2026-27 UEFA Europa League, Matchday 3, games to be played on Thursday 22 October 2026.
Thursday 22 October 2026
18:45 CET - Turin (Allianz Stadium)
JUVENTUS (ITA) - STADE RENNAIS FC (FRA)
Referee: Morten Krogh Hansen DEN
Assistant Referee 1: Victor Skovbæk Skytte DEN
Assistant Referee 2: Steffen Beck Bramsen DEN
Fourth Official: Jacob Karlsen DEN
Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Attwell ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefan Meßner AUT
UEFA Delegate: Sviatlana Hrynkievič BLR
18:45 CET - Budapest (Groupama Aréna)
FERENCVÁROSI TC (HUN) - SCU TORREENSE (POR)
Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Alexis Auger FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Aurélien Berthomieu FRA
Fourth Official: Éric Wattellier FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Mathieu Vernice FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Rainville FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Hannes Kaasik EST
UEFA Delegate: Orxan Hüseynzadə AZE
18:45 CET - Düsseldorf, GER (Merkur Spiel-Arena)
ROYALE UNION SAINT GILLOISE (BEL) - HAPOEL BE’ER SHEVA (ISR)
Referee: Mykola Balakin UKR
Assistant Referee 1: Oleksandr Berkut UKR
Assistant Referee 2: Viktor Matyash UKR
Fourth Official: Dmytro Panchyshyn UKR
Video Assistant Referee: Michael Fabbri ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Viktor Kopiyevs’kyy UKR
UEFA Referee Observer: Goran Mihaljević MNE
UEFA Delegate: Pe Eliasson SWE
18:45 CET - Zagreb (Stadion Maksimir)
GNK DINAMO (CRO) - NEC (NED)
Referee: Manfredas Lukjančukas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Mangirdas Mirauskas LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Aleksandras Stepanovas LTU
Fourth Official: Vilius Paulauskas LTU
Video Assistant Referee: Manuel Schüttengruber AUT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Orestas Abramavičius LTU
UEFA Referee Observer: Pascal Garibian FRA
UEFA Delegate: Metin Kazancıoğlu TUR
18:45 CET - Graz (Stadion Graz-Liebenau)
SK STURM GRAZ (AUT) - OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE (FRA)
Referee: Nenad Minaković SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Nikola Borović SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Boško Božović SRB
Fourth Official: Danilo Nikolić SRB
Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Matej Jug SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Luis Medina Cantalejo ESP
UEFA Delegate: Frédéric Veraghaenne BEL
18:45 CET - Poznań (Enea Stadion)
KKS LECH POZNAŃ (POL) - SUNDERLAND AFC (ENG)
Referee: Balázs Berke HUN
Assistant Referee 1: Balázs Buzás HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Balázs Szert HUN
Fourth Official: Gergő Bogár HUN
Video Assistant Referee: Tamás Bognár HUN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Katalin Kulcsár HUN
UEFA Referee Observer: René Temmink NED
UEFA Delegate: Attila Tömő HUN
18:45 CET - Heraklion (Pancretan Stadium)
OFI (GRE) - BAYER 04 LVERKUSEN (GER)
Referee: Oleksiy Derevinsʹkyy UKR
Assistant Referee 1: Oleksiy Myronov UKR
Assistant Referee 2: Svitlana Hrushko UKR
Fourth Official: Klym Zabroda UKR
Video Assistant Referee: Denys Shurman UKR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Lukas Fähndrich SUI
UEFA Referee Observer: Jan Willem Wegereef NED
UEFA Delegate: Artur Azaryan ARM
18:45 CET - Yerevan (Republican Stadium after Vazgen Sargsyan)
ARARAT ARMENIA (ARM) - AZ ALKMAAR (NED)
Referee: Patrik Kolarić CRO
Assistant Referee 1: Luka Pajić CRO
Assistant Referee 2: Ivan Starčević CRO
Fourth Official: Ivan Vukančić CRO
Video Assistant Referee: Fran Jović CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tihomir Pejin CRO
UEFA Referee Observer: Kóstas Kapitanís CYP
UEFA Delegate: Aleksandr Keplin KAZ
21:00 CET - Piraeus (Geórgios Karaïskákis Stadium)
OLYMBIAKÓS SFP (GRE) - AC SPARTA PRAHA (CZE)
Referee: Espen Andreas Eskås NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Alf Olav Rossland NOR
Fourth Official: Rohit Saggi NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Luca Pairetto ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marius Lien NOR
UEFA Referee Observer: Lutz Michael Fröhlich GER
UEFA Delegate: Aurel Mihail Ionescu ROU
21:00 CET - Plzěn (Doosan Aréna)
FC VIKTORIA PLZEŇ (CZE) - PFC LEVSKI SOFIA (BUL)
Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández ESP
Assistant Referee 1: José Enrique Naranjo Pérez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Diego Sánchez Rojo ESP
Fourth Official: José Luis Munuera Montero ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Javier Iglesias Villanueva ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Alain Sars FRA
UEFA Delegate: Anna Bordiuhova UKR
21:00 CET - Glasgow (Celtic Park)
CELTIC FC (SCO) - RC CELTA DE VIGO (ESP)
Referee: Georgi Kabakov BUL
Assistant Referee 1: Martin Margaritov BUL
Assistant Referee 2: Martin Venev BUL
Fourth Official: Nikola Popov BUL
Video Assistant Referee: Sören Storks GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Alfredo Trentalange ITA
UEFA Delegate: Ignas Marcinkevičius LTU
21:00 CET - Bournemouth (Vitality Stadium)
AFC BOURNEMOUTH (ENG) - AC MILAN (ITA)
Referee: Vasílios Fotiás GRE
Assistant Referee 1: Andréas Meïndanás GRE
Assistant Referee 2: Michaíl Papadákis GRE
Fourth Official: Aléxandros Tsakalídis GRE
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alan Kijas AUT
UEFA Referee Observer: Paweł Gil POL
UEFA Delegate: Peter Oskam NED
21:00 CET - Celje (Stadion Z'dežele)
NK CELJE (SVN) - FC SALZBURG (AUT)
