The most media-discussed FIFA competition ever is about to start in the USA. Here the referee assignments for the early games.
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| The list of all selected officials |
Group Stage, MD1
Group ASunday 15 June 2025, 02:00 CET
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Al Ahly (EGY) - Inter Miami (USA)
Referee: Alireza Faghani IRN / AUS
Assistant Referee 1: Anton Shchetinin AUS
Assistant Referee 2: Ashley Beacham AUS
Fourth Official: Szymon Marciniak POL
Assistant Referee 2: Ashley Beacham AUS
Fourth Official: Szymon Marciniak POL
Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández ESP
Support Video Assistant Referee: Leodán González URU
Group C
Sunday 15 June 2025, 18:00 CET
TQL Stadium,. Cincinnati
Sunday 15 June 2025, 18:00 CET
TQL Stadium,. Cincinnati
FC Bayern München (GER) - Auckland City (NZL)
Referee: Issa Sy SEN
Assistant Referee 1: Djibril Camara SEN
Assistant Referee 2: Nouha Bangoura SEN
Fourth Official: Ibrahim Mutaz LYB
Assistant Referee 2: Nouha Bangoura SEN
Fourth Official: Ibrahim Mutaz LYB
Video Assistant Referee: Mahmoud Ashour EGY
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Gallo COL
Support Video Assistant Referee: Khamis Al Marri QAT
Group B
Sunday 15 June 2025, 21:00 CET
Rose Bowl, Los Angeles
Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marius Marica ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Ferencz Tunyogi ROU
Fourth Official: Gustavo Tejera URU
Sunday 15 June 2025, 21:00 CET
Rose Bowl, Los Angeles
Paris Saint Germain (FRA) - Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP)
Referee: István Kovács ROUAssistant Referee 1: Mihai Marius Marica ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Ferencz Tunyogi ROU
Fourth Official: Gustavo Tejera URU
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek CRO
Support Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED
Group A
Monday 16 June 2025, 00:00 CET
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Monday 16 June 2025, 00:00 CET
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Palmeiras (BRA) - FC Porto (POR)
Referee: Said Martínez HON
Assistant Referee 1: Wálter López HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Ramirez HON
Assistant Referee 1: Wálter López HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Ramirez HON
Fourth Official: Omar Al Ali UAE
Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzmán NCA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Erick Miranda MEX
Support Video Assistant Referee: Juan Lara CHI
Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzmán NCA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Erick Miranda MEX
Support Video Assistant Referee: Juan Lara CHI
Group B
Monday 16 June 2025, 04:00 CET
Lumen Field, Seattle
Monday 16 June 2025, 04:00 CET
Lumen Field, Seattle
Botafogo FR (BRA) - Seattle Sounders (USA)
Referee: Glenn Nyberg SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderkvist SWE
Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh NZL
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
Support Video Assistant Referee: Shaun Evans AUS
Group D
Monday 16 June 2025, 21:00 CET
Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Chelsea FC (ENG) - Los Angeles FC (USA)
Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Chelsea FC (ENG) - Los Angeles FC (USA)
Referee: Jesús Valenzuela VEN
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego VEN
Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno VEN
Fourth Official: Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo COD
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Soto VEN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Hernan Carlos Mastrangelo ARG
Support Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Hernan Carlos Mastrangelo ARG
Support Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández ESP
Group C
Tuesday 17 June 2025, 00:00 CET
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Boca Juniors (ARG) - SL Benfica (POR)
Tuesday 17 June 2025, 00:00 CET
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Boca Juniors (ARG) - SL Benfica (POR)
Referee: César Ramos MEX
Assistant Referee 1: Alberto Morín MEX
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Bisguerra MEX
Fourth Official: Iván Barton SLV
Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Pacheco MEX
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Armando Villarreal USA
Support Video Assistant Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP
Group D
Tuesday17 June 2025, 03:00 CET
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelpia
Flamengo (BRA) - Espérance de Tunis (TUN)
Flamengo (BRA) - Espérance de Tunis (TUN)
Referee: Danny Makkelie NED
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries NED
Fourth Official: Ma Ning CHN
Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fu Ming CHN
Support Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Group F
Tuesday 17 June 2025, 18:00 CET
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Fluminense (BRA) - Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Tuesday 17 June 2025, 18:00 CET
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Fluminense (BRA) - Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev UZB
Assistant Referee 1: Andrey Tsapenko UZB
Assistant Referee 2: Timur Gaynullin UZB
Fourth Official: Omar Al Ali UAE
Video Assistant Referee: Shaun Evans AUS
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Obaid Khadim Mohammed UAE
Support Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzman NCA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Obaid Khadim Mohammed UAE
Support Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzman NCA
Group E
Tuesday 17 June 2025, 21:00 CET
Lumen Field, Seattle
River Plate (ARG) - Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)
Tuesday 17 June 2025, 21:00 CET
Lumen Field, Seattle
River Plate (ARG) - Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)
Referee: Felix Zwayer GER
Assistant Referee 1: Robert Kempter GER
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Dietz GER
Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh NZL
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek CRO
Support Video Assistant Referee: Hamza El Fariq MAR
Group F
Wednesday 18 June 2025, 00:00 CET
Inter&Co Stadium Orlando
Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) - Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Wednesday 18 June 2025, 00:00 CET
Inter&Co Stadium Orlando
Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) - Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Referee: Clément Turpin FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pagès FRA
Fourth Official: Slavko Vinčić SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Jerome Brisard FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Support Video Assistant Referee: Khamis Al Marri QAT
Group E
Wednesday 18 June 2025, 03:00 CET
Rose Bowl, Los Angeles
CF Monterrey (MEX) - FC Internazionale (ITA)
Wednesday 18 June 2025, 03:00 CET
Rose Bowl, Los Angeles
CF Monterrey (MEX) - FC Internazionale (ITA)
Referee: Wilton Sampaio BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Boschilia BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Pires BRA
Fourth Official: Gustavo Tejera URU
Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Gallo COL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Juan Lara CHI
Support Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández ESP
Group G
Wednesday 18 June 2025, 18:00 CET
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Manchester City (ENG) - Wydad Casablanca (MAR)
Wednesday 18 June 2025, 18:00 CET
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Manchester City (ENG) - Wydad Casablanca (MAR)
Referee: Ramon Abatti BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Danilo Manis BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Alves BRA
Fourth Official: Ma Ning CHN
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Soto VEN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Erick Miranda MEX
Support Video Assistant Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP
Group H
Wednesday 18 June 2025, 21:00 CET
Wednesday 18 June 2025, 21:00 CET
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Real Madrid CF (ESP) - Al Hilal (KSA) Referee: Facundo Tello ARG
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Pabllo Belatti ARG
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Chade ARG
Fourth Official: César Ramos MEX
Video Assistant Referee: Leodan Gonzalez URU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Hernan Mastrangelo ARG
Support Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzman NCA
Group H
Thursday 19 June 2025, 00:00 CET
Thursday 19 June 2025, 00:00 CET
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
CF Pachuca (MEX) - FC Salzburg (AUT) Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal ALG
Assistant Referee 1: Mokrane Gourari ALG
Assistant Referee 2: Abbes Akram Zerhouni ALG
Fourth Official: Ibrahim Mutaz LYB
Fourth Official: Ibrahim Mutaz LYB
Video Assistant Referee: Hamza El Fariq MAR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Mahmoud Ashour EGY
Support Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Group G
Thursday 19 June 2025, 03:00 CET
Audi Field, Washington
Al Ain SC (UAE) - Juventus (ITA)
Thursday 19 June 2025, 03:00 CET
Audi Field, Washington
Al Ain SC (UAE) - Juventus (ITA)
Referee: Tori Penso USA
Assistant Referee 1: Brooke Mayo USA
Assistant Referee 2: Kathryn Nesbitt USA
Fourth Official: Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo COD
Video Assistant Referee: Armando Villarreal USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Pacheco MEX
Support Video Assistant Referee: Fu Ming CHN
Well, we can't say that Collina didn't want to send a personal message with these early assignments.
