Third qualifying round of 2026-27 UEFA Champions League, referee assignments (first legs).
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| Following Slavko Vinčić's retirement, Rade Obrenović takes over as Slovenia's top UEFA referee |
18:00 CET
Sölvesborg (Strandvallen)
MJÄLLBY (SWE) vs. SLOVAN BRATISLAVA (SVK)
Referee: Nicholas Walsh SCO
Assistant Referee 1: Francis Connor SCO
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel McFarlane SCO
Fourth Official: Donald Robertson SCO
Video Assistant Referee: Andrew Dallas SCO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Duncan Nicolson SCO
UEFA Referee Observer: Terje Hauge NOR
UEFA Delegate: Patrizia Friese GER
18:00 CET
Yerevan (Republican Stadium after Vazgen Sargsyan)
ARARAT-ARMENIA (ARM) vs. CELJE (SVN)
Referee: Ivan Kružliak SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Branislav Hancko SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Ján Pozor SVK
Fourth Official: Peter Kráľovič SVK
Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Anojen Kanagasingam SUI
UEFA Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn GER
UEFA Delegate: Avi Levi ISR
19:30 CET
Sofia (Georgi Asparuhov Stadium)
LEVSKI SOFIA (BUL) vs. QAİRAT (KAZ)
Referee: Donatas Rumšas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radiuš LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis LTU
Fourth Official: Robertas Valikonis LTU
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Kęstutis Bartuškevičius LTU
UEFA Referee Observer: Rune Pedersen NOR
UEFA Delegate: Tamar Chichinadze GEO
19:30 CET
Szombathely, HUN (Haladás Sportkomplexum)
HAPOEL BE’ER SHEVA (ISR) vs. CRVENA ZVEZDA (SRB)
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Guadalupe Porras Ayuso ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Javier Martínez Nicolás ESP
Fourth Official: Francisco Javier Hernández Maeso ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Valentín Pizarro Gómez ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Atkinson ENG
UEFA Delegate: Olzhas Abrayev KAZ
20:00 CET
Zagreb (Stadion Maksimir)
DINAMO ZAGREB (CRO) vs. KAUNO ŽALGIRIS (LTU)
Referee: Erik Lambrechts BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Jo De Weirdt BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Monteny BEL
Fourth Official: Lothar D’Hondt BEL
Video Assistant Referee: Clay Ruperti NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bert Put BEL
UEFA Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski POL
UEFA Delegate: Rodney Pisani MLT
20:00 CET
Piraeus (Geórgios Karaïskákis Stadium)
OLYMPIAKÓS (GRE) vs. NEC NIJMEGEN (NED)
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Juan José López Mir ESP
Fourth Official: Víctor García Verdura ESP
Video Assistant Referee: César Soto Grado ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Dejan Filipović SRB
UEFA Delegate: Georges Lüchinger LIE
20:00 CET
Ostend (Batimond Solar Park)
UNION SAINT-GILLOISE (BEL) vs. BODØ/GLIMT (NOR)
Referee: Irfan Peljto BIH
Assistant Referee 1: Senad Ibrišimbegović BIH
Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo BIH
Fourth Official: Miloš Gigović BIH
Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tihomir Pejin CRO
UEFA Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas SCO
UEFA Delegate: Maksims Krivuņecs LVA
20:00 CET
Prague (epet Arena)
SPARTA PRAHA (CZE) vs. OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS (FRA)
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük NED
Assistant Referee 1: Patrick Inia NED
Assistant Referee 2: Rogier Honig NED
Fourth Official: Martijn Vos NED
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jeroen Manschot NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Vítor Manuel de Melo Pereira POR
UEFA Delegate: Armen Minasyan ARM
18:30 CET
Randers (Cepheus Park Randers)
AARHUS (DEN) vs. SABAH (AZE)
Referee: Rade Obrenovič SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandar Kasapovič SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordež SVN
Fourth Official: Martin Matoša SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Matej Jug SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alen Borošak SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Leslie Irvine NIR
UEFA Delegate: Anton Fagan SCO
20:00 CET
Istanbul (Chobani Stadyumu Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi)
FENERBAHÇE (TUR) vs. STURM GRAZ (AUT)
Referee: Christopher Kavanagh ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Ian Hussin ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Neil Davies ENG
Fourth Official: Robert Jones ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Attwell ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Peter Bankes ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Markus Nobs SUI
UEFA Delegate: István Huszár HUN
Porras Ayuso is now Gil Manzano's regular AR1, as Ángel Nevado Rodríguez got domestically demoted.
