Sunday, 14 December 2025

2025 FIFA Arab Cup - Referee Assignments

Please find below the referees assignments for 2025 FIFA Arab Cup



Monday 1 December 2025

Group A
14:00 CET - Al-Rayyan (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium)
TUNISIA - SYRIA
Referee: Juan Gabriel Calderón Pérez CRC
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Carlos Mora Araya CRC
Assistant Referee 2: William Andrés Arrieta Barrantes CRC
Fourth Official: Mario Alberto Escobar Toca GUA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Luis Aroldo Ventura Chacón GUA
Video Assistant Referee: Benjamín Pineda Ávila CRC
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI

Group A
16:45 CET - Al-Khawr (Al-Bayt Stadium)
QATAR - PALESTINE
Referee: Glenn Nyberg SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderkvist SWE
Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh NZL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Isaac Travis NZL
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gavan Gillett AUS/ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Lahlou Benbraham ALG

Tuesday 2 December 2025

Group B
13:00 CET - Al-Rayyan (Khalifa International Stadium)
MOROCCO - COMOROS
Referee: Mǎ Níng CHN
Assistant Referee 1: Zhōu Fēi CHN
Assistant Referee 2: Zhāng Chéng CHN
Fourth Official: Abdulrahman Ibrahim Al-Jassim QAT
Reserve Assistant Referee: Talib Salam Al-Marri QAT
Video Assistant Referee: Jumpei Iida JPN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Khamis Muhammad Al-Marri QAT

Group C
15:30 CET - Lusail (Lusail Stadium)
EGYPT - KUWAIT
Referee: Espen Andreas Eskås NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Elias Skjeseth Bashevkin NOR
Fourth Official: Ismail Elfath USA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Corey Michael Parker USA
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Antonio Joaquín García Noni URU

Group B
18:00 CET - Al-Rayyan (Education City Stadium)
SAUDI ARABIA - OMAN
Referee: Adham Muhammad Tuma Makhadma JOR
Assistant Referee 1: Muhammad Mustafa Hassan Al-Kalaf JOR
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Munis Nadi Al-Ruwaili JOR
Fourth Official: Juan Gabriel Benítez Mareco PAR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Eduardo Cardozo Escobar PAR
Video Assistant Referee: Sivakorn Pu-udom THA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Allen Chapman USA

Wednesday 3 December 2025

Group D
13:00 CET - Al-Rayyan (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium)
ALGERIA - SUDAN
Referee: Amin Muhammad Umar EGY
Assistant Referee 1: Mahmud Ahmad Kamil Ahmad Abu Al-Rijal EGY
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Tawfik Talib Ali EGY
Fourth Official: Cristián Marcelo Garay Reyes CHI
Reserve Assistant Referee: Claudio Andrés Urrutia Córdova CHI
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rodolpho Toski Marques BRA

Group D
15:30 CET - Doha (Stadium 974)
IRAQ - BAHRAIN
Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho GAB
Assistant Referee 1: Boris Marlaise Ditsoga GAB
Assistant Referee 2: Styven Danek Moutsassi Moyo CGO
Fourth Official: Glenn Nyberg SWE
Reserve Assistant Referee: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Video Assistant Referee: Abdullah Dhafir Al-Shahri KSA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Khamis Muhammad Al-Marri QAT

Group C
18:00 CET - Al-Khawr (Al-Bayt Stadium)
JORDAN - UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Referee: Ahmad Abu Bakr Said Al-Kaf OMA
Assistant Referee 1: Abu Bakr Salim Al-Amri OMA
Assistant Referee 2: Rashid Hamad Ali Al-Ghaithi OMA
Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh NZL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Edward Cook NZL
Video Assistant Referee: Lahlou Benbraham ALG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gavan Gillett AUS/ENG

Thursday 4 December 2025

Group A
15:30 CET - Lusail (Lusail Stadium)
PALESTINE - TUNISIA
Referee: Ismail Elfath USA
Assistant Referee 1: Corey Michael Parker USA
Assistant Referee 2: Kyle Thomas Atkins USA
Fourth Official: Mǎ Níng CHN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Zhōu Fēi CHN
Video Assistant Referee: Allen Chapman USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdullah Dhafir Al-Shahri KSA

Group A
18:00 CET - Al-Rayyan (Khalifa International Stadium)
SYRIA - QATAR
Referee: Mario Alberto Escobar Toca GUA
Assistant Referee 1: Luis Aroldo Ventura Chacón GUA
Assistant Referee 2: Humberto Noel Panjoj Chitay GUA
Fourth Official: Cristián Marcelo Garay Reyes CHI
Reserve Assistant Referee: José Francisco Retamal Silva CHI
Video Assistant Referee: Antonio Joaquín García Noni URU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED

Friday 5 December 2025

Group B
15:30 CET - Al-Rayyan (Education City Stadium)
OMAN - MOROCCO
Referee:  Juan Gabriel Benítez Mareco PAR
Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardozo Escobar PAR
Assistant Referee 2: Milciades Saldívar Franco PAR
Fourth Official: Espen Andreas Eskås NOR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Rodolpho Toski Marques BRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sivakorn Pu-udom THA

Group B
19:30 CET - Al-Khawr (Al-Bayt Stadium)
COMOROS - SAUDI ARABIA
Referee: Juan Gabriel Calderón Pérez CRC
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Carlos Mora Araya CRC
Assistant Referee 2: William Andrés Arrieta Barrantes CRC
Fourth Official: Amin Muhammad Umar EGY
Reserve Assistant Referee: Mahmud Ahmad Kamil Ahmad Abu Al-Rijal EGY
Video Assistant Referee: Benjamín Pineda Ávila CRC
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Lahlou Benbraham ALG

Saturday 6 December 2025

Group C
12:00 CET - Al-Rayyan (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium)
KUWAIT - JORDAN
Referee: Cristián Marcelo Garay Reyes CHI
Assistant Referee 1: Claudio Andrés Urrutia Córdova CHI
Assistant Referee 2: José Francisco Retamal Silva CHI
Fourth Official: Pierre Ghislain Atcho GAB
Reserve Assistant Referee: Boris Marlaise Ditsoga GAB
Video Assistant Referee: Antonio Joaquín García Noni URU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED

Group D
14:30 CET - Al-Rayyan (Khalifa International Stadium)
BAHRAIN - ALGERIA
Referee: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh NZL
Assistant Referee 1: Isaac Trevis NZL
Assistant Referee 2: Edward Cook NZL
Fourth Official: Ismail Elfath USA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Kyle Thomas Atkins NZL
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gavan Gillett AUS/ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jumpei Iida JPN

Group D
17:00 CET - Doha (Stadium 974)
SUDAN - IRAQ
Referee: Adham Muhammad Tuma Makhadma JOR
Assistant Referee 1: Muhammad Mustafa Hassan Al-Kalaf JOR
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Munis Nadi Al-Ruwaili JOR
Fourth Official: Mǎ Níng CHN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Zhāng Chéng CHN
Video Assistant Referee: Khamis Muhammad Al-Marri QAT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Allen Chapman USA

Group C
19:30 CET - Lusail (Lusail Stadium)
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - EGYPT
Referee: Glenn Nyberg SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderkvist SWE
Fourth Official: Mario Alberto Escobar Toca GUA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Humberto Noel Panjoj Chitay GUA
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rodolpho Toski Marques BRA

Sunday 7 December 2025

Group A
18:00 CET - Al-Khawr (Al-Bayt Stadium)
QATAR - TUNISIA
Referee: Espen Andreas Eskås NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Elias Skjeseth Bashevkin NOR
Fourth Official: Juan Gabriel Calderón Pérez CRC
Reserve Assistant Referee: Juan Carlos Mora Araya CRC
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rodolpho Toski Marques BRA

Group A
18:00 CET - Al-Rayyan (Education City Stadium)
SYRIA - PALESTINE
Referee: Ahmad Abu Bakr Said Al-Kaf OMA
Assistant Referee 1: Abu Bakr Salim Al-Amri OMA
Assistant Referee 2: Rashid Hamad Ali Al-Ghaithi OMA
Fourth Official: Amin Muhammad Umar EGY
Reserve Assistant Referee: Ahmed Tawfik Talib Ali EGY
Video Assistant Referee: Abdullah Dhafir Al-Shahri KSA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sivakorn Pu-udom THA

Monday 8 December 2025

Group B
18:00 CET - Lusail (Lusail Stadium)
MOROCCO - SAUDI ARABIA
Referee: Mario Alberto Escobar Toca GUA
Assistant Referee 1: Luis Aroldo Ventura Chacón GUA
Assistant Referee 2: Humberto Noel Panjoj Chitay GUA
Fourth Official: Cristián Marcelo Garay Reyes CHI
Reserve Assistant Referee: José Francisco Retamal Silva CHI
Video Assistant Referee: Antonio Joaquín García Noni URU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI

Group B
18:00 CET - Doha (Stadium 974)
OMAN - COMOROS
Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho GAB
Assistant Referee 1: Boris Marlaise Ditsoga GAB
Assistant Referee 2: Styven Danek Moutsassi Moyo CGO
Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh NZL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Isaac Trevis NZL
Video Assistant Referee: Lahlou Benbraham ALG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamín Pineda Ávila CRC

Tuesday 9 December 2025

Group C
15:30 CET - Al-Khawr (Al-Bayt Stadium)
EGYPT - JORDAN
Referee: Ismail Elfath USA
Assistant Referee 1: Corey Michael Parker USA
Assistant Referee 2: Kyle Thomas Atkins USA
Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh NZL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Edward Cook NZL
Video Assistant Referee: Allen Chapman USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdullah Dhafir Al-Shahri KSA

Group C
15:30 CET - Doha (Stadium 974)
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - KUWAIT
Referee: Mǎ Níng CHN
Assistant Referee 1: Zhōu Fēi CHN
Assistant Referee 2: Zhāng Chéng CHN
Fourth Official: Espen Andreas Eskås NOR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Isaak Elias Skjeseth Bashevkin NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gavan Gillett AUS/ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rodolpho Toski Marques BRA

Group D
18:00 CET - Al-Rayyan (Khalifa International Stadium)
ALGERIA - IRAQ
Referee: Abdulrahman Ibrahim Al-Jassim QAT
Assistant Referee 1: Talib Salam Al-Marri QAT
Assistant Referee 2: Saud Ahmad Al-Maqalah QAT
Fourth Official: Amin Muhammad Umar EGY
Reserve Assistant Referee: Mahmud Ahmad Kamil Ahmad Abu Al-Rijal EGY
Video Assistant Referee: Sivakorn Pu-udom THA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Khamis Muhammad Al-Marri QAT

