Wednesday 3 April 2024

2024 FIFA Men's and Women's Olympic Football Tournaments - Selected officials

Please find below the list of selected officials for 2024 FIFA Olympic Football Tournaments, both Men's and Women's.


AFC

Referees: Adel Al Naqbi (UAE), Kim Yujeong (KOR), Ilgiz Tantashev (UZB), Yoshimi Yamashita (JPN)

Assistant Referees: Sabet Al-Ali (UAE), Ahmed Alrashadi (UAE), Makoto Bozono (JPN), Joanna Charaktis (AUS), Timur Gaynullin (UZB), Misuk Park (KOR), Naomi Teshirogi (JPN), Andrey Tsapenko (UZB)

VAR: Khamis Al Marri (QAT), Kate Jacewicz (AUS), Sivakor Pu-Udom (THA)

Support Referee: Veronika Bernatskaia (KGZ)

CAF

Referees: Dahane Beida (MTN), Mahmood Ismail (SDN), Bouchra Karboubi (MAR)

Assistant Referees: Liban Ahmed (DJI), Diana Chikotesha (ZAM), Fatiha Jermoumi (MAR), Elvis Noupue (CMR), Jerson Santos (ANG), Stephen Yiembe (KEN)

VAR: Mahmoud Ashour (EGY), Lahlou Benbraham (ALG)

Support Referee: Shamirah Nabadda (UGA)

CONCACAF

Referees: Drew Fischer (CAN), Katia Garcia (MEX), Said Martinez (HON), Tori Penso (USA)

Assistant Referees: Lyes Arfa (CAN), Michael Barwegen (CAN), Karen Diaz Medina (MEX), Walter Lopez (HON), Brooke Mayo (USA), Kathryn Nesbitt (USA), Christian Ramirez (HON), Sandra Ramirez (MEX)

VAR: Tatiana Guzman (NCA), Guillermo Pacheco (MEX), Daneon Parchment (JAM)

Support Referee: Odette Hamilton (JAM)

CONMEBOL

Referees: Ramon Abatti (BRA), Edina Alves (BRA), Emikar Calderas (VEN), Yael Falcon (ARG)

Assistant Referees: Rafael Alves (BRA), Neuza Back (BRA), Fabrini Bevilaqua (BRA), Mary Blanco (COL), Guilherme Camilo (BRA), Maximiliano Del Yesso (ARG), Facundo Rodriguez (ARG), Migdalia Rodriguez (VEN)

VAR: Rodrigo Carvajal (CHI), Leodan Gonzalez (URU), Daiane Muniz (BRA), Hector Paletta (ARG)

Support Referee: Anahi Fernandez (URU)

OFC

Referee: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (NZL)

Assistant Referees: Bernard Mutukera (SOL), Isaac Trevis (NZL)

UEFA

Referees: Espen Eskas (NOR), François Letexier (FRA), Glenn Nyberg (SWE), Tess Olofsson (SWE), Rebecca Welch(ENG)

Assistant Referees: Isaak Bashevkin (NOR), Mahbod Beigi (SWE), Emily Carney (ENG), Francesca Di Monte (ITA), Jan Erik Engan (NOR), Cyril Mugnier (FRA), Franca Overtoom (NED), Mehdi Rahmouni (FRA), Andreas Söderqvist (SWE), Almira Spahic (SWE)

VAR: Ivan Bebek (CRO), Jerome Brisard (FRA), David Coote (ENG), Carlos del Cerro Grande (ESP), Rob Dieperink (NED), Ovidiu Hategan (ROU), Katalin Kulcsar (HUN), Paolo Valeri (ITA)

Support Referees: Jelena Cvetkovic (SRB),Frida Klarlund (DEN)

39 comments:

  1. Wow, only 3 male referees from UEFA:
    Letexier, Eskas and Nyberg.

    Will they absent at Euro?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All of them could potentially get a R16 game (Jun 29 - Jul 2) and then go to the Olympics that will start three weeks later (Jul 26).

