Selected officials for 2023 CWC, to be played in Saudi Arabia from 12 to 22 December 2023.
AFC:
Referee: Mohammed Al Hoish (KSA)
Assistant Referees: Khalaf Al Shammari (KSA), Yasir Al Sultan (KSA)
Assistant Referees: Khalaf Al Shammari (KSA), Yasir Al Sultan (KSA)
VAR: Khamis Al Marri (QAT)
CAF:
Referee: Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo (COD)
Assistant Referees: Elvis Noupue (CMR), Arsénio Chadreque Marengula (MOZ)
VAR: Adil Zourak (MAR)
CONCACAF:
Referee: Tori Penso (USA)
Assistant Referees: Brooke Mayo (USA), Kathryn Nesbitt (USA)
VAR: Tatiana Guzmán (NCA)CONMEBOL:
Assistant Referees: Jorge Urrego (VEN), Tulio Moreno (VEN)
VARs: Juan Soto (VEN), Juan Lara (CHI)
UEFA:
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Assistant Referees: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL), Adam Kupsik (POL)
VARs: Ivan Bebek (CRO), Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (ESP), Tomasz Kwiatowski (POL)
Support Referee: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (NZL)
Good to see Jean Ndala Ngabo being selected and also Mr Szymon Marciniak,
ReplyDeleteI see Mr Marciniak taking a Final 💫🏆
Obvious choice for UEFA as Marciniak has never been to a CWC before.
ReplyDeleteValenzuela is also a logical choice from South America.
Penso probably is tested and/or prepared regarding the WC 2026, which is somehow a logical development. A bit unlucky for male CONCACAF candidates like Martinez or Fischer.
FIFA also already testing the host's tolerance for female referees with regard to 2034...? Will she be allowed to handle an Al-Ittihad game?
Al Hoaish with this second FIFA tournament of the year after the U20WC. He is also a strange choice, because a Saudi Arabian team is competing at the tournament, which limits options. Therefore I would have expected Al Kaf a bit more.
Many new names appearing in CAF at the moment, but Ndala is around a bit longer and already was at the U20WC 2019.
If Kawana-Waugh is an option for 2026, he should have been nominated as referee (also following the U20WC this year).
In fact, today there is no other football referee with such extensive experience as Marciniak. He refereed the most important matches in Europe and the world. Why shouldn't they use it?
ReplyDeleteDeserved for Marciniak to attend another FIFA tournament, it's also good in terms of motivations that a referee who officiated WC final then later in his career is called for a "minor" (than WC) tournament.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the same can be said for Tori Penso, an easy reasoning would bring us to say that both referees for Men's and Women's WC finals were called. But of course, this wouldn't have been noticed if only one of them had been called. A contrary argument would suggest us why calling referees who already got the very top, instead of trying new names for the future, especially in such tournament?
Regular assignments for CONMEBOL and CAF, I would say, while about AFC I think that the Saudi referee was called for having a representative of the host country. It's surely a quite different call if compared to the other four.
About VAR some words can be spent on Bebek, in a relatively short time he confirmed that he gained important reputation as VAR, after an extremely long career as FIFA referee, and maybe he will think back at 2009 Under 20 WC in Egypt (14 years ago!).
Well, Penso surely can be seen as a "new name for the future" in men's international football.
DeleteActually it could be criticized, that she is nominated before making the more obvious steps in CONCACAF male football, i.e. Champions League or even Gold Cup games.
On the other hand, as a regular MLS referee, she somehow is similarly experienced to e.g. Al Hoish and Ndala - just not on the international level.
In general I think, that the CWC is less suitable for the development of new names than the youth WCs, because there a only 1-2 games and a shorter time period. So IMO, it makes sense, to use this tournament more to reward referees for good performances in the last year even if they are already well known by FIFA.
