, it is not an offence if the ball touches a player’s hand/arm: Laws of the Game 2020/21 | Law 12 | Fouls and Misconduct No handball Handball 105 106 107 • directly from the player’s own head or body (including the foot) • directly from the head or body (including the foot) of another player who is close • if the hand/arm is close to the body and does not make the body unnaturally bigger • when a player falls and the hand/arm is between the body and the ground to support the body, but not extended laterally or vertically away from the body The goalkeeper has the same restrictions on handling the ball as any other player outside the penalty area. If the goalkeeper handles the ball inside their penalty area when not permitted to do so, an indirect free kick is awarded but there is no disciplinary sanction. However, if the offence is playing the ball a second time (with or without the hand/arm) after a restart before it touches another player, the goalkeeper must be sanctioned if the offence stops a promising attack or denies an opponent or the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. directly from the player’s own head or body (including the foot) being the key part

      Delete
    2. Nice explanation, thank you.
      So we can conclude based on the LOTG, that the decision is wrong and not supportable. Mistake of the whole Spanish crew.

      Delete
    3. But that's "except for the above offences". And one of the "above offences" is "the arm has made their body unnaturally bigger".

      But we had this discussion before.
      It's really bad, that the Laws are not clear in this point, so that one can't be sure, what is correct in this aspect.

      Delete
    4. But the ball did not really “come from his own head”, it slightly hit the head while on the way to the outstretched arm. IMO a correct, or at least supportable, penalty.

      Delete
    5. +1 at least supportable decision . IMO good decision

      Delete
    6. Agree with Anonymous and Robo, absolutely supportable call

      Delete
  37. Let's remember Cakir hasn' given a PK in the World Cup match between Nigeria vs Argentina where the ball came off the head first.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I didn't watch a good replay so far, but if the first touch was by head and then arm, not a handball because it would have been a deliberate play by defender. If directly on arm, to be whistled.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hard to argue this one IMO, supportable penalty for me. I think Can was too nervous and this is a mistake on the player to give away a penalty

      Delete
    2. Clear penalty. Very well Del Cerro.

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

    ReplyDelete
  40. VAR should have at least allowed Del Cerro Grande to have OFR for the PK situation. also very poor interpretation of new handball laws as anonymous says

    ReplyDelete
  41. The upper arm of a human body is in the most cases close the body. The ball hits the upper arm.
    I think it is important to look where on the arm the ball touched.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It seems the ball touch near the elbow (hard to describe, I think you got what I mean...). Hence, this is a supportable penalty at least. Good decision by Del Cerro

      Delete
  42. I am German and would love to see Dortmund winning... BUT
    Can only slightly TOUCHED the ball with his head but he did not play it with his head. The touch of the head was NOT THE REASON of the handplay. The reason was the arm being not at all in a natural position. So for me it was a crystal clear handball PK. And Del Cerro Grande IMO absolutely convincing tonight, in every aspect. Compliment to him and his team.

    ReplyDelete
  43. https://streamable.com/cpn8ed

    This is from FIFA Futuro course. We can clearly hear Cakir explaining no handball becasue it came off the head.

    Also, the UEFA RAP says no offence when it comes off the head.

    https://streamable.com/cycqev
    However, UEFA RAP 2020-2 clip C7, which falls under own head/body category said VAR should not intervene if PK is awarded.

    So, Del Cerro got it wrong but VAR did the right thing according to RAP.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BUT IFAB IS CONTINUOUSLY CHANGING THE HANDBALL RULES.

      Delete
    2. Where did you get the first clip from, I find clips like these very interesting.

      Delete
    3. Where have you found the video with var audio about 2018 World Cup ?

      Delete
  44. Thanks, Phillipo, for that close reading of the rules. Wish it were clearer language, but I think it does mean that it isn't handling if it comes off one's own head or foot unless one hand or arm makes one unnaturally bigger, but Timo has a good point about where the ball hits on the upper arm and how far extended it was from the body.

    ReplyDelete
  45. For the Semifinals I suggest...
    Man City - PSG
    Makkelie / Brych
    Real Madrid - Chelsea
    Soares Dias/ Cakir

    ReplyDelete
  46. Replies
    1. When Real Madrid are in the final and Lahoz can't whistle. Who is the alternative?

