Tuesday, 16 September 2025

Champions League 2025/26 - Referee Appointments - Matchday 1 (I)

UEFA Champions League continues with the new format for the second season. Please find below the referee appointments for the first set of MD1 games, to be played on Tuesday 16 September 2025.  


16 September 2025

18:45 CET - Eindhoven (Philips Stadion)
PSV EINDHOVEN (NED) - ROYALE UNION SAINT-GILLOISE (BEL)
Referee: Anthony Taylor ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn ENG
Fourth Official: Robert Jones ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Michael Salisbury ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett AUS/ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Luis Medina Cantalejo ESP
UEFA Delegate: Danilo Filacchione ITA

18:45 CET - Bilbao (Estadio de San Mamés)
ATHLETIC CLUB (ESP) - ARSENAL FC (ENG)
Referee: Donatas Rumšas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radiuš LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis LTU
Fourth Official: Robertas Valikonis LTU
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
UEFA Referee Observer: Björn Kuipers NED
UEFA Delegate: Emmanuelle Puttaert BEL

21:00 CET - Madrid (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu)
REAL MADRID CF (ESP) - OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE (FRA)
Referee: Irfan Peljto BIH
Assistant Referee 1: Senad Ibrišimbegović BIH
Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo BIH
Fourth Official: Miloš Gigović BIH
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Gianluca Rocchi ITA
UEFA Delegate: Tobias Wolf GER

21:00 CET - Lisbon (Estádio do SL Benfica)
SL BENFICA (POR) - QARABAĞ FK (AZE)
Referee: Erik Lambrechts BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Jo De Weirdt BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Monteny BEL
Fourth Official: Nathan Verboomen BEL
Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
UEFA Referee Observer: Cüneyt Çakır TUR
UEFA Delegate: Patrick Dempsey IRL

21:00 CET - Turin (Allianz Stadium)
JUVENTUS (ITA) - BORUSSIA DORTMUND (GER)
Referee: François Letexier FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA
Fourth Official: Jérémie Pignard FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas SCO
UEFA Delegate: Colin MacDonald SCO

21:00 CET - London (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC (ENG) - VILLARREAL CF (ESP)
Referee: Rade Obrenovič SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordež SVN
Fourth Official: David Šmajc SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Alen Borošak SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Rune Pedersen NOR
UEFA Delegate: Jacques Antenen SUI

128 comments:

  1. Definitely a big one for Rumšas in Bilbao.
    The committee's observation about the Lithuanian has been very long in recent times. This can be maybe the final act bfore the possible promotion. Kuipers will have his say.
    But we must add that after the famous Germany - Italy Under 21 at EURO, somebody inside the committee was not really pleased with the other Lithuanian, Lukjančukas. Unless he was not available for other reasons, he got only one game after that, a Conference League play off. Definitely not good: I have a feeling that Rosetti was angry for the situation right in the end of the game and the progress of the Lithuanian has been stopped. We will see his next games, but for sure it's time to take some decisions about referees from this country.
    In Madrid, Peljto continues with his very good path as Elite referee.
    Big trust in Dutch VARs in recent times, appointed for very crucial and important games in all competitions, I would say Higler has reached the level of van Boekel in that regard, in terms of consideration.

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    Replies
    1. Very good analysis!
      This just confirms once again confirms that some mistakes are more expensive than others, as if mistakes against some national teams/teams are much more expensive. Of course it's nothing new it's always been that way.What is a bigger problem is the fact that the progress of certain referees is stopped/slowed down because of a one single mistake while the level of tolerance for the amount/severity of mistakes is significantly higher (mostly) for the referees from "stronger" countries

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    2. Just to add
      My comment refers primarily to the management of Lithuanian referees. After the U21 committee seem to have decided that it is Rumsas who will have the final test for the elite group, while the progress of his younger compatriot is now significantly different (longer)

      Delete
    3. But the process for Rumsas is too long in all cases! It seems to me a "Ekberg 2.0", hopefully with a different outcome for the Lithuanian. What we can say is that committee uses at their discretion the time, if they want to promote a referee, they do that regardless of the rest, while in other cases, it definitely seems they are waiting for the next mistake.
      But of course I can't think that they are waiting for a big mistake, otherwise it would be easier not to consider at all the referee, but it's absolutely without explanation how long sometimes it takes to come to a final decision, if compared to other referees.
      There are for sure criteria and facts we can't know about...

