Referees in charge of 2026 FIFA World Cup UEFA Play-Offs Finals, game to be played on Tuesday 31 March 2026.
UEFA Playoffs for WC 2026, Finals
Tuesday 31 March 2026
Path A Final
20:45 CET - Zenica (Stadion Bilino Polje)
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - ITALY
Referee: Clément Turpin FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pagès FRA
Fourth Official: José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
FIFA Referee Assessor: Martin Ingvarsson SWE
Path B Final
20:45 CET - Solna (Strawberry Arena)
SWEDEN - POLAND
Referee: Slavko Vinčić SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: Rade Obrenović SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
FIFA Referee Assessor: Matteo Simone Trefoloni ITA
FIFA Match Commissioner: Peter Oskam NED
20:45 CET - Solna (Strawberry Arena)
SWEDEN - POLAND
Referee: Slavko Vinčić SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: Rade Obrenović SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
FIFA Referee Assessor: Matteo Simone Trefoloni ITA
FIFA Match Commissioner: Peter Oskam NED
Path C Final
20:45 CET - Pristina (Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri)
KOSOVO - TÜRKIYE
Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring ENG
Fourth Official: Christopher Kavanagh ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
FIFA Referee Assessor: Herbert Fandel GER
FIFA Match Commissioner: Filip Popovski MKD
20:45 CET - Pristina (Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri)
KOSOVO - TÜRKIYE
Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring ENG
Fourth Official: Christopher Kavanagh ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
FIFA Referee Assessor: Herbert Fandel GER
FIFA Match Commissioner: Filip Popovski MKD
Path D Final
20:45 CET - Prague (Epet Arena)
CZECH REPUBLIC - DENMARK
Referee: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni ITA
Assistant Referee 2:Alberto Tegoni ITA
Fourth Official: Marco Guida ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
FIFA Referee Assessor: Stavros Tritsonis GRE Stefan Johannesson SWE
20:45 CET - Prague (Epet Arena)
CZECH REPUBLIC - DENMARK
Referee: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni ITA
Assistant Referee 2:Alberto Tegoni ITA
Fourth Official: Marco Guida ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
FIFA Referee Assessor:
Official source for Oliver: https://www.tff.org/default.aspx?pageID=202&ftxtID=50079
ReplyDeleteMr chefren how do you see the chances for 17 European referee who compete for the world before the is made the final selection
DeleteAnd the others may be
ReplyDeleteItaly vs bosnia : turpin
Czech vs denmark : sanchez
Poland vs sweden: mariani
So vincic, two Spanish and schärer may have no match
I do not think that Maurizio Mariani (ITA) will officiate the match Sweden - Poland with observer Matteo Simone Trefoloni (ITA).
DeleteYes made viceverse
DeletePoland vs sweden sanchez
Czech vs denmark: mariani
I am interested in the choice of Kavanagh as fourth official. Appreciate it follows the trend from the semi-finals with the new elites and he is from the same country as Oliver, and everyone has to gain experience from somewhere, but might we have expected a bigger name/personality for what could be a heated final?
ReplyDeleteUnderstandable point of view, but the choice is explained by the fact that Kavanagh is Oliver's countryman and he is Elite referee, at least this last factor should be enough to ensure a certain experience in the role, otherwise committee should have appointed all the big Elite as fourth officials as well, maybe too much...
DeleteThe only game who had the treatment you are talking about is Italy - Northern Ireland so far, and we know why, with Gil Manzano fourth official. Verry curious about Turpin's fourth official in Bosnia: maybe even Letexier... but I think rather Bastien.
DeleteLetexier in the seminar
DeleteCould even have been Taylor in Pristina, if they had wanted a big name in that role.
DeleteFor Turpin, I could also imagine Schärer as 4th, if he doesn't get a game himself.
Mariani in the game without Trefoloni and maybe Vincic with Trefoloni? It's hard to believe they leave the Slovenian out.
ReplyDeleteSo in that case the Spanish "affair" would be clear: no assignments at all for Sanchez, and Hernandez called exactly for that... we'll know tomorrow.
If you answer my question it is good
DeleteStill possible, that Hernandez or Schärer get a game instead of Mariani (out for protection reasons?), maybe to prove themselves for a WC spot.
DeleteI was talking the chances for the seventeen European referees that compete to become for the final list
DeleteDon't doubt your predictions Philipp! :D
DeleteMikael probably knows more… :)
DeleteMy guess is Schärer.
