Monday 26 February 2024

2023-24 UEFA Women's Nations League - Referee appointments for Semifinals and Promotion & Relegation Matches

Final stages of 2023-24 UEFA Women's Nations League: referee assignments. 

Rebecca Welch will referee the semifinal Spain - Netherlands


Semi-Finals

Friday 23 February 2024

21:00 CET - Seville (Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla)
SPAIN - NETHERLANDS
Referee: Rebecca Welch ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Emily Carney ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Anita Vad HUN
Fourth Official: Kirsty Dowle ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sian Massey-Ellis ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Katarzyna Wierzbowska POL
UEFA Delegate: Roxana Berceanu ROU

21:00 CET - Décines-Charpieu (Groupama Stadium)
FRANCE - GERMANY
Referee: Esther Staubli SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Susann Küng SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Paulina Baranowska POL
Fourth Official: Deborah Anex SUI
Video Assistant Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Katalin Kulcsár HUN
UEFA Referee Observer: Caroline De Boeck BEL
UEFA Delegate: Stéphanie Forde BEL

Final

Wednesday 28 February 2024

19:00 CET - Seville (Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla)
SPAIN - FRANCE 
Referee: Tess Olofsson SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Almira Spahic SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Francesca Di Monte ITA
Fourth Official: Iuliana Elena Demetrescu ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Katrin Rafalski GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Roberto Rosetti ITA
UEFA Delegate: Jennifer Kennedy ENG

Third Place 

Wednesday 28 February 2024

20:45 CET - Heerenveen (Abe Lenstra Stadion)
NETHERLANDS - GERMANY
Referee: Stéphanie Frappart FRA 
Assistant Referee 1: Camille Soriano FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Élodie Coppola FRA 
Fourth Official: Masia Sole Ferrieri Caputi ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ella De Vries BEL
UEFA Referee Observer: Gyöngyi Krisztína Gaál HUN
UEFA Delegate: Iveta Bankova BUL 


Promotion & Relegation Matches

First Legs

Friday 23 February 2024

13:00 CET - Zenica (Trening centar N/FSBiH)
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - SWEDEN
Referee: Olatz Rivera Olmedo ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Silvia Fernández Pérez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Iragartze Fernández Esesúmaga ESP
Fourth Official: Zulema González González ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb GER
UEFA Delegate: Hanna Bordyuhova UKR

14:00 CET - Podgorica (Gradski stadion Podgorica)
MONTENEGRO - NORTHERN IRELAND
Referee: Michèle Schmölzer SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Linda Schmid SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Belinda Pierre SUI
Fourth Official: Victoria Beyer FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Sjoukje de Jong NED
UEFA Delegate: Aleksandra Pejkovska MKD

15:00 CET - Kardzhali (Arena Arda)
BULGARIA - UKRAINE
Referee: Minka Vekkeli FIN
Assistant Referee 1: Heini Hyvönen FIN
Assistant Referee 2: Alisa Levälampi FIN
Fourth Official: Lotta Vuorio FIN
UEFA Referee Observer: Blaženka Logarušić CRO
UEFA Delegate: Kadri Jägel EST

15:30 CET - Riga (LNK Sporta Parks)
LATVIA - SLOVAKIA
Referee: Fabienne Michel GER
Assistant Referee 1: Sina Diekmann GER
Assistant Referee 2: Anne Uersfeld GER
Fourth Official: Karoline Wacker GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Snježana Fočić CRO
UEFA Delegate: Edlira Jaupaj-Sherifaj ALB

16:00 CET - Stara Pazova (Sportski centar FSS - Nacionalna kuća fudbala)
SERBIA - ICELAND
Referee: Ewa Augustyn POL
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandra Ulanowska POL
Assistant Referee 2: Julia Bukarowicz POL
Fourth Official: Eszter Urbán HUN
UEFA Referee Observer: Hilda McDermott IRL
UEFA Delegate: Scilla Gennaro ITA

17:45 CET - Felcsút (Puskás Akadémia Pancho Aréna)
HUNGARY - BELGIUM
Referee: Ionela Alina Peșu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Daniela Constantinescu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Petruța Claudia Iugulescu ROU
Fourth Official: Ana Maria Alexandra Terteleac ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Rhona Coombes IRL
UEFA Delegate: Susanne Erlandsson SWE

18:00 CET - Osijek (Opus Arena)
CROATIA - NORWAY
Referee: Abigail Byrne ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Sophie Dennington ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Nicoleta Ramona Bria ENG
Fourth Official: Stacey Pearson ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Andonía Kókotou GRE
UEFA Delegate: Svitlana Shkilʹ UKR

Second Legs

Tuesday 27 February 2023

14:00 CET - Antalya, TUR (Mardan Spor Kompleksi)
UKRAINE - BULGARIA
Referee: Zuzana Valentová SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Miroslava Obertová SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Staša Špur SVN
Fourth Official: Miriama Bočková SVK
UEFA Referee Observer: Sofía Karagiórgi CYP
UEFA Delegate: Camelia Nicolae ROU

15:30 CET - Kópavogur (Kópavogsvöllur)
ICELAND - SERBIA
Referee: Marta Huerta de Aza ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Eliana Fernández González ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Rita Cabañero Mompó ESP
Fourth Official: Ainara Andrea Acevedo Dudley ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Wendy Toms ENG
UEFA Delegate: Neli Lozeva BUL

18:00 CET - Stavanger (SR-Bank Arena)
NORWAY - CROATIA
Referee: Veronika Kovářová CZE
Assistant Referee 1: Zuzana Špindlerová CZE
Assistant Referee 2: Tereza Hessová CZE
Fourth Official: Michaela Pachtová CZE
UEFA Referee Observer: Paloma Quintero Siles ESP
UEFA Delegate: Boryana Stoycheva BUL

18:00 CET - Trnava (City Arena - Štadión Antona Malatinského)
SLOVAKIA - LATVIA
Referee: Shona Shukrula NED
Assistant Referee 1: Franca Overtoom NED
Assistant Referee 2: Diana Snoeren NED
Fourth Official: Lizzy van der Helm NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Ingrid Jonsson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Knarik Abelyan ARM

20:00 CET - Leuven (King Power at Den Dreef Stadion)
BELGIUM - HUNGARY
Referee: Ivana Martinčić CRO
Assistant Referee 1: Sanja Rođak-Karšić CRO
Assistant Referee 2: Maja Petravić CRO
Fourth Official: Sabina Bolić CRO
UEFA Referee Observer: Marta Frías Acedo ESP
UEFA Delegate: Barbara Moschini ITA

20:00 CET - Belfast (National Football Stadium at Windsor Park)
NORTHERN IRELAND - MONTENEGRO
Referee: Hristiyana Guteva BUL
Assistant Referee 1: Ekaterina Marinova BUL
Assistant Referee 2: Pavleta Rashkova BUL
Fourth Official: Kristina Georgieva BUL
UEFA Referee Observer: Jenny Palmqvist SWE
UEFA Delegate: Fiona Pförtke GER

Wednesday 28 February 2024

18:30 CET - Stockholm (Tele2 Arena)
SWEDEN - BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Referee: Silvia Gasperotti ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Giulia Tempestilli ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Stefania Signorelli ITA
Fourth Official: Deborah Bianchi ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Anri Saarivainio FIN
UEFA Delegate: Rita Bagdonienė LTU
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162 comments:

  1. Chefren21 February 2024 at 10:45

    VAR for semifinals and the final. Interesting to see Schärer there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21 February 2024 at 14:49

      Scharer and Kulcsar... too bad that injuries made these two good referees go toward VAR roles...