What Bebek has already achieved is actually extremely impressive imo - being a VAR from a 'random' country in Europe who is on (UEFA or) FIFA's top radar. During his career, the Croat stood out as someone who had a great understanding of the technical aspects of refereeing, this is why I wrote comparing him to Irrati before. I wish him well. In general, that is imo the most positive point of the selections where FIFA continues on the mostly negative trend since 2022 - between Ndala, Penso and Al-Hoaish, two of them don't have the quality to officiate at such a level/event and also two selections have a way too political background in the current FIFA. Valenzuela impressed me and Marciniak impressed everyone in Qatar; I look forward to seeing their performances in the (probable) Al-Ittihad quarterfinal and semifinal matches. Finally: it is noteworthy that Sokolnicki, one of the most 'accurate' linesmen in the the world in my eyes, does not feature in Marciniak's crew?
DeleteIs Sokolnicki retiring at the end of this year or is it just a temporary replacement due to personal issues?
DeleteI don't know. Marciniak started to mix his team after the WC. It was Listkiewicz-Kupsik in Galatasaray vs Molde, Sokolnicki-Kupsik in Finland vs Denmark and Sokolnicki-Listkiewicz in Serbia vs Montenegro and Borussia Dortmund vs Milan. Also in Ekstraklasa he often has different assistants running the line. Maybe he just uses the opportunity to give the big-stage experience to Kupsik and others.
DeleteChanges at Marciniak's. Forced by UEFA. New UEFA regulations will force changes in Szymon Marciniak's team. The referee must test new assistant referees before the Euro. UEFA is introducing new regulations before next year's European Championships. Each main referee will have to nominate at least three equivalent assistant referees, not two. In the event of an injury to one of the assistant referees, the entire referee team was previously dismissed. Now all you need to do is replace one of the assistants and the rest will continue to take part in the matches. Szymon Marciniak, assistant referees, is very easy to work with. That is, Marciniak is demanding in the sense that he establishes the rules of cooperation and applies them in practice, i.e. each assistant referee must be properly prepared, but on the pitch, assistant referees do not have to help him and give him suggestions as often and in such important situations as many other referees. Main.
DeleteFake news. No such regulations exist.
Deletehttps://www.sport.pl/pilka/7,64946,30022806,uefa-wydala-polecenie-marciniak-musial-sie-podporzadkowac.amp
DeleteNothing new. Each referee alteady nominated 3 ARs for the last two editions of Euro, but they were not required to rotate them on the field.
DeleteHow old is penso? To achieve great things in men’s ?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteOt:
ReplyDeleteComentator on Arenasport is saying that Fourneau robbed Torino and that his style was unacceptable.
Had anyone watched the match to clarify is that all true?
La Penna lacked authority in Bologna-Lazio: many continuous protests (especially from Lazio players, unbearable), three YCs given to calm the players down but with no effect, a couple of missed YCs, lack of consistency in the selection of fouls. Right not to give Lazio penalties on Castellanos (first half) and Pedro (second half), but otherwise low-level performance IMO.
ReplyDeleteFinal mass confrontation due to two clear fouls on Isaksen not whistled by La Penna, with the Lazio player then justifiably furious. Bad performance by La Penna: easy game complicated by largely insufficient refereeing.
DeleteI agree,bad managament of that confrontation where he did not book anyone,and there was plenty pushing and shoving.
DeleteGenerally very weak performance,allowed every protest possible,.booked players only when that was mandatory(not even that).
He lacks authority and being tactical,he got this match lost right at the beginning,around 5th, or 6th minute.
There was clear SPA,clear booking and some retaliation by Lazio player.
I get,it's the early phase but mandatory YC is mandatory.
He failer already there to set criterium and example and after that all went downhill for him.
About La Penna, I didn't watch full game but only a few minutes, one thing to add (maybe somebody doesn't know that) is that he is from Rome, this was another appointment like Doveri in Verona - Roma at the beginning of the season. According to some people yesterday he made everything to avoid possible "mistakes" against the team from his city and he officiated in a certain way because not fully free mind. Knowing him, I don't think that this was the case. Can't add more because I didn't watch in full, but you also know that teams from Rome, both, are extremely difficult to handle as standard, then when games are challenging even more...