Group D
18:00 CET - Al-Rayyan (Education City Stadium)
BAHRAIN - SUDAN
Referee: Juan Gabriel Benítez Mareco PAR
Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardozo Escobar PAR
Assistant Referee 2: Milciades Saldívar Franco PAR
Fourth Official: Juan Gabriel Calderón Pérez CRC
Reserve Assistant Referee: William Andrés Arrieta Barrantes CRC
Video Assistant Referee: Benjamín Pineda Ávila CRC
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jumpei Iida JPN

Quarter-Finals

Thursday 11 December 2025

15:30 CET - Al-Rayyan (Khalifa International Stadium)
MOROCCO - SYRIA
Referee: Cristián Marcelo Garay Reyes CHI
Assistant Referee 1: Claudio Andrés Urrutia Córdova CHI
Assistant Referee 2: José Francisco Retamal Silva CHI
Fourth Official: Juan Gabriel Benítez Mareco PAR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Eduardo Cardozo Escobar PAR
Video Assistant Referee: Rodolpho Toski Marques BRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamín Pineda Ávila CRC

18:30 CET - Lusail (Lusail Stadium)
PALESTINE - SAUDI ARABIA
Referee: Amin Muhammad Umar EGY
Assistant Referee 1: Mahmud Ahmad Kamil Ahmad Abu Al-Rijal EGY
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Tawfik Talib Ali EGY
Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh NZL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Isaac Trevis NZL
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gavan Gillett AUS/ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sivakorn Pu-udom THA

Friday 12 December 2025

15:30 CET - Al-Rayyan (Education City Stadium)
JORDAN - IRAQ
Referee: Espen Andreas Eskås NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Elias Skjeseth Bashevkin NOR
Fourth Official: Pierre Ghislain Atcho GAB
Reserve Assistant Referee: Boris Marlaise Ditsoga GAB
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Khamis Muhammad Al-Marri QAT

18:30 CET - Al-Khawr (Al-Bayt Stadium)
ALGERIA - UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Referee: Adham Muhammad Tuma Makhadma JOR
Assistant Referee 1: Muhammad Mustafa Hassan Al-Kalaf JOR
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Munis Nadi Al-Ruwaili JOR
Fourth Official: Juan Gabriel Calderón Pérez CRC
Reserve Assistant Referee: Juan Carlos Mora Araya CRC
Video Assistant Referee: Allen Chapman USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdullah Dhafir Al-Shahri KSA

Monday 15 December 2025

15:30 CET - Al-Rayyan (Khalifa International Stadium)
MOROCCO - UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Referee: Espen Andreas Eskås NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Elias Skjeseth Bashevkin NOR
Fourth Official: Mǎ Níng CHN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Zhōu Fēi CHN
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gavan Gillett AUS/ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamín Pineda Ávila CRC

18:30 CET - Al-Khawr (Al-Bayt Stadium)
SAUDI ARABIA - JORDAN
Referee: Juan Gabriel Benítez Mareco PAR
Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardozo Escobar PAR
Assistant Referee 2: Milciades Saldívar Franco PAR
Fourth Official: Cristián Marcelo Garay Reyes CHI
Reserve Assistant Referee: Claudio Andrés Urrutia Córdova CHI
Video Assistant Referee: Antonio Joaquín García Noni URU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED

160 comments:

  1. Could soneone please share a link of Mbappe’s goal where he scored immediately after it touched the hand? Correct decision, but I want it for educational purposes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://streambug.org/cv/c4db75

      Delete
    2. Why an onfield review though since it’s a factual decision? Once it touched the hand and was scored, there is nothing to be viewed in the opinion of the referee. They could just say it via headset in a few seconds.

      Delete
  2. With some delay, but that's not important, here some clips from the most underexposed game of last Tuesday, Donatas Rumšas in Slavia Prague - Athletic Bilbao.
    To me, borderline between challenging and very challenging.
    Not very challenging in terms of crucial decision, but definitely full of clumsy challenges and agitated players.
    How much was the Lithunian referee able to stamp his mark on the game?

    15' YC for disturbing keeper before releasing the ball
    https://streambug.org/cv/5750df

    19' YC for dissenting action, kicking ball after whistle
    https://streambug.org/cv/f6a335

    21' Possible YC for reckless, to me better to give it
    https://streambug.org/cv/41e886

    26' Management
    https://streambug.org/cv/a7384c

    40' YC reckless
    https://streambug.org/cv/e3a9d3

    42' Management - YC to coach
    https://streambug.org/cv/323720

    Full sequence of end of first half
    https://streambug.org/cv/a986dd
    A penalty area incident, OK to play on, it was nothing, but then poor management with player on the ground, but going unnoticed by Lithuanian officials, you can see that he stopped the game too late when the other team had already conducted an attack, so a goal or a even more challenging situation would have turned into chaos. More alertness needed. To be discussed also the resume of the game (how he managed it). To follow in the very last minute of added time, a YC for reckless.

    60' Possible foul (not clear), then another YC to the other coach
    https://streambug.org/cv/961bbd

    86' Conflict, management, YC, cooperation AR
    https://streambug.org/cv/a61210

    90' Another conflict, management
    https://streambug.org/cv/e775e6

    A really rough match, as I had anticipated earlier in my comment, and certainly the Lithuanian referee, compared to a previous version of himself that we have seen, has raised his level of strictness, which is evident in certain situations. There are clear improvements, in my opinion, however, full control of very tense matches like this one is, I think, still not fully within his possibility. From my point of view, things didn't completely explode here mostly because the players, at some point, stopped themselves. Still, the fact that all these conflicts continued until the end, even when the referee had previously tried some preventive measures, gives the impression of a referee who is not perceived as extremely strong figure on the pitch.
    This could be understandable, as the referee is still relatively new at certain levels, though some time has already passed. I believe that a fairly positive assessment can definitely be drawn from his experience so far regarding the possibility of promotion to Elite status, but the committe will make its evaluations. He has worked hard on this aspect, of course, but from my perspective, he might still lack a little something for a full Elite level.
    We should also say that, compared to other referees, he certainly wouldn't be that bad, and the judgment must absolutely take into account the difficulty of the matches. One could have expected a bit more in terms of prevention and alertness toward the players. Among other things, I liked his slightly angry expression toward the end of the game; he should probably do this a bit more often to change his style when needed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Forgot to add, you can see this in some clips, but it's rather my perception, you see him very often talking with players that is basically a good thing in terms of communication, but in some circumstances to me he gave the idea that players rather exercited pressure trying to "instruct" him! Should have shown a more severe approch in some cases, but that's rather a perception issue and I can be wrong, as the dialogues with players can be genuine in some cases.

      Delete
    2. Thank you for the interesting report!! I think Rumsas is pretty much locked in for promotion to Elite (after several years of waiting) at this point.

      Delete
  3. Day 2 appointments:

    MARCOM: Ma Ning (CHN)
    EGYKUW: Eskås (NOR)
    KSAOMA: Makhadmeh (JOR)

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  4. Good start of the tournament, pretty solid performance from Calderón Pérez .

    ReplyDelete
  5. I don't know if it was commented in here, but big discussion on potential RC in PSG/Monaco with the contact on the goalkeeper Chevalier. What are your opinions? Referee was Turpin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Curiously I just saw the incident and I must say I’m surprised that wasn’t RC…

      Delete
    2. To me, it's not clearly RC, since the contact isn't that far above the ankle.

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    3. Clear RC was missed, and French DTA official Gautier publicly stated that Turpin was wrong, as was VAR referee Pignard.

      Delete
  6. To whom it may interest, José Luis Munuera Montero mic'd up at the Sevillan derby Sevilla-Betis on Sunday, a similar format to Busquets Ferrer last year in the Madrid derby. Unfortunately no substitles available for now.

    Good performance by the Andalusian in the very first derby with a "local" referee, including a correct RC for SEV7 for a 'tackle as an attack'. Just like Busquets Ferrer last year, he had to send the players to the dressing room for 10 minutes due to persisting crowd misbehaviour (throwing bottles, lighters...), albeit with the players much more reluctant to follow him this time, as it was in 88th minute and everyone wanted the match to end asap due to the result.

    Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFI5xfODzZU

    ReplyDelete
  7. Glenn Nyberg with a good performance in QATPLE. His disciplinary was unsurprisingly lenient but players helped him much with their good behaviour and there were no issues with control at all. The only big incident will make Qatari supporters upset (especially that Palestine won) although Nyberg EXCELLENTLY read it through!!!

    https://streamff.link/v/353e5c73

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I watched the game and agree. "Busacca-coded" performance by Nyberg (including allowing his AR1 to be shouted to his face by a Palestine player with no card) but otherwise basically fine, closely patrolling the incidents as he usually does. As you mentioned, correct no-PK decision in 66', the only remarkable PAI/KMI of the match.

      On a side note, I noticed that the Kiwi FO spent the whole 2H almost glued to the Qatar manager, by far more prone to complain and make gestures than his Palestinian peer.

      For the umpteenth time, Busacca should know that not every referee can afford to adapt their style to current FIFA Refcom doctrine without being 'disarmed'. Fortunately Nyberg is one of them.

      Delete
  8. Day 3 appointments:

    ALGSDN: Omar (EGY)
    IRQBHR: Atcho (GAB)
    JORUAE: Al-Kaf (OMA)

    ReplyDelete
  9. TUNSYR (Juan Gabriel Calderón Pérez)

    https://files.fm/u/yqm6zz4bda

    06' - blatant mobbing by 21SYR and 7SYR(captain) after blatant tactical foul by 13TUN, no disciplinary sanctions
    23' - blatant tactical foul by 19SYR, public warning only
    36' - missed off-the-ball holding by 13TUN
    39' - YC 11SYR for SPA holding, mandatory
    41' - missed mandatory YC 4SYR for SPA tackle
    47' - YC 15TUN for SPA, mandatory
    50' - dissenting behaviour of 7SYR after a play-on call
    54' - YC 2TUN for SPA tackle, mandatory
    60', 87', 90+2', 90+5' - several cases of delaying the restart by SYR players, no action taken
    74' - PAI holding, nothing

    Difficult to assess performances if FIFA encourage their referees to keep both eyes closed to unsporting behaviour...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that at a certain point it is also the referee's duty to understand what to do on the field. For me, here we are simply at a very low level. I mean, if I have to believe that he refereed this way just to follow FIFA guidelines, honestly I would be shocked, because this is even below that. If he hadn’t even given the few yellow cards he did, it would have been the same to start game without referee . But for me, referees who act this way are essentially not at an expected level, rather than just being the result of directives they are given… I want to think this way

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    2. He isn't called "No cards Calderón" for nothing...

