Sunday 18 December 2022

Szymon Marciniak to referee World Cup Final Argentina - France (discussion)

Polish referee Szymon Marcinik is at the pinnacle of his career, ready to officiate the World Cup final, Argentina - France. We wish him and his crew good luck!


Game 64 - Lusail (16:00 CET)
ARGENTINA - FRANCE
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Pawel Sokolnicki (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL) (POL)
Fourth Official: Ismail Elfath (USA) 
Reserve Assistant Referee: Kathryn Nesbitt (USA)
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Juan Soto (VEN)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Kyle Atkins (USA)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Fernando Guerrero (MEX)
Standby Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Corey Parker (USA)

221 comments:

  1. Good luck to Szymon and his team :)

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  2. Best of Luck to Szymon Marciniak. Hopefully we are gonna see a well respected referee with good decisions.

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  3. I have enjoying reading this blog in the last few years. However, I find many people here have a very strong bias on AFC and CAF referees (maybe I should say non-uefa referees, but AFC and CAF are the most obvious ones). It was so so so disgusting to see all the terrible words toward AI-Jassim yesterday. It is not his fault! It is a fault from the committee. Another funny thing is, some people said AI-Jassim did a good job in USA-Wales, after yesterday's performance, they said AI-Jassim was not good in USA-Wales. What a joke!

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    1. How is it fault from commitee? He had teribble game, how can you say it wasnt his fault LMAO

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    2. I will not comment on your arguments because It wastes my time. Just continue the bias on AFC and CAF referees from people like you.

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  4. Before this final begins I would like to say thank you to everyone who participates on this blog for enhancing this world cup experience! It's been great to read everybody's opinions and views. I especially thank the blog management as well as all those who disagreed respectfully with each other!

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  5. OT: What a ride! I've been following the World Cup since '86, and this was by far and away the most enjoyable for me. So many upsets, and so many interesting (to be generous ; ) referee performances! And following the matches and performances on this blog while watching the matches made it that much more enjoyable. Because, yes, we all are invested in the referee profession and want to see the best possible performances, but there is also a comradarie here, whether we are here to improve our own refereeing at whatever level or just like to kibbitz or both, we all share this interest. And just as surfers are in search of the endless summer and that perfect wave, perhaps on the field or on the viewing screen, we are all in search of that highly elusive and mythical perfect match for a referee. And because to err is human and refereeing is literally one of the most challenging of professions in which one has to make split second decisions from distance sometimes with multiple players in the way, refereeing is a metaphor for the human condition, and our investment in this profession is like the human spirit always trying to improve and to take flight and become free of all limitations and perceived mistakes, which are, of course, the stepping stones to success. So I commend you all for being here and enjoy the final. Onwards and upwards!

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  6. I have been following his career since 2009 when he was promoted to the Ekstraklasa. He immediately showed himself to be a great talent. In uefa, I especially enjoyed the Roma-Porto match, which showed how easy it is for him to make crucial decisions. That's all for today - Szymon, dobrego meczu! Ukłony z Lublina.

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  7. Very good offside flag by AR1 in 3'. Also, good action by Marciniak against a push in the first minute.

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  8. Fussy referee trying to make the game about himself but won't call a clear penalty (instead the player who gets pushed into the GK). Disgraceful, meritless appointment.

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    1. Thanks for the feedback Danny.

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    2. Argentinian no. 13 exaggerated. It was a clear offensive foul. A deliberate elbow tackle. He should have been booked.

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    3. Marciniak tries to make the game about himself? lol

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    4. Seriously? Not a referee in their right mind would give a penalty for that minor push. The Argentine made no effort to avoid the keeper.

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    5. If you admit the push, you cannot have a foul coming out.

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  9. OT: Alfredo Trentalange resigned as AIA president.

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  10. Crucial mistake. Wrong penalty!

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  11. What a joke,sorry but Di Maria is already falling

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  12. So soft of a penalty... Blatant mistake in a WC final!

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  13. Fairly soft but a silly challenge and totally supportable decision
    A soft foul is still.a foul after all

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  14. Penalty immediately whistled by Marciniak. There was a slight touch, which is enough to make the attacker fall if we consider the attacker's speed. Supportable.

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  15. OMG. Never a penalty. What a mistake!