      Delete
  2. Obrenovic i dont understand the appointment. Poor referee.
    The rest is logical.

    And some big names as observers

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    Replies
    1. He's Slovenian, like UEFA president Ceferin. No surprise :D

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    2. Political appointment. Unfortunately, that's what happens.
      For this London match, names like Makkelie, Pinheiro, Eskas, and Siebert were expected.

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  3. You can see that Obrenovič got a similar game to Rumšas, English - Spanish clash, very sonorous game but not a real big match.
    No committee member, at least on paper, for the Slovenian, but of course his performance will be scrutinized.
    These are the candidates for promotion to Elite, Sozza will follow in another game, I'm sure.
    The rest of appointments are normal / expected with the classic focus on Italian teams by Rosetti and a big name to Juventus.
    Lambrechts in Lisbon reasonable choice as well.

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    1. Yess but Sozza does it well (Hol-Pol) and other matches. There is some development i can see.
      Obrenovic not, a lot of mistakes.

      What do you think about vd Eijk? Also a match? He leads the final of under 21

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    2. The Dutch referee should be planned for his Europa League league stage debut. I think maybe already on MD1. And then, we will see.

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  4. We expect uefa to give the chance for the talent referee like antonio nobre, ricardo de burgos, luis godinho because they deserve and better from a lot of referees

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  5. I'm curious with Salisbury, still trusted to get a game in UCL after what happened in EPL (2x times huge controversies surrounding him), why not try to trust Gillett as main VAR or Bankes if they're not interested anymore with Attwell.

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    Replies
    1. What was his other controversy? (apart from Chelsea vs Fulham)

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  6. I'm curious to see if Makkelie and Gözübüyük get a match tomorrow. Unfortunately, I have to report on Makkelie's shocking performance during NEC-PSV yesterday. Several inexplicable mistakes and a lack of focus. I expect Serdar Gözübüyük to referee PSV-Ajax next weekend. He's currently clearly the Dutch number one.

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    1. As for UEFA competitions - I think Makkelie is still in a better position but it's not excluded that will change in the future. As for the Dutch championship, I would agree that in the last couple of seasons, Serdar has taken over the primacy. Although he still has points to improve, Gözübüyük is making progress, while Makkelie seems to have stagnated for some time.

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    2. Makkelie's performance was poor yesterday. Clearly not focussed enough. I think Lindhout may be in charge of PSV-Ajax this time.

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    3. https://www.knvb.nl/nieuws/scheidsrechters/aanstellingen/71014/serdar-gozubuyuk-heeft-de-leiding-over-psv-ajax

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  7. Rumsas on pole position once again, Lambrechts after long period of no elite referees from Belgium, this time they get a chance? Possibly because they also have Van Driessche as new trusted VAR.
    Obrenovic surely will be elite not to long.
    The rest Kavanagh, Petrescu, Sylwestrzak, Walsh, Minakovic, and Kabakov for potential promotion in winter? Maybe too early for some names. What do you think?

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  8. The unwritten rule is that a footballer should have two days off between matches. I wonder if this also applies to referees, especially since they are people who are 10, 15, and sometimes 20 years younger than the footballers they referee. Specifically, I'm asking about Taylor and his assistants who will referee City - United today, and not even 50 hours later the match in Holland

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    Replies
    1. The topic has been discussed many times here on the blog in past, it started with Spain years ago, they made always assignments for Spanish referees in domestic games two days before or after an international duty. Then, it changed a bit in recent times, but every now and then it happens. For me, it could be easily avoided and a minimum of three days should be always given between two games at this level. We are talking about a top league in Europe and Champions League.
      In some cases, it can be a replacement regarding the international assignment, but very often it has been done without caring. Unless the referees themselves will not ask for changing, it will continue...

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    2. Last season, Slavko Vincic refereed two matches in two days. One of them was the Galatasaray-Fenerbahce derby.

