Monday 19 June 2023

2023/24 European Qualifiers - Referee Appointments MD4 (19 June 2023)

The first set of referee appointments for MD4 of EURO 2024 qualifiers. 



18:00 CET - Trnava (Štadión Antona Malatinského)
UKRAINE - MALTA | Group C
Referee: Ruddy Buquet (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Aurélien Drouet (FRA)
Fourth Official: Bastien Dechepy (FRA)
Video Assistant Referee: Benoît Millot (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Eric Wattellier (FRA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Erol Ersoy (TUR)
UEFA Delegate: Luis Cuervas Del Real (ESP)

18:00 CET - Yerevan (Republican Stadium after Vazgen Sargsyan)
ARMENIA - LATVIA | Group D
Referee: Peter Kralović (SVK)
Assistant Referee 1: Milan Štrbo (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Tomáš Vore (SVK)
Fourth Official: Martin Dohal (SVK)
Video Assistant Referee: Sören Storks (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Pascal Müller (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Michael Argyrou (CYP)
UEFA Delegate: Adrian D. Casha (MLT) 

18:00 CET - Helsinki (Helsinki Olympic Stadium)
FINLAND - SAN MARINO | Group H
Referee: Genc Nuza (KOS)
Assistant Referee 1: Fatlum Berisha (KOS)
Assistant Referee 2: Bujar Selimaj (KOS)
Fourth Official: Visar Kastrati (KOS)
Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dario Bel (CRO) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Ladislav Gadosi (SVK)
UEFA Delegate: Peadar Ryan (IRL)

20:45 CET - Saint Denis (Stade de France) 
FRANCE - GREECE | Group B
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Pau Cebrián Devís (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Del Palomar (ESP)
Fourth Official: José Luis Munuera (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Ricardo De Burgos (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Javier Alberola (ESP) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Stephen Lodge (ENG)
UEFA Delegate: István Huszár (HUN)

20:45 CET - Dublin (Dublin Arena)
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - GIBRALTAR | Group B
Referee: Marian Alexandru Barbu (ROU) 
Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marica (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Imre Laszlo Bucsi (ROU)
Fourth Official: Sebastian Colţescu (ROU)
Video Assistant Referee: Ovidiu Haţegan (ROU)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Popa (ROU)
UEFA Referee Observer: Uno Tutk (EST)
UEFA Delegate: Duško Grabovac (CRO)

20:45 CET - Manchester (Old Trafford) 
ENGLAND - NORTH MACEDONIA | Group C
Referee: István Kovács (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Vasile Florin Marinescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Ovidiu Artene (ROU)
Fourth Official: Radu Petrescu (ROU)
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel (NED)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jeroen Manschot (NED)
UEFA Referee Observer: Markus Strömbergsson (SWE)
UEFA Delegate: Andrey Medintsev (BUL)

20:45 CET - Samsun (Samsun Yeni 19 Mayıs Stadium)
TURKEY - WALES | Group D
Referee: Fabio Maresca (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Tegoni (ITA)
Fourth Official: Luca Massimi (ITA) 
Video Assistant Referee: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Gianluca Aureliano (ITA) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Lucilio Batista (POR)
UEFA Delegate: Sergiu Lisnic (MDA) 

20:45 CET - Belfast (National Football Stadium at Windsor Park) 
NORTHERN IRELAND - KAZAKHSTAN | Group H
Referee: Roi Reinshreiber (ISR)
Assistant Referee 1: David Elias Biton (ISR)
Assistant Referee 2: Sagy Metzamber (ISR)
Fourth Official: Snir Levy (ISR)
Video Assistant Referee: Orel Grinfeeld (ISR)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: David Fuxman (ISR) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Lassin Isaksen (FRO)
UEFA Delegate: Mohamed Taa (FRA)

20:45 CET - Ljubljana (Stadion Stožice)
SLOVENIA - DENMARK | Group H
Referee: François Letexier (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Hicham Zakrani (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni (FRA)
Fourth Official: Jérémy Stinat (FRA)
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jérémie Pignard (FRA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Fritz Stuchlik (AUT)
UEFA Delegate: John Taylor (SCO) 

20:45 CET - Lucerne (Swissporarena)
SWITZERLAND - ROMANIA | Group I
Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Ciro Carbone (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Alessandro Giallatini (ITA)
Fourth Official: Andrea Colombo (ITA) 
Video Assistant Referee: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Luca Pairetto (ITA) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Juan Antonio Fernandez Marin (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Kazimierz Oleszek (POL)

