Appointments of match officials at 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Quarterfinals.
Friday 4 July 2025, 21:00 CET
Camping World Stadium, Orlando
Fluminense (BRA) - Al Hilal (KSA)
Referee: Danny Makkelie NED
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries NED
Fourth Official: Said Martinez HON
Fifth Official:Walter Lopez HON
Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jerome Brisard FRA
Support Video Assistant Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Referee: Alireza Faghani IRN / AUS
Assistant Referee 1: Anton Shchetinin AUS
Assistant Referee 2: Ashley Beecham AUS
Fourth Official: Ilgiz Tantashev UZB
Fifth Official: Andrey Tsapenko UZB
Video Assistant Referee: Khamis Al Marri QAT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Shaun Evans AUS
Support Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
Saturday 5 July 2025, 18:00 CET
Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Paris Saint Germain (FRA) - Bayern München (GER) Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Referee: Anthony Taylor ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn ENG
Fourth Official: Glenn Nyberg SWE
Fifth Official: Andreas Söderkvist SWE
Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Support Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzman NCA
Saturday 5 July 2025, 22:00 CET
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Real Madrid (ESP) - Borussia Dortmund GER) MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Referee: Ramon Abatti BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Danilo Manis BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Alves BRA
Fourth Official: Cristián Garay CHI
Fifth Official: José Retamal CHI
Video Assistant Referee:Nicolas Gallo COL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Pacheco MEX
Support Video Assistant Referee: Juan Lara CHI
Psg vs bayern munich cesar artur ramos
ReplyDeleteReal madrid vs dortmund christian garay
My expectations
July
ReplyDeleteIf Makkelie in Flu-AlHilal, maybe:
ReplyDeletePSG vs Bayern: Eskas
Real vs BVB: Oliver
Eskås wasn’t good at all in LAFC-Esperance and he has 3 games as fourth official in a row so…i don’t think so.
DeleteMy prediction on finals
ReplyDeleteOliver/Ramos
Perfect game for Makkelie in a Qf. W FIFA
ReplyDeleteI think That Walter Lopes is from Guatemala . No from Honduras
ReplyDeletePleased to see Makkelie on duty. Collina is Collina, meritocracy still has some place. Faghani was predictable, but IMO somehow he's protected. Why not send him to UEFA clash? If Al Hilal going home and signs of Collina’s favoritism are arising, IMO Faghani would have his chance to get 4th assignment. My predictions: I expect Taylor in RMABVB and Cesar Ramos in PSGFBM (difficult to find another name if not broke neutrality and R16 repeated like Tello). Beida is another name but would be landmark assignment if he get a UEFA clash in his "debut".
ReplyDeleteWalter lopez is am assistant referee from Honduras and Walter Lopes is a Guatemala referee. Sorry
ReplyDeleteBoth heated matches. Marcos Leonardo (Al Hilal) use to score agains't Fluminense while he was playing at Santos.
ReplyDeletePalmeiras with a terrible record with Chelsea and a trauma after they lost the Intercontinental Cup 2021.
Makkelie with a good tournament, while it's now clear that there was all Collina's focus on Faghani, expected to have this path in all cases, unless extremely poor performances. Many things were planned before the start of the tournament, it's very hard to understand how much technical assessment has been made. For example, the referee from UZB, at the end of his experience, given the FO role with Faghani, could have definitely got another game. He performed similarly, I will not say better, but at least on a similar level to Faghani, but you have Faghani ahead. That's how it seems FIFA works.
ReplyDeleteAbout the other two games, now it becomes difficult for Beida, nevertheless, having to make a choice between the two, I would see him rather in Real - Borussia, than the other with Bayern and PSG.
This would be an oustanding assignment, but at this point I rather think it will not happen (wishing that I'm wrong). The sad thing would be to see Ramos in one of those games, and we can be definitely afraid that it will happen.
But if Faghani and Tantashev performed on the same level, it is quite logical to give Faghani the bigger assignments, because he is far ahead in terms of experience and reputation. Nothing wrong about that IMO.
Delete(1) Why hasn’t VAR/AVAR/SVAR been announced yet?
ReplyDelete(2) Why have the above appointments not yet been published on the FIFA website?
PSG vs BM Beida
ReplyDeleteRMD vs BVB Abatti
Am I the only one assuming that, in case of Inter-City quarter-final, Turpin would have been the natural choice over Makkelie?
ReplyDeleteAnd that the unexpected Fluminense–Al Hilal fixture may have “forced” a reshuffle in the FIFA’s plans?
Your opinion could be correct. I agree
DeleteCollina is well-known for carefully matching refereeing styles to the nature of each game. Turpin’s laid-back approach is likely not ideal for a fixture like Fluminense vs Al Hilal—especially considering there are several Brazilians in the Saudi side.
DeleteI expect Makkelie will be facing a very(!) challenging match and needs to be on top of his level.
I actually think Faghani might have been on Fluminense-City, should that have come to fruition. And Al-Hilal advancing prompted the scramble there.
DeleteIf meritocracy truly prevails, Ramos should be out. Beida should get PSGBAY and Turpin RMABVB.
ReplyDeleteMy predictions:
ReplyDeletePSG vs Bayern: Eskas/Nyberg
Real vs BVB: Oliver
Fluminense - Al Hilal vs Palmeiras / Chelsea: Letexier/Turpin
PSG/Bayern vs Real/BVB: Tello
Final: Marciniak
IMO all 4th official referees in 1/8 have just been out as main referee at this tournament. Final for sure no for Marciniak, Taylor or Valenzuela because all of them have World Club Final in their CV.
DeleteI think believing that FIFA will treat previous CWCs the same as this one is wrong. It is the same tournament in name, but not in practice. In prior situations, you essentially had referees pre-assigned with maybe a 50/50 chance for two referees in the final, based on who progressed. In some situations, the referees for the latter matches arrived late to the tournament, in fact. It wasn't like this with a full-month tournament and a base camp and multiple assignments for (most) referees.
