Referee appointments for 2022-23 UEFA Nations League Semifinals.
14 June 2023, 20:45 CET - Rotterdam, Stadion Feijenoord 'De Kuip'
NETHERLANDS - CROATIA
Referee: István Kovács (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Vasile Florin Marinescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Mihai Ovidiu Artene (ROU)
Fourth Official: Halil Umut Meler (TUR)
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sören Storks (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Mark Blackbourne (ENG)
15 June 2023, 20:45 CET - Enschede, FC Twente Stadion
SPAIN - ITALY
Referee: Slavko Vinčić (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič (SVN)
Fourth Official: Irfan Peljto (BIH)
Video Assistant Referee: Nejc Kajtazović (SVN)
SPAIN - ITALY
Referee: Slavko Vinčić (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič (SVN)
Fourth Official: Irfan Peljto (BIH)
Video Assistant Referee: Nejc Kajtazović (SVN)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Matej Jug (SVN)
UEFA Referee Observer: Björn Kuipers (NED)
UEFA Delegate: Jānis Mežeckis (LVA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Björn Kuipers (NED)
UEFA Delegate: Jānis Mežeckis (LVA)
I guess Vincic for Spain-Italy
ReplyDeleteMaybe. Kuipers’ name indicates a younger ref (Schaerer / Meler / Letexier), however Bjorn lives very close to this stadium, so perhaps we shouldn’t read too much in that.
DeleteOther names are Zwayer and Dias
DeleteGood luck for kovacs and his team
ReplyDeleteI think dias for Spain vs italy
ReplyDeleteA 70% zwayer pour Italie vs Espagne
ReplyDeleteUEFA Nations League Final: Zwayer - Lupp - Achmüller, VAR Fritz/Jablonski
ReplyDeleteZwayer in the final would be my prediction too, as he is a neutral choice for all possible pairings: Croatia vs Italy, Croatia vs Spain, NL vs Italy, NL vs Spain.
DeleteWhereas Vincic (SVN) is not the most logical choice if Croatia reaches the final.
Soares Dias (POR) not my first choice if, for instance, Spain meets Croatia in the final.
Is Fritz possible with Zwayer after Liverpool vs REAL Madrid?
DeleteWhat about Michael Oliver?? He might be a possibility for final
DeleteDidn’t Taylor did do one very recently
DeleteAnd no chance if Italian team
DeleteWithout Holland, maybe Makkelie for the final as a compensation for how he's been treated? The tournament is in the Netherlands after all.
ReplyDeleteNo, no, no, absolutely not. How do you think the Croatian fans would feel in this situation? Obviously not comfortable. 0% chances for Makkelie in this playoff. And by the way, I think Makkelie was the first option for the UCL final (because you can't expect that Marciniak was planned for both the final and the semifinal second leg), but it was him and his team that didn't delivered a good enough performance in Sevilla-Juventus.
DeleteWooow, that’s a very passionate no :) Anyways, your theory about this year’s champions league does not detract from Makkelie’s treatment by Uefa from Real vs PSG match on.
DeleteThe reason given by Matei is actually nonsense, as the referee is ’glad’ when his country loses. And players know that as well. Weird conspiracy theories about taking revenge. I also recall that Pitana refereed France right after Argentina lost at the 2018 World Cup, which is a much bigger stage than Nations League.
DeleteHowever, this is different. Not sure you can have two teams on standby for this Nations League final, with flights, hotels etc. This is logistically inconvenient, not much time and one team will be disappointed, hence I’m sure UEFA made a choice before the semi’s.
I do not doubt the referees professionism of the referees. At that level, you can officiate your own family and still be impartial. But I consider that UEFA/FIFA has the responsabilty to avoid any controversies. And the fans can easily create conspiracies. And guess who suffers from this? Exactl, the refs, because an artificial pressure appears when it could be easily avoided. The referees appointments must be as neutral as possible. In that Pitana case, yes, I disagree with that appointment, I don't think it is ok. As well as I disagreed from the beginning, and still I am unhappy with Lahoz refereeing Argentina team, due to common Spanish language. It's not fair for the other team. You have the right to disagree with me, but I consider them valid arguments.
DeleteMatei your argument about avoiding controversy is total nonsense. If UEFA would do that our polish "friend" would have been removed from this years CL final. And rightly so. However I agree with you that Makkelie, and other refs from the 4 playing countries should be out in this case.
DeleteThe Greek team around Sidiropoulos today in GER-UKR donate their full match fee (around 4000€) for people in the Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteVery poor offside call by AR1 for Ukraine equaliser. Thank god there was VAR
ReplyDeleteOn the site of Slovenian football asociation they wrote, that vincic is selected for semifinal between spain and italy. AR1: Tomaz Klancnik, AR2: Andraz Kovacic, 4th: Irfan Peljto (BIH), VAR: Nejc Kajtazovic, AVAR: Matej Jug.
ReplyDeletePeljto again as FO with Vinčić.
ReplyDeleteTwo quite logical and expectable appointments in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteEasy for final Orsato or Matteu Lahoz
ReplyDeleteLahoz possible again with NL 0% chance
DeleteNot lahoz as Spain in semi finals
DeleteSpain in semifinals and not Italy, Mohammad?
DeleteTo see a Slovenian VAR suddenly trusted in a SF Europa league and SF Nations League comes a bit out of nowhere for my taste. And very rare for such a small football nation with a low level of football. IMO almost impossible for any other small nation on the ranking to achieve this, but hey, politics. ;)
ReplyDeleteDuring his R16 game in UCL, Vinčić still worked with a VAR from a big country. After that game, they Slovenian VMO’s are suddenly trusted. Curious how this pattern continues. Since 2020, UEFA always opted for a CR and VAR from the same country in a Champions League final. I guess, that should be their main goal…
Well he was a horror show with Van Boekel, was poor with Hernandez Hernandez. Seem to recall Fritz had some controversy as well.