ReplyDeleteI assumed he retired rather that got demoted.
DeleteWhere do you find the list of observers?
ReplyDeleteClick on "macth officials then click on "go to press kits" https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2049101--levski-sofia-vs-kairat-almaty/matchinfo/
DeleteI guess we will not see word cup referees this year in UCL qualifying round, right ?
ReplyDeleteNot right :)
DeleteNyberg, Oliver, Hernandez, Pinheiro, Kovacs, Mariani, and Marciniak will officiate the return legs..
DeleteThen I guessed wrong lmao
DeleteBeside this, it’s actually a quick return for most them imo
DeleteMecz rewanżowy:
ReplyDeleteKairat - Levski: Daniel Siebert GER
Sabah - Aarhus: João Pinheiro POR
Bodo/Glimt - Union SG: Istvan Kovacs ROU
Zalgiris - Dinamo Zagreb: Davide Massa ITA
NEC - Olympiacos: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Crvena zvezda - Hapoel: Glenn Nyberg SWE
Slovan - Mjallby: Michael Oliver ENG
Celje - Ararat Armenia: Marco Guida ITA
Sturm Graz - Fenerbahce: Alejandro Hernandez ESP
Lyon - Sparta Praha: Szymon Marciniak POL
With this match, if im not wrong Chris Kavanagh will have officiated a Fenerbahçe match for the 6th time in his career. That is nearly 25-30% of the matches he has officiated in Europe.
ReplyDeleteQuite an interesting coincidence!
I wonder if Letexier has mentally recovered? What he went through was terrifying.
ReplyDeleteIt is an absolute disaster that FIFA didn't punish the Egypt coach and the players who gave those shameless interviews.
I'm afraid by FIFA standards it's a minor disaster. To be honest some refereeing performances were much bigger disasters. And the refs and Collina were not punished for it.
DeleteOt: Fluminense's Canobbio (that Canobbio) on referee Ramon Abatti Abel: "He looks at you like a madman."
ReplyDeletehttps://x.com/i/status/2083677539399000547
First Paredes, and then Canobbio. Both of these players became the most hated figures by everyone in the World Cup, and I liked how the referees treated them the way they deserved.
DeleteWell Done Wilmer Roldán & Ramon Abatti.
What about Slavko Vincics ARs?
ReplyDeleteSame question for Taylor ARs
DeleteI assume Vincic‘s ARs carry on because they‘re not that old yet, especially Kovacic.
DeleteThey will continue... That's the worst part of being an AR. They were officiating matches at the very top level, and now they won't be able to officiate matches outside of the Slovenian league... Rade seems like he is going to keep working with the ARs he has been collaborating with for years
Delete@crn.ple I imagine Beswick will leave the FIFA list at the end of the year. Nunn likely to be with Barrott or Brooks this year if I had to guess...
DeleteThey will continue for sure, but Klančnik has maybe one or two more years, Kovacic instead a little more. Rade has his own AR's, so they will probably could help younger referees which is coming. Tozan is one of the most promising here in Slovenia now, but this is his first year as FIFA. Matosa is one after Rade so maybe he should think about changing ARS for experienced one, but this is never an easy task. Also some people can go better together than others. So its not sure that Klančnik or Kovačič suits him as they did with Slavko.
DeleteRed card from Dutch Super Cup:
ReplyDeletehttps://files.fm/u/82crahugc2#/view/u7953azj25
I praise the decision. Very often we read many justifications for such raised leg making contact with opponent's face. They must be always red card, once it's clear that ball can't be played. Acting in this way means taking a risk. Not watching the full game, I don't know if Gozubuyuk had given YC after the advantage.
This should be a standard RED card, fully agree with you, Veerman takes a serious risk with high feet to injure (wich he did) the opponent, according to the laws, this is RED.....and i don't understand people who think this is less than red!
DeleteHe completely missed the foul and didn't blow the whistle. VAR intervened and he clearly wasn't happy about it. His on-field announcement sounded unconvincing and he even seemed to apologise to the players, making it clear that he felt he couldn't decide otherwise after the VAR intervention.
