It is okay to break into the referee's room, threaten the officials and even break a linesman's flag - so long as you are a member of UEFA's Executive Committee. Don't expect any backing from UEFA when you make a controversial decision which was directly informed by the guidelines they issued to the referees at the winter course, either. And, of course, please do not be stupid enough to rightly report the transgressing powerful people - you can wave goodbye to a deserved Champions League final in that case.
A flagrantly anti-referees President, a poor Chief Refereeing Officer who manages you (at best) very weakly, the huge absense of a proper performance principle and the (in my opinion, crazy) CONCACAF-esque guidelines the referees have been ordered to implement to liven up their often sterile games: UEFA should be thankful merely if their top referees don't walk out on them when they meet in Frankfurt next month to prepare for the new season.
Motivating them for future tasks will be no small feat at all. If I could offer them one piece of practical advice: if in doubt, always better to decide in favour of the Italian teams and Paris Saint-Germain. And most certainly, in their position, I would not be reporting Nasser Al-Khelaifi to the authorities - who was today found exonerated of any wrongdoing, with the only punishment going to now-departed Leonardo, after the Real Madrid vs. Paris match - any time soon.
Hi Mikael, I fully agree with your statement. This is nothing more than a scandalous decision of UEFA, showing lack of support to their (TOP) referees. We have seen that approach before with Cakir. With Kuipers in the ref committee we can now underline that compatriots have no advantages. In fact, Kuipers will lie low to succeed the throne.
ReplyDeleteI’d love to know Collina’s opinion on this matter. He remained free from any accusations during his career, just by being objective and impeccable, despite of some powerful people.
ReplyDeleteAfter his career, he can look at himself in the mirror as a honorable man. I can just hope and pray that honesty and objectivity will always succeed!
Totaly agree with this statement. A big scandal.
ReplyDeleteNot surprising at all. Scandalous.
ReplyDeleteNext season, it will be interesting to monitor the following aspects:
- UEFA referees taking controversial decisions in favor of Italian teams and PSG.
- Makkelie’s appointments within UEFA. IMO he got a different ‘treatment’ after the RMA-PSG (e.g. a QF conference league).
- Is the FIFA referees committee, incl. Pierluigi Collina, fully independent from ‘mr. Qatar’ or can the latter influence any referee appointments during the World Cup 2022?
I'm not trying to hook it, I could say this is a different matter but it still confound me. I don't know why I think this is the latest scandal from Qatar's money politics... the referee appointed for the AFC U23 final (according Wikipedia) came from Qatar, 32 y.o Salman Al Falahi even though the final are meet one team from Arab World (UZB - KSA), I don't understand why the AFC did not appoint referees from other regions (in this case outside of Arab World and Central Asia). We can see track record of this tournament, on 2020 final edition KOR - KSA, referee Chris Beath (AUS); 2018 VIE - UZB Ahmed Al-Kaf (OMA); 2016 KSA - JPN Abdulrahman Al Jassim (Qatar); 2013 KSA - IRQ Mohamed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed (UAE). If this true, for me it is very strange appoinment even though in official list there is Ma Ning, 42 y.o (CHN) who in 2018 should have been in charge of the final but at the last second was replaced by Ahmed Al- Kaf (OMA), someone said that Ma Ning was replaced because the host was already China, which is it doesn't make sense.
ReplyDeleteSalman Ahmad Falahi even I have never heard of his name in other competitions like ACL and AFC Cup even the Asian Cup he has never been there, I hope Wikipedia is wrong
DeleteI have high hopes that at least Collina is independent from all the powerhouses. Quality and correct decisions should always prevail.
ReplyDeleteSomething else I found remarkable: Netherlands is in same group as Qatar. Makkelie can't officiate Qatar and the be honest, this is one of the weaker groups. These are never coincidences, if you ask me...
If I were Makkelie, I would lower my expectations at the WC a bit though, after what happened this season. And I can see Netherlands go far at the WC as well.
Do you remember Faghani being out from the final only because of his nationality? I don't think the refereeing is free from politics anywhere.
DeleteOnly because of his nationality, where I can find the confirmation of that statement?
DeleteTrue. Normally, Makkelie’s final chances are zero after what happened (and without a CL final experience).
DeleteFaghani had a great WC with 4 great matches, deserved the final and could leave Russia with his head held high. I can just hope that Makkelie and his team will achieve the same: a few top assignments & perform extremely well. That would be the ultimate ’revenge’, if you ask me. He is too good to be used on some dead rubber.
I think they will use Makkelie in Qatar on something (extremely) challenging.
DeleteWe know that Rosetti uses this strategy to burn the final chances of referees, in order to keep his favorite under the radar. However, under Collina, it is a big compliment to referees when they are appointed to something very tough or sensitive. Collina is not afraid to over-use referees or to expose a potential final ref to something challenging. Quality is leading and a final must be earned.
