2024/25 UEFA Youth League - Referee Appointments - Matchday 6 and Domestic Champions Path - Round 3 (II).
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| Florian Lata ALB will referee Dinamo Zagreb - Celtic |
MD6
Tuesday 10 December 2024
FK SHAKHTAR DONETSK (UKR) - FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN (GER)
Referee: Frida Mia Klarlund Nielsen DEN
Assistant Referee 1: Jakob Lodahl Lynge Mastrup DEN
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Cortzen DEN
Fourth Official: Robin Braun GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Ingvarsson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Veiko Soo EST
12:00 CET - Girona (Estadi Municipal d'Olot)
GIRONA FC (ESP) - LIVERPOOL FC (ENG)
Referee: Mohammed Al-Emara FIN
Assistant Referee 1: Turkka Joonas Valjakka FIN
Assistant Referee 2: Juuso Mantere FIN
Fourth Official: Pol Arenas Mora ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Salustià Chato Ciprés AND
UEFA Delegate: Romano Clavadetscher SUI
13:00 CET - Zaprešić (Stadion Ivan Laljak-Ivić)
GNK DINAMO (CRO) - CELTIC FC (SCO)
Referee: Florian Lata ALB
Assistant Referee 1: Ilir Tartaraj ALB
Assistant Referee 2: Erind Burgu ALB
Fourth Official:
UEFA Referee Observer: Ante Vučemilović-Šimunović CRO
UEFA Delegate: Felix Grigore ROU
14:00 CET - Leverkusen (Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion)
BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN (GER) - FC INTERNAZIONALE MILANO (ITA)
Referee: Mikkel Hedberg Redder DEN
Assistant Referee 1: René Risum DEN
Assistant Referee 2: Esad Deronjic DEN
Fourth Official: Lukas Benen GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Alexandru Deaconu ROU
UEFA Delegate: Claude Runavot FRA
14:00 CET - Brest (Stade Francis-Le Blé)
STADE BRESTOIS 29 (FRA) - PSV EINDHOVEN (NED)
Referee: Martin Matoša SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandar Kasapovič SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Matic Mežnar SVN
Fourth Official: Hakim Ben El Hadj Salem FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Bertrand Layec FRA
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack LUX
15:30 CET - Roeselare (The NEST)
CLUB BRUGGE (BEL) - SPORTING CP (POR)
Referee: Łukasz Kuźma POL
Assistant Referee 1: Jakub Winkler POL
Assistant Referee 2: Piotr Podbielski POL
Fourth Official: Matonga Simonini BEL
UEFA Referee Observer: Antonio Damato ITA
UEFA Delegate: Edlira Jaupaj Sherifaj ALB
15:30 CET - Liefering (Liefering (Red Bull Akademie)
FC SALZBURG (AUT) - PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (FRA)
Referee: Miloš Gigović BIH
Assistant Referee 1: Nebojša Žugić BIH
Assistant Referee 2: Boris Dujmović BIH
Fourth Official: Arnes Talic AUT
UEFA Referee Observer: Thomas Einwaller AUT
UEFA Delegate: Michalis Mitas CYP
16:00 CET - Leipzig (Trainingszentrum von RB Leipzig)
RB LEIPZIG (GER) - ASTON VILLA FC (ENG)
Referee: Damian Kos POL
Assistant Referee 1: Bartosz Heinig POL
Assistant Referee 2: Marek Arys POL
Fourth Official: Eric Weisbach GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Karel Vidlák CZE
UEFA Delegate: Raquel Serrano Lledó ESP
16:00 CET - Carvaggio (Stadio Comunale di Caravaggio)
ATALANTA BC (ITA) - REAL MADRID CF (ESP)
Referee: Zorbay Küçük TUR
Assistant Referee 1: Deniz Caner Özaral TUR
Assistant Referee 2: Mert Bulut TUR
Fourth Official: Luca Zufferli ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Paolo Dondarini ITA
UEFA Delegate: Balázs Makray HUN
Wednesday 11 December 2024
12:00 CET - Seixal (Benfica Campus)
SL BENFICA (POR) - BOLOGNA FC 1909 (ITA)
Referee: Ishmael Barbara MLT
Assistant Referee 1: James Muscat MLT
Assistant Referee 2: Duncan Spencer MLT
Fourth Official: Fá Braima Sánhá POR Flávio Dinis de Lima POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Lucílio Cardoso Cortez Batista POR
UEFA Delegate: Roxana Berceanu ROU
13:00 CET - Camphin-en-Pévèle (Domaine de Luchin)
LOSC LILLE (FRA) - SK STURM GRAZ (AUT)
Referee: Edgars Maļcevs LVA