ReplyDeleteSerdar Gözübüyük is an ambitious and emotional referee. He must have been upset about missing that position live. Evidently, he wants to manage matches flawlessly without VAR intervention; he has programmed himself that way. I occasionally come across his Instagram stories where he shares quotes, which is probably his way of staying motivated..
DeleteParedes is at it with the provocations again. This action is a clear red card. It can't be just a yellow; either you don't give a card at all or you give a straight red. But the referee gives a yellow card 🤔
ReplyDeletehttps://x.com/la12tuittera/status/2084029575864975683/video/1?s=46
It’s obvious that he has severe issues. Problem is that he is allowed to remain on the pitch.
DeleteANTHONY TAYLOR Became the Director of Elite Refereeing at the Turkish Football Federation."
ReplyDeleteTaylor: Following my recent announcement that I am retiring from elite refereeing after 16 seasons, I am pleased to share the next step in my career.
From today, I will take up the consultancy role - "Director of Elite Refereeing", with the Turkish Football Federation.
Having officiated at the highest levels of domestic and international football, I welcome the opportunity to bring that experience to a role focused on the strategic and technical development of elite refereeing in Türkiye.
I Will work with colleagues across the Federation to support the continued development of its match officials and strengthen the wider refereeing programme, in line with UEFA and FIFA standards.
The appointment follows detailed discussions in Istanbul, and l would like to thank Fraser W. for representing me throughout the process.
I am looking forward to joining the TFF and contributing to the next phase of its refereeing development
"oooooo
DeleteIt's a very difficult job for Taylor. In Turkey, referees are talked about much more than football itself. I hope Taylor succeeds in this environment."
OMG. When Slavko Vinčić came to officiate the derby in turkey his legs were shaking. In that high-pressure environment, fear was visible in his eyes, and the Galatasaray coach thought the exact same thing. As far as I know, the hardest profession in Turkey is being a referee. Two years ago, a club president beat up Halil Umut Meler, and Meler spent a few days in the hospital.
DeleteAnthony Taylor, I wish you success in the hardest task of your life. I never expected this.
I wish Anthony Taylor success in this tough assignment. He might see a turkish club president in his office room every day :D
Delete@edirnovic19 Isn't it normal for Slavko Vincic to feel under pressure in a derby with a total of 30,000 police officers and security personnel inside and outside the stadium? Even before the match, Galatasaray's statements increased the pressure on the referee even further. In the opening minutes, yes, Vincic had that "where on earth have I ended up" look in his eyes, but he recovered quite well and managed a good derby..
DeleteCHEFREN.. What do you think about Anthony Taylor's new Role in Turkey. ?
ReplyDeleteGood question
DeleteIt's a huge call for Taylor, best of luck in Turkey
I have to admit that, at first, it wasn't something I could have imagined. The cultural differences and the very different football make it quite a surprising appointment.
DeleteMy first thought was that someone with Anthony Taylor experience could probably still have been very useful in England, but evidently the offer from Turkey was an excellent one.
As for how he will perform in this new role, we will have to wait and see. In my opinion, being one of the greatest referees on the field, even reaching the very top, doesn't automatically mean someone will become an outstanding refereeing head. They are different jobs requiring different qualities. That said, I genuinely hope he does well.
I'm also curious to see how his perspective evolves. Taylor comes from the Premier League environment, where referees generally allow more physical play, try to keep the game flowing, and avoid making themselves the centre of attention. Turkish football is often much more emotionally charged, with greater pressure and more tense situations. Watching his referees deal with those matches may well influence and develop his own views on how games should be managed.
Mjällby (SWE) vs. Slovan Bratislava (SVK)
ReplyDeleteReferee: Nicholas Walsh SCO
VAR: Andrew Dallas SCO
[58'] Penalty awarded for holding - possible RC for DOGSO-no attempt, possible foul in APP
https://files.fm/u/nfnp6m7amh
Can be seen as ”challenging for the ball”. Yellow.
DeleteThe Lyon vs. Prague match is being refereed by Gözübüyük, who is of Turkish descent. The winner of this round will play against the winner of the Fenerbahçe vs. Graz game. Just last week, Gözübüyük posted a photo on vacation with a former Fenerbahçe vice president Acun ilicali. What criteria was used for this appointment? I just don't understand it..
ReplyDeleteNothing strange here. The draw took place yesterday, so no possibility to replace a referee (it was a case also in previous rounds with referees from a potential opponents' country handling first legs). It's different with second legs - here UEFA replace referee crews from clashing countries. For example, David Dickinson's team have been removed from Gent - IFK Göteborg UECL 3QR second leg.