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  10. Did anyone watch Girona against Real Madrid on Sunday?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes. I think it was a fine performance by De Burgos, the handball wasn't easy to spot live for the OFR, and the penalty decision was supportable, same for the no penalty decision on Rodrygo.

      Delete
    2. I would rather give a penalty kick in the rodrygo situation but it‘s ok. Today de Burgos is the referee of Barca- Atletico

      Delete
    3. I understand your position. While the contact is there, for me it's too soft, and the decision not to intervene for the VAR was correct for me.

      Delete
  11. QATPLE (Glenn Nyberg)

    https://files.fm/u/yp7zaqenbd

    09', 20' - delaying the restart by QAT players
    13' - play-on call after a flying tackle by 2PLE, then a revenge challenge by 17QAT
    22' - missed mandatory YC 9PLE for reckless tackle (in case of injury even a RC for SFP possible)
    25', 27', 39' - fouls committed by 20PLE
    35' - possible YC for reckless use of arm by 17QAT
    44' - YC 8PLE for reckless tackle, mandatory
    66' - PAI tackle; the ball is not played by the defending player but the attacker falls down before any contact; great reading by the referee
    68' - dissent by 9PLE at AR1's face, no action taken...
    87' - LoR-ish holding by 5PLE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for all the reports!
      22' is a very mandatory card given how player entered the challenge and this must be reported as important mistake, however the Swedish looked to have a very good game for the rest, I see he has a bit changed his style, becoming less lenient than the past, but there are for sure still some occasions in which he could do better.
      66' is a fantastic read, but one can have doubts the referee saw exactly that (no gesture) rather than allowing play just because he didn't have elements. However, an excellent NO CALL by VAR, maybe he should be praised even more than Nyberh for keeping this decision as valid. In Italy, no need to say, this would have been a penalty, all people in case astonished for such a decision. Nevertheless, for a better management and acceptance purpose, even a YC for simulation was possible, because according to this argument, playuer wouldn't have had reasons to fall before.

      Delete
  12. Ma Ning I don’t know if he is good referee or not !!?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Replies
    1. He gave two correct PKs live to Egypt (the latter produced a 2YC for the Kuwaiti GK), but again, too FIFA-coded to ignore (another AR being shouted to his face without sanction, an extremely blatant and poorly executed dive by an Egyptian attacker in injury time where Eskas played on instead of giving IFK+YC...), like Nyberg, passed the test for WC for sure.

      Delete
  14. Strong performance by Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea in Barcelona vs Atlético de Madrid, his third march in 6 days (!) after Fenerbahçe - Ferencváros and Girona - Real Madrid.

    The Basque referee is in top form right now, hope he has a second CL game in this GS.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's no referee in Spain who lets the play flow like De Burgos when he is in top form.

      Delete
  15. Outstanding de burgos in barcelona atletico

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  16. Really really good performance by De Burgos Bengoetxea in Barcelona. Correct PK commited by ATM8 and YC for BAR18 (no DOGSO) were two crucial moments and IMO good decision both.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Best Performance I saw from a Spanish ref since long time: There seems to be some light at the end of the Spanish tunnel, hopefully.

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  17. MARCOM (Ma Ning)

    10' possible offside prior to corner kick leading to an opening goal
    https://streamff.link/v/94d73857

    60' PAI kicking; imo very good no penalty call as the attacking player deliberately puts his leg in front of the defending player and the ball is not close enough to deem it shielding; in case of penalty being awarded, no VAR intervention would be required though
    https://streamff.link/v/a2da24c7

    78' [OFR] PAI GK intervention; I would deem this intervention unnecessary - the attacking player plays the ball to the side and is not interested in reaching it - good that Ma Ning upheld the initial no-penalty call; interesting public explanation :D
    https://streambug.org/cv/951426

    90+2' PAI charging/impeding; imo rather collision than a foul
    https://streamff.link/v/197e15ba

    The Chinese convinces me at this tournament. He is able to manage players and take some actions that help him gaining respect on the field. This game was the easiest one apart from the penalty incidents that ultimately made it quite difficult for the referee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All situations in which Italian fans would see a scandal in both 60' and 78' decisions! Great that at first VAR didn't intervene in 60' and then referee refused to change idea in 78'. Both would be assessed as big penalty here, because attackers are "allowed to take position and play the ball where they want..".
      I must praise the decisions in this game. But unfortunately not all referees would be incline to do so. Among other things, I would be very curious about Collina and Busacca opinions when referees act in this way. Unconventional...

      Delete
    2. Once there was a time with a very experienced Spanish referee... :-))

      Delete
  18. Palestine-Tunisia: Elfath
    Syria-Qatar : Escobar

    ReplyDelete
  19. EGYKUW (Espen Andreas Eskås)

    19' - possible YC 17EGY for reckless use of arm
    https://streamff.link/v/537778e4

    25, 39' - YC 19EGY after his second tactical holding offence
    https://streamff.link/v/2c8dbb46

    36' - Penalty awarded for careless kick
    https://streamff.link/v/bc973828

    49' - play-on after potential simulation; no replay but in such scenario it should be either FK+YC for SPA or IFK+YC for simulation
    https://streamff.link/v/21f87998

    51' - YC 12KUW for SPA
    https://streamff.link/v/d70d065c

    55' - SPAlike offence by 7KUW and mobbing from EGY
    https://streamff.link/v/6747891c

    77' - YC 23KUW for time wasting, quite harsh given there was no warning before
    https://streamff.link/v/179ff4b0

    83' - correct penalty award after excellent advantage, and perfect 2YC 23KUW for reckless tackle (I'm sure most of referees would only opt for a penalty in such case)
    https://streambug.org/cv/7eb1ea

    90+1' - possible YC 18EGY for dissent at AR1
    https://streamff.link/v/359910b5

    90+3' - missed mandatory YC 18EGY for simulation
    https://streamff.link/v/90ca3a00

    hectic ending of the game with some provocative behaviours
    https://streambug.org/cv/7a1fb7

    Apart from above incidents, the Norwegian handled the game in a very firm and cool manner, having a very good communication / rapport with players and playing some nice advantages. I would deem him slightly ahead of Nyberg after this game if they are competing with each other.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. First of all, I want to highlight how the second penalty is really clear, and this is a case where the keeper's challenge is without any doubt punishable, with keeper colliding by using certain force with an attacker who can't know or anticipate it. This is how penalties should always be, instead of those typical situations where keepers attempt a save but it is actually the attackers who end up winning the penalty. That said, the booking, probably for reckless, comes a bit later; it might seem like a caution for dissent, it's not entirely clear, but in such cases, the other nearby defenders could have behaved similarly towards the Norwegian, so it is likely that the yellow card is for the foul. In my opinion, and I agree, it's an excellent decision: clear reckless action, regardless of whether it would be SPA / DOGSO or not, a type of evaluation for fouls in the penalty area that has been almost disappeared recently (one should remember Letexier’s masterful red card in a Lazio-Bayern match, with a penalty plus red for a serious foul play). This would represent refereeing at a higher level, considering today's low trend, where everyone is satisfied with a penalty call, but it often doesn't seem easy. That said, in my view, the Norwegian did very well here, also considering the previous advantage; if he had handled the two cases, at least one clear simulation, with a yellow card, it would have been even better, as could have been a caution for dissent towards the assistant, but in this case, it should have been the latter to signal it (it’s typical of Nordic officials to generally overlook these situations more, as in their leagues they encounter them less frequently compared to the standard elsewhere in Europe and in more under the spotlights leagues). Regarding the first penalty, I accept it, though to me it's one of those "ugly" penalties with truly minimal careless action; however, it's not mistake and should be seen in the context of the match. The rest seems very adequate to me, with good alertness in some situations through body language. I agree that, in a certain type of analysis, it might appear like a slightly better performance than the Swedish referee, but there doesn’' necessarily have to be a competition between the two. We'll see how it goes for Eskas; for me, he started well with only small points for improvement, but already known stuff, as said above.

      Delete
  20. Lisbon derby benfica vs sporting : antonio nobre

    ReplyDelete
  21. All Arab Cup games today have produced at least one RC, all of them correct IMO.

    Omar in ALGSDN, 2YC for reckless kick:
    https://streambug.org/cv/05803c

    Atcho in IRQBHR, RC for VC (headbutt):
    https://www.streambug.io/cv/d6933f

    Al-Kaf in JORUAE, PK + RC for DOGSO/holding:
    https://www.streambug.io/cv/f8a64d

    ReplyDelete
  22. Prediction of matchday six
    My expectations
    Kairat vs olympiakos: jovanovic
    Bayern vs Bayern munich: turpin
    Monaco vs galatasaray: hernandez
    Atalanta vs chelsea : kovacs
    Inter vs Liverpool: joao pinheiro
    Barcelona vs frankfurt: pjeto
    Union vs marseille: gozobuyuk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think we can expect Portugese referees instead of Pjeto and Gozobuyuk.

      Delete
    2. Don’t think pinheiro will get that one 😅

      Delete
    3. Pinheiro have a game (division two) on Sunday. No games for him this week in Champions League

      Delete
    4. The games he will referee is Saturday and champions league so there is no relationship between them

      Delete
    5. Turpin will referee a fascinating clash between Bayern and Bayern.

      Delete
    6. Kairat vs olympiakos: joao pinheiro
      Bayern vs Bayern munich: joao pinheiro
      Monaco vs galatasaray: joao pinheiro
      Atalanta vs chelsea : joao pinheiro
      Inter vs Liverpool: joao pinheiro
      Barcelona vs frankfurt: joao pinheiro
      Union vs marseille: joao pinheiro

      Delete
  23. Interesting incident from yesterday's Polish Cup game. There is a foul, the referee plays an advantage but it turns out to be an offside, so the referee goes back to the foul, awards a FK and issues a YC for SPA. Wasn't it DOGSO though?

    https://streambug.org/cv/e623a0

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Clear DOGSO IMO but good that the ref went back for the foul

      Delete
  24. PL debut for Thomas Kirk tonight in Burnley vs Brentford (with Olivers AR's). Similar to Barrott a few years ago he been given a debut despite not many tier 2 games.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lewis Smith also got given his debut after very few championship games a few years ago but he's seemed to fallen out of favour recently in terms of PL games.