Assistant Referee 1: Mārtiņš Svipsts LVA
Assistant Referee 2: Deniss Ševčenko LVA
Fourth Official: Marc Bollengier FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Alain Sars FRA
UEFA Delegate: Silvia Dorschnerova Weis ESP
14:00 CET - Madrid (Centro Deportivo Wanda Alcalá de Henares)
CLUB ATLÉTICO DE MADRID (ESP) - ŠK SLOVAN BRATISLAVA (SVK)
Referee: Mohammad Usman Aslam NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Ole Andreas Skogsrud Haukåsen NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Alf Olav Rossland NOR
Fourth Official: Fernando Bueno Prieto ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Manuel Díaz Vega ESP
UEFA Delegate: Lennart Vestervall SWE
14:00 CET - Turin (Juventus Training Center)
JUVENTUS (ITA) - MANCHESTER CITY FC (ENG)
Referee: Jakob Alexander Sundberg DEN
Assistant Referee 1: Deniz Yurdakul DEN
Assistant Referee 2: Jesper Dahl DEN
Fourth Official: Paride Tremolada ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Hansson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Andrey Medintsev BUL
14:00 CET - Borehamwood (Meadow Park)
ARSENAL FC (ENG) - AS MONACO FC (FRA)
Referee: Thomas Gary Owen WAL
Assistant Referee 1: Lewiss Ross Edwards WAL
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Lee Christopher WAL
Fourth Official: James Durkin ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Gylfi Þór Orrason ISL
UEFA Delegate: María Medina Jiménez ESP
14:30 CET - Milan (PUMA House of Football - Centro Sportivo Peppino Vismara)
AC MILAN (ITA) - FK CRVENA ZVEZDA (SRB)
Referee: Bence Csonka HUN
Assistant Referee 1: Norbert Bornemissza HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Balázs Szalai HUN
Fourth Official: Daniele Perenzoni ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Lassin Isaksen FRO
UEFA Delegate: Alin Ciobanu ROU
15:00 CET - Rotterdam (Sportcomplex Varkenoord)
FEYENOORD ROTTERDAM (NED) - AC SPARTA PRAHA (CZE)
Referee: Jovan Kačevski MKD
Assistant Referee 1: Slaǵan Markoski MKD
Assistant Referee 2: Branko Putilin MKD
Fourth Official: Wouter Wiersma NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Alan Mario Sant MLT
UEFA Delegate: Cenk Cem TUR
15:00 CET - Stuttgart (Stadion auf der Waldau)
VFB STUTTGART 1893 (GER) - BSC YOUNG BOYS (SUI)
Referee: Ionela Alina Peșu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Petruța Claudia Iugulescu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Daniela Constantinescu ROU
Fourth Official: Felix Prigan GER
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Ewa Gajewska POL
16:00 CET - Dortmund (Trainingsgelände Borussia Dortmund)
BORUSSIA DORTMUND (GER) - FC BARCELONA (ESP)
Referee: Joakim Östling SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Max Robin Wilde SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Simon Kristensson SWE
Fourth Official: Florian Heft GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn GER
UEFA Delegate: Neil Morrow NIR
Domestic Champions Path - Round Three (II)
Tuesday 10 December 2024
20:00 CET - Manchester (Old Trafford)
MANCHESTER UNITED FC (ENG) [1-2] AZ ALKMAAR (NED)
Referee: Cláudio Filipe Ruivo Pereira POR
Assistant Referee 1: Pedro Nuno de Sá Martins POR
Assistant Referee 2: Tiago José Pereira da Costa POR
Fourth Official: Benjamin Speedie ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Rune Pedersen NOR
UEFA Delegate: Maurice Johnston NIR
Wednesday 11 December 2024
12:00 CET - Sesvete (Stadion Sv. Josip Radnik)
NK LOKOMOTIVA ZAGREB (CRO) [2-0] FARUL CONSTANȚA (ROU)
Referee: Dmytro Panchyshyn UKR
Assistant Referee 1: Dmytro Zaporozhenko UKR
Assistant Referee 2: Oleksandr Korniyko UKR
Fourth Official: Ante Čuljak CRO
UEFA Referee Observer: Igor Pristovnik CRO
UEFA Delegate: Guy Portnyagin ISR
Mentor for Delegate: Loukas Siotropos GRE
12:00 CET - Ágios Ioánnis Réndis (Proponitikó Kéntro tou Olymbiakoú)
OLYMBIAKÓS SFP (GRE) [1-1] FK AS TRENČÍN (SVK)