DeleteHmm Thanks for the explanation
Delete@eurosoccerref Yes, the draw was yesterday, but Fenerbahce only had 2 possible opponent matchups in the playoff round:
Deleteone was the winner of Bodo - USG,
and the other was the winner of Lyon - Prague.
This assignment could have been prevented no matter what.
What a PERFECT decision from Gil Manzano!!! Very rare situation: 2 YCs in 2 seconds. Both very clear:
ReplyDeleteAgree,reminded me of Cakir's decision some years ago.
DeleteGreat decision.
That was sensational by Manzano… excellent decision
DeleteExcellent by Gil Manzano:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamain.com/en/VLYgqGLcTtlaQsY/watch
UEFA appointing a Spanish referee given the tension between Spain and Israel is a huge mistake... now the Israelis will interpret this red card differently.
DeleteMaybe I’m missing something but after an advantage you should not give a YC if the foul was an SPA, maybe I’m wrong, just asking.
DeleteThe first YC was for a blatant holding, this card doesn’t get removed after a advantage.
DeleteThere was no advantage… it literally didn’t ensue. The yellow card remains for stopping a promising attack and then a reckless challenge.
DeleteHe should’ve waited to show the advantage signal. Still correct with 2 yellow cards but a referee should not show an advantage too early. He made the expected decision. Any pro referee needs to make that decision.
DeleteCorrect PK by Gözübüyük but don’t understand the YC here, clear RC imo as the defender is not trying to play the ball and it’s a clear DOGSO
ReplyDeleteCorrecting myself the YC was for dissent to another player that’s even more surprising to not give a single card for this foul imo
DeleteI agree, this should be a (straightforward) RC for a DOGSO - no attempt to play the ball. I don’t see an argument against.
DeleteAlso not very clear the player receiving the YC.
https://files.fm/u/2997wkherh
Correct penalty indeed. But once again, Gözübüyük relies too much on the VAR for the big decisions. Especially with red cards, and particularly when they’re against the home team, he seems reluctant to make the call himself. He also tends to take unnecessarily long during on-field reviews, which only creates the impression that the decision is more debatable than it actually is.
DeleteI can understand not considering it a red card. A red would have been supportable, but the attacker still had to turn, and the defender was initially positioned in front of him. That's a factor that can be taken into account to say it wasn't a 100% red card situation. So yes, the referee could certainly have shown red, but a yellow is also acceptable.
DeleteThen I don't know if the card has been issued to the player who made the foul, UEFA says that, however as very often happens, the decision making in Gozubuyuk games is rather shaky, he takes long time and very often final decisions are not 100% clear. A severe observer here could say he waited a VAR check, then to issue the YC, but of course in UEFA games this can't be done. I would like to see a referee immediately convinced about what to do, even if the card or the call is a mistake, very often it's better than taking too long time and losing credibility for me (but that's a point of view).
Why does Gözübüyük always come across as so insecure whenever he has to make an important decision? It's such a pity, really. Once again, he looks hesitant and seems to be waiting for guidance from the VAR on whether it should be a yellow or a red card. At this level, not showing a card in a situation like this is simply not acceptable. If Gözübüyük had more conviction and authority in his decision-making, he would probably have reached a higher level in his refereeing career than where he is today.
Delete@Chefren Shouldn’t the holding offense be assessed at the moment the holding stops? If we assess the moment the attacker is still positioned back-to-goal then a free kick outside should have been awarded. When the holding stops the attacker is facing goal and 1-on-1 to the goalkeeper. How is this not a clear goal scoring opportunity?
DeleteBTW, UEFA website now gives the YC to the offending player, so apparently he did sanction the holding (and not the dissenting behavior).
This is a textbook red card. It’s hard to understand why Van Boekel stayed silent here, especially considering his experience.
DeleteSerdar is very well known for avoiding red cards more or less at any cost. We wrote about that many times last season.
DeleteHe had many situations were he did not wanted show super mandatory yellow card only because player was already on yellow.
ok at least it make more sense for the YC @Uefaref, still not understand how VAR stay silent
DeleteOlympiakos - NEC
ReplyDeleteA fair, high tempo, and enjoyable match. A very good and convincing performance by the referee Sánchez Martínez, characterized by consistent standards regarding foul play. However, it is a bit strange not to apply the advantage rule for the opposing team after a delayed offside. Olympiakos had their justified attack unfairly stopped twice.
