Thursday 30 November 2023

Europa League 2023/24 - Referee Appointments - Matchday 5

 2023/24 UEFA Europa League Group Stage Matchday 5, referee appointments.



Thursday 30 November 2023

Group A
18:45 CET - Freiburg (Europa-Park-Stadion)
SC Freiburg (GER) - Olymbiakós SFP (GRE)
Referee: Irfan Peljto BIH
Assistant Referee 1: Senad Ibrišimbegović BIH
Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo BIH
Fourth Official: Miloš Gigović BIH
Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
UEFA Referee Observer: Levan Paniashvili GEO
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack LUX

Group A
18:45 CET - Bačka Topola (TSC Arena)
FK TSC Bačka Topola (SRB) - West Ham United FC (ENG)
Referee: Allard Lindhout NED
Assistant Referee 1: Rogier Honig NED
Assistant Referee 2: Patrick Inia NED
Fourth Official: Jannick van der Laan NED
Video Assistant Referee: Clay Ruperti NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Edwin van de Graaf NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Robert Schörgenhofer AUT
UEFA Delegate: Jaroslav Doležal CZE

Group B
18:45 CET - Athens (OPAP Arena)
AEK Athens FC (GRE) - Brighton & Hove Albion FC (ENG)
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Bekim Zogaj SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Jonas Erni SUI
Fourth Official: Johannes von Mandach SUI
Video Assistant Referee: Lukas Fähndrich SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Lionel Tschudi SUI
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefano Podeschi SMR
UEFA Delegate: David McDowell Zor SVN

Group C
18:45 CET - Prague (epet ARENA)
AC Sparta Praha (CZE) - Real Betis Balompié (ESP)
Referee: Nikola Dabanović MNE
Assistant Referee 1: Vladan Todorović MNE
Assistant Referee 2: Srđan Jovanović MNE
Fourth Official: Miloš Bošković MNE
Video Assistant Referee: Mario Zebec CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Igor Pajač CRO
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Ingvarsson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Sviatlana Hrynkievič BLR

Group D
18:45 CET - Bergamo (Gewiss Stadium)
Atalanta BC (ITA) - Sporting CP (POR)
Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Cook ENG
Fourth Official: Andrew Madley ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Attwell ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Ichko Lozev BUL
UEFA Delegate: Geórgios Fandáros CYP

Group D
18:45 CET - Graz (Merkur-Arena)
SK Sturm Graz (AUT) - RKS Raków Częstochowa (POL)
Referee: Filip Glova SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel Poláček SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Peter Bednár SVK
Fourth Official: Boris Marhefka SVK
Video Assistant Referee: Michal Očenáš SVK
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Erik Gemzický SVK
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Atkinson ENG
UEFA Delegate: Þórir Þormar Hákonarson ISL

Group F
18:45 CET - Budapest, HUN (Puskás Aréna)
Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR) - Stade Rennais FC (FRA)
Referee: Horațiu Mircea Feșnic ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Valentin Gabriel Avram ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Alexandru Cerei ROU
Fourth Official: Rareș George Vidican ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Sorin Popa ROU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Andrei Florin Chivulete ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Ferenc Székely HUN
UEFA Delegate: Mark Blackbourne ENG

Group B
21:00 CET - Marseille (Orange Vélodrome)
Olympique de Marseille (FRA) - AFC Ajax (NED)
Referee: Simone Sozza ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Tegoni ITA
Fourth Official: Andrea Colombo ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Massimiliano Irrati ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Valeri ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Vladimir Šajn SVN
UEFA Delegate: Ronald Zimmermann GER

Group C
21:00 CET - Glasgow (Ibrox Stadium)
Rangers FC (SCO) - Áris Lemesoú (CYP)
Referee: Rohit Saggi NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Morten Jensen NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Anders Olav Dale NOR
Fourth Official: Kai Erik Steen NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Alain Hamer LUX
UEFA Delegate: Vignir Már Þormóðsson ISL

Group E
21:00 CET - Liverpool (Anfield)
Liverpool FC (ENG) - LASK Linz (AUT)
Referee: Urs Schnyder SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Marco Zürcher SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Zürcher SUI
Fourth Official: Sven Wolfensberger SUI
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Manuel Díaz Vega ESP
UEFA Delegate: Jan Willem van Dop NED

Group E
21:00 CET - Toulouse (Stadium de Toulouse)
Toulouse FC (FRA) - Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL)
Referee: Matej Jug SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Matej Žunič SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Manuel Vidali SVN
Fourth Official: Martin Matoša SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Nejc Kajtazovič SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Asmir Sagrkovič SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Bernardino González Vázquez ESP
UEFA Delegate: Antonio Talarico ITA

Group F
21:00 CET - Vila-real (Estadio de la Cerámica)
Villarreal CF (ESP) - Panathinaïkós AO (GRE)
Referee: Ivan Kružliak SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Ján Pozor SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Jekkel SVK
Fourth Official: Peter Kráľovič SVK
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alper Ulusoy TUR
UEFA Referee Observer: Howard Webb ENG
UEFA Delegate: Mauro Tonolini ITA

