Wednesday, 7 June 2023

2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League final ACF Fiorentina (ITA) - West Ham United FC (ENG) - Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande (ESP) - Discussion

Carlos Del Cerro Grande will leave the international scene with the most important game of his career, 2022-23 UEFA Europa Conference League final, let's comment here about his performance and good luck to all involved officials. 


7 June 2023, 21:00 CET - Prague (Eden Arena)
ACF Fiorentina (ITA) - West Ham United (FC) 
Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande (ESP) 
Assistant Referee 1: Pau Cebrián Devís (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Guadalupe Porras Ayuso (ESP)
Fourth Official: Jesús Gil Manzano (ESP)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Diego Barbero Sevilla (ESP) 
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera  (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins (POR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Vladimir Šajn (SVN)
UEFA Delegate: Peter Palenčík (SVK)

82 comments:

  1. Good luck for Carlos del cerro grande and his team today

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  2. 2' Could've been an early YC!

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  3. OT:

    Kinda pity that Mateu was given impossible WC match when ARG and NED played...

    If we remember,his compatriot Mallenco was given 2019 NL Finals.

    Maybe he could have been main candidate for that final for great finale of his career,but with his history with NED that uls impossible.

    Also,Spain is there in semifinals so no luck for him.

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  4. Refreshing to see the first YC of a final for a simulation outside the box, excellent Del Cerro.

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  5. There was a clear foul on Antonio around 26th minute, may be even a yc strange that it wasn't whistled. Other than that good first half, excellent yc for Benrahma for diving.

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  6. Bravo Del Cerro for that YC,this kind of simulation needs to be stopped and every ref needs to book players whenever they do that.

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  7. Yep,and missed foul on Antonio.

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  8. Game temporary stopped. Cups being thrown

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  9. UEFA "masterclass" not suspending this game after at least 3 incidents of multiple West Ham fans throwing cups and other objects at players...

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    1. Well, you know how it works nowadays, I don't even anymore think about a suspension, given UEFA way of dealing with such incidents, even more in a final. But yes, we all should ask for that and condemn the play going on.

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    2. Unfortunately, an expected way of "handling" such a situation for UEFA, but it sends a very dangerous message to such "fans" and all the others who look up to them: that it's completely acceptable to cause such mayhem and behave like thugs. Until that changes, we're going to see more and more of these scenes, unfortunately.

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  10. Hopefully English fans will stop with that.

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  11. Ugly scenes from the English fans

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  12. Interesting management of some dissent from a Fiorentina player in 41', protesting against a corner kick decision.
    I think that based on the approach against Del Cerro, he could have been even booked (confrontation with referee), but the Spanish decided to forgive him, making also a nice gesture. Surely the words used were on an acceptable level of communication, but another referee would have booked player. In this case, Del Cerro looked likee Mateu.

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  13. Chefren in your opinion who is the best lahoz or grande

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    1. Just a personal opinion I liked more Mateu Lahoz.

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    2. Two completely different referees, two wonderful referees.

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    3. Among the many excellent qualities of both, I would say Mateu's mental attunement with the players and Carlos' body language in communication

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  14. Lahoz was La Liga no 1, Del Cerro Grande was Rossetti's no 1

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  15. Good offside call by AR2 to disallow the goal. Generally, I liked the performance of the whole crew so far.

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  16. In 49' penalty appeal by West Ham for elbow: nothing significant. Correct decision to play on, penalty would have been controversial (but supported by VAR) decision.

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    1. Agree with you, play on was the better decision for me.

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  17. Dodo is teting Del Cerro's patience..One more outburst and he will be booked for sure.

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  18. What a pity that the best Spanish referee this season is as Fourth Official

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    1. But Manzano does a good job there. Very calm and preventive.
      Good OFR and I think penalty is the expected decision, especially for Italian teams. ;-)

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    2. It is unfortunate that the best Spanish referee this season is relegated as the fourth official behind a referee who this year has had a poor level

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  19. Correct penalty after OFR

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    1. Agree, a punishable handball for sure, he cleared the ball from Bowen's control with his hand. Also a pretty tricky situation for Del Cerro, it was an unexpected moment for him, therefore a very good intervention by Martinez Munuera for me.

      Now a very good YC for protest after a good play on call on a potential handball penalty for Fiorentina.

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  20. Correct penalty, not easy to see, but clearly arm moving toward ball and invading opponent's space.

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    1. I don't know what "natural position" means anymore, apparently. The defender is in a normal running motion and then tries to put his arm in front of the opponent's chest in a normal defending motion. The ball is played into his hand from very short range. I think the interpretation of these things has gotten way too strict.