Does anyone understand what’s going on in Spain and the Hdz addition? Has Sánchez Martínez been rejected after a specific game? Just wondering.
Maybe I’m overthinking it and it’s “just” Vincic with Trefoloni, but that feels odd if FIFA is wrapping up the lineup. You’d expect a more doubtful name, e.g. Schärer with a push from Busacca. Vincic with Tritsonis also seems unlikely after Chelsea–PSG. Isn’t Vincic being protected too much? He’s fit - I mean the socials show he ran the fitness test - yet hardly any domestic games. And internationally he keeps getting the “safe” do-or-die matches, while others take the real heat. In your final season, isn’t there the need to make a case if you want to go deep at the World Cup? Just look at Turpin’s games. Or Taylor at 47.
*Safe* appointments in National Team competitions, especially in the final qualification rounds (Vincic)
Delete@Mikael: Alright, they are obviously the only arrangement, that makes any sense ;)
DeleteI don't think, Vincic is protected at all at the moment. SWE-POL is a massively important game with the risk of things going wrong. And he did major second leg games in the last two CL rounds (+ the important PSG game on MD8).
@Philipp: he is, in the Nations football environment, not CLUB football.
DeleteFrance - Ukraine in what is an expected French win at home.
Netherlands - Finland: easy Dutch win
Israel - Italy more sensitive but early in the quali
In 2023 he got Ukraine vs Macedonia in the final round, away from the spotlight again.
EURO 2024: hidden game MD1, big game MD2, again no appointment in the final qualification round to keep him safe. There is some sort of strategy ungoing to keep him clean.
Oliver managed the Türkiye-Spain match in the group stage and Spain won 6 - 0. Of course, that match is not a criterion
ReplyDeleteSo, why mention that match?
DeleteFor nothing i Just wanna write a comment :D
Deleteits official
ReplyDeletesweden - poland = Vincic
Dear Chefren, I believe there is a solid group of 13 UEFA referees for World Cup: those who were in charge of play-offs semis and finals, plus Marciniak (if fitted).
ReplyDeleteDo you agree?
Greetings from Johannesburg.
I agree, in the end what we can say after having read all the assignments, and it wasn't hard to guess, is that the doubts are about names like Schaerer (but for unlucky reasons for the Swiss), Sanchez Martinez (not convincing the committee and so they called Hernandez Hernandez, but then what to do?) and Peljto but we already knew about him.
DeleteSo the WC UEFA referees could be: Mariani, Oliver, Turpin, Vincic, Taylor, Makkelie, Kovacs, Letexier, Nyberg, Eskas, Pinheiro, Zwayer and Marciniak if available.
Yes, sounds plausible. Collina/Busacca didn’t call up a Spanish ref for the CWC last year either, and with that last-minute call-up for Hernandez, I’m afraid they lose their credibility. One of the 13 names will probably have to serve as a support official. Pinheiro fits that role best, unless they’re allowed to add a 14th name (e.g. Scharer).
DeletePinheiro will be selected for the final list referee of the world that time I don't know what are you !!!
DeleteProbably, Pinheiro will be selected however FIFA does not always communicate who will be the support official(s). In 2022 in Qatar it was Kovacs, the least experienced official. So, Pinheiro as a support official isn’t a crazy thought at all.
DeleteWhich of these four referees would not have been called upon had Szymon Marciniak been fit? In theory, most probably Maurizio Mariani. But then he would likely have officiated a semi-final. Who would have taken his place in that case?
ReplyDeleteMaybe a UEFA referee in an intercontinental play off in that case, don't forget this option.
DeleteYes, that's what I also speculated yesterday under the relevant post: Ivan Barton seems like a short-term appointment, since a CONCACAF team could also have advanced to "his" final.
DeleteThe seminar groups tell us, that Mariani initially was planned for a SF and Nyberg for something in the next week. Whether he was only planned as 4th official in one of the UEFA finals or for the interconfed games remains unclear.
DeleteAdmittedly, I was wrong. Strange to see an experienced name like Vincic at this stage with a FIFA observer. Again on paper it’s a relatively “safe” match for him, with fair playing countries, but I think he had few other options with all the Balkan countries involved. The most challenging games are for Oliver and Turpin.
ReplyDeleteI agree that pljeto , schärer, sanchez, hernandez must be out in world according their poor performance
ReplyDeleteI agree that "pljeto" must be out because there is no referee with this name.
