Referees savouring UEFA Youth League finals

The UEFA Youth League finals in Nyon provided invaluable experience for talented young footballers – and the refereeing teams taking charge at the Colovray Sports Centre are also taking important steps forward on their own career paths. A trio from Israel officiated at the first semi-final between RSC Anderlecht and FC Shakhtar Donetsk – referee Eitan Shmuelevitz was joined by compatriots Danny Krasikow and Nissan Davidy – while the second semi-final pitting AS Roma against Chelsea FC was handled by Spanish match officials: referee Jesús Gil Manzano and assistants Miguel Martínez and Teodoro Sobrino. Referees from the Netherlands (photo) have been selected the final in Nyon: Serdar Gözübüyük and assistants Hessel Steegstra and Mario Diks. Host association Switzerland supplies the fourth officials for the three games – Adrien Jaccottet and Stephan Klossner for the semi-finals, and Alain Bieri for the final.
The refereeing teams are being accompanied by former French international referee Marc Batta, who is now a UEFA refereeing officer. Batta combines the task of referee observer at the UEFA Youth League finals with leading the important referee debrief session after the match officials' assignments. "The referees have been identified as having potential," said Batta. "Although these referees are still young, they already have some European match experience and they referee at the highest levels in their domestic competitions." In taking the whistle for these UEFA Youth League fixtures, the officials are also being asked to play an important educational role with the youngsters. "The players in the UEFA Youth League are young players, so the referees must manage them and help prepare them for the future in learning UEFA's values – for example, the players should not show dissent. The players should also understand that at UEFA, respect vis-a-vis the referee and the opposition must take priority." UEFA's Centre of Refereeing Excellence (CORE) in Nyon serves a crucial function in preparing potential international match officials, ensuring the next generation is of the highest quality. Some of the officials appointed to the UEFA Youth League finals have already come through the CORE system. "The work that is being done there with young referees is absolutely essential, and is bearing fruit," said Batta. "We are using the time in Nyon to look back over the referees' seasons, to find out if they are satisfied and where they feel they can improve. After matches, the debrief session involves feedback about the game, and we look to emphasise the positive elements, because this obviously gives the referees confidence. If there are points to discuss, we do it openly and honestly to help them progress and improve." Like all of his colleagues on the UEFA Referees Committee, Batta derives great pleasure from giving back his refereeing experience to the game. "I really enjoy the work in helping referees progress, and it's certainly very satisfying to see some of them reach the highest levels." Finally, what words of encouragement does Batta have for the refereeing teams that are part of the UEFA Youth League finals this year? "They should give the best of themselves, and take pleasure from what they're doing, because you don't work well if you feel stress or fear. Most importantly they should work hard. It is only in the dictionary where success comes before work."

Source: UEFA

CONCACAF Champions League Final 2015 (Second Leg)

29 April 2015

Montreal Impact – Club America
Referee: Henry Bejarano (CRC, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Leonel Leal (CRC)
Assistant Referee 2: Octavio Jara (CRC)
Fourth Official: Jeffrey Solis (CRC)

Copa Libertadores – Round of 16 (First Leg)

28 April 2015
Universitario de Sucre – Tigres
Referee: Patricio Loustau (ARG, photo)
Assistant Referee 1 Hernán Maidana (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2 Gustavo Rossi (ARG)
Fourth Official: Pablo Diaz (ARG)
Referee Observer: Oscar Ortube (BOL)

5 May 2015
Estudiantes – Santa Fe
Referee: Antonio Arias (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Cáceres (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Zorrilla (PAR)
Fourth Official: Mario Diaz de Vivar (PAR)
Referee Observer: Luis Bongianino (ARG)

6 May 2015
Guaraní – Corinthians
Referee: Daniel Fedorczuk (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolás Taran (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Richard Trinidad (URU)
Fourth Official: Jonhatan Fuentes (URU)
Referee Observer: Manuel Bernal (PAR)