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  21. Good no penalty and yc for dissent.

    Incidently if the ball was in play the restart should have been a idfk

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    1. I agree, all correct by Del Cerro, no penalty and YC for dissent. What I don't like, seen often also in other games he handled, the gestures after the booking, switching his body language in an unsure one, while all he had done before was absolutely perfect.

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  22. I am the only one who thinks the handball penalty is wrong? Very short distance, the defender didn't even look at the ball, fighting for the space with opponent. For me, intervention is also wrong.

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    1. Also the ball didn't really change the direction.

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    2. I'm with you Lukas. Even though the arm is away from the body, its position is completely natural for the defensive action.

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    3. Agree with Chefren's explanation on this. The movement of the arm, although it seems to have been unintentional, was clear for me. Then again, although the ball didn't change direction, it seemed to me that the touch by hand denied Bowen control over the ball, which I think he would have gained without that handball.

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    4. I understand. I just think it was quite a normal and natural movement of the defender when fighting for the space.

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    5. Hand going towards ball, that is at height and away from body, almost looks like he is punching the ball. Close proximity means it's most likely accidental, but for me a clear, clear penalty under all Uefa instructions in recent years

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    6. I wasnt convinced until I saw the perfect replay angle given by VAR. I think with these images you have to give a PK for hand to ball movement. Well done to VAR for showing this angle.

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  23. Del Cerro showing why he's been an elite ref and fifa ref for so long. We will miss him.

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  24. 2 excellent decisions from AR2 in this game

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  25. Excellent performance by Guadalupe Porras Ayuso.

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    Replies
    1. Completely agree, that last onside for 1 - 2 was really impressive.

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  26. Final whistle. Thank you Carlos for an amazing career and hope tonight has been an amazing end to you career.

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  27. Carlos del Cerro Grande. A great performance and a great stage to end your career. All the best Carlos!

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  28. An overall very good performance by Del Cerro today and a fantastic way to end his proud career.

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  29. A good performance by Del Cerro Grande tonight, IMO. A somewhat shaky performance regarding foul detection in the 1H (missed foul on Antonio around 26' probably being the most obvious one), but nothing too bad or relevant. He maintained a pretty adequate disciplinary line, with all the mandatory YCs correctly given, at least for me. I would like to highlight an excellent YC for simulation in the 1H and another one for dissent in the 2H: two very important decisions that hopefully send a clear message to players regarding unacceptable behaviour.

    Regarding KMIs, I wouldn't blame him too much for the missed handball penalty, as it was a pretty unexpected and fast handball; the OFR that followed was a very good decision by the VAR crew IMO. All the other penalty box decisions were correct for me.

    What always impressed me about Del Cerro Grande is his exceptional fitness and efficient movement on the FoP. The level of fitness shown by him tonight (and in all of his games) is absolutely remarkable for a 47 year old referee.

    One aspect of tonight's performance I didn't like was his somewhat insecure body language, which IMO sends a wrong message to the players and also doesn't stem from bad decisions either (especially in this game); it seems to be an aspect of his personality, observed in many of his games over the years, that we just have to accept, especially because it didn't affect his control over tonight's game and players, at least for my taste. He was able to step up when needed and assert his authority in an efficient, but calm and respectful way.

    Lastly, I would like to highlight some very good onside/offside decisions by Guadalupe Porras Ayuso, with onside for the eventual winning goal being pretty impressive for me.

    Overall, it was a good performance by the referee crew IMO, and a nice and deserved European final for Del Cerro Grande at the end of his career.

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    1. Maybe that'sconly me,but why was Biraghi not booked for penalty?

      IMO he stopped attacker's progress and chance was very promising...
      So no YC dor him was quite surprising...

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    2. You're actually quite right. Now I remember I wanted to post the same question, but managed to completely forget it somehow. Let's call it a small bias in his last game. But now that you mentioned it, I expected a YC there too, for the same reason you stated. Thank you for the correction and reminder.

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    3. Also to mention (and one more miss for me): a quite good and efficient management of added time, including a nice YC to Bowen for DtR. Frankly, I liked that aspect of his performance tonight.