Referee: John Brooks ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel Cook ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Akil Howson ENG
Fourth Official: Andrew Madley ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Darren England ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Matthew Donohue ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Domagoj Vučkov CRO
UEFA Delegate: Gent Gërdovci KOS
Mentor for Delegate: Jean Paul Mievis BEL
21:00 CET - Białystok (Chorten Arena)
JAGIELLONIA BIAŁYSTOK (POL) - RSC ANDERLECHT (BEL)
Referee: Ondřej Berka CZE
Assistant Referee 1: Matěj Vlček CZE
Assistant Referee 2: Kamil Hájek CZE
Fourth Official: Ondřej Pechanec CZE
Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Miroslav Zelinka CZE
UEFA Referee Observer: Andreas Schluchter SUI
UEFA Delegate: Knut Bjørn Nordheim NOR
21:00 CET - Nicosia (GSP Stadium)
OMÓNIA NICOSIA (CYP) - SL BENFICA (POR)
Referee: Jasper Vergoote BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Michele Seeldraeyers BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Martijn Tiesters BEL
Fourth Official: Kevin Van Damme BEL
Video Assistant Referee: Gianluca Aureliano ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bert Put BEL
UEFA Referee Observer: Boško Jovanetić SRB
UEFA Delegate: Tamar Chichinadze GEO
21:00 CET - Sinsheim (SNP Arena)
TSG 1899 HOFFENHEIM (GER) - OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS (FRA)
Referee: Halil Umut Meler TUR
Assistant Referee 1: Abdullah Bora Özkara TUR
Assistant Referee 2: Bersan Duran TUR
Fourth Official: Cihan Aydın TUR
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
UEFA Referee Observer: Petteri Kari FIN
UEFA Delegate: Amadeo Duarte SUI
21:00 CET - Istanbul (Tüpraş Stadyumu)
BEŞIKTAŞ (TUR) - CRYSTAL PALACE FC (ENG)
Referee: Danny Makkelie NED
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries NED
Fourth Official: Martijn Vos NED
Video Assistant Referee: Jeroen Manschot NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Stan Teuben NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Nuno Alexandre Parreira de Castro POR
UEFA Delegate: Alojzije Šupraha CRO
21:00 CET - Kjeller (Åråsen Stadion)
LILLESTRØM SK (NOR) - REAL SOCIEDAD DE FÚTBOL (ESP)
Referee: Mohammad Al-Emara FIN
Assistant Referee 1: Turkka Joonas Valjakka FIN
Assistant Referee 2: Mika Lamppu FIN
Fourth Official: Peiman Simani FIN
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: André Filipe Domingues da Silva Narciso POR
UEFA Referee Observer: William Collum SCO
UEFA Delegate: Michael O'Brien ENG
Eskas, Makkelie, Meler and Hz Hz are appointed
ReplyDeleteSturm - Marseille Minakovic (Srb)
ReplyDeleteMariani is the only elite referee who hasn't been assigned to any match on Matchday 3 of UEFA competitions. It seems like that Champions League playoff match turned out to be the end of his refereeing career at the elite level... What do you think, Chefren?
ReplyDeleteFinally some success for Danish refereeing with Morten Krogh appointed for a rather exciting Juventus-Rennes match; one of just three matches including two Big5 League teams.
ReplyDeleteExcited to see the observer here.
Stefan Meßner is an UEFA wise good rated observer, so I think a good sign.
DeleteEskas, Meler, Makkelie, Hernandez and maybe Brisard I think these referees should be in the champions league
ReplyDeleteSrđan Jovanović???
ReplyDeleteMatchday 3, and no Champions League appointments for Makkelie, while a German talent gets his 3rd consecutive UCL match?
ReplyDeleteOf course, Elite Development referees need opportunities to develop, but UEFA RefCom should also show some *respect* to its experienced referees imho.
Look at Siebert, Zwayer and Turpin. They keep getting their UCL games. Makkelie is still relatively young and is always trusted with tough, risky matches when UEFA needs him.
However, you also have to keep veteran referees motivated if you expect them to handle the hot potatoes.
You can't keep relying on Makkelie to pull chestnuts out of the fire without showing him some appreciation in return.
One should also reflect once again on Eskas.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, but there seems to be something particular with him.
Said that, Makkelie back, but surely in a rather hot game with a Turkish side and a English team.
Mariani not appointed at all, big surprise: I answer once again to HB2300 question and I say: it's quite sure now that Rosetti didn't likee the "reaction performance" that the Italian had in Nations League.
Otherwise, he would have got a game, for sure, at lest in Europa League.
Mariani wasn't bad in the NL match. That playoff match was the end of him... Having an observer like Webb at that match seems to have been bad for Mariani. Other observers aren't as detail-oriented as Webb.
DeleteSetting aside Mariani’s playoff performance, the fact that he and his team were not on the pitch during the Big fight at the end of the match was a complete disaster from a refereeing standpoint. I think he got penalized primarily because of this. In fact, if you've noticed, fourth officials now remain on the touchline until both teams enter the dressing room. İ think this was most likely discussed in UEFA seminar
DeleteChefren.
DeleteWhat do you mean when you say 'seems to be something particular with him?
( Eskås)
like what ?
I think UEFA wasn’t very tolerant of Eskas following his poor performance in the first round of the UCL match between Sporting and Galatasaray. That is possibly the reason.
DeleteGood path for Minakovic conitniue. First match was well done. We will see this one.
