The officials in charge of 2022-23 UEFA Europa League Quarterfinals, first legs.
13 April 2023
18:45 CET - Rotterdam (Stadion Feijenoord 'De Kuip')Feyenoord (NED) - AS Roma (ITA)
Referee: José María Sánchez (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Iñigo Prieto (ESP)
Fourth Official: César Soto Grado (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Cuadra (ESP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Peter Sippel (GER)
UEFA Delegate: Per Svärd (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Iñigo Prieto (ESP)
Fourth Official: César Soto Grado (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Cuadra (ESP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Peter Sippel (GER)
UEFA Delegate: Per Svärd (SWE)
21:00 CET - Manchester (Old Trafford)
Manchester United FC (ENG) - Sevilla FC (ESP)
Manchester United FC (ENG) - Sevilla FC (ESP)
Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Lupp (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Achmüller (GER)
Fourth Official: Sven Jablonski (GER)
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Domenico Messina (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Thibault De Gendt (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Lupp (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Achmüller (GER)
Fourth Official: Sven Jablonski (GER)
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Domenico Messina (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Thibault De Gendt (BEL)
21:00 CET - Turin (Juventus Stadium)
Juventus (ITA) - Sporting CP (POR)
Juventus (ITA) - Sporting CP (POR)
Referee: Halil Umut Meler (TUR)
Assistant Referee 1: Mustafa Emre Eyisoy (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Kerem Ersoy (TUR)
Fourth Official: Arda Kardeşler (TUR)
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdulkadir Bitigen (TUR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Milorad Mažić (SRB)
UEFA Delegate: Tarik Shamel (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Mustafa Emre Eyisoy (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Kerem Ersoy (TUR)
Fourth Official: Arda Kardeşler (TUR)
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdulkadir Bitigen (TUR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Milorad Mažić (SRB)
UEFA Delegate: Tarik Shamel (ENG)
21:00 CET - Leverkusen (BayArena)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) - Union St. Gilloise (BEL)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) - Union St. Gilloise (BEL)
Referee: Ivan Kružliak (SVK)
Assistant Referee 1: Branislav Hancko (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Jan Pozor (SVK)
Fourth Official: Peter Kralović (SVK)
Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Stéphane Lannoy (FRA)
UEFA Delegate: Anthony Bloch (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Branislav Hancko (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Jan Pozor (SVK)
Fourth Official: Peter Kralović (SVK)
Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Stéphane Lannoy (FRA)
UEFA Delegate: Anthony Bloch (ENG)
Zwayer is now the new Siebert, in what we can describe as "German sliding doors...". Remarkable assignemnt for Kružliak, reaching a very important stage and that's a very good news for him, after very disappointing times.
ReplyDeleteHalil Umut Meler gets definitely something more than his previous games and this one must be absolutely watched, still not a very big game, but I think for him the most challenging in KO stage so far. Maybe the first real exam in a possible hot context.
Then, about Sanchez Martinez, for me a norrmal assignment, the game can be extremely hot and we remember Turpin but on paper a tie that an Elite referee should be capable to handle.
Sánchez Martínez will be the new Bastien, that should be quite clear - sent in to handle technically challenging but not sonorous games (also some games in the past like that derby qualifier in Sarajevo and even this season we can talk about Marseille vs. Frankfurt, Armenia vs. Turkey, now the 'Turpin derby'). I fear that may be the 'limit' for him. Meanwhile (imo) mediocre Manzano can be the 'top' Spaniard, able to handle predictably calm clashes like tonight at Man City vs. Bayern on an adequate level.
DeleteLetexier's appmnt makes a(nother) 'discrete' signal that Bastien could be demoted, do you think?
No, I think Zwayer isn’t the new Siebert because last year Siebert had a CL quarterfinal and not a EL quarterfinal, he had the chance to become the new Brych. As a German, I am very disappointed from our referees and their performances on the international stage. Zwayer is the best from four referees, who tried in the last 4 years to become the successor of Brych (Aytekin, Stieler, Siebert and him) but he isn’t good and his appointments are absolutely the minimum for a top referee from a big country like Germany. We must hope for the future, I see Schlager and Jablonski as potential top referees in the future. Jablonski is very popular in Germany (similar to Aytekin) but he must change his style on the international stage but I think he is clever enough to do that. Schlager is a more strict referee and I think he has a very good chance to have a very successful career in the future
DeleteMikael, to call Gil Manzano mediocre is to have no idea about refereeing and football. Congratulations.
DeleteAbout Bastien, we know that committee doesn't want to demote referees, so I think he will keep his status. A country like France is fully allowed to have three Elite referees.
DeleteWhat I didn't understand about Bastien management was the attempt, at list based on the lists released on past months, to mark him as candidate, even if only on paper, for WC. But maybe we must think that they just wanted a second French referee, now with Letexier ahead it is different. For me Bastien never reached a real Elite level. I think Frappart is better than him.