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  30. ISR-URU was to be led by Ortiz (MEX) but due to injury, FIFA had to break the neutral law and appoint Sánchez Martinez.
    Now everything is understood :)

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  31. OT: Marciniak has a offer from Saudi Arabia:
    https://www.meczyki.pl/newsy/ronaldo-benzema-i-marciniak-arabia-saudyjska-kusi-polskiego-arbitra-milionowym-kontraktem-nasz-news/213456-n

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  32. Refereeing highlights of Eredivisie UECL play-off semi-finals (first legs)

    Heerenveen - Twente (Marc Nagtegaal)
    https://www.grosfichiers.com/FRs22rurhUj

    Utrecht - Sparta Rotterdam (Sander van der Eijk)
    https://www.grosfichiers.com/ba2rmpGWB66

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    1. UECL final play-off (Sparta - Twente) will be handled by Manschot (1st leg, today) & Makkelie (2nd leg, on Sunday)

      On the other hand, promotion/relegation play-out final (Almere - Emmen) had Makkelie handling the 1st leg on Tuesday, while Lindhout will handle the 2nd leg on Sunday.

      Guess they had to appoint Makkelie twice due to referees shortage (Gözübüyük & Higler absent due to U20 WC)

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    2. This really shows the lack of trust KNVB has in their own referees. Only Makkelie, Gözübüyük, Lindhout and Higler are trusted with big matches

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    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    4. Or the others are not good enough. I read that Manschot's performance of yesterday was criticized.

      Question to Dutch readers: is it just me, or is Marc Nagtegaal already a better referee than Kooij and Van Der Eijk?

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  33. @Quilava

    Is Mr Joey Kooij is not good enough to get this appointment?

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    1. He had the 1st leg of promotion-relegation PO semi-finals (NAC Breda - Emmen)

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  34. https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/1f29ab0ae9b24244/original/List-FIFA-Technical-Instructors-2023.pdf
    An interesting document published by FIFA with the instructors for 2023, Some well-known names are there.
    About Italy, Trentalange has left the role after the scandal, and Rocchi has joined the list.
    Among other things, they can be observers at FIFA tournaments.

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    1. interesting list to read - how long are they appointed? and what, technically, is their job? for europe I dont see any french or german (steinhaus-webb surely going for england, as she has no connection anymore to german football) instructors. how are they appointed? by good-will of the godfather of refereeing aka PLC?

      also interesting to see, that there are some names, I havent read as observers so far? pawel gil surely for VAR stuff appointed, but who is maciej wierzbowski? same for serbia: mazic for sure, ex-top referee, but who is igor radojcic?

      highly debatable the positions of webb and steinhaus, as both are employed by pgoml and should set their focus rather on the development of their own english referees...

      also critical is ivanov? fifa apparently not so interested in the russian war-crimes...

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    2. Maciej Wierzbowski is an instructor for assistant referees. He was an assistant referee at WC2002. I can say he is extremely professional and his coaching is another level.

      https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maciej_Wierzbowski


      Igor Radojčić is a long-time mentor for young referees and refereeing expert in Serbia.

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    3. @Euro Soccer Ref
      Just to add, Radojcic was a member of Mazic's team during his breakthrough to the elite group, as well as in the first two seasons after entering the elite group.
      Var instructor, leader of the talent mentor program in Serbia (Serbian Core program) and referee expert.

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  35. Promotions & relegations in France:

    Referees promoted to Fédéral 1: Gaël Angoula (1982, second former professional footballer reaching Ligue 1 refereeing after Stinat) & Romain Lissorgue (1991, promoted to F1 in 2021, then demoted back to F2 in 2022, now promoted again)

    They fill the spots of FIFA referee Karim Abed (demoted to Fédéral 2) and Johan Hamel - RIP :(

    ARs promoted to Fédéral 1: Julien Garrigues, Julien Pacelli, Ludovic Reyes & Nicolas Rodrigues

    ARs demoted to Fédéral 2: Florian Gonçalves de Araujo & Bastien Courbet

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  36. Szymon Marciniak got multi milionare offer from China for 2y contract.

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  37. Changes in Germany
    Timo Gerach (36) promoted as referee to 1. Bundesliga
    Benjamin Cortus (41) leaving the 1.BL list, becoming specialized VAR
    Martin Thomsen (37) and Sven Waschitzki (36) leaving the 2. Bundesliga list, becoming specialized ARs in 1.BL.
    Tom Bauer (26), Richard Hempel (25) and Patrick Schwengers (30) new referees in 2.BL
    Nikolai Kimmeyer (32) promoted to 1.BL as AR.

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  38. Well derseved for Gerach! One of the best and most consistent referees in 2. Bundesliga over the last years!
    About Cortus: I always thought that his body language and presence in general is way below standard. Glad that they still found a way to use him in Bundesliga without sacking him completely.

