Wednesday 8 September 2021

2021/22 FIFA WC European Qualifiers - Referee Appointments MD6 (8 September 2021)

Referee appointments for 2021-22 FIFA WC European Qualifiers, Matchday 6,  games to be played on 8 September 2021. 

Antonio Mateu Lahoz will be the referee of North Macedonia - Romania

Group J
18:00 CET - Yerevan (Republican Stadium after Vazgen Sargsyan)
ARMENIA - LIECHTENSTEIN 
Referee: Duje Strukan (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Goran Perica (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Marjan Tomas (CRO)
Fourth Official: Ivan Bebek (CRO) 
Video Assistant Referee: Fran Jović (CRO)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Mario Zebec (CRO) 
FIFA Referee Assessor: Edward Foley (IRL)
FIFA Match Commissioner: Patrik Filipek (CZE)

Group B
20:45 CET - Pristina (Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri)
KOSOVO - SPAIN 
Referee: Robert Madden (SCO)
Assistant Referee 1: David Roome (SCO)
Assistant Referee 2: Sean Carr (SCO)
Fourth Official: David Alexander Munro (SCO) 
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gavan Gillett (AUS)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nick Hopton (ENG)
FIFA Referee Assessor: Mehmet Murat Ilgaz (TUR)
FIFA Match Commissioner: Charles Schaack (LUX)

Group B
20:45 CET - Athens (Olympic Athletic Center "Spyros Louis")
GREECE - SWEDEN 
Referee: Sergei Karasev (RUS)
Assistant Referee 1: Igor Demeshko (RUS)
Assistant Referee 2: Maksim Gavrilin (RUS)
Fourth Official: Kirill Levnikov (RUS) 
Video Assistant Referee: Vitaliy Meshkov (RUS)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sergei Ivanov (RUS)
FIFA Referee Assessor: Konrad Plautz (AUT)
FIFA Match Commissioner: Armen Minasyan (ARM)

Group C
20:45 CET - Belfast (Windsor Park)
NORTHERN IRELAND - SWITZERLAND 
Referee: Harald Lechner (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Heidenreich (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Markus Gutschi (AUT)
Fourth Official: Markus Hameter (AUT)
Video Assistant Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Pawel Sokolnicki (POL)
FIFA Referee Assessor: Michael Riley (ENG)
FIFA Match Commissioner: Bert Andersson (SWE)

Group C
20:45 CET - Reggio Emilia (Stadio Città del Tricolore)
ITALY - LITHUANIA
Referee: Craig Pawson (ENG) 
Assistant Referee 1: Lee Betts (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Ian Hussin (ENG)
Fourth Official: Peter Bankes (ENG) 
Video Assistant Referee: David Coote (ENG)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniel Robathan (ENG)
FIFA Referee Assessor: Volodymyr Petrov (UKR) 
FIFA Match Commissioner: Tammo Beishuizen (NED)

Group E
20:45 CET - Kazan (Centralniy Stadion)
BELARUS - BELGIUM 
Referee: Pawel Raczkowski (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Radoslaw Siejka (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik (POL)
Fourth Official: Tomasz Musial (POL)
Video Assistant Referee: Pawel Gil (POL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
FIFA Referee Assessor: Sokol Jareci (ALB)
FIFA Match Commissioner: Olzhas Abrayev (KAZ)

Group E
20:45 CET - Cardiff (Cardiff City Stadium)
WALES - ESTONIA
Referee: Ruddy Buquet (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Guillaume Debart (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Hicham Zakrani (FRA)
Fourth Official: Amaury Delerue (FRA)
Video Assistant Referee: Benoît Millot (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Eric Wattellier (FRA)
FIFA Referee Assessor: Antonio Damato (ITA)
FIFA Match Commissioner: Patrick Dempsey (IRL)

Group I
20:45 CET - Budapest (Puskás Aréna)
HUNGARY - ANDORRA
Referee: Rade Obrenović (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordež (SVN)
Fourth Official: Dejan Balažič (SVN)
Video Assistant Referee: Slavko Vinčić (SVN)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Matej Jug (SVN)
FIFA Referee Assessor: David Fernández Borbalán (ESP)
FIFA Match Commissioner: Yurii Barbash (UKR)