DeleteNot to say one of those referees WILL get the final (I still think Oliver is the favorite if Chelsea are eliminated). But I definitely think they can.
My dear friends, I know we are discussing the refereeing schedules for this Club World Cup, but let us not forget to turn our thoughts to the family of Diogo Jota, a Liverpool and Portuguese national team player, who lost his life prematurely in a car accident in Spain along with his brother. Our condolences to his family and friends.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteAgree, completely devastating. 🕊️
DeleteRight ! our thoughts and condolences for this human tragedy
Delete🇪🇸 Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund 🇩🇪
ReplyDeleteA: Ramon Abatti 🇧🇷
🇫🇷 Paris Saint-Germain vs FC Bayern München 🇩🇪
A: Anthony Taylor 🏴
Source: ArbitroInternacional
I don't I understand appointment of Anthony taylor who does officiate any big match in this either champions league or europe league
ReplyDeleteTaylor isn’t a consistent performer: sometimes good and sometimes bad, often careless. You never know what to expect from him.
DeleteI genuinely don’t think anyone predicted Taylor and Makkelie to feature in a quarter-final - not before the tournament, and not during it either. I haven’t watched their performances. Are their appointments based on meritocracy? Or could this be a case of “compensation”, perhaps due to their declining reputations within UEFA? Or are there doubts about their inclusion for World Cup 2026, and are they now being tested? Age might also be a factor.
ReplyDeleteTaylor surprises me in particular, considering UEFA kept him away from high-profile fixtures for an entire season after Spain–Germany. And now suddenly he’s in charge of PSG–Bayern in a quarter-final. Remarkable.
Has there been any official confirmation yet of referees who’ve already been sent home? Normally, during World Cups, that kind of news doesn’t stay under wraps for long, does it?
I am not surprised at all. Makkelie did not have a very bad season - like some of the contributers here wanna make us believe -, for dubious reasons he only did nog get any appointments in UEFA KO stage competitions. But that has noting to do with FIFA. At CWC he was good so a KO match is perfectly normal.
DeleteTaylor was not bad either at CWC and is a very experienced referee, so why not appoint him in KO-stage?
I think, before the tournament all UEFA referees except maybe Eskas and Nyberg had relatively equal chances for a QF appointment. Some like Taylor and Makkelie more due to their big experience, some like Kovacs, Letexier and Vincic more due to recent achievements. I would have considered none of them a surprise - actually even for a SF or the final.
DeleteFor me Abatti is more surprising, because I had seen Sampaio, Tello and Valenzuela clearly ahead of him.
And I am still surprised, that they didn't give Abatti the R16 and Sampaio the QF game.
It seems obvious to me that Collina is being remorseful for what he did to Makkelie and Taylor in 2022, making them stay until the end and have nothing, and he is trying to make up for it now.
ReplyDeleteTurpin is probably saying goodbye to the competition with just 2 games, while others below him play 3 games!
ReplyDeleteImo he still can get a SF if PSG is in the other one
Delete"Below"? What’s your justification then, or is it just a subjective assessment (simply favoritism)? I’m not against Turpin, he’s a great referee and many of the games he led were flawless, but iinm he got 1 OFR in the Ulsan match, so I wonder what your justification to "below"?
DeleteIf there is a BAY-RMA/BVB semifinal, he seems to be the most obvious solution, I think - unless they want to give that game to a CONMEBOL referee, of course.
DeleteWell at least we didn't see Ramos here, but maybe in SF :) (hopefully not). I don't know why many fans even referee enthusiast "hate" or didn't like Taylor at all. IMO he still great referee with great experiences and still "deserved" to get PSGFBM with his performance so far.
ReplyDeleteOr Ramos is saved for the final ;-)
DeleteAll CONCACAF teams are out.
I think we will see Ramos, Fischer or once again Barton in one of last three matches as main referee and Beida, but only as 4th ;) I can't imagine that Concacaf and Africa could be completely out at this KO stage.
DeleteI also somehow think, that CONCACAF needs to get another game.
DeleteOn the other hand, FIFA didn't care too much about satisfying all confederations at the last WCs with no AFC and no CAF referee in the KO stage in 2022 and only UEFA and CONMEBOL referees from the QF on in 2018.
Another observation from those WCs is the preference to give SFs to referees without previous KO games - which would be an argument for Ramos and Turpin here.
All jokes aside, they might choose to grant CONCACAF the final. Right? On paper, that would appear logical, given that there is guaranteed to be one UEFA team in the final, facing either a non-UEFA opponent (3-in-4 chance) or Chelsea (1-in-4 chance).
DeleteIn the semi-final, we can most likely expect Tello. Another possibility would be a UEFA referee for the final, with Ramos handling the semi-final—though I would personally prefer Barton. In that case, I echo usaref’s comment that Oliver stands a strong chance of being selected for the final. He is in excellent form; nevertheless, English clubs represent a recurring obstacle. In my view, Michael Oliver also deserved the 2025 UEFA Champions League final. Kovács is a very good referee, but three finals in four years gives the impression that the Romanian stands head and shoulders above the rest—which, in reality, is not the case.
Surely Faghani is a name for the final from AFC, CONMEBOL atm didn't have strong name, CONCACAF and CAF also. Ramos for the final surely a nightmare for football and also for Collina for FWC next year. Atm IMO even when Brazilian vs UEFA team on the final, the referee should be Faghani or a UEFA referee with FO could be Ramos :), simply this is first CWC that's "like FWC", so you must make landmark appointment, but a name like Abatti or Beida for the final could be a landmark too.
DeleteOh I forgot Tello :) He was strong enough to get the final.