      Delete
    2. how was the performance if you had the chance to watch it?

      Delete
    3. Saw most of it, seemed a quiet game with no bookings made. Few desperate penalty appeals by Burnley but all not given correctly.

      Delete
    4. Another referee outside of Select Group 1 doing a game tonight, Andrew Kitchen (his 5th having done some at the end of last season/start of this season)

      Delete
  25. Good refereeing by Manzano in a rather easy game.

    ReplyDelete
  26. KSAOMA (Adham Makhadma)

    21' - potential advantage not given, mobbing
    https://streamff.link/v/6f5e5972

    22' - possible YC 7OMA for reckless use of arm
    https://streamff.link/v/b5badbe7

    27', 30', 31' - controversial (no) handball calls
    https://streamff.link/v/2718a56b

    35' - play-on call in a SPA/DOGSO scenario, unfortunately no replay :/
    https://streamff.link/v/01f18042

    44' - Goal OMA disallowed for blatant offside (AR2)
    https://streamff.link/v/739e8987

    67' - dissent by 18KSA
    https://streamff.link/v/1e3b7817

    77' - very good onside at goal KSA (AR2)
    https://streamff.link/v/89e20fc2

    83' - [OFR] YC 13KSA for reckless challenge upheld after OFR; imo clear RC for SFP to be issued...
    https://streambug.org/cv/6333fd

    90+1' - blatant delaying the restart by 5KSA
    https://streamff.link/v/19ecd895

    90+3' - possible YC 9OMA for reckless studs challenge
    https://streamff.link/v/42f5bc92

    Not a fan of this performance. Makhadma can do better regarding contact with players and overall focus. He paid much attention to hurrying up the players in the first half and overusing the whistle for that was quite annoying. Everything was at the okayish level (apart from the no-red card decision after OFR) but the x-factor was missing, tbh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Honestly it's hard to say OK performance, having watched all clips I must disagree, even if we want to rule out the red card incident (for me clear red card as well...), the rest was not good, three handball mistakes in a wor, missed YC in 90'+3, did nothing after dissent... missed that advantage in first half. OK, you can say typical AFC, but this is by far a negative performance, even too long time at monitor, if you ask me.

      Delete
  27. Doveri was yesterday awarded best referee for the 24-25 season in Italy. the top 3 was completed by Gianluca Aureliano and Daniele Chiffi.

    While Doveri had a really good season last year ( same for Chiffi ), I am surprised not to see Mariani in at least top3, having had a good season, and refereed the cup final.

    Congratulations to Doveri !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As far as I'm concerned, these awards have zero prestige. They are often thrown around at random just to mention names. There's no real technical evaluation, and as example of that, it's completely incomprehensible to put someone like Aureliano right behind. Chiffi could be there, but they are clearly just putting names like that. These are awards have been given on for years, but they have really lost all meaning. In past there was more focus on them, but now they are truly worthless. This isn't said to discredit the winner, but it's the reality of the facts. Basically, it's similar to the early times of IFFHS award for referees, when they even got the names of the referees wrong, let alone the rest...

      Delete
    2. I agree, especially seeing Aureliano there, who is a really average referee and didn't particularly have a great year. It's very strange seeing him up there.

      Delete
  28. Vendredi 5 Decembre 2025

    MAROC vs OMAN
    Arbitre : Juan Gabriel Benítez Mareco PAR
    Arbitre assistant 1 : Eduardo Cardozo PAR
    Arbitre assistant 2 : Milciades Saldívar Franco PAR
    Quatrième officiel : Espen Andreas Eskås NOR
    Arbitre assistant de réserve : Jan Erik Engan NOR
    Arbitre assistant vidéo : Rodolpho Toski Marques BRA
    Arbitre assistant vidéo assistant : Sivakorn Pu-udom THA

    ReplyDelete
  29. From the referees in UEFA First Category, who do you see being appointed for Matchday 6 in the Champions League?

    ReplyDelete
  30. What a performance for Mario escobar I think he will be officiate world cup 2026

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agree with your impression of the game! Both Elfath and Escobar showed a very high level of refereeing in the matches yesterday, particuarly in the respect of rapport/relationship with players, under which heading both Concacaf officials excelled. That being said - I think the Guatemalan should have ignored Higler's advice and stuck to the penalty he initially gave; the Dutch Var focused way too much on the close-up replays, when the wide live sequence gave the best impression (that the Qatari attacker was indeed pushed over by the defender).

      Delete
  31. OT: When should been published new UEFA RAP? Do you have some information?

    ReplyDelete
  32. ALGSDN (Amin Muhammad Umar)

    07' - SPAlike offence by 5SDN
    https://streamff.link/v/087b511d

    13' - PAI kicking and afterward conflict; okay no penalty although potential penalty award would be acceptable due to leg in back contact
    https://streamff.link/v/cfe5e58f

    28' - YC 14ALG for reckless tackle, after advantage; harsh one
    https://streamff.link/v/590560e7

    30' - SPAlike handball by 7SDN
    https://streamff.link/v/dd80c368

    33' - warning 5SDN after dissenting behaviour
    https://streamff.link/v/53775b4f

    40' - YC 9ALG for reckless studs challenge, mandatory
    https://streamff.link/v/a257762b

    44' - warning 13SDN after dissenting behaviour
    https://streamff.link/v/63a5b848

    45+4' - 2YC 9ALG for reckless kick; even possible RC for SFP/VC was possible, absolutely no doubt about both cards to this player
    https://streamff.link/v/e7dd085f

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 53' - play-on call after potential SPA tackle by 5ALG vs simulation by 7SDN
      https://streamff.link/v/30286613

      59' - rather wrong offside call by AR2 and warning 22SDN after delaying the restart
      https://streamff.link/v/0e17d155

      62' - YC 13SDN for SPA tackle, mandatory
      https://streamff.link/v/fecb6f05

      72' - PAI tripping; the defending player managed to get a marginal contact with the ball but is it enough to assess the incident as no penalty? or maybe the later attacker's handball had its impact?
      https://streamff.link/v/b9ea3e7c

      77' - PAI, actually a scissor tackle but without any impact/contact, so correct no penalty
      https://streamff.link/v/b852982e

      85' - missed YC 18SDN for reckless challenge
      https://streamff.link/v/9812d97f

      87' - possible 2YC 14ALG after step on foot; rather accidental than really reckless, so okay no sending off
      https://streamff.link/v/236445e6

      88' - PAI charging, no replay
      https://streamff.link/v/cf60538f

      Bonus: management of injuries
      the referees got strong instructions to act in a very clear way to limit the number of (unnecessary) medical treatments (and also to keep players waiting much longer for their return in case of medical treatment); imo, although it being a problem, especially in games involving Arab teams, it's a bad move by FIFA - for example, approaching a player being hit in the head by the ball to persuade him that no medical treatment is needed - this approach could lead to bad things
      https://streambug.org/cv/81b23f

      Delete
    2. Looks like a very challenging game for the Egyptian referee.
      I think one can agree with all crucial decisions, and in most of the incidents for me no penalty is OK, but the second yellow card should have been a straight red card. Clear violent conduct with player aware to hurt opponent without the chance of playing ball. First YC to same player was very good spot, I think not all referees would have issued it, given how particular was the incident (ball before and then contact with opponent in that way). But it was indeed full reckless.
      In 87' I can agree it was fully accidental. For me this was a performance in which you can say, despite of many incidents to assess, that the referee kept rather a positive image of himself on the pitch.

      Delete
  33. IRQBHR (Pierre Ghislain Atcho)

    07' - possible YC 7BHR for SPA
    https://streamff.link/v/bdf0c2dd

    18' - possible YC 18BHR for reckless challenge
    https://streamff.link/v/49f70b42

    23' - possible YC 23BHR for SPA holding
    https://streamff.link/v/4d854de8

    24' - [VAR] PAI tripping and goal disallowed for offside (AR1), allowed after VAR intervention - no offside, big mistake by AR1
    https://streamff.link/v/129aa911

    30' - YC 3IRQ for reckless tackle, mandatory but, after three possible cautions to opponents, it looks bad to be forced to open cards here
    https://streamff.link/v/037db1f7

    32' - SPAlike offence by 20IRQ and dissent at AR2, no disciplinary sanction
    https://streamff.link/v/c0f8e1f5

    35' - PAI handball (not punishable) and mandatory YC 2BHR for SPA tackle
    https://streamff.link/v/0fb07370

    45+5', 50' - two tactical offences by 20BHR
    https://streamff.link/v/50f56771

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 49' - management of conflict at set piece
      https://streamff.link/v/8f4045fd

      65' - YC 20IRQ for reckless?/PI?; not in line with previous calls, maybe a delayed caution for 32' situation ;)
      https://streamff.link/v/ed9b93ed

      70' - possible YC 16IRQ for reckless tackle
      https://streamff.link/v/0a17c926

      89' - possible YC 3BHR for SPA tackle
      https://streamff.link/v/29e041e7

      90+2' - possible YC 23BHR for reckless challenge, YC GK IRQ for time wasting
      https://streamff.link/v/8c123922

      90+3' - RC 11BHR for VC, YC 8IRQ for UB - close to 4OF, quick and 100% correct call
      https://streambug.org/cv/27042b

      Delete
    2. Big mistake by AR1 here, not expected at this level.
      About the possible penalty before, no reaction by referee, but I tend to think it was rather supportable choice to play on. It would have been more on focus, without the goal scored after.
      Very quick and all good about 90'+3 call, maybe Nyberg as fourth official having his say as well, but the Gabonese referee clearly saw by himself. Nevertheless, given all the possible cards, one could draw the conclusion that the action by player in the very last incident of the game, was the result of a certain (lacking) disciplinary control by referee. However, at the same time, one must remember how challenging these games can be.

