2023-24 Europa Conference League Semifinals. Referee appointments for First Legs.
Thursday 2 May 2024
21:00 CET - Florence (Stadio Artemio Franchi)
ACF Fiorentina (ITA) - Club Brugge (BEL)
Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Cook ENG
Fourth Official: Andrew Madley ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Christopher Kavanagh ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett AUS
UEFA Referee Observer: Alexandru Deaconu ROU
UEFA Delegate: Iva Olivari-Uliša CRO
21:00 CET - Birmingham (Villa Park)
Aston Villa FC (ENG) - Olymbiakós SFP (GRE)
Referee: Marco Guida ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Giorgio Peretti ITA
Fourth Official: Donatas Rumšas LTUVideo Assistant Referee: Paolo Valeri ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Massimiliano Irrati ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Hertbert Fandel GER
UEFA Delegate: Jacques Antenen SUI
So, the info about Meler in Florence was wrong, or maybe he is appointed for second leg. We will see.
ReplyDeleteGuida expected after the treatment in KO stage and the EURO call, this should be the last game for him in KO stage.
Interesting to see a different choice as fourth official in Birmingham, Rumsas, but not in Florence, Madley.
Chefren, I don't find it interesting to be honest to see Euro24 support referees acting as 4O in semi's. I believe RefCom is trying to prepare the teams.
DeleteBut why only for some referees? This was my question, another EURO reserve (or not) referee could have been with Oliver, and not Madley.
DeleteImpressive progression by Guida. In few months, he moved from marginal role to elite referee, to CL KO stage, to Euro 2024 selection up to Conference semifinal. His grace year
ReplyDeleteMy impression is that this has to do with Orsato's likely retirement. So that someone is already prepared to take on the number 1 position of Italy.
DeleteI can add some considerations about this selection of Guida instead of Massa, because it's something very strange and still, come people can't find any explanation.
DeleteFirst very important thing to remark is that Guida never got (unless I missed something..) a committee member observing him in recent times. In front of such a selection, it looks like something incredible, but also explains us that some observations have just a relative importance. On the other hand, Massa looked to have a regular progress with Velasco Carballo observing him in a EURO Qualifier crucial game and another committee member to follow, if I remember correctly.
So, based on that, one could say that all was still ready for Massa, and at least before Guida promotion to Elite on December, it was impossible to think that there would have been this choice regarding EURO.
Other interesting aspects that can be added are: Guida did not officiate any single game with what was presented as the official EURO team, once selected, Meli and Peretti.
He got CL with Carbone, Orsato assistant referee, while Massa got always appointments with his regular international duo expected at EURO, the same Meli, but with Alassio. So, that's another signal that things were in favor of Massa. A few time before the announcement, Massa and Guida worked together in a serie A game, one referee and the other VAR, I think that now this would be quite unlikely to happen, due to the events occurred. So I came to the conclusion that absolutely AIA was not aware about UEFA decision, until the very last moment of the announcement.
About Massa: not the best season, OK, but not a disaster for sure, he decreased the level of his performances and he was surely worse than Massa in a certain period of the season, but was that enough to rule him over? I must agree with a comment written on the blog some days ago, Massa didn't make anything too wrong to be removed from EURO.
So, how to explain this choice? Guida with excellent performances throughout almost the whole season, and this convinced committee, the key moment seems to be his promotion to Elite on December.
At the end, given the circumstances (Guida could be compared to Siebert call at EURO 2020), I think one could say committee was not convinced at all by Massa, so it was easy for them to call the other Italian referee, even without an important pedigree like the expected name. A selection based on the criterion "We are not satisfied, but let's call the other name". Indeed, Massa had followed a path with being FO as EURO 2020 and he was already ahead of Guida in terms of consideration. Guida for extremely unlucky circumstances never handled a domestic final, Coppa Italia or Supercoppa Italiana, because he was injured and in other cases he couldn't officiate one of the teams involved (Napoli). His national pedigree is also weak, if compared to the colleague from Liguria. Well, I think I have definitely said enough, but yes, there is maybe a very last argument. You know there has been a very unpleasant story with Italian referees 2 years ago with a scandal about refunds. It turned out that some referees were guilty of wrong information and they were paid more than the expected. Some of them went to a process, among them there was Massa. He paid certain alleged irregularities with a short suspension, of course nothing big, but Guida was absolutely out of all investigations, so another positive point for the latter. I rather think this is not a reason, but I mention it because I really tried to explain why at the end this choice was made, and still, believe me, it's absolutely particular....
It must be said that Massa's performances in Serie A were inferior to those of Guida, in some cases embarrassing. In UEFA - where competitions are generally less difficult than those in Serie A, especially from a disciplinary behavioral point of view - he directed élite but "affordable" competitions. Finally , I agree with Chefren, he is not immaculate in his honesty: he has "inflated" some fees reimbursements, albeit slightly
DeleteCorrectly disallowed goal by Guida for a shirt pull on the Olympiacos defender.