      Delete
  2. Anonymous21 February 2024 at 12:00

    Surprised no appointment for Foster. Is she still active

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous21 February 2024 at 15:09

    Maybe so 👍

    ReplyDelete
  4. Chefren26 February 2024 at 10:14

    It seems there are big plans for Tess Olofsson, considering also her participation to 2026 World Cup selection.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 11:21

    And here we go Mrs Frappart again, I don’t know why 3rd place match need her? I mean you can simply appoint Caputi or another referees for “friendly match”, isn’t it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 11:39

      Two preselected for 2026 World Cup.

      Delete
    2. Chefren26 February 2024 at 11:47

      Yes this should be the argument (spotlights on preslected officials for WC 2026) but the appointment of Frappart is absolutely nosense if we look at the importance of it and the story of the referee!
      Also, one can think that without France in final, Frappart would have got the main game and not third place!

      Delete
    3. Elliot26 February 2024 at 12:13

      The 3rd place game is probably considered bigger by the teams than the final considering this is a qualification tournament for the Olympics (Spain and France already qualified) so it makes perfect sense to have Frappart here imo

      Delete
    4. Anna26 February 2024 at 14:20

      Very important point Elliot. Here in germany it is a k.o. match about the olympic ticket for the german team. They have to win if they want to participate in the olympics.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 11:51

    Still no Foster. No games for a long time even domestic

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 14:50

      Maybe injured or ill? When was last time she reffed any match?

      Delete
  7. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 11:57

    For Spanish readers, can I ask about Isidro Diaz performance in Madrid vs Sevilla, I mean it was Toni Kroos who angry and not Sergio Ramos :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Luigi26 February 2024 at 12:17

    A question: do you know who referees Al Ettifaq - Al-Hilal (Saudi Professional League) today at 3pm, I saw that an italian assistant is there, but I don't know the rest of the refereeing team

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Juan26 February 2024 at 12:31

      Al Ettifaq-Al Hilal: (ITA)/Hategan-Kolitsko (ROU)
      Al Ittihad-Al Wehda: Ortega/Haro (PER)

      Delete
    2. Juan26 February 2024 at 12:31

      Maresca*

      Delete
    3. Euro Soccer Ref26 February 2024 at 12:50

      Al-Ittifaq vs Al-Hilal
      Fabio Maresca (Giovanni Baccini, Alessio Berti; VAR Ovidiu Alin Hațegan, AVAR Sebastian Constantin Colțescu)

      Al-Ittihad vs Al-Wahda
      Kevin Ortega (Michael Orue, Jesús Sánchez; VAR Diego Haro)

      Delete
    4. Luigi27 February 2024 at 11:48

      @Eurosoccerreferee, To see these Saudi Professional League designations, what is the reference site?

      Delete
  9. Luigi26 February 2024 at 12:34

    thank you very much, very kind 😃

    ReplyDelete
  10. RefSoccer341226 February 2024 at 13:21

    Here ist video about Porras : https://twitter.com/gondelahaza/status/1762069833951199599

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren26 February 2024 at 15:46

      It seems the video has been removed. Maybe copyright?
      Did you save it?

      Delete
    2. mathias26 February 2024 at 15:57

      Maybe it works via this link:

      https://videos.marca.com/v/0_b8a8oplj-sale-a-la-luz-el-momento-en-el-que-una-camara-de-television-arrolla-a-guadalupe-porras?uetv_pl= futbol&count=1

      Delete
    3. Chefren26 February 2024 at 16:10

      Thanks! Absolutely very clear, full responsibility to cameraman, he didn't see at all her, coming too close to pitch. Shocking incident, could have been worse due to the extremely fast run by Porras Ayuso. I think that she must get a high compensation, but let't think about health at first.

      Delete
  11. Chefren26 February 2024 at 16:16

    CL observers appointed today:

    Bayern - Lazio
    Martin Ingvarsson SWE

    Real Sociedad - PSG
    Lucilio Batista POR

    Arsenal - Porto
    Vlado Svilokos CRO

    Barcelona - Napoli
    Stavros Tritsonis GRE

    According to a quick analysis, all experienced Elite would be expected. We will see the choices for the other games.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 17:35

      An observer who has never had a CL match. Great.....

      Delete
    2. Elliot26 February 2024 at 18:02

      @Anonymous 17:35 Why does that matter? How many of the best managers in the world also had a world class career as a player?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 18:53

      Instructing or assessing from the books is not the same as from real life experience. Referees at certain level feel the difference. There is a reason why FIFA uses mostly former World Cup referees to assess curent WC refs. The unwritten rule says that you should only assess referees at the level you refereed. The exceptions confirm the unwritten rule.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 19:24

      So an observer with experience at UEL 3rd Q. round should assess an UCL round of 16 match? Is that logical?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 19:42

      There existed Niklas Á Líðarenda in the past at CL elimination matches...

      Delete
  12. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 19:40

    Kuipers is the observer at Real-Leipzig. Any ideas? Could be a borderline EURO name. Kuipers observed Nyberg recently, so won’t be the Swedish. Germans and Spanish are not possible. Too early for Eskes I assumed. Vincic hasn’t refereed since December.

    My first thought was Soares Dias. Or if the Italian #2 debate is still going on: Massa. Furthermore, the game could be suitable for Oliver as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 20:00

      Or Kruzliak

      Delete
    2. Chefren26 February 2024 at 20:02

      Massa, Soares Dias, Kruzliak, Meler, Eskas, Oliver, but the latter less likely than others. These should be all names for Madrid game with Kuipers.

      Delete
    3. Chefren26 February 2024 at 20:05

      Last missing appointment for second legs is now Dortmund, another committee member here? The other two observers, both in Manchester and Atlético, don't give us particular clues, all normal assignments.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 20:10

      Vincic has a match on Saturday in Slovenia so he's apparently ok. Maybe fake news about the injury by some fans with agenda?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 20:30

      @ Anonymous: good to hear that! Although a Champions League game after a long winterbreak and just one domestic game could be too early (a referee needs match rhythm). We’ll see. I think we can rather expect him in week of 11 March

      Delete
    6. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 20:40

      @ Chefren: interesting that BVB-PSV is still pending. After the PK discussion, it would be a nice signal when they send a very experienced referee. This game could be a tight one based on 1st leg display. However, German and Dutch teams aren’t taken too serious is my “general” observation.