      Delete
  34. Predictions CL MD6 - trying without repetitions from MD5
    Almaty - Olympiakos: Petrescu (van Boekel)
    Bayern - Sporting: Gil Manzano (del Cerro Grande)
    Atalanta - Chelsea: Kovacs (Dankert)
    Inter - Liverpool: Peljto (Storks)
    Barcelona - Frankfurt: Aghayev (Dieperink)
    PSV - Atletico: Obrenovic (Jug)
    USG - Marseille: Lukjancukas (Cuadra)
    Tottenham - Slavia: Bastien (Delajod)
    Monaco - Galatasaray: Schnyder (Salisbury)
    Villareal - Copenhagen: Barbu (Bebek)
    Qarabaq - Ajax: Meler (di Bello)
    Real - ManCity: Turpin (Brisard)
    Dortmund - Bodo: Lambrechts (di Paolo)
    Bilbao - PSG: Taylor (Attwell)
    Leverkusen - Newcastle: Sylwestrzak (Lasyk)
    Brugger - Arsenal: Schärer (Dingert)
    Benfica - Napoli: Gözübüyük (Kwiatkowski)
    Juventus - Pafos: Godinho (Narciso)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The five past matches doesn't happen any match day referee does not repetite so I think we will see repatation

      Delete
    2. We don't understand your English.

      Delete
    3. Sorry I mean there isn't a single round in which it hasn't been repeated at least one referee

      Delete
  35. Champions League predictions for MD6:

    Kairat Almaty vs Olympiacos — RICARDO DE BURGOS
    Bayern Munchen vs Sporting — ANTHONY TAYLOR
    AS Monaco vs Galatasaray — ERIC LAMBRECHTS
    Atalanta vs Chelsea — JOAO PINHEIRO
    Barcelona vs Eintracht Frankfurt — ISTVAN KOVACS
    Inter vs Liverpool — DANNY MAKKELIE
    PSV vs Atletico Madrid — IVAN KRUZLIAK
    Union SG vs Marseille — DANIEL SIEBERT
    Tottenham vs Slavia Praha — SANDRO SCHARER

    Qarabag vs Ajax — HALIL UMUT MELER
    Villarreal vs Copenhagen — IRFAN PELJTO
    Athletic Club vs PSG — SLAVKO VINCIC
    Leverkusen vs Newcastle — DAVIDE MASSA
    Borussia Dortmund vs Bodø/Glimt — SIMONE SOZZA
    Club Brugge vs Arsenal — MAURIZIO MARIANI
    Juventus vs Pafos — FELIX ZWAYER
    Real Madrid vs Manchester City — CLEMENT TURPIN
    Benfica vs Napoli — JESUS GIL MANZANO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. These are some predictions that make sense to me, even though I doubt the actual list will look like this. Marciniak and Letexier already have 4 games in the league phase, so I expect them to skip this round — giving them another one now would be too much, especially with MD7 and MD8 deciding who goes through.

      Lambrechts and Sozza are First Category referees who are getting more and more trust, and I honestly think Eric has a real chance of reaching the Elite group. De Burgos has had two excellent performances in La Liga and I think he deserves a Champions League appointment.

      Umut Meler and Peljto — I’m not sure they will get games, but I believe they should. Peljto is still the referee with the strangest status at the moment, because up until the RMA–MAR match he was among the top 6–7 referees in terms of match quality.

      Scharer just returned from injury and I expect him to get a match, although it’s also possible they start him in the Europa League.

      I’m expecting Turpin at the Bernabéu — that’s the one I’m most confident about. Mariani and Massa should also get their games, and since I think Guida will pause, it makes sense for Sozza to “fill” the Italian slot.

      Vincic could get another big match, but I went with him for PSG. Pinheiro surprisingly got a second-division match on Saturday, which usually means they’re preparing him for a big appointment in this round. I gave him Atalanta–Chelsea, but he might also be sent to Milan, which would be great for our friend AAY :) (Even though I still think Pinheiro isn’t at that level yet.)

      Kovacs should get his usual strong match, and I think it’s time for Makkelie to handle a derby again.

      The rest is “close enough”, but like I said — this could end up looking very good, or it could be a complete miss. Who knows what Rosetti will come up with next… :)

      Delete
  36. My predictions for CL MD6:

    Kairat - Olympiakos: Manfredas Lukjančukas
    Bayern - Sporting: Erik Lambrechts
    Atalanta - Chelsea: Serdar Gözübüyük
    Barcelona - Frankfurt: Danny Makkelie
    Inter - Liverpool: Ivan Kruzliak
    Monaco - Galatasaray: De Burgos Bengoetxea
    PSV - Atletico Madrid: István Kovács
    St. Gilloise - Marseille: Davide Massa
    Tottenham - Sparta Prag: Luís Godinho

    Qarabag - Ajax: Simone Sozza
    Villareal - Kopenhagen: Sandro Schärer
    Athletic Bilbao - PSG: Glenn Nyberg
    Benfica - Neapel: Anthony Taylor
    Club Brügge - Arsenal: Rade Obrenović
    BVB - Bodo Glimt: Əliyar Ağayev
    Juventus - Pafos: Ivan Peljto 
    Leverkusen - Newcastle: Espen Eskas
    Real Madrid - Man City: Clement Turpin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eskas and Nyberg are on Arab cup

      Delete
    2. Wow okey i missed it ^^ My new predictions:

      Kairat - Olympiakos: Manfredas Lukjančukas
      Bayern - Sporting: Erik Lambrechts
      Atalanta - Chelsea: Serdar Gözübüyük
      Barcelona - Frankfurt: Danny Makkelie
      Inter - Liverpool: Ivan Kruzliak
      Monaco - Galatasaray: De Burgos Bengoetxea
      PSV - Atletico Madrid: István Kovács
      St. Gilloise - Marseille: Davide Massa
      Tottenham - Sparta Prag: Luís Godinho

      Qarabag - Ajax: Simone Sozza
      Villareal - Kopenhagen: Sandro Schärer
      Athletic Bilbao - PSG: Rade Obrenović
      Benfica - Neapel: Anthony Taylor
      Club Brügge - Arsenal: Joao Pinheiro
      BVB - Bodo Glimt: Əliyar Ağayev
      Juventus - Pafos: Ivan Peljto 
      Leverkusen - Newcastle: Alejandro José Hernández
      Real Madrid - Man City: Clement Turpin

      Delete
  37. JORUAE (Ahmad Al-Kaf)

    07', 61', 67' - no sanction 21UAE after these challenges
    https://streamff.link/v/e8843037

    09' - possible YC 21JOR for blatant delaying the restart, another case of DtR in 12'
    https://streamff.link/v/88dd038f

    13' - missed evident corner kick
    https://streamff.link/v/696d0f58

    14' - rightly rejected penalty appeal
    https://streamff.link/v/c4559252

    17' - warning 16UAE after kicking an opponent
    https://streamff.link/v/80418c8e

    18' - penalty awarded and RC 19UAE for DOGSO holding; technically correct decision but I have a strange feeling that FIFA would prefer a YC
    https://streamff.link/v/a23d2246

    23' - possible YC 16JOR for SPA handball
    https://streamff.link/v/ba2d2b63

    25' - wrong play-on close to AR2
    https://streamff.link/v/8f46b5ac

    35' - [OFR] penalty awarded and YC GK UAE for DOGSO/attempt; should have been spotted live but maybe understandable given that Arab players often simulate
    https://streambug.org/cv/7544d8

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 63' - [VAR] goal initially disallowed for offside (AR2), allowed after VAR intervention - no offside
      https://streamff.link/v/4bb6d4b8

      83' - wrong offside by AR2
      https://streamff.link/v/aee056f7

      85', 86' - time wasting management
      https://streamff.link/v/14166cb0

      89' - YC 6JOR for SPA holding, mandatory
      https://streamff.link/v/00442379

      90' - YC 20UAE for follow-through reckless tackle, correct, no sanctions for bench reaction...
      https://streamff.link/v/b90fd5f1

      Delete
    2. In my opinion in the case of the penalty after OFR, you must decide whether penalty or simulation live, there isn't a third way. The third way should mean you have indeed missed the assessment. Looked like a simulation at first glance, honestly, but you have that contact and so penalty is justified, OK by VAR. Very good about the other decision, for me clear RC for DOGSO even if there was the other defender closer, the referee from Oman seen in some situations looking for AR1 cooperation before taking a decision. I agree about no penalty call in 14'.

      Delete
  38. Makhadmeh, with the obviously wrong ‘no RC after OFR’ in his 1st game, got 2nd GS game appointment, while Ma Ning could only still be appointed as 4O, what a shame!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Chinese got a play-off, so he has two games actually. Given he was very good in both of them, he can be a candidate for something big. Moreover, I don't think that SDNIRQ is a reward. Both teams are really hard to referee (SDN with their rough way of play, IRQ with a bad attitude). We'll see how Makhadma performs.

      Delete
  39. Referees in first category that I think they will get match luis godinho, ricardo deburgos , manfredas

    ReplyDelete
  40. I read that Turpin is the predicted referee for Real Madrid vs. Manchester City. I suspect that’s accurate, simply because there aren’t many realistic alternatives left. And there’s no doubt that the Frenchman is fully capable of handling a match of that magnitude.

    But from Rosetti’s perspective: what kind of signal does that appointment send?

    It seems as though Turpin’s performance in Slovenia was rejected by UEFA. His compatriot Letexier has already officiated 4 Champions League matches this season, whereas Turpin has only had 2. So what message does Rosetti send by apparently sidelining someone for a round and then assigning him straight to the bonkers game?

    What you’d really want to see is a consistent reward policy: the best games should go to the referees who have recently been performing at the highest level.