      Delete
  2. In 2021 we had Grinfeeld and Soares Dias officiating games at both tournament. Both didn't appear as main referee for a KO stage game and they left then for the Olympics.
    This should mean that on paper everything is possible for the three who will be at Summer Olympic tournament this year as well, but rather, if called to EURO as well, they will have very likely to quit before. This is reasonable for almost all three names, personally I see the French a step above the other two, he could have officiated surely in KO stage in Germany. Nevertheless, the argument is that he has always Turpin ahead, and so maybe this can explain. In all cases, I think the only sure conclusion we can draw, nobody of the three was planned by UEFA for something very big until the end at EURO, otherwise they wouldn't have allowed them to go to France.

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  3. 12 male and 9 female referees means, that 2 games for everyone in the group stage would exactly work with strict gender separation.

    Or in other words, if a woman gets a men's game, it should mean that also a man gets a women's game, so that the numbers work out.

    However IMO the best solution would be to open it up completely and mix the appointments.
    With the circumstances of the Olympic tournaments, this would be the ideal opportunity for such a move.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As a MD1 idea, how such a mix could look like:
      QAT-NZL: Beida FRA-USA: Falcon
      ARG-MAR: Nyberg AUS-UKR: Alves
      KOR-ESP: Fischer EGY-DOM: Tantashev
      JPN-PAR: Welch MLI-ISR: Penso

      CAN-NZL: Karboubi FRA-COL: Yamashita
      GER-AUS: Calderas USA-MAR: Kim
      ESP-JPN: Martinez NGA-BRA: Al Naqbi

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  4. I definitely think Karboubi, Penso and Yamashita will cross over to the men's tournament for a game or two–all of them now have experience in the continental men's championships (and in Penso's case, the CWC)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But also Alves (Copa Libertadores & CWC) and Welch (PL) have experience in top male competitions.
      Garcia recently had her debut in the top Mexican league.
      And Olofsson is preselected for WC 2026, so she has to start getting men's games at some point...

      Delete
  5. Guys who are your predictions for this year's U17 & U19 EURO?

    U17 (8): Ebner (AUT), D'Hondt (BEL), Čulina (CRO), Gidzhenov (BUL), Redder (DEN), Jitari (MDA), Aslam (NOR) & Nogueira (POR)

    U19 (6): Berka (CZE), Al-Emara (FIN), Manouchos (GRE), Nuza (KOS), Barbu (ROU) & Jenkins (WAL)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mine are
      U19: Correia (POR), Kooij (NED), Ladebäck (SWE), Manouchos (GRE), Masiyev (AZE), Sylwestrzak (POL)
      U17: Barbu (ROU), Dudic (SUI), Hennessy (IRL), Kopiyevskyy (UKR), Nuza (KOS), Sariyev (KAZ), van der Eijk (NED), Vergoote (BEL)

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  6. I find it absolutely hilarious that some people seem to be seriously analyzing the possibility that male referees would crossover into women's matches at a FIFA event. Where have you guys been for the last 25 years?

    Karboubi, Penso and Yamashita will "definitely" get men's matches. "A game or two" each, even! Ha. Okay.

    And how would it be the "best solution" to open up the appointments and completely mix the referees? The male referees at the Olympics haven't refereed top women's games in--wait for it--their entire careers! And you want to toss them into one of the two biggest women's events in the world. No one recognizes how unfair that is to the women participants? Nevermind stupid for the referees.

    The mind boggles sometimes.

    I thought Frappart would get a match in Tokyo. It was set there on a silver platter. She didn't. Maybe--MAYBE--Penso can swing a men's match given her WWC Final and CWC appearance. But given what happened in 2021, I'd bet against it. There certainly aren't going to be 3-5 female referees working men's matches. Or men working women's matches. Also, one other point: has anyone asked the elite women what they want? Do you think they prefer to focus on the senior level women's tournament and hope for a semi or final or be part of a PR stunt to get a group stage men's match?

    Sometimes, in the name of feminism, we expose our own inate sexism. Not everything is black and white.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. First of all, it's absolutely possible (and even likely) that you are correct and FIFA will not or only very rarely use the women for the men's games.

