Tuesday 20 July 2021

2020 FIFA Men's and Women's Olympic Football Tournaments

Thank to Árbitro Internacional, we have the first appointments for the competition. 



Women's tournament

Matchday 1, 21 July 2021 

Great Britain - Chile
Salima Mukansanga (RWA) 
A1: Bernadettar Kwimbira (MWI) 
A2: Mary Njoroge (KEN) 
4: Ndidi Madu (NGR) 
VAR: Abdulla Al Marri (QAT) 
AVAR: Muhammad Bin Jahari (SIN)

China - Brazil
Kateryna Monzul (UKR) 
A1: Lucie Ratajova (CZE) 
A2: Maryna Striletska (UKR) 
4: Stephanie Frappart (FRA) 
VAR: Guillermo Cuadra (ESP) 
AVAR: Benoit Millot (FRA)

Sweden - USA
Yoshimi Yamashita (JPN) 
A1: Naomi Teshirogi (JPN) 
A2: Makoto Bozono (JPN) 
4: Anastasia Pustovoitova (RUS) 
VAR: Pawel Raczkowski (POL) 
AVAR: Fu Ming (CHN)

Japan - Canada
Edina Alves (BRA) 
A1: Neuza Back (BRA) 
A2: Monica Amboya (ECU) 
4: Maria Rivet (MRI) 
VAR: Wagner Reway (BRA) 
AVAR: Tiago Martins (POR)

Zambia - Netherlands
Laura Fortunato (ARG) 
A1: Mariana de Almeida (ARG) 
A2: Mary Blanco (COL) 
4: Esther Staubli (SUI) 
VAR: Mauro Vigliano (ARG) 
AVAR: Nicolas Gallo (COL)

Australia - New Zealand
Lucila Venegas (MEX) 
A1: Mayte Chavez (MEX) 
A2: Enedina Caudillo (MEX) 
4: Melissa Borjas (HON) 
VAR: Andres Cunha (URU) 
AVAR: Erick Miranda (MEX)


Men's Tournament

Matchday 1, 22 July 2021

Egypt - Spain 
Adham Makhadmeh (JOR) 
A1: Ahmad Alroalle (JOR) 
A2: Mohammad Alkalaf (JOR) 
4: Hiroyuki Kimura (JPN) 
VAR: Abdulla Al Marri (QAT) 
AVAR: Wagner Reway (BRA)

New Zealand - Korea Republic 
 Victor Gomes (RSA) 
A1: Arsenio Marengula (MOZ) 
A2: Souni Phtsoane (LES) 
4: Artur Dias (POR) 
VAR: Benoit Millot (FRA) 
AVAR: Guillermo Cuadra (ESP)

Mexico - France 
Christopher Beath (AUS) 
A1: Anton Shchetinin (AUS) 
A2: George Lakrindis (AUS) 
4: Bamlak Tessema (ETH) 
VAR: Fu Ming (CHN) 
AVAR: Abdulkadir Btgen (TUR)

Honduras - Romania  
Leodan Gonzalez (URU) 
A1: Nicolas Taran (URU) 
A2: Richard Trinidad (URU) 
4: Ismail Elfath (USA) 
VAR: Andres Cunha (URU) 
AVAR: Bibiana Steinhaus (GER)

Brazil - Germany 
Ivan Barton (SLV) 
A1: David Moran (SLV) 
A2: Zachari Zeegelaar (SUR) 
4: Georgi Kabakov (BUL) 
VAR: Marco Guida (ITA)
AVAR: Erick Miranda (MEX)

Argentina - Australia 
Srdjan Jovanovic (SRB) 
A1: Uros Stojkovic (SRB) 
A2: Milan Mihajlovic (SRB) 
4: Hiroyuki Kimura (JPN 
VAR: Tiago Martins (POR) 
AVAR: Muhammad Bin Jahari (SIN)

Japan - South Africa
Jesus Valenzuela (VEN) 
A1: Tulio Moreno (VEN) 
A2: Lubin Torrealba (VEN) 
4: Kevin Ortega (PER) 
VAR: Mauro Vigliano (ARG) 
AVAR: Edvin Jurisevic (USA)

Ivory Coast - Saudi Arabia
Matt Conger (NZL) 
A1: Mark Rule (NZL) 
A2: Tevita Makasini (TGA) 
4: Orel Grinfeeld (ISR) 
VAR: Pawel Raczkowski (POL) 
AVAR: Roi Reinshreiber (ISR)

122 comments:

  1. Once again, it's unconscionable that FIFA uses men as VARs systematically. At the 2019 WWC they did it, arguing that the late decision meant they did not have time to train women on the VAR - which was a dodge, but fine. But two years later, there's no excuse. And if they don't bother training women on the VAR, they'll never have women VAR on big CL matches etc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hm, but those women would also need an opportunity to work regularly as VAR. I think, there is no chance to be prepared for a big tournament just with training.
      This would require either to introduce VAR in domestic women's leagues or to use women as VAR in the men's leagues.
      So I think, this needs to be started by the national associations - but FIFA could maybe lead them in that direction.