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.me/v/4d49966c
DeleteAnd now, wrong offside flag by AR1 (raterh surprising mistake), VAR corrected the decision, goal.
Deletehttps://streamin.me/v/1e50b160
Too soft for my taste. With such a call we should have 20 penalties on each match
DeleteStrange, where is the foul here?? Goal should be awarded
Delete13', clear handball by Fiorentina defender, Oliver made play on gesture, but to me very clear mistake, an OFR should follow there... hopefully Kavanagh will call referee!
ReplyDeleteCorrect OFR and PK given.
DeleteCorrect by Kavanagh to invite Oliver to OFR.
Deletehttps://streamin.me/v/77aa8664
Belgian (Flemish) commentator was explaining why in Italy it would be a penalty but would not be given in Premier League. And it was his opinion it's not a penalty. I agree it should be a penalty. But I don't believe that it is a straight forward desicion.
DeleteVAR intervention in Birmingham, goal conceded after wrong offside by AR2.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was offside in the first replay, very close.
Chefren, you are so informative and wise. Your comments are like Marciniak in W.CcFinal√. I am surprised uefa hasn't asked you be a referee observer!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand if you are serious or maybe ironical :)
DeleteIn both cases, be sure that I don't have absolutely the knowledge to be a UEFA observer, but I'm just passionate about refereeing.
No am I serious! I see your passion and great comments, wanted you to know. This site is great. Do you have a copa America referee list?
DeleteThank you so much.
DeleteCopa America referees still not released.
Whats your opinion of Villa penalty appeal at the end of the first half? Could have been given but probably not VAR stuff...
ReplyDeleteNever VAR stuff, for me whistling it would have been very soft.
DeleteI think that UEFA will like the decision by Guida.
A correct penalty for handball whistled by Guida (raised arm).
ReplyDeleteThe frontal positioning made it an easy spot for referee.
Correct second YC by Oliver. It wasn't clear to some people that referee had already booked the player from Belgian team earlier, so there was a bit of confusion, but absolutely correct second card.
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.me/v/abe90074
DeleteThe problem is how the first YC was given. Even the player didn't know he was already booked.
Deleteyeah, it's the player's issue when he doesn't look at the ref after a foul. i often see players ignoring and not looking at the referee when he potentially will show a card.
DeleteBasically a player should know that he is booked, but it's also true that very often some of them pretned they don't know they got the card if they are aware and they don't look at referee when a card is shown. But for me, a referee must force the showing to a player to be sure that he knows he has a card, better to avoid any possible controversy.
DeleteIt's more than ironic that this happens to an English referee, given the historical insistence there for the players to be called over, isolated, and spoken to before the card is shown.
DeleteWhile I think different situations call for different mechanics, it is worth noting that the Laws tell us to caution the player AND show the yellow card. The act of showing the yellow is supposed to be for the wider world, not the player. In theory (and this is where the English practice comes from) you're still supposed to ensure the player knows he was cautioned. So there's a grey area on this stuff. I actually think I can fault Oliver here. He needs either eye contact or isolation and he got neither.
Now soft penalty for Aston Villa in 82'.
ReplyDeleteHere the penalty call, immediately after a handball assessment:
Deletehttps://streamin.me/v/73ce809f
Still not a clear replay about how the attacker was stopped by defender, but based on what we can see, it looks indeed rather soft.
Yes, looks like the attacker runs into the defender, who is even trying to pull his leg back.
DeleteAlso some management problems before the penalty execution.
DeleteFor me Villa's first half appeal looked more of a penalty than this one. But probably also not VAR stuff
DeleteAbout the management before penalty, here you can see that some soft skills are missing in him. He shouldn't have allowed such very stupid behavior by players, lasting a so long time. Should have shown more firmness and even booking them when needed. But he tried to solve just talking, this could have been enough only if immediately solved, but this didn't happen... still, not something very poor, but it shouldn't happen.
DeleteChefren, which game/penalty are you referring to?
DeleteI hoped to find out why Guida is selected for EURO last night. Unfortunately, I didn't. He lacks every management skill needed for this level. The only possible explanation is that he was pushed by committee chair because he wanted two Italians there. Poor Gozubuyuk.
ReplyDeleteYess indeed Marko
DeleteGuida is a bad and poor referee. Lack of autority.
Rosetti wants a New Italian. Thats what a mean with nepotism. Not of his quality he has chosen for the euro2024 its because rosetti is the big boss.