Sao Paulo – Cruzeiro
Referee: Carlos Amarilla (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardozo (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Milciades Saldovar (PAR)
Fourth Official: Ulises Mereles (PAR)
Referee Observer: Nilson Moncao (BRA)

Atlético Mineiro – Internacional
Referee: Wilmar Roldán (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Wilmar Navarro (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Christian De la Cruz (COL)
Fourth Official: Imer Machado (COL)
Referee Observer: Alicio Peña (BRA)

7 May 2015
Wanderers – Racing
Referee: Pericles Cortez (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Emerson Carvalho (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Alessandro Rocha (BRA)
Fourth Official: Anderson Daronco (BRA)
Referee Observer: Juan Cardellino (URU)

River Plate – Boca Juniors
Referee: Germán Delfino (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Ernesto Uziga (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Gustavo Rossi (ARG)
Fourth Official: Fernando Rapallini (ARG)
Referee Observer: Luis Pasturenzi (ARG)

Emelec – Atlético Nacional
Referee: Ricardo Marques (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Kleber Gil (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia (BRA)
Fourth Official: Raphael Claus (BRA)
Referee Observer: Juan Corozo (ECU)

UEFA Women’s Champions League – Semi-finals

First Leg, 18-19 April 2015
FFC Frankfurt – IF Brøndby
Referee: Katalin Kulcsar (HUN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Judit Kulcsar (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Hima (HUN)
Fourth Official: Gyongyi Gaal (HUN)

VfL Wolfsburg – Paris St. Germain
Referee: Pernilla Larsson (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Anna Nystrom (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Julia Magnusson (SWE)
Fourth Official: Sara Persson (SWE)

Second Leg, 25-26 April 2015
Brøndby IF – FFC Frankfurt
Referee: Efthalia Mitsi (GRE)
Assistant Referee 1: Chrysoula Kourompylia (GRE)
Assistant Referee 2: Panagiota Koutsoumpou (GRE)
Fourth Official: Eleni Lampadariou (GRE)

Paris St. Germain – VfL Wolfsburg
Referee: Kateryna Monzul (UKR)
Assistant Referee 1: Natalia Rachynska (UKR)
Assistant Referee 2: Maryna Striletska (UKR)
Fourth Official: Kateryna Zora (UKR)

OFC Champions League Final 2015: Hauata (TAH)

26 April 2015

Auckland City – Wellington
Referee: Norbert Hauata (TAH, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Tevita Makasini (TGA)
Assistant Referee 2: Paul Ahupu (TAH)
Fourth Official: Robinson Banga (VAN)

Referee preparations for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015

Around the globe, 24 national teams are working hard on their final adjustments leading up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 – the pinnacle of women’s football - which will kick off on 6 June. Meanwhile, a 25th squad that is just as fundamental for the event gathered this week at the Home of FIFA in Zurich for some intense preparation: the Referees and Assistant Referees.
Between 20 and 24 April, 29 referees and 44 assistant referees from a total of 48 countries selected to work in Canada went through an extensive programme. Medical examinations, fitness tests and theoretical and practical sessions led by FIFA referee instructors were on the menu, all in the name of seeing them reach peak condition come June. “We are definitely on the right track. We really worked hard in this seminar”, FIFA Head of Refereeing Massimo Busacca said. “Our work is based on the same philosophy as in men’s refereeing: we aim for quality, uniformity and consistency, while working on positioning and a focus on reading the game. We are convinced that with this kind of preparation - through which we also give important attention to the physical and psychological aspects of refereeing - we will try to reduce mistakes and have good performances during the FIFA Women’s World Cup.” In addition to this, Canada 2015 will mark the first time that Goal-Line Technology (GLT) features at a major women’s football event. So, to ensure that match officials are comfortable with using this new technology as a support tool, FIFA organised training sessions specifically on GLT and the tests that referees will need to conduct prior to each match of the competition. If the results of that test are not to the referee’s satisfaction, she may opt not to use the technology – in general, a decision that must be made no later than 75 minutes before kick-off. FIFA is set to organise another GLT training session for the referees in Canada before the tournament. “I’m very happy with the whole seminar and I'm convinced that Goal-Line Technology will be a big help for match officials in the FIFA Women’s World Cup”, Busacca said, whose team of FIFA referee instructors will continue to monitor the 73 selected referees and assistant referees from the conclusion of the seminar until they meet again in Canada.