ReplyDeleteEvery Europa League match feels like a ticking time bomb for one reason or another. It’s an opportunity for each referee to truly showcase their man-management skills, unlike in the Champions League, where we see more 'professional' matches regarding player and staff behavior.
ReplyDeleteFully correct PK by Krogh in Turin, deliberate handball by the Juve defender on the ground.
ReplyDeleteFull under control Sturm Marseille in 1h. Minakovic without issues.
ReplyDeletePK given for hanball by Krogh Hansen, hand was on the ground first then came up, ok call imo.
ReplyDeleteWell done perfromed Minakovic in Graz. Full under control all game. Correct disciplinary and technically. His path continiue.
ReplyDeleteAt this point, I’m pretty sure you’re either Minakovic’s secret agent, his mum, or the proud founder of his official fan club. Honestly, if he blew the whistle for a throw-in during a game of chess, you’d still call it absolute refereeing masterclass! ;-)
DeleteBusy game for the Danish referee in Turin. Finally we have something to discuss about a referee from that country.
ReplyDeleteTwo penalties called, both live, without VAR, for handball, and then an OFR for assessing an offside (deliberate play vs. deflection).
Here the penalties:
https://streamain.com/en/Klhu6jgHBIY816Y/watch
https://streamain.com/en/eGu7Ya8so9xzKmj/watch
Both calls are correct in my opinion, in the first one player makes himself bigger and makes a save, not a natural movement for me.
Second incident, raised arm, correct to punish. It is reported defender was protesting for offside or something like that, but no matter.
Will try to post the OFR soon.
Full sequence with the OFR.
DeleteNot a deliberate play, you can call it either save or deflection, I agree on the final decision.
https://streamin.link/v/2a1b099b
Why was Crystal Palace's goal disallowed? The ball came from Beşiktaş player. Unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteVery unusual situation, but I don't think that can ever be considered a deliberate play by the Beşiktaş player
DeleteThe VAR referee does not have the authority to make such a decision; they can only recommend an on-field review to the referee.
DeleteBrisard overall performance was very poor IMO, not consistent with the fouls (on both sides), maybe the worst refereeing I have seen in our international tour since 2019.
ReplyDeleteRecently reflected on the fact that many referee communities have many of the signs associated with cults... Both in regional and national referee commissions in several countries I have seen this. Anyone else who have experienced this in your country?
ReplyDeleteCharismatic, authoritarian leader: It's very common to see one or a few leaders who wants to make every decision both technical and people-wise and draw people towards them.
Demand loyalty: These people lay claim to your whole life, making you make career and family decisions without any regard for referees personal lives.
Coercion and control: Through manipulation ("do this and you will be promoted/get better games") they control every part of your personality and your body language. If you want to leave or do something else, you get threatened with losing everything, that you are weak, that you let them down, etc.
Exploitation: When you do well, you are paraded as an example of how good a manager they are. When you do bad, they make you get laughed at infront of everyone else.
Isolation: No respect for family, friendship, work or study commitments, even making referees leave their partner for their refereeing career or skip significant family events.
Us vs. them mentality: No respect for opinions of others about refereeing, people within the refereeing community who oppose them are crazy/incompetent/power hungry etc, not listening to other parts of the football community and constantly victimizing the referee community.
Missed foul for a push from Kabakov which then caused a reaction from the players teammate resulting in a YC for dissent. Push was outside so no VAR
ReplyDeleteMajor VAR scandal over the disallowed goal in the Beşiktaş vs. Crystal Palace match... They drew the offside line at the wrong moment and canceled the goal.
ReplyDeleteBig call in Bournemouth - Milan, Maignan sent off by Fotias.
ReplyDeleteThe Greek referee assessed a violent conduct by goalkeeper.
He pushed opponent to the ground with both arms on his face.
It's a borderline situation in which many referees would have gone for YC.
never never never a red card
DeleteHas to be a red… no choice!
DeleteTwo hands in face so can't have many arguments really
DeleteClip of the red card in Bournemouth - Milan:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.link/v/0f1b27f6
Clear red card, but not sure about the penalty. Looks like ball not in play yet
Deletehttps://x.com/marcocrnkovicc/status/2113356341708525686?s=46
The ball isn't in play, I'm confused how a penalty was given here.
DeleteI am really surprised by the discussion. It's more than clear RC. The only question was if the ball was in play.
Delete@Ref8 - RC is clear and easy, I’m surprised by the penalty
DeleteI don't believe the red card was the correct call, even though I admit the goalkeeper's action was wrong.
DeletePerhaps a yellow card and a penalty would have been enough!
From what I saw during the play, it seems the ball was already in motion, but I'm not entirely sure.
Easy Red Card decision. ( Violent Conduct) and yes it harsh but the Goal keeper who came on to the pitch without being told to come on should have been cautioned as well.
ReplyDeleteLOTG are very explicit about contact between arms and face. There's no world where you could say that that contact was negligible
ReplyDeleteVC in the face with non-negligible force -> correct RC.
ReplyDeleteGreat decision by the Greek referee.
100% correct for red card every referee in the world even me give red card it is facial assualt
ReplyDeleteMakkelie and his two assistants are having a terrible match.
ReplyDeleteAre you really sure to be watching the match Mekkelie is refereeing ? 🤔
DeleteBad mistake by Fotias. Where’s the advantage rule??
ReplyDeleteIndeed. I thought he was going to give a RC for the tackle, that was the only acceptable excuse to not let the advantage.
DeleteCorrect RC makellie
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete80” penalty and red card missed by makkelie
It looked soft, player looking to go to ground, even if some contact. At worst case play on is supportable, but with Uefa not wanting soft penalties, I'd say play on is correct
DeleteNever a pen
DeleteHow about the OFR in Turin at the end? Was it an Offside?
ReplyDeleteRC Maignan good call without VAR but the advantage a wrong foul call
For the Turin situation, perfectly offside, attacker is clearly behind the defender who tried to kick out the ball because of his position, correct OFR call and correct final decision.