Group I
20:45 CET - Elbasan (Elbasan Arena)
ALBANIA - SAN MARINO 
Referee: Lukas Fähndrich (SUI)
Assistant Referee 1: Stéphane De Almeida (SUI)
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Zürcher (SUI)
Fourth Official: Sandro Schärer (SUI)
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San (SUI)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Lionel Tschudi (SUI)
FIFA Referee Assessor: Pavel Saliy (KAZ)
FIFA Match Commissioner: Nermina Hadžibajrić (BIH)

Group I
20:45 CET - Warsaw (Stadion Narodowy)
POLAND - ENGLAND 
Referee: Daniel Siebert (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel (GER) Rafael Foltyn (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn (GER) Stefan Lupp (GER) 
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager (GER) 
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Markus Sinn (GER) 
FIFA Referee Assessor: Darko Čeferin (SVN)
FIFA Match Commissioner: João Morais (POR)

Group J
20:45 CET - Skopje (National Arena Todor Proeski)
NORTH MACEDONIA - ROMANIA
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Pau Norbert Cebrian Devis (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Díaz Pérez Del Palomar (ESP)
Fourth Official: José Luis Munuera Montero (ESP) Serdar Gözübüyük (NED)
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Diego Barbero Sevilla (ESP) 
FIFA Referee Assessor: Guy Goethals (BEL)
FIFA Match Commissioner: Michael O'Brien (ENG)

Group J
20:45 CET - Reykjavik (Laugardalsvöllur)
ICELAND - GERMANY 
Referee: Andreas Ekberg (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Mehmet Culum (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan Hallberg (SWE)
Fourth Official: Mohammed Al-Hakim (SWE) 
Video Assistant Referee: Christopher Kavanagh (ENG)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sian Massey-Ellis (ENG)
FIFA Referee Assessor: Neale Barry (ENG) 
FIFA Match Commissioner: Mark Bos (NED)            

99 comments:

  1. Del Cerro got a better match than Lahoz. I don't understand...?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think Mateu got a bad match, this is the same situation as Makkelie yesterday.

      The race for second in this group is verrrrry open, with any one of four teams (MKD and ROU included) able to take the spot in the playoff.

      In addition, the first match was a borderline-very challenging tie to handle for Fábio Veríssimo - who performed strongly under the eyes of important Nicola Rizzoli.

      Delete
  2. And a great game for Siebert !!! Congratulations ! Deserved. Good luck

    ReplyDelete
  3. 7/9 Spanish referees!

    Excellent appointment for Siebert.

    ReplyDelete
  4. In Holland, Dieperink officiates the derby between Groningen and Heerenveen. This while not even being a junior referee. I'd say his fifa spot should be safe.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Praprotnik seems to have found a new team after Skomina retirement.
    This is good for Obrenović because Praprotnik has a big experience.

    ReplyDelete
  6. IMO, surprising appointment for Lechner, who didn't get much trust by UEFA in the last years. The match is quite important, with NIR having the chance to overtake SUI with a win. Most other matches with such a relevance got a referee with CL experience. E.g. Karasev's match does look less important based on the standings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lechner's career indeed seems to be very particular. In Austria's Bundesliga he is highly appreciated, also for his style of communication with players and regularly appointed for our Viennese derby but UEFA does not seem thus convinced by him. I also did not expect him for that match, also with regard to the lack of VAR experience (Austria started to apply this technology only at the beginning of the current season).

      Delete
  7. The final decision about Massa and Giacomelli has been taken: they got a suspension from 22 July to 7 September, this means that tomorrow for both of them everything will be over and they will return in serie A maybe even on next week-end. So a very soft punishment, only 1 month and a half. We are waiting now for the detailed motivations. A clear difference with the previous cases, La Penna, Pasqua and Robilotta, who got not less than 12 months at minimum. It is good for Massa, I think this story will not influence too much his career, he only wasted a month but nothing more than that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren: now we have seen with the appointments of Mariani and Guida that the committee might be focused on them. Are there still chances for Massa to become Elite referee (IIRC he was in charge to become Elite) or he will stay in first class or even demoted?

      Delete
    2. Time will say about that, for sure Massa was planned for Elite as first name after Orsato, now he must gain what he has lost in this short time. I think he can still manage that, but we have to wait and time could be longer than the expected. In normal conditions, I would have predicted him Elite on December, now I don't know. It can be also a question of reputation, it must be checked how he will restart his journey as international referee.

