2025/26 UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals, first legs, game to be played on 8 April 2026. The following referees have been assigned by UEFA.
21:00 CET - Paris (Parc des Princes)
PARIS SAINT GERMAIN (FRA) - LIVERPOOL FC (ENG) Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Íñigo Prieto López de Cerain ESP
Fourth Official: Juan Martínez Munuera ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Íñigo Prieto López de Cerain ESP
Fourth Official: Juan Martínez Munuera ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Roberto Rosetti ITA
UEFA Delegate: Aristeidis Stavropoulos GRE
21:00 CET - Barcelona (Camp Nou)
FC BARCELONA (ESP) - CLUB ATLÉTICO DE MADRID (ESP)Referee: István Kovács ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marica ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Ferencz Tunyogi ROU
Fourth Official: Szabolcs Kovacs ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefano Podeschi SMR
UEFA Delegate: Irakli Nakaidze GEO
After that OFR in the Atalanta vs Dortmund match, Sánchez Martínez gets assigned to referee a game like this? I don’t know what to say.
ReplyDeleteIf you come from England, Spain, Germany, France, Italy and Slovenia, you can make a circus and not worry about sanctions. If you come from a small country, even the smallest mistake costs you your career.
DeleteNever have we seen more politics and passport importance in refereeing than during Rossetti’s tenure. This is becoming ridiculous. If OFRs are valued so highly for certain referees, how is it possible that after such a mistake which the Spaniard didn’t see he gets the Champions League again? He’ll probably even go to the World Cup. How many referees have been sidelined for the rest of the season after being called by VAR for an obvious mistake and receiving a failing grade…
DeleteHonestly after some years I think having one ofr and in the end the final decision is correct is not a problem. Tell us which referees had ofr and were punished…
DeleteYou’re right — the problem isn’t the use of VAR, it should be used. But for a long time now there’s been this narrative that an OFR is what separates a good referee from an average elite referee. How many times have we heard the term OFR and how it’s used to diminish a referee’s performance because of it?
DeleteStill, in this specific case with the Spanish referee, such an obvious mistake in the Atalanta–Dortmund game — not making the decision on the pitch and having to rely on VAR — should result in a lower rating.
On the other hand, how many times has VAR failed to intervene and call the referee to review a situation when it clearly should have? And because of that, referees get sidelined, while those who rely on VAR interventions continue operating at the highest level?
How are we supposed to look at that?
Yes, in recent years having an OFR, even for a serious mistake, is not a problem. However, if the VAR missed an intervention or the referee has a controversial 50/50 (60/40) decision which is not overturned by VAR, the referee gets punished heavily.
DeleteTherefore, the appointment of Sanchez Martinez is totally in line with committees usual management IMO.
I believe that for 50/50 situations and VAR corrections, there’s no issue - that’s exactly what VAR is there for. But at the same time, I think that obvious missed decisions on the pitch must be penalized in terms of future appointments.
DeleteBecause in that case, a referee who makes the correct decision after an OFR and a referee who also didn’t see it on the pitch BUT wasn’t called by VAR are not treated anywhere near the same.
So should those referees receive similar ratings, while the VAR referee gets a significantly higher - or significantly lower - score if they fail to intervene?
Referees and var are working for football, and when in the end there’s no mistake… the football world are happy no need for punishment of the referees.
DeleteReferee gets 7.9, var gets a plus but in the end the referees team had success. It’s a diferente era of referring and who adapts to this have success.
I was in Bergamo. Honestly, except that OFR his performance was overall very good. The incident could have been spotted live but at the end it came with the right decision. So well deserved QF 1st leg IMO and we might find him for the conference league final maybe
DeleteI agree with your opinions. At this point it would have been hard to imagine the Spanish referee officiating a match like PSG-Liverpool after the serious mistake in Bergamo. One might say it was only an OFR, but the mistake is certainly among the most obvious, as I pointed out from the start, and it Rosetti committee could never have been pleased with that. However, there are evidently other priorities we are not aware.
ReplyDeleteIt is worth noting, once again, the appointment of a Spanish referee for PSG: for this team, assignments tend to go out somewhat from the usual pattern. We often see Italians, Spaniards, or Vincic, while English or German referees appear less frequently. In recent times, these choices have almost represented the whole picture.
In this specific case, we can also say that the Spanish referee doesn't seem to be in line for any final, so Rosetti presence is likely aimed at assessing a referee who, in theory, should be reliable, but who, at the moment, is not quite there. As I mentioned yesterday, when I even suggested Zwayer as a possible option for this match, given Rosetti at stadium, this seems to be the logic behind some of the committee decisions: trying to raise a referee level by observing him closely.
In any case, the names for the World Cup should start being announced from tomorrow onward, so we are at a very decisive moment. Whether the Murcian will be selected as a main referee remains uncertain until the very end. In fact, he should have already officiated more than one match of this level in the Champions League, but reality at the moment suggests the contrary. That's another argument.
Returning to Zwayer: it's Europa League again for him. He is clearly paying for the mistakes made in the group stage. At this point, it's possible he may not get any Champions League knockout-stage appointments at all, as time goes by, such a decision would make less and less sense on the very late stages of competition. That said, looking at the appointment of Sánchez for this match, one might reasonably be disappointed when making comparisons and trying to understand the logic.