DeleteWe have the change of observer in Czech Republic.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to go too far away and I clarify it's just a speculation.
If the Greek, then removed (we can't know why, maybe he is not available, but...), was the original observr assigned for that game by a long time, even before Marciniak's injury, then we could maybe say that very likely the Polish was the referee planned for this one (in the first release of the groups for the seminar, when he was still in Group 1). Then, there was this change, with him out and maybe Mariani replaced him as referee in Prague? Possible that Mariani, instead, had an intercontinental play off? This would be a very reasonable option, with Barton then coming from a close country and, as reported by somebody above, being rather a "secondary" choice (but not in negative meaning, of course). This would be a possible read of the situation, however we can't say. What I can argue is that Tritsonis observes only very experienced Elite, when committee has nothing to check, while for Mariani, with Johannesson observer, maybe indeed they wanted to assign a more suitable observer for the referee involved?
But again, I think I'm going too far...
"These appointments have shown us once again... Vincic won't be assigned to matches involving Balkan countries as long as he holds a Slovenian passport
ReplyDeleteIt is not because Slovenian passport. Vincic is 100 % fluent in bosnian/croatian as his parents are from there. Would not be fair if he is assigned for game involving these countries.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was Serbia and Greece, because he hasn't been appointed to any of their national or club team matches so far
DeleteThese languages are very similar, almost every Slovenian is fluent in Croatian/Bosnian, parents have no crucial role.
DeleteAll in all, there was not surprise in the appointments,Turpin with Italy Oliver with Turkey Vincic in Sweden these 3 deserved a play off final by all means and for Mariani, IMO he exceed expectations with a superb performance in RMA MCI first leg, no one talked about him regarding Media, the pundits. With a clean night out for the Italian something big was coming his way. Even so the Refcom opted for him instead of the other referees for a final. He think is one of the referees we should keep a close eye on.
ReplyDeleteIt’s pretty safe to assume that Turpin, before Marciniak’s injury, wasn’t originally in line for the Path A final. He’d just had that bonkers game (MCI–RMA) in the R16, and that’s just not how Rosetti usually operates. Look at Makkelie, who stayed under the radar with Arsenal vs Leverkusen before getting the Italy appointment. That’s much more in line with the usual pattern. My take is that Marciniak would have handled Liverpool vs Galatasaray, which on paper looks like a fairly comfortable win for the English side, and then followed that up with the Path A final involving Italy.
ReplyDeleteMariani then steps in and takes over Turpin’s game in Prague. Nyberg was in Group 1 at the seminar, which suggests he was lined up for the intercontinental play-off final. In my opinion, Nyberg’s reputation is too good to be “just” a fourth official in a final. And let’s be honest, FIFA clearly loves Nyberg. No UEFA referee has had as much FIFA monitoring as he has. An intercontinental final makes sense.
So a logical chain of events is that Nyberg gets flown in to take the semi-final Mariani had, Czechia vs Ireland. What doesn’t add up for me is why you’d pull Nyberg from the intercontinental play-off in the first place when you could slot in a Spanish or Schärer. Was the World Cup book already closed on those names? Was the selection basically done, and would giving them a play-off match only reopen the whole debate? Maybe. And why is Mariani more “trusted” for a final than Nyberg? For me, there’s barely anything between them.
UEFA President Aleksandar Ceferin arrives in BiH for the BIH-ITA match
ReplyDeleteApparently no GLT for BIH-ITA, if true it’s insane for a game like this, hope everything will be fine.
ReplyDeleteNo GLT in Bosnia - Italy, due to the stadium that can't have the technology on the line. All in case will be decided by VAR, we have already big discussion in Italy about that.
ReplyDeleteWhen we say "games that can destroy a referee", it's in my opinion hard to find something more than this one. For sure we can only say good luck to Turpin. I don't know if situation is similar in Kosovo for Oliver, and maybe in another Bosnian venue it was possible?
For the importance and the outcome of the game, it's impossible to accept in modern football in my opinion.
Agree, but tbf if there is an incident tonight we will more talk about the organisation FIFA or UEFA than Turpin imo, even if everyone was on Makkelie for a no GLT incident, so just hope everything will be ok.
DeleteYes, this shouldn’t be happening in 2026. Makes me wonder if Marciniak is actually gutted he’s not on this one… probably not. And the pitch? Absolute potato field :)
DeleteAs a neutral: may the best team win. Though Italy at a World Cup always brings chaos and I’m curious how Collina would spin the appointments.