Source: FIFA

UEFA Futsal Cup Finals 2015

Lisbon, 24-26 April 2015

Referees
1. Gábor Kovacs (HUN, 1978)
2. Alessandro Malfer (ITA, 1975)
3. Bogdan Sorescu (ROU, 1974, photo)
4. Saša Tomić (CRO, 1975)

Semi-finals
Dina Moskva – Kairat
Referee 1: Saša Tomić (CRO)
Referee 2: Bogdan Sorescu (ROU)

Barcelona – Sporting CP
Referee 1: Alessandro Malfer (ITA)
Referee 2: Gábor Kovács (HUN)

Match for Third Place
Dina Moskva – Sporting CP
Referee 1: Bogdan Sorescu (ROU)
Referee 2: Saša Tomić (CRO)

Final
Kairat – Barcelona
Referee 1: Gábor Kovács (HUN)
Referee 2: Alessandro Malfer (ITA)

FIFA boss says Scottish FA wrong to act in handball case

A Scottish FA ruling that is likely to see a player banned from the Scottish Cup final for a handball the referee missed is wrong and could set a dangerous precedent, FIFA's referee chief Jim Boyce told Reuters on Wednesday. Inverness Caledonian Thistle defender Josh Meekings handled the ball with the score at 1-0 during Sunday's semi-final against Celtic which Inverness won 3-2 to reach the final for the first time. Referee Steven McLean and his assistants all missed the incident, but the Scottish FA's compliance officer Tony McGlennan issued a "notice of complaint" following an appeal by Celtic on Monday.
The Scottish FA offered Meekings and Inverness a one match ban to be served in the final, which the club have rejected. They have appealed against the notice and a hearing has been convened for Thursday. However, Boyce, Britain's FIFA vice-president and the head of FIFA's refereeing committee, said he was totally opposed to the intervention by the compliance officer. "This sets a very dangerous precedent, I am absolutely, 100 percent against the compliance officer becoming involved because the referee's decision is final. It is a totally different matter if someone has gone over the top, or committed a serious foul, or head-butted someone and the referee has missed it. Those are disciplinary issues. But what happened here is that the referee has made a mistake regarding a handball and that's the end of it. There is no way the player should now be disciplined for that. Whose to say it was even intentional? If the Scottish FA or their referees committee decide that they feel a serious mistake was made then they could take action in the future against that referee. I can understand why Celtic are annoyed because they felt they should have had a penalty kick, but these things happen at all levels of football every week. The only punishment, if any punishment at all is due, should be made if the Scottish FA feel the officials in charge of this game acted improperly and made the wrong decision." Asked about the incident, Meekings told Scottish TV: "It has come off my arm, I've said that. "He (Celtic player Leigh Griffiths) was two yards away and I've gone to throw my body in the way and unfortunately it's come off my hand but fortunately at the same time it hasn't been given." The Scottish FA are claiming Meekings handled the ball deliberately. In a statement on Tuesday, Inverness said it was taking legal advice to present at the hearing. Inverness will play Falkirk in the final at Hampden Park on May 30.