ReplyDeleteAbout Fourneau, terrible year for him. I think that Rocchi should consider to remove him from serie A and B referees at the end of season. Maybe you remember, he started with that game Cosenza - Ascoli in B, then many controversial incidents in the other games he officiated so far, always crucial situations analyzed by VAR and most of the times no clear outcomes. In Torino - Frosinone there was at first a possible handball before 0-1 by away-team, the classic Italian handball (not punishable, close to body, player gained control and then a teammate scored). Internationally, the decision of VAR to play is fully correct because the goal was not scored directly by that, but in Italy thgere is always such focus on handballs and it wasn't accepted. Then, the major incident, a penalty removed after OFR, surely not a clear one, but for me never clear and obvious mistake. Fourneau was not convinced. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (they have interests in Torino due to the role of the president of the team in Italian press) Rocchi has assessed as OK the goal, but he was not happy when Fourneay didn't confirm penalty after OFR, so the OFR should be wrong according to him. I agree, in case.
Abbattista as VAR was already coming from something controversial and today he will work in Milan - Udinese, very delicate game with some issues about handballs over the years, appointments made before. The next referee to officiate Torino, on Monday, will be Ferrieri Caputi (still, appointments made before) and this will be very interesting to see. Torino always difficult team to handle, not like Lazio and Roma, but surely challenging among the teams without a real goal in their season, because La Gazzetta dello Sport reports everything about a referee who officiates them.
Later today I will post videos from Torino - Frosinione if posssible.
Welll I cant confirm rumours about La Penna,but I will say one thing;in that incident in last moments,mass confrontation Romagnoli,LAZ player clearly pushed BOL player.
DeleteThere atleast YC was mandatory.
He already had YC so that would be RC and missed derby.
And plenty other talks ànd protests that he allowed LAZ players I wont even comment,outrageous.
@Chefren,do you think that Doveri will handle big Rome derby?
Cause some clear and big names are not possible-Maresca had Inter vs Roma,Orsato had big Napoli vs Milan match,Guida has match this weekend and Mariani has not been convincing.
So that leaves Massa,but I dont think he will get another Rome derby.
So with all rules that are no longer there,maybe it's Doveri's time?
Doveri is not in a good form, and he got mostly serie B games at the beginning of this season, without being faultless. The same Verona - Roma I mentioned was not the best performance by him. At moment I wouldn't send him to Rome deby, and I think the kept name is Massa, indeed you mentioned him. The clue is that he is out from serie A and B appointments this week, and maybe that's the reason he will get the Rome derby on next matchday.
DeleteWe will see. So my first option Massa and then Doveri (less likely).
Goal conffirmed by VAR: https://streamff.co/v/PiQMi1H1ee
DeleteApart from the handball, one should also assess a possible foul when attacker made contact with defender (but still no VAR stuff if you ask me).
Penalty removed after OFR: https://streamff.co/v/sSrLTI_wkT
I think not a clear and obvious mistake, interesting to point out what commentators talked about: the fact that attacker didn't fall after the contact was something that put in trouble VAR for the assessment, the same happening, with player down, very likely VAR would have made a different choice (if still originally whistled by referee, as it was).
Anthony Taylor just got relegated to EFL Championship. Do you guys think we'll see him or any English ref at the next EUROs or WC?
ReplyDeleteCome on what u mean with relegated, it’s normal
DeleteTaylor and Oliver will be at euros.Oliver will be at next world cup
DeleteSomeone earlier asked about Sokolnicki's absence in Marciniak's team. I'm in a hurry to explain. Well, UEFA demanded that Marciniak have three equal assistants in his team. That's why Adam Kupsik is now in the team. Sokolnicki has also been in such a lineup this season, alternating with Listkiewicz.
ReplyDeleteQuestion for Chefren!
Were such guidelines also given to other referee teams?
Fake news.