And sure, good luck to Turpin. He’s one of the few who might get out of this without a scratch.
Not only bosnia vs italy also it was not for games Ukraine vs sweden, Denmark vs north Macedonia
DeleteAbdalaziz, right, I was informed about that, but you know, when Italy is involved, more focus on refereeing, based on that you can understand why Rosetti acts in a certain way with assignments involving Italian teams and clubs.
DeleteAnd if someone know what means emergency var installation for BIH-ITA, i will be curious to know what is it
DeleteOK but Mr chefren there was a question that I ask in Sunday and you don't until are you believe that the chances for pljeto schärer and hernandez, sanchez to go world world is ended
ReplyDeleteYou don't answer until now
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I think I already expressed my opinion in a general way, maybe not replying directly to this specific question to you, but I had written about it. The situation seems quite clear to me: the Swiss and the Bosnian won't go to the World Cup, whereas the doubt is about Spain with two preselected referees. They called up a second candidate because they were not convinced about the first one, who hasn't got any big assignment in this international window. Personally, I wonder what the doubts could be. I had pointed out how, after the match in Bergamo, he came out looking quite bad due to the incident that wasn't spotted at the end. But I can also think that perhaps he is not particularly appreciated for the way he deals with players, with that seemingly always slightly aggressive attitude that maybe someone within the FIFA committee doesn’t like (just my opinion).
ReplyDeleteAnyway, to get back to the main point, I think it's hard to say that no Spanish referee will go to the World Cup, at least one surely will, if not two. In my opinion, they might be mixing things up a bit without revealing who the reserve could be, so they can potentially use both of them, or perhaps just one as a reserve, I'm not sure. We will have to wait and see. What is certain is that this is the biggest doubt among the UEFA referees. If Collina wants to keep his cards hidden even after the official announcement of the selected referees, they won't declare who among them will be the reserve just publishing full list… we’ll see.
Thank you,how many referees do you think uefa will have this world cup that is questions the other question is , it is possible that uefa have reserve notice that uefa have the most referees in a continent
DeleteYes, it's possible that UEFA will have a reserve referee, despite of having the highest number of selected officials at WC.
DeleteAnd I don't know about the number, honestly I really don't care about that, I'm only interested in the names.
What I really don't like: wrong defensive FK for not punishable handball of Polish attacker instead of penalty and YC for reckless challenge... VAR supports but the decision, although common, is against the LotG (14').
ReplyDeleteMichael Oliver has made an excellent no-penalty decision in the 18th minute.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, he shouldn't have given the penalty; the incident was outside the penalty area, but he also failed to see a very clear and obvious foul.
DeleteNot a faul
Delete33’ poses an interesting penalty-kick question for Oliver. There is apparently wry little contact as the attacker hurdled the challenge by the defender, but if the attacker had simply kept running normally and let the defender hit him, it probably would have been a foul.
ReplyDeleteClear red card by Turpin.
ReplyDeleteBig decision by Turpin with a RC for DOGSO.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, immediately shown, not afraid.
This is what makes an Elite referee.
Turpin shows once again why he gets these big games, he shows no fear.
DeleteYes, concerning this decision. But for Turpin not his best first half imo. Technically not always consistent in his evaluations, and with several problems in finding dynamically a correct positioning.
DeleteI am not sure which evaluations you didn’t see as consistent.. I thought his first half was globally good
DeleteMmmm… Push from behind and handball by BIH attacker with goal 1-1, not detected by Turpin and VAR.
Deleteperfect detection by Turpin clear DOGSO
ReplyDeleteSWEPOL
ReplyDelete43' Controversial FK to Sweden (although AR1 who was very close signalled a throw-in for Poland) leading to Sweden's second goal.
Great immediate reaction by Turpin.
ReplyDeleteCorrect call in what was a really easy half
True yellow card for turkey number 7
ReplyDeleteNow Di Marco blatantly kicking the ball away,just ignored.
ReplyDeleteOliver is implementing a quite English style of foul selection. (56’)
ReplyDeleteReally sad to see Vincic with foul detection on the level of an amateur referee.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, this is true :-(
Delete59’ was most preferably a reckless foul by Kosovo, but Oliver chose not to caution, which one must concede is a decision consistent with the manner in which he has officiated this game.
ReplyDeleteNot the best replays shown for the Turkish goal. Big appeals for offside.