With "Zwayer the new Siebert" I just wanted to say that he turned as Germany nr.1 again, replacing Siebert, then for sure the path of the two is clearly different... one could say that Zwayer has been always better than Siebert, even when the latter was nr. 1 for WC. The problem with Zwayer, despite of his big experience, is that he showed some very poor performances, but he was also unlucky. In my opinion he could have had a definitely better career, not being a talent but a more than solid referee.
DeleteMeanwhile, after a further attempt, Stieler seems again out of consideration...
In Germany we need some patience now, cause the talent of Zwayer, Stieler, Dingert, Dankert and Stegemann is sort of limited. Next generation looks much better, esp. Jablonski, Osmers, Schlager (about Schröder I am not sure yet) - and Badstübner is a very talented young ref who might have a very big future! I hopfe he will be on the FIFA-list soon. Siebert is still suffering from the worldcup and what happened there, even in Bundesliga he is struggling for stability, but do NOT count him out too early!
DeleteFeyenoord-Roma is the most challenging game imo. It will be a hot atmosphere in Rotterdam; many negative incidents lately (Marseille 2.0) and this is a ’rematch’ of the Conference League final 2022.
ReplyDeleteGame in Rome will need a very experienced head, too.
Meler is one of the promising referee of Elite categories referees.I think he will be the most successful referee in 5 years. He follows up Cakir’s footprints. Have a good luck Meler
ReplyDeleteGentelmans, good evening. I would like to ask one question. Following this year performances of referees, is it real that we can see guys like Obrenović in Elite Category, and who are candidates for Elite?
ReplyDeleteMain candidates for Elite should be Mariani, Nyberg and Peljto.
DeleteObrenovic didn't even have his CL debut yet (and nothing special in EL/ECL KO stage), so he can't be expected.
Yes, really deserved if all three of them go to the Elite, is it real that we can see all them three?
DeleteI'd add Pinheiro to the possible summer promotions, too.
DeleteI think Obrenovič is quite talented but ofc as Philipp said needs to have more important tests before (Euro U21 this summer?) Maybe when Vinčič retires he will be ready to replace him.
My feeling (based on what I saw)
DeleteAlmost sure promotion: Peljto, Nyberg
Quite possible promotion: Visser, Mariani, Rumšas, Pinheiro, Ekberg
Number of this season's UCL performances:
3 UCL - Mariani
2 UCL - Peljto, Ekberg, Nyberg
1 UCL - Ağayev, Visser, Hernández Hernández, Frappart, Rumšas, Treimanis, Dabanović, Eskås, Frankowski, Pinheiro, Petrescu
Penalty for Rome in 42':
ReplyDeleteCombination a handball in a natural position and a shirt-pulling without real influence - so I am not convinced yet. But maybe better replays can change that.
Don't like Sánchez Martínez performance, too fussy. And may be I don't understand current handball rules but for me its not a penalty.
ReplyDeleteAnd too agressive for my taste, threatening players with issuing cards, cocky body language, not my cup of tea…
DeleteThe penalty decision I think is a poor one, arm is in a natural position, ball coming from closeby, away from the goal. For me a wrong decision and actually I see no argument to support.
No penalty would definitely have been the better decision but I don't see any room for VAR intervention once a pen is whistled
DeleteWhat in your opinion could be the argument to support the penalty?
DeleteThe penalty to Roma doesn't convince me and it is rather a play on, but not a clear and obvious mistake due to handballs' grey areas, so I think correct by VAR to stay silent. The arm is not so open, but making movement in a rather natural position, nevertheless not 100% close to body so for this reason VAR has to support. I think that rewatching it, Sanchez Martinez wouldn't have whistled.
ReplyDeleteYes i agree. Play on was a far better choice. 30 seconds before also a penalty appeal by Roma. Perhaps that also played a role in making the decision
DeleteDoes anyone have the video of incident?
DeleteOne more question, I'm sorry becouse I'm boring. Chances for Nikola Dabanovic to be part of Elite?Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteAre you boring or are you bored? :D
DeleteAnswering your question, I'd say mid to low chances.e was under focus last autumn for a while (NL game in Slovakia under Rizzoli's eyes, CL GS debut, crucial UEL MD6 game Roma - Ludogorets) but even if I appreciate him IMO his performances haven't been much convincing ever since.
Besides the PK situation in which I agree with Chefren (never VAR stuff but I think that if SM had the chance to go back and review he'd rather not give it), I think it was an expected performance from Sánchez Martínez in 'the Tub'. Two correct YCs given for reckless challenges were correct, typical strong personality (you may not like it, but I personally do and think it worked fine today in that sense) and being in Europe a bit more lenient foul-detection line compared to his usual LaLiga style of whistling almost every contact. The match was quite intense but players were mostly focused in playing.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that, once promoted to Elite, UEFA will give him a match in Champions League group stage next season?