ReplyDeleteFaghani for the opener still means that the former Italian referee has important consideration for the Iranian and well, this could be maybe the right tournament for getting very big assignments, and gaining credit for the next WC. In past, it was very hard to think about that for all after all the disappointments. But it seems as a chance is always there for those who can wait. And of course, Marciniak as fourth official in a game in which he wouldn't have been strongly required.
About Kovacs, top European clash for him, a CL game, one could say it was impossible to think that he would have officiated again PSG after a few days, but indeed this happened. Different tournament, different management. But surely now the Romanian is seen as very top by Collina as well.
You can see the typical games for CAF referees, in particular with Bayern against Auckland, something like the classic Club World Cup we know, and that's now the standard for them.
Regular ones for Martinez and Nyberg I would say.
Remember the MLS teams are playing at home. That Seattle game will be sold out, which will not be the case for a lot of other matches. And for Seattle to have any hope of going through, they need a result.
DeleteIf you look at atmosphere and pressure for a MD1 game, I actually think that's a marquee assignment and a big vote of confidence for Nyberg. It was always going to be a UEFA referee; the fact that he got it seems noteworthy.
In this vein, Inter v Palmeiras on MD3 is a big one that I'd look out for, too. Expect a top UEFA guy there. LAFC v Flamengo could be similar, but probably to a lesser extent given personnel and the two groups.
What jerseys will the referees wear? The current Adidas jerseys like in the Bundesliga?
ReplyDeleteWhen will we know the VAR appointments?
ReplyDeleteSome things we will see at the Club World Cup.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c62ny5r1n86o
I‘m curious how the advanced SAOT will work
DeleteSame, tbf i don't really understand what are the changes, i know that there are differents companies providing it, for example it's not the same in UEFA games or in Premier league. But from what Collina said in a video on FIFA website i think they want the technology to be really quick and that the assistant will not have to keep their flags down. So i don't really understand how that can work, maybe in the future they will have watchs for offside to provide it live, who knows ?
DeleteI believe the article implies they're going to get a notification through their comms.
DeleteOh, ok that will be very interesting to see how it works.
DeleteOT: Even this is not belong to referee world, what do you expect with AFC that just announce the hosts for R4 AFC WC Playoff (centralized venues) will be in Qatar and Saudi Arabia with both are participants!! 4 AFC FA (UAE, Iraq, Oman, and Indonesia) have already sounding about fairness and transparency before the announcement, but now it's very clear who control the AFC even inside the Arab nations. The next shameless display I think would be the referee appointments, with 5 Arab nations and 1 AFF, we still have Ma Ning, Fu Ming, Tantashev, Araki, Shaun Evans, Faghani, and maybe Taqi Al Jaafari, Lutfullin, and Ahmed Al Ali. With only 6 match, more than enough to appoint "neutral" referees, right? :))
ReplyDeleteMy predictions we will see Al Kaf/Omar Al Ali, Falahi, Al Jassim, Al Hoaish, Majed Shamrani, and Al Turais for the 6 match remaining :))
DeleteThe referee for the Palmeiras vs Porto, brazilian vs portuguese club, by history, could have problems to manage a heated match.
ReplyDeleteAl Ahly FC - Inter Miami CF
ReplyDeleteReferee: FAGHANI Alireza (AUS)
Assistant Referee 1: SHCHETININ Anton (AUS)
Assistant Referee 2: BEECHAM Ashley (AUS)
Fourth Official: MARCINIAK Szymon (POL)
Vidéo Assistant Referee: DEL CERRO GRANDE Carlos (ESP)
Assistant Vidéo Assistant Referee : HERNANDEZ Alejandro (ESP)
Support VAR : GONZALEZ Leodan (URU)
Where can we find the appointments on the FIFA website?
DeleteOT: Oshane Nation JAM will be the referee for the opening match of 2025 Gold Cup.
ReplyDeleteAnother appointments:
CUW-SLV: Katia Garcia (MEX)
HAI-KSA: Wálter López (GUA)
CAN-HON: Mario Escobar (GUA)
Do you have the rest? Seems weird that a few of those are on the 17th but there are matches on the 15th and 16th not listed.
DeleteI'm trying to get the other names but it seems impossible, I could only get the referees, not even the fourth officials or the VAR...
DeleteUSA-TRI: Adonai Escobedo (MEX)
DeletePAN-GDA: Keylor Herrera (CRC)
JAM-GUA: Juan Calderón (CRC)
CRC-SUR: Joseph Dickerson (USA)
Costa Rica : Dominican Republic - SZPALA (USA)
DeleteSuriname : Mexico - BROWN (HON)
I don’t know if you share the same impression, but it seems to me that the CONCACAF Gold Cup in recent years has lost a lot of its prestige compared to what the competition used to be in the past. It must be said that it has also been quite unlucky with timing: it’s not the first time that it has been apparently played in the shadow of another tournament that draws more attention. However, in the past, despite this, you could still find big names participating in those circumstances. Today, everything seems a bit different: I can honestly admit that some of the names you posted, I had never or very rarely heard before. Perhaps this year they could have at least avoided having the tournament at the exact timing together with the FIFA Club World Cup... It seems to me that the prestige of CONCACAF, which has declined compared to the past, could also depend on this, first by developing top referees within the confederation and then sending them to the intercontinental level at FIFA.
DeleteWhere you find the appointments of gold cup @usaref
DeleteThey were sent to me by someone who knows. I've had a challenge getting them publicly.
DeleteFrom Issa Said
ReplyDeleteFlamengo-Esperance Tunis: Makkelie
River Plate-Urawa: Zwayer
Boca Juniors-Benfica: Cesar Ramos
Chelsea-LA: Jesus Valenzuela
More surprising for me is Turpin in that game maybe they want to protect him for this phase of the tournament ?
DeleteMonterrey-Inter: Sampaio
DeleteUlsan-Mamelodi: Turpin, Vincic as FO
Fluminense-Dortmund: Tantashev
Answer to a deleted question on Vincic as 4th in UHD-MSU...:
DeleteIt looks like in the games in Florida the 4th officials are main referees (probably because they are staying there), while the other stadiums have dedicated 4th officials. Then it makes sense to use an UEFA referee, because there are not many options, where they have confed neutrality. And maybe Vincic is simply planned for a later first game (e.g. RIV-CFM) than the others.
Regarding Turpin: I think, there are simply more UEFA top referees than top games on MD1/2, so some have to get a less attractive game.
DeleteZwayer's appointment can be seen similar.
Makkelie indeed gets a better game, which is on paper decisive for the second place in that group.