Gözübüyük officiated matches in 2 different countries within 48 hours, one of which was a final.. officiating these two tough matches in such a short time is difficult for a referee. I congratulate him..
ReplyDeleteWorld class from Manzano!
ReplyDeleteHe did only his job as both cards were super mandatory but still something tells me that many many referee would only give one yellow card.
Has anyone watched USG-Bodo and performance of Irfan Peljto?
ReplyDeleteGözübüyük: I do agree with Chefren. Leaving aside the technical aspects of the LoTG (penalty or not), the decision was taken in a very uncertain and unconvincing manner
ReplyDeleteFor me Gözübüyük was wrong. I don‘t think that is a foul by the defender more so than it is one by the attacker. Look at how the attacker continuously pulls the defenders’s shirt. Play on would be the better decision.
ReplyDeleteI would also be of the same opinion, but at the end of the duel, the defender holds [the opponent] with both hands, while the attacker's hold is negligible in terms of sanctioning. In any case, the attacker's hold was difficult for the referee to see.
DeleteArarat-Armenia (ARM) vs. Celje (SVN)
ReplyDeleteReferee: Ivan Kružliak SVK
[20'] Penalty awarded for handball; very good spot!
https://streama.in/3FAKiOgpyFUVK7m/watch
Very good performance from Kružliak! Apart from the well-spotted penalty, he didn't fall for numerous easy falls, let the game flow and showed no tolerance for dissent. His body language after cautioning Ararat coach was brilliant. You may find all clips from this game here:
https://www.swisstransfer.com/dl/019fd1ed-f5c2-7392-b528-c3c34867d602
I wonder. As you know, Anthony Taylor has become the boss of elite referees in Turkey. Is this situation an obstacle to a Turkish referee being appointed to English teams' matches in UEFA competitions?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteIt seems as João Pinheiro has been removed from second leg in Azerbaijan. I didn't check this appointment but it was reported above.
ReplyDeleteThe losing team is going to face Benfica/Heart of Midlothian in UEL Play-Off Round.
DeleteThese appointments appear to be handled in a highly unprofessional manner. Naturally, there are a number of factors that should immediately rule out certain referees for specific matches. The failure to use an algorithm to identify suitable referees for a given match—and this is not the first time it has happened—demonstrates an incompetence that must be avoided in the future.
DeleteHow could you avoid it if appointments are made before draw?
DeleteUnion Saint-Gilloise (BEL) vs. Bodø/Glimt (NOR)
ReplyDelete27' Penalty awarded for tripping and YC USG5 for DOGSO-attempt after good onside call by AR2
https://streama.in/bSTdfNK9QNGUmf7/watch
Overall good performance by the Bosnian. Seven YCs including two quite doubtful (41' - is it a foul? and 89' - no real SPA nor reckless). Interesting YC for not respecting the referee who clearly signaled the FK to be taken after whistle and the player ignored it (32').
All clips from this game could be found here:
https://files.fm/u/rpra3vymaw
CLEAR CLEAR MİSSED RED CARD…. Fener-graz
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely not a red card…
DeleteChris lost control of the match in Istanbul's intense atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteThe Sturm Graz player should have been sent off, and minutes later fener player Skriniar stepped on the opponent's foot, which should have been a clear penalty.. Kavanagh and var is not in the game
ReplyDeleteYellow card is suportable here, but also red card would be ok.
DeleteIt's not Kavanagh who officiate the game; it's Fener fans. That's the kind of game happening in Istanbul right now..
ReplyDeleteKavanagh had a good second half
ReplyDeleteJoão Pinheiro has been ruled out of officiating Sabah vs Aarhus because the draw determined that the winner of that tie could face Benfica (if Benfica progress) in Europa League.
ReplyDeleteWinner of that tie will play CL play-off. Loser of that tie will play EL play-off and could face Benfica.
DeleteSabah - Aarhus:
DeleteReferee: Willy Delajod
AR1: Valentin Evrard
AR2: Erwin Finjean
4th: Eric Watellier
VAR: Bastien Dechepy
AVAR: Nicolas Rainville
Rade Obrenović has been appointed as the fourth official for the UEFA Super Cup final, which will be officiated by Omar Artan.