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  9. Rumsas and Obrenovic are not Elite level. Such push is absurd...

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  10. Well, I think we have expected appointments. No surprises so far…

    -Lambrechts and Obrenovic with a good path, agree with Rumsas as possible final test for promotion to Elite.

    -The debuts likely will come from Slavia-Bodo with Sozza and Sporting-Kairat with Sylwestrzak.

    Liverpool-Atletico probably in Schärer’s hands, maybe Eskås, now that we have Peljto in Madrid.

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  11. Sánchez Martínez for Bayern - Chelsea

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  12. Last weekend in KSA/UAE

    12/09 Al-Ittifaq - Al-Ahli
    Anastásios Sidirópoulos (Kostarás, Dimitriádis - Koumbarákis)

    13/09 Al-Hilal - Al-Qadsiya
    Juan Martínez Munuera (Fernández González, Naranjo Pérez - Pizarro Gómez, Bognár)

    13/09 Al-Jazira - An-Nassr
    Slavko Vinčič (Klančnik, Kovačič - Vad)

    13/09 Al-Wasl - Al-Ain
    Clément Turpin (Danos, Pagès - Rainville)

    14/09 An-Nassr - Al-Khulud
    Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (De Francisco Grijalba, Massó Granado - Iglesias Villanueva)

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    1. I watched the middle three games! Chronologically: Vincic faced game with a not-advanced level of difficulty, and did well. There was one penalty appeal for the (non-Slovenian) VAR, Vad, to analyse closely. Overall, good performance. Turpin's match was very interesting, it had the feel of a big/tense fixture and the Frenchman correctly read the nature of the game, and immediately awarded yellow cards at 2' and 5'. It was said before on the blog, to paraphrase 'Letexier is the man for technically-challenging games and Turpin for football-focused ones' and I must say this UAE game did cohere to that analysis: by acting in a manner which was a bit too passive during the first half, Turpin almost lost control of the game at one time. In the second half, there were epic calls by the linesman Pages (perfect positioning to detect a very tight offside; https://ibb.co/B2W1751w) and then by Turpin in the very last act of the game, to amazingly detect that a careless kick happened outside the penalty area, and not inside it. He also showed his class in a number of scenes where he talked/warned players and it worked really well. Overall, okay-to-good performance. Finally, Martinez Munuera faced a game which was normal difficulty for about 60min, but then became very challenging in parts after that, which started after a call where MM was ready to play on, but the linesman Naranjo Perez flagged a freekick which denied a promising counterattack. In this last period of the game, against Martinez Munuera one can count: 1- an OFR to award a penalty kick, and, 2- allowing his authority over the game to be eroded, especially by dissenting behaviour. Overall, average performance. Finally I didn't watch De Burgos but he awarded a penalty and 'backed' his decision still after an OFR.

      Clips (in order; Vincic, Turpin x2, Martinez Munuera and De Burgos):

      https://www.streambug.io/cv/553bb5
      https://www.streambug.io/cv/b9015b
      https://www.streambug.io/cv/a0d303
      https://www.streambug.io/cv/a9a010
      https://www.streambug.io/cv/1a7803

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    2. How did Turpin resolve 17' and what do you think should have happened?

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    3. @usaref: Freekick to the yellow team for the foul by purple team no15, no sanctions followed. The sequential incident which happened after Turpin blew the whistle is quite remarkable, isn't it? It is hard to accept not even a yellow card being given to Al-Ain no20 when he kicked the ball sooo hard towards an opponent, whom himself then made a reckless challenge on the player who kicked the ball at him! I think the French referee was a bit fortunate that the game didn't 'kick off' more here. He managed the sequence using personality skills.

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  13. Penalty by Taylor after 5 minuten in Eindhoven. Very clear

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  14. 11’ Wrong offside call by A2 in ATH-ARS, noting happened, but evident mistake.

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  15. The referees dont have yellow cards with them today?

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    Replies
    1. Taylor did very well doing without one in the Manchester derby on Sunday as well

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  16. 89' A strong referee would have punished this as simulation by the Bilbao player. Also around 70' a rather blatent kicking the ball away ignored

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    1. Still, do you think Rumsas will be promoted to Elite? What will Kuipers' verdict be?