Ramos makes sense in maybe one of the hottest - and also important - games in the GS. Valenzuela is normal, but maybe one could have given the game to a less experienced CONMEBOL referee. Tantashev is liked by FIFA (see Olympics), so an expectable appointment. Sampaio is a very logical choice for that game.
Ramos does not bring back good memories for the Portuguese. In the 2018 World Cup in Russia, he managed Uruguay vs Portugal (round of 16) in which the Portuguese complained a lot about the Mexican's performance due to a dubious penalty in the match not awarded to the Portuguese team... and they ended up being eliminated.
DeleteRamos also had Portugal in the R16 vs the Swiss in 2022, which Portugal won.
DeleteChefren,why can't we see these referee appointments on FIFA's website?
ReplyDeleteTurpin and Benítez are in the stands. It seems that the referees are in the stadium.
ReplyDelete17' Oh good, such blatent signs of dissent such as waving an imaginary card are ignored...
ReplyDeleteOn a different note, I hope if such long introductions and delays to kick off continue, that it doesn't effect the officials focus in the opening minutes of matches. I also doubt many of these elite referees will be used to such a poor style of football. Safe to say, it's not been great so far
25' Excellent news for Faghani. He get's the clearest example of SPA possible to open his cards
Delete31' And again. Both reckless and SPA. Also a good offside by AR2 a minute earlier, but difficult to know now whether this is a good decision or the enhanced SAOT telling the assistant he was offside. I'm sure the flag would have gone up either way, however
DeleteIt’s the USA. Sports never ever start at the scheduled time. Whatever time thy say, add 10 minutes.
Delete38' and 39' Clearly mass levels of dissent will be completely tolerated. Impossible to believe this would be allowed in Uefa. Also, I would need to see it again, but I do feel a missed (or perhaps delibrately overlooked) 2YC for a reckless challenge
DeleteScandal faghani. 2 blantant yellow cards missed including one sending off.
ReplyDeleteSuch a political decision to not issue a 2YC for reckless there...
ReplyDeleteMinute 40 - Faghani misses a blatant second yellow for Inter Miami #6, very unlike him to be lenient…
ReplyDeleteNow soft penalty
ReplyDeleteVery interesting decisions by Faghani. He "forgives" one YC on each side in short succession, thus avoiding a second YC for Miami player. In return, he calls a soft penalty which is not converted.
ReplyDeleteI guess a lot of people will be upset about these decisions, but in the end it turns out very fair I guess, so you could say wise and experienced approach by Faghani :-)
the 8-second rule for goalkeepers? if some one have a video showing how it works in practice
ReplyDeleteSomething to notice, there is a lot of technology around referees but no mic for announcing decisions after OFR, maybe FIFA didn't believe in it after some tests.
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame the Miami player wasn’t sent off.. otherwise a flawless display from Faghani and his ARs
ReplyDeleteAll in all, a solid performance from Faghani. Not so good, but not so bad either.
ReplyDeleteJust watched the two main incidents, unfortunately I will not able to watch games played at those times.
ReplyDeletePenalty supportable call, no change in the assessment either if you whistle or you don't whistle it.
Second YC is a big miss for me. Clearly a reckless challenge, but we know how it works.
Here some clips:
ReplyDelete17'
https://streambug.org/cv/b82f6f
Possible YC, ignoring a booking gesture by a player (but we can't know whether referee was still looking at him)
25'
https://streambug.org/cv/a9d8b7
YC for SPA and reckless, a very mandatory one. Serious mistake if missed, expected decision.
31'
https://streambug.org/cv/25e5d8
Offside AR2, disallowed goal, correct decision.
31'
https://streambug.org/cv/66b813
YC SPA and reckless, again expected decision.
38'
https://streambug.org/cv/5d54c6
Possible YC for SPA, Tolerating dissent, another waving card by a player is ignored.
39'
https://streambug.org/cv/e1f909
To me a very clear missed YC for reckless, but indeed one should compare this one with previous situation a minute before. This is how a referee can make his decisions complicated. Giving cards in expected situations would be still what one wants to see. Must be surely assessed as mistake, impossible to whistle this one without card.
41'
https://streambug.org/cv/cbc50a
Penalty, supportable decision by referee.
86'
https://streambug.org/cv/cd8773
Very poor management. Referee is mocked at first by Suarez, incredible reaction with that dissolute laugh, should have been booked and maybe even more, absolutely zero authority by referee who later is also forced to issue a card because Busquets makes gesture "you are fool" with hand.
90'+2
https://streambug.org/cv/e02f1d
YC for reckless, again a correct decision by referee.
It is also reported YC for Suarez, but I can't find it in the video of game. Maybe protests.
Honestly, if we stay at the issued cards, especially in first half and the supportable penalty, it would be an OK performance as somebody reported above, but in my opinion the second YC is a too big miss and the scene in 86' is unacceptable. Up to Collina to decide, but if Faghani was expected to be strong to gain further credit, well, in a game that wasn't so challenging, he simplu was average and nothing more.
And.. what aboutall these players waving imaginary cards? Not only Messi but also others from the opponents' side. I hope this will not be the trend of the tournament.
All in all despite of some good decisions, I would be still dissatisfied with this performance
It is clear that unsporting behaviours like dissent and DtR will be tolerated. That was the case in the play-in game handled by Wilton Sampaio. However, the Brazilian with his serious-looking warnings earned the respect among players what apparently is not the case in this opening game. I can't stand such approach by FIFA. We had terrible officiating at the WC2014 and now it seems Collina was again totally forced to give up.
Deleteat 86, no matter iff it is Busquets or not this is unacceptable behavior, iff i was the referee he got send straight to the shower, preferred Cold shower, to think about his behaviour!
DeleteCould you upload min 86 link please because it's same as min 41.
ReplyDeleteFixed-
DeleteGracias...
DeleteI think people concluding that clear dissent and DtR will be "tolerated" are incorrect. Miami is nearly impossible to control. This was a home match with a difficult team more than it was a tournament opener for a FIFA event like we normally see. Faghani was trying to survive more than anything. I don't think you can draw too many conclusions about the rest of the tournament based on this single match. This tournament isn't like a WC with the officials visiting teams and making all instructions clear, etc.
ReplyDeleteI think the conclusions about the dissent tolerance are a bit overstated, but not because of the team or the game. Instead, most of the situations shown in the video clips above simply don't rise to the level of a yellow card for dissent, particularly the "waving imaginary card" ones. Those gestures were really brief and not particularly disrespectful, just asking a genuine question through the language barrier. Suarez too, I think it's up to interpretation whether he was laughing "at" the referee; I didn't watch the whole match, so it's difficult for me to assess without context.
DeleteThe one who absolutely deserved a yellow card was Busquets, and he got one (which is tbh a stronger line than most MLS referees seem to draw against him).
I don't see much of a problem with Faghani's performance from the clips above, other than the 2nd Yellow situation. That was a clear miss, and if FIFA somehow support that, then FIFA are wrong :)
Inter Miami v Porto is a challenging assignment if you keep neutrality. I don't think any of the remaining CAF or AFC referees are up to it. And you can't go with an Argentinian (or maybe Brazilian?). I kind of think FIFA was always planning to break neutrality here and that's why Marciniak was 4th last night.
ReplyDeleteThis might well.be the most one sided game in history
ReplyDeleteA training for Issa Sy.