Referee: Danilo Nikolić SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Ilija Lovre SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Tihomir Šoškić SRB
Fourth Official: Konstandínos Katíkos GRE
UEFA Referee Observer: Darko Čeferin SVN
UEFA Delegate: Gilles Petitmangin FRA
12:00 CET - Trabzon (Şenol Güneş Spor Kompleksi Papara Park)
TRABZONSPOR (TUR) [2-2] FK SARAJEVO (BIH)
Referee: Amine Kourgheli BLR
Assistant Referee 1: Juryj Chomčanka BLR
Assistant Referee 2: Viktar Hiecikaŭ BLR
Fourth Official: Ali Samet Özoğlu TUR
UEFA Referee Observer: Mehmet Murat Ilgaz TUR
UEFA Delegate: Emin Jafarov AZE
16:00 CET - Pristina (Stadiumi “Fadil Vokrri”)
KF 2 KORRIKU (KOS) [0-5] FK DYNAMO KYIV (UKR)
Referee: Dominik Starý CZE
Assistant Referee 1: Lukáš Slavíček CZE
Assistant Referee 2: Marek Bělák CZE
Fourth Official: Granit Pacolli KOS
UEFA Referee Observer: Besfort Kasumi KOS
UEFA Delegate: Hayri Çavuşoğlu TUR
17:00 CET - Vienna (Allianz Stadion)
SK RAPID WIEN (AUT) [2-1] FC BASEL 1893 (SUI)
Referee: Ladislav Szikszay CZE
Assistant Referee 1: Michal Volf CZE
Assistant Referee 2: David Zoufalý CZE
Fourth Official: Isa Simsek AUT
UEFA Referee Observer: Laurent Duhamel FRA
UEFA Delegate: Anthony Bloch ENG
18:00 CET - Ikast (Ikast Stadion)
FC MIDTJYLLAND (DEN) [2-0] LEGIA WARSZAWA (POL)
Referee: Ben McMaster NIR
Assistant Referee 1: Stephen Bell NIR
Assistant Referee 2: Georgios Argyropoulos NIR
Fourth Official: Lasse Læbel Graagaard DEN
UEFA Referee Observer: Mattias Gestranius FIN
UEFA Delegate: Jean-Pierre Cassagnes FRA
18:00 CET - Sassuolo (Stadio Enzo Ricci)
US SASSUOLO CALCIO (ITA) [1-3] REAL BETIS BALOMPIÉ (ESP)
Referee: Bastien Dechepy FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Brice Parinet-Le Tellier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Julien Haulbert FRA
Fourth Official: Marco Piccinini ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Gialuca Rocchi ITA
UEFA Delegate: Aldi Topçiu ALB
19:00 CET - Sinsheim (Dietmar-Hopp-Stadion)
TSG 1899 HOFFENHEIM (GER) [2-1] AJ AUXERRE (FRA)
Referee: Rüstem Omarov KAZ
Assistant Referee 1: Timur Tūrsymbaev KAZ
Assistant Referee 2: Evgenii Karlov KAZ
Fourth Official: Fabienne Michel GER
UEFA Referee Observer: David Fernández Borbalán ESP
UEFA Delegate: Edgar Manukyan ARM
Tuesday 17 December 2024
18:00 CET - Genk (Cegeka Arena - stadium B)
KRC GENK (BEL) [0-1] PUSKÁS AKADÉMIA FC (HUN)
Referee: Pavle Ilić SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandar Marjanović SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Dejan Božić SRB
Fourth Official: Arne De Beuckelaer BEL
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Henri Parent FRA
An investigation has been opened by the Italian Football Federation, following an indication from the CONI Prosecutor's Office, into alleged tax irregularities committed by some referees, including the current head of serie A and B referees, Gianluca Rocchi and the former international referee, Daniele Orsato. The investigation began on the basis of a complaint alleging conduct that violated the principles of loyalty, fairness and probity, according to Article 4 of the Sports Justice Code: the emoluments that the referees received from UEFA for some international matches and which may have been undeclared belong ito a period between 2018 and 2022. Some of the referees have already announced to have taken steps to regularize their position with the tax authorities, although their position regarding a possible sporting proceeding remains open. Some of them stated that regulations about declarations to be made were not that much clear.
ReplyDeleteFun fact: Florjan Lata is a four-time Albanian athletics national champion in 400m hurdles.
ReplyDeleteOT: Now that the U21 EURO GS draw has been made, who do you think will or should attend the tournament?
ReplyDeletePossible candidates (should be 12 main refs selected): Balakin, Jablonski, Sozza, Brooks, Godinho, Sylwestrzak, Minakovic, Saggi, Walsh, Lukjancukas, Xhaja, Berka, Gishamer, Barbu, Glova...