DeleteBeyond the RC/PK incident with the Milan goalkeeper—which was right on the edge as Chefren correctly noted, but arguably defensible—Fotias’s display in BOU-MIL left a lot to be desired.
ReplyDeleteIf a third-tier referee in Italy had such obvious technical doubts and got advantages so wrong, they’d be sidelined for a good couple of months.
To say nothing of some highly debatable technical and disciplinary decisions, showing a clear lack of personality and failure to gain any real credibility with the players. Instead of managing the game, he relies mostly on reflex and very little logic.
In a fairly straightforward match, he proved that reliability at this level is still a work in progress for him.
Thoughts on Makkelie RC? Looked borderline to me but contact low enough to be more YC for me.
ReplyDeleteWhat? The player got injured after that tackle!
DeleteA very disappointing performance from Danny Makkelie in Besiktas–Crystal Palace. Poor game management, physically below the required level and lacking the presence and authority expected at this level.
ReplyDeleteKey moments:
*6:00 – Makkelie should have done much more to support his AR on the field. With the ball being played on and the situation developing in front of him, he had the opportunity and responsibility to recognise the offside himself and assist his AR, rather than leaving the decision entirely to his assistant. The correct outcome ultimately came through VAR, but better teamwork and awareness on the field should have made a difference. Correct VAR intervention to disallow the goal for offside.
* 51:25 – Big mistake by AR1 in raising the flag, followed by the correct VAR intervention to award the goal.
* 53:25 – Missed yellow card for a player kicking an opponent in the head.
* 56:00 – Missed yellow card for a hand to the face.
* 61:30 – Clear missed yellow card for a reckless challenge by a Besiktas player.
* 65:00 – Incorrect yellow card for a Besiktas player. There was no contact initiated by the Besiktas player; the attacker made contact with his feet. The Besiktas player was understandably furious and had every right to question that decision.
* 70:10 – Another missed yellow card in front of AR1. The free kick awarded against Crystal Palace was the wrong decision; it should have been a yellow card for the Besiktas player for SPA.
* 71:00 – Incorrect decision by AR2 to award a corner kick, subsequently overturned by VAR.
* 76:50 – Red card shown, although the contact was on the feet. A yellow card would have been my preference.
* 80:00 – Clear holding of a Crystal Palace attacker. Should have been a penalty and a red card.
Throughout the match there were repeated protests from the Besiktas bench, yet Makkelie failed to take meaningful action to address them. Another example of poor game management and a lack of authority.
On top of everything the bright yellow boots are a rather strange choice for a referee. Not exactly the most professional look on the pitch.
Overall a performance lacking consistency, proper game management and the physical level required. Far below the standard expected at this level.
Could anyone add video clips of these incidents to support the analysis?
Agree with you mostly but no way thats a pen
DeleteSerdar Gözübüyük, is that you? 🤔
Delete6’ is a difficult and unusual situation, where you can argue whether its a deliberate play.
51’ the onside was VERY tight.
76’ is a crystal clear RC. Flying loaded leg on the ankle. You can’t be serious.
I’m not even reading the rest of your nonsense. You must be trolling.
Some incredible comments here, clearly from the other camp. Makkelie had a good game, looked confident and got all the key decisions right. The offside involving AR2 was a difficult call and it’s hard to blame him for it. The decision to overturn AR2’s call was marginal, but you have to be willing to take that risk. And about the penalty situation, even the English commentator said it wasn’t a penalty.
DeleteStrong performance by Makkelie. Correct red card for a challenge involving a high-speed, high-impact tackle with a raised leg, and he maintained full control throughout a heated and tense atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteA difficult call for AR2 regarding deliberate play, though.
A Champions League appointment would be well deserved for Makkelie. 👏
How was Eskas and Meler
ReplyDeleteGood performance by Brooks, Fotias. Makkelie with some doubtful decisions
ReplyDeleteZL’s comment intrigued me, so I went back and streamed the second half of BES-CHP. Personally, I don’t agree at all with the harsh judgments I’ve read. On the contrary, Makkelie kept the match firmly under control, showing his usual class, calm decision-making, consistency, and clean technical and disciplinary management.
ReplyDeleteAs always, he managed the game with a 'high' threshold for fouls, handling the key moments of the match with intelligence and substance.
Granted, there were a few minor athletic drops, as well as occasional uncertainties from the ARs, but guys, these were irrelevant to an overall assessment of Makkelie, which remains highly positive.
A top-profile, deeply reliable referee.
@ITAREF:
DeleteSince August 2026, several new accounts have been created: ZL, Frenk1976 and AliG - and they are all pushing the same anti-Makkelie agenda. Wouldn’t be surprised if they’re linked to the Gözübüyük camp.
My advice: focus on your own performances and the opportunities UEFA Refcom is giving to you, instead of this pathetic online campaign.
I find it appropriate to say that both 'ITAREF' and 'M' are entirely correct in their comments, so perhaps those who abuse freedom of speech should be removed (though how, when, and by whom, I cannot say).
Delete+1
DeleteAbout Fotias, with the red cad to Maignan posted and discussed above, here other two incidents in the game:
ReplyDelete6' OFR for handball penalty
https://streamin.link/v/91af02a8
The classic situation that it's very hard to spot. It can be easily perceived as header with many players in the box. Correct VAR intervention.
63' Missed advantage
https://streamin.link/v/4ca334f1
The Greek referee, too focused on the challenge, fails to follow the game and he makes a more than big mistake, according to how modern refereing should be intended. Luckily it wasn't important for the final score.
It doesn't look like a very clean performance, the referee, most important point, seems to struggle too much to keep the game under his control and should try to see the overall context of the decision, no being worried only about the decision itself.