DeleteVincic in a UCL final on current form would be a disgrace
Yes, mistakes by other VAR’s must be part of the reason. Time will tell whether the Slovenian VMO’s are ‘suddenly’ trusted in UCL as well.
DeleteI emphasize this, because Vinčić has always been a ref that is leaning a lot on the support of a VAR. I recall many OFR’s - doesn’t come across as a real decision maker to me. Rather a surviving referee trying to be in the background and unnoticed one, even when a situation is very clear.
A poor referee that’s what Vincic is
DeleteFinal Liga das Nações
ReplyDeleteArtur Dias
Paulo Soares
Pedro Ribeiro
VAR Tiago Martins
Please make it clear that was your prediction or official assignment
DeleteZWAYER IN FINAL !
ReplyDeleteProbabilty Turpin for final ?
ReplyDeleteO %
DeleteCONCACAF Nations League
ReplyDeleteSemi-Finals
15/06
Panama - Canada
Referee: Juan Gabriel Calderón Pérez (CRC)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Carlos Mora Araya (CRC)
Assistant Referee 2: Henry Antonio Pupiro Esquivel (NCA)
Fourth Official: Mario Alberto Escobar Toca (GUA)
Video Assistant Referee: Benjamín Pineda Ávila (CRC)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Selvin Antonio Brown Chavarría (HON)
United States - Mexico
Referee: Iván Arcides Barton Cisneros (SLV)
Assistant Referee 1: David Jonathan Morán Santos (SLV)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Francisco Zumba Galán (SLV)
Fourth Official: Walter Alexander López Castellanos (GUA)
Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Auxiliadora Guzmán Alguera (NCA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ismael Alexander Cornejo Meléndez (SLV)
Big clash with VAR is “the Nicaraguan girl”? Term that used by former Mexican WC referee.
DeleteI don't know how it works in CONCACAF, but I can't exclude this is an indirect answer to him following his statements... but maybe too short time between the events.
DeleteShe could simply be the most established VAR outside USA, Mexico and Canada in CONCACAF.
DeleteI mean, she has just done a QF and a SF at the U20WC. And she is nominated for both the WWC and the Gold Cup this summer. And if we look at the last Gold Cup, there don't seem to be many alternatives on the VAR position outside the three WC26 host countries.
Chefren or someone else, can you link to those statements? I didn’t see them.
Deletehttps://twitter.com/ChiquimarcoMx/status/1668027831878549506
DeleteIn addition to the U20WWC, WWC and Gold Cup, Guzman was also AVAR in the last CNL final in 2021. Wondering why Cherand is not being used more frequently by Concacaf?
DeleteShe was only the AVAR on that U20 game, right? Seems like such a weird comment by Rodriguez to attack her credentials rather than criticize the main VAR, Fedayi San.
DeleteAny info about who will be the referee for AUS-ARG and IDN-ARG?
ReplyDeleteA correct first YC by the book.
ReplyDeleteBorderline SFP, actually.
DeleteMandatory, he was absolutely forced to book, but yes, my first remark was about Milan - Napoli, this time no hesitation to issue an early card!
DeleteNot enough intensity for a RC imo. But yes, YC the correct decision.
DeleteMandatory YC for me as well, although not more than that (agree with matei14 about the lack of intensity).
DeleteYeah but one YC before missed for illegal use of arms. An now too quick whistle just before the goal.
ReplyDeleteLuckily the foul was clear, but in this case you can see a referee not so much used to work with VAR (relatively recent introduction in Romania), He should have waited indeed.
DeleteI disagree, when a foul is that clear a delayed whistle affects the credibility and leadership of a referee. In case of any doubt I’d agree.
DeleteLooks like Kovac will not do mistakes from Milan-Napoli ever again. Tonight 2 very early yellow cards, sure both mandatory but he missed 3,4 mandatory yellow cards in first half of Milan-Napoli and lost the game because of that. All in all I like Kovac a lot and if he referee his style and not trying to avoid cards at any cost in first half he will be back where he was before MIlan-Napoli game.
ReplyDeleteI agree, and I would add what he did in Milan - Napoli was indeed against hhis style, trying to apply the famous "modern trend of refereeing"?
DeletePossible YC for Perisic, elbow on keeper, he could have been booked.
ReplyDeleteShould have been booked
DeleteAgree, lack of sportmanship. The intervention was late, after the ball was kicked and Kovacs missed it.
DeleteCorrect play on at those contact outside the box in 40' when two players remained fell on the pitch.
Quite challenging first half but so far so good. The good approach to the game was chosen before the start and stuck with it all the time.
ReplyDeleteNot an easy game to manage. Teams with a reputation. Rough fouls and quite some dissents from both sides. Lots of talking by Kovács as well. Issuing early cards was a good strategy and will help him.
ReplyDeleteI’m not overly convinced about Kovacs 1st half. I found his foul detection somewhat inconsistent, leading to increasing irritations in especially the Croatian side. Apart from that his preventive communications don’t really come across as effective. It’s not bad by any means, but neither very convincing IMHO.
ReplyDeleteDon’t underestimate the difficulty of this game. Most referees have their hands full when they officiate the Dutch NT or Dutch clubs.
DeleteCroatia not the easiest team as well. If we compare Kovács (and his strategy) to what Lahoz tried to do in ARG-NED, he is more than decent tbf.