Delete@Robert
DeleteSánchez Martínez is *already* in Elite category (?)
Yes, he is, but he didn't referee a single (even less important) UCL game this season and that surprised me. Do you think (or @Chefren, @MikaelW) that he starts to appear in UCL group stage next season, or UEFA will treat him as a high-level, but only Europa League referee?
DeleteA remark about Fritz, he didn't work as VAR again after the handball incident in previous Zwayer's CL game.
ReplyDelete11' Good early YC by Zwayer for blatant DtR
ReplyDelete2 good onside calls by AR1 in Manchester for the 2 goals
ReplyDeleteConstantine Hatzidakis will face no further action from the incident at Liverpool on Sunday
ReplyDeleteFor context - he says he had discussed the incident with Robertson positively following the match. He claims he was pulling his arm away from Robertson and had ho intention of making contact
DeleteRare for an official to make a statement but think due to the incident it was needed
DeleteTerrible error from Zwayer to yellow Bruno Fernandes for handball. Well above tshirt line.
ReplyDeletePlayer now misses 2nd leg. Awful
Nah, I think Fernandes' YC is fine.
DeleteHowever, what about Lamela's YC? For me it's a clear RC for SFP. VAR checked it, but did not intervene :O
Video of Lamela's challenge on Casemiro. YC given, no VAR intervention
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/Reinaldodcg9/status/1646599331976302605?t=7Ms85G_7LWk2Xtp7B2TLEA&s=19
Interesting one. For me not a clear error. The force is not massive. Its unnecessary and certainly reckless but I'm not sure it's enough to say clear rc
DeleteNot for me. YC is satisfactory.
DeleteLamela is first at the ball, then even stops his movement, when he anticipates the contact.
DeleteOn the other hand, Casemiro is too late and is sliding and therefore less controlled.
RC would be very wrong IMO, you can't evaluate only on the point of contact itself.
Is anyone watching Juventus-Sporting?
ReplyDeleteI've seen bits, one of which was a poor piece of refereeing just there which should be resulted in 2 YCs after Sporting broke and an attempted foul was advantaged and not revisited, while the eventually foul for the FK was not booked either
DeleteThe number 5 in the middle somehow isn't booked as well. I've seen 3 offenses which should've added to a YC.
DeleteI am watching the second half and haven't seen blatant mistake during this period. Meler is doing well in my opinion. I am talking about second half, didn't watch first half.
DeleteI echo Ugur's comment. I think Meler's been fine.
DeleteI watched the whole match but honestly I didn't like Meler's performance. The match was not challenging at all (very different respect to the tough Milan-Napoli faced by Kovacs) but Meler didn't success to manage it. Bad management of fouls, too much lenient in many cases, many fouls not whistled, a clear hand ball missed, huge mistake on offiside (but here the error is fully on assistant's responsibility), no personality. For what he shown yesterday it seems to me that he will not be ready to manage in the future potential top clashes.
DeleteSo for the second legs, I think, we have Gözübüyük, Jovanovic, Soares Dias and Massa as obvious candidates - hard to find a match for the Italian though due to the semifinal draw.
ReplyDeleteThen we will probably see one or two of the big names, who don't get CL.
Maybe also Mateu and Vincic are possible, but hard to imagine anybody else.
So a possible setup could be:
Sevilla - ManUnited: Makkelie
Sporting - Juventus: Jovanovic
Saint-Gilloise - Leverkusen: Taylor
Roma - Feyenoord: Soares Dias
No problems for Kruzliak in Leverkusen, I would like to see him in a more challenging game..
ReplyDeleteYes, agree, I did not expect him so strong!
DeleteThe European season should continue for Zwayer.
ReplyDeleteWill be nice because he never passed of the Quarterfinals being the main referee.
DeleteOT: is there a list of all-time European Cup/UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup/Europa League referee appearances?
ReplyDeleteI know that Dr Felix Brych tied Kim Milton Nielsen in 2019 for all-time referee UCL appearances with 52. Just looking for any updated lists. Thank you for the assistance.
Just watching Fernandes'YC and listening english complaints abou that decision.
ReplyDeleteSo to clear that decision here are some points...
Did shot go towards goal?yes
Did he use his arm to block the shot?yes
Did he made his body bigger than it should be?yes
Was his hand in unnatural position?yes
Now,there was not any purpose in his block,but the fact that the ball was going,shot was on target and his hand was well up is enough for YC,imo.