Source: Reuters

UEFA Europa League – Quarter-finals (Second Leg)

23 April 2015

Dnipro – FC Brugge
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (ESP, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Roberto Díaz Pérez (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Pau Cebrián Devís (ESP)
Additional AR 1: Carlos Clos Gómez (ESP)
Additional AR 2: Javier Estrada Fernández (ESP)
Fourth Official: Raúl Cabañero Martínez (ESP)
Referee Observer: Georgios Bikas (GRE)

Zenit St. Petersburg – Sevilla FC
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Elenito Di Liberatore (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Mauro Tonolini (ITA)
Additional AR 1: Luca Banti (ITA)
Additional AR 2: Antonio Damato (ITA)
Fourth Official: Gianluca Cariolato (ITA)
Referee Observer: Sándor Piller (HUN)

AC Fiorentina – Dynamo Kyiv
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Mathias Klasenius (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Wärnmark (SWE)
Additional AR 1: Stefan Johannesson (SWE)
Additional AR 2: Markus Strömbergsson (SWE)
Fourth Official: Mehmet Culum (SWE)
Referee Observer: Manuel Mejuto González (ESP)

SSC Napoli – VfL Wolfsburg
Referee: Cüneyt Çakır (TUR)
Assistant Referee 1: Bahattin Duran (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Tarık Ongun (TUR)
Additional AR 1: Hüseyin Göçek (TUR)
Additional AR 2: Halis Özkahya (TUR)
Fourth Official: Cem Satman (TUR)
Referee Observer: Jozef Marko (SVK)

CONCACAF Champions League Final 2015 (First Leg)

22 April 2015

Club America – Montreal Impact
Referee: Hector Rodriguez (HON, photo)
Assistant Referee: Christian Ramirez (HON)
Assistant Referee: Oscar Velasquez (HON)
Fourth Official: Armando Castro (HON)

OFC Champions League – Semi-finals

21 April 2015

Ba FC – Wellington
Referee: Norbert Hauata (TAH, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Tevita Makasini (TGA)
Assistant Referee 2: Paul Ahupu (TAH)
Fourth Official: Robinson Banga (VAN)

Auckland City – Gaitcha FCN
Referee: Ravitesh Behari (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 1: Terry Piri (COK)
Assistant Referee 2: Folio Moeaki (TGA)
Fourth Official: Ichikawa Polovili (TGA)

CONMEBOL Elite Referees Course 2015

In preparation for the 2015 Copa America, CONMEBOL will be hosting a course for Elite referees in Chile, from 8 to 12 May 2015.

Argentina 
Referees: Néstor Pitana (photo), Patricio Loustau
Assistant Referees: Hernán Maidana, Juan Belatti

Bolivia
Referees: Raúl Orosco, Gery Vargas
Assistant Referees: Javier Bustillos, Juan Montaño

Brazil
Referees: Sandro Ricci, Pericles Cortez
Assistant Referees: Emerson De Carvalho, Fabio Pereira

Chile
Referees: Enrique Osses, Julio Bascuñán, Jorge Osorio
Assistant Referees: Carlos Astroza, Francisco Mondria, Marcelo Barraza, Raúl Orellana

Colombia
Referees: Wilmar Roldán, José Buitrago
Assistant Referees: Alexander Guzmán, Wilson Berrio

Ecuador
Referees: Carlos Vera, Carlos Orbe
Assistant Referees: Christian Lescano, Byron Romero

Paraguay
Referees: Enrique Cáceres, Julio Quintana
Assistant Referees: Rodney Aquino, Carlos Cáceres

Peru
Referees: Víctor Carrillo, Diego Haro
Assistant Referees: César Escano, Johnny Bossio

Uruguay
Referees: Andrés Cunha, Darío Ubriaco
Assistant Referees: Mauricio Espinosa, Carlos Pastorino

Venezuela
Referees: José Argote, Juan Soto
Assistant Referees: Jorge Urrego, Jairo Romero

Source: Arbitro Internacional

Copa Libertadores – Group Stage (Matchday 9)

21 April 2015 
Cruzeiro – Universitario de Sucre
Referee: Roddy Zambrano (ECU, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Byron Romero (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Luis Vera (ECU)
Fourth Official: Ricardo Marques (BRA)
Referee Observer: Alicio Pena (BRA)

Mineros de Guyana – Huracán
Referee: Daniel Fedorczuk (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Taran (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Richard Trinidad (URU)
Fourth Official: Adrian Cabello (VEN)
Referee Observer: Nelson Rodriguez (VEN)