DeletePalmeiras vs Chelsea FC
ReplyDeleteVidéo Assistant Referee: AL-MARRI Khamis (QAT)
Assistant Vidéo Assistant Referee : EVANS Shaun (AUS)
Support VAR : DANKERT Bastian (GER)
Fluminense FC vs Al Hilal
Vidéo Assistant Referee: DIEPERINK Rob (NED)
Assistant Vidéo Assistant Referee : BRISARD Jerome (FRA)
Support VAR : DEL CERRO GRANDE Carlos (ESP)
Hopefully this time Faghani passed the final test with another Qatari "Al Marri" :)
DeleteBrisard is from France
ReplyDeleteA few Al Hilal players and coaches approaching Makkelie when the cooling break was called. Not exactly sure what their problem is? 2 correct YCs so far and nothing else to report
ReplyDeleteThe amount of dissent with that penalty call and also after the change to drop ball. Insane image for the game.
ReplyDeleteWonder if all the people commenting on how UEFA refs deal "so much better" with dissent and mobbing have watched the last 5 min of this game. The reality is we all have implicit bias and the way dissent is being handled in this match is no different than all the referees who were criticized on this blog.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteWe'll Makkelie is also one of a kind.
DeleteYou cant tell me that refs like Zwayer,Siebert or Letexier are not better in dealing with mobbing rather than Ramos,anyone from CONCACAF or Tello or anyone from CONMEBOL.
Well*
DeleteWhen faced with a scenario that doesn't fit your narrative. You move the goal post to suite your narrative. It's all good, we see right through your bias. The truth of the matter is that all referees have shown to be absolute trash in regard to dealing with dissent.
DeleteGoing from a tripping foul live to "normal football contact" after review is puzzling to me...? Is it or is it not a foul? Is the fact that the attacker may not get the ball here important? Anyone care to explain/expand?
ReplyDeleteI agree with his explanation, I don't see the why "normal football contact" isn't satisfactory for you. If there is no tripping action from the defender, then we can say the players collided in a way that's normal in football, and therefore no foul was committed.
DeleteIn my opinion the call by Makkelie was not clear and obvious mistake, once called, you can read careless action by defender, I disagree with the VAR intervention and I would have supported the choice. Indeed the fact that attacker couldn't reach the ball, doesn't matter for a foul.
DeleteIn football there are some ouls and contacts that are grey area...
DeleteAll cant be black and white...
This grey area is more no penalty than penalty and that's why hewqs called.
If that decision was held,than soft penalty would have been called.
With replays,we see it's more no penalty than penalty.
That's why this is right decision.
But we saw that grey area was supported for way less,so I also dont understand var interv.
DeleteI agree with Chefren. Its not a situation for VAR
Delete@wzy3 I think for VAR purposes, once a defender collides on attacker, you can't deny the call by referee. Even if not a trip but just an action from behind. We have definitely too many nuances with VAR, it's impossible in my opinion to think that all these decisions should be always black or white ones...
DeleteAgreed with your comments. My point is that if you are going to overturn with VAR, the explanation of "normal contact" is the only suitable explanation to give, otherwise it makes no sense.
DeleteI agree with most that's been said. It probably was more of a normal football contact than foul. But there are arguments for a tripping foul, and I don't see the referee's call either way being a clear error so was surprised the VAR got involved. Again, the referee being able to speak clear English helps everyone understand the reasons
DeleteThis is normal football contact and i think overturn is the correct call here. Not every contact is a foul.
DeleteThanks all I guess I agree with @Chefren & @Oliver around it not being clear & obvious to overturn.
ReplyDeleteI often repeat this on the blog, and I want to write it once again: when VAR is used for penalty decisions, in my opinion, it no longer makes sense. There are too many nuances, most of the time, we are not dealing with a clear and obvious error. Just look at today’s match in the Women’s Euro as well. Do we really need VAR to step in for penalty calls? I think it’s time to reflect. The tool is powerful, but the way it’s currently used in top-level football, it often becomes the referee’s viewpoint on the field against the VAR’s idea. It should never be like that. Let alone the different use UEFA - FIFA, just to mention something else, unacceptable, what should a fan think?
ReplyDeleteOf course there are the true clear and obvious mistake, like a handball that never existed, or a simulation without contact, but the rest?
I agree on your point that too many OFRs happen without a clear error has been made.
DeleteWe should remember why VAR was implemented: Too stop these very clear, devastating mistakes. Not to remove penalties that you can give or can not give and nothing changes.
I agree that VAR is only useful when it actually focuses on the real, clear mistakes.
However, I think it is no possibility to remove VAR or, as you suggest, to stop VAR getting involved in PAIs.
In modern football, very big mistakes related to (often crucial) penalties are simply unacceptable and there needs to be a way to correct them, since they can happen all the time, no matter which referee is involved
How you can say its clear or not about any moment ... For example about this one if we show that moment any seminar every referee will say it is play on ... So what does it mean? It is clear 🙃
DeleteVAR has problems because the laws of the game is not followed. Especially never law 12. If you would go strictly by law 12 then all holdings, pushes, kicks etc would be called. This problem will never go away because players simulate and refs don't enforce the laws as they are written.
Delete@Chefren:
DeleteI don't totally agree with your thoughts, but you're absolutely right on a key point: VAR was introduced to correct a clear error of the referee.
This is equivalent to saying that the referee has black-listed an event that was actually white, and VAR calls him back to show him that is clearly white.
When we are in the gray area, we are in the realm of interpretations: and that of the VAR can never claim to correct that of the referee. For the simple reason that we are not in the realm of "clear error" but of a different interpretation (perhaps legitimate, but always questionable).
Imo that should be a penalty for foul on Koulibaly. There is mutual holding initially but only before the corner is taken, but I can accept no intervention
ReplyDeleteAgree
DeleteWow very interesting simulation decision
ReplyDeleteDefinitely exaggerated reaction from koulibaly but never a simulation.
DeleteYou could argue for a penalty there
There was the possiblity of contact, but the way he went down in no way matched that contact. Strong and correct from Makkelie
DeleteI agree with simulation, and should be 2YC after missed reckless tackle earlier where Makkelie played advantage
DeleteHe is clearly kicked in the back of the leg. I have never seen this given as simulation despite the reaction to the foul not matching the contact.