Group G
21:00 CET - Geneva (Stade de Genève)
Servette FC (SUI) - AS Roma (ITA)
Referee: Daniel Stefański POL
Assistant Referee 1: Dawid Golis POL
Assistant Referee 2: Michał Obukowicz POL
Fourth Official: Wojciech Myć POL
Video Assistant Referee: Piotr Lasyk POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Paweł Pskit POL
UEFA Referee Observer: Hannes Kaasik EST
UEFA Delegate: Johny Vanspauwen BEL

Group G
21:00 CET - Tiraspol (Complexul sportiv “Sheriff” - arena principală)
FC Sheriff Tiraspol (MDA) - SK Slavia Praha (CZE)
Referee: Christian-Petru Ciochirca AUT
Assistant Referee 1: Maximilian Weiß AUT
Assistant Referee 2: Michael Obritzberger AUT
Fourth Official: Sebastian Gishamer AUT
Video Assistant Referee: Alan Kijas AUT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Josef Spurny AUT
UEFA Referee Observer: Frank De Bleeckere BEL
UEFA Delegate: Mert Tuncay TUR

Group H
21:00 CET - Molde (Aker Stadion)
Molde FK (NOR) - Qarabağ FK (AZE)
Referee: Erik Lambrechts BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Jo De Weirdt BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Monteny BEL
Fourth Official: Nathan Verboomen BEL
Video Assistant Referee: Benoît Millot FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jan Boterberg BEL
UEFA Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski POL
UEFA Delegate: Scilla Gennaro ITA

Group H
21:00 CET - Gothenburg (Ullevi)
BK Häcken (SWE) - Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER)
Referee: Julian Weinberger AUT
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Heidenreich AUT
Assistant Referee 2: Maximilian Kolbitsch AUT
Fourth Official: Stefan Ebner AUT
Video Assistant Referee: Manuel Schüttengruber AUT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Walter Altmann AUT
UEFA Referee Observer: Niklas á Líðarenda FRO
UEFA Delegate: Andrew Shaw ENG
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90 comments:

  1. Euro Soccer Ref28 November 2023 at 11:57

    The most important / significant games:

    Freiburg - Olymbiakós (Peljto)
    AEK - Brighton (Schärer)
    Marseille - Ajax (Sozza - Šajn!)
    Sparta - Betis (Dabanović)
    Atalanta - Sporting (Oliver)
    Toulouse - Union SG (Jug)
    Villarreal - Panathinaikos (Kružliak)
    Molde - Qarabağ (Lambrechts)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ugur B28 November 2023 at 12:01

    Three second group referees assigned for this round of Europa League games. Simone Sozza, Urs Schnyder and Christian-Petru Ciochirca. It is a debut at Europa League for Austrian. I expect a promotion for Swiss one. Do you see any promotion for the others?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peter28 November 2023 at 19:57

      I don't see a promotion for Christian-Petru Ciochirca this winter after just having been promoted in summer. But I think that UEFA will have a close eye on him (also suggested by his observers Cüneyt Cakir and Frank De Bleeckere). Out of the three current First Group referees Harald Lechner seems to stagnate and Julian Weinberger just got a rather meaningless match in the Conference League. At least here in this group Sebastian Gishamer's performances are critiziced regularly. Ciochirca could be a realistic option to replace one of Austria's current First Group referees in the near future.

      Delete
    2. Peter28 November 2023 at 19:58

      Sorry: Julian Weinberger just got a rather meaningless match in the EUROPA League.

      Delete
  3. FrederikH28 November 2023 at 12:22

    Another good appointment for Lambrechts.

    ReplyDelete
  4. f28 November 2023 at 12:37

    Very sonorous appointment for the young talented italian Sozza. Quite sure about Schnyder promotion; he has been strictly followed and it seems he has performed well. Kruzliak always under spot, with Webb now.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Chefren28 November 2023 at 13:01

    Kruzliak with another important game and an observer like Webb, further confirmation that committee is very happy with him.
    About Polish referees, I observe that Stefanski, despite of some very challenging games and also a few controversial decisions, has always a big trust by committee as very solid category 1. It is interesting that he is always appointed.
    About Sozza, I was sure that this would have followed soon. A promotion to Category 1 can't wait, after all he showed before becoming FIFA referee, very promising. Maybe not so much young right now as F. describes, 1987 born, so he should indeed accelerate the path. But believe me, no need to say he is pushed, he is very strong and good referee. I would say the contrary for another name if so, no matter he is Italian.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. pirri28 November 2023 at 13:46

      I agree about Sozza, he is going to be Italian n.1 soon. We can say he is getting cat.1 a little bit late but no doubts he will be Elite in no more than 2 years.

      Delete
    2. Unknown28 November 2023 at 13:58

      Sozza… Come on. 37 games in Serie A is nothing .