Atlético Nacional – Libertad
Referee: Heber Lopes (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Kleber Gil (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia (BRA)
Fourth Official: Imer Machado (COL)
Referee Observer: Otalvaro Polanco (COL)

Barcelona – Estudiantes
Referee: Andres Cunha (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Miguel Nievas (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Pastorino (URU)
Fourth Official: Omar Ponce (ECU)
Referee Observer: Juan Corozo (ECU)

22 April 2015
Emelec – Universidad de Chile
Referee: Roberto Garcia (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Camargo (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Morin (MEX)
Fourth Official: Vinicio Espinel (ECU)
Referee Observer: Juan Corozo (ECU)

Internacional – The Strongest
Referee: Enrique Caceres (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Milciades Saldivar (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Dario Gaona (PAR)
Fourth Official: Anderson Daronco (BRA)
Referee Observer: Jose Mocellin (BRA)

Santa Fe – Atlas
Referee: Mauro Vigliano (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Ernesto Uziga (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Diego Bonfa (ARG)
Fourth Official: Luis Sanchez (COL)
Referee Observer: Pablo Montoya (COL)

Atlético Mineiro – Colo Colo
Referee: Carlos Vera (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Lescano (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Herrera (ECU)
Fourth Official: Dewson Freitas (BRA)
Referee Observer: Alicio Pena (BRA)

San Lorenzo – Danubio
Referee: Jose Buitrago (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Wilson Berrio (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Christian De La Cruz (COL)
Fourth Official: Fernando Rapallini (ARG)
Referee Observer: Abel Gnecco (ARG)

São Paulo – Corinthians
Referee: Sandro Ricci (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Fabricio Vilarinho (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Fabio Pereira (BRA)
Fourth Official: Luis Oliveira (BRA)
Referee Observer: Wilson Seneme (BRA)

UEFA Champions League – Quarter-finals (Second Leg)

21 April 2015
Bayern München – FC Porto
Referee: Martin Atkinson (ENG, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Mullarkey (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Stephen Child (ENG)
Additional AR1: Anthony Taylor (ENG)
Additional AR2: Craig Pawson (ENG)
Fourth Official: Darren England (ENG)
Referee Observer: Vladimir Sajn (SVN)

FC Barcelona – Paris St. Germain
Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen (NOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Kim Haglund (NOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Frank Andås (NOR)
Additional AR1: Kim Henry Johnsen (NOR)
Additional AR2: Svein-Erik Edvartsen (NOR)
Fourth Official: Sven Erik Midthjell (NOR)
Referee Observer: Francesco Bianchi (SUI)

22 April 2015
Real Madrid – Atlético Madrid

Referee: Felix Brych (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Mark Borsch (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan Lupp (GER)
Additional AR1: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Additional AR2: Marco Fritz (GER)
Fourth Official: Marco Achmüller (GER)
Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas (SCO)

AS Monaco – Juventus Turin
Referee: William Collum (SCO)
Assistant Referee 1: Damien MacGraith (IRL)
Assistant Referee 2: Graham Chambers (SCO)
Additional AR1: Robert Madden (SCO)
Additional AR2: Kevin Clancy (SCO)
Fourth Official: Alastair Mather (SCO)
Referee Observer: Terje Hauge (NOR)