ReplyDeleteThe mentioned incidents from Fenerbahçe vs. Sturm Graz. I think the referee took correct decisions...
ReplyDelete21' https://streama.in/sRFOCfqXB6a4ziq/watch
32' https://streama.in/XLgIAU4BeyKl4w1/watch
That should have been a penalty in the 32nd minute... The Fenerbahçe defender steps on the opponent's foot. watch the last angle again.
DeleteLooking at Kavanagh's facial expression, he seems doubtful about the yellow card he gave. It's a borderline situation, it would have been more correct if the referee had given a red .
DeleteEuro Soccer Ref is (obviously) correct 👍.
DeleteI watched the second half and Kavanagh handled it faultlessly.
Mikael, Can you explain ? the defender clearly steps on the attacker's foot without touching the ball?"
Delete21' Dark YC, let's say orange. One can accept YC, not clear and obvious mistake. The point of contact remains rather low, it's not a normal step on foot, something more, but still not a full red card.
Delete32' Attacker going into defender and not the contrary. Correct decision, no penalty.
21’ Boderline
Delete32’ Penalty
Chefren, look at the Fenerbahçe defender's left foot. In the last angle, you can clearly see him stepping on the attacker's foot.
DeleteIt was reported that the Korea Football Association (KFA) allegedly provided sexual entertainment to foreign referees on “multiple occasions” ahead of national team matches in 2011.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/sports/national-football-association-provided-sexual-entertainment-to-foreign-referees-jtbc-report-claims/12812890
Use AI to translate:This is a 2016 document compiled by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism titled Investigation Findings on Misconduct by Staff of the Korea Football Association.
DeleteIt states that over the one‑year period from March 2011 to March 2012, the Korea Football Association arranged inappropriate sexual hospitality on seven separate occasions for foreign referees assigned to national‑team fixtures.
Three of those matches were World Cup and Olympic qualifiers.
On the night of 29 February 2012, the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifier between South Korea and Kuwait took place at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Yet in the early hours of that same day, 500 000 won was charged to the Korea Football Association’s corporate credit card at a massage parlour in Yeoksam‑dong, Gangnam‑gu, Seoul.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism concluded the payment covered sexual hospitality for the two referees working the Kuwait match.
Person A from the association’s Referees Department, who processed the payment for sexual services, testified: “The massage fee included payment for sexual favours.” He added: “The foreign referees made the requests first, at the airport or at their accommodation, and we provided the hospitality accordingly.”
On 22 September of the same year, Person A also paid 760 000 won at a massage business in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province.
Only two‑and‑a‑half hours earlier, the national side had finished its final London 2012 Olympic qualifier against Oman at the Changwon Football Centre.
The ministry judged this sum likewise covered sexual hospitality for the four referees of that fixture.
Payments were even made while matches were underway.
At 20:34 on 14 March 2012, 198 000 won was charged to the corporate card at a Chinese‑style massage shop in Yeoksam‑dong, Gangnam‑gu, Seoul. The ministry pointed out this was for sexual hospitality provided to one match supervisor.
A supervisor’s official role is to monitor whether referees receive improper favours; yet payment for entertainment was made for this supervisor mid‑match.
Drawing on statements from multiple Referees‑Department officials, credit‑card transaction records and explanatory submissions from the association, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism concluded that these instances of sexual hospitality had indeed occurred.
In response, the Korea Football Association stated: “This incident dates back 15 years. Our document‑retention period is only five years, so we cannot give an accurate account of every circumstance. While we cannot rule out that regrettable events may have taken place 15 years ago, we have now drawn up and abide by stricter internal‑management guidelines to meet high public expectations.”
https://news.jtbc.co.kr/article/NB12312071
😨😨
DeleteNo No.. the referee you have in mind officiated that match in 2025
DeleteGıys.. Please do not write the names of the referees.