      Delete
  6. matei1428 November 2023 at 17:12

    Very good game for Sozza, it is clear that he has big potential and the Com has plans for him.
    However, I feel like Italy could have had more referees trusted at the highest level if they would promote them to FIFA list earlier. Take a look at the year when the Italian referees got their FIFA badge and compare it to the French referees, 2 very important countries in refereeing and in football in general.
    Italy: Chiffi - 38; Di Bello - 37; Fabbri - 36; Guida - 33; Maresca - 39; Mariani - 37; Massa - 33; Orsato - 35; Pairetto - 38; Sozza - 36
    France: Abed - 30; Bastien - 31; Brisard - 32; Buquet - 34; Delajod - 28; Gaillouste - 34; Letexier - 28; Millot - 32; Pignard - 34; Turpin - 28
    It is quite a difference. Also if we take a look at the top referees in Romania we'll see Fesnic - 28; Hategan - 28; Kovacs - 26; Petrescu - 30

    At 28 years old seems to be the perfect age for promotion in the FIFA list for the big talents but also if you join it before 33 you have all the chances to reach the top. Later is already pretty difficult, you need to be "pushed". I think that Italy wastes time. There are about 5 years of international experience lost for the Italian referees. I guess that one reason is that they are also promoted pretty late to Serie A comparing to their colleagues in Ligue 1.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. per aspera ad astra29 November 2023 at 23:23

      Serie A is much more demanding than Ligue 1. This is why Italian referees arrive at the highest level later. Many Italian Serie C referees could well figure in Ligue 1 which is less performing

      Delete
  7. Chefren30 November 2023 at 16:10

    Two situations from Letexier game Real Madrid - Napoli.

    63' - Possible RC for SFP
    https://streamff.co/v/zwA-XmvB74
    Rudiger kicks the ball and then he hits opponent in this way, referee doesn't notice the incident. In my opinion even if ithinking about RC is possible for the point of contact, in reality no more than YC for reckless challenge and maybe some people could even disagree. Correct no VAR intervention, despite of a missed incident. YC in case would have been excellent decision because the player could have removed the leg before, but difficult, I think impossible to see and guess for the referee.

    90' - Simulation
    https://streamff.co/v/i-yaRzmNgR
    I think that play on would be rather expected decision and the fall by attacker can be caused rather by contact with opponent, BUT... if in the opinion of the referee, che used this to make the incident bigger, correct YC, you can't denby a bit of malice. Classic situation that identifies the style of a referee about the choice to give YC, especially the French.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Samuel30 November 2023 at 16:56

    wow, Kwiatkowski on VAR today? You see, there is no punishment, it was just done to take the pressure off him and give him a rest for a day.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Samuel30 November 2023 at 16:59

    We have learned that the facts are different. UEFA did not punish Kwiatkowski, but concluded that the confusion resulting from the media criticism directed at Marciniak and Kwiatkowski was so loud, intense and potentially disruptive that it was better for Kwiatkowski to be given a day off to rest. In the match between Freiburg and Olympiakos Piraeus, Irfan Peljto from Bosnia and Herzegovina will be the main referee, and Ivan Bebek from Croatia, who was a video assistant referee in Paris, will work as the VAR referee. This time they will switch roles with Kwiatkowski and the Pole will be the assistant video referee.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Samuel30 November 2023 at 17:02

    Generally, a good time for Polish referees! Bartosz Frankowski has a chance for Elite, Damian Sylwestrzak for category 1, and Marciniak will still be on top and nothing will change that!

    ReplyDelete
  11. diego61230 November 2023 at 17:54

    Karasev led a match in Saudi Arabia today

    ReplyDelete
  12. Quilava30 November 2023 at 19:05

    VAR intervention for a possible PK in Haifa - Rennes for Fesnic, rejected after OFR, corner kick given.

    ReplyDelete
  13. diego61230 November 2023 at 19:40

    Dabanovic is not bad, he is just not accepted by the players and has missed one or another foul, 2 yellow cards shown correctly. Maybe the only thing not so good is that he hit the ball, but he continued playing with an "advantage" that seemed understandable to me.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Chefren30 November 2023 at 20:04

    Schärer missed a quite clear penalty, he needed OFR. Strange that when the incident happened, he hadn't any reaction.
    https://dubz.co/v/kh4sd5

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren30 November 2023 at 20:35

      To follow, very good decision with a second YC:
      https://streamable.com/etlw54
      Interesting to observe the detail here, the heel of player fully on the shoe of opponent, something more than a normal step on foot, because most of the times it happens only with the tip of the shoe, but I agree still not clear and obvious for SFP.

      Delete
    2. MX30 November 2023 at 20:43

      For me, not a clear RC for SFP. Even if the player did not have a YC already, Reckless foul is the best decision for me. Great body language and quick with the card, no hesitation, correct decision.

      Delete
  15. smala01730 November 2023 at 21:00

    Pretty unprecedented referee drama in MLS.

    Before the international break, in the New York Red Bulls vs FC Cincinnati playoff match, referee Victor Rivas showed Cincinnati star defender Matt Miazga a yellow card just after the final whistle and a second one during the penalty shootout, causing Miazga to be suspended for the next round for yellow card accumulation. Miazga entered the referees' locker room ~80 minutes after the match, while Rivas was showering, in an aggressive manner demanding to speak to Rivas and would not leave until security came to escort him out.