Attendees of U21 tournaments under Rosetti:
2023 (12 referees): Eskas, Pinheiro, Rumsas, Obrenovic, Lambrechts, Lindhout, Aghayev, Krogh, Al-Hakim, Fesnic, Strukan & Delajod.
2021 (12): Letexier, Meler, Schärer, Nyberg, Peljto, Mariani, Visser, Osmers, Frankowski, Kruashvili, Cuadra Fernández & Higler.
2019 (9): Kovács, Jovanovic, Grinfeld, Gozubuyuk, Treimanis, Kabakov, Kulbakov, Ekberg & Madden.
My list:
DeleteBalakin, Barbu, de Burgos, Gishamer, Glova, Lukjancukas, Minakovic, Saggi, Schnyder, Sozza, Walsh, Xhaja
My bets:
DeleteGishamer, Pajač, Berka, Jablonski, Sozza, Lukjančukas, Saggi, Godinho, Walsh, Minaković, Schnyder, Balakin
My list:
DeleteLukjancukas, Saggi, Jablonski, Brooks, Sozza, Godinho, Sylwestrzak, Minakovic, Schnyder, Weinberger, Balakin, Xhaja
Sometimes we have weird choices for such tournament, and of course these are impossible to predict, but I think the expected names are the ones you mentioned. For me, the following names are more likely than others for some reasons: Lukjančukas, Xhaja, Saggi, Godinho, Walsh and Minaković.
Delete17' Brave and supportable decision to send off the Bayern GK for DOGSO. Is someone else watching the game?
ReplyDeleteThis game is going to be a real test for Osmers, both teams are quite nervous, including the coaches.
DeleteAbsolutely incredible that at the age of 38 he received the first straight red card ever in his career. In any case, an OK decision by Osmers, who had no fear in showing the direct red card to German goalkeeper.
DeleteIn Italy, such record would be impossible for anyone, both goalkeeper or an outfield player, also a question of culture, it makes us understand how much the German was a fair and real champion in his sport, but probably this wouldn't have happened in a different context, with more heated games, where he could have at least received a red card once. In my opinion, it is a combination of different factors coming together: unrepeatable for someone who plays at such high levels, to almost retire without ever having had one RC against.
Off-Topic
ReplyDeleteUCL group stage referees / number of games:
4: Peljto, Makkelie
3: Eskås, Kovács, Lambrechts, Massa, Obrenović, Vinčić, Oliver, Pinheiro
2: Aghayev, Balakin, Bastien, Guida, Kabakov, Kružliak, Letexier, Lukjančukas, Marciniak, Mariani, Meler, Nyberg, Petrescu, Rumšas, Saggi, Sánchez, Schärer, Siebert, Taylor, Turpin, Schnyder, Zwayer
1: Dabanović, Feșnic, Gil Manzano, Gözübüyük, Grinfeeld, Hernández, Kruashvili, Lindhout, Munuera, Osmers, Walsh
This overview is a bit fluctuated. The Spanish have missed two rounds. Marciniak and Kovács missed the start.
It could be strategy to keep certain experienced names (e.g. Turpin) clean for the last decisive rounds.
We can also observe that after rather intensive periods full of games, some referees have had a certain break on recent matchdays, both in NL and clubs competitions, take Kruzliak and Meler as example of that (differently from other names about which you can argue the reasons behind). For sure they will appear again now...
DeleteNumber of UCL spots per country
DeleteITA: 7
FRA: 6
NED: 6
ROU: 6
SVN: 6
ENG: 5
ESP: 5
GER: 5
NOR: 5
BIH: 4
LTU: 4
SUI: 4
BEL: 3
POR: 3
AZE: 2
BUL: 2
POL: 2
SVK: 2
SWE: 2
TUR: 2
UKR: 2
GEO: 1
ISR: 1
MNE: 1
SCO: 1
I think the second overview gives a good indication of how the Refcom is composed (and who is in the Lead) ;-)
Romania and Lithuania do extremely well tbf.
I’m expecting the following names next week:
- Marciniak (top clash)
- Vinčić (because he’s Vinčić)
- Zwayer and German #2
- Gil Manzano (in form) and other Spanish (Hernandez?)
- Schärer
- Meler
- Gözübüyük (hidden domestic appointment on Saturday)
- Turpin
- Letexier (rewarded after LIV-RMA?)
- Italian referee (or two if the trend continues)
- Oliver? (early Saturday game)
- Debut with Velasco Carballo (indeed Albania is missing a spot so far)
- Kruzliak
- Nyberg
@Chefren,
DeleteAgree, my bad I forgot Kruzliak
Stieler is missing, therefore GER has also 7 games.