ReplyDeleteAfter all assignments of MD1 published, we can observe that CAF got this one and Pachuca - Salzburg with Ghorbal. Definitely both very low profile games. The trust in African referees seem not high at moment by Collina, but surely after a game like this, which conclusions should you draw? Wasn't it better to make a different appointment, to understand more about the potential of the Senegalese?
With the way things are going in Cincinnati, hopefully Issa Sy gets a more “ heated clash“ as you say, this is like a training match for the Senegalese!
DeleteI'm a bit dumbfounded by this analysis.
DeleteIt was undoubtedly going to be one of the most lopsided games of the competition. If FIFA had, instead, put a big name like Tello or Sampaio, people would have said it was a waste of talent.
Sy is very low on the totem pole. The assignment was comensurate with his perceived abilities. This isn't a charity.
Also, I would argue that Pachuca-Salzburg is actually one of the biggest group stage matches. Very surprised to see a contrary argument. It is essentially an elimination match if you believe Real Madrid will beat them both. And you have a Mexican team looking to prove itself against an Austrian club who probably have the most to gain among all the European sides in attendance.
CONCACAF GOLD CUP 2025
ReplyDeleteGroup A
MEXICO - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Referee: Oshane Anthony Nation JAM
Assistant Referee 1: Caleb Josef Wales TRI
Assistant Referee 2: Ojay Johane Duhaney JAM
Fourth Official: Bryan Amed López Castellanos GUA
Video Assistant Referee: Edvin Jurisevic USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Michael Whitty CAY
Group D
UNITED STATES - TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Referee: Adonai Escobedo González MEX
Assistant Referee 1: Michel Ricardo Espinoza Ávalos MEX
Assistant Referee 2: Leonardo Javier Castillo Rodríguez MEX
Fourth Official: Pierre-Luc Lauzière CAN
Video Assistant Referee: Óscar Macías Romo MEX
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dilia María Bradley Santizo GUA
Group D
HAITI - SAUDI ARABIA
Referee: Walter Alexander López Castellanos GUA
Assistant Referee 1: Keytzel Raúl Corrales Mojica NCA
Assistant Referee 2: Helpys Raymundo Feliz Cuevas DOM
Fourth Official: Julio César de Jesús Luna Guzmán GUA
Video Assistant Referee: Diego Abraham Ojer González GUA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Roy Yazid Monge Acuña CRC
Group A
COSTA RICA - SURINAME
Referee: Joseph Dickerson USA
Assistant Referee 1: Cameron Blanchard USA
Assistant Referee 2: Logan Victor Brown USA
Fourth Official: Steffon Sean Dewar JAM
Video Assistant Referee: Chris Penso USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Allen Chapman USA
Group C
PANAMA - GUADELUPE
Referee: Keylor Antonio Herrera Villalobos CRC
Assistant Referee 1: William Uriel Chow Barrios CRC
Assistant Referee 2: Víctor Fabián Ramírez Fonseca CRC
Fourth Official: Adonis Carrasco García DOM
Video Assistant Referee: Benjamín Pineda Ávila CRC
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Edvin Jurisevic USA
Group C
JAMAICA - GUATEMALA
Referee: Juan Gabriel Calderón Pérez CRC
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Carlos Mora Araya CRC
Assistant Referee 2: William Andrés Arrieta Barrantes CRC
Fourth Official: Reon Antonio Joshua Radix GRN
Video Assistant Referee: Luis Enrique Santander Aguirre MEX
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jesús Montero Fuentes CRC
Group B
CURAÇAO - EL SALVADOR
Referee: Katia Itzel García Mendoza MEX
Assistant Referee 1: Sandra Elizabeth Ramírez Alemán MEX
Assistant Referee 2: Karen Janeth Díaz Medina MEX
Fourth Official: Ekaterina Koroleva USA
Video Assistant Referee: Óscar Macías Romo MEX
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dilia María Bradley Santizo GUA
Group B
CANADA - HONDURAS
Referee: Mario Alberto Escobar Toca GUA
Assistant Referee 1: Luis Aroldo Ventura Chacón GUA
Assistant Referee 2: Humberto Noel Panjoj Chitay GUA
Fourth Official: José Raúl Torres Rivera PUR
Video Assistant Referee: Luis Enrique Santander Aguirre MEX
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Diego Abraham Ojer González GUA
Chefren a mistake: its Manchester City and not United in group G!
ReplyDeleteAny information on the observers/instructors at the CWC?
ReplyDeleteSo we have mic announcement after OFR.
ReplyDeleteCorrect goal chalked off after foul in buildup. How kovacs did not see in real time is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteFirst VAR intervention of the tournament, clear foul missed by Kovacs that ended in ATM goal.
ReplyDeleteAtlético de Madrid's goal disallowed due to a foul by Koke on Doue with the help of VAR.
ReplyDeleteNow I found it strange that Kovacs hesitated to announce the decision for the whole stadium to hear. He seemed unconvinced by what he saw in the review.
The one argument I think against, is that the ball had gone and he was very unlikely to play it. That being said, he was tripped. Part of me thinks the hesitation was to just work out what exactly he was going to say to the crowd
DeleteKovacs is back to himself, already 8 cards in 60 minutes.
ReplyDeleteSome of them easy,but all and all,fan of this style of refereeing.
Bravo Mr Kovacs dealing with Atleticos usual antics, all yellow cards so far correct!!
DeleteKovacs losing control
ReplyDeleteThey are not losing control at all. They are ATM players without control and they lose their heads easily when committing fouls. It has always been like this with this team.
DeleteBe realistic!! Nobody is losing control!
DeleteCorrect decision to dissallowed the goal but i can understand the frustration from atletico players, YC always in the same way and maybe especially after that non-DOGSO call before in the game.
ReplyDeleteThe yellows have been right, as was the disallowed goal. But the non-dogso was a mistake for me I think it was a foul, with RC the only option if whistled
DeleteDisagree about YC for me at least one or two were given when there is not even a foul or the same foul was not a YC for PSG but agree with the DOGSO situation. At the end not that bad but there is not a big control from him.
DeleteCollina won’t be happy with this VAR call
ReplyDeleteClip of the OFR:
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/917234
"After OFR, nr. 6 Atlético Madrid committed free kick in the middle."
Honestly in such situations one should wonder how much benefit can give the announcement, it definitely doesn't add anything to what one can see. I think that also normal fans, not refereeing experts, can understand that, without the need of an announcement.
It would be interesting to have more detailed explanation.
BTW very lazy approach to OFR by Romanian referee, clearly he didn't like to do that, very evident from body language.
It didn't happen too often to see him at monitor in UEFA games recently.
It seems weird today how it looks like the referee is not in control of when his mic is "on"? In MLS, the referees have a push-to-talk button on their waist that activates the in-stadium announcement. It looks so awkward when they don't know if they are on or not. Especially after the announcement when they start talking to players.
DeleteI can’t see how there is anything positive or interesting with a live announcement. Some refs even use wrong wording. They could just write ”foul” on the screen.
DeleteSecond yellow for Lenglet for dissent after a foul not award to Atleti nearly resulting in a goal. Kovacs forgot he was already booked. Becoming a bad day for him
ReplyDeleteWas certainly a foul on the gk, preventing the release of the ball. Also gave the 2nd yc unthinkingly forgetting the player was on a caution.