    The incident was not known publicly until PSRA put out a statement a few days after the incident demanding the league take disciplinary action after a player "was forcibly removed by stadium security while acting in an aggressive & hostile manner." A few days later, Cincinnati's coach, Pat Noonan, publicly alleged that the story was "fabricated."

    Yesterday, MLS finally announced Miazga's suspension: he is out for 3 games, including the rest of the playoffs. More facts came out about the incident, including that the story reported by the referees was corroborated by stadium security and by independent reporters who witnessed it.

    However, this morning, the MLS Players' Association released a statement strongly attacking the integrity of the referees and calling for the referees to be disciplined for "submitting a match report with multiple false statements" (it is unclear what exactly they allege was false) and also calling for the security staff to be disciplined for failing to keep Miazga out of the referees' locker room.

    Meanwhile, Cincinnati is playing in the league semifinal against local rivals Columbus on Saturday (refereed by Allen Chapman), and Victor Rivas is refereeing the other semifinal a few hours later.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hans30 November 2023 at 21:08

    Soft penalty by Sozza

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren30 November 2023 at 21:13

      https://dubz.co/v/fxwz76

      Delete
    2. Unknown30 November 2023 at 21:20

      IMHO that’s simply a wrong penalty decision. Attacker stumbles because of a accidental contact at the left leg and the defender’s right leg, but there’s no action whatsoever by the defender nor is he changing path. Probably Var supports because a contact exists, but for me a wrong call.

      Delete
    3. Chefren30 November 2023 at 21:23

      Typical by Irrati to support such decisions, he almost never intervenes... different from other VARs. And yes, one must be honest, very soft penalty, better not to whistle it. Attacker ahead and he made everything to get it.

      Delete
    4. xabi30 November 2023 at 21:42

      Imo wrong decision by Sozza. There is a contact, but i think it's accidental. However, I understand Irrati's decision to support it, and I agree with him that no VAR stuff.

      Delete
    5. MX30 November 2023 at 21:46

      For me definitely not a penalty, and yes strictly law wise it’s not VAR stuff but we’ve seen how VAR has been used previously, to help referees make the ”expected/best” decision despite calls being supportable, I think considering it’s so frequently used in this way, should’ve been an OFR.

      Delete
    6. EnglandREF30 November 2023 at 23:09

      penalty really? How? I don't see anything more than a slight touch on the shoulder. Irrati refusing to intervene as always

      Delete
    7. MX30 November 2023 at 23:11

      There is leg to foot contact by the defender if you look closely, but agreed that it should've been called to an OFR after we've seen how VAR has been used previously.

      Delete
  17. diego61230 November 2023 at 21:16

    It looks like a very easy night for Schnyder...

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    Replies
    1. David30 November 2023 at 22:28

      I think the PK was wrong and VAR should have intervened. The GK got a touch on the ball

      Delete
    2. David30 November 2023 at 22:43

      Link here: https://dubz.co/v/ybyhn6

      Delete
    3. EnglandREF30 November 2023 at 22:53

      Clear penalty, any contact on the ball was as a result of having it kicked into him and cleaned him out. Clear penalty and certainly not wrong

      Delete
    4. MX30 November 2023 at 23:13

      I agree with @EnglandREF here, the GK is just lucky to have the ball hit into his hands for the slight contact, his focus is where the feet are and he sweeps the attacker out, a clear and expected penalty for me.

      Delete
    5. David1 December 2023 at 14:16

      thanks for the feedback! It just really reminds me of Howard Webbs PK given in 2009, that he famously labeled his biggest ever mistake: https://www.sportbible.com/football/howard-webb-reveals-his-one-mistake-was-a-penalty-for-man-united-20220321. (Dont have a clip unfortunately)

      Delete
    6. David1 December 2023 at 14:17

      Found it! :D https://youtu.be/L0PG6FN01ZM?si=UdpVrFXMg6zI3vQu&t=31

      Delete
  18. smala01730 November 2023 at 21:16

    Unprecedented referee drama in MLS, the player's union is explicitly attacking match officials' integrity, calling for match officials to be disciplined, and accusing the match officials of making false statements in a match report, leading to the suspension of the best defender in the league. These accusations follow the league's announcement yesterday that FC Cincinnati's Matt Miazga is suspended for the remainder of the playoffs. Miazga had aggressively entered the referee's locker room 80 minutes after the match while referee Victor Rivas was showering, demanded to speak to the referee, and needed to be forcefully removed, as first reported by the referees' union a few days after the incident.

    It should be noted that independent eyewitnesses have corroborated the referees' story. Even the FC Cincinnati and the player's union are not denying that Miazga gained unauthorized access to the referees' locker room ~80 minuets after the match. However, Cincinnati's coach Pat Noonan previously stated to the media that the story was "fabricated."

    Meanwhile, Cincinnati is playing their semifinal against bitter rivals Columbus in two days, refereed by Allen Chapman. Victor Rivas himself is the referee of the other semifinal. I imagine there must be tons of pressure on the young Referee of the Year, with the players' union attacking his integrity...