ReplyDeleteClear goal. Goal scorer was onside.
DeleteCorrect decision imo by Turpin
ReplyDeleteI would like to see a better replay of the potential foul at the back post on Bosnia’s goal.
ReplyDeleteFor me rather nothing there, but I agree another replay would be good
DeleteThe end of the game in Bosnia will turn into the one of the most challenging games for a referee ever
ReplyDeleteAbout Bosnia goal, we can say in my opinion absolutely correct by VAR to stay silent, then one can discuss about a possible whistle by Turpin, but not a clear and obvious mistake.
ReplyDeleteFor me he is keeping his line by letting play a lot and here a good example
DeleteNo foul. Normal physical play. Good decision by Turpin as the Red card was.
DeleteHandball by Dzeko prior to goal was not assessed as punishable?
DeleteAgree Marco: handball also for me, and push from behind if you see carely
DeleteIt's incredible how uncontrolled Donnarumma is. He complains about everything, even when the goal is legitimate. He got a cheap yellow card.
ReplyDeleteWow, I’m very surprised to see no penalty for Bosnia in added time. However, one can also argue consistency given the no-call before Bosnia’s goal.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it is too much. The holding brings up memories of Switzerland-Serbia 2018.
Possible penalty for Bosnia? The defender pulled the attacker with both hands.
ReplyDeleteImo it's almost the same situation that lead to bosnia goal, so probably ok maybe need to watch it again.
ReplyDeletePossible penalty for Bosnia would have been in case of OFR, a possible WC call for Bosnia by French VAR. Decisive for qualification, in case.
ReplyDeleteYou can see that when the stake is high, VAR has surely a more challenging context, and in doubt a decision like this is left to referee. How many VAR interventions we would see in normal games, when we observe a random use of technology...
Same physical play that goal. Too much to whistle PK for this holding without any chance to score directly even there is a foul. Common sense and football philosophy tend to let the game continue.
DeleteHas Turpin left his RC in the changing room?
ReplyDeleteBall was going out of play it seemed.
DeleteThis is not a Dogso, however he spent an age to get a card out and i was confused but overall correct call.
DeleteI think his card was stuck
DeleteAbsolutely correct YC decision IMO. Not in control of the ball
ReplyDeleteBrilliant Turpin, the touch was too long, it is not DOGSO committed by the Bosnian defender.
ReplyDeletePolish media is fuming after Vincić's poor refereeing, should be a pen for Poland?
ReplyDeletehttps://x.com/sport_tvppl/status/2039069791269368210?s=20
Missed RC at 102'
ReplyDeleteI think it’s once again an ok decision no possibility to get the ball here YC acceptable imo
ReplyDeleteAnd now this YC decision can definitely put Turpin in trouble if Bosnia will go to WC.
ReplyDeleteA comment on VAR: very strict to protocol today, never intervened, from the VAR room they felt how much important was this game, maybe...
But the technical decision is good imo the ball was way too far for a DOGSO
DeleteThe Italian player has no chance of retrieving the ball. Can't be DOGSO if he can't get the ball
DeleteGreatest mistake of Turpin. No BIH defender would had been able to reach the attacker without the foul. Clear DOGSO and red card missed
DeleteWhy in trouble ? Ball was away and impossible to play by attacker. Brilliant call except « card search ». Never DOGSO and correct YC.
DeleteNonsense
DeleteI am not sure why Turpin should be in truble there. Clear YC, as lot of people noticed, player was not in control. For me, if Italy goes to WC, Bosnia could and should complain why Donaruma was allowed so much protests.
DeleteITAREF seems very neutral tonight :D
DeleteWell if he has no chanche to retrieve the ball that's due to the faul he suffered. Very hard time for French VAR, even after possible handball by Dzeko before Bosnia scored the goal
DeleteIMO a more than excellent call by Turpin to only issue YC for SPA! Obviously hard to understand for Italy, even more after their RC. But the ball was unreachable for the striker, so it can’t be an OGSO anymore. It’s absolutely not easy to distinguish between these two incidents but Turpin showed his absolute class in football understanding there.
DeleteCome on ITAREF…ball was gone and impossible to play by nobody except goalkeeper…
DeleteWhat is the nonsense, dear Ecosse? The unique reason for YC was that the defender would have been so near to have the opportunity to intervene. But was it so?
DeleteITAREF, you have surprised me, look at where the ball is, its not DOGSO.