      Secondly, my main motivation is not feminism, but excitement for the new possibilites regarding appointments. It would make the tournament much more interesting and special from the refereeing perspective - and that's personally my main concern. :)

      On the arguments:
      Male referees having no experience with women's football is certainly a factor, I just don't know how big. Can't we really not expect an Elite referee to handle big games well independent from gender?
      Unfair for the women participants? I don't think, that would be the case, if everyone gets equal chances and of course e.g. the 4 medal games are not all given to men.
      Therefore also the preference by the women is not so clear, if getting a men's GS game doesn't automatically mean not getting a late KO stage game.
      And every woman with hopes for WC26 (or later editions) should be keen on getting experience and reputation in male football, I think.

      And yes, those ideas already existed for Tokyo. However three years later, many women participants have gained more experience in men's football.
      Furthermore the selected support officials indicate, that there won't be a strict separation between the tournaments anyway (VARs obviously as well).

      Delete
  7. Everybody fears that Letexier, Nyberg and Eskas could miss the KO stage of Euro 2024 because of the Olympic selection. But does this apply also to the VARs? Because there are some very big names. Brisard for Turpin, Diepernik for Makkelie and also Valeri for Orsato. I can't imagine neither of the top referees being stripped of their trusted VAR. Especially because we are talking about candidates for advanced KO games. In my opinion there are enough resting/preparing days between the two tournaments and regardless of the games officiated in Euro there should not be problem for the Olympics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wonder, how much UEFA was even asked by FIFA regarding the Olympic referees. I mean, Eskas and Nyberg had the youth WC finals last year and Letexier represents the home country. Plus, all three are candidates for WC26. So quite logical choices by FIFA.
      So maybe there isn't any connection with the EURO at all.

      Delete
  8. I guess, it’s not a question whether Letexier will attend the EURO, or not.

    The main question is: why is FRAPPART not attending the Olympics? That is the most suspicious. Unless it’s something personal, I cannot see her having a summer off or just being 4O at the EURO.

    My guess is, she will be in the middle in Germany, in the groupstage. We can’t deny she followed a “certain path” after being a 4O at EURO 2020. FIFA had the scoop and of course, UEFA doesn’t want to ‘stay behind’. They’ve planned this for years. I hope they don’t give her the opening game though ;)

    After the groupstage, she could stay as a support official. Can easily see her as a 4O in a Turpin QF.

    Having said that, Frappart’s management in between the tournaments has been odd and doesn’t scream EURO invitation. But we know how she’s used…

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that your last statement is the answer to what you wrote before, why should we think always about Frappart for a tournament? It is possible she will not be called at all, at the end one must also say that she made her time. No real progress to be considered a big name for Men's games, so? Let's make a different selection! That's what I think.

      Delete
    2. I'm still thinking that Frappart will be in. If not, to me there won't be female referees at all. I'm wondering why Olofsson never worked as fourth official with Nyberg. Same for Staubli with Scharer. Instead Frappart did with both Turpin and Letexier in CL matches.
      @Unknown: in my opinion the main candidate for the Euro opener is Vincic.

      Delete
  9. It is not like a watch too much the CONCACAF appointments; but I acknowledge Drew Fischer from Canada to be rather a Top VAR. He is an exprienced referee but I was expecting him to follow the VAR specialization path also considering the context of WC 26. Does this pick require some remarks or it is nothing out of the ordinary?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, there might be some connection to Canada hosting the next World Cup and therefore needing a referee at the tournament...
      But he also recently did the Nations League final, so the appointment doesn't come out of thin air.

      Delete
  10. @chefren
    Daniele Orsato designated on Sunday at 12.30pm with his assistants too, possible designation in the Europa League?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After some serie A appointments without Carbone and Giallatini at his side for various reasons, now he is again with them for a game (Sunday, 12:30 PM CET) that will be very important for both relegation and Champions League qualification, but very far away from spotlights. From a certain time to today, he is not officiated anymore in serie B for unknown reasons (I think personal choice).
      Starting from this game, I think until EURO he will stay always when possible with his regular assistant referees, but the partcular thing is that both assistant referees had been appointed on previous matchday with Doveri in another game, so for some reasons I could think about an European assignment. Not possible on Tuesday, in case CL on Wednesday, but also possible Europa League. We will see.