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  16. Well, this was not a real penalty for me... I doubt if the VAR should have intervened, I don't think so, but I didn't think it was a penalty. At least: the footage we saw didn't convince me. Maybe there were better replays elsewhere.

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  17. very good start of Marciniak's match. the right decision to dictate the penalty kick

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  18. I couldn't tell from replay, but Marciniak's loud whistle and hulking figure pointing decisively to the penalty spot left no room for arguing.

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  19. It was tripping, what the hell is wrong with all of you? What kind of intensity tripping is enough for the PK?

    This is never a wrong call, we can call it only soft or supportable.

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    1. Some are saying that soft push in back of Di Maria's back made him somehow fall (perhaps questioning if he was diving), meaning that the trip came after he was already falling.

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    2. Seriously, what are people watching? Some people will complain about anything. It's a very simple trip. It's not the most bombastic penalty the World Cup Final has ever seen but it's an inarguable foul. It would be 100% more of a controversy if it was not given than if it was. Blame the stupid defender, not the referee.

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    3. I waited until half-time to make comments and expected all these "that's never a penalty" comments. DiMaria was clipped (very slightly, but enough). The referee had THE perfect side view (which no TV replay had). An excellent decision!!

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    4. Your last sentence is perfect, DrMr. Yes, we can deem it a soft penalty, but it can never be wrong. Absolutely correct decision for me.

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  20. A slight touch is still a touch. Considering di maria speed it is fair to say that the decision was indeed good

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    1. But not every touch is a foul… Of course VAR mustn’t intervene here but I would like to punish players for going down in the penalty area. No critics to Marciniak since in real speed you can‘t be sure about the intensity of a contact

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    2. I think it is exactly the opposite, Jonas. Marciniak had the proper perception of the touch in real speed, he could evaluate whether the touch was enough to make the attacker fall naturally. One cannot really sure about that by only watching slow motions. Some contacts seem more intense, some minor contacts less intense in replays. In incidents like that, only a "real speed replay" can be helpful.

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  21. 25' Many refs would have given advantage for foul there, which might technically be correct, but free kick at top of box is very dangerous, too.

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  22. Argentina want always uefa referees. And fifa brake the confederation only for them. And all uefa referees donate Messi a penalty. Every penalty that given to Argentina is wrong for me. Incredible WC.

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  23. Soft penalty but supportable I guess

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  24. IMO, not a wrong penalty. Soft okey but Marciniak wisthled immadiatly and it's not a mistake

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  25. Soft, but supportable. We should expect to see lots of penalties in this match, if that standard is applied consistently. Mike Dean-style, for those who know their English refs!

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  26. You guys, it's a crystal clear penalty. The defender runs straight into the back of the attacker's legs. Imagine the controversy if he *doesn't* call it, that's all you need to know.

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  27. Boarderline PK but absolutely correct

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  28. 34' Probably missed obstruction on Mbappe right before the goal, but very rarely is that called.

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  29. Marciniak, orsato, makkeile, lahoz, vincic payback the trust of Argentina football federation. All penalties that they whistled for Argentina were highly debatable and wrong for me.

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    1. 5 penalties in 7 matches. A world cup record, I think? It's the nature of modern football. Matches decided by the referee .... no pressure then!

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  30. Penalty decision
    https://streamable.com/ktykqf

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    1. You can see the reaction of French players, they all expected it to be given.

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    2. https://streamff.com/v/SNVoawL6Gi

      After carefully watching replays, IMO a pk is rather wrong call. But supportable in terms of VAR intervention.


      The defender and Di Maria both have weight on the right leg, then Di Maria continues running movement with his left leg and touches the defenders leg and loses his balance.

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    3. Very strange and clumsy defending.

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    4. Risky and clumsy, but it seems that he didnt trip the attacker. The intensity of the contact was very light and initiated by the attacker (the defenders leg was on the floor)

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  31. Here we go again, additional time: 7'.

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  32. Anyone has a clip/gif of Marciniak's 'zip' gesture? :D

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    1. https://twitter.com/michaljadczak/status/1604505995337760771?t=X5yyOxvsrTg8vAzwkrlvDg&s=19

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  33. Ä°t looks like Argentina players are the referre not Marciniak. He whistles everything that they want. Every foul that given and not given signaled by the Argentina players first. Funny.