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    2. I understand your point of view. But as you know, in the domestic competitions, women are not in charge of the VAR. And the nr of experiences must be take in consideration! Right?

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    3. If FIFA wanted to have women trained on VAR, they would find a way. PRO (in MLS) employs women on VAR already - I'm sure that with a request from FIFA, they could ramp up training and experience massively. There's no reason why women can't be VAR in EPL, Ligue 1, etc., and UEFA/confederations are responsible for ensuring referees are trained to fill their needs. And if we're fine with deploying women as referees on men's matches, there's no reason for keeping them out of the VAR booth.
      It's the same thing as with refereeing women's matches: women started becoming top referees when they were offered the opportunity to do so. And women will become top-flight VAR when they will be given the opportunity to train, and that will happen when FIFA deems it important, as they should. Simply put, organisations will not bother training women on VAR until they recognise it's important they do so - the means are there, easily. There's plenty of top-flight women who are not refereeing at the Olympics - with a bit of foresight, it'd have been easy to get them certified on VAR and given them their FIFA VAR badge in time for the Olympics.

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    4. Another thing: it appears some national federations only bothered getting their very top women certified as FIFA VAR (Frappart in France, Staubli in Switzerland, Sian Massey-Ellis in England); when VAR was introduced in men's competitions, the first batch trained were second-level referees (Makkelie, Irrati, etc.), not the Elite group. Obviously you want your Elite referees on the field - that should be taken into account in training women VARs.

      (On a side note, Carol-Anne Chénard did her first game as VAR in MLS last weekend)

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    5. Philipp S, I believe there are at least 2 women VAR's used regualrly on the Men's 1st division in Australia (The A-League).

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  2. It seems Hany Al Raeesi (QAT) and Dagmar Damkova (CZE) are in charge of refereeing at the tournament.
    https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/FBL/OG2020-_FBL_C35A_FBL-------------------------------.pdf

    Furthermore there seems to be a strict seperation of genders, according to this document:
    https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/FBL/OG2020-_FBL_C35B_FBL-------------------------------.pdf

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    1. Yes I think that we can conclude women will officiate women's tournament, and men men's one. VAR will appear in both.

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    2. Kari Seitz, Massimo Busacca and Pierluigi Collina are also in Japan, as well as some other physical and technical instructors.

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  3. This reminds me Alves's attitude toward 4th official in Club World Cup last year

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    1. She most certainly would not win an award for most pleasant demeanor. It doesn't help that she has "RBF".

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    2. What happened there? I don’t recall reading anything?

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    3. @Anonymous What does 'RBF' stand for?

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    4. I guess he meant this (yeah, I had to do a quick search, too :D)
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resting_bitch_face

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    5. Yeah that's what I'm guessing also. And to be frank, they're not wrong.

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    6. @smala017, I meant by Alves's attitude toward Zitouni in a match in Club World Cup 2021, you can find the video link in one of the old posts of this blog. I remember someone post it in that post

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  4. Gianpaolo Calvarese quits as Serie A referee

    https://football-italia.net/calvarese-quits-as-serie-a-referee/

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    Replies
    1. There is a very particular story behind that!
      He had founded a family business back in 2019:
      https://www.aperegina.com/
      selling products for athletes, energy supplements and so on.
      But the problem is that he had been selling this stuff to serie A teams for two years without having said anything to AIA, therefore Trentalange forced him to resign.
      More than disappointing way to quit, and that's even more shocking because AIA had introduced new rules that helped him until today in being kept as serie A referee, despite he had to retire for age and other regulations by years...
      The new course of Trentalange is looking for full transparency and that's very good... names like La Penna, Pasqua, Calvarese, one couldn't know what they were doing for a so long time.
      Definitely incredibile.

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    2. Oh, I thought he started to sell his products now and decided to quit on his own to be "clear". But you say it lasted for two years... Really bad for image of refereeing. He should've informed those in charge. Or he informed them and Rizzoli thought it's OK?