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    2. Do I think it was an elite-level performance? No. Foul detection wasn't super consistent. Not convinced the first YC was needed, seemed fussy at times in the first half, then a little missing in the second. But there were no major issues, if it's polticially desired, then it's certainly possible

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  17. In my opinion, it wasn’t a completely clean officiating performance by the Lithuanian referee: he always seems to have this strong tendency to let things go if possible and resolve situations that way without cards. In this match we were on the edge and I think this approach was less a problem than other games, the most significant protests to manage came from Athletic following a possible foul before the 0-2. He could have called it, but to me it's not something huge or a clear and obvious mistake. Nevertheless, the tone of protests was excessive in my opinion. The above-mentioned assistant referee's mistake in the first half should definitely be avoided (but still, VAR protocol was followed). We'll see what Kuipers thinks of the Lithuanian team. A single game can't change that much, the style of the referee is well-known.

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    1. In my eyes: if Rosetti looking a low-elite ref like Sidiropoulos or Grinfield that Lithuanian ref:access him.. , Overall, a decent match without any big mistake. I have a the same opinion as Chefren....

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  18. 8’ Unbelievable that Obrenovic missed that corner…clearly touch by the Villarreal player…

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  19. Correct very clear penalty whistled by Peljto in 28‘

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    1. A penalty you can assess as correct, naive action with that leg out by defender, but...
      https://streamin.me/v/iaxzfurq
      if you watch carefully, no doubts that Real Madrid player was waiting for that and it was more him going against defender than the contrary.
      Still, hard or impossible to judge on referee, but we must take note about that.

      Delete
    2. It's knee on knee. It's a stonewall penalty. The defender has stabbed a the ball, completely missed it, and taken away all the space for the attacker. If the attacker pulls up slightly to brace for contact, well, that's just smart and trying to protect your body some.

      I don't understand. The attacker isn't under some obligation to change course and go around the defender because he made a foolish challenge. We shouldn't go looking for unexpected things or details that aren't really there. This is a 100% penalty.

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    3. I fully agree with usaref, maybe we can discuss that he fell a little bit before the contact but we saw it in slowmotion so in real speed it's never as clear as we saw it in slomo.

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  20. Not overly impressed by Rade Obrenovič so far

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    Replies
    1. I can't help but think his loud and dramatic style is itself adding heat into the game. Sometimes less is more...

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    2. Agreed, but good non-call on that penalty situation. Definitely not enough in it.

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    3. 42’ Potential penalty kick for TOT - possible handball offence

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    4. Even as a Spurs supporter that isn't a PK. Ball comes from a short distance/unexpected ball.

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    5. I hope I’m wrong, but I think this is not going to end 11 v 11

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    6. It perhaps shouldn't be. 68' Simons easily could have had a 2YC

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    7. +1…not convinced by Obrenovic at all…

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    8. agree not good at all, no control really poor foul detections and some debatable situations, not good

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    9. Im a spurs supporter but felt xavi Simmons was lucky to stay on the pitch

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  21. RC to follow, clear violent conduct in Madrid.
    Too long time before calling to monitor in my opinion.

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  22. Rarely have I seen a red card for violent conduct shown with such humanity to the player. Congratulations to the Bosnian referee.

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    Replies
    1. Yep,even with Carvajal who can be difficult player to handle.

      Great explanation and great approach by Peljto.

      Delete
  23. Peljto sent off Carvajal, but the Marseille goalkeeper also made a show. Typical Argentine action. This decision is controversial

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://streamff.com/v/fe9ed8b5
      Would you deny this red card? Clear head movement, then yes there is an exaggerate reaction, but that's enough for a violent conduct.

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    2. Red card for VC and yellow card for simulation would be the only correct thing there.

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    3. Agree,RC it is.

      But there has to be punishmnet for
      Rulli who is also not clean,also instigates and makes mess out of that situation.

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  24. Anyone watching Letexier? How is he doing?

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  25. IMO absolutely wrong penalty by Letexier. It looks like the ball hit the defender's body first. Maybe I saw it wrong though.