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    1. That's always been my opinion of Marciniak as well. He is far too easy to influence, if you shout loud enough, whether its the crowd or the players he will give the decision. Clear example at 47' where the Argentine player kicks the France player, but the Argentine player screams in pain and Marciniak gives it to Argentina.

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  34. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Unless the score gets closer, this might be a very easy outing for Marciniak.

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  35. In my opinion it is a penalty you always whistle live on the field, it would be more controversial to explain the contrary decision. You can't have the exact perception of the real intensity of the contact and the kind of action (defender with a contact from behind on attacker) suggests to whistle in all cases. Nevertheless, if we go deep in the incident, it is indeed a soft call, but you can't blame referee for that. First of all you must think that defender should have avoided that action. Absolutely supportable and expected decision, impossible to consider it as mistake, that's my opinion.
    As for the rest, all OK for Marciniak.
    Just one question: why long added-time only in some games, after a more consistent start of tournament in all matches in this regard?

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  36. Correct YC & strong reaction against mobbing. Good.

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    1. Something one could observe the whole first half. Good action against mobbing, effective prevention by Marciniak. Good first half. The penalty was not the clearest in the world, but considering the attacker‘s speed, it was both, the expected call on the pitch (also by the French players) and on TV.

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    2. Yes! Personally i think its dissapointing the lack of reaction of all the referees on this WC againt the many Argentinian mobbing and theatre

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    3. +1 he stops mobbing immediately. Refreshing to see

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  37. Excellent refereeing in 1st half.

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  38. Hahaha I just saw on the tv in the tunnel Argentinian players walking and could hear a clear sentence "7 minutes?! 7 minutes of what?"

    And later sometjing that I didnt understand, maybe spaniards can help :)

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  39. Good job in first half .
    7 min added time - lyoris and messi injury plus 2 substitutions IMO Ok.

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  40. You can say whatever you say about him but you got to admit, Marciniak's game managment is top notch.

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  41. With the penalty, Marciniak could/should have waited for the VAR to intervene, that is why there is a VAR.
    Probably Marciniak was afraid to make a mistake and miss a penalty.
    Perhaps experience in finals or decisive matches should be a requirement to referee the World Cup final.

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    1. VAR is not there to make decisions for the refs. Clear penalty (even more clear/ obvious in real time), no reason not to whistle

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    2. No, that is not why the VAR is there. The VAR is there to validate decisions on the field. The referee must decide by themselves, not just wait for the VAR. It was a correct decision to whistle himself.
      The VAR catches 'clear and obvious errors'; something can be a likely penalty and not called by VAR. That's why the referee decision is crucial.

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    3. well said @jules
      Many people even do not know the purpose of VAR.

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    4. With all the respect, you just showed us that you have 0 knowledge about VAR.

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    5. If it was a clear penalty, not giving one would be a clear and obvious mistake, so VAR would have intervened. But not giving a penalty in this situation would have been supportable, so there would not have been a VAR intervention.

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  42. People who think the penalty was wrong are either ARG's haters or do not know anything about refereeing

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    1. Its not just about expressing our opinions, it is about explaining them. So please try next time.

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    2. Many readers have explained it above which I completely agree. I do not see the reason to say the same thing twice

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  43. Again PK for Argentina. 7 match 5 PK. This is unbelievable. FIFA wanted Argentina to win from the very beginning. A great theater was played in Qatar. Such scandalous PKs are made up for Argentina every match. We understood why a referee like Marciniak, who was insignificant in Europe, was appointed for this match. FIFA killed football. Now they can be happy..

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  44. Very, very good performance so far by Marciniak!
    I'd argue the toss with those calling this penalty 'soft' or even wrong - simply a clear trip entirely initiated by the defender - maybe the attacker exaggerated the contact, yes, but the tripping offense remains very, very clear, at least in my vision.
    Otherwise, the Pole offered an impressive (!!) natural authority and embodied calmness and certainty that really enabled him to remain in full control.
    Correct YC for SPA given in 45+7'; credible foul recognition and use of disciplinary measures.
    Hopefully, the 2H will remain as positive for the whole crew!

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    1. Fully agree with you, Flip.