20:45 CET -  Jerusalem (Teddy Stadium) 
ISRAEL - ANDORRA | Group I
Referee: Dragomir Draganov (BUL)
Assistant Referee 1: Martin Venev (BUL) 
Assistant Referee 2: Hristo Hadzhiyski (BUL)
Fourth Official: Nikola Popov (BUL) 
Video Assistant Referee: Michael Fabbri (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ivaylo Stoyanov (BUL)
UEFA Referee Observer: Georgios Bikas (GRE) 
UEFA Delegate: Miroslaw Ryszka (POL)

20:45 CET - Budapest (Szusza Ferenc Stadion)
BELARUS - KOSOVO | Group I
Referee: Julian Weinberger (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Heidenreich (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Sara Telek (AUT) 
Fourth Official: Alexander Harkam ( AUT)
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alan Kijas (AUT)
UEFA Referee Observer: Christopher Lautier (MLT)
UEFA Delegate: Knut Bjørn Nordheim (NOR)

145 comments:

  1. So is Mateu continuing for the rest of 2023, or is the France game his final, final, FINAL game?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The end of the season in Spain, like Italy, is on 30 June, so this is indeed the very last appointment, same can be with Del Cerro on paper, but different because he got a final.

      Delete
  2. Particular to see Kovacs for another game after Nations League assignment. Given the schedule, one would hardly believe that they made this double choice before. This in England could be a replacement, but I'm not convinced. The same Petrescu fourth official could have handled it, it's strange...
    In Turkey - Wales interesting appointment for Maresca, surely a big game for a Category 2: the assistant referees are the ones working with Mariani. I think this appointment was made on recent form and maybe even a signal for the future, they could promote Maresca to Category 1. Mariani didn't have a positive end of season. More generally, about Italian appointments in UEFA, I always noticed that referees were assigned based also on domestic performances, I can't say anything about other countries because I don't follow the leagues, but to me regarding Italian officials this seems to be more evident. I also expected Guida after his long injury, maybe he will appear in a game on 20 June, let's see.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good that Mateu gets an international farewell game other than Saint-Gilloise - Leverkusen. FRA-GRE is a good choice for that - probably a big crowd, but not expected to be a very tight game.
    Otherwise Elite referees in expectable games.
    For TÜR-WAL, also an Elite referee or top First group could be expected, so very good appointment for Maresca.
    Not so good games for Buquet and Weinberger IMO.
    Rest are normal selections with further debuts in suitable games.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

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  4. With this appointment it should be clear that UEFA was pleased with Kovacs performance in Nations Leaague semifinal. The game was very difficult and he did at least ok. Probably Rocchi assessed the first penalty as correct (see Mikael arguments), and Kovacs gained extra points for seeing the second one. Some of the users on the blog should question their referees assessing abilities. There were to many negative comments (e.g. not positive impression, veery bad performance, very weak ref).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UEFA, as well as FIFA, are looking at the big picture, not isolated situations, so I am sure Kovacs received a positive assessment in a challenging match.

      Delete
  5. Will Lahoz really end his career as referee in Saint-Denis? Or will he continue his career outside Europe?

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    Replies
    1. This is a good question. I was always wondering whether he received any offers from Saudi or elsewhere, if he is considered as good as people are saying here? Clattenburg, Mazic and Marciniak received offers, but not Mateu?

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    2. In Spain there has been the rumor that he might carry on in Saudi Arabia, but it has not been confirmed. He could remain as VAR in Spain for two more seasons, although it seems unlikely according to the media.

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  6. So it almost sure that there farewell matches for Mateu Lahoz and Buquet, but according to latest rumors for Orsato too

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  7. NIR - KAZ
    VAR: Orel Grinfeld (ISR)
    AVAR: David Fuxman (ISR)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Surprisingly but well deserved to see Dragomir Draganov as referee in Israel. He did a very good season with Bulgarian big derbimatch Levski-CSKA twice, followed by the final of Bulgarian Cup

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  9. How do you know about Guadalupe porras assistant referee Spanish female help finish Carlos cerro de grande retired and today do year 2023-24 Guadalupe porras can help referee two Spanish with Jesus Gil Manzano and Jose Sanchez Martinez who Elite UEFA Two Referee Spanish can go help Gil Manzano and Sanchez Martinez

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Already the '3rd place playoff' comment, Anonymous, you are the goat sir :) ;)

      Delete
  10. Interesting to see Haţegan with Barbu and not with Kovacs, so the news posted on the blog some days ago about them seems to find another confirmation. Nevertheless, we can't be sure about that, it can be just a choice. Van Boekel will be with Kovacs: I think the game in Manchester didn't need an Elite referee, so very likely Kovacs, as I said yesterday, can be considered as replacement of somebody else.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Kovacs replacement for Gozubuyuk? It would make sense.