    ReplyDelete
  19. MX30 November 2023 at 21:52

    Calm first half for Kružliak in VIL - PAN, some late fouls from both teams, especially Villarreal and game was getting slightly heated. Two quick and well played goals helped calm things down, first goal even a good advantage by Kružliak (expected from a referee on this level). After the two goals, some tactical fouls from the Spanish side, but nothing major, so far nothing important has happened.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MX30 November 2023 at 22:09

      51' late challenge from the Villarreal player with studs and fairly high up, has been some borderline fouls so far and this one not whistled at all from Kružliak, bad angle showed on TV but for me a pretty clear free kick and even mandatory YC for Reckless.

      Delete
    2. MX30 November 2023 at 22:23

      62' PK appeal from PAN after a leg swipe from the Villarreal defender, whistled as penalty after OFR. Probably more penalty than not penalty, expected decision (not crystal clear but probably clear enough).

      Delete
    3. MX30 November 2023 at 22:45

      Game heating up now in the closing minutes with score 3-2, another for me pretty clear YC missed by Kružliak in the 88th minute, atleast the foul was whistled. Seconds after a YC for delaying restart, slightly harsh perhaps but okay game management wise.

      Delete
    4. MX30 November 2023 at 23:08

      Game over, pretty dramatic ending with an interesting situation in minute 91 where Kružliak whistles a FK to the PAN defender for a slight push in the back, instantly afterwards the same PAN defender gets hit on his arm/hand which is above his head. Yes, easier to whistle foul, unlucky to be a big situation right afterwards, maybe the foul is a little cheap for my liking but the players were okay with it.

      Two very football focused teams today, only real drama happened in the last 10 minutes + 7 (+2) minutes of added time, potentially two YCs missed, game management wise it was okay this game but maybe was a reason for the slightly hotter atmosphere in the end.

      Kružliak did decent in my opinion, not bad but not amazing. He issues cards more according to the book rather than what the game needs which worked today, the two yellows I believe were just missed rather than him making a judgement of them being careless (especially the first one since he didn't even whistle a foul). One penalty whistled after OFR, correct decision for me and difficult to spot live, other than that nothing spectacular happened.

      While I like Kružliak from a body language standpoint, his foul detection and potentially card detection felt slightly uneven, not in the way of balancing the game but rather just missing some fouls and then whistling some fouls which were much less obvious. In the end no one will talk about the referee, he can be happy today.

      Delete
  20. Mikael W30 November 2023 at 22:18

    Horrendous tackle by Berghuis on Correa, imo it should be assessed as SFP.

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    Replies
    1. Mikael W30 November 2023 at 22:20

      Well done Irrati, I didn't expect an intervention there. Quite right RC.

      Delete
    2. Unknown30 November 2023 at 22:23

      Pity Irrati wasn’t this brave when the 1st half penalty was whistled…

      Delete
    3. Unknown 30 November 2023 at 22:32

      IMO YC was supportable and not clearly wrong. The speed and intensity of the tackle weren’t high and Berghuis also played the ball. A scissor tackle indeed, but intervention for RC too harsh. With these VAR interventions football is loosing the spirit.

      Delete
    4. Mikael W30 November 2023 at 22:34

      Another SFP at 77’?

      Delete
    5. Chefren30 November 2023 at 22:41

      If we compare this scissors tackle with the one in Lisbon yesterday, I think this one from today is definitely more SFP, but they belong to same category. I have a feeling that committee asked for intervening also in such situations, but you will find always disagreement, indeed indeed also for today's OFR one could disagree. Nevertheless, expected decision RC and today more RC than Benfica - Inter.

      Delete
    6. Mikael W30 November 2023 at 22:50

      I think it’s a good game-deciding penalty decision by Sozza, careless touch on the head of the Marseille attacker by the (blundering) goalkeeper.

      Delete
    7. Hans30 November 2023 at 23:01

      Let's put it this way Ajax had no luck with Sozza and Irrati tonight. Especially that 1st penalty. I expect a referee with more experience at this level for the decisive Ajax-AEK

      Delete
    8. Mikael W30 November 2023 at 23:02

      And also - how to assess the goalkeeper’s behaviour against Sozza after the penalty award?

      The first penalty was very dubious from the clip above, OFR required, and some doubts about match control by the end; this match didn’t change my impression about Sozza - quite overestimated as a ‘talent’.

      Delete
  21. EnglandREF30 November 2023 at 23:13

    Any top Elite Referees expected anywhere in MD6 in EL/ ECL.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Mikael W30 November 2023 at 23:55

    Clips for Sozza incidents:

    https://www.streambug.io/cv/506813
    https://www.streambug.io/cv/807a6a
    https://www.streambug.io/cv/f2ffb6
    https://www.streambug.io/cv/010588

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    Replies
    1. Mikael W1 December 2023 at 00:00

      To clarify my comments above, which might seem like a vendetta, they are my honest assessment of Sozza's skills which seem to completely contradict what I read from everybody else. He seems rather limited to me - isolated leadership figure, running only to be close and that players can 'feel' his presence rather than producing good viewing ANGLES + a generally 'hazy' and unpredictable line in fouls/cards. *Mark my words*, he will be Moen 2.0 in UEFA. (I would also be very happy to be wrong! :)).