Delete100% simulation
DeleteWhat a last couple of minutes with Coulibaly and Makkelie as main protagonists.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen that referee is hit at a shot on the goal. Very bad positioning from Makkelie. Also bad positioning at the wrong penalty decision.
ReplyDeleteYou have never seen it? Look at this great save: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qruhGfyKENc
DeleteHow would you rate makkelie’s game overall.. caught the last 15 mins and was quite shaky
ReplyDeletePluses and Minuses
DeleteDisciplinary control was solid, a well-balanced selection of cards.
However, foul detection and positioning were not flawless.
The decision to cancel the penalty after the OFR was, in my opinion, absolutely correct. It wasn’t a clear-cut foul, and I’m not sure why Makkelie awarded it live. He wasn’t in a good position.
The behaviour of the Al-Hilal players was quite bizarre. I’m curious how Kovács would have handled the constant dissent. I thought the yellow card for simulation near the end was a strong call. Otherwise, it would’ve just given Al-Hilal more ammunition to use against him.
Koulibaly was being held during a corner—that could’ve been a penalty. I think VAR stayed silent because it was a mutual holding.
Makkelie was clear in his signals and proactive. The match didn’t get out of hand, but I still think the Dutchman is capable of delivering a much better performance—especially when it comes to foul selection and positioning.
The Portuguese players of Al Hilal made several major errors—perhaps not entirely surprising, as their minds seemed elsewhere :(
But naturally, no blame will fall on them; they would rather blame a referee for their loss (of course).
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteGiven the initial 15 minutes of instability, I can't be sure that this was a perfect performance by Makkelie because it wasn't.
ReplyDeleteNotes: The cameras didn't catch it, but a reporter said he saw the Al-Hilal goalkeeper push Makkelie after he protested vehemently at the end of the match.
*end
ReplyDeleteIt’s unfortunate to say, but Danny Makkelie performance has significantly declined. It’s now clearer than ever why the UEFA Referee Committee has opted to assign high profile matches to other referees like Irfan Peljto, Sandro Schärer, and Felix Zwayer instead of him. Despite his experience, Makkelie appeared to lack the confidence needed to take control of the game. His body language was unconvincing, and he often made situations more complicated than necessary.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s more concerning is the lack of communication and assertiveness on the field. He failed to establish authority, allowing players especially from Al Hilal to constantly argue his key decisions. His overall match management was poor, and I truly believe that even a referee like Tori Penso would have handled the game more effectively.
Lastly, regarding the incident involving Koulibaly, I agree with the decision to issue a yellow card for simulation, as the player clearly exaggerated the level of contact. Still he's entire performance did not reflect the standard expected of a FIFA referee at the highest level.
He wasn’t that bad… Don't exaggerate.
DeleteIt’s not an exaggeration. He was well below his usual standards, and that was disappointing. We’ve seen him at his best but this game he was nowhere near that.
DeleteFor me even a clear exaggeration! Some strongs and some weaker aspects in my view, agreeing with some other bloggers before me. The Ofr, the central positioning at the shot on goal, the massive protests could have been handled differently.
DeleteBut the exact points you mention as (very) weak I consider (really) strong. I did see an assertive, pro-active referee. I did see convincing body language and I did see control of the match.
So the one thing that is ultimately clear is that we have very different views tonight :)
How dare you...... Makkelie had an incredible game and you're clearly trying to bring him down for no reason. Name one thing he didn't do to absolute perfection in this game.
Delete
ReplyDeleteMy opinion is completely different: Makkelie's performance was good, very good indeed; expecially for FIFA standard according to Collina stile.
He handled the disciplinary profile with personality and confidence, proving to be calm and attentive, without exaggerating in protagonism.
He wisely read the key moments of the match, including the dissent (to be valued absolutely standard in QF, to be clear)..
An imperfect positioning led him into error on the occasion of the penalty, rightly modified by the VAR. Was it a mistake for Makkelie? Yes, it is. But VAR has been introduced exactly for that: to correct a mistake. Anyway an OFR doesn’t do modify the global level of his performance, largely confirmed by a simply perfect YC for simulation in the overtime.
Finally, my personal rating is 8.50
+1, he was very good on the disciplinary side—(as for faults…) good movements and nice advantages as always, and we know him by that, but The performance was a little tarnished by the OFR unfortunately...
DeleteI agree, a flawless performance yet again from "Makk". Handled every situation with great calmness, grace and the confidence you only see in the very best referees. I get goosebumps watching him cautioning a player, because no one does it quite like him. I think you wrote the wrong rating, more accurate is 9.5
DeleteWhy the persistent sarcasm? It’s annoying. The blog comments are quite balanced this time. I don’t see any Makkelie-fans being overly defensive.
DeleteI've seen most of Makkelie's games over the last 4 years. 2 things stood out in this performance: the permissiveness and the OFR. As you said, he was lenient, which coming from him there's no way to explain, as he very rarely is. I wonder if there were indications (meetings) for everyone at this World Cup to be like this (?) lol. It was very strange, we very rarely see him like that. He's one of those who doesn't accept it when players mob him and often warns one or more of them in an «authoritarian way». I dont know what happened in this game, but in this respect he wasn't his «normal’» self. As for The OFR, as we know he's one of those who really hates being called to the monitor and it was very strange that he agreed with the VAR's decision, he's normally very safe and when he whistle something he stands by his decision and seeing the play, I would never have thought that he would change his decision. In short, two very unusual actions from what we know of Makkelie… Very difficult to explain for those of us who watch all his games
ReplyDeleteMaybe he was aware of Portuguese players on the field, who knew Diogo Jota, and didn’t want to punish players who were already very emotional. Any dissent cautions would have created more problems than it solved
DeleteThat's such a poor excuse. What's the excuse for all of the other dissent we've seen throughout the tournament?