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    Replies
    1. Yes I thought about Gozubuyuk as well, but not sure because very often Van Boekel worked also for referees from other countries. Moreover, if I'm not wrong, the Dutch had officiated England in recent times?

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    2. He did England v Ukraine in March

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    3. Yes, it could be that Kovacs replaced Gozbuyuk in Manchester. Because I don't remember Kovacs worked with dutch VAR, only he worked with italians and germans. And also Uefa maybe doesn't trust Petrescu for this game. And I don't know if Radu Petrescu will be promoted ot Elite, because he will be 41 this year.

      Delete
  12. Decisions with a mic in a game in Sweden. It has subtitles: https://youtu.be/gKOJBOq_Rq8

    ReplyDelete
  13. I’m really speechless with AFC, AFF, whatever, how could you appoint random very mediocre Malaysian referee with Argentina on there, even if this is only friendly match. Couldn’t you appoint elite AFC referee, AFC referee headquarters in Malaysia, it’s okay to use your political influence to appoint Malaysian referee, but come on at least the level is same with Nazmi Nasaruddin (still 33 y.o) or Amirul Izwan bin Yaacob (still 37 y.o). Simply shameful and out of nowhere again and again. I think Collina need to step down if he couldn’t do nothing, at least give pressure to AFC after scandalous, horrible performances from their representative in 2022. With this scenario continues I really doubt AFC in 2026 could get more slot of representative that would be give more, more horrible performances than 2022.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this is record history referee out of nowhere could lead a game involving world No. 1

      Delete
    2. Are friendly matches referees appointed by AFC or by national FAs?

      There are two possibilities, either your argument, or in this case PSSI asked FAM to provide for refereeing team, and didnt check who FAM sent.

      It seems doubtful that AFC used the same referee for both Indonesia matches, against Palestine and Argentina. It seems that PSSI may be suspect of this refereeing team arrangement. No knowledge about Asian referee or simply it is cheaper to provide for Malaysian referee with almost no experience at all? I believe that PSSI have no idea of selecting good quality referee or idea of refereeing at all, judging by Indonesian refereeing progress and who are appointed for Indonesian national team matches.

      I believe that Erick Thohir doesnt understand much about refereeing, let alone who are selected as the match referees. Maybe Malaysian and Singaporean perspectives are needed to answer the convoluted situation of Indonesian refereeing and selection. And maybe stop using unexperienced referees straight to 1st rank national team matches, when there are others who deserved more...

      Delete
    3. On several occasions in interviews pundits who had been involved in PSSI said that indeed PSSI usually asks referees from the FA of neighboring countries, just like you said. But this is very difficult to accept, this is like a common sense that this is Argentina not Timor Leste or Curacao, tbh when the same referee was appointed for the Palestine vs Indonesia match it didn't make sense since beginning, random referee selected to lead a match involving a rank 90s. Even when referee like Taqi, Pechsri, Pu-Udom, Nazaruddin, Amirul Izwan at least one of them available. I think the AFC should be able to give instructions to each FA regarding the importance of referee development if in this case the one who appoints the referee for IFM is each FA itself.

      Delete
  14. Clear handball missed by Buquet, intervened by Millot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://streamja.com/OLglo

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    2. Second penalty whistled (without VAR, I think):
      https://streamja.com/PWqy5

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    3. Quite poor reaction from Buquet in the 1st penalty, he make clear gesture for no handball (natural position).

      Delete
  15. I hope this is not last kickoff whistle from Lahoz

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  16. Are the lines not working in Turkiye?
    OFR for a simple offside check

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  17. Italian referees are mess. Meaningless 3 minutes for OFR. Then Maresca cancel the goal with eye-test.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Very strange situation in Turkey - Wales: factual offside whistled by Maresca after OFR (screenshot in the monitor).
    Only explanation is that offside technology didn't work and they invited referee to watch the offside by himself and then to decide based only on the video (without lines). Never happened this one...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would invite assistant and decide with him as it is a combined responsibility. Is the lines are responsibility of UEFA or TFF?