True. We remember Clattenburg appointed everywhere in 2016, Collina no afraid of exposing referees.
DeleteToday UEFA heads of refereeing are weak.
Pitana made the final because he was and is the strongest of all. And Faghani rightly made a semi-final
DeleteClattenburg was in top form at that time and obviously the Commissioner used him for everything he could. That's normal.
DeleteFaghani got the match for 3th-4th place. I wish he got a semi :)
Deleteyes, sorry. Let's say that the Uruguayan was the surprise nobody expected. The Iranian could have been there.
Delete"Pitana made the final because he was and is the strongest of all."
DeleteI disagree. I can tell you at least 3 referees stronger than him....
Danny, Desmond, and Makkelie?
DeleteNeck to neck between Pitana and Faghani at the time, the other I think from UEFA was Bjorn Kuipers, @edward who the others 3 referees stronger than Pitana at WC'18?
DeleteMažić
DeleteThese are opinions, not certainties. My opinion is as good as yours. For me Pitana had and has no competition, for you it does not. I respect your idea. I agree that Faghani did a great world championship.
DeleteRicci, Faghani, Cakir and Kuipers.
DeleteFun fact: Nasser El-Khelaifi stated in media that football should become more entertaining.
ReplyDeleteWell, RMA-PSG was one of the most entertaining matches this season IMO. And not just because of the scoreline. Mostly because of the referee who dared to play football, didn’t whistle soft contacts, kept the pace high, wasn’t impressed by theatrics, dissents, anything or anyone, and took a brave decision which was in line with the foul detection in the entire game. Eat that.
Many Elite referees would have lost control or simply cannot handle such high pressure games.
Totally agree Mikael. This has become nothing short of a scandal and the Referee Committee does not even want to support their top referees during this. Not surprised that it took this long to get an actual "investigation" result out of this incident. The worse thing about it is that the disciplinary result was buried in the middle of the release from UEFA on a Friday evening (hoping to be not noticed).
ReplyDeleteThough happy to hear that Declan Rice has been banned for two UEFA matches about his comments against Gil Manzano after West Ham Utd v Eintracht in UEL SF. I wish he got a longer suspension to set a precedence against future referee abuse.
Of course I agree with Mikael and what he wrote, simply can't believe that this is the only decision, one match of suspension for Leonardo, after all happened and reported. I must admit that I have been always a very naive person, but now connecting all the elements, to be honest, I understand why Makkelie didn't get CL final and in my opinion this wasn't a technical decision, rather, committee didn't have the courage to appoint him after PSG - Real Madrid facts. Even more particular because the final was played in Paris. At least one should have expected a by far more severe punishment for all involved people... but not even that, and this is another clear signal if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteClement Turpin must be the LUCKIEST referee of this era.
ReplyDeleteHe was promoted to the Elite category on a VERY young age.
Turpin was never blocked by an older countryman, as Lannoy suffered injuries. He never really had a serious competition in France.
Turpin was invited to EURO 2016 because it was organized in France and there had to be a French referee amongst the happy ones.
Turpin was invited to the WC 2018 as CR, again at a relatively young age, while e.g. Orsato, Makkelie and others were (again) blocked by a more experienced countryman.
The invitation to the WC 2018 was a close call, but hey, it helps a lot if you are from a big football nation.
Turpin got the CL final 2022: in his HOME country, despite he never refereed a semi-final Champions League, despite not being the best performing referee last season, and top of everything: just one year after his EL final. How much LUCK can one guy have? :)
And guess what, he will also referee the WC final 2022. The French national team sucks and there are very strong signals towards him in 2022 - Turpin firstly invited to the FIFA CWC, then a CL final, and the French are probably very hungry to finally have a main referee in a WC final. 1+1 = …
Turpin is a Sundays child. Yes, born on a Sunday.
He obviously works very hard, I respect him, but it has to be said: he has been extremely lucky by the circumstances over the past years.
Oh, and I hate politics and Rosetti is a weak manager and doesn’t have a backbone. You almost get the impression that Makkelie was “punished” after RMA-PSG by taking a correct decision. He got an assignment in the QF Conference League, and meanwhile, e.g. Siebert got ATM-MCI in a return game. Are you kidding me? What’s going on guys?
Don't you think Turpin does everything you said because he is talented and not lucky?
ReplyDeleteTalent alone is not enough, can't you see the talent and potential of Makkelie which is much bigger than Turpin, I think with UEFA and Mr. Qatar spent Turpin's "ration" completely before he was in the golden age of refereeing (early 40s), Turpin will run out and can be like Cakir at the end of his career later. In the other hand I'm also sure Turpin won't get the World Cup final, it's too big and too obvious, it's very silly if those in power force it especially after Turpin's blunder in ENG - HUN. For me Orsato is much more likely if the final referee is from UEFA (not because of his nationality but more to his age).