DeleteI’m thinking from Makkelie’s perspective, who is usually quite hard on dissent. Not referring to other games
DeleteIt almost has to be a deliberate policy from FIFA. They clearly don’t want to strip all emotion from the game.
DeleteIf dissent were high on FIFA’s agenda, they’d release bodycam footage to help tackle it.
No one is trying to "strip all emotion from the game."
DeleteBut the unhinged and animalistic "emotion" (dissent) should not be directed at the referees. Nor should it be tolerated by the referees.
Well. If you intend to implement the UEFA approach, good luck with the South American, Mexican, and Arab teams. It would represent a 180-degree shift for them. They’re not accustomed to it, as such standards are not enforced locally.
DeleteAgain, if dissents were truly a priority for FIFA, they would have a powerful tool at their disposal to address it — bodycam footage. But we all know why that’s not going to happen.
I'm confused. Are there different LoTG used in different parts of the world? Or are the LoTG the same for every Confederation and Nation under FIFA?
DeleteLook, I get it. The whole "respect" campaign is nothing more than empty lip service that sounds good at press conferences. But if FIFA was truly about respect.
As the world leader in football, they would implement an executive order in regard to dissent. An order that would be passed down to its Confederations and then passed down to the individual nations. No ifs ands or buts about it. One order for all to fall in line with.
Enough is enough. No more excuses.
Oh, and UEFA as a whole isn't the end all be all in regard to dissent as you insinuate. It's inconsistently implemented in its club competitions (UCL, UEL, UECL) and in individual leagues.
DeleteThe only nations that have adopted a consistent zero tolerance approach (from top to bottom) are England and Germany. Outside of those two, dissent and mobbing continue to be quite common. With referees who simply accept/tolerate it.
England and Germany are getting it right with their zero tolerance approach. That said, it’s worth noting that these leagues were already among the most fair and football-focused. Still, intent is everything — and these leagues have shown what it can lead to. And that should be a message to all competitions. A strong on-pitch image sends an important signal to the grassroots game.
DeleteChelsea's Liam Delap, who's been a petulant pain in the @$$ the entire 1st half. Is FINALLY correctly cautioned by Faghani. Unsurprisingly, Delap dissents and tells Faghani to "F**k Off" twice directly to his face.
ReplyDeleteDanny Makkelie is Svein Oddvar Moen 2.0
ReplyDeleteSuper promising at young age. Pushed somewhat too soon and too quickly. The rapid rise leads to an inflated ego. Eventually exposed as not that great when put into certain matches or scenarios. Shows the inability to string together a series of high level of performances, like the "greats" are capable of doing. Ends up "burnt-out" at what is considered a young age for a referee.
Makkelie (still has) load of potential imo. His primary focus should be on refining his foul selection. Go “back to basics”: apply a stoic, predictable line from minute 1 to 90, much like Letexier does so well, thanks to his positioning and movements across the FoP.
DeleteThere are always a few moments in a Makkelie-match where a fair tackle gets blown for a foul (or where he missed something obvious). That creates inconsistency. And when a referee is inconsistent, he becomes unpredictable, which gives a losing side a reason to question his credibility when key decisions don’t go their way.
Smart disciplinary control is what keeps Makkelie’s games under control. He is not Kovács. He still has significant value, often a go-to choice for emotionally charged fixtures. But he’s capable of much more — and the key lies in a more consistent/predictable foul selection IMO.
@Anonimous:
DeleteI’m not a super fan for any referee in particolar. Never for Makkelie.
But I must say that on THIS specific case his performance has been very good (in my opinion of course).
The only improvement for him could be to pay more attention to a more tactical positioning.
If Faghani does it in 2026, it would become his 4th World Cup, any other referee with that record?
ReplyDeleteWow no yellow in 77' is something else.
ReplyDeleteI struggle to see why VAR did not intervene for the holding on Koulibaly. While initially both were holding defenders hold continues into the 6 yard box as ball arrives in a playable area for the attacker. If VAR wants to intervene on a subjective call to cancel a pen they should intervene here as well. Super inconsistent.
ReplyDeleteIt’s not correct. VAR really CAN intervene on an OBJECTIVE (clear) mistake only, not on a SUBJECTIVE interpretation of an event.
DeleteNo clear mistake, no VAR call.
Then why did they intervene to cancel the previous pen?
DeleteBecause that was a clear mistake. That’s all.
DeleteI suspect the final three matches will go to referees from CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, and UEFA.
ReplyDeleteA CONMEBOL official—likely Tello—is expected on the all-UEFA semi, as a possible final appointment remains uncertain due to Fluminense’s involvement.
Ramos is the likely pick for Chelsea vs Fluminense (though I prefer Barton), unless FIFA breaks confederation neutrality by giving CONCACAF the final and assigning a UEFA referee to the Chelsea semi.
Should CONCACAF take the semi, the final likely goes to Vincic or Oliver—depending on Chelsea’s fate.
Furthermore, it’s fair to conclude that UEFA deliberately selected Taylor and Makkelie for the most tight and sensitive quarter-finals, under the reasoning: “we know you can handle it, but if things go wrong, at least we’re not jeopardising an official with a bright future or a referee in the running for the final.”
Not that much to report about Anthony Taylor in first half.
ReplyDeleteA PAI in 28 correctly waved away, otherwise good rapport with players, also German players.
A very entertaining first half, now a terrible injury though.
Nothing on the Musiala situation for you ?
ReplyDeleteKeeper got the ball first
DeletePSG’s GK knocked down Musiala before catching the ball. Look carefully in slow motion. IMO clear and obvious mistake warranting VAR call, hence RC for VC and PK for the GK. Hard to see live though but VAR is there for this reason.
DeleteBrilliant RC by Taylor!
ReplyDelete82 RC for SFP to PSG#51, excellent decision
ReplyDeleteExcellent red card, but shouldn't it have been a red card for Bayern's Laimer earlier for similar SFP?