Busy 1H for Kovacs: besides three mandatory cautions in 17', 25' and 38', there was quite a few situations worth discussing:
ReplyDelete-careless vs reckless foul in 2' from Van Dijk,
- illegal use of arms in 14' by Simons followed with a potential PI,
- careless vs reckless charging/use of arms from Perisic in 37', while being already verbally warned.
Furthermore quite a lot of work for assessing challenges and foul/no foul situations.
The Romanian is doing okayish so far, however he seems not to fully grasp when to step-in on a presence level, and his talks often failed to reach their targets or arouse trust from the players, in my view.
An okay performance in the 1H for me, but with some mistakes and inconsistencies IMHO, so nothing more than okay. Some early YCs were excellently given, which is a very positive aspect of tonight's performance, however, like Anonymous @21:38, I find his foul detection towards the end of the 1H somewhat dubious and inconsistent. I have to say I'm not too convinced about those two successive play on calls in 40' to have been entirely correct (one for each side), and there was also a pretty clear foul for CRO missed in 33' (IIRC). Also to mention, Perišić should have received a YC for his late elbow foul on the NED GK, IMO.
ReplyDeleteAll things considered, I do expect more from him in the 2H.
Very soft penalty... well, the kind that committee doesn't like.
ReplyDeleteYes, but probably also not wrong, because there is an element of impeding. But Modric doesn't have to fall, therefore a soft decision.
DeleteDutch commentator said: if his wife touches him like this, he won’t fall down :D
ReplyDeleteCompletely supportable penalty imo. Very silly from the defender
ReplyDeleteGakpo was the only guy who actually didn't complain xD
DeleteBecause he knew it was a stupid action, giving Modric an excuse to voluntarily fall down. Soft penalty, but foolish action by Gakpo.
DeleteSupportable for me as well, although definitely soft (Modrić didn't have to fall like that). As Unknown said, foolish defending by Gakpo.
DeleteSoft, both for me as well for COm probably. Maybe Rocchi will asses it as acceptable, but in EURO, this one will serve as example in the preparatory course as NO penalty.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know who is referee for Argentina v Australia?
ReplyDeleteRef: Ma Ning (CHN)
DeleteAR1: Shi Xiang (CHN)
AR2: Zhou Fei (CHN)
4O: Fu Ming (CHN)
no var
How on earth can that be a foul against modric
ReplyDeleteI don’t like referees who have the yellow card in their top pocket 😃 for me it should be straight out especially for clear yellow. I know that’s not my country’s approach but I do it anyway!
ReplyDeleteI’m actually interested where does everyone keep their cards when on the pitch?
DeleteThat's probably more a Macron kits problem with the shirt pockets being too small and tight.
DeleteMy impression is that most Romanian, Portuguese and Turkish referees keep their cards in their shirt pockets, here in Spain traditionally we used to keep everything (YC, RC, notepad, pencil) in the same shirt pocket, with a minority keeping them separated but still in the shirt pockets, like García Aranda, Undiano Mallenco or Mejuto González in his last years. Since the late 10s there's been a big change across the country to keep the cards separated in the shorts pockets, apparently because of the double velcro of Adidas 16 kits being unconfortable, so at the time lots of LaLiga top referees like Mateu, De Burgos or Hernández Hernández radically changed their card showing procedure.
DeleteWhen I whistle matches in Belgium (clothing brand is Patrick) I put my yellow card in my left breast pocket, the card to note yellow / red cards, goals and substitutions I put in my right breast pocket with a pen. I put the red card in my back pocket. In the left side of my pants I put my spare yellow/red cards and in the right side a spare whistle, stylo, coin toss.
DeleteAll started with Italy and that style came from Serie A if I'm not wrong.
DeleteOliver: When Referee Channel made a poll where refs put their yellow cards 298 refs voted.
Delete32% chest pocket
59% shorts pocket
5% In a referee card wallet
3% Back pocket
Tbh I remember that by EURO 2008 referees like Webb, Fröjdfeldt & Vassaras already kept their YC in the shorts (and previously Milton Nielsen, a lot of Nordic referees don't keep their cards in top pocket), but certainly the old Diadora kits with awkward shirt pockets certainly made most Italian referees to keep their cards in the shorts.
DeleteThanks everyone for their replies! I don’t use the shirt at all. Yellow in right short pocket, red in the left and book and pen in the back pocket. I find it uncomfortable using the shirt pockets
DeleteOliver agree, hate the shirt pockets. Personally the Mike Dean style yellow shirt left, red back right. Notepad etc shirt right.
DeleteI know Brych used to keep yellow in shirt left and red back right (same as Turpin)
Kuipers and Taylor - Yellow short right. Red top left. Orsato red top left
Marciniak, Vincic and Oliver yellow short right and red back right. Oliver has a SYC set shirt left
I believe Attwell is only PL referee to keep yellow in a shirt pocket
In Scotland all referees in the Scottish premiership,have yellow in shorts pocket and red in front shirt pocket!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not all. Steven McLean one example. There certainly isn't a directive regarding this
DeleteTonight a not convincing Kovac. Very soft penalty, several times he missed a foul and a YC. I saw better performances of him.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long, very long time since I saw Kovacs in Extra Time. But I'm sure the fitness is definitely not a problem for him.
ReplyDeleteAnd again a head coach completely turning mad along the sideline without being appropriately sanctioned! Incredible…
ReplyDeleteI wasn’t impressed with Kovacs performances, clearly is not terrible at all but his performance seems like Soares Dias performance in Madrid, still decent despite shaky or unconvincing in multiple times.
ReplyDeleteLack of caution(s) to Dalić is scandalous. And that UEFA adapted the FIFA's approach regarding misconducts by benches after they demanded a VERY STRICT way of dealing with it at two last seminars is laughable and says all about the current committee.