My toughs for the return leg matches (a mix between prediction and wish)
ReplyDeleteCL:
INTER-BENFICA A. TAYLOR (IV. Kavanagh VAR: Pawson)
NAPLES-MILAN S. MARCINIAK (IV. Frankowski VAR: Kwiatowski)
BAYERN M. - MANCHESTER CITY VINCIC (IV. Jug VAR: Obrenovic)
CHELSEA-REAL MADRID D. ORSATO (IV. Di Bello - VAR: Irrati)
Mateu and Turpin saved for SF
EL:
SPORTING L.-JUVENTUS C. DEL CERRO GRANDE (IV:M. Munuera VAR: Hz Hz)
UNION S.G.-BAYER L. A.R. SOARES DIAS (IV: Tiago Martins VAR: De Burgos)
ROMA-FEYENOORD S. JOVANOVIC (IV: Jovic VAR:Dankert)
SIVIGLIA-MANCHESTER UTD D. MAKKELIE (IV. Lindhout VAR: Van Boeckel)
UECL
AZ-ANDERLECHT S. PINHEIRO (IV: Costa Verissimo VAR: Branco Godinho)
FIORENTINA-LECH P. F. STIELER (IV: Jablonski VAR: Dingert)
NICE-BASEL M. MARIANI (IV: Guida VAR: Valeri)
WEST HAM-GENT B. BASTIEN (IV: Buquet VAR: Millot)
Two clips from Meler game, I didn't watch the game so I can't add more.
ReplyDelete22' Important offside mistake
https://streamja.com/na6np
Everything OK about VAR protocol, with AR allowed to raise the flag due to position of the attack, but still a very clear mistake to be avoided at this level.
65' Vlahovic YC
https://streamja.com/q1A6l
In my opinion this was just careless, such situations are always difficult to assess due to simulations made by opponents, they deceive referees, giving the idea of a significant contact with face. This wasn't the case, Juventus player just put the arm there.
Here the two discussed YC from Zwayer game.
ReplyDeletehttps://streamja.com/M3nW3
https://streamja.com/ma2gz
In my opinion in Casemiro incident, it is important to underline how the Manchester United entered the challenge, a quite reckless tackle if you ask me, and this is a factor to consider, because Lamela couldn't expect that action. One can't say that the responsibility of being fouled is from him, but acting in this way was also a potential danger for the opponent, so I agree with Philipp that in this case you can't make an assessment solely based on point of contact, that would suggest YC. For me, YC is fine and RC would have been harsh.
About the YC for handball a few minutes later, Zwayer assessed it at shot on goal, probably it wasn't, but in such handballs, with the ball kicked toward the net, a card is already expected, you can't blame referee. The strictness of LotG must be changed to avoid such situations, because indeed some cards can result in very easy ones.
1) RC. Lamela doesn't even play the ball. He intentionally waits and steps on Casemiro's leg. He could have avoid it easily.
Delete2) YC. Clear handball + shot on goal.
Lamela slowed down to avoid force, makes it look worse than it is when Lamela actually did himself a favour by doing this
DeleteYesterday the match Man. United vs Sevilla. Bruno and his card was stupid. The card should not have been. Lamela should have been sent off for joining Casemiro. What about Mr. Zwayer? And UEFA?
ReplyDeleteYC I'd mandatory accidental or not in that situation as it blocked a potential goal. Lamela tackle nor clear and obvious, wasn't high at all and natural foot placing.
DeleteBologna - Milan: step on foot or not?
ReplyDeleteVAR didn't intervene, many protests by fans, they can't understand why this is not considered foul.
https://streamja.com/QonZ4
Man in charge was Davide Massa,from stats seems like he had more difficult 2nd half.
DeleteAbout this...
Classic case of if he whistles it,no VAR.
HE does not whistle,no VAR also.
And that is what is frustrating for fans,too much grey area and no clear line on what is punishable inside the box.
Same can be said for arms.
I think there was enough in this to warrant an OFR recommendation from Di Bello. Hard to spot live, but quite clear on the replays imo
DeletePredictions for tomorrow
ReplyDeleteChelsea Real: Marciniak
Napoli Milan Orsato
According milannews, Szymon Marciniak will be a referee for Milan-Napoli.
ReplyDeleteIndeed: https://www.milannews.it/news/sky-scelto-l-arbitro-di-napoli-milan-di-champions-arbitrera-marciniak-489937
DeleteGreat decision from Delajod to show straight RC to Lens player,very dangerous foul.
ReplyDeleteVery important game today in France: PSG-Lens
ReplyDeleteRef: Willy Delajod
A correct RC in min 19
He should be the main candidate from France for promotion after Buquet iminent exit from FIFA list. I can't say that I saw many games officiated by him, but I sensed similarities with Letexier style. And even with Turpin style. Classical French school I guess.
https://streamja.com/516VZ
ReplyDeleteOpinion on this situation from Norwegian second division?