      On the other hand, just look at the observers for Inter, Napoli and Lazio: all regular observer names. If I have to guess now: Marciniak, Turpin and Makkelie.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous27 February 2024 at 11:13

      Not fake news about Vincic. He had a surgey on his knee after seminar in Sevilla , but luckily he has fully recovered and be on the pitch this Saturday. Looks like very important match for 1. SNL.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous27 February 2024 at 11:49

      Good to hear he has recovered. I don’t think UEFA will rush him after a surgery. I think it will be UECL/UEL for him in R16 and after a good performance a QF assignment in Champions League.

      Observer in Dortmund is Konrad Plautz.

      Delete
    9. Mikael W28 February 2024 at 14:58

      As it happened, I actually this morning watched the first leg of the CL SF between Arsenal and Villarreal refereed by Plautz in 2006. Overall his performance was okay but some decisions were a bit dubious and while his strong manner on the pitch mostly counted in his favour, it is fair to ask if at times some of the Austrian ref's mgmt choices rather heated the game up more than calming it down. Some clips below:

      Missed penalty? -- https://www.streambug.io/cv/2c1ccf
      Key offside calls -- https://www.streambug.io/cv/418a37
      Closing stages -- https://www.streambug.io/cv/aa5f7d

      Delete
    10. Chefren28 February 2024 at 16:56

      First remark is about the offside at that times, it is incredible to watch that even very clear mistakes like the ones in the video (especially the last incident) had to be accepted, because there wasn't any solution, and we are talking about big games in Champions League. How much football has changed today, it's incredible.
      Then, about Plautz: strong, firm, taking decisions and keeping players away "Go away", rude style. Today this couldn't work. But one thing is sure, at that time, referees were sure about their assessments (even if mistakes), today it's not the same, and with VAR, this is even worse in terms of personality.
      Also, whistling the end when the referee wants, now it can't be done anymore. The first evidence by looking at these clips is how much referee's figure has lost power in the years, in favor of teams and players.

      Delete
    11. Mikael W29 February 2024 at 15:57

      A 'current UEFA observer' switched for 'current FIFA instructor', as Valentin Ivanov took charge of the scoreless (and indeed cardless) second leg in Spain. Some clips:

      https://www.streambug.io/cv/9cab07
      https://www.streambug.io/cv/4655d3
      https://www.streambug.io/cv/901571
      https://www.streambug.io/cv/275804

      Tomorrow, some impressions from the Merk-officiated second leg of the Barcelona vs. Milan tie from the same season (and some interesting internal info :)). To complete the set - I forgot how good of a referee Alain Sars was! Really 'feeling the game' on the pitch, reminds me of Pinheiro nowadays. He 'lost' 0-3 to Veissiere in terms of major tournament call ups; 2-1 would actually have been a much fairer score imo. This one was a relatively easy task for the Frenchman in Milan, a YC rightly to Puyol (not-DOGSO) was the most contentious incident on the night.

      Delete
    12. Chefren29 February 2024 at 20:43

      I would say, luckily for Ivanov that the penalty was missed, very soft in my opinion! Also, Henry reaction was a clear red card, in this case you can be sure he did that on purpose.
      We remember him mostly for Portugal - Netherlands, in this case definitely the contrary (but of course never a game like the WC one).

      Delete
    13. Anonymous1 March 2024 at 23:17

      Incorrectly awarded penalty wasn't saved in accordance with LotG. Nice!

      Henry: reckless or excessive force? For most of us it should have been red but LotG allow YC as output.

      Delete
    14. Mikael W2 March 2024 at 12:59

      Markus Merk generally had a good game in Barcelona vs. AC Milan, using his characteristic style in a match played in excellent sporting spirit, but UEFA rejected the German's performance for making a crucial mistake in the second of the clips below. I would agree with them too - no foul was committed there by 'Sheva'. The incident would be well-used for a seminar topic like 'Considerations when restarting the game after a substitution', and this surely not an example of best practice by Merk.

      https://www.streambug.io/cv/442489
      https://www.streambug.io/cv/1a6c53

      By the way: between both CL semifinal return legs in both 2005 + 2006, only three(!) YCs were shown in total, two of which were in this match.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 19:43

    https://www.blick.ch/sport/pionierin-sagt-tschuess-schiedsrichterin-esther-staubli-hoert-per-sofort-auf-id19473097.html?utm_campaign=share-button-app&utm_medium=social&utm_source=copy-to-clipboard

    ReplyDelete
  14. swissref26 February 2024 at 21:23

    ESTHER STAUBLI RESIGNS

    What an unexpected decision by the 1st divison referee from Switzerland, just few months after her first appearance at the men's European Qualifiers.

    https://www.srf.ch/sport/fussball/fussball-allgemein/mit-44-jahren-schiedsrichterin-esther-staubli-tritt-zurueck

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 21:27

    That's sudden, l wonder if there's a back story. She couldn't wait for the season to end?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Chefren26 February 2024 at 21:36

    Reading some news on Swiss sites, indeed it seems this was totally unexpected by refereeing insiders of the country, also the timing is not the expected one, we are in the middle of the season, moreover mostly a decision for the FIFA officials is expected before the new panel for the upcming year, but of course that's not mandatory and in recent times this has been denied many times. What was talking in favor of a career's continuation, were surely the assignments, also in Men's games. For sure a pity because she was ranked extremely high.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous26 February 2024 at 21:43

      There is a typo in the Facebook post. It is the U17 World Cup not U7, obviously.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous27 February 2024 at 01:16

      a surprising decision at the same time as Seitz left FIFA, perhaps?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous27 February 2024 at 05:39

      Staubli top female referee, residing in Switzerland, indeed a good fit for the position left open by Seitz.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous27 February 2024 at 14:39

      At 44, there was nothing else for her to achieve, so taking a full-time job with FIFA would make sense.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous27 February 2024 at 07:31

    I’ve been looking for the incident with the female Ar hitting the camera in Spain , the only thing I can find is relevos recent video on TikTok.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren27 February 2024 at 17:18

      https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tgqEVI4sjoI
      Here Cuadra Fernandez reaction against the cameraman.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous27 February 2024 at 18:31

      He has every right to complain, disgusting that the camera man was arguing back after seriously injuring a woman doing her job.La liga needs to implement strict new rules so that cameras are on the opposite side of the assistant.End off!Hope she recovers soon.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous27 February 2024 at 13:01

    CL predictions:

    Real Sociedad - PSG: Oliver
    Bayern - Lazio: Makkelie
    Man City - Copenhagen: Kruzliak
    Real Madrid - Leipzig: Soares Dias
    Arsenal - Porto: Orsato
    Barcelona - Napoli: Turpin
    Atletico - Inter: Marciniak
    Dortmund - PSV: Nyberg

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous27 February 2024 at 13:24

    FIFA - Switzerland - Busacca - Staubli.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous27 February 2024 at 13:25

    Oliver with a game Saturday so CL possible!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. England Ref27 February 2024 at 20:38

      Michael Oliver (usual AR team, Burt and Cook) are refereeing Luton vs Aston Villa on Saturday evening (possible UCL game on Tuesday)

      Anthony Taylor has just two fourth official appointments on Fulham vs Brighton on Saturday afternoon and Sheffield United vs Arsenal on Monday. His assistants are both just acting as AVAR officials on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

      Stuart Attwell has two VAR appointments. Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool on Saturday and Manchester Derby on Sunday. Potentially the fly from Heathrow on Sunday to Europe for VAR.


      Rob Jones potentially a 40 for Michael Oliver

      Delete
  21. Oliver27 February 2024 at 19:41

    What does everybody think about the new “fast track” system for english referees to be rushed into the PL, with very little EFL experience. Surely shows Webb knows Taylor is retiring in the next 2 years and is desperate for replacement? For me Sam Barrott has been a success so far but other than that it’s not looking great

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. England Ref27 February 2024 at 20:31

      John Brooks looks like the next referee who has a chance of becoming an Elite. Below that it’s Sam Barrott who has been excellent this season, certain for promotion to SG1 this summer. Likely FIFA listed once Taylor retires (Attwell could also come off as a referee, just go to VAR). Other than that no one stands out.

      Rob Jones- very inconsistent referee with random foul detection and limited player management skills
      Darren England- Seems to have lost all confidence since spurs vs Liverpool, hopefully he can get it back. Limited as a referee- similar to Andre Marriner
      Jarred Gillett- Started to get a few better games of late, just seems to be lacking something needed to be a top referee
      Andy Madley- Did ok in Man City vs Chelsea a few weeks ago and has the Manchester Derby on Sunday. Very inconsistent referee and happy to dish out the cards. Mediocre referee that’s it
      Craig Pawson- Steady referee who often relies on VAR when it comes to big decisions. Fairly consistent referee, who seems preferred by UEFA to PL, he almost never gets big games anymore.
      Stuart Attwell- might as well not be on the FIFA list (should just be a VAR). Never looks in control of a game, never really looks like he wants to be there. Good fitness the only thing going for him.
      Chris Kavanagh- A very overrated official. He has been very poor recently, can never seem to get big decisions correct. Missed a clear penalty in both Man United vs Chelsea and Liverpool vs Arsenal. Calvert Lewin red card. Converse in Luton vs Sheffield United. Poor cup final performance. He also wasn’t very good in Newcastle games vs Spurs. Man City and Nottingham Forest.


      For officials in the Championship, other than Sam Barrott, five have had premier league games this season

      Rebecca Welch- did well in first game but a poor performance in her second. Not ready for the jump yet, needs more time in the championship.

      Josh Smith- he has been out of the appointments for a while, returning in the Championship this weekend. Done fairly well in the premier league games he has had and been doing well in championship for a few years. Possible promotion alongside Barrott to SG1 in Summer, should be given more games. Potential FIFA referee in Future.

      Sam Allison- Poor performance on his debut, was very inconsistent and looked out of his depth. He was clearly rushed and needs more time to develop

      Lewis Smith- had two premier league games in the last two weeks. First one he was really poor. Second he was better but still wildly inconsistent and showing his inconsistency. Needs to stay in the Championship to gain much more experience. Still only 30. Possible FIFA referee in future.

      Robert Madley- Had his turn and he messed it up, there are better younger officials in the championship who should be promoted ahead of him. Inconsistent and was never a top top performer in the premier league anyway.

      English officiating has been on a decline for years, getting worse now with Anthony Taylor and Craig Pawson likely to retire from UEFA in the coming years and Michael Oliver seemingly having a reduction in performance levels since the World Cup.

      Delete
    2. Mikael W27 February 2024 at 22:46

      It isn't to do with replacing Taylor - the 'Elite Referee Development Plan' is mostly an attempt to shake things up a bit due to how hamstrung PGMOL are by the 2010 employment tribunal ruling which means that it is de facto impossible for them to demote anyone (see eternal fourth man Graham Scott), and also gives this organisation the ability arbitrarily promote selected female and ethnic minority referees as they decide fit.

      Barrott is obviously the success story of this ERDP but everyone in England is getting waayyy too ahead of themselves about him - his foul selection is really refreshing, but he has a lot to learn both in self-presentation and tactical approach. However he's 30 and still has lots and lots of time. I can't really comment on (R.) Madley but he was highly regarded before and I wouldn't count him out. Joshua Smith is a good English official but his skillset lends much more to 'our' game than continental officiating and I don't see him as a big FIFA candidiate. I watched Fulham vs. Aston Villa with Lewis Smith and he reminded me of a former Primera official called Adrian Cordero Vega, able to stay icy cool even as everyone heats up around him but he was completely isolated on the pitch and not able to interact with the players at all - based on that evidence, I don't see Lewis Smith as a (big) talent at all. The less said about Allison and Welch, as you might be able to guess, the better... :)

      As for the next Elite stakes, the only option can really be Brooks; in all of the other candidates, there are too many limitations. I would guess that in their many assessments by top observers (Rocchi, Kuipers et al), UEFA have come to a similar conclusion.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous28 February 2024 at 05:43

      In UEFA, did Kavanagh performed really poor or did he got enough challenges/particular assessed by the committee?

      Delete
  22. Anonymous27 February 2024 at 20:57

    I really have a technical question that needs answers… An attacking team is on the attack and a defender makes a SFP challenge which the referee doesn’t recognize as SFP but recognizes as a foul but plays the advantage, the atttackibg team carry’s on with the attack and the attack stops with a save from the defending team’s goalkeeper and the goalkeeper realeases the ball quickly and the defending team transitions into the attack and scores, VAR calls the ref, what’s the procedure? The goal disallowed and SFP challenge punished despite the advantage played or the goal stands and the Red card issued?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. England Ref28 February 2024 at 00:02

      Not sure, but that’s why I never have an issue with referees blowing up while there is an ongoing VAR check if the ball is in the middle of the pitch

      Delete
    2. Euro Soccer Ref28 February 2024 at 08:40

      A very interesting question. Try to ask IFAB. They often reply.

      lawenquiries[at]theifab.com

      Delete
    3. Anonymous28 February 2024 at 09:05

      @england ref First I’m different anonimos. but it was quick transition, it could be direct ball from the goalie (you know Ederson). If that kind of moment happened, the referee have no chance to blow the whistle.