On the other hand, in Barcelona we will have Kovács. It's a good thing if the Romanian referee handles this very heated match in his usual style, it could be quite entertaining. Still, one might simply say that for certain matches the same referees are always appointed, and in my view this is another critical aspect of Rosetti management: trust in the top Elite referees is fine, but here it seems to go a bit too far, ignoring the development of other names.
+1
DeleteComparing the situation of Zwayer and Sanchez Martinez is indeed though, but just because they are in a totally different situation IMO.
DeleteI mean, having 6 OFR in 5 CL matches is another dimension than having 1 OFR, even for a serious mistake, in the same number of CL matches.
So Zwayer is deservedly sidelined in UEFA (while he deservedly remains as good WC candidate because of his former good seasons) where as Sanchez Martinez is deservedly given another chance in a big CL match, also to gain experience ahead of the WC.
What about pinheiro Mr chefren
DeletePlease get used to the fact that Pinheiro isn't getting any UCL appointment again this season and give yourself some peace. At most he may appointments in UEL or later stages of the UECL. Pinheiro isn't the "Almighty referee" that you think he is.
DeleteJesus Christ will more likely get a game than Pinheiro.
DeleteAs explained some time ago, Pinheiro is not among the top ten referees in Europe.
DeleteHow do you see the situation of pinheiro
DeleteTo be honest, I dont expect Pinheiro in CL anymore. I would expect Makkelie, Vincic, Letexier, Turpin (sf), Marciniak (sf), Mariani, Kovacs (sf), maybe Nyberg.
DeletePersonally I actually very much like the QF appointments so far.
ReplyDeleteWhat I understand even less now, why was Hernandez called up to the WC seminar on short notice, presumably after Sanchez‘s BVB-ATA, if the OFR apparently wasn’t seen as such a mind blowing mistake by UEFA. I don’t think FIFA would judge it soo differently right?
Because after such an appointment in CL QF, it doesn’t really look like if Sanchez instantly lost is Spanish#1 position and it would be necessary to quickly switch to another referee.
I think it has more to do to the fact that Hernández Hernández was the unique Elite referee on the VAR list, in other words, the only one that have already attended similar seminars to the Elite pitch referees. Maybe it has no relation with Sànchez Martínez performing, it is rather a matter that they want another name in case of injuries or support official.
DeleteLets not forget Meler had his career practically ended after Atalanta Brugge match. If he was from a big country I suspect he would be going to World Cup.
ReplyDeleteI agree
DeleteAnd Turkey is not a big country? We had Cakir in top for years...
DeleteNot for European Football. Do you think there would have been such a harsh penalty if Meler had made that mistake in favor of a Belgian club rather than an Italian club? It's completely Rossetti effect
DeleteCondolences to our friend Abdi. He got right ref from Iberia just wrong country :)
ReplyDeleteI like Kovacs and his style.
ReplyDeleteBut he might be thrown to the lions and can be talking point if he makes one big mistake.
We had cases when he would have great game,like he had with Barca and PSG and then he was talking point cause his correct decisions were against Barca.
One benefit for him is that is 1st leg so maybe things will be calmer.
Sanchez did pretty well in the Lille/Villa game which was after the Atalanta match. But yeah I can see why people might think his UCL season should have ended after that missed penalty.
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of you saying that those appointments are weird because of the mistakes made by them. But we can also say that this is probably the last appointment for them in UCL this season and for Kovac especially it’s a bit of a downgrade imo.
ReplyDeleteBy no means a BARATM CL game can be seen as a downgrade for any ref but Kovacs’s apointment was a bit surprising after the 1st day calls. It is a hot clash but its a 1st leg. I was sure he would be in BAYRMA next week so I tend to agree with you.
DeleteTbf my point was not about the big game he have but the fact that this is probably over for him in the UCL if UEFA is following their usuals appointments rules so it’s a downgrade from a final.
DeleteMaybe something like this for the second legs?
ReplyDeleteArsenal-Sporting: Letexier
Liverpool-PSG: Mariani
Bayern-Real Madrid: Makkelie
Atletico-Barcelona: Vincic (Or Marciniak?)
could be, Mariani appointed as 4th on Friday could be an indicator of him being used on Tuesday, Letexier not appointed this week end.
DeleteMay be
ReplyDeleteAthletico madrid vs barcelona : letexier
Liverpool vs psg : pinheiro
Arsenal vs sporting : mariani
Realmadrid vs bayern : vincic
May be
ReplyDeleteAthletico madrid vs barcelona : letexier
Liverpool vs psg : pinheiro
Arsenal vs sporting : mariani
Realmadrid vs bayern : vincic
Folks,
ReplyDeleteSánchez appointed with Rosetti observing, how to read this with WC squad not out yet, and committee obs also on Schärer?
I thought I was the only one…Maybe it’s nonsense and just a coincidence but it’s, in fact, very interesting…
DeletePerhaps the last chance for both?