DeleteDon’t be surprised: I’m now seeing BIH-ITA with a UEFA Ref near me. And DOGSO and red card also for him.
DeleteIs this UEFA ref at the level of Turpin and Brisard?
DeleteNot asking offensive or inappropriate questions would be always strongly appreciated,
DeleteHow was the question above offensive?
DeleteAttacker no longer in control of the ball. This is actually quite an outstanding decision in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteDear readers of this blog, I'd like to hear your opinion on Vincic's judging today. I'm Polish, but I think his performance was poor, so I'm hoping for a neutral opinion.
ReplyDeleteI was appalled by that free kick and yellow card against Kristof Piatek at the last minute of the game. Pathetic decision.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteRegular contributors will know that I'm the last one to say such things but... all big decisions went in favour of Sweden.
Delete14': penalty should've been awarded to Poland and instead a defensive FK for not punishable handball was given (okay, it's difficult for VAR to jump in as there were actually two handballs of the attacking player but none was punishable and I wrote that many times that I really dislike that most of referees whistle any handball of attacking players and don't care whether it's punishable or not)
43' - controversial FK leading to Sweden's second goal; barely supportable, especially when you see the AR1 being close to the incident and clearly indicating a throw-in to Poland...
48' PAI kicking, I think okay no penalty for Poland here
86' Missed YC to 13POL for blatant dissent by action (gesture)
90+4' YC 23POL for dissent after a phantom defensive FK
In general, I think Vincic wanted to play it safe for himself by awarding defensive free kicks far too often. Both teams were upset with his foul detection / selection. The 14' incident will stay as big mistake for me but I'm aware it will be widely accepted as there were two handballs of attacking player and people won't care about them being not punishable... Also, I think he should've added more than one minute to the initially given four minutes of added time. There were substitutions and Swedish GK wasted time as well.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Delete@Euro Soccer Ref amongst others on this blog, I very much enjoy reading your detailed analysis along with the established contributors (Chefren, Mikael, Anonymous et al) Thank you for the details you provide.
DeleteThis is a yellow card. The player did not have control of the ball and that cannot be DOGSO.
ReplyDeleteCan somebody send a clip of the situation? At first sight it looked like he struggled to choose a card?
ReplyDeleteI think the YC was stuck in his front pocket
DeleteThe fact that Donnarumma still hasn't been sent off is a disgrace.. İ think Turpin is scared to send him off.
ReplyDeleteInstead of making guesses, think about what might happen to Turpin if he sent off a second Italian in a Wc playoff, and one of them being a goalkeeper for time! Its quite a hard situation. I wouldnt say hes scared. Top refs know to not go about spewing cards out in these types of matches.
DeleteSent off is ridiculous that's ok in the modern game,YC is enough
DeleteMariana is still doing OK in Prague
ReplyDeleteIn the 107th minute there was definitely a good no handball decision by Turpin; the arm was close to the body in a natural position.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but I don't think anyone would have called a penalty here...
Deletehttps://streambug.org/cv/71c1c7
ReplyDeleteHere the clip of the possible RC for Bosnia.
Never DOGSO…ball was away and impossible to play…
DeleteAttacker no longer in possession of the ball. To me, this is actually stellar no-DOSGO decision (messy display for issuing the card though).
Delete+1
DeleteRef, very true, he took a long time to dish out the card which probably didnt help.
DeleteHas UEFA already given up on “captain only”? That was a whole lot of unsightly mobbing of Turpin.
DeleteUnderstand why Italy would be upset about it, but IMO this is an outstanding technical decision under that much pressure
DeleteThis shouldn’t even be a yellow card.
DeleteChallenging games at times for Oliver but no real huge decisions to make (I think) unlike Turpins game.
ReplyDeleteI would like to take a moment to direct your attention away from Europe to Guadalajara, where Juan Pablo Belatti has made an excellent onside decision to disallow an early Congolese goal. There is little need for semi-automated offside technology when one of the best assistant referees of all time is on the line!
ReplyDelete+1!
DeleteWhen oh when will set pieces cease to look like WWE matches?
ReplyDeleteI get it. It’s not an attractive topic. But that doesn’t make it a false statement. The art of defending set pieces is dead. There is no skill needed when you’re able to hug, hold, grab, and/or pull your opponent.