      Delete
    4. Oliver28 February 2024 at 09:10

      I would guess it depends if the player who committed the foul was involved in play afterwards. If not, goal awarded and red card. If he was, same sanction but IDFK from where he first interferes with play?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous28 February 2024 at 10:39

      Yes what if the player who should be sent off scores

      Delete
    6. Jonas28 February 2024 at 12:31

      I agree with Oliver. If the player who will be sent off does not interfere with play there is no reason to not give a goal since the foul has been noticed by the referee. But if this player interacts he commits a new offence since he mustn‘t interfere with play and therefore the goal is cancelled and play restarts with an indirect freekick.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous28 February 2024 at 17:42

      Goal and RC for SFP. As play has not been restarted after the goal, it is within the VAR protocol to invite the referee for an OFR for the potential SFP offense.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous28 February 2024 at 17:52

      That’s all good but if the player who should be off scores, all he’ll with break loose

      Delete
    9. Anonymous28 February 2024 at 18:59

      If the advantage is played, then it is a new APP, and the goal will stand + RC - that would be my understanding.

      Delete
    10. Mikael W2 March 2024 at 13:51

      Surely if the goal was scored by the to-be-expelled player, then play would restart with an indirect freekick where he touched the ball as per the laws?

      The interesting question to ask IFAB therefore would be "if the RC-committing player was involved in the 'attacking move' of scoring the goal, but not in the APP itself, what would be the expected restart after the send off was administered?".

      Delete
  23. Mobley28 February 2024 at 21:08

    Colombo with an OFR already in min 11 in Inter - Atalanta, interesting situation in which Miranchuk seemed to have made a foul, but in the end the goal was disallowed due to the ball touching his arm before reaching the scorer. Good VAR intervention in my opinion, I think the foul could have also been penalized but the handball was impossible to be spotted by Colombo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren28 February 2024 at 21:22

      The possible foul would have been very controversial, I think VAR wouldn't have intervened for that. The previous touch by arm saved the situation with a clear OFR. Arm open in totally unnatural position and easy decision, but, as you said, very difficult to see live.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous28 February 2024 at 21:39

    Kevin Clancy (SCO) was sent for an OFR 44’ in the Edinburgh derby he stuck with his original desicion and gave the penalty, for me he has got it wrong and should have been simulation.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Forlan28 February 2024 at 21:52

    A big scandal in Croatia, called "VARleaks" in some media!

    Someone stole and leaked VAR recordings and now they are released selectively for different situations, it seems with an objective of "proving" that the referees work in favor of one club.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Forlan28 February 2024 at 21:57

      Its an audio and video footage of VAR checks. It is in fact quite interesting to see.

      An awkward part is that some referees used quite "direct" language, sending each other to hell, of course not counting thst it could one they be publicly exposed. It doesnt seem like a genuine conflict, but gives a bad picture of collaborations within the team.

      Delete
    2. Quilava28 February 2024 at 23:32

      So basically what happened here in Spain too, all VAR audio records being stolen.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous28 February 2024 at 23:39

      This is beginning of the end of Bruno Maric, referees committee president

      Delete
    4. M29 February 2024 at 07:30

      And the main thing is that correct decision's were taken,whether some club likes it or not...

      The only problem here is direct and very vulgar communication,but the level of stress and need to decide correctly is understable.

      So far in the season 2 press conferences were held,one of was when Osijek complained and 2nd was now with VARleaks,but with Hajduk complaining all year and I can see big scandals coming up given what's at stake.
      Dinamo and Rijeka also complained so we have very complex and very unique situation where 3 teams look at every possible minor mistake to point at referee and say everything bad about him.

      3 teams that have legitimate chance of winning the League-Dinamo,Hajduk and Rijeka.

      And with all these crucial matches,we can say that 2 most trusted referees are Kolarić and Pajač.

      We can also add there Bel and Strukan,but appointing them is a problem given that they are from Osijek and Split.

      Delete
  26. Neil29 February 2024 at 02:54

    Can we get a post on who we think are going to the euros?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Elliot29 February 2024 at 11:34

    Here are my predictions for the international tournaments in 2024, I need to get a life :p file:///C:/Users/ellio/OneDrive/Documents/Referees%20International%20competitions%202024.pdf

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elliot29 February 2024 at 11:37

      Well that link obviously doesn't work so here is another one :) https://www.ilovepdf.com/download/2rmAff19mfg2241Ankhqj1cjwbw1p62br8zxnj85jv7pfqzxtc5z8A25g4cxAbn1b3fyhrk8mmd9y6vpx0gpl93ms32smj2bx56rgb8yv9nq0kcsv9537n0xzrvfpsqrlzqn77391b3b3mAv14pgpcy5tn0k76vzbwyA1rkxv17Ajr43xcqq/28w

      Delete
    2. Anonymous29 February 2024 at 12:23

      Nice to read 👍🏼

      Delete
    3. Elliot29 February 2024 at 13:50

      Should've said my candidates instead of predictions, obviously not all of these will make it

      Delete
    4. red-eye29 February 2024 at 21:08

      still link not working though 😏

      Delete
  28. Anonymous29 February 2024 at 13:25

    Beşiktaş Galatasaray
    Halil umut meler

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous29 February 2024 at 15:45

    After VARleaks Bruno Maric has resigned from Croatian referees committee.

    What now? We have unbelieveable level of pressure on referees. Three clubs in two point difference.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Forlan29 February 2024 at 15:57

      I wouldnt say there has been an unbelievable pressure, but now for the rest of the season there needs to a good leader to calm things down, increase transparency (those selective late
      written announcements and canceling refereeing analysis in the media was shameful imho)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous29 February 2024 at 17:50

      IMO Croatian Football Federation should appoint foreigner as Head of Ref Com, that would be the best at this moment.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous29 February 2024 at 21:02

      Is Melo Pereira available? He would be the perfect person to totally destroy Croatian refereeing.....

      Delete
    4. Euro Soccer Ref29 February 2024 at 22:54

      He is the head of referees at Egyptian FA. Btw, he doesn't invite foreigners as Clattenburg did. He trusts the local referees. Maybe it was Greek federation/clubs that didn't allow him to work as he wanted to.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous1 March 2024 at 10:42

      The newest recording leaked: OFR for handball, pk, later the referee committee said it was a wrong decision.
      https://www.facebook.com/100063755312718/videos/1343472499687742/?ref=embed_video&t=63

      Your opinion, punishable or not? Does the deflection/block count or it must be understood as player kicking himself in the arm?

      Delete
    6. Euro Soccer Ref1 March 2024 at 12:35

      Penalty - unnatural hand position.