DeleteI don't have any problem with a 2nd YC and RC for dissent though. Athletico players always behave terribly
that's just show that he is completely out of his match there, he gives it without knowing that lenglet was already booked and tbf Lenglet was not the one who deserved it on this action.
DeleteEcosse PSG aren’t exactly darlings either. People forget because they are playing well. And the officiating tonight has been all one way
DeleteRed Card Lenglet
ReplyDeleteKovacs does not deserve a second game after this
ReplyDeleteI’m not convinced by Kovacs tonight…
ReplyDeleteMissed that the goalkeeper wasn't allowed to release the ball which has led to that 2YC for dissent. I'm not convinced Kovacs is helping his case for more matches in this one
ReplyDelete"goalkeeper wasn't allowed to release the ball" Is this rule absolute? I mean if a goalkeeper goes himself straight behind the legs of a player, it is punishable for this player? Because in ATM-PSG, it kindas seem like that...
DeleteHe was moving to release the ball before the player ran infront stopping him from doing so. It may have been accidental, but still an IDK for preventing to release. It's usually deemed a safe free kick to give, rather than allowing a controversial attacking chance, but in this case to me it was clear
DeleteRC to Lenglet for protests. The emotional imbalance of the ATM players is impressive.
ReplyDeleteLike their coach ;)
DeleteOk now things are getting slightly out of hand, Kovacs took far to long to distribute the Second YC!!
ReplyDeleteKovacs was already on holiday after CL final, it's clear.
ReplyDeleteTotally forgot it was a second YC, he is just surviving in this game, no interest at all about what he is doing, maybe understandable under a human point of view, more motivated referees at this moment of the season could have done better.
If anything, this should be seen as much higher status than Champions League in Europe. This is international. Europe is just one continent.
DeleteI think you'll have a very tough job convincing any Europeans (unless they work for Fifa) of that VG!
DeleteI agree with you. After refereeing a UCL final, the tendency is for the referee to relax in his performance on the pitch. Kovacs is refereeing more for fun than for commitment. Referees like Taylor and Makkelie need this Club World Cup to get back on their feet, while the Romanian is just in the hot tub.
DeleteDont know about the foul on GK,but 2 things;
ReplyDelete1.Too chaotic procedure in YC/RC.
2.Too emotional ATM players,they also need to work on their behaviour.
I missed the game. Was the VAR decision right?
ReplyDeleteA second game for Kovacs depends on the performance of the other referees TBH.
ReplyDeleteFeels like we're seeing more Uefa added time in this game. Goal, VAR disallowed goal, RC, cooling break, as well as the usual subs, 4mins seems light, as did the 3 in the first half. Hasn't felt like this in the other matches
ReplyDeleteWell, it wasn’t a total disaster. But I think it’ll be a while before Kovacs is seen in a Spanish stadium again. He seems scared of upsetting the PSG president
ReplyDeleteDisagree, that was exactly a disaster! Kovacs actually managed to replicate Czech-Turkey: eight very good bookings given, but still too chaotic an impression and not feeling in control of the game. Then, the minutes leading up to the SYC were really terrible - Mendes handball, sooo clear foul on Oblak, no idea that Lenglet already booked. Also two OFRs required, the first was a very blatant lapse in concentration. All told this was 7,7 // 4 stuff. In my opinion, it’s very clear that Kovacs won’t referee another game in this tournament.
Delete2nd VAR intervention. Handball
ReplyDeleteHow you can give that when the defender is 50cm away from the ball
ReplyDeleteDistance is no argument in this case, when a defender makes himself bigger, otherwise you could justify he can always make himself bigger if opponent is close. The concept is not that defender must see a possible shot before, but it is enough where his arms are, and he takes a risk.
Delete'Punishable handball, making his body bigger' at least some explanation in that announcement. Now, one could say close proximity, nothing he could do, but I think most countries would expect a penalty there
ReplyDeletePredictions MD2:
ReplyDeletePAL-AHL: Oliver (ENG) - Kawana-Waugh (NZL) - Bebek (CRO), Dankert (GER), del Cerro Grande (ESP)
MIA-POR: Falahi (QAT) - Sy (SEN) - Al Marri (QAT), Ming (CHN), Soto (VEN)
SEA-ATM: Beida (MTN) - Al Ali (UAE) - Evans (AUS), Mohammed (UAE), Ashour (EGY)
PSG-BOT: Taylor (ENG) - Barton (SLV) - Dieperink (NED), van Driessche (BEL), di Bello (ITA)
SLB-AKL: Benitez (PAR) - Valenzuela (VEN) - Soto (VEN), Gallo (COL), Gonzalez (URU)
FLA-CHE: Marciniak (POL) - Martinez (HON) - Kwiatkowski (POL), del Cerro Grande, Hernandez (both ESP)
LAF-EST: Letexier (FRA) - Zwayer (GER) - Brisard (FRA), di Bello (ITA), Dieperink (NED)
BAY-BOC: Fischer (CAN) - Ma (CHN) - Miranda, Pacheco (both MEX), Villareal (USA)
MSU-BVB: Falcon (ARG) - Ramos (MEX) - Mastrangelo (ARG), Gonzalez (URU), Soto (VEN)
INT-URD: Garay (CHI) - Mutaz (LBY) - Lara (CHI), Villareal (USA), Guzman (NCA)
FLU-UHD: Eskas (NOR) - Kawana-Waugh (NZL) - Hernandez (ESP), Bebek (CRO), Brisard (FRA)
RIV-CFM: Vincic (SVN) - Ndala (COD) - van Driessche (BEL), Dankert (GER), del Cerro Grande (ESP)
JUV-WAC: Barton (SLV) - Martinez (HON) - Pacheco (MEX), Miranda (MEX), Villareal (USA)
RMA-PAC: Sampaio (BRA) - Ma (CHN) - Gallo (COL), Ming (CHN), Mohammed (UAE)
SAL-HIL: Abatti (BRA) - Penso (USA) - Soto (VEN), El Fariq (MAR), Gonzalez (URU)
MCI-AIN: Sy (SEN) - Tejera (URU) - Ashour (EGY), Guzman (NCA), Lara (CHI)
I’d say:
DeletePALAHL- Taylor (ENG)
MIAPOR- Dahane (MTN)
SEAATM- Falcón (ARG)
PSGBOT- Barton (SLV)
BENAKL- Fischer (CAN)
BAYBOC- Letexier (FRA)
FLACHE- Falahi (QAT)
LAFEST- Vincic (SVN)
INTURW- Oliver (ENG)
RIVMON- Marciniak (POL)
MSUDOR- Garay (CHI)
FLUULS- Eskås (NOR)
JUVWYD- Martinez (HON)
MCIAIN- Benitez (PAR)
RMAPAC- Faghani (AUS)
SALHIL- Sy (SEN)
I'm ready to be proven wrong, but I think you guys are crazy to believe FIFA is going to trot out a low-profile name on Inter Miami v Porto.
DeleteQuite challenging first half for Martinez.
ReplyDeleteThe two YCs were rather soft, I think (not wrong, but no ideal starting cards - verbal warning would have been better).
Unfortunately, he didn't follow that line for similar or worse offences later on.
Also no reaction to dissent.
General foul detection is soft, but consistent.
A positive thing is, that he somehow seems to be in control of things - he gives a confident impression and seems to have some rapport with players.