Deletehttps://www.sport.pl/pilka/7,64946,30022806,uefa-wydala-polecenie-marciniak-musial-sie-podporzadkowac.amp
DeleteSo because it's written in some newspaper, it is definitely true? Then why none of the other referees has these "instructions"? Use your brain. Marciniak started his campaign to be talked about and not forgotten to get euro final. It's obvious some journalists are biased towards him.
Deletehttps://sport.tvp.pl/72624816/el-euro-2024-szymon-marciniak-zmienia-asystentow-co-mecz
ReplyDeletehttps://sportowefakty.wp.pl/pilka-nozna/1073181/zmiana-u-marciniaka-wymusila-uefa
ReplyDeleteWe'll see what Chefren says
ReplyDeleteYou mean a grassroots referee from Italy who happens to be a blog admin and who very often receives photos to publish on the blog from Marciniak himself (remember pre-UCl-final news and photos on this blog) and most probably inside info from the same person? You are right, let's wait for his info.
DeleteI'm not the law, but just a blog administrator! I don't know about the matter and I don't know whether committee gave such guidelines to other referees about assistants. One thing is sure, don't believe to everything written on internet articles, they can report everything without real sources!
DeleteSo what's the point of this rotation?
DeleteHi guys?
ReplyDeleteIs that News true that Referee Mr Anthony Taylor is demoted to the championship after the controversial penalty in Newcastle vs Wolves game??
Yes,but I think just this weekend.
DeleteI think the word 'demoted' is being thrown around a little too much. Perhaps PGMOL weren't happy with his performance in WOL-NEW last weekend, but Jarred Gillett who was the VAR has another VAR appointment today and will referee tomorrow also. I'd imagine if they were so unhappy (particularly with the penalty given on field and supported by VAR) Gillett would be out too.
DeleteEPL referees often do EFL games. Admittedly, it's strange to see Taylor's name there (as it would be with Oliver), especially on a game that is hardly a top of the table clash. But I don't think there's anything to read into it long term
Listkiewicz-Kupsik w Galatasaray vs Molde, Sokolnicki-Kupsik w Finlandii vs Dania i Sokolnicki-Listkiewicz w Serbii vs Czarnogóra i Borussia Dortmund vs Milan
ReplyDeleteRegarding potential EURO referees working with different ARs we can just look at the appointments this season to check this thesis:
ReplyDeleteOliver had Burt/Cook and Burt/Betts
Turpin had Danos/Auger and Danos/Finjean and Danos/Mugnier
Vincic only had Klancnik/Kovacic
Zwayer had Lupp/Beitinger and Lupp/Achmüller and Lupp/Kempter
Gil Manzano only had Barbero/Nevado
Kovacs only had Marinescu/Artene
Makkelie only had Steegstra/de Vries
Orsato only had Carbone/Giallatini
Taylor had Beswick/Nunn and Beswick/Betts and Burt/Betts
So it happens for some of the referees, but clearly not for all. But maybe that will change with the next appointments and all EURO referees will rotate at some point.
Thank you Philipp S for your tips
ReplyDeleteMarciniak must have all local Polish journalists in his back pocket, or what…?
ReplyDeleteHe is a very (!) good referee, however when I’m reading articles in Polish media about Szymon, it feels a bit cringy and biased. It is a pro-Marciniak campaign, nothing more or less, and has not much to do with journalism and objectivity. It’s an interesting contrast with the media landscape in my country where referees are always burned, almost never complimented. Not optimal as well.
On this blog, I see a lot of ‘campaigns’ in comments as well. Some referees are more protected after a bad performance than others. Some are always praised.
https://sport.tvp.pl/73882356/szymon-marciniak-specjalnie-dla-tvpsportpl-powolutku-dobijamy-do-brzegu-wywiad
ReplyDeleteIn the latest interview for TVP, Szymon Marciniak openly talks about the Euro 2024 final and the Olympic Games, that he will probably go there.