DeleteAnd Oliver has 4 already, so ENG has 6.
Thanks Philipp
DeleteGiven these possible names for next week, what would be the games in which they could be nominated?
ReplyDeleteReally difficult to make a full set of predictions. Even more when considering form, avoiding nationalities of MD5 with the same teams again. Or if referees can’t meet teams twice. Almost impossible. I tried to puzzle a bit without knowing domestic appointments.
DeleteA few appointments were made prior to the MD5 games — My guess is, this set will contain referees with a rest in MD5. Didn’t make the puzzle easier though.
Leverkusen - Inter: I thought about Vincic here, because the observer was released prior to MD5 despite of the italian team involved so it must be a well-trusted and very experienced referee. Another good option is imo a French (Turpin/Letexier), to save Vincic for PSG-City in MD7.
Juventus - City: Marciniak. Almost no other options, except for Vincic and Turpin
Dortmund - Barcelona: my best guess would be Letexier, although Turpin had Dortmund in MD5 but I don’t see that many other options really?
Benfica - Bologna: Xhaja or other cat1 to make a debut. Not sure who else could be nominated.
Leipzig - Aston Villa: after Velasco Carballo was moved to the Bologna game, I would predict an Italian crew in Leipzig (as they can’t be with Bologna). Lets see…
Salzburg - PSG: Italian referee is my best guess here (lack of other options… I thought about Kruzliak though)
Atalanta - Real: Nyberg (same issue; almost no other options, except for Schärer maybe)
GNK Dinamo - Celtic: Hernandez
Shakhtar - Bayern: Meler
Brest - PSV: Zwayer
Girona - Liverpool: Kruzliak
Arsenal - Monaco: Schärer
Feyenoord - Prague: Taylor
Atleti - Bratislava: Stieler
Milan - Crvena Zvezda: Gozubuyuk
Stuttgart - YB: Kruashvili
Lille - Sturm Graz: ?? I run out of options :D
Let's also mention Atalanta - Real Madrid in particular, this was the nightmare game for Stieler in 2021, a few months after his promotion to Elite and then goodbye to top clashes for him after that very controversial red card...
DeleteThat one is indeed difficult to predict. Real Madrid in 24th place and playing away… It has to be a trusted referee. But who?
DeleteMy safe pick would be Turpin however guess what, the observer is French :)
Then, you are left with Nyberg or Schärer. Or Zwayer perhaps? Unless they have bigger plans with him.
Gozubuyuk? I think the game is too big for him.
My predictions
DeleteDinamo - Celtic: Grinfeeld (Martins)
Girona - Liverpool: Kruzliak (Kwiatkowski)
Leipzig - Villa: Mariani (di Paolo)
Atalanta - Real: Zwayer (Dingert)
Leverkusen - Inter: Vincic (van Boekel)
Brugge - Sporting: Massa (di Bello)
Donetsk - Bayern: Hernandez (del Cerro Grande)
Salzburg - Paris: Guida (Chiffi)
Brest - Eindhoven: Kavanagh (Attwell)
Atletico - Bratislava: Bastien (Millot)
Lille - Graz: Stieler (Brand)
Dortmund - Barcelona: Schärer (San)
Milan - Red Star: Siebert (Dankert)
Benfica - Bologna: Osmers (Dingert)
Arsenal - Monaco: Gil Manzano (de Burgos)
Juventus - ManCity: Meler (Dieperink)
Feyenoord - Sparta: Taylor (Salisbury)
Stuttgart - Bern: Walsh (Clancy)
"avoiding nationalities of MD5 with the same teams again"
DeleteI also try to do that in my predictions, but actually UEFA doesn't do it.
ManCity had Massa/Mariani on MD2/3, Brugge had Zwayer/Stieler on MD3/4.
Having said that, I should probably swap Kavanagh and Osmers in my predictions, to assign the debut to the committee member in spite of Oliver doing Bologna last week.
I'll go for:
DeleteDinamo - Celtic: Rumsas (Chiffi)
Girona - Liverpool: Kruzliak (Kwiatkowski)
Leipzig - Villa: Grinfeeld (Martins)
Atalanta - Real: Nyberg (Van Boekel)
Leverkusen - Inter: Turpin (Brisard)
Brugge - Sporting: Eskas (Higler)
Donetsk - Bayern: Hernandez (Del Grande)
Salzburg - Paris: Scharer (San)
Brest - Eindhoven: Mariani (Di Paolo)
Atletico - Bratislava: Osmers (Dingbert)
Lille - Graz: Gozubuyuk (Van Boekel)
Dortmund - Barcelona: Massa (Di Paolo)
Milan - Red Star: Meler (Del Grande)
Benfica - Bologna: Xhaja (Millot)
Arsenal - Monaco: Zwayer (Dankert)
Juventus - ManCity: Marciniak or Vincic (Kwiatkowski)
Feyenoord - Sparta: Taylor (Gillett)
Stuttgart - Bern: Guida (Chiffi) or Walsh (Dallas)
Scharer in Atalanta vs Real seems a bit illogical to me, given that he has already managed both teams in the Super Cup. Nyberg? He is constantly being named in games involving Italian teams and we have yet to see him in games involving the likes of Real and Barcelona. If he is not in Bergamo, he will probably be in another game with an Italian team in action.