      Delete
    2. MX1 December 2023 at 00:45

      Clip 1: more difficult to assess in real time, looks like a penalty but on replays it’s pretty clear no penalty, intervention needed for me here (if VAR is to be used as they were previously).
      Clip 2: I think this kind of is the definition of endangering the opponent, the receiver of the tackle is lucky the tackle doesn’t hit his leg directly here, for me correct RC (intervention is borderline, I think I like this intervention, these types of tackles are literally career ending if it hits).
      Clip 3: Borderline SFP, orange. Both YC and RC supportable, correct for VAR to not intervene imo. I think here the referee has to give a decision that is best for the game and considering he already gave a RC for Ajax, perhaps best to avoid a second one for the same team.
      Clip 4: I hate these types of penalties but you can’t argue that it isn’t a foul, so probably penalty but clumsy and unlucky for the GK and ”unlucky” for Sozza to be the one that decides the game.

      Out of these, situation 1 is the only one that remains clearly wrong for me, otherwise I think the decisions are correct and mostly expected. Obviously difficult if not impossible to get acceptance from Ajax players when they already have one ”wrong” penalty and a RC against them and then last minute, game decisive, penalty against them AGAIN.

      Delete
    3. xabi1 December 2023 at 00:54

      From what I have seen in the clips, a very good impression of Sozza. I think he can go far in UEFA competitions

      Delete
    4. smala0171 December 2023 at 02:53

      1: Debtable. There is contact to the back that is minimal, but then also contact to the ankle. I think the attacker probably goes down on his own, not caused by the contact, but the ankle contact is hard to ignore. Tripping is a supportable decision.

      2. SFP, clear.

      3. Also clear SFP, surprised Irratti didn't send this down.

      4. Looks like a penalty for me.

      Delete
    5. Chefren1 December 2023 at 10:04

      1) Soft penalty for me mostly caused by attacker who wanted to be fouled by opponent, VAR should support.
      2) SFP better decision, but still to be discussed whether VAR stuff or not.
      3) Surely more VAR stuff then previous incident. I think we should open a debate about that. Better to intervene when the danger for the fouled player is potential or in such cases with clear contact? A RC for SFP would have been very good, but still I think OK by VAR to stay silent.
      4) A penalty choice that you can support but in my opinion not all referees would have whistled this one, you have attacker "entering" in the space of the keeper who was already trying to make his save, you will say attacker was clever and I agree, but it looks rather harsh, assessing it as normal contact of play wouldn't have led VAR to an intervention...

      Delete
    6. Jay1 December 2023 at 11:13

      1) IMHO: Soft but acceptable since we agreed in Dec 2022 it was a penalty for Argentina in WC Final

      Delete
    7. FidjeB1 December 2023 at 11:32

      Having rewatcht the 4 clips I still think that Ajax really can complain a lot. Imagine that this would happen to PSG? Overall Sozza's performance has two sides for me.

      1 management of the game and the players. He did that very well. AJA #23 who was sended of is known for his furious and theatrical reactions to referees. Also some of his teammate's. Sozza managed for allmost the whole match to keep everything under control. I forget the last minutes after the 2nd penalty. I very much like the way he managed since the game had a 6 six goals, a heated atmosphere in Marseille and still things stayed calm. For this part he needs to be praised.

      The four situations.
      1. If and when I look at the line Sozza picked for fouls on the pitch this penalty was a crucial mistake for me. There were other duels in which he didn't whistled the foul on other areas of the pitch. There was a contact on the legs but was this a foul? I understand that VAR stayed away from it. It looked more that Sozza was to eager for these kind of fouls and didn't want to make a mistake.
      2. This one is borderline. But I can understand that the VAR interveres in this one. High speed, leg high which touches the ball but goes over it. A stupid foul bij AJA#23 made out of frustration or in an attempt to signal to his team that they needed to put in some extra energy.
      3. This one the same. AJA#38 comes in an attempt to get the ball. Keeps the foot low with higher speed. He slides through so a RC would be understandble.
      4. With all respect to MikaelW, but this really is a crucial mistake for me. Keeper tries to repair his fault goes for the ball, aswell as the attacker does. Yes there is contact, but as Chefren wrote this is never a penalty or a foul on any other place on the field. Marseille players had a lot of theater when it comes to a foul being committed to them for which Sozza fell here. A VAR intervention would be required here.

      In the NL there is always (not for this match specific) a lot of discussion with these type of fouls. The big question than is, has the referee played football himself and can he understand the situation. Most of the times a disgree with all the analyst in favour of the referee to support him. Now this situation I do undertand. Sozza was to eager to make a call and was disceived by the Marseille player. And keep in mind, what if this had happend to PSG.

      So overal Sozza did a good job. But had two KMI wrong.