    ReplyDelete
  41. MD3 predictions
    QAT-TUN: Eskas - Calderon - Higler, Garcia
    SYR-PAL: Al-Kaf - Benitez - Benbraham, Gillett
    MAR-KSA: Al-Jassim - Nyberg - Al-Marri, Chapman
    OMN-COM: Atcho - Makhadmeh - Garcia, Toski
    EGY-JOR: Elfath - Al-Kaf - Chapman, Alshehri
    UAE-KUW: Kawana - Ma - Gillett, Iida
    ALG-IRQ: Escobar - Garay - Higler, San
    BAH-SUD: Calderon - Omar - Pineda, Puudom

    ReplyDelete
  42. PLETUN (Ismail Elfath)

    https://files.fm/u/3yfuqcwr4k

    KMI
    15' - rather wrong onside by AR2 prior to a corner kick leading to Tunisia's goal
    45' - correctly rejected penalty appeal
    45+2' - potential VC off-the-ball elbowing in the penalty area but last replay shows there was no defending player's fault
    51' - Goal TUN - possible foul in APP; fully okay play-on after this negligible push
    61' - okay no offside prior to Palestine's first goal (ref/AR2)
    70' - PAI handball; correct no penalty call as the ball was played by a teammate
    75' - PAI step on foot; the most controversial incident, the ball is gone so the foul should be assessed reckless to award a penalty, it was close but perhaps not 100%

    Other incidents:
    06', 07', 35' - difficult opening for Elfath who decided to keep cards in his pocket, in the second incident - the SPA holding by 13TUN - it's hardly acceptable, fortunately Elfath had the player in mind and cautioned him in 35' after a foul that normally wouldn't be cautioned at this tournament
    22' - YC 5PLE for SPA, okay
    30' - missed step on foot by 8TUN
    59' - missed mandatory YC 17TUN for reckless step on foot
    63' - blatant delaying the restart by 5TUN, warning only
    72' - missed mandatory YC 6TUN for reckless tackle
    83' - play-on after potential SPA/reckless tackle by 14PLE

    While at being an actor Elfath succeeded, the technical accuracy was not good, especially in disciplinary. But who cares nowadays...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 45' no penalty, correct decision
      45'+2 defender could do nothing, it was attacker rather going against him
      51' supportable and better to play on, however this is a situation in which many referees would have whistled, maybe even immediately after the (detected) foul, without waiting
      70' Many people don't know this rule you mentioned, it's good to remember that if ball comes from a teammate (another defender), punishing the touch is not expected in most of situatioin
      75' tricky situation, I don't think, and it was to me impossible, that the US referee made the perfect assessment here, he rather couldn't see all that had happened, you have also the contact by attacker once he has kicked the ball, OK, you can forgive it without assessing as foul, but then looking only at the subsequent possible step on foot would be indeed harsh, I can agree no clear and obvious mistake, but this one very likely would have put in trouble many VARs, here we saw somebody backing the referee and that's good, more generally at this tournament it seems we are not seeing the very OPEN FIFA VAR as we know it, maybe Collina asked for a change, or maybe some VARs are just acting like in UEFA games (and that's good for me).

      About disciplinary control, definitely not good. A couple of very clear step on foots not punished accordingly. These would be objective mistakes in UEFA. In 72' I think he missed the tackle, focused on the ball, even if it was in his line of vision.
      It's up to FIFA to assess if they are content because he has good relations with players, but in terms of technical accuracy, honestly his previous appearance at WC already said that, he is not the best referee, or at least, he is like others.

      Delete
  43. Interesting penalty given now in barca betis.
    Could someone get the clip and also explain to me the rules for such cases??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://streamff.com/v/68c61833
      Raised arm, increasing body's volume. Defender took a risk.
      No matter the previous touch on body because it was a deflection, however according to some people the deflection before could remove the concept of "clear and obvious mistake" in terms of VAR mandatory (or not) intervention, but it's not the same in all countries. You will see always such a penalty called for sure in both Spain and Italy, but maybe England will refuse it...

      Delete
    2. Thanks chefren. But in term of uefa/ucl standards, is it more correct to call it a penalty or not?

      Delete
    3. You should ask Rosetti. But yes, I think a VAR like Dankert would call it due to the position of the arm, of course no doubts if ball directly to arm, very big penalty.

      Delete
    4. 'Maybe England will refuse it'... I think everyone can hear the British commentators on that clip for their views... I'd expect a rather quick check complete and play on in England. But yes, absolutely very different expectations depending on the country

      Delete
    5. IFAB is crystal clear in their Q&A and footballrules.com that it’s never a handball if the ball comes off the body. No matter what. Just shows how pointless it is to write such a statement. They are confusing themselves.

      Delete
  44. SYRQAT (Mario Escobar)

    https://files.fm/u/n6f83bsx69

    KMIs
    32', 51' - correctly rejected penalty appeals
    59' - [OFR] penalty annulled after on-field review; in UEFA the original call would stay due to charging-in-the-back/pushing elements but in FIFA we always look for the best solution when assessing key match incidents and I guess that Escobar thought about leg contact therefore okay VAR intervention and final no penalty call
    81' - PAI kicking; as always controversial a 'shielding the ball vs putting the leg in front of defender' incident; such penalties seem to be not liked by FIFA (see no penalty by Ma Ning in 60' of MARCOM)
    90+4' - PAI, missed YC 17QAT for simulation

    Other incidents:
    05' - potential SPA handball by 8QAT
    17' - not allowing a quick throw-in in a dangerous set-up due to stealing metres
    34', 40' - no cards after careless-reckless tackle and SPAlike offence
    65' - possible YC 14QAT after LoR/SPA holding
    79' - warning 19QAT after studs challenge
    81' - YC 20QAT for reckless challenge
    84' - possible YC after off-the-ball holding
    84' - YC 10QAT for LoR holding

    Apart from no card in 65' and too much tolerance for really bad behaviour of Julen Lopetegui as QAT coach (this FIFA approach is really something else), it was a rather good performance by the Guatemalan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to me it's impossible to accept that 59' is a clear and obvious mistake, there is a clear element of push, never shoulder / shoulder contact that would justify a correction by VAR. I think you can't intervene for such incident at WC, it would be astonishing. You have the action by defender, it can be soft, but it exists. Call against VAR protocol and most of VARs from other countries, let alone UEFA, would have stayed silent, and rightly so. So for me never a mistake by referee.

      Excellent analysis about the other incident in 81', all is about how to consider that "putting the leg in front of opponent". Caused contact or fair action? In case of latter opinion, then penalty, but for me such penalties should be never whistled. I agree they can be considered far from being obvious and clear mistakes, but of course here in Italy it's totally different, they are seen as very clear fouls by most of people.
      So it's up to FIFA to decide what to do, I can praise VAR work in that case.
      90'+4 another case of very clear simulation where the referee maybe sees and ignores to avoid the card: not good.
      Overall, it seems a rather good performance indeed, and very particular facial expressions by the referee from Guatemala all match long. See as example 49:10 but also other circumstances. It seems he was very focused in this game.
      Maybe hard, but a small chance to follow the footsteps of his famous countryman named Carlos?

      Delete
  45. CL tuesday
    Makkelie Monaco - Galatasaray
    Walsh Bayern Munich - Sporting

    ReplyDelete
  46. Very one sided game for Eskas in TUN/Qatar.. He kind of gave every 50/50 situation to Qatar, sometimes frustrating the tunisian players .. No big mistake though, correct 2nd YC to Tun.

    ReplyDelete
  47. What a strong performance from young referee in Real Madrid-Celta! Man with attitude! Well done! We will see if he will ever observe Real’s match…

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quintero González's 'magic minute' in RM - Celta de Vigo.

      YC for dissent to Carreras, RC for abusive language to Carreras, YC for dissent to Valverde, YC for dissent to Rodrygo (should have been a RC tbf) and RC to someone on the bench.

      Clip: https://www.streambug.io/cv/51c94c

      Delete
    2. Agree. First Time I observe Quintero Gonzalez and what a brave refereeing ! Well done !

      Delete
    3. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
    4. Appreciate your transparency on the last sentence.
      To keep the same level of transparency towards you, what you say is dangerous and what you probably could need is a ban :(

      Delete
  48. Well In my opinion he did a poor job one of the worst refreeing I have ever seen I'm expecting that he will be suspended after that horrible performance... The worst la liga ref no doubt...

    ReplyDelete
  49. I did not see that game but the images of the red cards for RMA and please let me say that the true shame is the behaviour of so called elite professional players towards a referee, agressive, angry, disrespectful.

    Agree it can happen for a ref to lose respect from the players because of a really bad performance (again, did not see the game), but some boundaries have to be set. You can go for 3-4 red cards.

    I am a rugby ref and if Rodrygo shouts at me that way it is a red card in every rugby game. If Mbappé does what he did at previous games he is sent off as well.

    We referees absolutely need to take some action

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well then I suggest that u watch the game... He didn't booked celta players for fouls, the celta goalkeeper didn't get the yellow for time wasting/or on the new rule it's corner for the opposite team but the ref just ignore all of that, he wrongly booked jude for entering the game ( 4 official give him permission to enter the game) and in the end he added too little time correct would be at least 8 min and he didn't let real to play fast he stopped the game cuz he wanted to give the ball where the foul was made wich is crazy in my opinion have feeling for the game and let the game go on... And then the chaos has started, protesting cuz of that... And u guys think that this is great refreeing 😵‍💫, quintero don't have feeling for the game he didn't have the same criteria for both sides that's a fact.... he is bad refree.... his performance is for suspension...

      Delete
    2. You forgot to say Agiz: ¡Hala Madrid!

      Delete
    3. @Aziz
      "his performance is for suspension..."
      You have same agenda as football club you are talking about

      Delete
    4. Yea there are some rumors that he will be "sent" to segunda division after that horrible performance 🤮 hope that this is true, some justice for real tho... Btw he could just let the play go on but no instead of that he choose to make the chaos by showing this red/yellow cards like hes on drugs or smth... He could just talk with players use words instead of cards... Good refree never makes chaos out of nothing tho...

      Delete
    5. “some justice for real tho”…LOL, next time please write a comment under a neutral point of view, not as a RMA fan ;)

      Delete
  50. QF predictions
    MAR-SYR: Makhadmeh - Ma - Al-Marri, Chapman
    PAL-KSA: Omar - Atcho - Benbraham, Higler
    JOR-IRQ: Calderon - Al-Kaf - Pineda, Iida
    ALG-UAE: Escobar - Elfath - Garcia, San

    ReplyDelete
  51. Bahrain-Sudan an absolute disaster, missed clear VC and penalty for tripping, both rectified after VAR intervention. Plenty of mobbing completely ignored. Very weak refereeing in this tournament. I don't like this direction FIFA is going with the club world cup and now arab cup.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Red card: https://youtu.be/_h0WOFgh26U?t=5420
      Penalty: https://youtu.be/_h0WOFgh26U?t=6674

      Given that Benitez's style of refereeing (old school law-enforcer) is not in vogue nowadays, it seems there must be an off the FoP reason for his sudden rise in FIFA stakes in 2025; with this performance yesterday, the likelihood of the Paraguayan handling a match on the pitch at the next World Cup seems to have fallen away.