O’Leary retires early from refereeing

New Zealand referee Peter O'Leary, 43, announced today his retirement from the professional game. After nearly 21 years as a referee, O'Leary made the decision recently to be able to spend more time with his family.
"Having been a professional referee for the past 15 years now seems to be the right time to check out of the game", O'Leary said. "It takes a lot more work now to prepare compared when I was younger and there are plenty of good young referees coming through the ranks. I have taken my opportunities throughout my career and achieved everything that I have wanted to in the game. The friendships that I have made through football over the years have made the journey so much better. But I won't be leaving the game altogether and I am looking forward to putting something back in once I hang up the whistle." O'Leary also works as a Northland science teacher and became the second New Zealander to referee a World Cup game when he controlled the controversial clash between Nigeria and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Brazil last year. 
O'Leary began his referee career in 1994 after switching from the playing ranks at the age of 21. He received his FIFA Referee badge in 2003 and was subsequently appointed to matches the U-20 World Cup, the Club World Cup and, in 2010 and 2014, the holy grail of the World Cup. His second appearance at that tournament ended in controversy. O'Leary received death threats from irate Bosnian fans after a goal by star striker Dzeko was wrongfully disallowed for offside as his side were knocked out of the tournament. 
Peter O'Leary also had the honour of refereeing the first ever A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United in 2005, with Football Federation Australia director of referees Ben Wilson paying tribute to O'Leary for his contribution. "I have known Peter as a friend and colleague for over 15 years", said Football Federation Australia Director of Referees Ben Wilson. "He is the archetypal quiet achiever. A safe pair of hands with plenty of experience who was always willing and able to put his hand up when required. A strong performer in the Hyundai A-League, who is well respected by the players, coaches and his fellow referees. His experience and personality will be sorely missed by all with in the football community". 
O'Leary's 64th and final appointment in the A-League will be Friday night's fixture between the Wellington Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners at Westpac Stadium. 

Source: New Zealand Herald

UEFA Youth League Final 2015: Gözübüyük (NED)

13 April 2015 

Shakhtar Donetsk – Chelsea
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (NED, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Mario Diks (NED)
Fourth Official: Alain Bieri (SUI)
Referee Observer: Marc Batta (FRA)

UEFA Europa League – Quarter-finals (First Leg)

16 April 2015

Dynamo Kyiv – AC Fiorentina
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Pawel Sokolnicki (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Additional AR 1: Pawel Raczkowski (POL)
Additional AR 2: Tomasz Musial (POL)
Fourth Official: Radoslaw Siejka (POL)
Referee Observer: Eugen Strigel (GER)

Sevilla FC – Zenit St. Petersburg
Referee: Bas Nijhuis (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Rob van de Ven (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Charles Schaap (NED)
Additional AR1: Kevin Blom (NED)
Additional AR2: Peter Janssen (NED)
Fourth Official: Bas van Dongen (NED)
Referee Observer: Konrad Plautz (AUT)

FC Brugge – Dnipro
Referee: Damir Skomina (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Robert Vukan (SVN)
Additional AR1: Matej Jug (SVN)
Additional AR2: Slavko Vinčić (SVN)
Fourth Official: Andraž Kovacic (SVN)
Referee Observer: Bertrand Layec (FRA)

VfL Wolfsburg – SSC Napoli
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Pau Cebrián Devis (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Díaz Pérez (ESP)
Additional AR 1: Javier Estrada Fernández (ESP)
Additional AR 2: Alejandro Hernández Hernández (ESP)
Fourth Official: Teodoro Sobrino Magán (ESP)
Referee Observer: Nikolai Levnikov (RUS)

Copa Libertadores – Group Stage (Matchday 8)

14 April 2015
Universitario de Sucre – Mineros de Guyana
Referee: Antonio Arias (PAR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Milciades Saldivar (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Eduardo Cardozo (PAR)
Fourth Official: José Jordan (BOL)
Referee Observer: Óscar Ortubé (BOL)

Huracán – Cruzeiro
Referee: Patricio Polic (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Astroza (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Raúl Orellana (CHI)

Fourth Official: Néstor Pitana (ARG)
Referee Observer: Luis Pasturenzi (ARG)

Sporting Cristal – Guaraní
Referee: Julio Bascuñán (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Francisco Mondria (CHI)

Assistant Referee 2: Marcelo Barraza (CHI)
Fourth Official: Henry Gambetta Perú

Referee Observer: Cesar Mongrut Perú

Racing – Deportivo Táchira
Referee: Carlos Orbe (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Byron Romero (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Luis Vera (ECU)
Fourth Official: Darío Herrera (ARG)
Referee Observer: Abel Gnecco (ARG)