      Delete
    2. Brych is always an option, especially with German teams out. If not one who already got a final, Makkelie is a name to consider.

      Delete
    3. If Madrid is in the final, my prediction would be Makkelie and Taylor. I also predict Turpin in EL final. I do not think committee will appoint Brych/Kuipers again in the final, but who knows...This season is a bit special. Committee obviously does not have many names on their list to be appointed in CL final. I prefer to see Taylor because I just think Makkelie's human management is poor. On the other hand, I also do not Taylor is completely deserved to be in the final. Let's see.

      Delete
    4. Taylor is one very bad referee and Makkelie must be eliminated
      by your grand mistake against Portugal.

      Delete
  47. After this quaterfinals anybody will be Talking about referering . For Rossetti its the most important. Go ahead guys ;)

    IMO
    Semi and final
    Cakir,Makkiele and Mathieu Lahoz

    ReplyDelete
  48. I think one can agree about the missed intervention by VAR even in case of this handball should be assessed as wrong by committee, it should remain as original decision taken by Del Cerro.
    The field of deliberate handball is really too complex to call a referee to make an OFR for that, but I liked that many users posted the LotG, this was a great discussion.
    I would say good evening, apart from this handball, I think that nobody will discuss about referees after today's games.
    So let's prepare some predictions for PSG - City and Real - Chelsea.

    ReplyDelete
  49. PSG-Man City Cakir and Brych
    Real Madrid - Chelsea Kuipers and Orsato
    Possible names: Makkelie, available for both matches.
    Final: Hoping for Mateu. Alternative: Makkelie.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Guys, situation is more clear now, if real go to final, Makkelie is no 1, if Chelsea go to final, it will be Mateu (if he recovered until that) but I would like to ask again does anybody knows anything about him .

    ReplyDelete
  51. My predictions:
    Paris - ManCity: Makkelie/Brych
    Real - Chelsea: Cakir/Orsato
    Final: Turpin/Mateu/Taylor depending on teams

    I dislike that Orsato would repeat Chelsea after R16, but I don't find a solution avoiding something like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Philipp, I am surprised that you did not predict Kuipers. I also do not think Turpin will be in CL final. I agree with the rest

      Delete
    2. Kuipers should not directly repeat Real IMO.
      And for Paris-ManCity, I prefer Makkelie and Brych, because they didn't have those teams in the KO stage, while Kuipers had Paris in R16.
      And as a minor argument, Kuipers already had 8 CL matches this season - at some point there needs to be some variety...

      Turpin has similar palmares to Mateu, so from that point of view, he deserves it equally IMO. I also don't think that his performance this season has been worse.

      Delete
    3. Indeed, semifinal prediction is challenging as there are too many repeats. Considering this could be the last season of Kuipers to be in CL, I prefer to see him again in semifinal, and he always shows good attitude & preference. Turpin this season is not bad at all, but I think Lahoz is more deserved to get the final.

      Delete
  52. For me it will be clear:

    Madrid not in final: Lahoz
    Madrid in final: Makkelie

    For both it will be deserved.

    ReplyDelete
  53. My predictions for CL

    Paris-Man City: Makkelie/Brych
    Madrid-Chelsea: Kuipers/Cakir
    Final: Mateu/Taylor

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Taylor is one very bad referee.

      Delete
  54. PSG v Man City: Cakir/Brych
    Real M v Chelsea: Turpin/Kuipers
    Final: 1st Mateu otherwise Makkeille

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IMO Makkelie will not be in final match, too young and he made huge mistake which was important we can see, after This mistake he has No big game in EL, the best option is Lahoz

      Delete
    2. But if real Madrid in the final makkeille in the final

      Delete
    3. IMO, he won’t be if Real will be, I suppose it s possible that other referee for Big three( Cakir, Kuipers, Brych) will be again

      Delete
    4. Impossible no referee in ucl new system began in 1993 referee 2 finals even collina referee one final only in 1999

      Delete
  55. Psg v man city : brych / kuipers real Madrid v chelsea : cakir / orsato final : lahoz ( if Chelsea in the final ) - makkeille ( if real Madrid in the final )

    ReplyDelete
  56. Matio 00.33

    If you think wise; why do you think Makkelie has a Europa League QF and perhaps not the most difficult one? Because committee keeps him safe for the final without big risk. This is very good management by Rosetti.