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    2. Giving the key decisions in favour of Argentina is what keeps him in full control. Soft penalty and no Mbappe obstruction. Even then it's the Argentinian players who surround the referee when the half time whistle blows.

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  45. Excellent first half by the referee. Fantastic management of players who want to "talk". It has been upped to "mobbing" and this received a stronger (and appropriate reaction). Outstanding PK decision (referee had better view than any camera view I've seen). The clip was slight, but enough to throw off a runner. Held cards (correctly) until something deserving came up.

    7' (decided by 4th Official) was spot on with 2 goals, several injuries, and a substitution.

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  46. At least 50% visitors of this blog have never used VAR system and still they have very strong opinion that can't be changed after constructive debate.

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    1. I think 99.5% of visitors have not used VAR themselves 😂

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    2. The should spend a little time exploring MLS' "Inside Video Review" to get a true taste for the communication and decision-making involved. :)

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  47. Wow, I think in a „normal“ game a RC would be the far better decision. But since not 100% clear instead of basically deciding the game I think YC is just about enough.

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    1. No clear scissoring action. Although tasty (higher intensity) a YC would be the expected outcome here.

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  48. 62' Very very close to OFR for push in back of Argentinian player in the French penalty box.

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    1. Football understanding, please. The defender simply worked the attacker away from the keeper. No experienced referee would give that.

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    2. Actually, I think the reason it wasn't given is because he wasn't close enough to the ball. If he had a chance of playing the ball, it could easily been given.

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  49. I think something's up with the French players. Probably the virus affected then drastically. We can clearly see the French are not quite at their usual standards, way worse than just having a "bad game".

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  50. Such an easy match for referee in a big match. French side so passive, lacking self belief and putting zero pressure on ref. I like his demeanour on the field though - calm, but firm. A bit like Collina himself!

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  51. Another correct PK, Top performance

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  52. Does the FIFA publish anywhere the official ratings' of the refeeres?

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  53. Defender felt contact in box and went down by himself. Unfortunately, PK expected call.

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  54. Correct PK + YC. Now watch Argentina's time wasting...

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    1. Wow, less than one minute.

      A whole new game for Marciniak!

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  55. Next penalty for holding and maybe yet again a slight touch. I agree with the call, also in the context of the first penalty. However, missed YC for SPA IMO.

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    1. Marciniak shown that was penalty kick because of holding. ..

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    2. If SPA, no card is OK (ball part of play and contact with legs was the impact point). However, it was DOGSO for me.

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    3. No YC SPA because he played advantage!

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    4. Defender didn't try to play the ball.

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  56. Well, now we have a game... Should have been a YC for DOGSO

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    1. It was given. Just not shown by broadcaster.

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    2. The yellow card is not appearing on the BBC or xscores feed though, how on earth can there not be a sanction for this?

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  57. But should this not have been a RC at the penalty situation? It's holding and it seemed like DOGSO to me...

    Correct penalty though, quickly whistled again, and even if I didn't like the first penalty too much, Marciniak is whistling a good match.

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    1. Because of the penalty, the possible red card is reduced to a yellow. I don't think he issued a yellow card tho, which for me is not correct

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    2. It was DOGSO. Contact with legs was the key foul contact and ball was in proximity. The holding really didn't have impact.

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    3. I know that it can be reduced to a YC. But if it was given for holding, than it should still be a red card. I find it very much borderline. But maybe I'm the only one.

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    4. RikB - The instruction from FIFA is to downgrade if there's any doubt. In this case, the holding has limited impact (normal contact). The legs clash (with impact) with the ball in proximity.

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  58. So this is going to get interesting...

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  59. France is back again… Now it could become a REAL MATCH for Marciniak. So far, very good performance.

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  60. Excellent YC for simulation!!!!

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  61. EXCELLENT YC for a dive. Marciniak must be praised for that call.

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  62. Now excellent 2 YCs - one simulation, one dissent !! Fantastic work

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  63. Wowowowow what a decision. This might be the best decision by a referee I'm years. The balls of marciniak...

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  64. World class decision for simulation

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  65. Great yc for flopping, what an eye!

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  66. Very good decision, challenging call!

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  67. Top class decision, chapeau one must say in this case.

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    1. Well, maybe not 'chapeau.' In this context I'd not use a French word. But indeed, a very good decision by Marciniak.