      Delete
    3. I think Guida doesnt have what it takes to be an elite referee, so Massa should definitely have better position. And regarding timing, the committee shouldnt make the same mistake again like with Stieler and Siebert.

      Delete
  8. If I'm not wrong the only lite referees not appointed during qualification matche son tehse days are: Grenfeld, Sidiropolous and Brych. Do you know why ?
    Coming back on Italian referees, I would say that right now there is a generational crisis and honestly speaking nobody really deserve to be promoted in Elite and maybe to attend FIFA WC22. Massa lost roughly 2 months and some steps to be promoted, so let's see how he will recover. Guida never shown an outstanding performance to be equalized to Brych, Taylor, Mateu, Skomina, Cakir, etc etc. For Mariani is till early and he needs to demonstrate his value.
    It's sad to say it because I0'm form Italy but probably a promotion will be a political choice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grinfeeld was originally appointed last week for Russia-Croatia but had to pull out because of injury. Don't know why Brych and Sidiropolous was not appointed though

      Delete
  9. Anybody know any more about Scottish referee William Collum? He was once Europe’s best but is he being used under Rosetti?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. doesnt help Willie that he doesn't have VAR in Scotland. Had OK domestic season still the odd error in him. Madden and Beaton the two coming through atm may have bigger futures

      Delete
  10. IRL-SRB yesterday (Sánchez Martínez)

    Careless, reckless or SFP? (YC given)

    https://streamable.com/zfks14

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even a protest after getting only YC for that, I can't believe.
      For me, RC to be prefereed. YC not a clear and obvious mistake so I agree with VAR, but the excessive force and the very dangerous challenge are clear!

      Delete
    2. I think that YC is better decision (75-25) so it's fine for me.

      Agree, the Irish player got a quite deserved YC for that tackle and yet he protested. I'd even say that he was kinda lucky that the referee 'stopped' him from getting a possible 2YC for dissent with his strong reaction.

      Delete
    3. Very borderline situation, but IMO not VAR stuff. Again characteristic reaction by Sanchez Martinez, interesting to see that uses his temperament also in international games :) It seems to work, which is great, as long as he does not cross the line.

      Delete
    4. I think YC is the right decision. RC would be too much for me. Also, I really like russian commentators, they seem to know a lot about football and I often agree with them. Also, they seem to respect referees (and understand that they have a tough job)

      Delete
    5. Clear yellow, perfect Sanchez.

      Delete
    6. No SFP for me. High intensity, but low foot, not much contact and focus on the ball.

      Delete
    7. IMO it's a YC, the IRL player takes a big risk there but he aims to play the ball, the contact itself also doesn't justify a sending-off for me. Difficult to say that he clearly endangers the opponent's health.

      Im more concerned about the excessive dissent afterwards.
      2ndYC would be sufficient IMO.

      Delete
  11. OT: Well the time has come. For the first time we will have female referee as main referee in Croatian top league this weekend. Ivana Martincic (UEFA Elite) will officiate Gorica-H.Dragovoljac and will be assisted by Goran Pataki and Sanja Rodjak-Karsic (internationaly most experienced Croatian ARs), Ivan Bebek is appointed as VAR.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Finally! Good luck to Ivana Martincic and her team.

      Delete
  12. The very interesting case in NOR - GIB.
    Video:
    https://streamable.com/b6g3m6
    As Philipp said, and I agree, most of VARs wouldn't have maybe intervened, but my question is the following.
    What about the change of decision?
    In this case, it can't be anything related to perception because referee was aware and could see that player was in that position with arm used as support.
    So this intervention by VAR in my opinion is rather caused by a different idea in referees mind, VAR believes that the arm in that position is natural position, but this should have been assessed by referee on the field at first glance?
    Hope you understand what I mean, these are situations in which I more and more notice that VAR will be never a perfect tool for such incidents, and most of the referees just accept the correction without really believing in it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How do you know what the referee said to VAR room? Maybe he thought that the ball hit the upper arm? Maybe he said that he saw a clear movement towards the ball? Anyway, it would have been clear and obvious mistake to whistle this as pk because the arm position was not punishable, so very good intervention.

      I can understand your point of view, but IMO it is rather wrong. Clear and obvious mistake does not imply no contact at all.

      Delete
    2. I think, clear mistakes should lead to an intervention, even if the referee had a good and correct perception.
      That's surely a difficult task for the VAR, but if he strongly thinks, that the referee made a mistake in his interpretation, he should advise an OFR and give the referee a 2nd chance.