DeleteI think that, at the end of the day, Turpin’s performance was absolutely brilliant. An extremely challenging game with an insane amount of KMIs, all correctly (or at least supportably) assessed. As usual, great management in what could have been an explosive battle (and was on the verge of it, at some times).
ReplyDeleteRespect, Sir.
+1
Delete+1
DeleteI may be in minority but I was a bit surprised that 1–1 (BIH) was valid, clear two arm push imo
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone. Agree
DeleteSome referees have been sent home at EURO/WC for something similar.
DeleteItalian fans at the best. Ridiculous.
DeleteIt’s a different game nowadays. Attackers are obviously allowed to use defenders as ladders. Or just push them out of the way entirely.
DeleteDefending = hugging, holding, pulling pushing, etc…….. No skill required.
Strange decision to end extra time the way Turpin did. I have not been a fan of how FIFA has apparently instructed referees to manage additional time in these qualification games.
ReplyDeleteVery good Turpin IMO, ticket for North America confirmed.
ReplyDeleteHe was never in doubt, his spot was already confirmed for WC
DeleteVery few referees would’ve survived this game…
ReplyDeleteThree crucial incidents in addition to a very challenging atmosphere for Turpin today in Bosnia. In my opinion his choices are at least supportable, two of them very correct, one can discuss about the third one, but the fact that attacker was not in immediate possession of the ball can save this decision. Nevertheless, for normal fans and according to what one could expect, this sounds as RC for DOGSO and I can confirm there is always a huge discussion.
ReplyDeleteThe performance has been excellent, to me all is about this possible RC in terms of different assessment, but it would be unfair.
A VAR that decided to stay silent, just want to remember, in other games with similar incidents, we saw VAR interventions, but it's maybe understandable today to work in this way from the room.
Surely a game that the French referee will remember forever... but let's wait, it's not still over, now with PSO and without GLT.
You can say all the KMI calls were correct, but most Italians won’t agree. Just about every big decision went against Italy.
ReplyDeleteRed card? Correct DOGSO, however on the edge of the box that’s hardly a clear scoring chance. Then he doesn’t give it the other way because of “lack of control”.
A handball - was it a support arm or a goalkeeper dive to block the ball?
The push before the 1–1 is just blatant.
The referee isn’t on the pitch for « italians agree ». There is a possible PK for holding for Bosnia you obviously forgot. The push isn’t « blatant » and Mariani allowed the same goal with VAR agreement in his match.
DeleteThe French defensive line on this blog is a joke. Turpin and Letexier can’t do any wrong here.
Delete"Correct DOGSO, however on the edge of the box that’s hardly a clear scoring chance."
Delete?
It is a correct call according the LOTG, but I very much doubt the player would score from that edge, and for the bigger picture one could expect the same DOGSO RC decision on the other side to make it 10 vs 10, to balance things up.
DeleteOne of the conditions for having an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, interestingly enough, is having the ball near you.
DeleteIt's over for Italy in the history of football. Congratulations to Bosnia, I'm sorry for Turpin because now this decision of the possible red card will be mentioned forever, but still, a referee who has definitely a few or nothing to lose at this point of the career. Congratulations to the French crew after this very challenging game.
ReplyDeleteI really don’t agree with your analysis. The Italian media can spin it however they like, but there is simply no argument for a red card. It’s not a close decision at all. The two debatable calls in the game were the potential foul at 1-1, and the potential penalty for holding. The SPA YC is not realistically part of the story at all.
DeleteFully agree with DayStare9. The controversy could be on Bosnia goal mainly IMO, but not on what is never DOGSO.
DeleteSweet sporting justice. After all those theatrics and boorish attitudes from the Italians. All that gamesmanship by Donarrumma (still being a sore loser after the match). Bye Felicia!
ReplyDeleteAgree Donnaruma is simply insufferable.
DeleteDonnarumma seems like a confused man. He wanted to fight with everyone after a penalty shootout. That's the image of someone who doesn't know how to be resilient.
DeleteVery unnecessary comment
DeleteBrilliant from Turpin imo today
ReplyDeleteBut I don’t think he will ever referee Italy 😂
DeleteNo risk for this summer !
DeleteYou forget something…
DeleteIf the Italian media are really sour and blame Turpin for their loss, then I doubt Collina can appoint Turpin to a World Cup final anytime soon. Something about egos and reputation back home.
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DeleteTrue.. Colina won’t allow it
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DeleteThat will be ridiculous and really hope that this is not how FIFA appoint their referees
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DeleteI must agree with crn.ple, these comments are ridiculous. Surely such blatant corruption is not the reality. It would’ve a major concern if that were the case.