Let’s see what happens…
I think the Commission wants both of them at the World Cup. Sanchez as the on-field referee, and Schärer as the reserve. For the former, this is the final test; if he doesn't make any serious mistakes, he will be in America. For Schärer, this isn't a test match; there is little chance of him being selected as an on-field referee, but I am convinced he will be there as a reserve. This would mean that 14 referees and one or two reserves will be selected from UEFA.
DeleteDear everyone, please share your opinions!
ReplyDeleteRegarding the penalty decision that sparked recent much debate in J League (VAR did not intervene.).
https://youtu.be/zI_ARovQPNM?t=266
https://x.com/ykgk23/status/2037519333602341366?s=20
I think this keeper's left leg extension is clumsy, and the leg he tried to block ultimately caused contact with the opponent's right leg. Some argue that the primary contact in this case was with the left leg of an attacking player, and that this was rather caused by the attacking player, therefore it was not a foul by the keeper.
Today, the referees' association made the following comment during a briefing for the media: "This is not a foul, but rather a fair challenge recognized within the context of football, for a goalkeeper. VAR should have intervened and the penalty decision should have been overturned."
Personally, I cannot agree with the opinion that this is 100% no foul, as this contact was caused by several technical failures on the part of the keeper.
I agree with the Referee Commission; there was no foul. It was a slight contact between the goalkeeper and the attacker, so it is not a penalty.
DeleteValdera, thank you for your feedback.
DeleteIf possible, could you tell me exactly which part you mean by ‘contact’? When viewed at normal speed, the collision between the two seems quite intense to me.
It concerns the contact between the goalkeeper's knee and the sole of the attacker's left foot. The subsequent contact of the goalkeeper with the attacker's left shin is the consequence of an attempt to deceive the referee into awarding a penalty. The attacker's left foot moves unnaturally backward and not forward, in the direction of the run. Viewed at normal speed, most referees would award a penalty.
DeleteThank you for the detailed explanation. I think it's an interesting perspective. But frankly, it seems to me that there's a bit too much speculation involved.
DeleteBefore what you call the "contact with the attacking player's left shin ," there's contact with his right leg. Can you confidently say that he was able to maintain his balance?
Let me make one more appeal to you before the Champions League match!
DeleteThere is growing concern among friends who are amateur referees in Japan. Many of them supported this penalty decision on social media, so they are now facing a lot of criticism.
If you were the VAR, how would you respond to this decision? They would be happy to hear a lot of opinions, whatever they may be.
Finally found an article where I can read comments from JFA Referee Manager Ryuji Sato:
Delete"The way a challenge is made depends on whether the leg is lifted, whether the foot is used first, or whether there is an additional movement. This time, it cannot be seen in that way. This is not a foul, and can be considered a fair challenge. If the forward had another chance to play the second ball, there might be a different perspective, but that's not the case here."
"The tricky part is that the goalkeeper couldn't challenge for the ball and there was contact. Even VAR would struggle to decide whether that scene warranted overturning the penalty decision. However, since goalkeepers have a wider playing distance, it's questionable whether this should have been called a foul. The referee needed to review the play again and make a decision."
"Is it best not to call the referee when the VAR is unsure, simply because it isn’t a clear error? It’s easy to be wise after the event, but I think what really matters is whether the officials on the field can make decisions without hesitation."
While an accurate translation from Japanese is difficult, many amateur referees believe he disregards the principles of protocol and prioritizes "more precise decisions"!
He seems to be saying that the issue here is the keeper, so the criteria are different from those for field players. This also surprised many amateur referees. Do you agree?
Does the GK play the ball? No, he is hit with the ball and it's a difference.
DeleteHowever, the ball is not reachable for the attacker anymore, therefore to award a penalty you need a (at least) reckless challenge. It's not in the LotG but at least in UEFA it is like that and I agree with such reading.
Therefore, the attacker is not reachable for the attacker and he is carelessly tripped. No impact on the game = no penalty.
Whether VAR should intervene or not - it depends on the committee but surely a better decision has been reached (no penalty).
I completely forgot that Rosetti will observe Sanchez Martinez tonight, could this be a do or die situation regarding a European final this season, or maybe even a chance at heading to The Americas this summer for the spaniard?
ReplyDeleteI lowkey think it's the inverse. A crucial game for WC selection, and an outside chance for a European final in case of good performance.
DeleteYou can be very sure what went through Kovacs’ head with his decision to only issue a warning at 8’!
ReplyDeleteI think it went through his head well before the incident even happened, to be frank. He had zero intention whatsoever of giving that card. If anything, he was guilted or cajoled into issuing the public warning; I think it's highly likely he hoped he could get away without calling Koke back to admonish him.
DeleteWell done Kovacs, keep your card in your pocket, but be consistent.
ReplyDeleteThe exact constellation of the match-up with Brych 10 years before went through my head. Brych chose an other strategy there.
DeleteYep,but Brych had result that did not favour him.
DeleteAtm had lead at that time and were far more rougher and challenging team to handle.
Good offside by AR1 in Barca
ReplyDelete28' Looked a good challenge by Gomez. Wrong foul, even more wrong YC in Paris
ReplyDeleteFollowed by a very clear, correct YC 31'
DeleteIncorrect yellow for Gomez in PSG:Liverpool, not even a foul. Poor decision.