About Makkelie, I'm very astonished by the comments above, one should indeed think there is something more than reporting a referee performance because it's made about all negative points and not in a very honest way, let's say.
ReplyDeleteHere my view on the three crucial scenes:
7' Offside, disallowed goal
https://streamin.link/v/f1c5dec0
What one can say is that it's not a deliberate play, so the offside by attacker remains and this is a correct decision, however for allowing Makkelie to have a detailed view of the scene, given the particular situation, VAR could have invited the Dutch to rewatch. There could be arguments for penalty as well, but this should have come in case only by Makkelie. No goal in the end is correct.
77' Red card for SFP
https://streamin.link/v/884a466a
Perfect decision, a one that must be praised. Flying tackle, player jumping and loading both legs before contact. The fact that contact is so low can't work as only criterion for assessing it as YC. It must be a full analysis of the challenge, a thing that very often seems to lack from the officiating. Indeed, the contrary mistake we see often by many referees is to go aalways for red card only based on point of contact, but how all started? Here Makkelie, on the contrary, analyzed exactly how it started, an extremely dangerous action.
80' Penalty area incident, in case of whistle penalty and red card for DOGSO.
https://streamin.link/v/5820074f
https://streamin.link/v/2387a58b
The second clip, a replay, is clear. For me, whistling penalty, despite of being a supportable decision, would have been more soft than correct, because the action exists, but then the outcome is very negligible. Play on seems better choice, because the defender stopped in time his action, however, he made the action and one must look at the reality, if a refere wanted to punish just the principle, he could have done that, because no reason to do that, but not a clear penaty, correct by VAR.
I didn't watch the full game, but honestly if these are the major points for criticisms about Makkelie, his performance was OK in an, of course, challenging context.
My opinion: correct offside, great red card for SFP and missed penalty with RC for DOGSO
DeleteStarting with the red card, which was the correct call, credit must be given to Makkelie for making the decision directly on the pitch, without VAR's help.
DeleteAs for Palace's penalty claim, although I believe it wasn’t a penalty, the decision is debatable. There are arguments both for and against it. This is precisely why VAR couldn't intervene, compounded by the fact that Makkelie seemed completely convinced it wasn't a penalty.
I also want to praise his composure, his decision-making process, and the sheer authority Makkelie displays during crucial moments. It’s such a shame that UEFA doesn’t feature him regularly in the Champions League!
Completely agree with B.L. I'm ok with no penalty decision. The RC was an excelent decision
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLech Poznań - Sunderland (Berke / Bognár)
ReplyDelete17' PAI step on heel
https://streama.in/XeoJsczbcynGHu7/watch
Good decision by the referee: totally natural movement by the both players looking for the ball
DeleteAdams, the player pushed by Maignan, received a yellow card after he got up. Does anyone know what that yellow card was for?
ReplyDeleteIf it was somehow for dissent or an action after his injury, okay. Weird, but that's understandable.
But if it was for an action that led to Maignan's reaction... I really don't get it.
The battles around refereeing don’t only take place on the pitch. They also happen behind closed doors, in meetings, and increasingly through the media, socials, etc. Journalists, pundits and other influential voices can shape a narrative, sometimes through selective reporting or misinformation.
ReplyDeletePersonal relationships can play a role here. A journalist who is close to a referee may be less inclined to criticise him harshly. Over time, this can create camps: Ref X always gets the benefit of the doubt, while Ref Y is criticised for even minor decisions. A good example is the Dutch media. One platform has been chipping away at Makkelie for over more than a year. Perhaps it’s simply their opinion, but the effect may be to strengthen Gozubuyuk’s case. Sometimes the framing is very subtle: e.g. I heard a podcast discussion about Ajax-NEC, in which Gozubuyuk allegedly missed two red cards according to the pundits, yet they never mentioned his name. When they discussed Makkelie’s game, however, his name is repeated several times alongside negative commentary. And when a platform with a large audience presents a narrative, many people will accept it without questioning the evidence.
This also made me think about referee assessment systems, such as the one in England, where clubs contribute reports or marks to the overall ranking. To what extent can personal relationships, preferences or simply whether someone likes a referee influence those assessments? A referee’s style and personality can easily colour an otherwise objective judgement.
We see interesting dynamics here on the blog as well. Some accounts consistently praise newcomers such as Jablonski, Alberola Rojas and Szylwesterzak, and more recently Gozubuyuk. That’s fine in itself. People are entitled to their favourites. But it becomes problematic when support for one referee turns into an agenda against another, involving selective arguments or misinformation. At that point, it’s no longer just about supporting referee X; it’s about manipulating the discussion.
My point is simple. All journalists - and anyone with a platform - should be aware that their influence can be used, intentionally or otherwise, to shape perceptions. And when reading comments on Law5, it’s worth asking: who is behind this account? Do they contribute to discussions regularly, or do they only appear around certain referees? That alone proves nothing, of course, but it’s a reason to be cautious. Not every opinion is as independent as it might appear.
Makkelie with Besiktas fans, before the game 😂
ReplyDeletehttps://x.com/nesrin0017/status/2113588512692015568?s=46
Even though I don't normally find it appropriate for a referee to banter with fans before a kickoff, I found Makkelie super likeable! :D
DeleteI think they're telling Makkelie to warm up with the Besiktas squad! 🤣🤣
DeleteSanchez Martinez and Gil Manzano out for Classico because of other games
ReplyDeleteInteresting situation in Ipswich/Forest. Bramall misses a clear foul on McAtee by Diop. VAR sends him to the screen for DOGSO but Bramall gives a yellow after looking at it. https://x.com/SkySportsPL/status/2113725527886299566
ReplyDeleteCorrect decision
DeleteNot a clear DOGSO for me, the YC can be accepted, wrong VAR intervention.
DeleteDo we think the OFR was called because he missed the foul altogether? (I agree YC supportable but more because of the heavy touch than the angle.)