      Delete
  30. Euro Soccer Ref1 March 2024 at 12:39

    Today in Saudi Arabia

    Al-Akhdoud vs Ar-Riyadh
    Urs Schnyder (Marco Zürcher, Benjamin Zürcher; VAR Lukas Fähndrich)

    Al-Hilal vs Al-Ittihad
    Iván Barton (David Morán, Henry Pupiro; VAR Chris Penso)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1 March 2024 at 14:55

      Penso earning Saudi money while his US colleagues are on strike...

      Delete
  31. Anonymous1 March 2024 at 21:19

    Wow, di Bello is so bad: at least 3 mandatory YCs missed, strange foul detection, a possible penalty missed, no control at all. Totally disaster

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1 March 2024 at 21:21

      La Liga and Serie A refereeing totally destroyed by Velasco/Medina and Rocchi.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous1 March 2024 at 21:51

      The level of dissents that he allows is shoking even for the Italian standards. He looks absolutely clueless and spineless and it is enven more highlighted by his stupid smiling when the players are just mocking at him.

      Delete
    3. Chefren1 March 2024 at 22:02

      Let's make a more polished analysis about that, it is always useful instead of reading certain comments, better to raise the level of the blog for our readers.

      The situation involving Milan keeper wasn't assessed as penalty because he played ball before, then later there was contact with attacker, but he can't do anything to avoid that. Just compare this scenario to a save by keeper able to get ball against attacker, then contact? Would you whistle penalty? Rather no. But.. I think Di Bello couldn't see properly the incident because it happened after an unexpected mistake and this created astonishment by crowd. BTW in Italy you can't expect penalty for such situations. It can be different in other countries, but at least one must agree this was never VAR stuff.
      Then, about Di Bello, he has now been appointed for this game after a very poor period for almost the whole season, but he recovered in recent games with 4 or 5 good performances in a row in middle - low serie A games. This was enough for Rocchi to select him for a big match. I agreed, he showed to be in a better form than previous weeks and months... BUT. There is always a "but". He still doesn't convince me, and I have to agree about his leniency and more generally an attitude to think only about himself and not the players: never accepted. Many protests for the penalty appeal, as well as in other situations. In my opinion he has not the abilisty of other referees to enter in contact with players and understanding them. He does nothin for irritating them, but it is exactly this "nothing" that it's not good. He should work more in this regard. Just issuing cards when things are complicated, but rather staying always on his side. Not good. Having said that, I don't think today it's a very poor show, games like this one are very challenging, but of course at the end if Lazio will not win, he will be critiziced by Lazio fans, that's another story.
      Di Bello had excellent seasons some years ago, then it looked like his shining was over.
      Now let's see how second half will go.

      An indirect remark: today he is with Massa assistant referees, Massa not appointed in serie A, after a game in B in which he had another OFR (not easy to spot, classic handball). I don't know whether we can expect him in Champions League, rather not due to form, but this would be still possible as I wote some days ago. Orsato assistant referees are assigned tomorrow in another game, Udinese - Salernitana, and Orsato is out from serie A as well. Chances for him, maybe more likely than Massa, to appear in the major competitions. But I have a particular feeling about the moment of Orsato...

      Delete
    4. Anonymous1 March 2024 at 22:04

      Oh no, now a clear foul missed by di Bello and then second YC for a Lazio player. Match ruined by the ref

      Delete
    5. Chefren1 March 2024 at 22:11

      I have to be honest now about the second YC.
      The worst mismanagement, I'm really sorry.
      This now makes the performance definitely poor even in terms of technical decisions. Fourth official should have cooperated, this had to be avoided.

      Delete
    6. Upstylon1 March 2024 at 22:43

      What a fiery ending in Roma...

      Delete
    7. Anonymous1 March 2024 at 22:46

      It is getting better and better... Oh my god, and this guy is allowed to referee football games where millions of people are watching and trying to entertain themselves... Sorry but this is completely unacceptable, the level of incompetancy is so high that he and his bosses should be fired immediately. Ups, I have forgotten - the referees and their bosses are actually untouchable, the can be just paid but don't take responsibility for anything.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 17:39

      Chefren, I remember you supporting and hailing Orsato for awarding a penalty to Argentina at the 2022 world cup for similar incident when the Croatia goalkeeper and the Argentina striker collided after the former made a save

      Delete
  32. Quilava1 March 2024 at 22:40

    Straight RC given by Sánchez Martínez in a crucial relegation game just now (Celta vs Almería). SFP? DOGSO? Both?

    https://streamin.me/v/cd5cfccb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cassius2 March 2024 at 16:09

      SFP!
      Shouldnt be assessed as DOGSO because other players are around and there's plenty of space to the goal.

      Delete
  33. Anonymous1 March 2024 at 22:42

    Incredible, one of the worst referee performance ever seen, di Bello totally lost the match

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren1 March 2024 at 22:44

      In the latter stages of second half, it turned into a nightmare.
      Now I think he will be out for a very long time. Absolutely poor performance by the referee.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous1 March 2024 at 22:53

      So, what will change according to you if he does not referee next three rounds and comes back after a month? He will be a better referee or what? He is so plainly incompetent and far away from football that I have no clue what is he doing at that job... And what is even worse is that it is the actual level of maybe about 60 % of the referees in the big 5 leagues in Europe.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 01:44

      His friend Roberto Rossetti will continue to watch over him (Mr Belo) And so goes the refereeing…

      Delete
  34. Oliver1 March 2024 at 23:01

    I didn’t see the game, so can’t comment on Di Bello (sounds like a disaster), but I don’t think Lazio can argue with the red cards. Maybe they should just play football

    ReplyDelete
  35. Chefren2 March 2024 at 05:08

    Luckily Lazio already played home leg in Champions League, otherwise it would have been even more difficult for the referee about to officiate their Round of 16. Better for him that game will be played in Munchen. Nevertheless, the Italian teams have always a different approach with referees in UEFA competitions, they don't treat them so bas like the domestic officials, but as you you all know, they complain after the game. Letexier was good in first leg and major decision went against German side, the contrary even in case of correct decision, would have led to troubles.
    About Di Bello, answering some comments above, the fact that now he will be out for a while, maybe a month or more, and then he will be back, it's normal. That's refereeing, you can't kill a person, nobody is perfect, the assessment of not reaching more is based on career and not on the moment ("incompetent, he should stop refereeing and so on...").
    Indeed, his UEFA career was over at a certain point exactly for this reason, he never reached Champions League and the focus on him was stopped by committee.
    In a pool of 10 FIFA referees from a country it's normal that you have somebody less good than others, in the years Di Bello showed that he could maybe reach more, but that's the final verdict for him.
    Not good for very top games, he is just isolated figure.
    Now the next serie A game will be extremely hot, Lazio - Udinese, I bet on Orsato appointment (that's how it works).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cassius2 March 2024 at 08:08

      Orsato is quite untouchable, also for problematic teams like Lazio, isn't he? Because I remember he also had difficulties with Lazio in the Coppa derby some weeks ago...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 08:47

      Orsato had difficulties because the teams took the field without any desire to play football, but Lazio won the match and it was only Mourinho's Roma (worst team in Europe, fortunately now with De Rossi the situation has changed) who complained. However, Orsato is respected by everyone because even in his worst matches he never loses control, never, which is why the committee and even the Italian newspapers consider him untouchable. Only a few low-level referees, out of envy, write dozens of comments against him when Orsato makes a disgruntled OFR, while in front of di Bello's 'Byron Moreno-style' performance they look for justifications in every way.