ReplyDeleteWrong yc for Gomez, he played the ball
ReplyDeleteAnd in 13th minute I felt he forgot to caution PSG#4 after a holding SPA offence. Now a correct caution for LIV#10, but disciplinary management seems a bit off
DeleteCompletely disagree. Good YC for a too violent intense tackle from behind. No problem with this YC as the second one too. But IMO missed YC at 15’ for psg player with a blatant holding.
DeleteCorrect yellow for Koke 31’! Did I miss Pedri being booked?
ReplyDeleteArgument it seems
DeleteDidn't last too long the purpose by Kovacs to keep this game without cards... but he wanted to try.
ReplyDeleteClear rc missed
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely due to what happened with psg, dreadful decision from Kovacs and Ar2, correct intervention from Var.
DeleteWhy YC?
ReplyDeleteWow,why did Kovacs do that.
ReplyDeleteHe had no problem 2 years ago when he gave RC to Araujo.
Clear DOGSO missed by Romanian. Ball was there even if not controlled by attacker...
ReplyDeleteNot DOGSO: Ball is loose or bouncing unpredictably with defenders close enough to challenge → control is doubtful.
DeleteBall is behind is back, so idk...
+1 He needed OFR which took very long to come to decision for a clear mistake by Kovacs
DeleteThis DOGSO was, unfortunately, a quite poor miss.
ReplyDeleteAgree. I was going to write that the 'FIFA philosophy' had actually helped Kovacs, because while in a classroom setting that 8' should be taught as a YC (very cynical nature of the foul + SPA-ish scenario), the warning he gave seemed to bring calm to the game and helped him. Another potential YC for deliberate SPA fouling (at like 22' or so when Kovacs got his notebook out for some reason) was also passed over, and he started with a perfect opening YC later which everyone could agree on. Perhaps the guidelines did get in his head with the DOGSO, but that can't be an excuse - this is a clear RC every day of the week, in all competitions; bad mistake. The yellow card given shortly after the goal was correct. We will see what happens in the second half!
DeleteAh, and to add - it seems Kovacs showed good awareness for what happened at 40', already-booked Koke committed a careless foul which Yamal tried to exaggerate in order to get the Atletico player sent off, seems the Romanian clocked all of these facts and stepped in quickly to calm the Atletico bench (foul near touchline) and prevent any trouble.
DeleteCan maybe understand YC live? ball is behind the attacker who is trying to scorpion kick the ball over his head
ReplyDeleteNobody on earth can say otherwise that the only reason he didn’t produce the red straight away is because of what happend with psg.
ReplyDeleteAgree
DeleteHonestly, in my opinion today Kovacs approached this game being quite afraid of applying his style and he tried a different approach. For a referee like him, this can't work. A "normal" (as we know him) Kovacs would have booked the first player in the game without giving an early warning and he would have also sent off for DOGSO. It's clear for me, the Romanian suffers when he has to change his style, it's not him anymore.
ReplyDeleteAgree. Kovacs only YC : Incredible decision to show only a yellow card here by Kovacs. When a referee goes against his natural instincts and suppresses his innate sense of officiating—something he has developed and maintained over the years—he ends up managing the match without relying on his intuition or his talent, and loses his bearings. A pity. Be yourself Istvan !
DeleteIs he really “suffering” in this match? Apart from the missed red card, it has been a well-refereed match (see Mikael’s analysis above), with Kovacs in full control despite applying a style quite different to that which is his usual.
DeleteThe miss is quite bad - and likely a result of this different mindset - but in the world with VAR, the game has still gone well overall.
This might be stupid, is the fourth official Kovacs brother?
ReplyDeleteYes, Szabolcs Kovács is his younger brother.
DeleteVery disappointing not to show the RC from Kovacs .. let’s hope for more confidence in second half
ReplyDeleteIt’s annoying because he was doing well, tho as Chefren mentions he’s not himself.
DeleteYep he was doing fine earlier thats the most frustrating..
DeleteClearly you have to show the guys especially in big matches like this.. that’s what will make the difference for whether you go far in the WC or end up leaving after the group stage
Live I thought: clear DOGSO! But after studying replays, the ball is behind the attacker and therefore he would need to slow down and change his running direction that could perhaps make defenders able to intervene. Not a clear mistake to issue a YC, imo.
ReplyDeleteThe ball would still have ended up infront of him if the situation was allowed to be played out, it's a clear DOGSO for me
DeleteCorrect. No ball possession to justify DOGSO and RC.
DeleteIf you support RC for being possession here you have to consider as wrong YC decision by Turpin in BIH-ITA.
At this level, why is a review needed to give a red card here? It’s clear the player is the last man, so it can’t be anything other than a red card.
ReplyDeleteVAR can't decide on a red card on its own.
DeleteThen, years and years of refereeing development and we are still using expressions like "last man"?
That's why most people see it as clear, but the argument about control of the ball seems to be irrelevant for most of the experts..
DeleteI don’t think the argument of control of the ball is irrelevant for most of the people here, but they interpret the Law as it is stated: “ likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball”. The key here is in “gaining”, which is more than likely for me in this particular situation.