ReplyDeleteAnother good red card in my opinion
ReplyDeleteThat's another great decision
ReplyDeleteNext RC to PSG#21 for VC, harsh but fully supportable. Very very brave decisions and I really love to see that
ReplyDeleteHonestly, both decisions can be supportable and good, but there is something strange in Taylor officiating in recent times, it seems he wants to issue all red cards! I can find this as very good, being a fan of harsh punishments, but I wonder why...
ReplyDeleteCorrect by VAR to support in both incidents. Nevertheless, we rarely saw in UEFA such Taylor.
Rosetti no longer trusts Taylor. As for Colina...
DeleteThat's how English referees work. They give the cards freely, most times very harsh but not incorrect. Remember Oliver this season?
DeleteAnthony Taylor Cards Statistics is notably high, While I’m not questioning the correctness of his Cards, it’s clear that Anthony Taylor tends to produce higher than average card counts.
DeletePremier League 2023/24:
Officiated 17 matches
Handed out a total of 94 cards
Premier League Record:
Holds the record for most yellow cards in a single 90-minute match
14 yellow cards in Bournemouth vs. Chelsea (September 14, 2024)
All Domestic Competitions (2024/25)
Refereed 31 matches
Issued 95 cards in total
This FIFA Club World Cup:
Produced 16 cards
Included 3 red cards, with 1 overturned by VAR.
Taylor showed 2.87 YCs per game last season in the PL, including six matches with no cards. Despite the 14 card game, his average is actually well below what the PL average was last year
DeleteNot a penalty imo. At most an IFK
ReplyDeleteTaylor wins the award for actual useful announcements. Both times, the explanation has been both indepth and techincal, as well as clear for everyone to understand. I agree, no penalty, his one error. Again, how many of his Uefa/Fifa matches attract such key incidents
DeleteEven in the premier league, he had the highest number of KMIs by a mile, and finished second for accuracy percentage
DeleteHe gets appointed to big games and those are more likely to have KMIs. His decision making is generally excellent
DeleteWhy does the foot in head height not result in a indirect freekick?
ReplyDeletei am thinking about this too. Right decision would bei indirect freekick cause of dangerous play. Only explanation can be that VAR is used only to show that the penalty decision taken by Taylor was wrong and if you say it is a wrong call you have to decide for drop ball as he is not allowed to make the decision ONLY by the VAR pictures.
DeleteGreat referee in a difficult game, where the bench of PSG is acting like a kindergarten. Clear red cards (IMO) - no matter what club you represent.
ReplyDeleteVery good from Taylor.. 7/10
ReplyDeleteOne of the worst referees in world club really Anthony taylor
ReplyDelete???
DeleteMasterclass from Taylor until the 98th minute! I think there may have been some input from Beswick for the penalty, easy to see why he gave it but correct OFR. I think the high foot should have resulted in a IDFK for dangerous play. Everything else perfect.
ReplyDeleteHe wanted very hard to get a 10.0... in his eyes. Already with 2 red cards given and as soon as he saw a possible penalty... he blew the whistle (??) - spoiled the performance... - not to mention with a 0.0% penalty. It tarnished the performance in a way
DeleteIt thought it was a delayed whistle with a glance to his assistant. Not sure it was his call
DeleteI agree Oliver, it certainly wasn't an immediate whistle
DeleteYeah thats why i said he saw a “ possible penalty “… (but in doubt) he whistled…
Deletehttps://streambug.org/cv/69d9a1
ReplyDeleteThat's the paramount example of an indirect free kick for dangerous play. A decision that doesn't exist anymore in modern football.
One should wonder why. Correct VAR intervention, though.
If I can remember last time that was whistled in opponets box was Copa Libertadores Final 2018 between Boca and River.
DeleteCunha was main guy.
Can it be an IDFK if there is contact?
DeleteWhat about the contact of the leg and the arm - He basically kicked him in the arm and I can argue about this intervention.....
Deletehttps://youtu.be/-SHdJIH3qdU?si=mtfALKG3l_qYhmjW
DeleteOne minute in. A recent game in England
Unfortunate for Taylor, the OFR kind of ruined an more than excellent performance until this very moment.
ReplyDeleteBut still, I think Taylor showed us that he still must be considered as one of the best.
It seems like he is now able again to referee German Teams, maybe he can get better games next season in CL.
I would like an indirect free kick there for playing in a dangerous manner.
ReplyDeleteNext time.. Taylor/a ref should call the Indirect Freekick.. then VAR would intervene and give a penalty (if it had been a penalty). This way, the indirect freekick would at least have been given (rather than a drop ball).. but again: In hindsight. I'd say Taylor did a 8/10 overall. Seemed to have the respect from players as well - although PSG obviously isn't used to receive the (fair) red cards received..
ReplyDeleteGood game for Taylor
ReplyDelete23 min Abatti, clear yellow missed. Step on foot.
ReplyDeleteWith PSG in SF is it the end of the tournament for Turpin or Letexier or is there a possibility to give them the other SF and maybe the final if PSG didn't go trough ?
ReplyDeleteI think it's the end for both of them!
DeleteOnly if PSG doesn't advance, there could be a possibility of a final.
I don't believe Collina's plan is to assign a UEFA referee to the final. Instead, they might appear in the semi-final between Real Madrid and PSG, which I predict will be officiated by either István Kovács or Szymon Marciniak.
DeleteAs for César Ramos, if he doesn't officiate a semi-final, I think Collina is planning to appoint him for a final either in this Club World Cup or in next year's World Cup. Regardless of differing opinions on his performances, it seems the committee holds him in high regard.
Kovacs? Good joke ;)
DeleteIn my opinion, in Psg/Bayern TAYLOR performance was not better that average.