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    3. No informations reported by Calvarese to committee, so his own fault, but it is also reported that all people knew everything about that. This was the situation.

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  5. Where is men's referees appointments the matches tomorrow ?

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  6. Big assignment for Ivan Barton (SLV)!

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    Replies
    1. Could he be the referee for the final? I think he's a favorite, or Elfath (USA) or Valenzuela (VEN), if a European team reach the final

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  7. A good OFR during Japan v Canada to award a penalty

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    1. A bit irritating, that there were no protests, but we have already seen that at the last WWC. Makes it in some way more difficult for the VAR to find relevant incidents.
      But yes, good decision here.

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    2. On the other hand, this is how VAR *should* work anyways... they should be checking everything just as closely regardless of whether or not players complain... if the VAR only checks something closely when players protest, you are encouraging protests.

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    3. Just watched the play. IMO it also should have been a YC for DOGSO. All 4 criteria are present.

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    4. Ah, she did get a YC for it, just not caught by the TV cameras. Correct decision.

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    5. And 60' excellent offside decision to disallow a goal by AR1 Neuza Beck!

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    6. Video of penalty incident (OFR):
      https://ok.ru/video/3069161179756

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    7. Thanks for your work, Euro Soccer Ref!
      Correct call here IMO.

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    8. Looks like Edina Alves Batista was not 100% convinced about the penalty call, very long time before deciding and also hesitating after having left monitor, this happens very often and I'm always disappointed because referees don't give the idea they are familiar with VAR and changing a decision...

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  8. Hiroyuki Kimura will be 4th official for Egypt - Spain & Argentine - Australia. Two mathces in one day. Wow.

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    Replies
    1. There are 16 referees for matches, so this normally could be avoided, but maybe the missing referee - Dahane Beida - is not available.
      Interestingly, also the two CAF VARs are the only ones besides Chris Penso missing on MD1. So maybe some problems with the Africans? However at least Gomes and Tessema are appointed.

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  9. Predictions MD2
    CHI-CAN: Staubli (SUI) - Rivet (MRI) - Bitigen (TUR), Cuadra (ESP)
    JPN-GBR: Frappart (FRA) - Fortunato (ARG) - Millot (FRA), Raczkowski (POL)
    CHN-ZAM: Pustovoitova (ROC) - Venegas (MEX) - Steinhaus (GER), Guida (ITA)
    NED-BRA: Jacewicz (AUS) - Yamashita (JPN) - Bin Jahari (SIN), Ashour (EGY)
    SWE-AUS: Borjas (HON) - Alves (BRA) - Miranda (MEX), Gallo (COL)
    NZL-USA: Mukansanga (RWA) - Madu (NGR) - Al Marri (QAT), Ming (CHN)

    FRA-RSA: Elfath (USA) - Gonzalez (URU) - Penso, Jurisevic (both USA)
    JPN-MEX: Soares Dias (POR) - Jovanovic (SRB) - Martins (POR), Bin Jahari (SIN)
    NZL-HON: Grinfeeld (ISR) - Kimura (JPN) - Reinshreiber (ISR), Steinhaus (GER)
    ROU-KOR: Tessema (ETH) - Barton (SLV) - Ashour (EGY), Zourak (MAR)
    EGY-ARG: Kabakov (BUL) - Conger (NZL) - Guida (ITA), Miranda (MEX)
    AUS-SPA: Ortega (PER) - Beida (MTN) - Cunha (URU), Gallo (COL)
    BRA-CIV: Beath (AUS) - Makhadmeh (JOR) - Ming (CHN), Bitigen (TUR)
    KSA-GER: Gomes (RSA) - Valenzuela (VEN) - Vigliano (ARG), Cuadra (ESP)

    ReplyDelete
  10. No official channel on youtube by FIFA for football highlights?
    I remember something like that for previous edition but I can be wrong, maybe it was for another tournament.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Probably this is exclusive for the national broadcasters?
      Here would be the German page for that, maybe you can avoid geoblocking somehow:
      https://tokio.sportschau.de/tokio2020/videos_audios/index.html

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  11. Strange OFR 57' of GBR-CHI.Possible penalty to great Britain, but the only angle they showed was really not convincing at all. Then they showed the offside decision just prior to that, which was very close and also unconvincing. In the end, Mukansanga gave offside.