ReplyDeleteAgree with every single word. Although he is the coach of my team and I respect him very much, this type of behaviour is unacceptable, no matter who you are. But of course, if you let Mourinho do what he did, then you set up a very dangerous precedent and send a message to any other coach that such acts will be tolerated. Shameful and sad, but unfortunately a new reality.
DeleteCompletely agree. What was he even complaining about? There was still time left and it was definitely no foul on Petkovic just before
DeleteAnother soft penalty
ReplyDeleteClear PK for Croatia now.
ReplyDeleteKovács is struggling with foul detection in this OT, I have the feeling it's a bit 'random' due to mental exhaustion.
Agree with you about the PK.
DeleteAs for the foul detection, this is indeed a period without a clear line, but it's not the first time tonight such a period exists, at least for my taste.
Yep, he missed a couple of fouls. Interesting point with mental exhaustion, it might be true.
DeleteGood offiside by AR2 at the last incident of the game.
Kovacs correctly saw the second penalty, and because there are elements also in favour of whistling the first one, the mark might be not bad at all. Overall he had the control in a pretty challenging game.
I saw a repetitive type of negative comment from Anonymous accounts, I guess not all of them are from differite persons. Of course, some of the critics are justified, it was not a perfect night.
I'd say it was a good return considering it was the first European game after the controversy in Milano. Others would have been much more affected.
As a Dutch person, I think Kovacs did a good job. The first penalty was soft, but also stupidly defended. The second one was clearly right.
ReplyDeleteMy main criticism would be the way the Croatian coach behaved. Outright scandalous.
The undisciplinied bench behaviour became so common in the recent time. And the 4th official (and referees) management is the same. At this point, it can't be a coincidence. It is obviously now that these are the instructions from UEFA. And the referees have to follow them, so we can't blame them but their superiors.
DeleteVery weak ref
ReplyDeleteVery bad performance of Kovacs this night.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts
ReplyDeleteKey Match Incidents:
09' PAI handball: rather no handball, very poor replay
17' possible RC 8CRO after studs challenge: not enough force to classify it as endangering an opponent's safety, the YC shown by the referee was an optimal choice
53' at least acceptable if not even preferable PK to CRO for holding; I think we all can agree that surely no VAR intervention in case of PK and some could argue that VAR should've intervened in case of no PK (blatant holding), so IMO an optimal decision was made
114' possible 2YC 21NED for SPA holding, no replay shown
115' unacceptable lack of delaying the whistle when the ball allegedly went off the field of play, VAR with no chance to check this one
115' clear PK awarded for reckless challenge
120' possible 2YC 16NED after illegal use of arm; one can discuss but maybe sensible to let it go in this moment
120+2' Croatia's goal disallowed due to offside (AR2), no replay shown
Disciplinary control:
Kovacs tried to keep cards in his pocket as long as possible. He tried to manage Dutchmen (van Dijk in 2', Simons after several fouls in 8', 14', 15'). One can discuss if that was a good strategy. The very first foul by Van Dijk and the second foul (illegal use of arm) by Simons were quite reckless. Then, the high studs/low force challenge occurred and Kovacs had no choice but to book the Croat for this one. It happens, so I wouldn't blame him much for that, to be honest.
What I didn't like was his unsure attitude, like waiting for VAR to confirm whether a YC to CRO is REALLY mandatory, both in 17' and 24'...
Afterwards, rather all mandatory yellow cards were shown by the referee. One can question his lenient assessments of illegal use of arm (14', 107', 120') and play-on call after possible SPA by already-cautioned 21NED (114').
In 78', Kovacs could've played an advantage after an offside offence (Croatians were upset by the whistle). In 104', he impeded one of NED players making the Croatia's counterattack much easier
As for the rest of the game, I won't state whether his foul detection was good or not because there were so many duels and often we didn't see any replay. I had a feeling that he assesses every single incident isolatedly but can't really communicate his decisions to players. I find him too isolated, not giving a damn about letting players know what are the reasons of his verdicts, etc. On the other hand, the game was really intense for the referee, as always with NED playing fast, pressing opponents and putting much pressure on the referee (van Dijk is really a troublemaker) but also with temperamental Croatians.
Summary
Overall, it was still a decent performance. Five key match incidents assessed correctly. Two possible 2YCs to NED players to be rewatched. You just cannot stop play for the ball being out of play if a player has a chance to score... Quite good disciplinary control. The game was difficult to referee - many challenges, putting pressure on the referee, etc. Everything spoilt by no action against the wildly dissenting Croatian bench, but...
... Dear UEFA, what is the reason of such drastic change in your strict approach against misconduct of the benches?!!! Come on, allowing such behaviours is ruining the game!!!
All things considered, I agree with your assessments (written excellently as always). I do have certain doubts regarding his foul detection, especially in the latter stage of the 1H and ET, however I do agree that all of KMIs were solved correctly and all the given YCs were correct. I'm not sure those potential 2YCs were mandatory, but this is only my first impression after watching the game live, I need to rewatch those incidents as well. What I didn't like was missing YC to Perišić for his elbow foul on the NED GK, although it's probably my personal opinion. Also, after watching the illegal use of arm by Simons in 14' again, maybe a YC should have been given indeed.
DeleteWhat I agree with the most in your analysis is a certain lack of presence by Kovacs in this game, a feeling of isolation by him and something that I tend to describe as ineffective communication with players: it seemed to me he failed to reach his targets on an interaction level too many times. Combine that with a certain sense of insecurity when assessing duels and there we have the main reason why I would call this performance decent, not more.
On the other hand, what needs to be said is that this was quite a challenging game, with both teams putting pressure on the referee, but Kovacs managed to keep control over everything until the very end IMO.