ReplyDeleteThat’s a good point about Schärer actually.
DeleteNormally it should be Nyberg or Zwayer in Bergamo indeed. Unless they sacrifize an unexpected name. But after what happened to Stieler?
On the other hand, I think the Refcom can take a bit of a risk in BVB-Barcelona; two teams with a good ranking and expected to be football-focused. No need to have a French Elite there. I’m now more leaning towards a Schärer, Meler or Eskas there.
The same has happened with Eskas. He has been appointed to games against Italian teams. Perhaps this is a way for Rosetti to keep a close eye on the Scandinavian referees.
ReplyDelete4th official at Youth League Dinamo v Celtic is changed from Toni Dadić to Ante Čulina cause of a suspension to Dadić during an investigation about private messaging and fouling around about referee collegues ...
ReplyDeleteOnly two Serie A assignments have been released today, for Friday's (tomorrow) matches. Not the others because there will be an important Coppa Italia match tonight and Rocchi wants to wait.
ReplyDeleteTo be highlighted in terms of a possible international appointment, Guida will be fourth official in one of these two early matches tomorrow, Atalanta - Milan (referee La Penna). This could indicate his international use at the beginning of the week, it would be a classic choice in this sense, but I have strong doubts that after the big mistake in Madrid, he could be again directly in Champions League without going to (at least) Europa League once. Although it is true that more than a month has passed, however compared to other referees, it would be a particular management. Let's say that in normal conditions one should surely expect him in Europa League.
To add, Sozza after a negative Genoa - Cagliari in Serie A with two OFRs about 2 weeks ago, will referee in Serie B this Saturday.
As we already discussed, we could also talk about his possible debut in Champions League, but even in this case I am very skeptical.. We will see.
To complete the assignments, we have Massa out from serie A game as well, and Mariani working only as VAR.
DeleteBoth could be in Champions, I rather think it will be Massa and Mariani in Champions, while Guida maybe in Europa League.
Massa assistant referees, Meli and Alassio, assigned tomorrow in Genoa - Torino, so possible they have a game on Tuesday with the Italian Elite. Mariani working only as VAR until Sunday. I'm very curious about this last set for 2024, then I think they could keep Sozza debut for MD7 or 8 on next month.
Chances of Walsh being used in UEFA competition seem higher than usual. He has been sent to a Scottish Championship (2nd tier) game on Saturday.
ReplyDelete28 year old elite Croatian referee Toni Dadic is deleted from all refereeing lists after private WhatsApp conversation was leaked where it looks like he was member of Hajduk Split's fan group Torcida.
ReplyDeleteDadic was supposed to be 4th official at Youth League in Zagreb next week and media says he was well respected by new president of Croatian referees, Bertrand Layec.
If I understood correctly, Dadic was outed as a member of the Torcida, the Hajduk Split ultras. And HNS probably didn't even know he was a Hajduk supporter.
DeleteWorst part is, last month he refereed a Hajduk league game, against Istra. HNS must have very reasonable doubts about his objectivity.
OT: Question for Chefren: What dou you think about who will be appointed to CLUB WORLD CUP 2025. Would they call TOP ELITE REFEREES, OR MID-ELITE referees from all continets to officiate there?
ReplyDeleteNot being Chefren but... :D
DeleteIt's difficult to predict but I would expect strong names being appointed, maybe with several promising referees, too.
It's the first edition of the newly-formatted tournament FIFA surely expect to be a good show and some games could be really challenging: all games in Group A, PSG-Atlético-Botafogo in Group B, Boca-Benfica in Group C, all games in Group D, River Plate-Monterrey-Inter in Group E, City-Juventus-Wydad in Group F, Real-AlHilal-Pachuca in Group G...
Perhaps UEFA clubs won't approach the tournament fully focused and therefore the games will be even more tight. I look forward to watching the tournament.
Difficult to answer, but let's see.
DeleteIt is certainly the first time, at least in recent times, of a FIFA club competition being so long and with so many matches. So far we have only seen World Cups with national teams, while the Club World Cup has always been short.