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    2. Brilliant decision, absolutely superb IMO.

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  68. Absolutely superb decision

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  69. Diver by Thuram, difficult to see. Brilliantly spotted by Marciniak, great work!!!

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  70. To give that YC for simulation in a World Cup final when hardly any refs give it in regular matches, even when warranted, shows Marciniak's confidence.

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  71. World class decision! Generally a very good performance so far.

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  72. Simulation+YC phenomenal decision

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  73. This decision explains why Collina loves Marciniak, a top class referee for sure when at his best.

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  74. Wooaw what's a good decision ! Masterclass Marciniak !

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  75. Marciniak shows everyone why he deserves to get the final. The "UCL/UEL finial experience is required" argument do not make any sense

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  76. Masterclass from Marciniak! So happy for him. Who said football can’t be entertaining with good refereeing

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  77. Next masterclass decision. Unbelievable performance. Unbelievable

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  78. 90'+4 excellent advantage as well. Technically focused until the end of this game, one must say he is a big talent.

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  79. After YC for simulation, Marciniak lowered card and then raised it a second time (for dissent).

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  80. Marciniak's performance is shocking (in the positive way)

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  81. Replies
    1. I might have seen wrong. To me he deliberately played above knee.

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    2. And "above knee" is not kicking, therefore the GK can use his hands.

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  82. Marciniak today is from another world. Like seriously, balls of steel, all decisions on top

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  83. Topdevision, advantage after foul ag. Coman, foul close to but not inside box. Marciniak with topclass refereeing.

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  84. Replies
    1. This is why this referee does not belong. He didn't feel the first yellow card, realized he missed it late, then doesn't feel the advantage. Plus bizarre penalty decisions including a card for diving with clear contact. If he was from any other continent, this blog would be ripping him to shreds.

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    2. Could be a game-changing situation... A very poor decision unfortunately

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    3. With these (80 yards from goal), it's hard to wait and see. In end, did whistle go and that create the advantage or was it there the entire time?

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    4. There were no defenders to stop.

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  85. This is how we referee. We referee football first and put in our personality when needed. Can't wait for the next 30'.

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  86. What a pity, that missed advantage in 90+8'.

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  87. Where is the advantage when it matters?

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  88. Today Marciniak is the best referee in the world.
    Without a doubt

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  89. Here, it would have been perfect to apply the "advantage and YC in the next break rule“. Marciniak could have whistled, let the free kick be executed and awarded the YC when the ball went out.

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    1. The kick was taken about two yards in front of the foul spot, so good whistle.

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    2. This was a tactical offence. If advantage is given or a quick free kick allowed, the YC is not shown.

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  90. Two impressive decisions by Marciniak back to back (simulation and advantage). He could have left the quick restart after the caution at 90+8, but it is easily justifiable for game management). Excellent on all key match decisions.

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  91. Absolutely terrific performance by Marciniak in 2H, continuing his great natural authority and calmness from 1H!
    Another correct penalty, well-spotted by the Pole.
    Absolutely faultless use of disciplinary measures, to highlight: simply superb caution for simulation and refreshing booking for dissent by the bench.
    Let's see what ET has to offer, I think we can expect highly emotional 30 minutes.

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  92. So far, so brilliant. Top, top performance

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  93. About the missed advantage in 90'+8, I think Marciniak was sure that French playwer would have waited for the whistle without trying to play again the ball. Nevertheless, after two top decisions, we have this one.

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  94. He has done very well all 90 minutes. Minor mistakes happens every game. Well done Mr. Marciniak. Let your ref luck be with you for the rest of the game.

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  95. Kind of pity that France equalized, it can only get worse from this performance for marciniak. So far might be the pest performance I've seen in years, considering the circumstances...

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  96. Referee has been impressive in the 2H for me

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  97. I think Marciniak will try to 'kill' the game on ET. The first 90' were physically & mentally exhausting

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  98. The referee is doing his best for Argentina to win.

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  99. Ref bottled a RC there for Acuna. Leading with elbow. First blot on his performance.

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  100. Sossiko - whatever are you talking about?!

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  101. DavidP - was never a YC, foul and no more

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  102. 96' Missed YC for ankle stamp on Mbappe.

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  103. Is that one the best referee performances in the WC final, in the recent years?

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