Sergey Ivanov, Italy - Portugal

(-) 7’ missed verbal warning POR# 6 for foul on ITA #11
(-) 10’ another missed verbal warning for a similar foul
(-) 11’ poor reaction after what could end in a confrontation between POR #9 and ITA #4
(-) 14’ missed YC for POR #11
(+) 22’ correct FK for handball by ITA #16 attacker
(-) 25’ missed indirect FK to ITA #6 on POR #5 for dangerous play - no contact
(+) 37’ acceptable YC POR #14 - SPA, although not consistent with previous decisions
(+) 41’ acceptable YC to ITA #4 - elbow, although not consistent with previous decisions

(+) 68’ correct YC POR #9 - reckless challenge, close to SFP but acceptable IMO
(+) 71’ correct YC ITA #2 - reckless challenge
(+) 77’ new rule: correct dropped-ball after referee interfered
(+) 80’ correct no penalty decision

Overall not impressed at all by Sergey Ivanov.

(1) Really lacking prevention during the entire game. He barely spoke to players and showed no middle step between foul and YC - I barely saw any verbal warning.

(2) Foul detection was acceptable but card management was surely disappointing. He started with a few clear missed YCs at 7’ and 14’(!), later on choosing to show cards for what looked to be softer tackles (37’, 41’).

(3) During 2nd half the game got very easy and there was very little that could have been assessed wrong. All main challenges were assessed correctly from 46’ onwards.

(4) The only crucial decision in the penalty box was assessed correctly (80’ - play on)

(5) No major decisions to be assessed by the ARs. All offside decisions seemed supportable.

To summarise, Ivanov showed two major weaknesses. The first one is a clear lack of empathy and involvement with the players, which did not confer him the required authority. His prevention was very poor, not showing any verbal warning. The second one is an inconsistent and unpredictable line in foul detection and disciplinary control. He seemed to be more strict on tactical fouls than on those which could actually hurt players, ultimately showing no ability to protect them.

LAW 5 - THE REFEREE BLOG REPORTER:
Osborne