      Delete
    8. Mikael W1 December 2023 at 12:37

      I very nearly wrote at the end of my comment on the late penalty that "but I'm sure the Dutch Common Sense Brigade will disagree with the decision". Now I wish I had :P.

      Correa was substituted injured by the way after Berghuis' savage tackle. "Stupid" is not the correct adjective here, imo.

      Delete
    9. FidjeB1 December 2023 at 14:54

      Haha 'Duch common sense brigade". I like that one. The funny thing is dat in the media there is more focus on the so called mistake in penalty one.

      A call which is very light but defendable. If you look at the small contact with the leg and the light contact with the arm. For me personally from referee perspective it is more a mistake since more of this duels wheren't punished by Sozza.

      On the 2nd penalty there is the focus on the blunder of the keeper. Where as I think that there is more the fault of Sozza.

      And regards the word "stupid" to clasify the faul. U can call it dumb aswell or a blunder. I like his initial thought on getting the ball. But he executed it very very poorly or wrong and therefore gut punished.

      Delete
    10. Mikael W1 December 2023 at 15:16

      First penalty was indeed a mistake, imo. The contact exists (and Irrati right to support) but after the Ajax defender had a better path to the ball, so a foul wasn't really committed there. The attacker wasn't 'looking for it', he just took a bad touch, chased for the ball, and then fell naturally after hitting into the Ajax player who was about to get possession himself - instead, he was punished for good defending! :D. Anyway: it is nice to read different perspectives and opinions and hopefully I didn't come across in the wrong way :).

      Delete
    11. Euro Soccer Ref1 December 2023 at 22:02

      1) There will be very different views and I can live with either penalty and no penalty. Never a clear and obvious mistake, VAR correct to support.

      2) I love the VAR intervention here! You don't tackle like that in such situation. A textbook example of excessive force! Excellent understanding by Irrati!

      3) And again I will agree with both Irrati (and Sozza). I think the tackle is quite normal, I don't see any intent to hurt an opponent. Yes, the force is high but it's ball oriented, the ball is played, the contact with ankle is not full and quite accidental. This time a textbook example of reckless action!

      4) I think you can't ignore the clear contact in such situation. The GK is late and strikes an opponent. Easy penalty. No penalty would've been much bigger controversy, I think.

      Delete
    12. Euro Soccer Ref1 December 2023 at 22:06

      And about the GK's protests, I can imagine a wide range of referees' reactions: from no card to RC. I would like to know what would be the expected reaction by RefCom.

      Delete
  23. diego6121 December 2023 at 01:53

    My early predictions MD6 UCL:
    Lens - Sevilla: Rumsas (LTU)
    PSV - Arsenal: Kulbakov (BLR)
    Napoli - Braga: Schärer (SUI)
    Union Berlin - Real Madrid: Gozubuyuk (NED)
    Inter Milan - Real Sociedad: Jorgji (ALB)
    Salzburg - Benfica: Siebert (GER)
    Man United - Bayern: Peljto (BIH)
    Copenhague - Galatasaray: Stieler (GER)
    Leipzig - YB: Papapetrou (GRE)
    Red Star - Man City: Hategan (ROU)
    Atletico - Lazio: Soares Dias (POR)
    Celtic - Feyenoord: Petrescu (ROU)
    Porto - Shakhtar: Oliver (ENG)
    Antwerp - Barcelona: Agayev (AZE)
    Dortmund - PSG: Vincic (SVN)
    Newcastle - AC Milan: Zwayer (GER)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ugur B1 December 2023 at 16:53

      In Group A, I don't think UEFA will allow a German referee, where a German team is there. For Group A, I would prefer two of Turpin, Makellie, Vincic or Orsato, for the games.

      Delete
    2. diego6121 December 2023 at 17:04

      With Bayern already classified first, UEFA can do it. I remember Aytekin refereeing Benfica-Dinamo kyiv in 2021, also in MD6 with Bayern already qualified. Although Gil Manzano also seems like a good option for that game.

      Delete
  24. mathias1 December 2023 at 10:48

    Anyone seen the presentation of Erik Lambrechts in Molde - Qarabağ?

    ReplyDelete
  25. pirri1 December 2023 at 11:07

    I was live in Bergamo. Not the best disciplinary performance by Oliver . A couple of wrong YC in first half. Good performance by AR1 with one goal disallowed for offside and Scamacca goal correctly inside. Overall not an easy match (very quick) and anyway Oliver did not lose the control of the match

    ReplyDelete
  26. Euro Soccer Ref1 December 2023 at 11:42

    Some clips from Filip Glova's performance in the Sturm Graz vs Raków Częstochowa game:

    20' - missed offside by AR1
    https://streamable.com/yhb0da

    24', 64' - referee hit by the ball, wrong dropped ball procedure in the first case (should've been a dropped ball to the goalkeeper in the penalty area)
    https://streamable.com/6qrcww
    https://streamable.com/gblnyq

    29', 40' - missed advantages
    https://streamable.com/76gh3o

    72' - substitutions chaos; Raków forced to play with 10 men for three minutes...
    https://streamable.com/kpju2s