DeleteIt's very easy to gain this possession, once the foul doesn't happen, the attacker is free to run. For me, more detabale if long ball and not sure whether attacker would have arrived or not before keeper, but in this case different. He was there.
DeleteI never played football at a high level, I see the ball crossing behind Simones back, he must slow down the pace giving for me the possibility for other defenders to intervene
DeleteI don’t agree, Chefren. Sorry. The ball remains BEHIND the attacker before and after the foul: what’s a “gaining”…?
DeleteLittle return on Oliver’s decision to play on Olise. Sorry but clear mistake and 200 % VAR intervention needed here. Crystal push from behind without any chance to reach the ball.
ReplyDeletehttps://x.com/tobs_fc/status/2041681437376577764?s=46&t=Ok5OCp_U1mZPFDKlm4EOGQ
+1
DeleteIt has certainly been a week in which referees have been caught in two minds to make decisions, due to decisions they have have made in the past in the same stadiums, hopefully you all get my reference.
DeleteAgree but not VAR Gillett who had to help Oliver here…
Delete@Referee analyst: apparantly some people here think that we are ‘one and the same person’ 🥲
DeleteWho are you ? 😬
DeleteAs I said, better penalty because defender has no interest in playing ball and he stops attacker, very hard to explain why play on, but I agree NO VAR stuff, according also to what Rosetti said. For sure the English referee was in a rather difficult situation here, very last minute of the game in Madrid, like in 2018. Nevertheless, it seems to me this decision is not that much discussed and it's good for Oliver, second leg will be surely more challenging...
DeleteIs this YC?
ReplyDeleteNow we have young Yamal clearly trying to put pressure on the referee.
ReplyDeleteEuro soccer ref, if that's not a red card in your book, you're either a huge Barca fan or you don't understand the rules. Good intervention from VAR, which saved the referee from a major mistake.
ReplyDeleteCrazy misunderstanding of the main contributers of this blog. Crazy
DeleteIt's a very challenging for Kovacs now.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened here
ReplyDeleteThis is gonna cause controversy for sure
DeleteFlashbacks to Nyberg in Bayern - Arsenal and Stieler in a game I can’t remember
DeleteLack of concentration? Stieler did better in Brugge-villa
DeleteNo referee would dare to call this one in modern football...
DeleteBlatantly clear law. Either enforce it or say that the ball is is play after it leaves the goal area.
DeleteSanchez, missing clear freekick and csution for stamp on the foot!
ReplyDeleteIf not a caution, it was a foul. He has been very inconsistent all night on foul detection, in a rather simple game so far
DeleteAgree. Missed YC and foul against Pacho (PSG) : another possibility to caution player from french club forgotten by Sanchez here after holding at 13’ by Kvaratskhelia. Very lenient and permissive disciplinary management with PSG…
DeleteSanchez Martinez was careless just now. He failed to call a clear foul by Pacho on McAllister just outside the penalty area.
ReplyDelete.....and of course PSG scores after that...
ReplyDeleteThis game is super challenging for Kovacs
ReplyDeleteWe can imagine the second leg, even more if the score will remain very open..
DeleteIf the appointment wasn’t made beforehand, i expect either turpin or vincic here
DeleteEven though not a fan of vincic, but expect a reliable elite
DeleteBay - Rma Vincic
DeleteAtm - Bar Turpin
No penalty at all… a mistake by José María Sánchez Martínez.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteSurprised by the OFR in Paris. Slight contact on the player before the ball. Not completely sure it was a clear error
ReplyDeleteFor me, wrong intervention. Yes, the penalty is smooth but the defender touches the leg of the attacker before hit the ball.
ReplyDeleteAcceptable and supportable decision by SM
I disagree with you.
DeleteThe referee had the play obscured, and checking the VAR monitor, it's clear that Konaté's touch on Zaire-Emery was too light to cause an impact warranting a penalty. And he dispossessed the ball cleanly. Correct decision.
Agree with Lincoln here.
DeleteI agree that if this video appears on a video test 99% of the answers will be no penalty. However, as you said, there is a touch. Following the communication we heard from Rosetti and UEFA this is not a clear and obvious mistake. For me, wrong intervention because of this
DeleteNo clear error in Paris, certainly not worthy of an OFR, based off of what we saw in Madrid last night
ReplyDeleteReally poor in foul detection and at least 2 or 3 YC missed for clear SPA by Sánchez Martínez
ReplyDeleteFive times that Konaté (Liverpool) blatantly pulls PSG players’ shirts without any disciplinary reaction from the Spanish referee, whose decision-making at times appears inconsistent, with foul detection and a disciplinary line that lack clarity.
ReplyDeleteError to give just after a phantom penalty corrected by VAR OFR. And another YC forgotten for liverpool after. Not a good performance by Spaniard…
Not convinced that was a clear and obvious error in Paris, contact by Konate before he wins the ball.
ReplyDeleteNo way Rosetti can look at this performance and think this referee is worthy of a final or the world cup... not good enough.
ReplyDeleteLook,it would be fair to said that Peljto deserves FIFA WC more than Sanchez Martinez!
ReplyDeleteHere the OFR in Paris:
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/a23695
For me, not a penalty and I agree with the call by VAR.