Of course, my last sentence becomes pretty questionable when watching Croatian bench (and especially Dalić) dissenting in such a wild way, but this seems to have become a rule, not an exception. A very shameful and sad rule, to be honest. I'm really not sure who is to be blamed more: Kovacs or the committee.
I've rewatched two potential 2YC situations by rewinding the broadcast:
Delete1) 114': no replay shown unfortunately, however it does feel like a missed foul, but I still can't be 100% sure the attacker didn't go down too easily, trying to win a foul. In case of a foul whistled, definitely a YC for SPA for my taste.
2) 120': Very similar to 14' incident by Simons. For the sake of consistency, it is indeed sensible to let this one go without a YC, but as I stated above, maybe both should have been given. The more I watch those two situations, the more I believe so.
Thanks for your replies! Of course, I forgot to mention the incident with Perišić being late with his challenge on GK. It should have been a YC for reckless use of arm, indeed, but most likely Marinescu was only aware of late, not so reckless contact by legs / body and nobody detected the elbow. It's somehow understandable but I agree it's a missed caution.
DeleteFive KMIs correctly assessed, two PKs awarded and one goal disallowed, all without using VAR, in a challenging match, is very positive.
DeleteIt's not positive if one of the penalties is very very soft.
DeleteI disagree with “the missed YC ‘14 for illegal use of hands” comments. This looked more careless than reckless IMHO. It looked unintentional and lacked force
ReplyDeleteTiago Martins (POR) is appointed as VAR on 17/06 in EURO Qualifiers with Fabio Verissimo. So, it seems unlikely that he will get Nations League final. Therefore, unless a different VAR appointment, I don't think that Soares Dias will referee the final.
ReplyDeleteThird place game, observer: Leslie Irvine (NIR)
DeleteFinal: Markus Nobs (SUI)
I think it will be possible to see Zwayer in final, based on observer, while maybe Kruzliak third place.
Matteu or Orsato for the final
DeleteU21 QUALIFIERS
ReplyDeleteThursday 15 June 2023
13:00 CET - Gibraltar (Victoria Stadium)
GIBRALTAR - MOLDOVA || Group C
Referee: Jasmin Sabotic (LUX)
Assistant Referee 1: Joaquim Daniel da Silva Gomes (LUX)
Assistant Referee 2: Claude Ries (LUX)
Fourth Official: Ivo Manuel Torres da Rocha Fernandes (LUX)
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate:
Friday 16 June 2023
17:00 CET - Jonava (Jonavos miesto centrinis stadionas)
LITHUANIA - DENMARK || Group I
Referee: Henrik Nalbandyan (ARM)
Assistant Referee 1: Mesrop Ghazaryan (ARM)
Assistant Referee 2: Sargis Hovhannisyan (ARM)
Fourth Official: Zaven Hovhannisyan (ARM)
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate:
19:00 CET - Klaksvík (við Djúpumýru)
FAROE ISLANDS - ANDORRA || Group G
Referee: David Alexander Munro (SCO)
Assistant Referee 1: David McGeachie (SCO)
Assistant Referee 2: Jonathan Bell (SCO)
Fourth Official: Christopher Graham (SCO)
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate:
I didn't watch the game (and hence am very grateful for ESR's excellent resume :)) but want to say this - you do have to question the football understanding of somebody who declares the first penalty to be 'soft'. It is a clear, clear foul.
ReplyDeleteClip: https://streamin.one/v/e3fc1483
In football, there are two kinds of fouls:
1) you trip someone up
2) without playing the ball, you prevent an opponent from moving where he wants to go
It is a pity that too many refereeing people confuse the two, mostly influenced by the oft-obscuring slow motion replay. Gakpo's holding *obviously* doesn't cause Modrić to fall to the ground, Croatian does that afterwards for effect, but it obviously prevents him from executing his target (either shooting towards goal or passing to Kramarić), you can see that very blatantly from the way his legs move. The fall, in this instance, has absolutely nothing to do with the question 'was it a foul?'.
Stop treating tripping incidents the same as holding/impeding offences, and you will begin to understand football (refereeing) much better.
News form Austria: Viktor Kassai (HUN) is the new Technical Director of the Referee Department. His job includes the professionalization of Austrian refereeing. He will be supported by his former Assistent Referee, György Ring, who will execute the role as head of VAR.
ReplyDelete"With Viktor Kassai, we were able to win a top international man for the position of Technical Director in the area of refereeing. We are very much looking forward to tackling the work in the main office in a new way and to providing new impulses and accents. From a refereeing point of view, it is very welcome to have such a well-founded expertise in our ranks. I am very confident that we will all successfully go the way of professionalisation together. His large international network and standing with UEFA will certainly be beneficial for this process," says the Chairman of the Referees' Committee Robert Sedlacek.
Delete"I am very happy to work on the further development of refereeing in Austria and to make my contribution. During the discussion process, I quickly realised that our goals and visions for the future coincide and that we speak the same language. My life is dedicated to refereeing - both in my 30 years as an active referee and for three years in the background in management. I know the challenges that await us and, together with György Ring, I am highly motivated to tackle them with the team of the ÖFB, the Bundesliga and, of course, the referees," said Kassai after his appointment.
According to the ÖFB statement, the activities of the referee commission under Robert Sedlacek "remain unchanged and are carried out in close coordination and cooperation with the main office".
Bundesliga board member Christian Ebenbauer is also pleased with Kassai's appointment: "We welcome the appointment of a respected and internationally experienced professional to this important position. It is the next step in the process of professionalising the refereeing sector. Together with the ÖFB, we have made a clear commitment to go down this path. Now the steps of implementation follow. It is very pleasing that we can start the coming season with a new, strengthened and broad-based expertise in the main office."
Any predictions for final and thirdplace game?