      Delete
    2. Red card: just whistling without paying attention to what was happening right in front of his eyes, very passive approach.
      Penalty: here absolutely no explanation, "isolated" and classic incident, you must go either for calling it or simulation, incredible to play on. You should only have an obstructed view... knowing Collina, these incidents will cost the referee from Paraguay a World Cup call.

      Delete
  52. QF Appointments:
    MAR–SYR: Garay – Benitez – Toski, Pineda
    PAL–KSA: Omar – Kawana-Waugh – Gillett, Pu-Udom
    JOR–IRQ: Eskas – Atcho – Higler, Al Marri
    ALG–UAE: Makhadmeh – Calderon – Chapman, Alshehri

    The most surprising thing is that Makhadmeh, who delivered one of the weakest performance in 1st GS match (missed clear RC after OFR), still received a QF assignment. It really feels as if FIFA had already pre-determined before this Arab Cup that Makhadmeh is “World Cup-ready,” so no matter how serious his GS mistakes were, they were never going to affect his future appointments.

    The six refs without QF: Nyberg, Elfath, Escobar, Kaf, Ma Ning, and Al-Jassim. Nyberg is taking charge of Cruz Azul vs Flamengo and is highly likely to get one of the Arab Cup semifinals, with the other semifinal very possibly going to Escobar. Elfath can be saved for the Intercontinental Cup Final. As for Kaf, Ma Ning, and Al-Jassim, the three AFC referees will likely be assigned to the Intercontinental Cup play-off and the Arab Cup third-place match.

    Based on the appointment pattern from the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup, the four QF 4Os are unlikely to receive further assignments. Among the four QF refs, two will typically serve as 4O in the semifinals, while the other two compete for the Finale, most likely Garay and Eskas this time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Later I will write more about the group matches of the Arab Cup (now I've watched them all), but in response to your comment I would say: Makhadmah's appointment is completely logical, for two reasons.

      First, that I don't think FIFA will deem the lack of Saudi red card as a (serious) mistake -- in my opinion, it is a clear RC -- and secondly, the very high level of refereeing shown by Makhadmah in his later group stage match, Sudan-Iraq (by far the best ref performance in the whole GS). I don't think it is exaggerated to say the lookalike of the famous Italian referee delivered a 'Collina-esque' performance, handling the game in a quite outstanding and deeply impressive manner. It is surely impossible to imagine Makhadmah showing such a high level of refereeing in a match, not between Sudan and Iraq, but instead (eg) 'Brazil/Argentina vs. top UEFA team' - BUT if he could, then he would not only be one of the best Asian referees, but indeed one of the very best referees of all in the World (Cup). It will be interesting to see how the Jordan referee does on Friday.

      On the other hand, I would slightly contravene what has been written on this page, and argue that the refereeing in this tournament has generally been pretty good. In the group stage though, there are two exceptions to that. First, the match spoken about above between Bahrain and Sudan, where Juan Gabriel Benitez from Paraguay struggled to manage the match adequately. Unlike in his already-shaky previous match, Oman-Morocco, Benitez also struggled in making key calls: the lack of alertness shown in the violent conduct incident (I'll link the clips above) was very amateurish.

      But, by far the worst of all was Abdulrahman Al-Jassim's performance yesterday, who handled Algeria-Iraq in a quite shocking and appalling manner. It was quite clear from the very beginning of the match that the Qatari referee was not in a fit mental state (I'm choosing those words selectively) to referee a top football match, with a lack of focus that was genuinely tough to watch. I'm really not sure what happened here, because Al-Jassim generally did a good job in what was an extremely difficult and epic playoff match, between Sudan and Lebanon. It raises questions about what exactly happened internally in the intervening period between that match, on 26th November, and the horrendous performance yesterday (9/Dec) - not least because this affair has happened all before, in Al-Jassim’s WC2022. It seems that Salman Fallahi’s candidacy for 2026 was sealed yesterday in all but name.

      Some clips from Algeria-Iraq (key calls, then managing the game):

      https://youtu.be/JmD6NPr7aIk?t=1715
      https://youtu.be/JmD6NPr7aIk?t=1936
      https://youtu.be/JmD6NPr7aIk?t=4322

      https://youtu.be/JmD6NPr7aIk?t=2156
      https://youtu.be/JmD6NPr7aIk?t=2760
      https://youtu.be/JmD6NPr7aIk?t=6304
      (there are too many to list but you get the idea…)

      Delete
    2. My thoughts on this is ADHAM already in List so they want give him more match to all fans forget that mistake!!

      Delete
    3. My overview would be:

      Tunisia-Syria, Juan Gabriel Calderon 7️⃣
      Qatar-Palestine, Glenn Nyberg 7️⃣
      Morocco-Comoros, Ma Ning 7️⃣
      Egypt-Kuwait, Espen Eskas 7️⃣
      S.Arabia-Oman, Adham Makhadmah 6️⃣
      Algeria-Sudan, Mohamed Amin 7️⃣
      Iraq-Sudan, Pierre Ghislain Atcho 6️⃣
      Joran-UAE, Ahmed Al-Kaf 6️⃣

      Palestine-Tunisia, Ismail Elfath 7️⃣
      Syria-Qatar, Mario Escobar 7️⃣
      Oman-Morocco, Juan Gabriel Benitez 6️⃣
      Comoros-S.Arabia, Calderon 7️⃣
      Kuwait-Jordan, Cristian Garay 7️⃣
      Bahrain-Algeria, C. Kawana-Waugh 6️⃣
      Sudan-Iraq, Makhadmah 8️⃣
      UAE-Egypt, Nyberg 6️⃣

      Qatar-Tunisia, Eskas 7️⃣
      Syria-Palestine, Al-Kaf 6️⃣
      Morocco-S.Arabia, Escobar 7️⃣
      Oman-Comoros, Atcho 6️⃣
      Egypt-Jordan, Elfath 7️⃣
      UAE-Kuwait, Ma 6️⃣
      Algeria-Iraq, Abdulrahman Al-Jassim 2️⃣
      Bahrain-Sudan, Benitez 4️⃣

      Delete
    4. I’ve also watched all the group-stage matches, but I cannot agree with your conclusion that “Makhadmeh was the best referee of the whole GS.”

      In his 1st GS match, he had a clear red card missed even after OFR. I agree that Al-Jassim’s performance was awful and surely one of the worst of the tournament, but if Al-Jassim deserves a 2.0, then Makhadmeh’s 1st match absolutely deserves 2.0 as well.

      Under normal circumstances, if a referee like Ma Ning, for example, miss a clear RC after OFR, he probably wouldn’t even receive a second GS match, let alone a QF. The fact that Makhadmeh got a second GS and then a QF is, in my view, simply unfair, especially for those refs who didn't have any mistakes after OFR.

      Also, regarding his 2nd GS match, the was much lower compared to many other games, there were no complex KMIs, and the matchitself was quite easy to control. He did handle it smoothly, but for me that is at most a 7.0, not the “8.0 Collina-esque performance” you described.

      I agree with some of your ratings, but I have different views on several matches. My scores are as follows:

      Tunisia–Syria, Juan Gabriel Calderon: 6
      Morocco–Comoros, Ma Ning: 8
      Saudi Arabia–Oman, Adham Makhadmeh: 2
      Algeria–Sudan, Mohamed Amin: 8
      Palestine–Tunisia, Ismail Elfath: 6
      Comoros–Saudi Arabia, Calderon: 6
      Sudan–Iraq, Makhadmeh: 7
      Qatar–Tunisia, Eskas: 8
      Egypt–Jordan, Elfath: 8
      UAE–Kuwait, Ma Ning: 7

      In short, while I respect your opinion, I strongly disagree with the idea that Makhadmeh was the top GS referee. His trajectory in this tournament looks heavily protected and not performance-based at all.

      Delete
    5. (I wrote my marks according to this system:
      https://mikaelreferee.blogspot.com/p/evaluation-scale.html)

      It's nice to read your pov! As for Ma Ning, his overall level of refereeing in the three games he's done has been good. Here are some clips from UAE-Kuwait:

      7min - correct YC for reckless (despite being early in the game)
      https://youtu.be/QDYiIHQrwao?t=1591

      14min - correct penalty after a foul challenge
      https://youtu.be/QDYiIHQrwao?t=1968

      +46min - not the best management of halftime whistle
      https://youtu.be/QDYiIHQrwao?t=3910

      51min - justified RC after OFR for violent conduct
      https://youtu.be/QDYiIHQrwao?t=5215

      So, the referee from China was heading towards another clearly good (7) performance - but, from my perspective he tarnished that a little bit by simply refusing to book anyone in the last twenty minutes. As a consequence, his level of match control decreased and in the last of the timestamps below, you can see an unconvincingly managed potential VC incident.

      https://youtu.be/QDYiIHQrwao?t=6364
      https://youtu.be/QDYiIHQrwao?t=6850
      https://youtu.be/QDYiIHQrwao?t=6920
      https://youtu.be/QDYiIHQrwao?t=7924

      In the end, my mark would be 6. Ma overall has had a good tournament, and I think he could be selected both to referee the Arab third place game next week, but more pertinently as the leading East Asian referee to handle games at the WC next summer.