DeleteI agree with Anonymous
DeleteIt would be embarrassing to try and tar the referee for Italys defeat tonight. All decisions at the very least supportable and for me correct.
ReplyDeleteBlaming the referee for a defeat where the team was second best in every statistic by a distance would be embarrassing
The fact that it ended on a penalty shout will probably stop criticism from Italian players who had the possibility to win it by themself but didn’t at the end
Delete@Ecosse: in this blog there are Italian Referees/ref observers, not Italian fans.Personally I don’t care anything if Italy will join WC finals or not. But It is simply absurd to ridicule negative assessments on Turpin from Italian blogger here simply because they comes from an Italian.
DeleteIt would be absurd to criticise those assessments if they were made with any nuance or critical analysis but they haven't been. I haven't seen a single comment from any neutral observers here disagreeing with the red card.
DeleteTurpin should be the front runner for the World Cup Final, assuming, of course, that France does not reach that match for the third tournament in a row.
ReplyDeleteTehy will give it to Elfath. Though Turpin clearly deserves it
DeleteVincic should be removed from refereeing after his performance today.
ReplyDeleteBut it was a job well done by Turpin.
DeleteTurpin’s performance tonight kind of reminds me of Taylor’s Europa League final (AS Roma). Arguably all the key decisions were at least supportable, but something feels “off” in the bigger picture, like the game wasn’t refereed by the same standards.
ReplyDeleteNowhere close to Taylor.
DeleteTurpin made all decisions good or supportable.
Taylor and his crew missed clear arm and penalty for Roma,and also missed RC for one Sevilla player.
Nowhere near close.
Maybe same narrative,but totally different.
That was never a handball offence on Roma. Learn the laws.
DeleteI actually partially agree on the comparison to the famous EL final, where Taylor also faced an unlucky high amount of complex KMIs in a very very crucial and important game. Obviously in these type of games especially, the referees wish for a game without incidents that theoretically could lead to discussion.
DeleteHowever, for me absolutely nothing feels off. In fact, I think Turpin managed to deal with these tricky incidents excellently.
The two DOGSO incidents look similar and understandable Italy can argue, that if one is Red then the other one has to be red too. However, as described by a lot of readers including me already, for me it wasn’t DOGSO because the ball wasn’t in reach of the attacker anymore. Therefore I deem the YC decision by Turpin an outstanding spot, even more because he had just given the DOGSO RC on the other side and he knew, Italy would feel disappointed. Instead of falling for some management or balancing-out ideas, he stuck to his and the ARs interpretation and IMO came to the better, and more correct decision.
On the possible foul before 1-1, I must admit I didn’t see too many replays but for me it looked borderline, but still typical and acceptable for professional football. Therefore it was good to allow the goal IMO.
All in all, I think this was an very good match by Clement Turpin, especially in managing a very crucial game and judging two similar but still different DOGSO/SPA situations well.
Turpin may not have had a perfect night in Bosnia. But comparing any of his mistakes to Taylor's in Budapest is illogical to me. And another thing: I've never seen the Frenchman make several consecutive errors in different matches because of his experience in high-pressure environments. Taylor is the complete opposite: when there are high-pressure games in hostile environments, he easily loses his composure. The Germany vs. Spain game at Euro 2024 is another living example of this. So much so that he hasn't refereed games involving German teams in UEFA to this day.
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DeleteNow that the dust has settled, we must reflect back on the no-penalty decision in added time of the second half, and if the no-foul decision on the 1-1 goal.
ReplyDeleteI am still awaiting a conclusive replay of the equalizer. Until then, I feel as though I mustn’t comment regarding its validity.
As for the added time penalty shout, reflecting on it now, I think we have to consider it a major error by the VAR. The holding is very clear, sustained, and impactful, without being notably reciprocated by the attacker. I do think this decision is a stain against which we must judge Turpin (and, especially, VAR Brisard).
Imagine if the teams had been reversed and this had been a “no penalty for Italy” in that moment, surely then it would be judged within the context of big controversy. As neutral observers, we must judge this play equally harshly even when it goes in the opposite direction, and even when it goes against the team who eventually won. A missed penalty is a missed penalty.
Correct. A PK for BIH would had been perfectly supportable: clear holding by Italian defender. Clear mistake of Turpin and VAR as well.
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