DeleteThe keeper doesn't come out to challenge, the attacker doesn't even touch it to the right idk what bramall is all about, the ball travels straight and the attacker would be more likely to regain control of the ball and have a 1v1. For me it's red.
Delete@Sin Bin that's what I thought but if that's what happened the VAR isn't exactly following protocol.
DeletePredictions CL MD4:
ReplyDeleteDonetsk - Sporting: Schnyder (San)
Galatasaray - Stuttgart: Rumsas (Kwiatkowski)
Atletico - Bayern: Letexier (van Driessche)
Barcelona - Aston: Saggi (Storks)
Bodo - Lille: Kavanagh (Attwell)
Linz - Slovan: Mariani (di Bello)
ManUnited - Roma: Turpin (Delajod)
Villareal - PSG: Eskas (Dingert)
AEK - Real: Stieler (Brand)
Fenerbahce - Liverpool: Zwayer (Schröder)
Dortmund - Betis: Nyberg (van Boekel)
Porto - Napoli: Meler (del Cerro Grande)
PSV - Brugge: Gil Manzano (Soto)
Leipzig - ManCity: Guida (Chiffi)
Lens - Como: Peljto (Higler)
Slavia - Arsenal: Pajac (Bebek)
Viking - Sabah: Pinheiro (Martins)
Do you think after the long absence, Mariani will be directly in Champions League? It's possible, but it could be Europa League as well for him. Very curious...
DeleteSure, could be both. I opted for a low-profile CL game as compromise.
DeleteSimilar thinking for Pinheiro by the way (who, compared with Mariani, had 1 EL game, but no NL and no CL play-off).
Chefren, Could Mariani be injured? He hasn't been assigned to any matches in the Italian league for 4 weeks.
DeleteHe is appointed for Inter-Fiorentina tomorrow.
DeleteI'm talking about the previous weeks. He hasn't officiated a match in Serie A for a month.
Delete11 and 16 October two assignments as Fourth official in serie A
DeleteSo he was fit.
New Developments in Hungarian Refereeing
ReplyDeleteAnother concerning development has emerged in Hungarian refereeing. This week, yet another former FIFA assistant referee decided to end his career at just 40 years of age. His decision follows two other notable departures: this summer, a FIFA assistant referee aged just 33 stepped away, while last year, a 37-year-old referee who had only recently been appointed to the FIFA Video Match Officials (VMO) list also called time on his career.
In all three cases, the same underlying issue was reportedly at the heart of the decision: dissatisfaction with the leadership style of the current chairman of the Hungarian Refereeing Committee.
The latest resignation, accompanied by a letter outlining serious concerns about the committee's leadership, working conditions, delayed payments, pressure on officials and the handling of internal criticism, raises further questions about the current state of Hungarian refereeing.
When three experienced officials, including international-level referees, decide to walk away, it is difficult to ignore the wider implications. The issue is not simply about replacing those who leave, but about understanding why they feel they can no longer continue under the current leadership.
How many more officials will have to leave before these concerns are taken seriously? And what will it take to restore trust between the refereeing community and those responsible for leading it?
Mass confrontation in Chelsea v Spurs. Palmer very lucky to escape a red card for VC
ReplyDeleteNow an absolutely correct 2YC for Palmer
ReplyDeleteThat should have been a straight red card.
DeleteKavanagh just looks clueless in every game he referees
DeleteToday we saw definitely the old Kavanagh, some English readers, I guess, will agree. The UEFA Elite referee who had a good development, today looked to be the man we knew from many years ago.
ReplyDeleteToo weak, definitely too weak in managing the game.
Walking between the players with a relaxed approach, see 71', waiting to be touched to react, delaying the yellow card and then of course players understand the referee is not mentally here even if his body is, and they do what they want.
Also, the previous card in 67': one should wonder why he had to wait so long time before showing it.
He's waiting for something to be whispered in his ear by VAR because he's unsure. That was obvious tonight. :)
DeleteWhat a game for Miguel Sesma Espinosa (and Jorge Figueroa Vázquez as VAR)! Rayo Vallecano vs. Elche
ReplyDelete01' - PAI illegal use of arm
https://streama.in/1ehwxit26WoZvQP/watch
22' - Penalty awarded for tripping
https://streama.in/8mzOJsqyyFHh2gF/watch
32' - [OFR] Penalty awarded for kicking
https://streama.in/toSyJiadetCgN65/watch
37' - Penalty awarded for handball
https://streama.in/Dj96KfwGNk3tMS9/watch
52' - PAI tripping
https://streama.in/PQPVfZFXBK8pvU6/watch
78' - PAI tripping
https://streama.in/q76jfGCID2vKhUl/watch
81' - PAI GK intervention
https://streama.in/ir8H0ag3lw7CArJ/watch
90+2' - FK position management
https://streama.in/zY7QAas5cZ8inXQ/watch
1' You can give it according to LotG but for me defender was with arms in that position even before the contact. You don't see an arm looking for the face of opponent, but rather the contact happens by itself.
Delete22' Looked a rather clear tripping from live sequence, however, watching replay is soft, defender can be guilty of going in that direction, but nothing more, in terms of contact very soft if nothing.
32' Good that VAR intervened, classic situation in which attacker kicks the ball and so there isn't focus on what happens to follow, but it was a clear kick on attacker (otherwise, if different contact, I don't think VAR would have intervened).
37' Attacker kicks ball into defender's arm, OK not a fully natural position, but the feeling of a very manufactured penalty, absolutely accepted in Spanish refereeing (not elsewhere).
52' Extremely bordeline with the action of defender with that leg, for me honestly more penalty than 22', here VAR doesn't intervene. There are arguments not to consider it a very clear penalty.
78' Here another tricky one, there is the action by defender with that leg, so surely a call by referee in case would have been supported by VAR, but ver unnatural reaction by attacker, for sure. I think i can survive with no penalty.