To those who think it's not a clear and obvious mistake, we should also remember Rosetti's words. This would have been a more than soft penalty, in the end almost no contact at all, and the defender touches the ball. However I think the refere can be deceived live.
For me, good call by Del Cerro.
But please tell me once again about the body language by the Spanish referee, with such sudden movements of the head and the body, after making calls, like he would like to fight with all players... very poor, that's a very poor aspect, let me repeat again, he doesn't show any composure on the pitch.
Agree.. good call by Del Cerro while I understand that live, it looks like a foul
DeleteAgree Chefren. And IMO, not WC level for him. Scharer or Peljto better if you want my evaluation.
DeleteBut honestly I don’t even think his body language in that particular incident is that bad. Obviously as always after penalty decisions, players run to the referee. A quick, maybe even aggressive movement towards them can actually slow them down quite successfully. And also I like that he therefore shows a reaction to mobbing instead of just taking and ignoring it.
DeleteBut of course he needs to improve his diversity in movement and face expressions. Always being cold and strict won’t help.
Clear contact on the thigh. Can never say it’s an incorrect penalty. He fell exactly because of that contact.
DeleteVery clear FIFA intervention to correct a wrong corner at 84’ for Kovacs.
ReplyDeleteIf it works like this, great. They didn’t waste any time
DeleteBut only a few minutes earlier (82') in the other game a wrong PSG corner was not corrected by VAR.
DeleteAround 84‘ unofficial VAR intervention to cancel a wrongly awarded corner kick, apparently new FIFA guidelines some how active already
ReplyDeleteHow on earth is that not PSG pen. Tops of a Spanish disaster in Paris!
ReplyDeleteMissed PK in Paris imo clear push in the back of PSG player. Strange no intervention from VAR.
ReplyDelete3 added mins despite an OFR, and not extended after a delay whilst a background check took place... Very Uefa in Paris
ReplyDeleteI didnt think it could get much worse than Gil Mazano in Istanbul from a Spanish refereeing point.... well done Sanchez Martinez and Cerro Grande, you've surprised me!
ReplyDeleteWhat if it had happened outside the penalty area? Would that push in the back have been a foul?
ReplyDeletePoor performance by Sanchez Martinez for me.
ReplyDeleteOverall it was not terrible for Kovacs except the OFR.. I actually liked his positionning in the field.. what an intense game it was
ReplyDeleteAgree, overall decent performance besides the DOGSO blackout. The FIFA guidelines really helped him!
DeleteFor me, OFR needed by Del Cerro grande in pk situation. With speed criteria, clear push on back on PSG player so penalty missed in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI think considering how it went it was actually a somewhat positive performance from the Romanian mostly due to the second half. But that was dreadful not to give the dogso live. Over in Paris I don’t think it went to well for the Spaniard?
ReplyDeleteIs it really DOGSO for the Barca player, can we really say that he has control of the ball kr expects to get it. No No, for me the first decision was correct!!
ReplyDeleteWould be a bad look for Spain if they have no WC referees with the number of referees in the WC being the most its been. Hernandez has had the best UEFA season out of the 3 but not sure he deserves it considering he's had a small amount of "big" games. Maybe one will go but will only be FO.
ReplyDeletePenalty area incident in 90'+1 in Paris:
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/37d74e
Very few arguments to say that defender is allowed to do that, the "not enough" assessment is shaky here, definitely. Del Cerro thought about a possible intervention, the referee was in doubt, this one wouldn't have been questioned by VAR. I didn't watch full game, but if in addition to such penalty area incidents, his foul detection was not good, well, one should really wonder why Peljto should be ranked below in terms of WC call...
+1
DeletePeljto would definitely be at the World Cup if he were Spanish, French, Italian… I don’t see in what way certain referees are better than him.
DeleteNot an easy set of games for both the referee, the experience helped the Romanian in a challenging context, but he wasn't surely faultless, then about Paris game definitely many things to say about the crucial incidents...
ReplyDeleteWe can expect extremely challenging second legs, and I have already an idea, there is a referee who is always sent to make such very hard work, maybe this time once again for him?
The polish? Or Turpin or Vincic?
DeleteMaybe turpin in Madrid and Vincic/Makkelie in Munich
DeleteTaylor… maybe in ATMBAR…?
DeleteThis season, Alberola Rojas has been much better and strong than Sánchez Martínez, Gil Manzano or Hdez Hdez. Last chance for this three spanish referees. New generations are coming.
ReplyDeleteEven with the OFR (pretty clear dogso tbh) Kovacs did well tonight. It was quite a challenging game, especialy in the 2nd half, but he had the game under control at all times with great positioning, YC when needed and allowing a good flow of game.
ReplyDeleteFlick complaining abiut the penalty
ReplyDeleteI do beleive in the heat of the moment Flick had to vent a bit. Its ridiculous to complain about such a PK
DeleteIs there any defeat where Barca's players and staff did not complain this season or any season?
DeleteI mean they are talking plenty about Real,but always the same story when they lose.
Last year Marciniak was to blame,24 it was Kovacs,21 it was Taylor,16 was Rizzoli and 15 they won it so noone was to blame.