      Delete
    2. I think it should be TFF's responsibility in this case.
      Video:
      https://streamable.com/rbpxjj

      Delete
    3. Thanks...

      Delete
    4. Half time Turkish broadcaster published another offside line from another camera (main camera) and it shows offside.

      Delete
    5. Just because i had the same problem - If it is Hawkeye he might be able to see lines on the screen but TV program is not showing them. This might not be the case bacause there is no need of OFR for interfering with play but just want to explain that the referee might be able to see lines while all the people might not as the privacy setting of hawkeye will not let TV program show it until lines are confirmed and send to TV.

      Delete
  19. Missed yellow for Eng 8 Henderson, heavy contact on the ankle in a promising position, let’s see whether this will continue

    ReplyDelete
  20. Really like how Mateu Lahoz communicate with Mbappe for 2 rejected penalty appeal.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Unbelievable no-VAR intervention : clear with two hands pushing by greek defensor and penalty missed by Lahoz…27’

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nope, it was supportable to play-on

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    2. For a rugby match yes…come on !

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    3. Sorry are you French? Or maybe just Mbappe fanboy? Come on, it would be soft if Lahoz gave it and I think the real football fans won’t like it.

      Delete
  22. Clear penalty missed by Mateu Lahoz in 27’.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Direct Red card to Wales #16 at 41th min. %100 correct red card

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Correct Red card frim Maresca.

      Delete
  24. Mateu Lahoz is completely lost on pitch and doesn’t want to referee the match. Poor performance…

    ReplyDelete
  25. Extremely poor performance by Mateu Lahoz so far…

    ReplyDelete
  26. RC in TUR - WAL by Maresca: https://streamable.com/r5527r

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Intensity was rather low, I would have preferred yc in this one.

      Delete
    2. IMO clear RC

      Delete
    3. RC for me as well, it's endangering the safety of an opponent, therefore SFP, IMO.

      Delete
  27. Really funny to read anonimos comments :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comments Juan, or I’d have the contrary impression about this performance…

      Delete
    2. Okay now sth different it seems.

      Delete
  28. the link doesn't work

    ReplyDelete
  29. Why is Fabio Maresca not wearing his uefa match officials badge?

    ReplyDelete
  30. Lahoz is completely lost on the pitch. How is that not a RC ??

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  31. How it’s possible for Lahoz to give only YC for this kind of foul on Griezmann ! Completely poor game…Unbelievable !

    ReplyDelete
  32. RC???????
    VAR????????

    Lahoz's last game will be remembered and talked about...


    What about VAR???????

    Are they looking the same video's that we are looking?

    Come on now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And penalty retaken for almost nothing….ridiculous VAR de Burgos who was sleeping before…

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    2. Encroaching by GK or defending player

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  33. Probably one of the worst refereeing performances of the year today by Lahoz…

    ReplyDelete
  34. I think you can notice this is the very last one for Mateu Lahoz, definitely out from the game so far... he didn't want to take any single decision.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, never expected to read that from you. Quite unfair comment. Yes, missed RC, but not calling any previous penalty appeal is not "not wanting to take any single decision". Just by playing on, he's making a decision. And I think none of the previous decisions were wrong.

      Delete
    2. You know I'm Mateu Lahoz fan, but today I really think that he didn't joined mentally this game... and it is easy for VAR to support all decisions because last game for the Spanish. RC is mandatory OFR. More generally today I think he is just waiting final whistle...

      Delete
    3. Do you still think the same?

      I strongly disagree with you. In the match in Mallorca I would have agreed. Today I do not. The RC is a mistake both live and by De Burgos, but that's it. Now he took a decision which also involved a RC.

      Delete
    4. Brave decision with RC for DOGSO, I agree. Once whistled, DOGSO was clear.

      Delete
  35. I don’t know why all of you againts Lahoz tonight

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    Replies
    1. Only for RC, I think it’s better for VAR to intervened but for all penalty appeal, I think you must to admit that all are supportable decision.

      Delete
    2. I'm not against him at all,in fact,one of my favorite refs.

      But his VAR,I have a problem with them..
      How can they asess that foul as YC only?

      Delete
    3. I don't understand De Burgos decision either. The defender is aiming for the ball, yes, but the height of the leg and the force used makes it a clear RC.