      Delete
    3. LD2 March 2024 at 11:47

      The game in München still will be very difficult I guess. Can see the Italian team start time wasting already in 1st half.

      Observer in München is Swedish. Who do you expect there?

      I initially thought Makkelie because of his domestic appointment on Thursday, however seeing an Instagram post he’s done UEFA condition test last Monday (why so late?).

      I just hope it won’t be Gil Manzano again with Italians… Perhaps Marciniak the best choice, but they also need a strong personality in ATM-INT.

      Delete
    4. Chefren2 March 2024 at 12:23

      The UEFA Swedish observer should indicate a very experienced Elite, classic appointment, and this will say us that in first leg they made the "brave" choice with Letexier (brave, but not that much, given the high level of France nr.2). Nevertheless, I think that after first leg, it is possible committee read the game for second leg in a very different way, indeed, and yesterday game Lazio - Milan controbuted more to that (but appointment has been already made).

      Delete
    5. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 13:04

      I think Makkelie is/was injured. His fitness level has dropped a bit in 2024, at least compared to the form (and agility) he showed in Newcastle.

      Delete
  36. Philipp S2 March 2024 at 11:03

    Predictions for next week (VAR in brackets)
    ManCity - Copenhagen: Massa (di Paolo)
    Real - Leipzig: Kruzliak (Kwiatkowski)
    Sociedad - Paris: Taylor (Attwell)
    Bayern - Lazio: Makkelie (Dieperink)

    Sporting - Atalanta: Sanchez (Martinez)
    Sparta - Liverpool: Nyberg (Higler)
    Roma - Brighton: Siebert (Fritz)
    Qarabag - Leverkusen: Collum (Coote)
    Marseille - Villareal: Eskas (Irrati)
    Benfica - Rangers: Peljto (van Boekel)
    Freiburg - West Ham: Soares Dias (Martins)
    Milan - Slavia: Grinfeeld (Reinshreiber)

    Ajax - Aston Villa: Kabakov (Stoyanov)
    Molde - Brugge: Krogh (Valeri)
    Graz - Lille: Jug (Borosak)
    Olympiakos - Tel Aviv: Aghayev (Ulusoy)
    Servette - Plzen: Dabanovic (Kajtazovic)
    Saint-Gilloise - Fenerbahce: Strukan (Bebek)
    Dinamo - PAOK: Glova (di Bello)
    Haifa - Fiorentina: Pawson (Dankert)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 11:44

      Dear Philipp, I think you should stop with predictions because very often your predictions are wrong and nosense.

      First of all, Bebek can't be appointed to Fenerbahce. In 2022 he was removed as 4th official on their match.

      Delete
    2. Chefren2 March 2024 at 12:20

      Instead of writing that a senior user of the blog with a name (and not Anonymous!) should stop predictions, why don't you try to do your guess? Would be more constructive for the blog, but if you write only to correct him and to highlight wrong things, it is definitely a bad attitude. Still, free to write what you want, but I think you should be able to understand by yourself.

      Delete
    3. Mikael W2 March 2024 at 13:42

      A much better comment would have elicited the first paragraph and just left the second... also it is funny to think how similar 'that' game for Bebek was to Di Bello's last night :).

      Delete
    4. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 14:34

      Taylor is 4th official on Monday so I don’t think he has a game this European week

      Delete
    5. Elliot2 March 2024 at 16:59

      @Anonymous 14:34 I agree, swap Taylor with Oliver and Strukan/Bebek with Dabanovic/Kajtazovic and this would be a fair prediction

      Delete
    6. Philipp S2 March 2024 at 17:46

      Thanks for the feedback.
      A match that happened 8 years ago shouldn't really matter anymore, but yes, maybe it does.
      And yes, Taylor then is impossible and Oliver makes sense instead.

      Delete
  37. Jonas2 March 2024 at 13:54

    OT: Sandro Schärer is back in Swiss Super League this sunday. Is it early enough for the European Championship this summer?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Juan2 March 2024 at 14:16

      I don’t think he has enough time before Euro, I mean only few spots left and we have many strong contenders that still in competition, like Peljto, Eskas, Jovanovic, GER/ITA/NED No.2.

      Delete
  38. Cassius2 March 2024 at 14:01

    I hope not but first of all let's hope he is back for more than just a few games.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Forlan2 March 2024 at 17:18

    VARleaks in Croatia has uncovered some interesting things!

    Most importantly, the decisions are mostly correct and the referees do not systematically favour one side. But the way that some of them talk to each other (lots of swearing and very informally) and the communication which is against VAR protocols is a problem and I dont know why noone from the refereeing organization hasnt reacted to prevent it.

    It would be interesting to hear how it is in other countries because I dont think it is only in Croatia.

    The last example is VAR telling the main referee that the pk is ridiculous, but that in theory what he said he saw is correct. And then he says "if I call you for OFR and you stay by your decision, we are all screwed" :D which I acually agree with and I understand why he had doubts (the pk was clearly wrong, but there was a contact), but he mustnt say it out loud cause he is manipulating the referee that way.

    ReplyDelete
  40. England Ref2 March 2024 at 18:53

    Ugly scenes at the end of Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool, with Nottingham Forest coaches extremely angry with referee with Paul Tierney, which resulted in a red card for one of the coaching staff. Also, the Nottingham Forest owner storming the pitch.

    They where unhappy because a Liverpool player went down with a head injury while Nottingham Forest attacked, play restarted with a drop ball to the Liverpool keeper. However, the exact same thing happened earlier in the game the other way round, and the same restart applied then. Right or wrong at least Tierney was consistent.

    They were also unhappy as the goal was scored in 98:32 with 8 minutes added time. This despite a VAR check, head injury and two bookings for time wasting in extra time. Not unreasonable if you ask me, they should be reminded it’s a minimum of 8 minutes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 19:02

      What is the correct protocol for when there's a head injury inside the box? I know if the ball was in the box when the ref blows then it's a drop ball to the goalkeeper

      Delete
    2. England Ref2 March 2024 at 21:18

      Now we’ve got Mark Clattenburg (recently employed by Nottingham Forest) going on national radio to complain about the decisions made by Paul Tierney. He has also defended the shocking actions of the club owner who stormed on the pitch to confront Paul Tierney.