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  26. Oh my god, two very strange decisions in two minutes in Madrid and Turin. Never handballs imo

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    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  27. Very challenging game for Peljot, now handball penalty, VAR confirmed.

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    Replies
    1. Do you consider it to be correct? I can't watch the game

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    2. For me a supportable call, I can understand the choice, but somebody could disagree due to the movement of the player.
      Correct no action by VAR.

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    3. Correct me if i'm wrong but if it's a deflection where the ball clearly changes direction from the players own body it shouldn't be handball?

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    4. Does UEFA use the same “successful block” instruction that is common in the USA? In an MLS game for instance, we could expect this to be a very clear “no penalty” and an quick review by the VAR because the defender successfully blocks the ball, which significantly changes direction into the arm, without a secondary action of the arm. I’m not sure if UEFA follows he same guidelines.

      Worth noting that it’s another controversial handball decision by Peljto after the really poor decision (and shocking that VAR supported it) in Belgium vs Wales in June.

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  28. Penalty for Real Madrid. Medina took the risk by extending his arm even though he was on the ground. There's some debate, but in my opinion, the Bosnian was right to signal the penalty.

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    Replies
    1. Right arm was already planted. No reason to extend the other arm to the side like that. Unnaturally bigger.

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    2. Ball was clearly deflected by another body part…

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    3. What is the defender supposed to do if the ball comes off a bounce off his leg while going to the ground?

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    4. Don’t extend the arm to make yourself unnaturally bigger.

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  29. Obrenovic correctly gives a free kick for Villarreal just outside the box when they were appealing for a penalty.

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    Replies
    1. it's not a DOGSO for you ?

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    2. Could have been. VAR would have accepted the decision if he had have given a red most probably.

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  30. Handball penalties in Turin and Madrid in 84'-85'. They are both supportable decisions, albeit controversial.

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  31. Look like a crazy ending in Turin

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  32. Strange oponions in this podd. Correct red card in Madrid, correct penalty in Turin and wrong penalty in Madrid. Thats the correct decisions!!

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  33. Very good decision by Letexier, who correctly determined that the Juventus player acted like a goalkeeper and blocked the shot deliberately with his game. Meanwhile, in my opinion a very poor call by Peljto on his handball, a pretty much textbook case of how the ‘supporting arm’ clause should be understood. I watched Real-Marseille and was unimpressed with the manner in which the Bosnian handled the game: too sloppy impression, ignored YCs for premeditated offences and interfering with the game on multiple occasions due to bad positioning. Correct penalty given before but maybe a lack of alertness to a potential conflict with the (clear, correct) RC given after OFR.

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    1. Don't want to comeback on the discussion about appointment and not appointing top top referees but at the end of the first day we already have big controversies with two very bad performances. I think UEFA don't have enough good referees to put aside the tops one

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    2. “Very bad performances”? Well, your opinion…

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    3. So Peljto and Obrenovič have a good game tonight ? There's no way someone who watch them can think that

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    4. Maybe it’s because many of us have a different opinion?

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  34. Watching the post-match, several commentators and programs say that Real Madrid won a controversial match and talk about the referee's poor decision in awarding that penalty and at the same time they wonder what the criteria is with the handballs and what the VAR is for then. And others say: "because is Real Madrid"

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    Replies
    1. Did they say that also when Carvajal got RC?
      Or then they praised Peljto ?

      Delete
    2. They focused mainly on the penalty, the RC was okay, although honestly around here that play doesn't always end in a red card, even with VAR.

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    3. Why to praise Peljto? He went fot OFR, wathed 5 times replays before issuing RC. He jad to do it immediately, it is 100% clear decision. But I will wait to see are other clubs are going to get penalties like this one for Real (deflection, players is going to the ground and totaly unintentional “play” the ball). I bet there won’t be such penalties. On which criteria is this decision given? Old referee observer just said on the TV that penalties for Real are whistled easier than for other clubs. And we all know that is the true.