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    4. If I’m not mistaken Lahoz once upon a time reject or become mad with the intervention from De Burgos. Just maybe this is his farewell game, the excuse can’t be supported but I feel smt like that.

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    5. you know how Mateu Lahoz reaction in front of the monitor if De Burgos call him.

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    6. But then they just can't work together, this is a terrible excuse

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    7. I really doubt anyone wants to make a clear mistake voluntarily, which is what you would be making if you tell VAR not to intervene because you are not going to change your decision. Therefore, I don't think that has happened here. However, if that ever happens, I would expect UEFA to heavily punish the involved officials, and make a public statement about that, as it is a clear violation of the protocol.

      Delete
  36. Yeah, I'm sorry, but there is absolutely no way that you can support only a YC for that foul on Griezmann by Mavropanos, an OFR for SFP has to be recommended.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Now correct RC for DOGSO and 2x YC for dissent

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can anyone post the video please?

      Delete
  38. Penalty for handball by Maresca, maybe reported by AR2:
    https://streamja.com/qrjgk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Penalty should had been retaken.

      Delete
    2. I mean by VAR as the defender being inside gets involved in active play by denying opportunity of an attacker who is in regular position to play the ball.

      Players from both teams are inside -> retake

      Delete
    3. Clear handball penalty here.

      I'm not watching the game, just commenting situations from the videos, so I can't say anything about potential retake.

      Delete
  39. Well done Lahoz! Absolute masterclass of a decision to hand out 2 YC for dissent in the same situation, most referees would only have handed out one I feel. RC for DOGSO also correct

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  40. Turkey's goal canceled by Var. Wierdest handball decision i have ever see.

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  41. Anyone watch the game in Manchester? What’s Kovacs doing there with the score already 7-0, I think it was unexpected performance from MKD, Radu Petrescu would enough for the game.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As discussed, very likely it wasn't him as first choice for this game, but just a replacement. Having said that, one couldn't have expected such a score.

      Delete
    2. I think if I’m not mistaken he was replace the Dutch team? But who? Gozubuyuk? I think it’s same if Gozubuyuk on there, it’s waste. Solid or potential elite from Cat. 1 would enough and suit for the game.

      Delete
  42. Does anyone know why Fabio Maresca isn’t wearing his uefa match officials badge?

    ReplyDelete
  43. Terrible performance from Laoh, it's so sad that in his last game he ruined so hard. No way red card for dogso, just a charging from greek player. It was a very easy play on. I trully dont understand the var about France penalties in first half an not a red card for mavropanos for the penalty kick....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh dear. This is an awful opinion and for sure so wrong a clear clear DOGSO

      Delete
  44. WOW, it seems as Orsato makes OFR only "abroad".
    No monitor for him in serie A, even in controversial situations, but it happens in international games...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This situation was too clear to ignore :)

      Delete
  45. BTW said witrh all respect RFEF should do something with De Burgos, a level of refereeing that is simply unacceptable both on the pitch and as VAR.

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    Replies
    1. Completely desagree. IMO De Burgos is one of the best referees in Spain nowadays.

      Delete
    2. @xabi
      I hope this is sarcasm.

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    3. I agree with Xabi. In Spain, he usually does pretty well. CTA-RFEF thinks the same way too, you just have to look at his appointments at the end of the season, so I don't expect them to do anything, really. Tonight he made a mistake as VAR, though.

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    4. Chefren yoy seem to forget that De Burgos won the best ref in Spanish top flight just the season before last!! I feel you exaggerate a bit here!!!

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    5. I echo xabi & George's comments. Last time most people in this blog watched him was probably Lazio - Feyenoord (2 OFRs) and maybe Union Berlín - Ajax & Valencia - Real Madrid (the former with some confrontations in the end, the latter basically unrefereeable) but his domestic season has been very good (as was 21/22 one too) and CTA trusted him with a lot of crucial relegation games & two Clásicos.

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  46. Slovenia - Denmark: Ceferin is watching Letexier.

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  47. Qatari style, 14’ additional time by Lahoz?

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  48. Yc + IFK missed by Mateu with clearly volontariste pass and violation of law by greek defender…

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    Replies
    1. Defender passed the ball to the keeper with his knee.

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    2. Yes but not in a natural way. It was trickery but I understand the no call.

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    3. Tell me you have not read the Laws of the Game without telling me that you have not read the Laws of the Game.