ReplyDeleteOT: Appointment for the LaLiga promotion playoff final, 2nd leg:
ReplyDeleteFrancisco José Hernández Maeso - Judit Romano García, David Ortiz Calderón - Daniel Jesús Trujillo Suarez
[Eduardo Prieto Iglesias, Álvaro Moreno Aragón]
So, the shortlist of 6 candidates to LaLiga promotion is as follows:
David Gálvez Rascón (1981, Madrid, if he doesn't get promoted he will have to retire due to age limits)
Mateo Busquets Ferrer (1993, Balearic Islands, very talented referee who managed to get a playoff game in his debut season in 2nd tier, definitely LaLiga and potentially FIFA material)
Adrián Cordero Vega (1984, Cantabria, deservedly demoted last year... but a promotion back to LaLiga would also be deserved, very good season)
Jon Ander González Esteban (1985, Basque Country, was already among the candidates last year)
Víctor García Verdura (1994, Catalonia, his promotion is a given for political reasons - since Estrada's retirement, Catalonia doesn't have any referee in LaLiga, however despite being good enough for the category and succeeding to keep control of challenging games I'm kinda worried that in case of promotion he will struggle in LaLiga)
Francisco José Hernández Maeso (1988, Extremadura, very talented referee who already deserved to be promoted last year and will definitely be this season unless he makes a mess in the 2nd leg)
Hernández Maeso & García Verdura's promotions are 90% sure, they will fill the spots of Mateu & Del Cerro in LaLiga. The other 4 will depend on CTA-RFEF's decision to demote someone else from LaLiga.
Do you know what the situation is with the specialist VARs in La liga? From what I understand 5 of the 6 specialist VARs will leave their positions, does this mean all La liga referees will be eligible to be VAR? Previously was only the specialist VARs and FIFA referees.
DeleteThese last 2-3 seasons, only FIFA referees and specialized VARs were allowed to be main VARs. Now I guess we'll go back to all referees being allowed to be VAR, then ARs acting as AVAR.
DeleteHowever it would be strange if for the next season only Jaime Latre (and Del Cerro) stay as specific VAR. So maybe there's 1-2 more demotions so that there are enough specific VARs.
who could be a possible candidate for demotion?
DeletePast years we always named melero lopez but I think this was by far his strongest season in LaLiga.
I Think Muniz ruiz should be demoted. I did not see one single game, in which he was good. I also can not see any strenghten in general. No good foul detection, no good body language, bad communication with the players. Maybe his fitness is more than okay.
Other candidates could be in my opinion: figueroa vazquez, pulido santana, ortiz arias (I love his style but I think his decision making, especially when to give a card, was not so good this season)
Other Question? Is there a reason why de burgos was used so much more than all the other referees? (they all had 16-21 games this season in LaLiga, just soto grado 22 and de burgos 24)
Delete@JD In the last LaLiga matchdays there was a shortage of FIFA referees available, along with the relegation battle being on-fire with so many teams involved. De Burgos with his particular (but working) managing style has had CTA-RFEF's trust for decisive relegation games.
DeleteThe shortage:
Hernández Hernández - Injured before 2nd last matchday (appointed to decisive game Cádiz - Celta, and De Burgos who was initially meant to rest had to replace him)
Munuera Montero - Injured in the last weeks of LaLiga competition, came back just in time for the decisive game of last MD (Valladolid - Getafe)
Sánchez Martínez & Cuadra Fernández - Unavailable because of U20 WC in Argentina
Also, Mateu & Del Cerro seemed to be already on farewell mode and despite being available, CTA appointed both to relatively 'vanilla' games in the last MDs.
@Quilava, question: why doesn`t Medie Jimenez get international appointments as VAR?
DeleteUEFA Regions' Cup Final
ReplyDelete17/06, 19:00 CET
Campo Municipal de A Lomba, Villagarcia de Arousa (ESP)
Galicia (ESP) - Belgrade (SRB)
Referee: Kristoffer Karlsson (SWE)
AR1: Martin Roberts (WAL)
AR2: Slagjan Markoski (MKD)
Fourth Official: Sigurd Kringstad (NOR)
UEFA Delegate: Scott Struthers (SCO)
UEFA Referee Observer: Ichko Lozev (BUL)
AFC U17 ASIAN CUP
ReplyDeleteThursday 15 June 2023
Yemen - Malaysia
Referee: Payam Heydari (IRN)
Assistant Referee 1: Arman Assadi (IRN)
Assistant Referee 2: Ismailjan Talipjanov (KGZ)
Fourth Official: Thoriq Munir Alkatiri (IDN)
Thailand - Laos
Referee: Kim Jong-hyeok (KOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Park Gyun-yong (KOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Sabbah Qasim Al-Baghdadi (IRQ)
Fourth Official: Ahmad Faisal Muhammad Al-Ali (JOR)
Very funny appointment :))
DeleteIs there another Kim Jong Hyeok?
After FO duty in ACL final 2nd leg and even if we talk about his experience as ACL final in 2015 cmiiw, referee and VAR on junior WC, now he will be in the middle of kids playground, even if we talk how difficult match in AFF, this is really out of nowhere, Laos is absolutely not same as Malaysia, Vietnam, or Indonesia. This is simply shameful appointment.
Sato just ended his referee career and is already an AFC assessor at this tournament?
DeleteIs it true Sato is the observer? Do u have the source?
DeleteThis penalty has been clearly reported by AR2, impossible to see for Vincic.
ReplyDeleteCorrect PK call by Vincic
ReplyDeleteTight offside missed by AR2, VAR intervention. Difficult to see, but I don't think impossible for an AR at very top level.
ReplyDeleteI think after this replay it was impossible to see for AR2.