      Delete
  11. @ Luigi: I doubt Orsato would be assigned to a first leg.
    As previously emphasized on this blog, the referee committee has a certain strategy and saves the most experienced names for return legs.

    Players and coaches complain a lot about the over-crowded football agenda. In addition, the away rule goal has been revoked. As a consequence, the 1st leg games are generally more calmer, less intense, players are easier to manage, etc. Referees are less in focus in media, because there is 90 more minutes to be played where everything can happen.

    Recently one of the coaches has stated that games become less attractive due to the (too busy) football schedule. Fair enough. I share the same opinion.
    1st legs are played at >80% intensity; players save their energy for the return, where we see the ‘all or nothing’-mentality with players doing everything to win.
    The Refcom uses the 1st legs to develop new/younger Elite referees.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My comment was meant as an indirect compliment to Orsato, as he’s always trusted with a 2nd leg :)

      Delete
    2. yes, don't worry, I wasn't upset, I was simply asking if the Europa League hypothesis was plausible, but I understood what you were saying.

      Delete
  12. If the rumors about Marciniak in the Italian derby are true, City-Real (2nd) is normally assigned to Turpin or Orsato. No risks there. This is 50-50 for me. Orsato is a safe pair of hands, however it does makes sense to give Turpin something big, based on the expectation that the Top-2 (Marciniak and Orsato) are normally assigned to the semi-final returns.

    Furthermore, Zwayer could make an appearance in Real-City (1st), very limited options for him with the German teams in competition. Perhaps in Paris is an option as well, however there is a German delegate and that would be quite unusual (not impossible though).
    Vincic and Letexier are also realistic options in Real-City, or in a Wednesday CL-game, with domestic games on Saturday.

    Kuipers is in Paris and that is more difficult to predict. Borderline EURO name? He observed Massa and Nyberg recently. I assumed category Kruzliak, Soares Dias. Or Kovács as a UEL final test. But I’d prefer to see Kovács in a return.

    Atletico-Dortmund (regular observer), I hope/suspect they take the 1st leg serious here as Atletico, due to the atmosphere, might be more difficult to whistle at home. On the other hand Arsenal-Bayern, there is a committee member, two fair teams, so that is normally a debut/borderline EURO (cat. Nyberg or Kruzliak).

    Taylor has a tough game on Sunday, and apparently still trusted (given his PO-game). I'm leaning towards Taylor in a return - in Dortmund or Barcelona.
    Makkelie has the Classico on Sunday, hence I’d suspect he has a return as well. Gozubuyuk has a low profile game late Sunday. The latter on Thursday, is my guess, in a EURO-test.

    But one thing is certain: there is always a surprise/shock appointment that nobody here could have predicted. :)) Where to expect a Spanish? No clue at all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lupp is with in Greece on Sunday with Stieler (AEK-PAOK), which makes Zwayer less likely for Real-City.

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    2. Interesting. That’s indeed not the best preparation before a big game. No clue where we can expect Zwayer…

      Delete
  13. Jarred Gillett in Chelsea FC vs Manchester United FC

    18' - Penalty for tripping
    https://streamable.com/n8c2jp

    47' - Penalty appeal (handball)
    https://streamable.com/du6zbo

    64' - Penalty appeal (holding)
    https://streamable.com/0jwqp6

    90+7' - Penalty for kicking/impeding
    https://streamable.com/rrvd9k

    Disciplinary:
    https://streamable.com/3ifiwv

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am rather surprised nobody is really talking about the nominations. I get the feeling they sum up very well how FIFA sees the respective confederations (refereeing wise).

    CONMEBOL is very trusted, they basically get the european kind of appointments with 2 very young referees looking to take a big path. Both Abatti and Falcon had a good U20 WC and we can expect both of them in knock-out games in Paris. With good development both are candidates for WC26, but both are still that young that you dont need to rush anything.

    CONCACAF is neither really trusted nor questioned. Martinez is following a certain path. Arab Cup, WC support referee and now Olympics. Still very young as well. It looks rather certain he will attend WC26. Fischer with his age and a rather unspectacular path as the man in the middle seems to be pushed for Canada to have a referee at the home WC (see Nations League Final). Both are far more big names in CONCACAF compared to the UEFA and CONMEBOL nominees. Allthough having two WC26 Final candidates with Ramos and Elfath, we can assume FIFA is not so happy about the depth of good refs.