      Delete
    3. Elliot2 March 2024 at 22:05

      Well that's any integrity Clattenburg had left gone right out the window. It was a mistake by Tierney in that incident, I don't remember exactly where the ball was for the first one in Forest's box, so can't comment on that one. It's hardly a match defining moment though so it's quite hard to understand such a reaction over such a decision, even if it was wrong

      Delete
    4. Elliot2 March 2024 at 22:11

      Or actually, the decision to give the ball to Kelleher might actually have been the correct one according to this video: https://twitter.com/AJT_1980/status/1764003482581762193

      Delete
    5. Elliot2 March 2024 at 22:16

      Or actually a third comment, that video proves nothing as it only slows down the pictures but not the audio, forget it

      Delete
    6. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 22:22

      Clattenburg wouldn't know integrity if it slapped him round the face, what on earth is he doing at Forest? Attention seeking so and so. He's on TV show Gladiators as well. There was over 2 minutes been the drop ball and the winning goal, including a throw in and 2 possession changeovers. There's clutching at straws, then there's this

      Delete
  41. Chefren2 March 2024 at 19:39

    It is definitely incredible to notice how much Roma way of playing changed after Mourinho sacking.
    Now they are focused on football, they play great games, excellent skills from their best players and many convincing wins.
    It has been made absolutely easier for referees, decisions are accepted, or at least more accepted.
    I think that intelligent AS Roma fansshould be aware of that, the Portuguese created a strategy for putting the opponents under pressure, but not for making his team the best.
    We should thank Daniele De Rossi now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. M2 March 2024 at 23:17

      DDR also had weaker opponets,but that's another story.

      Mourinho is not the only manager that does that,but somehow every one mentions his name when it comes to refereeing and putting pressure on them.

      Also,with better results there is also no need to pressure refs,and for sure this series of weaker opponets and wins that they had had impact on that.

      And just one example;I'm sure you saw Feyenord match.
      When things were not going their way in that match there was constant pressure for every decision he made.

      The only different thing is that DDR is much calmer than Jose,but we'll see what happens when they run into much tougher opponents.

      Delete
  42. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 22:13

    Another very difficult first half in Serie A, with a poor performance by Marchetti in Torino-Fiorentina (although, compared to di Bello, the performance remains positive). Unfortunately, it seems that the quality in Italy is getting lower and lower :(

    ReplyDelete
  43. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 22:54

    Jesús Gil is basically just ignoring players insulting him in his face , shocking dissent management in Val-mad at the Mestalla, also sad to see a Valencia player break a leg because the assistant delayed the offside.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. M2 March 2024 at 23:07

      And now whistling end when Real scored...
      Same happened in 1st half when Valencia had attack...

      Disgraceful performance from him.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 23:12

      Now in hindsight Gil Manzano should have given the final whistle right after the corner when B.Diaz was dribbling away from goal. One could see in the replay as well that Manzano at that moment was about to give the final whistle but then delayed a couple of seconds further. Which, unfortunately, in this case turned out to be rather controversial as he gave the final whistle as Bellingham scored.

      Then it is difficult to see how he could have managed the amount of abuse and dissent afterwards in a great way, no matter what he did.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 23:16

      I am absolutely shocked how many times players from both teams insulted him brutally straight into his face. And the only card for dissents that he showed was after the final signal. Actually, don't you find it suspiciously how many cards he shows after the final signal or to the technical staff?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 23:16

      For me he blew before the cross there should be no punishment for Gil as he blew before the cross

      Delete
    5. Forlan2 March 2024 at 23:44

      Wow, what an incident!

      Unlucky for the referee, but I think the decision is ok in terms of ending the game after the corner. The problem is that he delayed the whistle a bit and for a second didnt think that once the cross is done, he shouldnt whistle

      Delete
    6. matei142 March 2024 at 23:45

      It might be the least important thing, but look how poor is the position of the AR when B. Diaz cross the ball at the end of the game. It is something that just could not go unnoticed for my eye.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 23:46

      I've slowed the audio down and he blows the whistle just as the ball leaves the player's foot, he should have let the cross come in or whistled when the player was being forced away from the penalty box.

      Delete
    8. M3 March 2024 at 00:18

      So we can all agree that Gil Manzano will not be appointed to a Real Madrid match for a very lomg period of time 😀

      Maybe even for Barcelona's ,cause tehn conspiracy theories will be everywhere.

      If he is currently Spanish number 1 then I dont know what to say.

      Delete
  44. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 23:15

    Horrible mistake by Gil manzano.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Anonymous3 March 2024 at 00:05

    Crazy spanish Referees…

    ReplyDelete
  46. Anonymous3 March 2024 at 00:06

    Delaying the restarts by not allowing opponents to do quick free kicks- ignored.

    Dissent- ignored.
    Management- none.
    Understnding of when to blow the whistle for the half- none.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Anonymous3 March 2024 at 00:07

    Anybody know what happened to Massimo Bussaca? I know he was the head of refereeing at FIFA but I can’t seem to find him anywhere in the media recently…

    ReplyDelete
  48. Marco3 March 2024 at 02:31

    What happened tonight in Valencia should not be a surprise. Gil Manzano is an arrogant referee, often not prepared for high-level matches. He showed this in Rome on Thursday, in Leverkusen and many other times.

    Unfortunately, he’s not an isolated case. Football is evolving but referees, or the vast majority of them, are not. In the last two/three years, we have seen so many poor performances even if VAR was deployed. It is not a case that still today the best referees are the “old” ones, simply because they are experienced champions in their role. The newcomers are not at the same level, see what’s happening in Italy and Spain. This is because of an extremely poor management in the last decades in each federation and at UEFA level.

    Very few names may save the category, but my hopes are very very weak

    ReplyDelete
  49. Anonymous3 March 2024 at 05:33

    Just be simple, after famous Italia-Ukraine and now this match, my predictions Manzano never lead UEFA finals (this performance will be have direct impact for future assignment for him) and now the focus would be turn to Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez. Manzano is Manzano, I don’t know why many people even Spanish readers loved him but on the other hand very critized Lahoz and DCG performance. If he is “good” referee or natural given leader on the pitch simply he wouldn’t made a mistake like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3 March 2024 at 08:45

      To be fair Ukraine-Italy didn’t have any consequences for him. Refcom had no problems to assign him to the most difficult UEL game.

      Delete
    2. Ref12 UKR4 March 2024 at 11:59

      I agree... Very easy... His remark in Ukraine - Italy was a signal... But... (((( To be continued...

      Delete
  50. Anonymous3 March 2024 at 13:44

    I think Manzano need Darren England treatment :)

    ReplyDelete

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