DeleteNot very athletically dinamic and with uncertain positioning, technical decisions not always right, inconsistent on the disciplinary level: excessive the second RC (interpretation in the gray area, probably his mistake, but not serious: therefore it is right that the VAR did not intervene), unjustifiable by FIFA standards the ruling of the penalty (then corrected by the VAR). Overall, an average/low rating: 8.40
Well,its obvious that we will have maybe the non Uefa Official in the final. Lets be honest, I dont see Concaf referee there. My favourites are Faghani, Tello(could be easy saved gor Real-PSG),or even Abatti. If Uefa official will be there,i will go with Oliver, or Marciniak.
DeleteVery good performance by Abatti. Fifa have one more name that can rely on next years. UEFA may be consider him for Euro 2028
ReplyDeleteHis management for the DOGSO penalty was strange and took very long. Why take out the red card and walk around with it without actually just showing it.
DeleteTBH Brazil always has been a country with TOP names. The actual generation is admirable: Sampaio,Abatti,Claus…
DeleteDue to his age, I'm not convinced that Claus will be at the 2026 World Cup. Abatti proved today that he has every chance of being there.
DeleteFun fact: Abatti has shown a straight RC in every game he has officiated this tournament. All absolutely correct.
ReplyDeleteHe's definitely an "Arbiter" approved referee. Let those Red Cards fly! Coddling players who misbehave is worthless.
DeleteOutstanding performance from Ramon Abatti. His exceptional positional awareness and sharp movement allow him to make key decisions with confidence. He is establishing himself as one of CONMEBOL top referees Alongside Facundo Tello.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why he walks around for 2 min with a rc in his hand. Trying to be too dramatic.
ReplyDeleteit reminded me of early in the first half when there was a typical foul in the midfield, all the players walked away immediately after the whistle was blown, and yet he still sprinted over there. He's too hectic and dramatic sometimes for my liking personally, like the kind of referee who would cause a game to blow our just because of their personality. And "arbiter" he had a opportunity to show the red card before any of that "mobbing' happened, he was being way too dramatic.
DeleteIt's not about being "too dramatic". It's about showing authority. Something too many "modern" referees have no idea about.
DeleteIt was also better than showing it to crowd of people or doing the "traffic cop" by pointing with one hand and showing the card with the other.
The Real Madrid players weren't exactly allowing him direct access to the guilty player.
Unsurprisingly they were dissenting and mobbing trying to shield/hide him.
Hoping to create enough of a delay for VAR to possibly save their player.
In the end that didn't happen and Abatti showed it with authority directly in Huijsens (sp?) guilty face.
that's not was authority is lol. Having authority is about being in control and commanding respect, the fact that the players "mobbed" him showed that he didn't have much. Dragging out a whistle and sprinting over to a scene when ALL the players have already dispersed and the like can actually cause matches to get out of hand believe it or not. Just unnecessarily hectic at times. If you want authority check referees like Marciniak imo.
DeleteI'm glad that he's different from the personality lacking cookie cutter robots with a whistle from UEFA.
Delete3 Red Cards!
All 100% correct and all given by him on the spot because of his sublime positioning, excellent foul recognition, and instinct.
All of them given without having to depend on VAR to bail him out. Unlike other referees who play it safe and only dare show a yellow. In hopes that VAR saves their tails by allowing them to "re-referee" the incident.
Ramon Abatti has shown to be an Arbiter approved referee. I hope that the clueless player friendly Ref Comms don't ruin this gem of a referee. ; )
Also I rewatched it just to be sure, and he blew his whistle for the penalty and even 11 seconds later he hadn't taken out his card yet lol, Huijsen was even walking away, seemingly accepting that a red card was probably coming, right IN FRONT of the referee at this time, with no RMA player around him as yet. So I stand by the dramatic comment.
DeleteYou're absolutely right. He was indeed mobbed. Show me a referee who hasn't faced dissent and been mobbed in this tournament. Using your metric, all of the referees lacked "control and commanding respect".
DeleteMarciniak? LOL, no thanks! I said authority not ego.
90 + 4:58 Abatti whistles for penalty
Delete90 + 5:07 Red Card comes out of the pocket
90 + 5:08 Abatti visually confirms with AR1 that Huijsens is the guilty player
90 + 5:08 At this exact same time RM #19 gets in front of Abatti attempting to impede him from showing the card
90 + 5:49 Abatti shows the Red Card to Huijsen
Maybe in other parts of the world 42 seconds is equal to "2 minutes". But not in Brasil. ; )
I’d say:
ReplyDeleteChelsea-Fluminense: Ramos
PSG-Real Madrid: Vincic
Final it’s hard but:
Chelsea-PSG: Sampaio
Chelsea-Real Madrid: Letexier (Turpin with an opportunity but idk why I see more possible Letexier)
Fluminense-Real Madrid: Faghani
Fluminense-PSG: Faghani
Also does anyone have an opinion on the situation in the 63rd minute? YC given to Couto (Dortmund) => OFR for SFP, Abbatti keeps the on-field decision.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you talking about? There was no OFR. There was just a "VAR Check" for "Possible Red Card". Which was quickly deemed "Check Over" without Abatti ever becoming involved.
DeleteThat being said, yellow was the correct decision. Yes, the leg was extremely high a straight. But at no point did the foot/studs make contact with the R.M. players head/neck/face. The majority of the contact is with the hip and the worse part for the R.M. player was that the Dortmund players landed on top of him.
Yet again, Abatti's impecable positioning and his uncanny ability to properly judge challenges. Lead him to issue the correct color card. He, unlike other referees was not in awe and overcome by the spectacular collision.
After watching the matches, I am really disappointed. So many referees rely on VAR before giving YCs and it really makes me sad. Is this really the future of refereeing?
ReplyDeleteDid you see Abatti giving his first YC to Dortmund player? First whistling a foul and very clearly showing he will not give a YC with his body language. And then after 15-20 seconds he changed his mind. Obviously VAR told him about the nature of the foul (step on foot). I don't want to comment about RC procedure because I have no idea why he was waiting so long with a RC in his hand before showing it. It's the same with Makkelie and Sampaio in this tournament. Always waiting and waiting for confirmation from VAR. I don't know how Collina accepts this. To develop excellent referees we need excellent decision makers on the pitch.