DeleteNo, it's good to see for Vincic!
Delete7,9!
DeleteI think Vincic is back, his performance so far in not challenging game much better than in Manchester (I didn’t watch his game in SF UEL).
ReplyDeleteCorrect YC for Immobile (reckless stamp), probably after AR2 input.
ReplyDeleteNow clear YC for reckless challenge, step on foot and a very evident one. The booking was quite late and Vincic indicated to player that he had made two fouls, a better management was possible.
ReplyDeleteHow can he stop very promising Italia's attack to book player for protest?
ReplyDeleteClueless Vincic
ReplyDeleteI praise the YC for potests, but stopping the game when the other team is leading an attack... well... not the best Vincic in some minor things, still I don't see the referee of some years ago anymore.
ReplyDeleteVery high standard today :)
DeleteDefinitely a better performance by Vinčić tonight than in some of his last games, IMO. Good foul detection most of the time, disciplinary and card management seems to be optimal. However, the delay in issuing a YC to Immobile for a reckless stamp definitely wasn't the most elegant way of dealing with that situation, indicating that Vinčić probably missed it live and received some input from AR2, I guess.
ReplyDeleteHandball penalty whistled for Italy was a correct decision, nothing to add there.
On the other hand, stopping a promising attack for Italy in the last minute just to issue a caution to Jordi Alba for protest was a very poor decision, IMO. It was probably the worst moment of this 1H and it certainly aroused some pretty justified protests by the players, which I'm not sure Vinčić dealt with optimally. (The alleged "foul" a second or two before, that Jordi Alba was protesting about, was a correct play on decision by Vinčić, IMO.) It seems to me Vinčić has some issues in connecting with players in an optimal way; maybe it's my wrong perception, but there is definitely something missing if we compare his current form with that he had some seasons ago.
I don’t know it’s just my feeling or maybe is it true that Vincic got quite many close-up highlight today. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteVincic always looks so upset. Never seen him smile. It's like he doesn't like being there. Showing some joy is important as a ref.
ReplyDeleteGo Turpin !
ReplyDeleteA correct YC to Zaniolo and perfect body language when player complained. Overall a performance without major issues and better than the previous ones, returning back to a good form.
ReplyDeleteA big focus on him because he can do even better, I remember the referee who was about the get Elite category, very hungry on the pitch. In recent times, before today, he looked to me a bit relaxed, and not the same referee as before, but that's only my impression. Let's see how he will continue.
In all the predictions for the final Michael Oliver is mentioned by allmost no one. Why is that? Spanish, Italian and Dutch referees out, Turpin already participated in the first Nations League final 4, Marciniak not really an option. Oliver after his WC QF, wouldn't he be the most logical choice?
ReplyDeleteTaylor whistled the last final so no chance for him, I guess
DeleteAnother reason might be, that Oliver could still be a problem with Italy, although that shouldn't be the case after so many years.
DeleteDon’t think any English referee will do an Italian team for a while
DeleteAll in all, a good performance by Vinčić tonight. Despite some individual (rather unfortunate) mistakes from the 1H, this is definitely a better Vinčić, one that I missed during the last months. Good foul detection (with maybe a few minor mistakes), as well as a fine card management and disciplinary control, ensuring a pretty smooth flow of this game tonight.
ReplyDeleteThat sensation about some deficiencies in connecting with the players I had during the 1H has diminished a lot toward the end of the match, although I still have to say that Vinčić really does look somewhat dissatisfied and tired, which sometimes leaves him pretty isolated on the pitch. Of course, maybe it's just my personal feeling, maybe completely wrong one. Still, I have to say I was more than confident with his body language and non-verbal communication in some key moments, e.g. a YC to Zaniolo at the end of the 2H (as Chefren excellently noticed).
To conclude: it was a fine performance by Vinčić tonight, excluding a few unfortunate moments. If only he performed like this during the last KO phase in club competitions, I think we would be talking about him in a very different way.
Dissatisfied and tired is a good and ‘nice’ way to describe it. I’d probably call it joyless, boring or colorless.
DeleteI never get inspired by his personality, and he won’t be the referee to inspire a lot of young people to become a referee. The truth is that most referees these days are not big personalities. Maybe UEFA likes it that way, idk.
He performs the best in games where he can be the unnoticed one in the background, without stepping in too much, managing the players too much, without too much camera on him, for my taste.
Ivan Barton (SLV) has USA vs Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal tonight.
ReplyDeleteOne has to imagine that he is in poll position for the Gold Cup Final next month. Said Martinez had that final two years ago, but Barton has since pulled ahead and become the pretty clear the #1 non-US non-MEX referee in the region after a great World Cup.
The appointment tonight feels somewhat precarious, because if there is a big controversy that could jeopardize a potential Gold Cup Final appointment (of course, that final has a big chance to also be USA vs Mexico). With that in mind, I am extremely interested to see how Barton approaches the game tonight. I expect a conservative approach, maybe something similar to Martinez's Gold Cup Final (very tight foul selection, tons and tons of whistles), or maybe the arguably opposite approach like Marciniak in the CL Final (high bar for a foul, trying very hard to stay in the background).
He has been awful in this game sadly.
DeleteRed card to Mexico in the 69th minute. Clear violent conduct kick and big mass confrontation afterwards. Frustration from Mexico built up, tbh I think Barton missed two opportunities to caution American players. Once for a late challenge at the top of the Mexican penalty area (I think like 60' or something), and then a few minutes before the red cards for a challenge by Reyna that was borderline reckless.
DeleteA USA player is also sent off for striking a Mexico player in the neck. Unclear whether that was after video review or after consultation with an on-field official.