      Delete
  53. MAROC vs SYRIE

    Arbitre: Cristián Marcelo Garay Reyes CHI
    Arbitre assistant 1 : Claudio Andrés Urrutia Córdova CHI
    Arbitre assistant 2 : José Francisco Retamal Silva CHI
    Quatrième officiel : Juan Gabriel Benítez Mareco PAR
    Arbitre assistant de réserve : Eduardo Cardozo Escobar PAR
    Arbitre assistant vidéo : Rodolpho Toski Marques BRA
    Arbitre assistant vidéo assistant : Benjamín Pineda Ávila CRC

    ReplyDelete
  54. Coupe arabe de la FIFA 2025 – Quarts de finale

    11 décembre 2025
    Maroc – Syrie
    Arbitre : Cristian Garay CHI (photo)
    Arbitre assistant 1 : Claudio Urrutia CHI
    Arbitre assistant 2 : Jose Retamal CHI
    Quatrième officiel : Juan Benitez PAR
    Réserve AR : Eduardo Cardozo PAR
    VAR : Rodolpho Toski BRA
    AVAR : Benjamin Pineda CRC

    Palestine – Arabie Saoudite
    Arbitre : Amin Omar EGY
    Arbitre assistant 1 : Mahmoud El-Regal EGY
    Arbitre assistant 2 : Ahmed Ali EGY
    Quatrième Officiel : Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh NZL
    Reserve AR : Isaac Trevis NZL
    VAR : Jarred Gillett ENG
    AVAR : Sivakorn Pu-Udom THA

    12 décembre 2025
    Jordan – Iraq
    Arbitre : Espen Eskas NOR
    Assistant Arbitre 1 : Jan Engan NOR
    Assistant Arbitre 2 : Isaak Bashevkin NOR
    Quatrième officiel : Pierre Atcho GAB
    Reserve AR : Boris Ditsoga GAB
    VAR : Dennis Higler NED
    AVAR : Khamis Al-Marri QAT

    Algérie – EAU
    Arbitre : Adham Makhadmeh JOR
    Arbitre assistant 1 : Mohammad Al Kalaf JOR
    Arbitre assistant 2 : Ahmad Al Roalle JOR
    Quatrième arbitre : Juan Calderon CRC
    Reserve AR : Juan Mora CRC
    VAR : Allen Chapman USA
    AVAR : Abdullah Al-Shehri KSA

    ReplyDelete
  55. Coupe du Monde de la FIFA 2026 – Séminaire des candidats arbitres (AFC, CAF, OFC)

    Doha (Qatar), 23-27 février 2026

    AFC
    1. Alireza Faghani (AUS, 1978)
    2. Ma Ning (CHN, 1979)
    3. Adham Makhadmeh (JOR, 1986)
    4. Yusuke Araki (JPN, 1986)
    5. Khalid Al-Turais (KSA, 1987)
    6. Ahmed Al Kaf (OMA, 1983)
    7. Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (QAT, 1987)
    8. Salman Falahi (QAT, 1990)
    9. Omar Al-Ali (EAU, 1981)
    10. Ilgiz Tantashev (UZB, 1984)

    Non retenus de la liste présélectionnée :
    1. Kim Jong-Hyeok (KOR, 1984) 1983)
    2. Mahomet Al-Hoish (Arabie Saoudite, 1986)
    3. Ahmad Al-Ali (KUW, 1984)
    4. Nazmi Nasaruddin (MAS, 1990)
    5. Adel Al-Naqbi (EAU, 1982)

    CAF
    1. Mustapha Ghorbal (ALG, 1985)
    2. Jean Ndala (COD, 1987)
    3. Amin Omar (EGY, 1985)
    4. Pierre Atcho (GAB, 1992)
    5. Dahane Beida (MTN, 1991)
    6. Jalal Jayed (MAR, 1987)
    7. Issa Sy (SEN, 1984)
    8. Omar Artan (SOM, 1992)
    9. Mahmood Ismail (SDN, 1988)

    Non retenu du liste présélectionnée :
    1. Alhadi Mahamat (CHA, 1986)
    2. Mohamed Maarouf (EGY, 1986)
    3. Mutaz Ibrahim (LYB, 1990)
    4. Abongile Tom (RSA, 1991)

    OFC
    1. Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (NZL, 1983)

    Non retenu de la liste présélectionnée :
    1. Ben Aukwai (SOL, 1986)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aukwai being out is interesting because it probably means the rumoured allocation of referees is incorrect. I wouldn't expect him to be at the WC even as just 4th official if he doesn't attend such a seminar

      Delete
    2. I don't think it's incorrect; it was simply the committee's initial plan at the beginning of the cycle. When it comes to the end and a confederation doesn't have the necessary referees, obviously they won't fill the vacancy with referees who don't have the required qualifications, and those vacancies can go to other confederations or even be eliminated.

      Delete
  56. A couple of clips from yesterday's Cruz Azul vs. Flamengo tie for Glenn Nyberg.

    1) No penalty called for a deliberate handball on the goalline due to the 't-shirt' line ruling
    https://streamff.link/v/d792e949

    2) Swedish referee in trouble to maintain control of the match during 2half additional time
    https://streamff.com/v/1a4ae855

    Overall, the manner in which Nyberg handled the game was satisfactory.

    ReplyDelete
  57. [#Intercontinental]
    🇧🇷 Flamengo vs Pyramids 🇪🇬
    A: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim 🇶🇦
    A1: Taleb Al Marri 🇶🇦
    A2: Saoud Al Maqaleh 🇶🇦
    4to: Juan Calderon 🇨🇷
    5to: Juan Carlos Mora 🇨🇷
    VAR: Khamis Al-Marri 🇶🇦
    AVAR: Sivakorn Pu-Udom 🇹🇭

    I’m shocking. How on earth Jassim deserves this appointment of Intercontinental semi-final after his catastrophic performance in GS round 3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same way he got 3rd place match last WC.
      By being """"""""excellent """"""".

      Delete
    2. Algeria-Iraq was only warm-up before this match. I'm almost 100% sure he knew he will be the referee of Intercontinental semifinal few weeks ago xd

      Delete
  58. Average from Eskas, some positive and negatives;
    Mantained control,respected by players and had easy match as one could say.

    But also,too much leniency and 6 minutes of added time was too little,given the fact that Jordan players were using every chance to be on the floor in the 2nd half.

    Maybe that's something that Collina and rest of the world should concern,too much leniency and fear to book players when they are timewasting.

    Also in 1st half,pretty big penalty miss where VAR had to call him.

    And big elbow that caused another player to bleed,no card was shown there,it even happened right next to the 4th official,but I guess no one give cards when another player fouls another so much that the one starts to bleed.

    ReplyDelete
  59. SF predictions
    MAR-UAE: Omar - Eskas - Gillett, Toski
    KSA-JOR: Ma - Garay - Puudom, Al-Marri

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  60. Benitez and Eskas got the semifinal, well, simply cannot imagine how Benitez, one of the worst performance in GS, deserves this semifinal, while Ma Ning could only be 4O and obviously will not have any fixtures to officiate. Ridiculous!

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  61. Al-Jassim has Intercontinental semi, Benitiz has Arab Cup semi, perfect👏

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  62. The appointments are indeed strange, indeed, if we look at performances, but I think one argument can be that Collins is making the final tests, then when over they will draw conclusions for WC.
    Still, as referee performing well, looking at the choices, you should be more than disappointed.Maybe you should even leave...

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  63. Benitez in the semis? Oh my God. I give up

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  64. Another negative day in Serie A: yesterday, a clear penalty was not given in Torino-Cremonese; then in Parma-Lazio, an incorrect RC was given to Zaccagni and an RC was not given to Cancellieri; now in Milan-Sassuolo a penalty was not given to Sassuolo. Rocchi has been heavily criticised for his management, but honestly, if the overall level is not very high, Rocchi cannot work miracles.

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    1. I think one can accept Marchetti red card in Parma - Lazio, not a clear and obvious mistake, however many situations to be reviewed in his game and he confirmed he is not a good referee. But.. definitely more worrying, to say it kindly ,is the missed VAR intervention in Torino - Cremonese. One should only stop to appoint VAR, at this point...

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    2. Yes it’s been a terrible week end for italian referees sadly.. too many mistakes.. even sozza missed a foul and had to be corrected by VAR to cancel a goal.

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  65. To be honest, anybody interested in analysing refereeing should really give up with FIFA tournaments. The treatment of referees there is extremely unfair, based ONLY on politics and you can clearly see that good (even decent) performances are no longer needed to appoint a favoured referee to big games in spite of far better performing colleagues without the needed support. Elfath, Al-Jassim... It's enough now. At least for me.

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    1. Completely agree, Euro Soccer Ref. And thank you very much for your analysis and contribution in this blog.

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    2. Any opinion on Amin Omar on his overall tournament?

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    3. Personally, the more inexplicable point for me is that I can't understand how Collina accepts working in such a context, it's something that goes beyond me. At UEFA he was well known for being an absolute authority in refereeing matters. And now? Part of this circus?

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  66. Demi-finale

    MAR vs UAE

    Arbitre : Espen Andreas Eskås NOR
    Arbitre assistant 1 : Jan Erik Engan NOR
    Arbitre assistant 2 : Isaak Elias Skjeseth Bashevkin NOR
    Quatrième officiel : Mǎ Níng CHN
    Arbitre assistant de réserve : Zhōu Fēi CHN
    Arbitre assistant vidéo : Jarred Gavan Gillett AUS/ENG
    Arbitre assistant vidéo assistant : Benjamín Pineda Ávila CRC

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  67. Meanwhile, another very poor Sunday in serie A with controversial decisions. In Milan, Crezzini, a referee liked by Rocchi but without real experience in serie A, handled Milan - Sassuolo and took some debatable decisions, for me you can support all the choices, but both teams are angry after the game. In Udinese - Napoli, Sozza confirmed the rather negative impressions so far: I really don't understand what happened to him, before being nominated FIFA referee he had been excellent, then all over. Missed very clear YC, missed foul before a goal, and VAR intervened. Honestly, this is the worst season for serie A referees since I started to follow football, and it's a very long time! Rocchi has responsibilities, not strong in giving instructions and guidelines and very inconsistent, with changes of direction after every matchday, but more worrying than that is the quality of referees, in almost all elements close to 0. Even the ones who were good before, disappeared for some reasons. One can think it's impossible to do worse than that, but day after day, this happens.

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  68. Interesting one in the Premier League. Brooks awarded a penalty (35') to Brentford (v Leeds), but overturned as the player was offside. That has been accepted, but I'm not convinced. First, had he committed the offside offence before the foul, and second, is this not subjective, so if it is believed to be offside, should the act of being offside not require an OFR? I don't think it's objective, and I think the foul was first. The only thing I believe that could have been overturned was the foul itself, but I don't believe the onfield decision is a clear and obvious error.

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  69. Auxerre - Lille definitely a game to be watched, officiated by the New UEFA Cat. 1 Referee Pignard

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  70. Anybody with a video of Bellingham’s goal immediately after a handball? Full sequence if possible, including replays. VS Alaves.

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    1. Stonewall handball, nothing to discuss https://x.com/xKGx__/status/2000301986760229041

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    2. I am not discussing anything. It’s for educational purposes to explain that no goal can be scored no matter where the hand would be.

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    3. Okay, fair enough. I thought you might have missed the replay or something. But I agree, this is a good example of what should be considered an accidental handball in any other face of play, so it's good educational material

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    4. *phase of play, not face, of course. Sometimes it just goes a little bit too fast :p

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