I don’t like his style, it’s too intense and wants to be right on everything. His fitness is excellent but he needs to let it flow more. As you said he got himself in a tricky situation with the soft first yellow, having to balance it out and then not giving a mandatory one
DeleteAnd now compare this with Kovacs style.
DeleteKovacs technicaly probably better,but in terms of control Martinez did far better job.
And that's what matters.
Martinez tactical approach was just what the match needed, an in the early minutes strict referee, so players exactly know what was allowed and what not, good approach, with 2 very fast yellow cards, after that players didn't misbehave in a potential very hot game and was full under control by Martinez, he let the game flow a bit more, and players accepted his lead, match never got challenging for Martinez because he was strict all match, perfect refereeing for my taste!
DeleteDo someone know if the new GLT watch that they are wearing is the new version in white or if there is more technology in to it ?
ReplyDeleteWell I was wrong about the Seattle game being sold out. Going to be very interested to see what some of the upcoming midweek crowds look like.
ReplyDeleteThe reports say that Boca-Benfica is one of the sold out games…let’s see if it’s true
DeleteOff the ball incident leading to free kick before 1-0 by Botafogo, very good spot by Nyberg who managed to stay on the couple of players once ball had been already kicked.
ReplyDeleteReferee's camera: https://streambug.org/cv/f2df4b
Still about Kovacs game, before all the other major incidents, it was hugely discussed the possible YC or SPA for SPA or DOGSO in 23' of first half. In my opinion this was a correct decision by referee, no clear foul from one side, both running with open arms, but marginal contacts with opponents. It's incredible to point out how many sites reported this incident that is in my opinion nothing. Then, what about later, shifted all the focus....
ReplyDelete70' Nyberg started counting 5 seconds for the goalkeeper even though it was a goal kick, without the ball in play. Intentional management strategy, or a silly small mistake?
ReplyDeleteI thought about a more evident gesture, honestly, without a closer look, it could be that referee wanted indeed just to urge keeper and nothing more.
DeleteA bit of a general question: Are there any specific matches one should watch closely because they are interesting due to the fact that they will be officiated by referees who normally don't have problematic (European or Italian) teams? For example will Sampaio be capable to deal with Inter?
ReplyDeleteSampaio should have enough experience from CONMEBOL and domestic games with difficult teams...
DeleteIMO, Tantashev's game is the most interesting regarding the aspect, you mentioned.
Boca vs Benfica tonight with Ramos in charge. Talk about fireworks. And it's basically for 2nd place in the group.
DeleteYes, sure. But Ramos should be used to "problematic" teams and is one of the top names at the tournament given his WC experience.
DeleteI guess we have an answer now, lol
DeleteWhere are the referees based ? all of them gathered in only one location travelling through different time zones just for the match or splitted in several training centers ?
ReplyDeleteCollina said just "Miami" but I don't know more.
DeleteI think Ramos has very interesting game and with his lenient style this will be definitely be a challenge.
ReplyDeleteWho will referee ahli vs palmeras
ReplyDeleteHas this been discussed or covered anywhere?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/reel/1638741717529047
I think, that is more UB than VC nowadays (because it lacks brutality and/or actual harm to the victim) and therefore at least not clear enough for a VAR intervention.
DeleteSo IMO it's not (only) Messi bonus, but the expected decision for every player at this tournament.
...but obviously it was a missed YC
DeleteClear red card for violent conduct. Attempts to headbutt the opponent with excessive force.
DeleteFIFA Club World Cup 2025™
ReplyDeleteAppointments of match officials - Groups
Fluminense FC - Borussia Dortmund
Vidéo Assistant Referee: EVANS Shaun (AUS)
Assistant Vidéo Assistant Referee : MOHAMMED Obaid Khadim (UAE)
Support VAR : GUZMAN Tatiana (NCA)
CA River Plate - Urawa Red Diamonds
Vidéo Assistant Referee: DANKERT Bastian (GER)
Assistant Vidéo Assistant Referee : BEBEK Ivan (CRO)
Support VAR : EL FARIQ Hamza (MAR)
Ulsan HD - Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Vidéo Assistant Referee: BRISARD Jerome (FRA)
Assistant Vidéo Assistant Referee : DI BELLO Marco (ITA)
Support VAR : AL-MARRI Khamis (QAT)
CF Monterrey - FC Internazionale Milano
Vidéo Assistant Referee: GALLO Nicolas (COL)
Assistant Vidéo Assistant Referee : LARA Juan (CHI)
Support VAR : HERNANDEZ Alejandro (ESP)
Excited to see Cesar Ramos and Danny Makkelie today
ReplyDeleteWrong intervention for me. That was little more than nothing. But hard for Ramos to ignore once he’s at the screen
ReplyDeleteThere's leniency, and then there's Ramos.
ReplyDeleteI can't see games with this level of leniency like Ramos games...
ReplyDeleteThe unpunished blatant dissent is such a shame and continues to damage the image of the game, especially at this high of a level. The images at halftime were poor and shameful. I feel for Ramos but he must protect himself and the image of the game. I hope this is not a trend for this tournament but it isn’t looking good.
ReplyDeleteYeah, very hard to see this... But the fact that the players mob him and he does nothing...So lenient and shocking. In today's game to see this is very rare but yeah, I agree its a thing that one is getting used to seeing in this tournament. For Sure.
DeleteThis might be rare to you. That probably means that you only watch European football. South American football is like that all day. The refs are punching bags there and allow it.
DeleteYes, I focus my watch on European Football and International Football. To see a game specific to South American football is very rare for me, I only watched some finals. So yes, Im not used to seeing any of this, and its also one of the reasons that I said it was kind of a shock to see this—like, he really did nothing about it all game...
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteAs said before, Ramos is very, very lenient in this game, and he adopts a refereeing style with zero communication with the players... He just made decisions, whistled, and ran. About the game: very heated game, and so many players mobbing him in every decision he takes.. One is to dare to doubt if he is the kind of ref this game really needs. About the penalty and the OFR review, very hard to whistle the penalty live but in the monitor and with all the cameras and slow-mo its also hard to say NO to the penalty. So I think its an OK decision of the VAR to call Ramos and also as said before in this situation he is in a MUST situation of call a penalty kick in my opinion. Lets see how he manages the second half...
ReplyDeleteNo yc to Sanchez for exact same thing that Nyberg showed yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThen seconds later,blatant pull of the shirt,no yellow either.
Funny.
One thing is for sure;everything is allowed,and we criticized Kovacs for not allowing anything.
ReplyDeleteI have to say his style is far better than Ramos'.
Now RC for Belotti for sure,but this kind of mobbing and pressure and no reaction.wow.
ReplyDeleteWithout pressure by Argentinian team Ramos can't book any player.......
DeleteI just can’t comprehend how he had to go and look at the screen to give a red card, in my opinion I think he should of seen that serious foul play live, the foot was far far to high.
DeleteCome on guys, this is never a red card, no force on the contact. It's just yellow for high foot.
DeleteStraight leg, studs making contact with the head. I get it if the mode of contact is the top of the foot, but this is a clear red card. How much more force does there need to be?
DeleteI liked the first half, but the penalty increased the tension in the game. And his second half has been a lot worse. A lack of reaction to dissent is a poor image and he really should have spotted the RC without VAR. Now to see if he can control the Benfica players in the last 15 minutes…
ReplyDeleteI must say I disagree with you on one thing, I didn’t like the first half either haha
DeleteI feel like we've had several major World Cups/Euros in a row where the standard of officiating has been at its very highest. Then this tournament has arrived. Many performances that must be rejected.