    Lahoz and Makkelie are the big favourites and would be a logical choice. Nobody would discuss those two referees appointed.

    ReplyDelete
  57. For those interesting to hear VAR audio from 2018 World Cup:

    1. Serbia vs Switzerland (Ref. F. Brych / VAR: F. Zwayer)
    https://streamable.com/a6oa01
    (If anyone understand German pls translate!)
    - Could see that Zwayer never intervened (the red light never went one - so the rumors were false)

    2. Nigeria vs Argentia ( Ref. C. Cakir / VAR: D. Orsato)
    https://streamable.com/cpn8ed
    - Similar to Del Cerro's handball today. We can hear Orsato yelling (?) at Cakir.

    3. Korea vs Germany (Ref. M.Geiger / VAR: D. Makkelie)
    https://streamable.com/zqyohi
    (The voice is the middle is Corey Rockwell, the AVAR2 for the match.) (OFR to sell is something that it exist)

    4. the FINAL - France vs Croatia (Ref. N. Pitana / VAR. M. Irrati)
    https://streamable.com/6fsq1n
    (The reason why Pitana went back to the screen, to determine if caution is necessary.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is fantastic stuff! Thanks for posting.

      Delete
    2. Wonderful work! Thanks!

      Delete
    3. Thank you for these fascinating audios !

      Delete
    4. Translation Brych/Zwayer:
      Play on - Keeping the ball rolling - Two people with Mitrovic
      What does he do? - What is he whistling?
      He's whistling the other way - He's whistling offensive foul or what is he whistling?
      Take it nice and slow - from the other direction
      Top right - Which side do you need?
      What is that?
      Yeah, OK, but if he does it like that, what do I do now?
      From behind the goal, yes
      Yes, but he also holds both like this.
      Really, we don't intervene there.
      What do you want to do, Felix?
      You can't do anything. He's going crazy.

      Delete
    5. Also very interesting, how differently the roles are interpreted
      In 1) VAR and AVAR1 discuss the situation with equal shares
      In 2) VAR is clearly dominating, while AVAR3 gives some input and AVAR1 seems to be ignored
      In 4) VAR takes the decision, but then lets AVAR1 confirm and also speak to the referee himself.

      Delete
    6. Two more (shorter) clips here:

      https://streamable.com/han33p
      https://streamable.com/blj0k6

      Delete
    7. WOW really amazing. Where did u find it??

      Delete
    8. Philipp, I hope you don't mind me trying to improve your translation.

      Zwayer(?): I'm keeping my eye on the ball.
      Dankert(?): Two guys with Mitrovic.
      [Incident happens]
      Dankert: What is he doing?
      Zwayer: What is he whistling? - What is he whistling?
      Dankert: He whistles the other way around. He whistles an offensive foul or what is he whistling?
      Zwayer: Take it nice and slow. From the other direction, from the other direction.
      [Brych in the background: Hey, come here. Come here, come here.]
      Zwayer: So top, top right.
      [In the background Brych is talking to SUI#9]
      Zwayer: What is this? Yes ok, but if he does it like this - what am I supposed to do? - Hm?
      Dankert: From behind the goal.
      [Now at 0:42 it becomes difficult, as Zwayer, Dankert and Turpin attempt to say something at the same time. Unfortunately I can't hear what Turpin is trying to say. Does he speak German?]
      Zwayer: Yes, but -
      Dankert: Well, he holds them both like that. Everything's OK. We do not intervene.
      Dankert: What do you want to do there, Felix. [Rhetorical question, meaning 'There's nothing you can do Felix']
      Zwayer: There's nothing you can do. He spins [through the defenders]. [This last sentence causes me headaches. The translation by Philipp makes no sense to me at this point. So as the german word for going crazy can also mean spinning/turning, I went for this.]
      Dankert: Yeah.

      Delete
    9. @Anonymous 10:32
      That last sentence is so weird considering he said "Er dreht durch" which I think translates more to "He's going crazy" than "He's spinning...". Maybe they actually meant " er dreht durch,[wenn wir eingreifen]", which means Brych would be mad at them, if they would have intervened, because Brych felt like he had a clean look at it. I wouldn't think something like that would happen at that Level, but the "spinning/turning" interpretation feels kind of weird to me.