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    1. The best guess, I have for that, is that the calibrated line technology didn't work. This would explain, why it took so long and why the VAR didn't want to take the factual decision about offside himself. Under that circumstance, it would be reasonable to let the referee take the decision.
      Otherwise, I don't see a reason, why they would act like that.

      Ignoring the potential offside, the OFR for the foul looks correct to me, especially as the referee obviously had a wrong perception, giving a corner kick. But yes, better pictures would have been desirable.

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    2. Video:
      https://ok.ru/video/3068838677100

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    3. Thank you! I'm looking for more clips from Olympic games!
      Your work is very appreciated.
      Fully agree with Philipp about the incident, maybe they couldn't be sure about offside due to a malfunction, so they invited referee to rewatch that. If no offside, penalty should have been whistled, not easy to see, but indeed defender hit opponent and not ball.

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    4. Apparently VAR had only these (bad) angles. Did VAR provided a clear evidence that penalty should be awarded? I think not. Is it a clear and obvious mistake to let the play on? I think not.
      The same considerations for offside - did VAR provide a clear evidence that decision in the pitch was wrong? No. Decision on the pitch even looks correct.

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    5. If no offside prior to the incident, it's a quite clear penalty for me. But obviously there weere issues to determine the possible offside (factual decision), so I really like the VAR's outcome (OFR to let the referee conclude it).

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  12. The two "BIG" matches(by name) in the 1st match day go to the more deserving and two better options from their respective Confederations. Barton in BRA vs GER and Beath in MEX v FRA. Well done CONCACAF and AFC.

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    Replies
    1. I'm excited for Honduras - Romania because it's a very big game for Leodan Gonzalez. He's totally lost ground in the race to Qatar with his two COVID-related absences. He needs some stellar performances at this tournament to make up for it.

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    2. Romanian press is slightly unhappy with this appointment as Miguel Falero, Honduras`s manager is Uruguayan too.

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  13. Didn't see it mentioned, but the assignment of two Israelis (4th and avar) on the Saudi Arabia game seems rather deliberate.

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    1. Some people in Spain have complained because we play against Arabic team (Egypt) with Arabic referee (Jordan) and Arabic VAR (Qatar)

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    2. Some people will complain about anything...

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    3. I don't know, whether this was deliberate, but at least, the countries weren't a reason against the appointment. And that's a good thing in my opinion - especially in a tournament that also is about peace and international understanding.
      I also think, that this wouldn't be a topic in all other sports at the Olympics.

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    4. @ Philipp just to elaborate on that last point you made... no other sport seems to have this problem about every appointment being political. In Judo, a Russia referee just officiated a women's gold medal featuring a Kosovo fighter! (Russia of course does not recognize Kosovo as a country).

      My favorite example of this sort of thing was 11 years ago, when Canadian referees refereed the ice hockey Gold Medal match between the United States and... Canada.

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  14. hi from New Zealand we are most fortunate we have EVERY game LIVE on tv here from SKY NZ. FIVE games today (Thursday NZ TIME)

    ROD NZ

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  15. predictiones

    CHI-CAN: Esther STAUBLI (SUI)
    JPN-GBR: Melissa BORJAS (HON)
    CHN-ZAM: Anastasia PUSTOITOVA (ROC)
    NED-BRA: Kate JACEWITZ (AUS)
    SWE-AUS: Laura FORTUNATO (ARG)
    NZL-USA: Stephanie FRAPPART (FRA)

    FRA-RSA: Jesus VALENZUELA (VEN)
    JPN-MEX: Artur DIAS (POR)
    NZL-HON: Orel GRINFELD (ISR)
    ROU-KOR: Kevin ORTEGA (PER)
    EGY-ARG: Ismail ELFATH (USA)
    AUS-SPA: Matt CONGER (NZL)
    BRA-CIV: Georgi KAKABOV (BUL)
    KSA-GER: Bamlak TESSEMA (ETH)

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  16. OFR in ESP-EGY for a (rather accidental) stamp on ankle. YC given.

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    Replies
    1. Outstanding decision of Makhadmeh

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    2. Always difficult, because the intention is not really relevant based on the LotG. But I also wouldn't like a RC here, where the Egyptian player doesn't do anything wrong.
      Obviously not a "clear and obvious" mistake, but as the foul was completely missed by the referee, the OFR might be justified by a "missed incident".

      Delete
    3. Agree! YC is a good decision too, but a RC would be too, too strict IMO. Not the intention of the Egyption to hurt Ceballos.