ReplyDeleteAnd on dissent, despite feeling like Kovacs was already on holiday post UCL final, at least he still punished dissent. I can't imagine officials like Makkelie, the English, Zwayer (possibly all Uefa) will tolerate the same levels of dissent, regardless of any instructions/trends
Ok i understand your point of view, however we have to wait and observe as there has only been 7 games officiated so far, I agree a few of the performances have been on a lower level, but we need to be patient!!
DeleteWow,what a 2nd RC,very dangerous,studs up and there great decision .
ReplyDeleteBut still,we could say that he also influenced some of this.
Wow,what a 2nd RC,very dangerous,studs up and there great decision .
ReplyDeleteBut still,we could say that he also influenced some of this.
Always positive to see a RC given for SFP onfield... Not the hardest to spot, but well done all the same
ReplyDeleteDisgraceful from Boca 4’
Delete4 YC's ,3 RC's and it was still too little.
ReplyDelete+5, what a joke
ReplyDeleteAnd on top of all this 5 minutes added time.
ReplyDeleteVAR check 2 RC's,plenty time wasting,scuffles and only 5!??!?!
I do wonder if Fifa have changed their instructions. A few of the matches have felt rather light on added time, especially for what Fifa standards have been for the last year or two. Unless the officials just want this game over, and I can't say I blame them
DeleteRamos shouldn’t just be rejected, he should be banned for a long (long) time for the manner in which he has handled this game. Meanwhile in reality, it’s very likely he will continue into the later stages of the tournament 😅.
ReplyDeleteHopefully not 😅!
Delete+1. Very poor management of the game. Very lenient. Zero communication whatsoever. Poor decision making... One is very capable to say, «Go see Ramos in this game and take notes of what a ref cant really do».
DeleteIncredible level of refereeing, I can't remember a performance like this... At WC!
ReplyDeleteAnd cherry on top,stopping Benfica's counter attack.😀😀😀😀
ReplyDeleteI agree with comment above,he will for sure get another match cause either side cant complain,they both got dealt bad ref tonight.
But serious problem with Fifa and how they handle appoitments knowing Ramos's history with Portugal and to have him handle this match.
1st half was surviving and he was somehow good.
But 2nd half was drowning and only great decision that he took was RC to Figal.
Timewasting, mobbing,dangerous foul and he reacted only when it was too late.
As you say it couldn’t have got any worse and then it did, blowing on a counter!! I’m speechless!
DeleteFriendly reminder that the only reason Ramos attended WC22 to begin with is that FIFA tried every other Mexican they could during the cycle and ALL of them got rejected after disastrous performances in their respective tournaments (Fernando Guerrero in U20WC 2019, Adonai Escobedo in U17WC 2019, Fernando Hernández in FIFA Arab Cup), they were visibly desperate to get a new/better name from Mexico and still had to bring Ramos to Qatar due to lack of alternatives.
DeleteHeck, even in this cycle FIFA tried Marco "El Gato" Ortiz in U20WC 2023, who didn't convince either (sent home after GS) and is now serving a 6-month suspension by Concacaf for asking Messi an autograph after the final whistle of an Inter Miami game.
Ramos and his performance is just the image that current Mexican refereeing projects and deserves.
Festival from Ramos tonight. Not in a good way obviously. Two OFRs for crystal clear situations, a third one would've happened for a sooooo obvious PK missed for reckless challenge if not for an offside before, zero reaction against mobbing, UB pushings, confrontations and so on. I'd say he lost control, but this would imply he had it at some point.... The mark should be <7.0 really.
ReplyDeleteGenuinely asking, is this the best Mexico has to offer ? I can't believe such a terrible referee is unchallenged by his countrymen at FIFA level. I'd rather have Fernando Hernandez on the FoP even if he might kneel another player, that says everything about Ramos !
I really hope that we do not have to talk about Ramos at the World Cup next year. There definitely are better refs in Mexico. His time should be over now. If the philosophy of a referee is just his own survival on the field he us at the wrong place there.
ReplyDeleteOk, so we had 1 penalty—1 OFR 45 MIN. 1 red card to Belotti 75 MIN - 1 OFR. 1 red card to Figal—whistled live. About the penalty, as I said before, its really hard to have the urge to see that and whistle for a penalty, but in OFR with the monitor and all the cameras, its hard to say NO to the penalty. So for me OK decision. About the OFR to Belotti, its in a sense the same, but if he whistles foul and gives the red card live, no one is dared to say no, so I think it was very poor management giving only the yellow live. About the last red card to Figal, for me, it was an absolutely correct decision, but one can really say what is going to be an isolated correct decision against the game we all saw. About the game, the first card being issued at 66' is at the very least scandalous. I have never seen a game with this kind of leniency from the ref and the 10.000 mobs of the players that occur—it was crazy and shocking. Every decision he whistles = mob. + He's done nothing about it. The expected additional time was, at the very least, 10 min—he gave 5 min. I dare everyone to go see the 60'-66' min of the game and enjoy it... It summarizes what all are saying before about the time-wasting in this game. I dont expect Ramos to officiate any other game whatsoever, and one is likely to say, "What is really an 'elite level !?'..." after watching this performance… Anyhow, Im now going to see Team Makkellie Masterclass, which Im super excited to see, Im going to take a deep breath and forget everything I've seen about Cesar Ramos... and fortunately learn and enjoy from my fav Team by far.
ReplyDeleteBoca Juniors vs Benfica
ReplyDelete3'potential penalty on Di Maria,reckles tackle?
11'flashpoint Merentiel with full barge towards Di Maria
17'late foul,kick towards Sanches
23'late foul,clear YC missed,also kicking the ball onto the oppoent
34'late foul by BEN #8,potential YC?
38' Sanches vs Velasco,pretty big flashpoint,2 YC's for both of them would have solved problem
43'penalty after var,no reaction to mobbing
1H end,5 players around Ramos ,including Boca GK-no reaction
56'blatant pushing by Sanches without ball,nothing was given-yesterday Nyberg showed YC for exactly the same
61'possible YC,that foul led to injury of Boca player
65'GK Boca suddenly has injury when his team needed to make subs
66'first YC,disrespecting substitution procedure
68'YC,but given what he has missed or not given..Benfica had every right to be angry
70'YC changed to a RC..5 Boca players running towards Ramos-no reaction
76'potential penalty,reckless challenge on Pavlidis
83'corner scuffle,only Pavlidis gets YC..Could have shown one more to Boca player for holding him some time
84'stopping Boca players from going to Otamendi for excessive celebration I guess
85'correct yc
88'correct RC
5 minutes of added time too little,even stopped Benfica's counter attack.
After he blows for end of the match-deja vu-only this time Benfica players are surrounding him.
Maybe there was more,but this was enough I think.
Good half for Makkelie. Certainly had the most expressive and clearest gestures of anyone so far, always in control, as you'd expect. 2 correct YCs, in a normal difficulty first half
ReplyDeleteFIFA losing trusted referees left and right with their poor performances. Or at least they should be.