      Delete
    10. @Anonymous 10:50
      I agree. I am not happy with either translation.
      If he really meant Brych (which would put Brych in a quite bad light), I would consider something like "Er würde durchdrehen" far more natural. As he uses the present tense, it should actually refer to something that has just happened, but I'm still lost...

      Delete
    11. Amazing insights, thanks a lot. I am quite surprised how hectic it can be for VAR if we look at Video 2. Daniele Orsato could barely speak with Cakir because Cakir could not concentrate on Orsato's advice. Cakir looked very stressed and did not take time to hear advice. You could hear that Orsato was a bit overwhelmed with the situation because Cakir only took about 5 seconds to watch.

      I widely agree with the translation of the communication between Dankert, Zwayer and Brych on the pitch. Zwayer's last sentence leaves room for interpretation. We do not know exactly what he meant. To be honest, on my first watch I understood it like Philipp S. Zwayer said "Er dreht durch". I think he meant Felix Brych. In this case, one could translate it into "he goes crazy/mad". In my view, Zwayer was kind of aware that the attacker was held by the defender but did not intervene because of the 'whole picture' of the incident: Brych decided to give a free-kick for the defender and Zwayer seemed sure that Brych did not want to have an intervention.
      I think Zwayer was more aware of the incident's severeness than Dankert. He pointed at the monitor on which you could see a clear holding by the defender and asked "what's this" in a manner like "was soll das". In a free/wide translation one could say "what is this supposed to be by the defender". Then he asked Dankert "If he [Brych] does it like that [attacker foul], what shall I do now?" not like "I don't know what to do" but rather like "I can't do anything" and I am sure he thought "what a f***** bad incident for everyone".
      Dankert was kind of active after that. There was the point on which Turpin said something (I understood "entre goal" maybe he meant the camera angle; this could suit because another man (I don't know who it was) said quite the same "Hintertor" (which means "behind the goal")). It was Dankert who said "Er hält ja auch beide so" which means "he [the attacker] also held both [the defenders] like this". And more importantly he was the first one who said "no, we do not intervene here", "what do you want to do there, Felix [Zwayer]?".
      You can see Zwayer made some gestures that show he is aware that it could and probably should have been a penalty but he simply cannot intervene. He states "I cannot do anything, he is going crazy". Dankert responded with "yes".
      To summarize that, I think Zwayer thought it was impossible to intervene (whole picture, Brych "going crazy") while Dankert rather thought free-kick for the defender was at least supportable.

      Besides, it is interesting to see that languages play a very important role (everyone thought it would be so). While Dankert and Zwayer did it on their own, in video 2 everyone could communicate without any problem.

      Delete
    12. @ Anonymous: It was Zwayer who kept the eye on Mitrovic while Dankert looked for the ball. So it was the other way around.

      Delete
    13. Guys, I hope one thing is clear to everybody now:
      VARs act under extreme pressure and complexity. Everyone involved in these clips, VARs, referees, operators, had to cope with multiple information and complex material. In future discussion on situations everybody should remind these clips and put yourself in their shoes. It's no easy task.

      Delete
  58. If the Final is Man City v Real Madrid, and the referee is NOT Makkelie and it is NOT a referee who gets it a second time... then, who is it?

    Can't be Taylor. Can't be Mateu. At that point, would UEFA go with Turpin?

    I think all signs sort of point to Makkelie right now, with maybe Mateu being preferred if Real don't advance. But it's hard to envisage scenario where Makkelie isn't the favorite based on who is available and who the remaining clubs are.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Maybe most people here are not thinking to much out of the box...., Mateu, Makkelie (no comité observer), Taylor (no comité observer)..... those are the names only called, and sometimes Turpin (also in Chelsea-Porto no comité observer), might be a strange guess... but his last game in England Ovidiu Hategan was observed by Dallas, and Mateu was observed by Rosetti, so despite the problem with mr Sovre, i have a strange feeling Hategan will get it if Madrid is in final, for Makkelie, who is only 37 it should be to soon after Europa League i think! Remember when Hauge refereed the final his linesman was only 24 hours before the final replaced, so Hategan can be there maybe with one off Kovacs assistants

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Besides the Sovre issue, do ypu really thing that Hategan performed on Machester worthy of a final, with his two key mistakes???