Delete2014 the referee was Italian (:
DeleteSorry if we include that factor, so Orsato seems impossible. I think if we look at WC '18 no English referee for the first time in many years, is it possible for Taylor lead WC final (let say like a compensation)?
Delete@ Pita falta: talent is not enough. Luck is also an important aspect. According to rumours, Hategan was one of the strong competitors for a UEFA final this year. If he didn't get sick, and he did get a final, it wouldn't be Kovacs.
DeleteIf Turpin is already the nr.1 in France at the age of 34 (and he wasn't that good back then!) because his compatriot was forced to retire, that is incredibly young. That's called luck or his 'competition' is very weak....
Daniele Orsato is a great referee, IMO better than Turpin in 2018, but he was blocked by his countryman.
Makkelie was also blocked by a countryman who didn't retire before the age of 47th !
I think that Orsato will get a semi final at the World Cup. Indeed, the Italians had a referee in the WC final of 2014. And like Cakir in 2014 and 2018, Orsato is fully independent as his country does not play any role. FIFA can appoint Orsato to two matches in group stage and then keep him away from spotlight for a semi final. Sure bet.
DeleteLuck is part of success, it can open up certain career paths but then if you are not good the playing field presents the bill. And Turpin proved he could hold his own in Paris a few weeks ago, that he could hold his own in the Russian World Cup
DeleteOf course I have no certainty but I am convinced that Hategan would not have been on the ground in Paris even without the mishap that befell him and from which I hope he can recover. I am also convinced that Kovacs' formidable capabilities would have been evident to all even with Hategan's operational presence. And I close by firmly stating that Turpin would have gone the same route even if he had a French competitor. I cannot be certain of that but neither can you of the contrary
DeleteThe question is not Orsato or others for the Final. The focus is uefa referee for the final? In this case in my opinion Orsato (not Italia at WC) for sure. No Turpin (France National team too) no Makkelie it’s too early less experience than Orsato. I don’t see others in Uefa.
DeleteI have my idea, final to Elfath.
DeleteCome on Pita. If France had a top ref in 2016 or in 2018, like Rizzoli, Kuipers or Clattenburg, Turpin would be ‘blocked’ and not invited for sure. Waiting until his fellow countryman would retire.
DeleteTurpin is incredibly lucky that the level of refereeing in France has been mediocre for years.
Turpin is a very good referee, but he has a lot of luck during his career, we must admit that. Of course he worked hard and has a lot of talent but we can`t deny how important the luck was in his career. And if you want to talk about luck, then look at Hategan, who might be the most unlucky referee ever.
Delete@pita falta 13:43 No one said that Hategan was planned for the UCL final in Paris, but for the UEL final, and this seemed very possible. Not sure is Kovacs was planned to go this far this season but I feel that the answer is rather no. Probably a UCL qf could have come anyway, but the UCL sf and the UECL final came because of a great performance in the previous game in my opinion. And partially because of the lack of options. Now Rosetti found a very good, fully trustable referee sooner than expected. And as a reward for the trust he received, Kovacs delivered a masterclass in Man City-Real Madrid, one of the best game of the century, which had a great referee. Now he will be in Qatar and has great prospects for the future, everything is possible.
Faghani is my choice for the WC final. He has all the qualities required for this, there is no need to say more. If UEFA, then Taylor is favourite for me. We know that Collina like Oliver but this does not necessary mean that he dislikes Taylor. Turpin is 2nd favourite but I hope that we will not see him in the final, objectively speaking there are better choices available. I do not see neither the Orsato or Makkelie scenarios happening because of 2014 WC and 2020 Euro. Do not forget about Lahoz, I would see him up for this in case of a good tournament. Marciniak, Vincic, Kovacs are black horses.
Did mark clattenburg leave referees committee in Greece and will be the chairman of referees committee in Egypt?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately not yet. The worst president of ref committee ever been in Greece.
DeleteI totally agree with Anonymous. Even worst than Pereira.
DeleteI really hope that he takes the position in Egypt.
Fifa seminar for wc 2022 referees from uefa began today in Madrid
ReplyDeleteDo you know where you can get news of the Fifa Seminar, will they make an article that anyone knows?
DeleteWhy andres matonte Uruguay and rapallini Argentina not be in fifa seminar in Paraguay in the first of this june for wc ?
ReplyDeleteMaybe illness?
DeleteI dont think that it makes ANY sense to guess the names of the final-ref in Qatar already. My trust in Collina taking this decision according to the performances there AND the experience-level is unbroken. Really!
ReplyDelete