ReplyDeleteSo, the First Half finished in Makkelie's game. It was a typical performance of Team Makkelie, in a super fit game for them. Im biased since I tend to adopt his refereeing style in my games, but overall nice management of the first half, two correct YC showed to Esperance Tunis and his typical gestures are always present that we know and we all are used to—hands always very up, — it was a first half of crystal clear refereeing, so for me it was good, an expected first half from him.
ReplyDeleteI'm watching Boca vs Benfica late. I have to say it's everything I expected when I saw the referee assignment: recklessly lenient officiating that makes for a game that *is* really fun to watch(!!!), but is de-facto very out of control, or to be more exact, it feels like the referee isn't even trying to control it. Say what you will about Ramos, but you know what you're getting when he's got the whistle.
ReplyDeleteAgainst the context of the rest of the match, the penalty in the 39th minute feels very unjust to me, because Ramos would never give a foul like that in the midfield. VAR creates an unusual situation where the threshold for a foul is bizarrely *lower* in the penalty area, because the VAR is forced to look at facts and video evidence rather than live in Ramos's fantasy world where nothing is a foul if a player can still use all four limbs.
+1
DeleteDid I read that there were only 5 minutes of added time in the second half?? There was a span of two injuries / substitutions by Boca from 60:30 to 66:00 for which the game was stopped for 5 minutes during that span alone! I cannot believe how short the added time is. It's safe to say FIFA has, sadly, dropped their previous instruction. If it's like this, it really gives a green light for teams like Boca to waste time in this way. They're rewarded for it! Wholly unacceptable calculation of added time.
DeleteYeah for sure smala. As I said before, and many of us: I must dare everyone to see the 60' to 66' minutes...and everything will be clear for everyone
DeletePlus a 3.5-minute-stoppage on the review for the first SFP, not to even mention other substitutions / cautions / goal stoppages... The added time was very inadequate.
DeleteThe SFP in the 88th minute is a very good reaction by all 3 nearby match officials (and shoutout to 4th official Barton, who had a lot to do and was very proactive all game). However, it's impossible to escape the suggestion that this very dangerous challenge may not have happened if the referee didn't permit such a wild style of play from the very beginning.
In spite of everything that was bad, Ramos did also show in this match that he *does* have talent. He knows very well when players are exaggerating to try to con him (though, unfortunately, he doesn't do anything to specifically discourage the behavior), his line for foul selection was astronomically high but consistent (other than the penalty), and I actually thought he had very good reactions when something did rise to the level of a caution for reckless (though he completely disregarded the idea of cautioning anyone for dissent, delaying the restart, failing to respect the distance, simulation, etc). The duality of man...
In summary, this game is exactly what you expect from Ramos in international competition. He has the ability to be a very good referee, yet chooses not to, and for some reason FIFA seems to like that.
What the heck was with that substitution in the 73rd-74th minute of Flamengo-Esperance? Some big argument between the match officials and the Flamengo team officials about whether or not to allow a sub, I think? Makkelie even ran all the way over to help sort it out (and didn't look like he treated Ma Ning with a lot of courtesy in doing so...).
ReplyDelete+1…interesting situation, maybe last time that Ning is in Makkelie’s team? ;)
DeleteSo much confusion, so both teams were ready to make the substitutions, but when Makkelie signaled to FO to make the substitutions, they didn't want anything to do with it, and both teams played the misunderstood game. Tunis didnt want to do it straight away, but Flamengo did it reluctantly, and one substitution was done successfully. But then...I dont know what happened, at very least, one can say it was a bizzare way of doing a second substitution Haha.
DeleteHaha For Sure Diego. If there's one thing Makkelie doesnt like, its this type of FO, confused and in a way, detached of the job he needs to do...
DeleteI think none of us would like to have a fourth referee a little confused... nothing against Ning! But he looked a little bad, more when Makkelie approached and grabbed Ning's arm that he had raised pointing to something and immediately lowered it in a not so nicely way...
DeleteSo final whistle in Makkelie's game. I like the word, expected, to define his performance. Typical performance of his team and we all know his style and the way he likes to be on the FoP. The game fit them well in a sense. He was assertive, acted promptly, naturally, always with his singular characteristic gestures that we all know... and was basically proactive all game. So, good watch, nothing new in this matter. I liked it. About the 'unique' substitution, I just rewatched it, and I laughed so much. Like, when Makkelie knows that the FO is just so detached from what he is doing and he just runs to him, like as if they didnt have the intercom and in this way shows the whole stadium that the problem is from the FO, that he cant do is job properly, is so classic Makkelie Haha... as of now, he is probably trying to get Nagtegaal assigned to his Team to be the FO ;)
ReplyDeleteNo words on Ramos. Better that I was sleeping and not watching that game,. it's incredible. Once somebody could have criticized even Marco Rodriguez, but if you take a look at Ramos you must say that somebody should feel very sorry for Mexico. There are many other referees better than him.
ReplyDeleteChecked the scene you reported in Makkelie game in 74', surely a mismanagement by fourth official, too long time and not clear what team wanted to do with substitutions. Makkelie managed also the fourth official, stopping him from being rather aggressive, that's something you rarely see, an extremely interesting scene. Another referee would have waited passively even for a very long time.
Do you think he will get another game?
DeleteI personally think yes cause I dont think that Fifa cares so much about all the decisions,they only care that no side is damaged and with his decisions no side can say they were damaged.
Maybe Boca and harsh penalty,but no more.
Logically,2 VAR's should be his mistakes,but we dont look at that like we used to before.
And to top it all,5 minutes of added time is ridicoulous, atleast 8 should have been added.
Yes, I agree, that there is a decent possibility for another game for him.
DeleteBut it should also depend on the other CONCACAF referees. If they perform quite well, Ramos might not be needed.
And it also depends on how strict FIFA will continue with confederation neutrality.
Just watched Makkelie’s game. I’m not his biggest fan but that was very good, in control throughout. The scene with the 4th is typical of him though, and not particularly nice. Could have been managed better
ReplyDeletehttps://www.streambug.io/cv/ab2a0d
DeleteMartin Tyler seems to catch it quite well. It looks like Ma Ning accuses Flamengo of getting the paperwork wrong, and doesn't want to allow them the second change before the freekick is taken - which is quite important, because had they made the change after play restarted, they would have used their third and final 'sub window' and wouldn't be allowed to make any more substitutions later on. So this was a very delicate moment and Makkelie was right to step in and sort it out himself. Then, what the he did in physically interfering with the Chinese reserve official doesn't exude 'respect for my colleague' but in the end, one isn't at these tournaments to make friends, and so on. Being fed information at hugely important tournaments in broken English (youtu.be/fMYilwEy5OQ) is surely very stressful and I think it is understandable that a main ref in the middle of refereeing a quite difficult game would crack up a bit. I didn't manage to watch the whole match in huge detail but for what my view is worth, would agree with your resume of very good + in control throughout.
I share Mikael opinion. Makkelie intervened to prevent a possible escalation of the tones used by fourth official, this is very rare and I'm convinced other referees would have never done that. Really liked this management, it means the man in the middle is interested in what is happening, differently from a classic scene where you see the referee waiting without doing nothing, even with such incident on the benches. Now, you can read this incident surely as minor one, but I agree, the Dutch did well in doing so. As for the rest, I didn't watch game, but it looks like a regular performance.
Delete@Mikael with the reference and link to Ma Ning presentation video for 2022 WC, you confirm once again your excellent preparation concerning international refereeing, one must admit that!