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  17. I have all the games available on the Channel host here in Australia's app. Watching Chris Beath in Mexico v France now.

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  18. General observation: AFC has the next Irmatov. High high potential, Mr Makhadmeh.

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  19. Christopher Beath Foul detection very strange in first half of Mexico France. Very frantic style and the players don’t seem to have respect for him looking at actions towards the referee.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I had the same feeling to be honest, but there was a satisfying warning at the end of the 1H (both calmed the game down and connected with the recipient), and in general he interacted quite well after that.

      In general, solid 1H from the Aussie referee, even I'd prefer a stricter approach to guide the players towards fair play a bit more.

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    2. Agree, few good warnings throughout first half, and seems to want to talk with the players. Just needs to show a bit more authority in second half and will show a good performance

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    3. now a correct penalty, but missed YC

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    4. I watched all of the game and thought he impressed quite a lot, in a match that was definitely challenging. I didn't notice any issues with foul selection that you guys notice, and I actually thought his disciplinary line was perfect (especially for this match), other than my one complaint, already mentioned by others here: YC DOGSO on the PK. But I don't think it's a huge mistake because it's not really a very big DOGSO anyways from that angle.

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  20. Hahaha - that's really funny, there was a pretty similar incident in the France - Mexico game at WC 2010!

    Correct penalty by Beath but missed YC for DOGSO, he calmed down the arguing players after it's award okay.

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  21. KMI now. PK awarded. Was that DOGSO attempt to play the ball? Should a caution have been given?

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    Replies
    1. Maybe #8 was close enough? At least not a clear DOGSO in my opinion.

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  22. Besides a missed YC for a stamp on Pedri in the 2H, good performance by Makhadmeh. Well done

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  23. CIV-KSA: 90+6': Mass confrontation and RC for Doumbia for a hand at the opponent's throat (given without VAR). At least supportable decision. Management of the confrontation could have been a bit better, but still OK. He gave the RC only in a talk with the players after things have calmed down. Maybe showing it sooner would have helped - but maybe it would have made it worse.

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  24. Jovanovic has just stuffed this up big time. He's given a second yellow here. Mismanaged the whole situation.

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    Replies
    1. If this is a YC, we can give eleven YCs at every corner.

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    2. But he did warn the players before, that they should stop the pushing and holding - like many referees do before corners. If players still continue, the referee needs to react somehow to not lose credibility.

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    3. But Philipp he didn't even realise that he had just booked the player a minute earlier. It was bad management in my opinion.

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  25. Jovanovic has forgotten his yellow card in the second half. Had to grab one from his 4th official.

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  26. Borderline but I agree with Barton - no DOGSO (probability to reach the ball JUST too doubtful), so caution for SPA (26').

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    Replies
    1. I would even say, that DOGSO would be wrong for the same reason.

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    2. If the game carries on like this then Barton has a lot to lose and little to gain - good, long warning to Arnold after his deliberate standing foul (32').

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    3. Honestly, my feeling was that Barton should have instantly booked at 32'.

      He failed to calm Arnold down and now he stamped on Richarlison, which should be a RC IMO (35').

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    4. I think, it's a matter of interpretation, whether you consider that stamp deliberate. Looked more like a natural movement to me.
      BTW, I think, it's rather a foul by the Brazilian before. Arnold gets the ball first and in a not dangerous way and then the Brazilian slides into him.

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  27. Okay, I mean come on. At what point do we say that Jovanovic is not in control? This wasn't supposed to be a difficult game with this many cards. As someone mentioned above the expected difficult games were Mex v Fra and Bra v Ger.

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    1. How many yellows and or reds has jovanovic given?

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    2. 12 YCs, one of those as 2nd leading to a RC.

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    3. I found the stats. It ended up with 32 fouls. 10 yellow cards and 1 red card.

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    4. Equalizing GHA-ITA 1996 (Garcia Aranda) and BRA-CMR 2008 (Skomina) with the number of YCs - so not the worst models ;)
      But of course, HON-ESP 2012 (Soto) keeps its record with 13 YC.

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  28. I am surprised and quite astonished that referees are watching the games and comment here and nobody has commented the inappropriate celebration of Rycharlison after the third goal. For me an absolutely mandatory red card and an automatic ban of at least 3 games.

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    Replies
    1. Cutting throat gesture.
      Not clear, who the target was, but indeed quite clearly an "offensive action".

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    2. I would have interpreted that as him saying something like “game over” or “stop the game, it’s over”. I’m really not at all convinced there was anything wrong with that gesture; and in cases of ambiguity, the referee definitely shouldn’t send someone off for an unclear gesture.