      Delete
    3. IMO excellent decision and OFR. The contact with the arm can be justified by the defender's movement, as he is in an dynamic slide movement.
      Speculating about the VAR intervention's reason is not sufficient in those scenes IMO, because everything depends on the perception, but it sounds reasonable for me that the referee thought the upper arm (that actively move towards the ball) hit the ball.

      Delete
    4. As I wrote on my first post, for me it's also clearly the supporting arm. I can see Chefren's point about perception though, but I still think there was enough evidence to show the decision was wrong. It may well be the upper arm that made Neokleous whistle the penalty as Forlan and Filip pointed out. For me, correct VAR intervention

      Delete
  13. My predictions for CL with VAR in Brackets
    YB-MU: EKBERG (Lindhout)
    SEV-SAL: MADDEN (Kavanagh)
    DKV-BEN: GRINFEELD (Dingert)
    LIL-WOB: JOVANOVIC (Valeri)
    MAL-JUV: GIL MANZANO (Martinez Munuera)
    CHE-ZEN: STIELER (Dankert)
    BES-DOR: MAKKELIE (Manschot)
    SHE-SHK: KABAKOV (Di Bello)
    BAR-BAY: CAKIR (Palabyik)
    BRU-PAR: KARASEV (Meshkov)
    MC-RBL: HATEGAN (Kovacs)
    ATM-POR: TURPIN (mILLOT)
    LIV-MIL: BRYCH (Fritz)
    SCP-AJX: COLLUM (Pawson)
    INT-RMD: MARCINIAK (Gil)

    does it make sense for you ?
    Mateu, Orsato, Taylor, Vinci and Del Cerro for the top clashes of the 2nd MD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you want to compare, in this thread, there are already other predictions:
      http://law5-theref.blogspot.com/2021/09/202122-fifa-wc-european-qualifiers_5.html#comment-form

      Makkelie probably can't do that match with Ajax in the group and I don't think Kovacs will work as VAR.
      Otherwise your predictions make sense, I think.

      Delete
    2. Crucial mistake !!!! makkelie can't manage BES-BVB due to Ajax presence you are right. So I would swap him with Turpin:
      BES-BVB Turpin
      ATLM- POR Makkelie

      Yeah I out my prediction here because this is the most recent chat; I was afraid if the previous one was forgotten

      Delete
  14. Is Cristopher Kavannah injured? He hasn’t officiated any match in the PL this season as well as this international break except appearing as VAR.

    ReplyDelete
  15. The "highlight" of Youth League MD1 appointments is Giorgi Kruashvili for Besiktas - Borussia Dortmund. https://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/match/2033503--besiktas-vs-dortmund/matchinfo/
    Quite surprising, I must say, we could have expected him rather in Conference League if not in Europa League, but maybe he will get another game on MD2.
    We will see how committee will manage the three competitions group stage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Im almost sure he will participate in Conference league, along with other candidates for promotion.

      Delete
  16. ARM - LIE
    OFR for Duje Strukan (CRO).
    https://streamja.com/Zp2zw
    Cler and obvious mistake?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IMO no OFR would be better.

      Delete
    2. IMO it is a clear foul - a combination of kicking and tripping. Maybe the attacker goes down a bit too easy, the contact clearly is caused by the defender.

      Delete
    3. Pk seems preferred decision, but unfortunately I wasnt watching the whole game so I dont know overall criteria (15 fouls in total sounds rather lenient) . In some situations maybe supportable, but out of context - foul.

      Delete
    4. In general it was an extremely interesting sequence with that penalty after OFR (if you watch all the images, the last one at the RRA shows a clear penalty), a caution for kicking the pitch's penalty spot, and then a potential double touch at the penalty scoring, cleared by VAR.

      I had to nip out for the last ten minutes and when I can watch the end of the match, I'll report back with clips / analysis.

      Delete
    5. Yeah, I think correct OFR. Liechtenstein #18 clearly sticks his leg out to stop Mkhitaryan. Clear foul IMO

      Delete
  17. Dutch Referee Serdar Gözübüyük replaced Jose Luis Munuera Montero as Fourth Official between North Macedonia against Romania.