81' Here the analysis should be easy, in terms of process (but of course not on the pitch): if ball touched before by keeper, no penalty, otherwise penalty, surely VAR checked that.
90'+2 for me irregular, should have been managed better.
A very challenging game for VAR, you can see that with so many incidents and assessments, it's impossible to say all VARs here would have taken same decisions, but in most of the incidents I think one can understand all the choices that were made from the room.
My view:
DeleteAll three penalties awarded are wrong decisions:
22' - attacker changes the running path to get the contact
32' - the shot has been taken and the action is not reckless, VAR shouldn't intervene
37' - natural arm position + unexpected ball from short distance
Other incidents:
1' - we can see the tendency to not punish illegal use of arm if the player receiving the hit is behind the opponent and there is no clear hitting move, acceptable no penalty
52' - the attacking player puts his leg in front of the defending player while the ball is going away from the players - correct play-on
78' - technically speaking it's a clear careless kick, the attacker tried to exaggerate the contact and he was punished for that
81' - GK plays the ball, good no penalty call
I feel bad for Sesma, but it looks like he got most of his calls wrong, on the pitch.
DeleteMariani calls for a penalty for Inter.
ReplyDeleteThen changes his mind.
Replay show a Clear penalty.
This is absurd at this point..
Very poor by Mariani, he called penalty then he changed idea by himself.
DeleteThe "problem" is Orsato: VAR isn't intervening anymore for such penalties, as I reported at the beginning of the season, the line has been kept. However, all teams are now very angry and they can't accept an offciating in which VAR is always silent. The only interventions are for very clear handballs, in which we can say i'ts rather objective, while the classic penalties seem to have been abolished. And referees are also suffering the guidelines by Orsato, because he has his own ideas (he always hated VAR in his career), but football at a certain point can't work in this way.
İt’s a joke
DeleteVideo please
DeleteVery unconvincing again by italian referees and my blame is 100% directed to orsato
DeleteStrict law-enforcer approach from Gözübüyük in a Dutch top game, PSV–Feyenoord. I’m not entirely convinced the game really called for that level of strictness, as it was played fairly. He’s booking anything that comes close to reckless, and by the end of the first half there were already protests over an unpunished holding incident, because the line isn’t clear. But so far, so good.
ReplyDeleteNo major issues in the end, so well done. Both teams were fair and happy to take a draw, adapting to the strict line. I think for Gozubuyuk, to take that final step towards the European top, he needs to learn to manage games rather than just control them with cards.
DeleteMariani, Inter - Fiorentina.
ReplyDelete68' Penalty area incident, no VAR intervention
https://streamin.link/v/f85dd590
Mixed gestures by Mariani with penalty and then changed immediately idea. Clearly worried by a possible soft decision.
90'+5 Penalty called to Inter for holding
https://streamin.link/v/9744d0b1
This final call saved the criticisms to Orsato, but it's already a topic in Italian football, many people think he can't go on in this way.
So far 6 OFRs in 8 matchdays (some games are missing today), 5 out of 6 were for handballs.
68'' This is a clear penalty.
DeleteUnbelievable.
I think both the first and second incidents were clear penalties and easily spotted on the pitch.
DeleteIn my view, the referee got the first one wrong, and VAR should have stepped in.
Credit to the referee for calling the second penalty, especially since it happened in stoppage time and decided the match. There was a sequence of events before the foul that could have been blown, but playing the advantage—which ultimately led to the penalty—was a risky move that paid off.
Both the caution for diving vs. Bologna and this (unconfidently sold) play on call by Mariani are excellent refereeing decisions.
DeleteThuram deliberately went into the defender's leg on both occasions and no foul was committed.
There is a terrible disease which, I detect, has got into refereeing people particularly in the last ≈10yrs or so: the overreaching desire to be liked, accepted and deferring calls to popular consensus. It is understandable that football fans are so fickle as to moan about ‘Rocchi-ism’ five months ago with regards PAIs, and then to still moan today when (I repeat, excellent) decisions are made to prevent soft/wrong penalties deciding the results of matches in the ultra-low-scoring sport of football; but refereeing people should know better and BELIEVE in themselves more. It was exactly the same with the outstanding intervention by the leading VAR, Guzman, during the Germany-Paraguay game. It should be said again: matches in the ultra-low-scoring sport of football can be decided by excellently clever set piece routines, but they should NOT be decided by underhand tactics in those situations. Guzman showed outstanding courage to intervene on such a big match, and was absolutely correct to do so. Because of excellent coaching, the Nicaraguan official BELIEVED in herself to make such an excellent decision. The same people who spent the whole season moaning about corner misbehaviour, then still moaned about this decision! I hope refereeing people will, one day, get it: you will never appease these people, who don’t think for themselves and are guided by media for whom criticising VAR is one of the last interesting things left in today’s football, and there is absolutely zero point in trying. We should remember also that the plebs, the same people who, for instance, widely declared that Penso’s refereeing of S.Africa-Czech was “excellent” (haha), are also very often simply wrong.
The ability to BELIEVE, which made amazing things possible in refereeing during the 80s/90s/00s, seems completely lost in today’s scene. I am reminded of an anecdote from Graham Poll’s book, describing a WC2006 seminar in which a referee was being criticised for awarding a SYC in which both cautions were deemed (rightly) to be SFPs by FIFA. Poll said, paraphrasing this a little bit, Aranda stood up and told the referees “everyone out there [points outside the room, referring to journalists/media], wants us to fail; we will not fail, we will succeed, but only if we are able to BELIEVE in what we are doing”; the English official considered this to be a moving speech which had a positive effect on the referees. One can compare this attitude to a famous incident in a recent pre-tournament seminar (insiders will know what I’m referring to) where a refereeing director tried to humiliate an official in front of his colleagues because of a prior incident which generated a media furore. Admittedly, it is very difficult to BELIEVE in yourself if that is the attitude of your boss.