There is no defeat that they deserve,only attacking ref after any defeat.
Haven't been able to watch the games tonight but I referred to this a few months ago and I'll ask again. Is modern refereeing becoming almost impossible at points to referee or do we simply not have the depth in class like previous times. Be interested to get opinions on it. For me it's a mix of both, I genuinely do feel that in certain games, the referee is out to avoid worst case scenario rather than performing at their best and in addition I do feel there is a lack of depth amongst the top top elites (only a select few who can handle games of these magnitudes)
ReplyDeleteThe game in Paris was a game that any elite referee should've been able to handle with ease. Was so messy from the Spaniard. I expect Mariani next week at Anfield, as he is a PSG favourite and the game will not be challenging, I think the game in Barcelona as well as the one in Munich the day after are the more challenging affairs for Turpin and Vincic.
ReplyDelete*not Barcelona, Madrid sorry!
DeleteCatalan newspapers claim that Barcelona is seriously considering filing a formal complaint with UEFA regarding the refereeing at Camp Nou.
ReplyDeleteHad Kovács had less of a name and less of a track record, he would have been out of the World Cup for this mistake. It's extremely serious not to show a straight red card in this situation. The change in style isn't good for him, and if he continues like this, he should give way to others who are in better physical and psychological shape.
ReplyDeleteFlick's post-match statements:
ReplyDelete"I don't know about Cubarsí's sending off, it could have been a red card, or not. I'm not sure if he touched him enough. The ball was behind him. Look at the situation where they touched the ball with their hand in the area. I don't understand why VAR didn't intervene. It's normal to make mistakes, but in situations like this, what's the use of VAR? It should have been a penalty and a second yellow card, or a red card. I wouldn't like to talk about refereeing today, but I would like an explanation."
Could Kovacs' WC hopes be in question?
ReplyDeleteWe know he will be there,but still,maybe no big games cause of pressure that Spanish and Catalan media will put on him?
Remember that Kovacs didn't referee any games in the 2022 World Cup (he only acted as the fourth official). If he officiates as a field referee in June, he might be assigned lower-level games. And Collina didn't forgive him for that dubious game between PSG and Atlético de Madrid in the Club World Cup and sent him on vacation after that match.
DeleteI was going to say the same I think if Kovacs had not been appointed to the CL final his place would be really in jeopardy he has really struggled this season and he always attracts headlines will FIFA want that.
DeleteIt would be extraordinary if FIFA did not appoint Kovacs but the same did happen to kassai in 2014 after doing the 2011 cl final
Funniest thing is that exact same scenario and exact same thing happened to Kovacs in 2024.
DeleteSending off Araujo,today Cubarsi.
Penalty that Barca complained in 24 and 26.
And whole world that follows Barca goes against him,he is the one to blame for their defeat.
How ridiculous.
BARCELONA - ATLÉTICO DE MADRID
ReplyDeleteManagement of Koke: excellent warning after first foul (very cynical but neither reckless nor SPA), correct YC for another 'big' foul and giving him the last chance after careless-reckless kick on Yamal close to the benches (only Brych could've issued a 2YC here ;))
https://streamff.link/v/8fc42945
41' The big DOGSO incident. I really don't like Dingert's intervention here. Most 'football people' will deem it a clear DOGSO not noticing the important factors. See the still frame - before the foul occurs, the ball is already behind the attacker who wrongly assessed the ball's trajectory!
https://snipboard.io/ynK72Z.jpg
Even more, without bouncing off the Barcelona player after the foul, the ball would have gone wide and the attacker would've needed to slow down, change his running path, etc., giving other defenders and the GK the possibility to catch up / intervene. It's not DOGSO and Kovacs - maybe instinctively - was right with the YC!
https://streambug.org/cv/c44bd9
54' Another big incident, especially after Flick highlighting it after the game. Well, it was much clearer in the Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa with Stieler. Here I'm not sure whether it was a mistake by defender and a penalty should've been awarded (surely without a YC!) and whether they communicated with each other and the defender was chosen to execute the goal-kick. Technically, it shouldn't matter but in reality you shouldn't give penalties for nothing. I would accept this no call, to be honest but it was visible the mics were hot in the Romanian team!
https://streamff.com/v/99fcbf51
63' Álex Baena on the verge of being sent off committing a dissent by action after being rightly cautioned for LoR holding. What I like about Kovacs is that he doesn't ignore such incidents like 8' or this one. He acts firmly and I'm quite sure he would've loved to send the Baena off but he knew it wouldn't be warmly welcome by UEFA. However, he won this 'fight' and earned respect in an important moment of the game.
https://streamff.com/v/73626189
84' Good VAR intervention correcting a wrongly awarded corner kick to a goal kick
https://streamff.com/v/a4521602
Big incidents aside, Kovacs handled the game excellently, with stepped and wise disciplinary approach. The Romanian should work on his (lack of) gestures after penalty area incidents - something Schärer is a master in. The biggest talking point will be two calls though: RC for DOGSO in 41' and no penalty for handball in 54'. While we can live with the second one (although for uniformity maybe it's better to give it after Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa), the RC for DOGSO is, at least in my opinion, clearly wrong and Dingert should stay silent. So, if the final decision is technically wrong and it harms the match (10vs11), it's not good for the referee...