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  29. Now interesting penalty given to Brazil for handling (+46') - I'm not really sure the arm was above shoulder height, and the contact was on lower part of the bicep, however it was very clear that the call hit the arm and it wasn't unexpected that the ball would be heading in that direction.

    In a sum, I think giving the penalty is the better call.

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    Replies
    1. By rule that is probably true, and no one seemed to argue the call, though I think there was about two or three feet distance between the arm and head.

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    2. Arm position can be justified by the jump and IMO clearly has not the intention to block the ball. For comparison, the other arm is also stretched out - and can't block the ball at all.
      Therefore for me no penalty is the better call - but not a clear and obvious situation.

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    3. Clearat natural position. Never handball. Exactly all players in the world jump like that. It’s natural.

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    4. I think it’s a pretty simple penalty… nobody jumps with their arm extended at a 90 degree angle. The position is not justifiable by the jumping action.

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  30. I'm glad the German goalkeeper saved the penalty kick just before halftime, because the German's players arm (although away from his body and making himself larger), was too close to the Brazilian player's head to warrant a penalty kick call.

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    Replies
    1. Being close has nothing to do with it. Away from his body doesn’t matter either. He was jumping and did not make himself unnaturally bigger. 100% natural position.

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  31. Valenzuela is the worst referee so far.

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    Replies
    1. He aword FKs for slight contact again and again.
      However he didn't give FKs for Japan.

      I'm a Japanese, so it's maybe bias. Japanese commentators had been frustrated.

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  32. 63' Only seen one replay, but was that really a 2YC for Arnold (GER)? Also not convinced by the card showing procedure when the player is on the ground and not looking. See Lahoz in the UCL final to Rudiger, or Oliver's red in the Euros. They at least waited for the player to get up. I've been very uncovinced by Barton so far

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    Replies
    1. Harsh decision, but there might be some intention by Arnold to stop his opponent.
      And yes, the card showing procedure was bad.
      Furthermore quite embarassing to hear the German players asking the referee to rewatch the situation. I mean, most of them play in Bundesliga and should be used to the VAR protocol by now...

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  33. Not really convinced by Ivan Barton's decision to give Max Arnold a second yellow, looked more like it was two needs colliding rather than a challenge being made

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  34. Ivan Barton has a yellow card for anything that remotely looks like bodily contact. His tournament needs to end here, he is ridiculous.

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    Replies
    1. How much praise were officials getting for not whistling everything, letting the game flow, and not issuing cards for everything in the Euros? Unfortunately today has been the exact opposite which has done nothing to help the game. Although that last yellow had to be given

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  35. Sorry but I simply don't understand these comments at all. This game was ready to explode actually from 30' and Barton did a good job keeping a lid on everything, always attentive, very careful.

    It is only the referee's credit that this game didn't result in a huge brawl. If you refereed this game passively, as it seems that's what others are advocating, you would see the result, and it wouldn't be pretty.

    I'll upload the (quite numerous!) KMIs when the match is uploaded to download.

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    1. I'm looking forward to it! :)

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    2. I didn’t get to watch more than the last 20 minutes of this match yet, but I suspect that plenty of commenters here don’t understand that not every game in the world is as docile as the well-behaved teams at the Euros…

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  36. Everyone who watch the match ask himself: Is football fun that way?

    Barton's way of refereeing reacted to a destructive game, but it also fired the destruction.

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  37. Another shocking news from Italy... Massa suspended as well.
    His appointment for Galatasaray - PSV has been removed.

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    Replies
    1. Chefren, and what about Calvarese, Pasqua, La Penna and Robilotta? Their names still could be found on AIA site. Are they suspended temporary, for the whole season or for ever? Do you have any info? Thanks in advance.

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    2. Calvarese resigned, you can find more about him in a previous discussion here on the blog, I explained the story.
      Robilotta has been removed due to technical reasons at the end of the seasom, and this was already planned before the suspension he got. Pasqua and La Penna are suspended for alleged false documentation about refunds and it seems the same is now for Massa. I'm trying to know more!

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    3. And right now... Giacomelli suspended as well!

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  38. Watched most of HON-ROU, but it was a pretty boring game frankly, not too much to say about Gonzalez. A few correct cautions in what I think was an easier game.

    I hope he gets a really big game somewhere along the line in this tournament. He deserves an opportunity to prove himself in a challenging match.

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