      Delete
    2. While I would love to see Hategan in the final it's very unlikely to me. His name is a bit like wildfire after the night in Paris and then Sovre getting the signature in Manchester. It would be too controversial for him to get the game from UEFA's perspective. I hope he does a CL final at some point though

      Delete
    3. I agree that Hategan was observed by Dallas for a reason, but, unfortunately, he was not very convincing with a penalty kick overturned by VAR plus a premature and wrong whistle in a goal-scoring situation... and all that in addition to his team's off-field issues... not the best season for him...

      Delete
    4. I wouldn't read toooo much into Dallas in Manchester - Rosetti doesn't really trust (m)any other British observers, and there is not that much point in sending eg. Willie Young for the sake of it, when you can just have Dallas himself.

      So the fact it was Dallas says STH, indeed it was a very important game for Hațegan personally, but nothing like a committee member in normal times IMO.

      Delete
    5. Well, iff Hategan has such a not good year... how did he do 5 or 6 matches in the groupsfase? I think he has the good experience level and the right age (40), and also country neutral, Iff they would exclude Hategan due tue the issue with his assistant, then they should do the same with Makkelie, I think Makkelie's now 2nd assistant is way to inexperienced to get inmediatly a final(only this year he promoted to Champions League together with Gozubuyuk), so maybe we get a big surprise due tue problems with assistents....Eather Mateu in case no Spanish teams, or Turpin when Real is in with an English team, or Taylow when ther is no English team.

      Delete
  60. My prediction:
    Psg-city vincic/brych
    Madrid-chelsea orsato/cakir

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Makkelie and lahoz to be saved for final depending on which teams make it

      Delete
    2. Vincic has been so good this season but I think CL semifinal is too much for him. I predicted him in EL semifinal instead.

      Delete
    3. Maybe those of you who have the stats can have a look and see who has a pathway similar to Orsato, Mazic, Skomina in the year they got the UCL final?

      Delete
  61. Predictions:

    Real-Chelsea: Cüneyt Cakir (TUR), 4th: Slavko Vincic (SVN)
    PSG-ManCity: Björn Kuipers (NED), 4th: Tasos Sidiropoulos (GRE)

    ManCity-PSG: Felix Brych (GER), 4th: Tobias Stieler (GER)
    Chelsea-Real: Daniele Orsato (ITA), 4th: Orel Grinfeld (ISR)

    Final: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP) in case of ENG-ENG; Anthony Taylor (ENG) in case of ESP-FRA; Danny Makkelie in case of ENG-ESP mix with outsider chances for Turpin. 4th official in case of Mateu Lahoz: Del Cerro Grande (ESP); 4th in case of Taylor: Michael Oliver (ENG); 4th in case of Makkelie: Tobias Stieler (GER). That's how I would proceed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oliver is one thousand better that Taylor.

      Delete
  62. https://streamable.com/8vhdhz

    I'm genuinely surprised that the consensus here is that del Cerro's penalty last night was wrong, especially on a reading of the LotG which is sth of a technicality.

    As Philipp notes, the law contradicts itself - we should focus on common-sense and practical logic instead of an apparently strict reading of the law book.

    I found it interesting that a user evoked the NGAARG clip from WC 2018 to show that del Cerro got this decision wrong. I don't really see how the two decisions are (that) similar in any more than a cosmetic way!

    In Çakır's game, the defender makes a header with the given intention of 'passing' the ball somewhere (to clear it away). The ball then accidentally hits his arm. The officials in my (and FIFA's) judgement got that call spot on.

    In last night's game, Can is trying to block the ball with his play. If we use offside parlance here, his 'header' putting a DEFLECTION and not a DELIBERATE PLAY on the ball.

    The ball glances off Can's head, ie. he fails to successfully block it, and then it hits his arm which is outstretched, enlarging the body surface. Can only achieves his aim by handling the ball.

    You can see by del Cerro's / VMO's reaction that this was a tricky situation which they weren't immediately sure about, but I would assess the decision as a correct one.