15 April 2015
The Strongest – Emelec
Referee: José Buitrago (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Diaz (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Wilmar Navarro (COL)
Fourth Official: Luis Yrusta (BOL)
Referee Observer: Marcelo Ortubé (BOL)


River Plate – San José
Referee: Pericles Cortez (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Emerson Carvalho (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Fabricio Vilarinho (BRA)
Fourth Official: Diego Ceballos (ARG)
Referee Observer: Carlos Coradina (ARG)

Juan Aurich – Tigres
Referee: Carlos Vera (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Lescano (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Herrera (ECU)
Fourth Official: Miguel Santivañez Perú
Referee Observer: Manuel Yupanqui Perú

Atlas – Atlético Mineiro
Referee: Patricio Loustau (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Bonfa (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Gustavo Rossi (ARG)
Fourth Official: Oscar Macías México
Referee Observer: Carlos Gonzalez México

Colo Colo – Santa Fe
Referee: Dario Ubriaco (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolás Tarán (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Popovits (URU)
Fourth Official: Eduardo Gamboa (CHI)
Referee Observer: Pablo Pozo (CHI)

Danubio – Sao Paulo
Referee: José Argote (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos López (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Luis Murillo (VEN)
Fourth Official: Fernando Falce (URU)
Referee Observer: Gustavo López (URU)

16 April 2015
Zamora – Wanderers
Referee: Enrique Cáceres (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Rodney Aquino (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Cáceres (PAR)
Fourth Official: José Hoyo (VEN)
Referee Observer: Adrián Gómez (VEN)

Boca Juniors – Palestino
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Marcelo van Gasse (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia (BRA)
Fourth Official: Pablo Díaz (ARG)
Referee Observer: Abel Gnecco (ARG)


Corinthians – San Lorenzo
Referee: Víctor Carrillo Perú
Assistant Referee 1: César Esano Perú
Assistant Referee 2: Braulio Cornejo Perú
Fourth Official: Anderson Daronco (BRA)
Referee Observer: Roberto Perassi (BRA)

Universidad de Chile – Internacional
Referee: Silvio Trucco (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Hernán Maidana (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Navarro (ARG)
Fourth Official: Claudio Puga (CHI)
Referee Observer: Patricio Basualto (CHI)

UEFA Champions League – Quarter-finals (First Leg)

14 April 2015 
Atlético Madrid Real Madrid
Referee: Milorad Mažić (SRB, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Milovan Ristić (SRB)
Assistant Referee 2: Dalibor Djurdjević (SRB)
Additional AR1: Danilo Grujić (SRB)
Additional AR2: Dejan Filipović (SRB)
Fourth Official: Dejan Petrović (SRB)
Referee Observer: Pierluigi Collina (ITA)

Juventus Turin AS Monaco
Referee: Pavel Královec (CZE)
Assistant Referee 1: Roman Slyško (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Martin Wilczek (CZE)

Additional AR1: Radek Příhoda (CZE)
Additional AR2: Michal Patak (CZE)

Fourth Official: Tomas Mokrusch (CZE)
Referee Observer: Vítor Melo Pereira (POR)

15 April 2015
Paris St. Germain – FC Barcelona
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Simon Beck (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Jake Collin (ENG)
Additional AR1: Anthony Taylor (ENG)
Additional AR2: Andre Marriner (ENG)
Referee Observer: Paul Allaerts (BEL)

FC Porto – Bayern München
Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Roberto Alonso Fernández (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Yuste Jiménez (ESP)
Additional AR1: Carlos Del Cerro Grande (ESP)
Additional AR2: Jesús Gil Manzano (ESP)
Fourth Official: Raúl Cabañero Martínez (ESP)
Referee Observer: Bo Karlsson (SWE)