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  18. VAR confirms onside from Gnabry with 1-0. Difficult to see for AR2 who decided to just offside.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Tricky start for Seibert. Had a couple boundary decisions that went wrong plus he's had to judge two or three borderline reckless challenges.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hungary - Andorra, penalty by Obrenović, confirmed by VAR.
    https://streamja.com/RAvnM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Clearly correct - the guilty player also accepted it immediately.

      Delete
    2. A clear penalty, absolutely correct!
      However Obrenović has some problems with free kick managment in a few situations.
      Even his running style/positioning is a bit strange. He is sometimes jumping like a rabbit.

      Delete
  21. In Poland-England Stefan Lupp replaces Jan Seidel now as AR2. Rafael Foltyn is AR1.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Philipp had indeed reported that Seidel was injured, if I'm not wrong.
      So this appointment had been made without knowing that he was not available? Strange...

      Delete
    2. Yes, Seidel hasn't done a Bundesliga match this season (his last match was a 3rd round EL qualifier) and was replaced in two play-off appointments, so I assumed an injury or illness.
      Maybe he planned his comeback for today, but then couldn't do it.

      Delete
  22. 24‘ dangerous stamp by Northern Irish plader in SUI-NIR. Lechner gave YC supported by VAR. OK not to intervene but I think these kind of attacks should be punished with a RC

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now crystal clear penalty but well spotted by Lechner (pushing/holding during a cross). But for me mandatory 2YC missed

      Delete
    2. @24': Yes, a RC is possible, but for me a YC is completely fine there.
      @32': IMO not "crystal clear" (at least from the replays, which were shown), but certainly supportable. The question is, whether for an off-the-ball incident the foul needs to be more blatant for a penalty.
      YC is not neccessary IMO, because it is neither SPA nor reckless nor unsporting behaviour.

      Delete
    3. Maybe my comments sounded a bit harsh: While I still think the 2SYC should have been given at the penalty, I‘m fine with only yellow 24‘. In general I‘m satisfied with Lechner so far: Good foul detection and disciplinary control (besides the penalty scene IMO). I especially like his communication skills.

      Delete
  23. Crikey. Siebert is going to have his hands fall in the second half

    ReplyDelete
  24. GRE-SWE Karasev (Meshkov)

    2 incidents

    12' Karasev whistles a penalty for Greece but AR2 flags for offside. VAR confirms the offside.

    74' Greece scores the 2-0. AR1 flags for offside. VAR confirms the goal.

    I will try to post the videos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The wrongly disallowed goal:
      https://streamja.com/aXMRe

      Delete
    2. And the annulled penalty due to correct AR2 offside call.
      https://streamja.com/4W6Ad
      Karasev very focused and concentrated, spotted the foul.
      He could have waited for a while, but basically this is in my opinion another signal that he is alert, in good form.

      Delete
    3. But is the foul that clear? The fall of the attacker doesn't really seem to be connected to the kick, so maybe one of the soft penalties, which UEFA doesn't like?

      Delete
    4. That shouldn’t be a penalty no matter what. And the assistant clearly raised the flag before the whistle. He should have noticed it was offside so there wouldn’t be confusing unless the AR forgot to communicate.

      Other than that, Karasev was very good.

      Delete
    5. I should also have mentioned the very long review on GRE 2-0. Meshkov was checking the offside call for about 5' before finally changing the decision to goal.

      Definitely UEFA won't be satisfied with that.

      Delete
  25. IMO, good game POLENG for Siebert, future Elite referee :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Missed a Clear RC for Glik for pinching Walker's neck at the end of the first half, VAR should have got involved.

      Delete
    2. Sorry, if Glik should give RC, Maguire should give RC too, because he was very agressive :)

      Delete
  26. Quiet evening for Ekberg in ISL-GER. Just two incidents to mention.

    4' - 1-0 Germany: AR2 flags for offside, VAR changes decision to goal.
    33' - YC for 8-ISL, Potential RC for SFP? VAR was checking for quite some time, game continued without intervention.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dominik :) here are those two incidents:

      4' - https://streamable.com/04csg7
      32' - https://streamable.com/g0wfmn

      The latter scene will be assessed as correctly solved with a yellow card because Bjarnason pulled out, RAP 7 probably.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for the videos Mikael :)

      Just thought I'd add the following two incidents now as well as they might be interesting for some users. But I think they are quite clear and correctly assesed by Ekberg and team :)

      63' - Goal for Germany disallowed for offside
      89' - 4-0 Germany, Possible offside from Havertz? Again, Kavanagh checked for over a minute but I think it's quite clear, so not too sure what took so long.