Excellent analysis, thanks a lot.
Delete41 is clear DOGSO. Ball would be beside him and he would need 1 simple touch to be in the penalty area.
Delete84, since when do VAR intervene on corner kicks? That’s the 26/27 law change.
Delete54' we really can't accept having a coinflip every time the "kids mistake" occurs. I would suggest a rule modification: the ball has to leave the 6 yards box in order for the goalkick to be completed.
DeleteKaer: Or just follow the law. Ball was clearly in play, then he handled it. It’s their fault. If the GK doesn’t want it to be in play, throw the ball.
Deletethat would be acceptable as well. We just can't have CL referees breaking the LotG in front of millions.
DeleteOt: 👀https://x.com/i/status/2042042462110114070
ReplyDeleteToday (9th) or before the end of the week ?
DeleteFurther clips from Sanchez Martinez game, thank to your comments.
ReplyDeleteCrucial incidents:
https://streambug.org/cv/a23695
https://streambug.org/cv/37d74e
Disciplinary management:
13' Possible (missed) YC for holding SPA
https://streambug.org/cv/7d9d27
28' YC for reckless tackle
https://streambug.org/cv/dc6fe9
Live, it looked a very correct one, then replay shows a different reality, still supportable for the intensity of the tackle, but I think a referee rewatching it wouldn't issue a card.
30' YC for SPA / Reckless
https://streambug.org/cv/de42c0
Both arguments valid, very mandatory and correct decision.
59' Possible foul and YC for reckless
https://streambug.org/cv/7c36d6
For me clear foul, but one can have doubts about the intensity of the stepping on foot, for me card can be discussed, but to be whistled for sure.
72' Possible YC for SPA
https://streambug.org/cv/cc8371
Also in this case, YC is expected, for me he should have booked.
The most evident missed YC for me is the one in 13'.
In the end it wasn't a good performance under the eyes of Rosetti, maybe not an extremely poor one but one should add the two crucial situations with the rest. Will the Spanish referee have a spot at WC? The verdict seems to be very close. We will know.
An important detail regarding the YC in the 13th minute:
DeleteA yellow card for Kvaratskhelia would have meant the Georgian player misses the second leg, which makes this decision even more significant.
I believed everything had been settled during the meeting of 7th April. Is that wrong?
ReplyDeleteYes for sure they have already decided in a way, but for some reasons there is a delay...
DeleteMaybe they are waiting for medical results for Tello or Marciniak before publishing the list?
DeleteAnd that would be no problem of course. But the main point of my question is that games of Tuesday and Wednesday should then not have any consequence on that list
DeleteThe announcement of the World Cup referees has been delayed until April 15.
DeleteDo u guys know the return of the bodybuilder refree marciniak 😝👀, hope that will be back next week for atletico vs barcelona maybe? Or in the semifinals like last year?
ReplyDeleteMartinez OUT of world cup after disaster yesterday. Scharer and Hernandez go as reserves, Pinheiro makes the list as a main official!
ReplyDeleteOfficial statement from the Barcelona board:
ReplyDelete"FC Barcelona informs that, today, the Club's legal services filed a formal complaint against UEFA regarding the actions taken in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final match against Atletico Madrid. The club considers that there was an arbitration decision contrary to the regulations in force, with a direct impact on the development of the match and its result.
The complaint focuses on a specific action. In the 54th minute of the game, once play had correctly resumed, an opposing player handled the ball inside the penalty area without this being penalized as a corresponding infringement. FC Barcelona believes that this decision, along with the non-intervention of VAR, constituted a significant error. As a result, the club has requested the opening of an investigation, access to the arbitration communications and, if applicable, the official acknowledgment of errors and the adoption of relevant measures.
In this matter, FC Barcelona considers that this is not the first time that, in recent editions of the UEFA Champions League, incomprehensible arbitration decisions have harmed the team, generating a. "This clearly creates a comparative disadvantage and prevents it from competing on an equal footing with other clubs."
This obviously should be strongly rejected by UEFA.
DeleteOn the situation itself: Has there been any UEFA statement on Nyberg's decision, when it occurred the first time in a CL QF? You would hope, they said something at least internally, but Stieler and Kovacs deciding differently afterwards seems to contradict that idea.
Maybe IFAB should just change the handball rule, so that a handball is not punishable or only results in an indirect free kick, if the ball was last played by a teammate.
This would not only solve the issue at hand, but also other situations, where football doesn't expect a handball penalty.
Definitely need a clarification by IFAB or by UEFA or FIFA, some will say it's such a rare situation but happened actually more than we think, so IFAB needs to work on that or if not to say that it's an handball offence and then a PK.
DeleteWhether or not UEFA will reject Barcelona's appeal is unknown. But I'm almost convinced that the season is over for Kovacs. The Catalan media is inflaming things a lot, and perhaps the committee will decide to quietly end the Romanian referee's appointments this season
DeleteAlso: The on-field decision must have been, that the goal kick was executed by the defender. Therefore the handball happened before the latest restart and was technically not reviewable by the VAR.
Delete