      Delete
  49. https://twitter.com/werekickingoff/status/1670891801559834624 What is your opinion on this? Personally I agree with the tweet, I feel if you have to go in phyisically, you have to do between the players and push them away from eachother, not like this

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    Replies
    1. NBA refs do that. Not refs job to do this. Let the players be responsible and punish if necessarry.

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    2. Sometimes, I do feel like it can be needed, I respect the referee here, clearly he is trying to protect the players.(Even tho it’s not the right way to go bye.)

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    3. Remember Maresca knows Ampadu from Serie A. Of course it would be lunacy to do this with an ‘unknown’ player. Not in the textbook but with an adequate result it is probably okay tbh.

      (btw Ampadu ‘mobbed’ Maresca nearly as bad as this during Roma vs. Spezia :D)

      Delete
    4. My opinion is pretty biased, being a cop in a Mediterranean country with a huge share of Balkan mentality, but I do not find this to be wrong personally. However, speaking more generally, this should probably be avoided. Now, I think this is a clash of different mentalities and cultural backgrounds: there's a huge difference in how personal space is viewed in different parts of the world, and Europe for that matter. There is an even bigger difference in how different cultures view authority. This is something I would have done to prevent an altercation between youths drinking and smoking behind a public school on a warm Saturday night in Croatia, and believe me, it would work and nobody would complain in most of the situations.

      However, as this is a football match on the highest level, let's just say I would never do something like this if I were the referee. The approach you described is what I would choose if I had to step in.

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    5. If you did that in the UK, certainly in England, you would not be well recieved. Watch from afar and sort it out after. Lucky it didn't boil over, but I really don't like to see that style, I'm sorry

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    6. Very interesting to hear your thoughts :)

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    7. Physically engaging people from behind them is stupid, let alone grabbing them like this and pulling. The fact it worked doesn't make it adequate it makes him lucky. If Maresca got hit in the face here and then has to dismiss the player, who's to blame?

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    8. “Lucky”

      I mean sure, Maresca had some element of ‘luck’ as this situation, as any, could have gone another way - but maybe one of the top ≈50 referees in the best continent for refereeing has a much higher level of emotional intelligence / football understanding than an average grassroots referee (maybe, higher than you/us) and he decided it was a risk worth taking. Most people in (not only) refereeing operate on very simple hard and fast rules for what is within limits and what isn’t - perhaps top referees reach the level they do by understanding what they personally, as actors on the FoP, can get away with and what works (for them). Just a thought…

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    9. If you have an element of luck, you are lucky?

      This isn't a brilliantly thought out rational decision by some emotionally intelligent genius, it's a rash move that could've backfired hugely. Just a thought that despite their high emotional intelligence I've never seen any other referee grab an angry player from behind and pull them.

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    10. Just another 'thought'... I don't think this is down to 'emotional intelligence' per se, but more that different countries generally have different expectations of how to deal with incidents and act with people. He dealt with it in his way, but you wouldn't see a Welsh referee do that. Why? As in the UK I would suggest it is provocative and more likely to spark something. In some places, and with some people, the firmness works, but I prefer to see an official stand back à la Oliver in the PL, and I think many like to be shown more respect than having their collar dragged. I think this is one of them where it would be assessed very badly in some places, and as a good intervention in other. I'm just from a place where it is seen by most as bad

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  50. Very doubtful penalty by Weinberger in BLR - KOS

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  51. Clear foul missed just outside the box, I would have liked to see whether in case of INSIDE, De Burgos would have called this time... wrong assessment by Mateu with play on and blatant gestures, it was a tackle only on opponent.
    Then 14 minutes of added time, it's, let me say that, his goodbye ticket. You will understand.
    In a way, this game in France will make the history, but not for the two national teams...

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    1. Clear dive. He fell before any contact.

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  52. I think I just watched a world cup match. Thankyou Lahoz.

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  53. Who better you think mateo laos or garcia aranda spain referee who better ?

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  54. Also I need information who the observer is Christopher Lautier who is matches and where .

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  55. It was a pleasure to watch Orsato tonight. For me, a very good performance despite of the OFR changed penalty. A pity that he was wrong in that case, but this does not change the fact that he was very good tonight. Full control, excellent foul detection, I didn’t notice any fitness problem. The first 80 minutes were not difficult to officiate but he did good until the end. Disciplinary, all the YC were correct, could have shown one more for a dive (clear simulation) in 58; he decided only to reprimand verbally ROU #13, it was 1 minute after he was subbed on, maybe it mattered for Orsato, who knows. I would have loved to have videos with the YCs, but they are difficult to find. Still, one of the best referees in Europe, if not the best. I would love to see him in activity one more year and why not in EURO final, because with such performances and career background he would fully deserve it.