      Delete
    3. A referee must avoid spitting on the field of play (footage timer 0:59 and match timer 4:42)

      Delete
  27. Does anyone know the protocol of futsal video support system?

    I've heard some news, but I can't find the protocol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/futsalworldcup/lithuania2021/news/video-support-to-debut-at-fifa-futsal-world-cup-lithuania-2021tm

      "It will be released closer to tournament".
      But indeed, still nothing so far. Let's wait.

      Delete
    2. https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/38593b0baec14eb1/original/Futsal-World-Cup-2021-Video-Support-Protocol-EN.pdf

      Delete
  28. Siebert was dreadful last night…..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And the hours before on the pitch?

      Delete
    2. Sorry, disagree. Besides the three wrong boundary calls in the first fifteen minutes, another very good performance by the German referee.

      Delete
    3. I beg to differ Mikael. I believe he missed a clear YC against the Polish #7 minutes after he booked Phillips for a near equivalent tackle. Also his management of Grealish was poor in my view. One the one hand Grealish was a constant target of Polish fouls with no intervention from Siebert, on the other hand he he tolerated his persistent dissent (almost after every decision by the 2nd half).

      I wouldn’t go as far as dreadful, but disappointing after his EURO performances.

      Delete
  29. Armenia vs. Liechtenstein || Duje Strukan [VAR: Fran Jović]

    Video clips:

    +46' - https://streamable.com/pcrigt

    Full HL - https://fromsmash.com/armliestrukanjovic


    Big Decisions:

    The crucial refereeing sequence of the game for the officials, +46’, where the Croatian officials had three incidents to sort out.

    Penalty call: not totally cut-and-dry, but for me quite correct; defender doesn’t play the ball and impedes the progress who at first wants to run and only falls of his own accord when his progress is impeded. Penalty is clearly the correct call for me.

    ^ Intervention: Strukan’s play on call was more of a ‘passive’ one, rather than with clear gestures having assessed the incident. The ref had a long conversation with Jović before the OFR, I guess clarifying perception etc., so I think this intervention was correct. The choice of replays, initially at least, wasn’t the best at the RRA.

    Scuffing the FoP: having been a little bit mobbed after awarding the penalty, Strukan then cautioned LIE no.8 for unsportingly kicking at the penalty spot. Croatian referee did enough here.

    Double touch? : slow this video down to ¼ speed (https://streamable.com/hhyxy6). Admittedly there are divots on the pitch, but I can’t really see how this isn’t a case of a double touch in reality. HOWEVER, Rosetti and UEFA are very clear - only intervene when there is CLEAR EVIDENCE. I guess the evidence here is just too ambiguous, so on-field call (goal) stands).


    Managing the Game:

    Good performance by Duje Strukan. He operated the EURO-style minimalist approach to sanctions, and delivered this game without any issues. Croatian ref presented a ‘tidy’, unobstrusive impression, just getting on with his job in this match. My mark would be 7 / 7,9(4).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In my opinion the penalty is not a clear and obvious mistake, I rather think in Italy this wouldn't be called by VAR, only supported, in all cases. Defender clearly impedes the attacker, but when the contact is not direct (I mean defender clearly hitting attacker) is always difficult to expect an OFR, I would even say that this OFR is something not in line with the UEFA VAR handling. For the same reason, I didn't see the missed intervention in SWE - ESP (Taylor possible penalty) as clear mistake by VAR. But we will now know more in both CL and EL games. Will Rosetti confirm the same strict instructions given for EURO? With more refereeing teams and VARs from different countries, it will be difficult.

      About the rest, players quite frustrated after the penalty decision, correct YC to LIE player. The double touch is in my opinion impossible to verify with a 100% evidence, so I agree with VAR, no intervention.

      Delete
    2. @Mikael W
      Thank you so much for this analysis. I agree with your judgement of the pk situation.
      2
      @Chefren
      Do you think that rules and practices from EURO should apply in the same form to all UEFA competitions?

      It could be argued that it is not in line with that particular VAR criteria, but 1) big tournaments are always a bit different and 2) some situations might have motivated/ motivate Rosetti&CO to redefine some instructions.