DeleteOFFICIAL: ARGENTINA STATEMENT TO
ReplyDeleteCONFIRM FULL TO GIANNI INFANTINO
AFA, the Argentinian Federation, released public statement tonight announcing their full support to FIFA president
"Total support and appreciation for what Gianni Infantino did over the last 10 years as FIFA president", the document says ‘
https://www.afa.com.ar/es/posts/respaldo-a-la-gestion-realizada-los-ultimos-10-anos-por-gianni-infantino-en-la-fifa
And what did we expect 🤗
DeleteThe List of shame is growing and growing
Delete🇦🇷Argentina (NEW)
🇲🇽Mexico (NEW)
🇧🇹Bhutan (NEW)
🇲🇳Mongolia (NEW)
🇵🇭Philippines
🇮🇩Indonesia
🇶🇦Qatar
🇱🇰Sri Lanka
🇦🇪UAE
🇲🇦Morocco
🇪🇬Egypt
🇲🇷Mauritania
🇳🇪Niger
🇨🇩DR Congo
🇱🇧Lebanon
🇰🇼Kuwait
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteJust adding to many theories that refs were helping them.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteAs the administrator keeps removing my remarks about the close relationship of Infantino and the Argentine and Moroccon FA, I would like to state the following: 1) I'm sure, even if there is such close relationship between Infantino and the Argentine FA, then it's all in the best interest of football. I have no doubt about that...; 2) removing comments trying to publish an opposite view, is not the censorship. It's just a best way to defend the integrity of FIFA and Infantino, the person who lives for football and wants to have peace in the whole world....
DeleteOT: Sian Massey-Ellis has retired from officiating. A fantastic career that she should be very proud of. She made her PL debut in 2010 and she really was an excellent AR.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to her in her new role within the FA. Good to see she’s not leaving the game completely.
She seemed to get a lot of injuries in the seasons since COVID so she was unlucky not to do more PL games or do a major cup final.
DeleteThe UEFA delegate from Romania Florin Prunea seems in trouble after having published a video on his social media accounts.
ReplyDeleteIn the self-shot video, Prunea, when the teams were joining the pitch, filmed female spectators without their consent, zooming in on them and making sexist remarks to his followers. He was recorded saying: "Let me show you something beautiful here... Is that what we need, brother?"
Here the video:
https://www.gsp.ro/international/conference-league/florin-prunea-sheriff-tiraspol-st-gallen-conference-league-967743.html
I think he is s too exposed person for being a UEFA delegate (check how many followers...), that's surely not good and one can't understand why he did that, given also the long experience as delegate.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteArgentina and infantino 😂 are we suprised?
ReplyDeleteI want to write harsh things, but our comments keep getting deleted.
so I'm just gonna say this:
Dear Mr. Vincic, Football fans are so grateful to you for saving world football. THANK YOU
guys 😟
ReplyDeleteUEFA have confirmed that they are aware of an allegation that European football's governing paid off an alleged mistress of Gianni Infantino.
The Telegraph are reporting that while Infantino was general secretary at UEFA, a woman who was allegedly in a relationship with the now FIFA president received a six figure sum.
According to The Telegraph, UEFA paid for the individuals MBA after she left.
In a statement to The Telegraph, a FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA president Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue. Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory.
"No employee at UEFA and FIFA has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantino’s behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved. All company actions related to employees, including any departure and severance packages, have always been approved by the appropriate directors in accordance with all applicable regulations."
UEFA told Sky Sports News that an individual was paid but this was in line with regulations at the time - which have since be tightened.
In a statement to Sky Sports News, UEFA said: "We are aware of the allegations and can confirm a departure payment was made to the individual in question, coupled with the payment of fees for a MBA course at a local business school.
"The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time. Such regulations have been tightened since 2016 and the current staff regulations - which apply to all UEFA employees at whatever level - reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation."
Infantino worked at UEFA from 2000, until leaving in 2016, when he took up his current role at FIFA.
Oh they're getting dirty dirty. Let's see if he survives this.
DeleteThis is like opening your fridge to throw away something that expired a long time ago only to find a body in there somehow. Feels like there's so much more to come on this. Crazy.
This is a brutal look for both of them! Whatever the backstory, going nuclear to get rid of Infantino shows just how bad he is for football and how far UEFA will go to get him out.
DeleteI'm sure this is not true. Another brutal attack against his integrity. He just wants to unite the people and all the best for the football in the whole world. Poor Gianni... Let's just give him the UN SecGen job, as Trump wants.
DeleteJUST IN: Referee François Letexier received 𝟔𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐒 on WhatsApp after Argentina vs Egypt.
ReplyDeleteVAR official Willy Delajod also received death threats from angry Egyptian supporters.
TheSun
Tihomir Pejin has been physically attacked
ReplyDeletehttps://www.portal.hr/en/novosti/sport-hr/111848-hns-osuduje-napad-tihomira-pejina