ReplyDeleteDortmund-Newcastle: Serdar Gözübüyük
ReplyDeleteShaktar-Barcelona: Srdjan Jovanovic
Atletico-Celtic: Bartosz Frankowski
Lazio-Feyenoord: Szymon Marchinak
Milan-Paris: Halil Umut Meler
ManCity-Young boys: Erik Lambrechts
Crevena zvezda- Leipzig: Daniele Orsato
Porto-Antwerp: Orel Grinfeeld
Well I can't believe what a poor piece of refereeing Stuart Attwell is showing in Newcastle vs. Arsenal. Kind of naivity you would expect from a young referee working his way up through the levels, not a FIFA referee in the best league in the world...
ReplyDeleteWow! I don't want to point the finger too quickly, but there looked like no chance that goal can count...
DeleteIts Typical Attwell, he always referees like that
DeleteSadly this was another officiating disaster in the Premier League, both from Attwell and Madley.
DeleteAttwell has zero respect from the players, it clearly shows - naive is a great description by Mikael W.
5 key moments for the VAR Madley to get involved in. I feel he clearly got two wrong (the Bruno violent conduct in 1H, and the push on Gabriel ahead of the goal).
The Havertz tackle I can understand an argument for SFP - under Premier League VAR it’s probably correct to not overturn.
The ball in/out of play for the goal - I have never understood why there isn’t a camera specifically looking down the line. It looks out of play from the angles available - potential error.
Offside for the goal - apparently they couldn’t determine the point of contact. Potential error but impossible to know!
VAR allowed the Havertz tackle but not the Jones one the other week. Dear me, inconsistency
DeleteNot exactly a great start from Roldan in the Copa Liberatadores
ReplyDeleteClear mandatory YC not given.
DeleteFew seconds before that possible VC,head to head inentional from BOC player but VAR supported play on.
A lot of controversial moments, BEIN sports have shown that the ball was in play, in terms of the push, these rarely get noted as errors by the Independent Panel (see 2 handed shove on Watkins vs Wolves) and this was softer than that. Offside position of Gordon impossible to determine. Possible SFP for Havertz, probably saved because he doesn't make significant contact with leading foot.
ReplyDeleteMy prediction for this week:
ReplyDeleteShakhtar-Barcelona: Kabakov (BUL)
Porto-Antwerp: Mariani (ITA)
Dortmund-Newcastle: Hernández (ESP)
AC Milan-PSG: Umut Meler (TUR)
ManCity-Young Boys: Lambrechts (BEL)
Red Star-Leipzig: Orsato (ITA)
Atlético-Celtic: Jovanovic (SRB)
Lazio-Feyenoord: Marciniak (POL)
Napoli-Union Berlin: Makkelie (NED)
Real Madrid-Braga: Balakin (UKR)
Real Sociedad-Benfica: Taylor (ENG)
Salzburg-Inter Milan: Sidiropoulos (GRE)
Bayern Munich-Galatasaray: Gil Manzano (ESP)
Copenhague-Manchester United: Gözübüyük (NED)
Arsenal-Sevilla: Kovacs (ROU)
PSV-Lens: Dabanovic (MNE)
62' I'm sure many would argue a penalty should have been awarded for a pull in the Copa Libertadores final. This game is near chaotic, and I think despite how much praying and crossing the referee does, he really need do more himself to try and keep some control. So different to Uefa style
ReplyDeleteAgree, that was more of a foul than not. From 1H highlights - PAI at 3’ was a correct play on, but the non-RC for the headbutt looked extremely questionable. Roldán can be sublime on a good day, but without cards he looks an extremely average official indeed.
DeleteI don’t watch enough CONMEBOL to say about guidelines etc, but sad to watch the hamstrung, WC version of Roldán in the Libertadores final. I’ve only seen the second half, but the biiggg delay in the caution at 67’ is a good microcosm. The booking a minute later should be classed as an example of a ‘challenge as an attack’ red card, but surprisingly the Fluminense players weren’t especially bothered by it (I expected a huge riot there tbh).