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    4. Just rewatch situation in Tottenham-Villareal in 42’. How that is not PK for Tottenham, if this is PK for Real? No deflection, very outstreched arm - much more arguments for PK than in Madrid. For me, good decision from Kovacs not to give that PK.

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  35. Great Irfan Peljto, again. Both penalties (Turin and 2nd in Madrid) are supportable.

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  36. In the match between PSV and USG, there was a similar play: a rebound off the leg and then off the open arm in a natural position. A penalty was claimed, VAR reviewed it, and nothing. And that one seemed more of a penalty than the one against OM. So, what's the criterion? Honestly, something different is called every week.

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  37. Guys Believe me, referees are just confused about hand positions as we are. This rule should be more clear. These debates will never end

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  38. Correct penalty for BVB in Turin, excellent decision by Letexier. Stonewall penalty non given to Juventus in the first half, game was restarted very quickly, I even doubt a check took place. Around 34’.

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    Replies
    1. Just to add, frame by frame footage shows unequivocally that the ball touches the arm of the defender first, and then is deflected onto the head of the attacker.

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    2. In any case, when the defender's arm came into contact with the ball, it was above his head. To me, this is a clear penalty.

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    3. Above the head!!!! Sitting yes!

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  39. Was gonna praise the great performance by Peljto until that penalty that clearly isn’t right.. I also don’t agree with people saying that VAR shouldn’t intervene in such cases.

    But except for that he was good the entire game..

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  40. Tottenham - Villarreal
    SPA or DOGSO?
    https://streambug.org/cv/0883a7
    Good to spot that foul was outside the box. Then, discussion about the card. In my opinion RC wouldn't have beeen questioned by VAR, but how much SPA and not DOGSO?

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    Replies
    1. For me, this is more DOGSO, but I understand why VAR stayed silent. I was very unimpressed by Obrenovic. He totally misread the play. Just watch how late he starts running. At the moment of the foul, he was 25-30 meters behind. Based on AR2's movement after the foul, he was the one who saved the day.

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    2. IMO: no clear keeping control of the ball, near distance of second defender. So, SPA. Correct decision

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    3. For me it's DOGSO. Player touched the ball to control it (no high ball anymore) and without the foul his next action can be a shot at the goal. The ball goes to his right so the defender from the left will not be able to interfere.

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    4. clear DOGSO for me as well very surprise that in this situation with a FK he didn't give a red card, we can see that the villareal player is ahead of both player if van de ven don't touch him.

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    5. I'm totally agree with ITAREF...this is not DOGSO, after the touch with the knee the ball moves away from the probable control and goes to the outside, not to the goal. This favors the return of the second defender to the eventual contention. Chiara SPA. tI LEGGO SEMPRE CON PIACERE ITAREF !!

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    6. Thanks @ Pita Falta 😉 !

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  41. Here Juventus - Borussia Dortmund situation in 34', possible penalty for handball.
    If the ball touched the raised arm and not the head of the other defender (still, one can have doubts even after replay), clear penalty.
    Live, they called offside, and my feeling is that, as somebody wrote above here in the discussion, that the situation went totally unnoticed, possible that VAR didn't check at all (too short time for such a complicated situation before resuming).

    Live:
    https://streambug.org/cv/dc432f

    Replay (shown later):
    https://streambug.org/cv/8cda06

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    Replies
    1. And about the whistled penalty, Letexier explained also with gesture, that the attitude of the player was similar to a save by a keeper:
      https://streamff.com/v/2479e782
      Nevertheless, in my opinion, given the guidelines about handballs, some people could think about play on because arms as support, once player is on the ground. This just to say that it's always very hard if not impossible to have consistency with handballs. You should read not only the action but the real intention of a player, andI think it's not always possible.