    There are no discussions about refereeing after the game, the same was after the game in Kosovo. Most of the people are thankful for the VAR interventions that saved the team in critical moments. Maybe somehow surprising, Romania received two of the absolute best referees this month (not to forget Lindhout with Undiano Mallenco in MD2, not a small name for that early stage when almost there were no Elite used) and the same could happen in September given the group standing. Both Elite referees performances were very good.

    https://streamin.one/v/e3492194 - 81’ The cancelled penalty after OFR
    https://streamin.one/v/d5ce524c - 96’ Some people wondered if a RC for DOGSO could have been showed here. But, the foul is not even in the own half of the pitch and the defender could have intervene. YC for SPA is absolutely correct.

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  56. What is your opinion about 23' YC for SUI2?

    Maybe it's my Spanish bias/mindset, but after watching the replay I genuinely expected an OFR to upgrade to RC for SFP. Studs tackle, above the ankle, kinda high force.

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    1. Frankly, I am more than ok with only YC because there is not really such a high force/intensity. Sometimes the slowed TV replays can be tricky. Three minutes later, there was a simillar foul made by Rou #11. He also received a YC, so the same line followed. In this situation I agree with YC from the referees. I need to see more intensity for RC (especially if it is in the first half).

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    2. (especially if it is in the first half)

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    3. I was expecting that what in pharanthesis might intrigue some but you can't deny that this is an important factor in the current modern refereeing. You do not necessarily have to embrace it, but you need to adapt to the situation.

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  57. (TURKEY - WALES)

    I really don't understand how this penalty is not repeated? The same thing happened in the France-Greece match and the penalty was repeated. Why not repeat here? The game rules differ according to the team names. Shame on UEFA!
    --
    https://www.linkpicture.com/q/Resim2_2.png

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    1. Better you check the law first
      Restart position
      A player’s position at a restart is determined by the position of their feet or any part of their body which is touching the ground, except as outlined in Law 11 – Offside

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    2. Unfortunately you cannot see whether or not the foot is actually touching the ground or not from this image and therefore VAR can't intervene just with this information. If there is another angle then a VAR intervention might have been possible

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    3. Of course there is another angle and its visible - MAIN CAMERA. I wrote already in previous coments. This penalty should have been retaken by VAR.

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    4. The laws also talk about the impact the encroaching player has on the result of the kick. No impact the result of the kick stands. Eg keeper saves but encroaching player strikes ball into goal is a re-take.

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    5. Having seen full penalty, leaning in or over the lines does not constitute encroachment

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    6. Never a retake. Spirit of the law is to prohibit players from galning an unfair advantage - not to punish minor encroachments such as these with no impact. Had the goalkeeper saved the penalty and the ball ended up for the attacker, then the situation is different. Our role as referees is not to be madmen punishing technical offences with the law book in our hands.

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    7. Then why do you punish 1 mm offside?

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    8. Because it’s been accepted. Why are goalkeepers allowed to hold the ball for 20 seconds when the law says 6?

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    9. That is my point. Punishing tiny encroachments has been accepted because it's factual.

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    10. No it’s factual as per the laws a players upper body within the penalty area at the taking of a penalty does not constitute encroachment. For off side in the use of VAR, the lines drawn constitute 5cm on the field of play, so if they in any way touch the player is recognised on-side. Therefore in being off-side you are 5cm in front of the recognised 2nd last defender. Not 1mm

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  58. I'm sorry to say but Lahoz has continued the downward trend of his career in his last game. This was a perfect example

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  59. If Turpin, Vincic or Lahoz whistled the same penalty as Orsato yesterday there would be 100 comments about the worst decision in the history of football, maybe even in the history of mankind. But Orsato? Excellent, never mind the wrong penalty.

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    1. True. It was a very bad decision. His position looked good to properly assess the tackle. And I didn’t like the amount of time that VAR needed before calling him to screen. If even Orsato saw enough after just one reply…
      These Euro qualifier games are not so high profile. That may cause the lack of reactions and criticism.

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  60. Any Irish here that watched Marian Barbu in the game Ireland-Gibraltar? I wonder if he has potential for Cat 1 in future? He is very unexperienced internationally but is still young.

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