    IFAB's attempt to more clearly define handling and not leave it to associations / confederations individual interpretations is admirable, but very problematic in being inherent with contradictions, and maybe more trouble than it is worth (?).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's the first time I've seen it and for me it's a penalty. I completely agree with your analysis around the header and its deflection. For me the most telling bit is the total acceptance from the Dortmund players, even when Can talks to Grande its pretty half hearted.

      Delete
    2. For me this is not a penalty! He clearly tried to get the ball away with his head, somewhere unlucky it touched his arm, this is a total natural bodymovement because he was a bit diving to the bal, i would never give such a penalty, and iff it's seen as wrong given penalty in Uefa, i would praise them.

      Delete
    3. I agree with most, but the header is IMO deliberate play in the sense of the offside rule, i.e. it would override any offside position (without the touch of the arm).

      We will see whether the new wording of the handball rule will bring more clarity.
      In this specific situation, it would do, because it's pretty clear, that this is an unnatural position (no natural part of the heading movement).

      Delete
    4. Penalty clear.

      Delete
    5. Philipp - totally agree, in the sense of assessing handlings like this, I think the deflection vs. deliberate play distinction is quite useful, though it's obviously a bit different to actually assessing offsides.

      Delete
  63. Difficult for me to predict referees for CL SL and final matches; we need to consider also Europe league matches, then the different combinations for the final and the risk to appoint in the semifinal a candidate for the final. It something goes wrong, you have fired him.
    So Starting from the following pool of potential selected for the last 5 matches
    Skomina, Marciniak, Mateu Lahoz, Del Cerro Grande, Turpin, Soares Dias, Taylor, Orsato, Brych, Kuipers, Makkelie, Hategan and Cakir
    I would immediately ruled out Skomina and Marciniak for their past or still present injury.
    Taylor is ruled out for the SF but not for the final in case of PSG- Real Madrid, even if in this case Makkelie would deserve more than the english; so I would appoint Taylor directly for a EL semifinal
    On other hand, to avoid a second appointment on the Cl final and to consider the performance criteria, I would assign for sure Cakir, Kuipers and Brych for the semifinal matches.
    So for the last SF and for the final we still have 6 referees:
    Soares Dias, The two spanish, Turpin, Orsato and Makkelie.
    Taking also in consideration the performance also in the past years, I would move Soares Dias and Del Cerro Grande for the EL semifinal match, so only have to manage 4 officials for 2 matches:
    1) If we save Mateu and Makkelie for the final, appointing Orsato, everything depends on Real path; Mateu could have a back up assignment with the EL final (Villareal permitting) but Makkelie will leave without matches and it's a pity
    2) If we appoint makkelie for the 4th semifinal and Real will be in final we don't have anymore referee available because would not be fair to appoint makkelie for both seminal and final
    So to take a decision...

    REAL CHELSEA DANIELE ORSATO (IV: MASSA - VAR: IRRATI)
    CHELSEA REAL CUYNET CAKIR (IV: VINCIC - VAR: SKOMINA)
    PSG M- UTD BJORN KUIPERS (IV: KAMPHUIS - VAR: BLOM)
    M UTD PSG FELIX BRYCH (IV: ZWAYER - VAR: STIELER)

    FINAL:
    CHELSEA - PSG/MUTD MATEU LAHOZ (IV: DEL CERRO GRANDE - VAR: HNZ HNZ)
    REAL - PSG/MUTD MAKKELIE (IV: HATEGAN - VAR: VAN BOCKEL)

    EUROPE LEAGUE SEMIFINALS:
    SOARES DIAS - TAYLOR - DEL CERRO GRANDE - HATEGAN
    FINAL: TURPIN


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good assessment! I think you mean M. City and not M. UTD^^

      Delete
    2. Agree with most of your thoughts. I just don't think that hategan gets one more match. I could imagine vincic instead in a sf

      Delete
    3. Sorry my mistake; in CL is Manchester City not United. apologise

      Delete
  64. If Manchester City in final, no Mateu Lahoz? What do you think about his story with Guardiola? Will committee ignore that, in case?

    ReplyDelete
  65. Regarding 2018 WC VAR clips, discussion can continue here:
    http://law5-theref.blogspot.com/2021/04/2018-fifa-world-cup-var-audio-clips.html
    Thank you so much.
    The maximum number of comments for this post has been reached.

    ReplyDelete