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  42. To conclude, my opinion on Peljto handball penalty is that you can just support it, not a clear and obvious mistake, but rather harsh decision. I find correct by VAR to stay silent, in doubt. Possible that the Bosnian assessed a deliberate action by defender, who used the situation to then commit the handball, but given how things went for him, it sounds very harsh. A penalty that is't not a scandal, but maybe not to be whistled. Surely less penalty than Juventus - Borussia Dortmund, because it would be more complicated for the defender to do that being aware, but still..
    https://streamff.com/v/c7ece5c2

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    Replies
    1. @Chefren: I would like to know your opinion on PK by Taylor in PSV-USG.
      The attacker-defender contact is clear. However, to call a foul, a careless manner is at least mandatory.
      Well, Law 12 rules ad all of you know: “Careless is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution”.
      In this case, the defender doesn’t do see (and cannot see for the dynamics to f the action) the attacker who suddenly intervenes from behind the defender, anticipating him.
      To be honest I don't see any careless manner on the defender action, and so IMO a PK in this case seems rather questionable.
      What do you think about that?

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    2. If you reason like that, you would remove all the penalties that we see whistled in modern football.
      I would agree on the principle, if the defender can do nothing to avoid a contact, and it is rather the opponent coming close in an expected way, it's hard to find any careless action. The defender, to avoid all penalties, should only renounce to play and that's not required.
      So given the modern way of handling football, this is a clear penalty, but the question about "what defender sould then have done to avoid?" remains. Without an answer.
      https://streamff.com/v/ffa4d964

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    3. You're absolutely right.
      If it’s so (and it is so), however, to harmonize refereeing decisions with modern football, instead of dealing with fantasy scenarios (like what to do if the ball deflates and lands on the crossbar), the IFAB should simply decide to remove the word "CARELESS" from Law 12 regarding tackles in the penalty area. This would make any contact between an attacker and a defender sufficient to justify a penalty.
      Easy… with a modern approach 😉

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    4. I have to disagree with your conclusion. a clear handball offence requires either deliberate action or the arm making the body unnaturally bigger. In this case, the defender’s arm was in a natural position, close to the body, and the ball came from short distance. There was no deliberate movement toward the ball and The reason we have not seen that penalty given before, or a similar one, is because it does not meet the usual criteria for handball

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  43. I asked two former FIFA referees on social media. One said it's clear penalty, the other said it is not a penalty. :) We shouldn't blame Irfan peljto

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    1. The problem is about handballs, we will never have black or white situations. And in my opinion this issue can't be solved.

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    2. Problem with handball is that it gets called way more than it should. People don’t understand what ”unnaturally” bigger is.

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  44. 10/10 for irfan peljto 🔥🔥🔥 very good performance 💯... He deserves to be in a elite level also he show that red card so nice lol 😉 with explanation and with humanity 💯

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  45. https://streambug.org/cv/249a1e
    With apologies to Letexier and his team, never handball.
    We have solution thank to this angle.
    I had a feeling it was a possible header by the other player but I was not sure.
    But to add, the given penalty for handball is very discussed, according to some refereeing experts here, the arms in that position would be in a natural position and no matter it resulted in something like a save.
    Here, the debate is very open... but still I think OK by VAR to stay silent.

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  46. Chefren, your prediction for matchday 2 ?

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  47. Irfan Peljto completely bottled it on the big stage. I never expected such an experienced referee to award that penalty for handball, it was an amateur decision. That call is far from justifiable. The committee led by Rosetti may have confused referees by pushing strict punishment for handball, but not even in other leagues around the world would such a penalty be given. How could he possibly make that call at the highest level?

    The approach he took in the game was unnecessary and far too passive when it came to decision making. He appeared overly friendly, as if trying to justify everything instead of taking firm control. His body language was not convincing, especially when awarding the penalty. The gestures he made and the actual incident on the field did not match

    There are two possible outcomes here. Either Rosetti is unhappy with that decision and we won’t see Irfan Peljto on the big stage in upcoming matches. he’ll be assigned to lower profile games, similar to what happened with Anthony Taylor. Or, the committee is satisfied and decides to trust him again at the highest level.

    My worry is that this decision could cost him a chance to be selected for the World Cup. Before, I was so sure he would make it but now, I’m not so certain.

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    1. You should first look at the rules and then write. The penalty was awarded correctly, which will be confirmed by his subsequent appointments in the Champions League matches. Rules are rules. As cruel as it may be, this is a penalty. Peljto did an excellent job.

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    2. Peljto surely has the most extreme defense squad here on the blog. :P

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  48. This comment has been removed by the author.

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