      And in Italy, I admit that last season I havent seen many games, but I remember "pre-covid" season and some interventions that were hardly clear and obvious mistakes.

      Delete
  30. Aytekin's mentioned incident in the latter stages of FRA - FIN.
    https://streamja.com/2zqjb
    VAR supported NO PENALTY.
    Decisive moment for assessing the contact caused by Pogba: 1:35.
    Attacker makes a natural movement and he is hit from behind by the French. Not a deliberate act, but of course still punishable.
    In this case I could agree not enough for VAR, but what about the contact with keeper then?
    Very difficult case for VAR!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IMO penalty would be correct here. The attacker wants to skilfully run around the GK who is out of the goal and is then impeded due to the contact with the defender.
      The situation is quite unclear/confusing, so I doubt that Aytekin had a clear perception.. OFR would be sufficient for me.

      Delete
    2. I think the contact from Pogba is not enough for a VARint for UEFA and I also think it's not a foul from Lloris, because he gets a touch on the ball. Now, often if there is a little foul from two players at the same time (aka sandwich), the expectation is a PK. But I think no intervention was correct.

      Delete
  31. News

    https://www.ligue1.fr/Articles/ACTU/2021/09/08/arbitres-echanges-l1-ligue-portugal

    ReplyDelete
  32. Andres Cunha was back in action today after almost two years frozen out from the International scene by Seneme… I would say not for once did he look out of place, he was so good!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Youth League appointments:

    Tuesday September 14th

    11:30 Sevilla - Salzburg
    Referee: Peter Kralovic (SVK)
    AR1: Milan Strbo (SVK)
    AR2: Patrik Kmec (SVK)
    FO: Manuel Jesús Orellana Cid (ESP)

    14:00 Young Boys - Manchester United
    Referee: Aristotelis Diamantopoulos (GRE)
    AR1: Andreas Meintanas (GRE)
    AR2: Konstantinos Psarris (GRE)
    FO: Mirel Turkes (SUI)

    14:00 LOSC - Wolfsburg
    Referee: Igor Pajac (CRO)
    AR1: Bojan Zobenica (CRO)
    AR2: Ivan Mihalj (CRO)
    FO: Bastien Dechepy (FRA)

    14:00 Chelsea - Zenit
    Referee: Robert Hennessy (IRL)
    AR1: Eoin Harte (IRL)
    AR2: Christopher Campbell (IRL)
    FO: John Busby (ENG)

    15:00 Dynamo Kyiv - Benfica
    Referee: Dumitru Muntean (MDA)
    AR1: Vadim Vicol (MDA)
    AR2: Denis Borisov (MDA)
    FO: Klym Zabroda (UKR)

    15:00 Malmö - Juventus
    Referee: Iwan Arwel Griffith (WAL)
    AR1: Johnathon Bryant (WAL)
    AR2: Ashley Davis (WAL)
    FO: Adi Aganovic (SWE)

    16:00 Barcelona - Bayern
    Referee: David Coote (ENG)
    AR1: Nick Hopton (ENG)
    AR2: James Mainwaring (ENG)
    FO: David López Jiménez (ESP)

    16:00 Villarreal - Atalanta
    Referee: Ivaylo Stoyanov (BUL)
    AR1: Georgi Todorov (BUL)
    AR2: Petar Dzhuganski (BUL)
    FO: Iván Muñoz Pérez (ESP)


    Wednesday 15th September

    11:00 Sheriff - Shakhtar
    Referee: Luca Barbeno (SMR)
    AR1: Ernesto Cristiano (SMR)
    AR2: Laura Cordani (SMR)
    FO: Ion Orlic (MDA)

    12:00 Atlético de Madrid - Porto
    Referee: Antti Munukka (FIN)
    AR1: Sami Nykänen (FIN)
    AR2: Olli Jantunen (FIN)
    FO: Manuel Ángel Pérez Hernández (ESP)

    12:00 Sporting CP - Ajax
    Referee: Jonathan Lardot (BEL)
    AR1: Florian Lemaire (BEL)
    AR2: Romain Devilliers (BEL)
    FO: Flavio Dinis Lima (POR)

    13:00 Besiktas - BVB
    Referee: Giorgi Kruashvili (GEO)
    AR1: Levan Varamishvili (GEO)
    AR2: Zaza Pipia (GEO)
    FO: Çagdas Altay (TUR)