Basically, obviously I would be inclined to say that there will be assignments like those we saw at the short editions of such tournament, but it is not possible to say more, given the large number of matches and some games that frankly could have a larger audience of candidates (minor ones), I think we could basically see a mix between some big names and others less experienced referees.
We also need to understand which refereeing format there will be, VAR is obvious but unknown whether the one that follows the canons of FIFA competitions, given the tests FIFA is doing everywhere.
On the competition itself, evidently really much criticized for its extension. Since the draw was made, I noticed a very strong media campaign, which could certainly give greater prestige under the eyes of the fans. Sometimes success is also derivated by how a product is sold as we know, so for this reason, surely there could also be the best referees. Basically, however, it should be a less important competition than others, especially the major world cup, but obviously I say something trivial with this. We just have to wait.
In my opinion it would make most sense to use those referees, who have good chances for 2026, but haven't refereed at a WC yet to give them some more experience on the FIFA stage. Also you can partly base your 2026 selection on the CWC performances, if you select some borderline candidates. (Although of course, the WC26 is bigger, so every CWC referee going there is not impossible).
DeleteSo for UEFA the list could be e.g.: Gil Manzano, Gözübüyük, Kovacs, Kruzliak, Letexier, Massa, Meler, Nyberg, Peljto, Zwayer
(Eskas and Schärer equally possible, but 10 should be the maximum number)
The other confederations could do the same, so e.g. rather Herrera, Maza and Ostojich than Matonte, Tello and Valenzuela or rather Brown, Calderon and Nation than Barton and Escobar.
Also interesting, whether they will select women. Unfortunately, there wasn't much progress in the continental competitions since the last WC, so it would be a political choice.
Probably Penso and/or Garcia have the best chances, because Elfath and Ramos don't really need the tournament and there is also the Gold Cup at the same time.
In this context, it's also interesting to consider, who are the (UEFA) candidates for 2026 in general. I think, we can expect around 15 Europeans selected for that tournament, so the candidate list should contain at least 20 names to have some room for choices.
DeleteAt the moment I would say
Likely candidates:
Peljto, Oliver, Gil Manzano, Letexier, Turpin, Siebert, Zwayer, Guida, Massa, Gözübüyük, Makkelie, Eskas, Marciniak, Kovacs, Schärer, Kruzliak, Vincic, Nyberg, Meler
Less likely candidates:
Taylor, Hernandez, Sanchez, Bastien, Stieler, Grinfeeld, Jovanovic, Mariani, Pinheiro, Rumsas
I expect the new CWC to be like the extinct Confederations Cup in that regard, referees who attend the tournament should expect to go to the WC or at least be in a pole position unless they make a mess in their games (such as Fernando Hernández & Ryuji Sato in Arab Cup 2021 or Diego Abal in Confederations 2013)
DeleteIn late 2025 there will be an U20 World Cup and a 48-team U17 World Cup in Qatar too, where 'second-tier' candidates or more long-term/2030 projects could be selected.
Considering the new CWC consists of 32 teams like the 1998-2022 WC, I expect a similar amount of refereeing spots for confederations (7-9 UEFA, 5-7 CONMEBOL, 3-5 CONCACAF, AFC & CAF, & 1 OFC, excluding possible support refs)
Regarding CONMEBOL referees at the FIFA Club World Cup, I see that the possible names are:
DeleteAbatti, Klein or Zanovelli (Brazil)
Tello or Herrera (Argentina)
Matonte or Ostojich (Uruguay)
Benitez (Paraguay)
Maza or Garay (Chile)
Ospina or Rojas (Colombia)
Valenzuela (Venezuela)
As for Ortega (Peruvian referee), his unethical attitude towards Pulisic in this year's Copa América shows that he should not be appointed to the Club World Cup under any circumstances (my opinion).
OT: Felix confirmed yesterday in the DFB action (DER BESTE TAG) that he will have a Champions League game next week. He says he won't find out until Monday, so I assume it's a game on Wednesday.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.petersberg-aktuell.de/einzelansicht/news/2024/dezember/gaensehaut-und-schiri-expertise-weber-und-lebensretter-beim-dfb.html
I don’t understand the “he won’t find out until Monday”
DeleteAs far as I’m aware, referees know at least one week in advance which UCL game they will get. It gives them the opportunity to change a flight and analyse the teams with UEFAs match analysts.
I guess if we won’t find out until Monday, it could be the game in Rotterdam or London (Arsenal), as Zwayer already had Milan.
And the options for Atalanta-Real are even more limited (Nyberg?)
Why not Juventus - Man City for Zwayer?
DeleteAnd yes, Nyberg for Atalanta-Real makes sense.