Gozubuyuk not his best year i prefer Eskas or Pejlto
ACF Fiorentina - Club Brugge
ReplyDelete06' - Possible YC 99BRU after step on foot
https://streambug.org/cv/ab9108
07' - Possible YC 6FIO or 7FIO for delaying the restart
https://streambug.org/cv/ed8105
13' - [OFR] Penalty awarded for handball
https://streambug.org/cv/c62afb
24' - Possible YC 44BRU for SPA; FK management
https://streambug.org/cv/023e37
35' - Possible YC 14BRU for SPA
https://streambug.org/cv/6f078c
36' - YC 10FIO for reckless tackle (retaliation after 35' incident)
https://streambug.org/cv/a9a0c5
54' - Possible YC 28FIO for SPA
https://streambug.org/cv/a5e456
58' - YC 15BRU for SPA / reckless challenge, possible YC 58BRU for kicking the ball at the opponent lying on the ground
https://streambug.org/cv/3b509f
60' - 2YC 15BRU for reckless tackle
https://streambug.org/cv/878a48
70' - YC 28FIO for reckless use of arm
https://streambug.org/cv/be2ce0
77' - Defensive FK for a foul on GK preventing a goal being scored
https://streambug.org/cv/ab3526
80' - PAI handball
https://streambug.org/cv/2cb697
84' - YC 29BRU for time wasting
https://streambug.org/cv/d0cb17
The player from Brugge was not looking at referee when Oliver issued the first YC card for him, so I think that the English could have definitely made better here. Just ensuring that player was aware of the card, it was easy, going in front of him to show it.
DeletePenalty in 13' should be assessed as a very clear one for UEFA, but the comment above in this discussion is correct: this could have been not whistled in England, so Kavanagh had to work differently here. Indeed, he took a quite long time (but not that much) before calling Oliver. The English VAR had probably to switch his mind out from PL habits and he did that well.
About the foul whistled to keeper, I will always disagree here, but once again we can say that even a random contact caused by same keeper is enough to whistle in favor of him, people wouldn't accept a play on. In this specific case, you can see that keeper invaded attacker space and the contact was rather caused by him, but still, these situations are always whistled...
Aston Villa FC - Olymbiakós SFP
ReplyDelete09' - Goal AVL disallowed for a foul (+ previous corner kick decision)
https://streambug.org/cv/5ebc31
11' - FK decision in favour of AVL; possible YC 2AVL for reckless follow-through tackle
https://streambug.org/cv/fbf201
16' - [VAR] Goal OLY disallowed for offside by AR1, allowed after VAR intervention - no offside
https://streambug.org/cv/235af7
35' - FK for handball - punishable?
https://streambug.org/cv/8df83e
36' - Possible YC 16OLY for reckless tackle
https://streambug.org/cv/80b19c
39' - Tense moments: play-on after illegal use of arm by 56OLY, advantage after impeding by 7AVL and management of conflict after provocative impeding by 56OLY
https://streambug.org/cv/344922
41' - Possible YC 2AVL for reckless charging
https://streambug.org/cv/eac78d
44' - PAI tripping
https://streambug.org/cv/62a7f1
55' - Penalty awarded for handball (+ previous corner kick decision)
https://streambug.org/cv/9a8106
66' - Wrong defensive FK
https://streambug.org/cv/e8b86d
78' - Management of conflict
https://streambug.org/cv/4a130d
81' - Penalty awarded for tripping, assessment of attacker's handball in APP
https://streambug.org/cv/e532d0
88', 89' - Play-on calls
https://streambug.org/cv/888ca4
Very challenging game with many crucial incidents, and, unless the extremely tight offside / onside situation, I think that it's important to underline no VAR interventions is a very good thing for the Italian crew in this game. But also, I think this game gave us a clue about how committee wants to use VAR at EURO and I fully agree. The situation must be very clear with evidence for an intervention, this was not the case in all incidents. Maybe the most discussed call can be the penalty whistled if compared to the appeal in first half, but again, in both cases VAR was right. Reason for which VAR didn't intervene in the penalty appeal at the end of first half from a pure technical point of view should be that defender didn't create an immediate contact with attacker by that leg, but one should also consider the path of the latter. Could be easily read as impeding but not a clear and obvious mistake and not a direct trip. About the penalty whistled in 81', I think attacker was very clever and he "used" the defender to get the call by referee. Still, something you can't question from VAR.
DeleteAs I stated above, a better (quicker) management of the misconducts before the execution was definitely needed.
A positive point of the performance seems to me the attitude shown in all incidents, always deciding and making gestures about it, even the possible handball before penalty call, that's what Rosetti wants to see. VAR is less in trouble when he knows what a referee has done on the pitch.
Trying to find a more European style about players management (in Italy treating them in a certain way is allowed and even praised, you know the culture in serie A). This could come, but also not. Nevertheless I think that, having to make a final assessment on the KO stage of the Italian referee who was very surprisingly called at EURO instead of compatriot Massa, the "mark" is positive. Answering to some comments above in this discussion about possible nepotism, as I always say, it's easy to write just because you have an idea in your mind and you want to be convinced and convince people about that, but it's maybe more difficult to be objective, without having interests, and analyzing the facts.
Remember that without Guida, for sure Massa would have been called, so I don't see where this nepotism is, the number of Italian referees was not increased, it was just a different choice, and we are not talking about a poor referee.
What I thought was strange, having a Italian referee at villa park and English referee in Italy, I would've thought conflicting interests, as internal tournaments it wouldn't have happened.
ReplyDelete