    14:00 Liverpool - Milan
    Referee: Rohit Saggi (NOR)
    AR1: Geir Isaksen (NOR)
    AR2: Kristoffer Gullhav (NOR)
    FO: Benjamin Speedie (ENG)

    15:00 Brugge - PSG
    Referee: Aleksandrs Anufrijevs (LVA)
    AR1: Denis Sevcenko (LVA)
    AR2: Jevgenijs Morozovs (LVA)
    FO: Jordy Vermeire (BEL)

    16:00 Man City - Leipzig
    Referee: Mads-Kristoffer Kristoffersen (DEN)
    AR1: Dennis Rasmussen (DEN)
    AR2: Steffen Bramsen (DEN)
    FO: James Bell (ENG)

    16:00 Internazionale - Real Madrid
    Referee: Horatiu Fesnic (ROU)
    AR1: Marius Badea (ROU)
    AR2: Ferencz Tunyogy (ROU)
    FO: Alessandro Prontera (ITA)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Observers:

      Sevilla - Salzburg
      Bernardino González Vázquez (ESP)

      Young Boys - Manchester United
      Andreas Schluchter (SUI)

      LOSC - Wolfsburg
      Stéphane Lannoy (FRA)

      Chelsea - Zenit
      Michael Riley (ENG)

      Dynamo Kyiv - Benfica
      Viktor Shvetsov (UKR)

      Malmoe - Juventus
      Jens Larsen (DEN)

      Barcelona - Bayern
      Luis Medina Cantalejo (ESP)

      Villarreal - Atalanta
      David Fernández Borbalán (ESP)

      Sheriff - Shakhtar
      Nicolae Grigorescu (ROU)

      Atlético Madrid - Porto
      Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP)

      Sporting - Ajax
      Joao Francisco Lopes Ferreira (POR)

      Besiktas - Borussia Dortmund
      Orhan Erdemir (TUR)

      Liverpool - Milan
      Stephen Lodge (ENG)

      Brugge - PSG
      Guy Goethals (BEL)

      Manchester CIty - Leipzig
      Iain Robertson Brines (SCO)

      Internazionale - Real Madrid
      Stefan Messner (AUT)

      So, mostly local observers, as it was before COVID times, but I would say now even more standardized. Only a very few exceptions, from close countries. Munukka with Velasco in Madrid is surely the most interesting observation.
      In Moldova, a team from San Marino with Laura Cordani AR2, she was referee for Italian association then she decided to join San Marino. I read that she is referee for futsal and assistant referee for football.

      Delete
    2. Why do you regard Munukka's observation as an interesting one? The Finn was invited to the U17 tournament in 2010 where he handled the final. After that he was appointed for four Europa League matches, the last of them in 2013. I don't think that UEFA has big plans with him, Carlos Velasco Carballo seems rather the preferred choice because he is from Madrid (and obviously available).

      Delete
    3. Yes Peter, I meant only for the prestige of the involved observer (said with respect for all the others), nothing more, but indeed he is there only because from Madrid.
      The train for Munukka has passed, he had many chances to make a step but nothing followed.

      Delete
  34. VAR in Leverkusen-Dortmund, what a mess. 1-2 ruled out because of a foul that happened almost a minute before the goal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If the foul is clear and in the APP that led to goal, time can be even longer than a minute. Knowing German VARs and their very rare interventions, this must have been something very blatant, I guess.

      Delete
    2. It really didn't influence the attack because it wasn't really the same attack.

      Delete
    3. This doesn't matter, the principle is to punish the fact of having gained (kept) the possession of the ball, thank to that foul.

      Delete
    4. Now I'm watching the game and I find absolutely correct the OFR made by Siebert for assigning a penalty to Borussia Dortmund.
      An unintentional but reckless hit by arm on opponent's face in penalty area. I think player didn't want to do that, never a violent conduct but foul must be punished.

      Delete
  35. Poor performance by Valerio Marini and his team in Atalanta-Fiorentina, third crucial mistake and OFR so far (65').

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To be honest I disagree with the OFR in 65’. It’s the attacker putting his leg in the line of movement of the defender. Defender doesn’t have a chance to avoid the contact IMO.
      I do have doubts concerning the YC to Bonaventura in the added time of first half. IMO there was a violent conduct instead of a reckless foul and Bonaventura should have been sent off for using the arm/elbow as a weapon.

      Delete

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