You're wading into a conspiracy theory area, with the suggestion that VAR is giving the referees input for yellow cards. Most would agree that this is a clear violation of what VAR is supposed to be used for.
DeleteDon't get me wrong. I've also had this nagging feeling about VAR in Mexico's Liga MX. Where it's become normal for a foul to be whistled, the replay is shown, and then the card is shown. Sometimes up to a whole minute later.
But of course, proving it or getting them to admit it, is impossible.
Regarding the potential indirect free kick in the Taylor/Müller situation:
ReplyDelete"Playing in a dangerous manner is any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player themself) AND includes preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury."
It is a mandatory condition for dangerous play, that the opponent is prevented from playing the ball. And here Müller clearly is not prevented, because he actually plays the ball (and doesn't pull back).
So while I agree, that dangerous play is somehow the expected decision, strictly to the LotG it would be wrong.
SF predictions:
ReplyDeleteFLU-CHE: Ramos (MEX) - Barton (SLV) - Pacheco, Miranda (both MEX), Ashour (EGY)
PSG-RMA: Zwayer (GER) - Beida (MTN) - Dankert (GER), van Driessche (BEL), Mohammed (UAE)
I saw what happened in Abatti’s match. Let me start from the end: it was good to whistle for the foul, but paradoxically, staying mentally rather too long time on the call, took away from Abatti from immediately issuing the card, and the correct one, for the specific player involved. As can be seen from the live sequence, he was close and had his eyes on the scene, so he should have gone straight to the sending off. Instead, he remained a bit “meditative” about the decision he had impulsively made, and afterwards struggled to quickly identify which Real Madrid player had committed the foul, since there were two of them near the attacker. Maybe also form VAR discussions after that. However, this is just a small observation, but it could have made the decision-making process smoother. When things are that complex, you need to do everything at once without mentally disconnecting even for a second, but that’s not easy. Then, regarding the possible red card in the 63', you have to admire the Brazilian’s quickness in running to the scene and immediately showing a yellow, fully aware of the situation. But in my view, it was a mistake (on field): he should have shown red. A high leg striking near the head. very dangerous. In this case, the VAR remained at the veeeeery edge of non-intervention, and that’s not a mistake. The graphics even showed us they gave a lot of thought to the red card, but in the end it had to be Abatti’s decision on the field. I agree with that and here the protocol application of the tool was perfect.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that for many other borderline incidents we see VAR intervening in by far less serious cases, and that’s what I criticize most about VAR in general: the total lack of consistency on penalties and red cards. But I also realize it’s almost impossible to achieve.
To conclude, in my opinion the Brazilian referee did well, not excellently, but very well, in this competition. His will of taking decisions is appreciated, and giving red cards is no longer a given in today’s refereeing. He also has room for improvement, and we'll see what the future will say for him.
Almost perfect analysis, Chefren.
DeleteHowever, regarding ABATTI's performance in Real/BorD this is my opinion.
He demonstrated personality and reliability both on a technical and disciplinary level using a uniform yardstick throughout the match.
In addition to being athletically very prepared and fast, he demonstrates a tactical and positioning sense that allows him to always be close to the action and in a suitable perspective to evaluate and decide effectively.
Regarding the 2 RC: on the first RC the dynamics of the action were very fast, and honestly perhaps none of us at normal speed would have been able to correctly identify the severity of the foul that only the VAR could correctly analyze in slow motion. So protocol respected and ok for both Abatti and VAR. On the second RC, the fact that the two Real Madrid defenders were so close to the BorD player made Abatti's decision extremely complicated, but ultimately correct. It is irrelevant that he waited a few seconds longer to show RC: a referee must also choose the right moment and way to communicate a disciplinary decision and Abatti performed well in that specific situation.
Overall Abatti achieved the best performance of all in the QF; therefore my personal rating is 8.70.
I really doubt that they throw around 8.7 like that. In my cuntry if they tell you ''you were perfect, fantastic match'' And you had 2 penalties. At best you get 8.5.
DeleteVery difficult to make predictions at this point. It would be fair if UEFA, CONCACAF, and CONMEBOL each received one of the ‘final 3’ whistles.
ReplyDeleteHowever:
CONMEBOL should be assigned to a semifinal, in case Fluminense pulls off an upset. But would they dare to appoint CONMEBOL (Tello/Sampaio) to PSG–Real? A UEFA referee with “less to lose” seems more logical—like Marciniak.
CONCACAF makes the most sense for FLU–CHE, but CONCACAF is also a fully neutral option for the final.
I’m leaning towards:
FLU–CHE (CONCACAF), PSG–Real (UEFA).
With CONMEBOL for the final—unless Fluminense makes it through, in which case Faghani.
Two UEFA referees in the final 3 seems unlikely to me.
SF predisctions:
ReplyDeleteFLU/CHE: Marciniak
PSG/REAL: Tello
Final:
- Faghani
I think Dahane Beida is also an option Ivan Barton deserves a next match
ReplyDeleteMy predictons
ReplyDeleteChelsea vs flui : facunda tello
Realmadrid vs psg : cesar ramos
Final: ali reza faghani
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFlu VS chelsea : Letexier
ReplyDeletePsg VS Real = Marciniak
I was expecting 2 UEFA referees from the last 3 games. So the final is likely to be from elsewhere, which leaves Tello, Faghani and Ramos as main contenders (Tello ruled out in case of Fluminense victory)
ReplyDeleteWeird for me to put letexier ahead of turpin
ReplyDeleteGreat tournament to Turpin and Zwayer with 2 games 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
ReplyDeleteAnd a tremendous lack of respect towards the two great referees.
DeleteEspecially Turpin, who was treated very badly by Collina.
Exactly.
Delete