    76' - Possible YC 8RAK for reckless kick
    https://streamable.com/o5xm4i

    89' - YC 42STU for SPA tackle
    https://streamable.com/xc40l0

    90+2' - YC 14RAK for reckless use of arm
    https://streamable.com/26cmhx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren1 December 2023 at 13:44

      First one is also didactic clip, AR can never expect that attacker intercepts the ball, so he is 100% unable to make the assessment and even a blatant offside is missed.
      About the advantages, in modern UEFA refereeing we see many situations absolutely well managed and we think that's expected, then when we see such incidents we see how much can be difficult to wait a while before whistling. A referee must be 100% odocused during the game from the start to the end, always reading the game, always wondering when ball will go, before whistling for an infringment. That's what we can expect from top class referees, but it's not easy.
      76' is clear YC, very reckless challenge.

      Delete
  27. Unknown1 December 2023 at 15:06

    Not sure if already posted somewhere, but...:
    Atletico - Lazio: Darko Čeferin SVN
    Napoli - Braga: Cyril Zimmermann SUI
    Newcastle - Milan: Andreas Schluchter SUI

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren1 December 2023 at 20:53

      We can't say too much based on observers, all should mean experienced/ trusted Elite. We can just exclude Schaerer because Swiss, but nothing more than that.

      Delete
  28. diego6121 December 2023 at 18:04

    Maybe it's a silly question: for the EURO are there observers for each match? Is a small group of observers selected as is done with referees?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren1 December 2023 at 19:17

      Yes, there is of course all committee with the members and a selected pool of observers, as it was at EURO 2020 (21).

      Delete
  29. matei142 December 2023 at 18:14

    I think I saw Rosetti at the draw.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. diego6122 December 2023 at 18:58

      Me too :)

      Delete
    2. Unknown2 December 2023 at 19:20

      I found it strange that the reigning champion Italy was placed in Pot 4. Is there any good reason for that? And then Italy draws a very tough one from Pot 1 and the toughest from Pot 2... Almost if UEFA wants Italy to fail. :)

      Nothing will withhold Orsato in June, I guess... The red carpet is almost ready. I’m sure he will not officiate any games that involve teams that are difficult to referee, such as Portugal or Netherlands.

      Delete
    3. matei142 December 2023 at 19:24

      Italy is in Pot 4 because they finished 2nd in their qualifying group. Nothing is manipulated, all was clearly explained months before the Qualifiers started.

      Delete
    4. Unknown2 December 2023 at 19:42

      Early prediction for the GER-SCO opening game?
      I can see Gil Manzano or Letexier

      Delete
    5. Stockholm2 December 2023 at 20:01

      GER-SCO screams Makkelie if you ask me.

      Delete
    6. Euro Soccer Ref2 December 2023 at 20:18

      My prediction is Turpin. Marciniak for Group B: either ESPCRO or CROITA.

      Delete
    7. Unknown2 December 2023 at 20:34

      Makkelie had the opener of EURO 2020. Italy vs Turkey.
      At that time, Makkelie had the Europa League final and semi-final Champions League experience. I recall that most of us expected Brych.

      UEFA will prefer a representative referee for the first game. GER-SCO is not the biggest or most difficult game in my eyes. Germany is not Italy, so I don’t think the game necessarily requires a big name (UCL final referee) like Turpin. Letexier could be a sensible choice

      Delete
    8. matei142 December 2023 at 23:10

      The opening game is not one in which you want to take any risk, no matter the teams involved. I also lean toward Turpin for this one.

      Delete
    9. Peter3 December 2023 at 15:36

      Many commentators here regard Marciniak, Orsato and Turpin (in alphabetical order) as the current top three referees. In my opinion none of them should handle the play-off final in path A (with EST-FIN-POL-WAL): Marciniak is from Poland, Turpin from France (who will face the winner at EURO 2024) and Orsato had POL-CZE in November. This is of course no problem but I would try to avoid such an overappointment for the same team within short time. British referees should also be excluded due to the possible WAL appearance. Maybe Gil Manzano or Vincic?

      Delete
    10. Unknown3 December 2023 at 15:51

      Agree. Zwayer or Manzano

      Delete
    11. Philipp S3 December 2023 at 16:10

      Yes, good point regarding the French referees (also the Dutch ones, of course) probably not handling the games in path A. Equally, no Kovacs in path B and no Soares Dias in path C.
      I agree, that Gil Manzano sound sensible for the path A final.

      Delete
  30. Euro Soccer Ref6 December 2023 at 20:52

    Wednesday 6 December 2023

    Group F
    21:00 CET - Vila-real (Estadio de la Cerámica)
    Villarreal CF (ESP) - Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR)
    Referee: Nicolas Walsh SCO
    Assistant Referee 1: Graeme Stewart SCO
    Assistant Referee 2: Francis Connor SCO
    Fourth Official: Christopher Graham SCO
    Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Attwell ENG
    Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Greg Aitken SCO
    UEFA Referee Observer: Vladimir Antonov MDA
    UEFA Delegate: Artur Azaryan ARM

    ReplyDelete

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