Zwayer is probably in the running for the UCL final, along with 2 others. I don’t think he will be burned in a delicate game as JUV-MCI. In Turin it will rather be a referee with not much to lose, is my prediction. Vincic, Marciniak or Turpin.
DeleteAs I discussed in another analysis here, Nyberg is constantly being assigned in matches involving Italian teams, even due to the fact that Rossetti follows him closely. But he still needs to officiate games with the big Spanish teams (Real, Barcelona or Atlético de Madrid ) and Atalanta x Real seems like a pretty obvious place for him to be appointed.
Delete@Ref88
DeleteOf course he knows but he can't say in public :)
Appointment can be published in public only 2 days prior the match. As you said, for the ref it would be frivolous to find out which match he get only 3-4 days before the match.
And as I already said before, I think that German referee is one of the candidates for this season UCL final.
DeleteFor me, Zwayer is the main candidate for the UCL final now. Particularly with the final in München and German teams not playing great-ish so far.
DeleteOther potential names could also be in the UCL final: Kovacs (following Turpin's line, that is, nominated for a UEL final, such as Manchester United vs. Villarreal in 2021 and Liverpool vs. Real the following year) and Letexier (following Marciniak's line, as happened in the final in Qatar and then refereeing the final in Istanbul).
DeleteOne might wonder: what about Makkelie? The big opportunity was Real vs. Borussia, but I see that for him to be in Munich, it was a bit far away. Taylor? UEFA left him out after Germany vs. Spain in the Euro. Unless the committee wants to honor him for probably being his last season and end his career by refereeing the UCL final.
@ Lincoln: the UCL final last year (Real VS Borussia) was already booked for Vincic. We know that because UEFA left him out on purpose in the semi-finals. Unlike Makkelie, Taylor and others. Same applied to Kovács (no SF -> UEL final). UEFA decided already months before the UCL final that it would be Vincic’; the Slovenian following a path with mainly in hidden games.
DeleteUEFA referees in Saudi Arabia this weekend:
ReplyDeleteFriday
Al-Khulood vs Al-Qadsiya: Dingert, Achmüller, Lupp (Schlager)
Saturday
At-Ta'awoon vs Al-Ahli: Makkelie, Steegstra, Inia (Dieperink)
Al-Hilal vs Ar-Ra'id: Bognár, Buzás, Kóbor (Vad, Ruperti)
ReplyDeleteSome remarkable developments in Serdar Gozubuyuk team seem to have happened in the last few days. It is said that Gozubuyuk’s fixed assistant referee 2 Johan Balder has left the team because of unpleasant atmosphere and unsafe environment. Indeed at midweek’s match between Ajax vs Utrecht Gozubuyuk was assisted by Patrick Inia while Balder was originally appointed. And tonight Rogier Honig is appointed at Gozubuyuk’s side.
In the last 5 or so yrs many assistant referees have come and gone in the team, starting with Goossens/Van Dongen, replaced by De Vries/Schaap, replaced by Van Zuilen/Honig, replaced by Zeinstra/Balder, the latter now leaving for….?
Important question is which assistant still wants to be in the team, because many end up damaged.
So let’s wait for the next couple of weeks to know more, but the sources are reliable and the rumours seem to be genuine at first sight.
Are you sure it isn’t a quality driven decision? In all fairness, I thought Balder was a weaker link in his team and I’ve always rated Inia, very talented AR. The best ARs are from Friesland ;)
DeleteI can’t be 100% sure, but from my point of view I’ve not observed (serious) flaws in Balder’s performances. Comparing to for example the Diks/De Vries change in team Makkelie (there were clear reasons, SRB-POR to begin with) I don’t recall any serious problems with Balder to be honest. And so many changes in a team in a relatively short period, does that reflect on the assistant referees’ qualities or to the qualities of the leader of a team…?
DeleteAnd by mentioning Patrick Inia you bring up a very good point! A pearl for Dutch assistant refereeing I believe, but still at the beginning of his international career. In my humble opinion it would be an extremely unwise decision for Inia to step into team Gozubuyuk… Big risk to end up damaged and without perspective. I think Inia should team up with Marc Nagtegaal, to create (together with another assistant) a strong and reliable team to warrant a top spot for Dutch refereeing throughout the world after the Makkelie era.
So, to come to a conclusion, I don’t have guarantees to confirm with 200% certainty that my previous post is the absolute truth, but this is the story told by many different (and reliable) sources close to Dutch refereeing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7ruWUilnQg&ab_channel=SPORT1
ReplyDeleteInsights (mic and a bit of Refcam) into Jablonski's refereeing in Dortmund-Bayern last weekend.