ReplyDeleteQatar WC memories with regards bench behaviour / (non-)management…
DeleteShould that be a YC for excessive celebration? Yes. But given the line that Roldán has had all match, I'm slightly amused. I'm with Mikael in not knowing enough about Conmebol guidelines, but this has just been bizarre
ReplyDeleteWhen you compare Attwell's three YCs for dissent in Newcastle, to what is being ignored here, it's like watching two completely different sports. This is mad.
ReplyDeleteThere's also a dive that has been completely ignored followed by a slap to the face that after an OFR has been seen as VC (but took far too long, before being shown a poor angle). All of this could have been avoided if the HT whistle went after the added minute had been played
What a tough match forr Roldan.
ReplyDeleteNot his best performance,nit his worst,dont know how to describe it really.
One thing I can say is that both sides cant complain about him:
Both RC's were justified,especially for Kennedy completely by the book.
Penalty appeal in OT was correcty not called.
So tough match,but I dont think no one will mention Roldan.
Kennedy RC:
Deletehttps://twitter.com/i/status/1720927410927874159
Some situations from Libertadores Final match:
ReplyDeleteAdvincula no YC
https://youtu.be/q1Yi03XM9u0?si=678TOs3jAZ-c0S9q
Clear and mandatory YC not given, also possible VC?
https://youtu.be/vHkVU0KSKBM?si=4HX51NXKEOA7NA2h
Kennedy goal and 2nd YC
https://youtu.be/NBKQMq21D0k?si=2IemJ6Ilpy1Ewp-l
Possible PK ,mass confrontation
https://youtu.be/yc_UoQoEijI?si=eyrJBbKK_F1BUN97
Fabra RC
https://youtu.be/xVFNXNNJy_o?si=H5FA6K-Ww3p2FdmA
1) Not even warning after fouls in 7' and 9' is scandalous. He already lost the game at those moments.
Delete2) Allowing the corner kick to be executed when 10BOC and 7FLU are holding each other is very risky. Then, it's simply too much to manage - SPA foul and VC headbutt in different places. IMO, it's VC -> clear intention and not negligible force. RC to be issued. I would've prefered an OFR, too.
3) Guys, how can you allow a team member walking on the field of play?! It's so crazy... And the 2YC, well, given what went unpunished in this game, was it really necessary? I mean he didn't climb a fence, just approached the supporters of own team.
4) Correct no penalty - supporting arms. Missed YC(s) for mobbing, very weak body language and impression of being 'lost'. Of course, correct OFR for missed VC and good that the whole scene have been reviewed and YC to 31FLU followed as well.
I don't follow CONMEBOL refereeing but the lack of control and interactions with players is frightening (see Rapallini, also Tello at the WC). Roldán as we knew him from the WC2014 and WC2018. Extremely weak body language and no firm presence / control at all. You need to be a manager and have to offer something more than whistle and cards.
Every word you said is right.
DeleteI cant imagine Marciniak or Orsato,someone like that to lose match like Roldan.
In these matches,you neef steong personality and Roldan certainly lacks that.
However,when we look at his resume,all CONMEBOL finals was he main ref,he was at WC so for yure he is one of the more succesful South Ameican refs.
I was kinda busy in the last days so this comment is a little bit late but:
ReplyDeleteObviously, Marciniak deserve to attend at this tournament. The only thing is that at CWC, traditionally, because a UEFA team was always in the final, the referee was from other confederation. The UEFA referee getting usually the 3rd plave game or a semifinal in some cases. The confederation rule was broken already last year with Taylor, for the first time ever(?) or at least first time in a long period. I can't imagine FIFA called-up Marciniak and not give him the final. For him it's ok to make some exceptions, like getting the WC final before UCL final or getting both the UCL final and semifinal of the dame season. It would be a little bit strange however to broke the rule two years in a row.
+ I am too unpleasently surprised that the UCL appointments were not revealed today. None of us know the reason. I speculate that it has nothing to do with the Ref Com but with the UEFA site or his admin. Maybe the guy who takes care of the site called ill today and they could not find another person to do the job :))