Daniele Orsato should be paid with great credit by refereeing people that he is ready, especially as it would make his life easier had he not done it, that he BELIEVES in his vision to go to war against soft/wrong penalties because it is for the good of the game.
It doesn’t matter what I think, but in so far as it does: Mr Orsato, I am with you, sir.
If he can keep up this guideline, then he will cement his reputation as a kind of person increasingly rare in our hobby today: a Great Man of Refereeing.
While I agree on some general aspects of the comment, I don't agree on this specific scene. The important contact here is created by the defender moving his right leg in the path of the attacker and thereby recklessly tripping and kicking him. So not a soft, but a rather clear penalty in my opinion.
DeleteIf the defender wouldn't have done this leg movement and the attacker ran into him (probably causing a collision in the thigh area), it would be a different story.
BTW, I also disagree a bit on the VAR aspect mentioned. I think, the "obvious" part of the intervention condition should also consider that it is obvious for the wider public ("plebs") - not just for refereeing experts. Because that still is one of the ideas of the whole VAR concept - reducing controversies, not creating new controversy by deciding against the general opinion.
IMO the first incident (68') is a clear penalty. The defender moves his leg in the path of the attacker, as Philipp S said. Excellent decision the second penalty
DeleteBased on Mikael W.'s comment, it seems like he has found the 'key' to the right answer, and the sword of Damocles will fall upon anyone who thinks otherwise.
DeleteYou can argue your case for or against a penalty with your own supporting arguments, but you should have skipped the philosophizing about the great injustices being done to refereeing.
To put it even more briefly and clearly, Philipp S. nailed it: VAR operates on the general concept of a 'clear and obvious error,' not on highly personal interpretations.
Let's see when referee Mariani gets his next match in Italy, so we can figure out whether they evaluated his penalty decisions positively or negatively.
Eredivisie: round 10
ReplyDeletePSV - Feyenoord
Gözübüyük/Higler
A top performance by Gözübüyük. He let all the minor incidents slide and penalized almost everything that needed to be penalized correctly.
The only KMI is the 1–0 goal. It's not an uncontrollable ball, therefore it's not offside.
https://x.com/ESPNnl/status/2114355727355556073?s=20
To be honest, I think a few years ago they would have considered this is an uncontrollable ball. A good improvement? I think so.
I don’t think it makes any difference whether or not the ball was controllable or uncontrollable. After clearing the ball it arrives at an attacker not in offside position at any moment, creating a new situation. IMO controllable vs uncontrollable would only be relevant if the ball got to an attacker in offside position immediately from the defensive action.
DeleteApart from that there was a KMI in 59’ where FEY attacker was sandwiched between two PSV defenders in the box. Supportable play on though.
Clearly not controllable for the defender in this situation.
DeleteAnd it's the other way around - a few years ago, this would have been considered deliberate play by the defender and therefore annulled any offside. Nowadays, the offside positions remain relevant.
But of course, any touch by another attacker resets all offside positions - so correct goal here.
(as UefaRef also wrote)
It was an okay performance, not a top performance.
Delete‘79 was a rather wrong yellow card, moreover two other YC’s were soft and the opening YC was sub-optimal. Gozubuyuk also missed a YC around ‘44 for a clear holding incident (LoR) which caused tension on the pitch. Over all not the best performance from a disciplinary perspective. It would have been a different story had it been an italian or spanish team tbh. I think he was lucky that players behaved well.
All eyes on Juan Martínez Munuera, I'm nervous this could get out of hand but hopefully that’s not the case. Suerte Juan.
ReplyDeleteHelps him that Vini isn't playing. Although could still be a tough game
DeleteVini is the least of his worries... Anyways, given the way this match has started AND the level of spanish referees, controversy is a guarantee..
DeleteChaotic end game for Turpin in ligue 1, 2 difficult handball situation, neither was called on field, one VAR intervention for OFR where he staid on his decision of no PK then VAR staid silent at the end. Imo both decision are correct, the first one is impossible to give because the ball was too close and touch another part of his body before, the the other one it’s a natural position.
ReplyDeleteApart from one incorrect YC on 84' , for me Senor Munera has handled this game fairly well IMO. Allowed a really good and consistent amount of contact and has been in control throughout.
ReplyDeleteThe first time in a long time that a referee can walk away from el clasico without any doubt in his mind about key match incidents. He had a plan which worked really well. He really suited this match. Well done.
DeleteDon't think he had the perfect game in terms of yellows he gave/didn't give but his foul dectection seemed pretty good and seemed to be in control more than you usually see in lots of big spanish games.
DeleteTC it’s hard when it comes to producing yellows in thus fixture. You could end up with multiple reds. He had a plan to use yellows when necessary and most of the time with the odd exception it paid off.
Deletehe missed too many YC's for me ... No big mistake made, but the disciplinary action has to be improved ..
DeleteOutstanding performance of Munera when you evaluet how difficult the game was. Two missed YC (one of than could be red) and nothing more. Congratulations.
DeleteVery good performance by Martinez Munuera. No problems tonight!
ReplyDeleteWhat about the missed yellow cards of Cucurella, B. Silva and Tchouameni…. And Cancelos card on the other side… No problems!?:)
DeleteOT:- Siebert with (minor?) injury in Bundesliga
ReplyDeleteSeems like it, he was replaced during half time in Hoffenheim - Leverkusen yesterday.
DeleteA lot of hints tell that Siebert was originally planned for Bayern - Dortmund next week, because the other obvious candidates worked with one of the teams recently.
Now it will be interesting to see who will be appointed…
The VAR referee for today's Galatasaray-Fenerbahce derby has been announced ..
ReplyDelete—> Carlos del Cerro Grande.