No booking there would be and the fact that he opted not to can be understood,but for the game context,maybe tacticaly it was better to book player;
Deletehttps://youtu.be/rvKdLDzJ1Pc
Then this,quickly sorted situation but I feel that these 2 players were victims of their teammeates that behaved even worse:
https://youtu.be/6vQjj32F9S0
Wow,2 more RC's after another escalation.
DeleteSorry,I know latin blood and temperamental Mexico team is to blame,also were nothing better in provoking them,but Barton with his inconsistent criterium and not having strong enough personality is also to blame.
First 2 RC's,Montes and McKennie;
Deletehttps://youtu.be/F3HD5YAtkgg
84' clear YC to Mexico was missed, 85' double red cards. Barton was awesome in the first half but I have to say, he's had some misses in the second half that contributed to tensions escalating in this match. I have to say, quite difficult to imagine Barton on a USA-Mexico Gold Cup Final now. Tbh, I think Barton should have been protected and somebody else appointed to this game.
DeleteI should note that the incident in the 84' was not even called a foul, it was a bad miss by Barton.
DeleteKinda reminds what happened to Mateu and his sacrifice match at WC.
Delete@smala017,and about possible Final,dont rule out Canada yet ,maybe they are team that can create upset and break UsMex domination 😉
DeleteAnd cherry on top was 12 mins of added time,he whistles the end at 90+8.wow.
Delete"some misses" = understatement of the year.
DeleteThe game turned to $h!+ because of him.
I've never seen anything like that, wow.
DeletePart of it might be the three step protocol for the chanting the Mexico fans were doing. They had done the Step One of stopping the match, there's a Step 2 of suspending the match, but instead it seems to have skipped straight to Step 3 of abandoning the match. Very unusual I've never seen anything like this.
The comparisons to Lahoz's NED-ARG are solid, this game is like the cursed child of that game and your average adult amateur shitshow
Abandoning and blowing the end of the match are two totally different things and procedures. Barton clearly blew the end of the match 4 minutes early.
DeleteUsa-Mexico
ReplyDeleteFirst 2 RC's,Montes and McKennie;
https://youtu.be/F3HD5YAtkgg
Other 2 RC's,Dest and Arteaga;
https://youtu.be/m4H1U9DuM8c
Post World Cup Barton within CONCACAF competitions, makes one thing crystal clear. His World Cup performance was a FLUKE. A World Cup in which the FIFA Ref Comm gifted him with matches and teams that best suited his painfully obvious limited style. Don't get me wrong, I fell for it too. I too praised his performances. Boy oh boy how utterly mistaken I was.
ReplyDeleteHe is the primary culprit in this game turning out the way it did. The tensions got to a boiling point because of him and his idiotic style. His no early cards (lets talk it out) b/s approach unsurprisingly backfired and left him with egg on his face.
And the cherry on top at the end. He adds 12 minutes of added time but ends the match at 8. Because he's a coward and refused to do the right thing by abandoning the match due to the homophobic chant by the Mexico fans. If the referee's who are actually on the pitch don't have the balls to stand up for and do what is right. Then there is no hope in ever eradicating hate, racism, homophobia, sexism, and inequality from football.
#FLUKE #OVERRATED
Let's not call him a coward for blowing the game dead 4+ minutes early, it is possible he got instructions from Concacaf officials to end the game, we do not know. Nevertheless it's highly unusual and I hope we get more details soon.
DeleteI don't think his style is limited or is the reason this game failed. The players were on his side for much of the game. The scoreline was the fuel and then the missed YC incidents in the second half were the spark that ignited everything.
Sorry, but with all due respect, I disagree. I feel that you've given him entirely way too much credit and leeway.
DeleteThe blueprint for how to "work" these matches was set by Said Martinez at the last Gold Cup Final. Yet Barton chose to go more the route of Escobar's Final. But he wasn't even able to nail that approach either. I would dare to say that between Escobar and Barton. Escobar was less terrible.
Hopefully this match knocks him down a few notched and brings him back down to earth. It's obvious that his "success" at the World Cup went to his head. As he now referees with a chip on his shoulder and an aura of arrogance.
Wait on details from CONCACAF about the premature ending? Yeah right, don't hold your breath. If anything, It'll end with yet another meaningless fine for the Mexican Football Federation. Because, yeah, that'll teach them a lesson.
If this is the style and level of officiating that's expected at the upcoming Gold Cup. It's going to be yet another unpalatable and unwatchable football tournament.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad and disheartening to see the CONCACAF go head to head with the AFC to claim the throne of having the worst referees.
Can't blame Brian Hall anymore though.
Sadly they are not progressing.
DeleteWe were saying the same thing in 21,19,17 and so on.
Gold Cup and Africa's Cup of Nations are probably 2 biggest football competition that can produce very shocking performances from any ref,and the worst part is that progress has not been made.
So yes,if that's the level for this year's GC then we will report and write many many times.
Maybe they should try refs from other conf,like CONMEBOL and UEFA for Copa America and EC.
They need to start by eradicating the idea that all referees need to officiate in the same exact cookie cutter manner. Much like no two referees are the same physically or in appearance. They are also different in their own individual style of refereeing. Let referees be themselves. If they can talk their way through matches and make it work, good for them. However if they're the type of referee that's dictator with limited people skills who relies on foul detection and cards. Yet they make it work, let them be! Don't force them into becoming a referee that they are not. All you end up doing is ruining a good referee that is suited for certain matches.
DeleteThe match was suspended by CONCACAF and ended because of the chants. So that means, no blame for Barton there.
ReplyDeleteThat's fine and dandy. He can shoulder the blame for everything else that occurred during the match.
DeleteI'll accept/allow your statement in regards to the ending. However some actual proof to back it up would be nice. ;)
Delete