    CAF is a problem child developing. Beida and Ismail are both rather new names who received the 2 biggest matches in CAF in the past months. They are great symbols of CAFs own decision to question everything and restart. I could imagine FIFA rewarding that and giving a semi-final or the bronze game to one of the two. Both obviously names for WC26, Beida due to his age maybe for more.

    AFC the given up on child. Neither Al-Naqbi nor Tatashev look like very promising names. Also hard to find a pattern in these nominations. We can neither talk about young developing names, nor about the big names of the confederation. At this point I really wonder who could go to WC26 from AFC at all. Faghani a 100th time?

    OFC, well Kawana-Waugh is the new Conger. The Olympics (with probably a couple of one-sided games) seem a reasonable event to see him on the pitch. But hard to imagine him really getting something. Also maybe nothing but a Support Referee for WC26.

    UEFA, well still at the very top, comparable management with CONMEBOL. Eskas the smallest but most logical name. I never expected him to attend EURO as a Main Referee. Nyberg I personally didnt expect but it makes sense. Hard to imagine him not on the pitch in Germany, but realistically his EURO will only be the GS so he will have absolutely enough time. Letexier I expected and he is logical as a home referee. Being the biggest UEFA name he could await a huge summer. In Germany with good performances I can see him in the Last 16 and in Paris he should be a final candidate. About the path all those 3 are following I am not so sure they are all going to attend the WC26. They have plenty of time and in UEFA you are always gonna have to battle more experienced elites being below the age of 40 yourself. It could be the Olympics are simply the end of a path started by FIFA a year ago with several youth WCs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. About the UEFA VARs
      Bebek and Coote developing but promising Video Match Officials. Both rather not EURO attendees
      Happy for Hategan but I guess its more a gift then anything else. One he fully deserves. If(!) we see a romanian VAR at the EURO it should be Popa.
      Dieperink allthough with Makkelie also rather inexperienced internationally so a logical choice.
      Del Cerro Grande maybe not in the EURO as 3rd Spanish VAR. Also new to VAR duties. He would be a very logical VAR for the WC26 (language).
      I cant understand Valeri and Brisard. Valeri looks odd, even missing a referee logical for him. But he is to big a name to be simply there. Irratis sucessor? End of the career? Instead of Brisard I expected Millot or Delajod. Both would have made more sense. Mabye another signal for Letexier planned for the Olympic final.

      Delete
  15. OT: Horatiu Fesnic will be a referee in Croatian league "Adriatic derby" Rijeka-Hajduk on Sat 19:30 CET.

    According to media sources, Istvan Kovacs got injured so Fesnic came in as a substitution. The original idea was that the referees have to be from Elite cat with CL appointments, as a "guarantee" that they are better than ours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So, Maresca was very lucky to officiate the cup game, not coming from Elite. But yes, he is by far better of let's say at least some UEFA Elite referees inside the category...

      Delete
    2. Well, we all know the topic of Italian refereeing system and late promotions...

      Delete
  16. Today in Saudi Arabia

    21:00 CET
    Al-Ittihad Jiddah - At-Ta'awoun Buraidah
    César Soto Grado, Iván Massó Granado, Alfredo Rodríguez Moreno (Valentín Pizarro Gómez)

    21:00 CET
    Al-Khaleej Saihat - Al-Hilal Riyadh
    Harm Osmers, Lasse Koslowski, Dominik Schaal (István Vad, István Albert)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Consolation prize for Soto Grado, who lost to Munuera Montero the race to handle the Copa del Rey final tomorrow. It's been a long time since Spanish refs last went to KSA I think (Mateu in 2022 King's Cup final? His AR2 Roberto Díaz Pérez del Palomar is now head instructor of ARs in the Kingdom)

      Delete
  17. Hello evryone
    In africa cl between sundowns vs yong africancs
    https://streambug.org/cv/827000
    For me all the ball cross the line in the air
    Ref : beida mtn
    Var: daniel laryia gha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Impossible to 100% sure, never room for VAR intervention

      Delete

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