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    1. I kindly ask to German readers news on the season of Sören Storks, thanks

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    2. He was injured most of the season (like the complete previous one), but returned at the end of it with 3 appointments in 2. Bundesliga (including one decisive game regarding promotion on the last matchday) and 4 appointments in 3. Bundesliga, which went well overall.
      So hoperfully, he is ready for a comeback in 1. Bundesliga at the beginning of the next season.
      BTW, he also was the VAR with the 3rd most appointments during the season - and even some international ones in that role.

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  39. UEFA Regions Cup final tournament, MD1 appointments:

    Lisbon (POR) - Lower Silesia (POL)

    Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann (MLT)
    AR1: Atom Sevgulyan (ARM)
    AR2: Mélanie Malena (LUX)
    FO: Javier Alberola Rojas (ESP)

    Zlín (CZE) - Belgrade (SRB)

    Referee: Luis Teixeira (AND)
    AR1: Neeme Neemlaid (EST)
    AR2: Edgaras Bučinskas (LTU)
    FO: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz (ESP)

    Galicia (ESP) - Ireland Amateur (IRL)

    Referee: Ádám Farkas (HUN)
    AR1: Olli Jantunen (FIN)
    AR2: Vadim Vicol (MDA)
    FO: Sigurd Kringstad (NOR)

    Zenica-Doboj (BIH) - Bavaria (GER)

    Referee: Kristoffer Karlsson (SWE)
    AR1: Martin Roberts (WAL)
    AR2: Slagjan Markoski (MKD)
    FO: Antti Munukka (FIN)

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    1. Observers at the tournament: Hannes Kaasik (EST), Ichko Lozev (BUL), Zbigniew Przesmycki (POL), Eyjólfur Ólafsson (ISL)

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  40. FIFA has selected Nyberg for the U20 World Cup final. Much deserved, I say.

    Final appointment:

    11 June 2023, 23:00 CEST
    Italy - Uruguay
    Referee: Glenn Nyberg (SWE)
    AR1: Mahbod Beigi (SWE)
    AR2: Andreas Söderkvist (SWE)
    FO: Juan Gabriel Calderón (CRC)
    VAR: Fedayi San (SUI)
    AVAR: Tatiana Guzmán (NCA)

    3rd place game:

    11 June 2023, 19:30 CEST
    Korea Republic - Israel
    Referee: Ramon Abatti (BRA)
    AR1: Rafael Alves (BRA)
    AR2: Guilherme Camilo (BRA)
    FO: Serdar Gözübüyük (NED)
    VAR: Rodolpho Toski (BRA)
    AVAR: Luís Godinho (POR)

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    1. Good, if performance principle was applied here.

      But interesting, that the only UEFA referee, who is not in Elite category was chosen for the final. And also that the replacement (Sanchez) got a QF and a SF.

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    2. A great future is waiting for Nyberg. Indeed the fact that he is still Category 1 gives even more importance to this choice, but we know that FIFA and UEFA in recent times are working differently. Also, breaking confederations rule in a final in this tournament to me is less common, because not important like World Cup, so for a big game UEFA - CONMEBOL even more credito to a UEFA referee.
      In a very short time, Nyberg achieved what Ekberg in more than 7 years never reached...

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    3. @Mohammed He missed two RCs (corrected by VAR after OFR) in Uruguay vs Gambia.

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  41. Maybe I'm missing it (correct me in case you find it), but it seems as UEFA didn't publish the article with the referee in charge of CL final, Marcinak. If so, this would be clearly a signal because so far ALL referees for ALL tournament got always this interview and an article. I can understand that maybe the situation is a bit different after what happened some days ago, but this could mean that UEFA is still definitely not happy with him...

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  42. Friendly appointments
    9.6., Luxembourg - Malta: Hamiti, Avdo, Tartaraj (all ALB), Muller (LUX)
    12.6., Germany - Ukraine: Sidiropoulos, Buxbaoum, Koula, Papadopoulos - Diamantopoulos, Zampalas (all GRE)

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    1. Very eventful match for Hamiti I might say.

      In friendly,yes friendly match,he showed 6 bookings and even could have showed more.
      Teams like Malta,Andora,Gibraltar are always playing their hearts out,every match is like life or death for them but ut was quite surprising to see that even Luxembourg played like that,so 6 cards for friendly is something surprising.
      Only time I saw that amount of cards in friendly match is whenever Argentina vs Brazil match is in play or when Balkan countries play against each other.

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    2. Well, Luxembourg - Bulgaria last November saw also a lot of cards issued by referee Lukjancukas, so the home team aren't that innocent as well...

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