Poll: UEFA set a dangerous precedent with the decision to replay 18 seconds

UEFA has opened a real can of worms by ordering the final 18 seconds of the European Women's Under 19 Championship qualifier between England and Norway to be replayed following a refereeing error. However, FIFA did something similar during a 2006 World Cup qualifier. Back in 2005 Uzbekistan were playing Bahrain in the Asian zone fourth-round play-off first leg when Japanese referee Toshimitsu Yoshida incorrectly awarded an indirect free kick to Bahrain after the Uzbeks had encroached at their penalty kick when 1-0 up. This happened in the 38th minute and FIFA ordered that the entire match be replayed which did not please either team. Uzbekistan only managed a 1-1 draw in the replay and a 0-0 score line in the second leg in Manama meant that Bahrain qualified. Current FIFA Head of Refereeing, Massimo Busacca, was in charge for the first leg re-match and I was appointed to the second leg in Bahrain. It was surprising to receive four or five calls on the day of that game from FIFA stressing how important it was that the game passed without any errors in law which would provoke another appeal.
Winding forward to the latest incident which was caused, incredibly, by an identical error by German referee, Marija Kurtes (photo), in the 96th minute of England’s 2-1 'defeat' by Norway in their qualifying group. England thought they had scored an equaliser in the dying seconds of the game from the penalty spot but Kurtes had spotted encroachment by at least one England player and rightly disallowed the goal. Had the penalty been missed she would have been correct to award an indirect free kick, but as it had been scored she should have ordered a retake. Now, UEFA has upheld England’s appeal and ordered that, in an evolution of the FIFA decision in 2005, the game should be replayed from the moment the technical error occurred. This bizarre decision was perhaps influenced by the fact that both teams are still present in the host city, Belfast, and are available following their final qualifying matches. However, this sets a dangerous precedent. If the same error is made in the opening minutes of a late group match in next year’s European Championship finals in France, will that match be replayed and the schedule of the whole tournament be thrown into disarray?
I almost caused just that at Germany 2006; my error, in not sending Josip Simunic off when showing him his second yellow card, could not be disputed and given FIFA’s decision in the qualifying stages of the same competition they would have struggled not to allow a re-match. The game was 2-2 at the time of the mistake and it stayed that way until the final whistle, but had Croatia scored they would have ‘qualified’. I remember being told by the Australians that, had Croatia scored a winning goal in the final three or four minutes, they would have appealed and expected a re-match at the very least.

Source: Graham Poll / Daily Mail

French referee Kalt punished for pushing player

A French referee who pushed a Lens player during Sunday's league game at Bordeaux will no longer officiate at next weekend's Coupe de la Ligue final. Philippe Kalt, 46, swept Adamo Coulibaly aside with his left arm (photo) as he was surrounded by Lens players protesting the yellow card he wanted to show their teammate, Pablo Chavarria.
A former FIFA referee, Kalt had been due to act as fourth official at Saturday night's showpiece between Bastia and Paris Saint-Germain at the Stade de France, but has been relieved of his duties as a consequence of his actions. "There is no ambiguity. You can't push a player like that," Pascal Garibian, the France's technical director of refereeing, told L'Equipe. "Philippe Kalt has acknowledged his reaction was inappropriate and he has today written a letter to the RC Lens president to apologise. We have also decided it is inopportune for Philippe Kalt to be the fourth official at the Coupe de la Ligue final as had been planned. He will therefore be replaced." The incident occurred just after the hour mark of Lens' 2-1 defeat at Bordeaux that all but condemns them to an immediate return to Ligue 2. "I didn't feel I had been assaulted, but afterwards, watching the images, I said to myself that it was a deliberate, aggressive gesture," Coulibaly, 33, told L'Equipe. "If I had done that to a referee, I would have been banned for 15, 20 games, even a year." The striker called for Kalt to be disciplined, adding: "That would be logical, because if a player had done the same thing, he would be punished. If I had been smaller than him, I would have been knocked over by such a gesture."
Should the Federal Refereeing Commission decide to look into the matter, Kalt could face up to three months without being appointed to referee a game, a measure which would signal the end of his career as he is due to retire at the season's conclusion. The French Football League's Disciplinary Commission could also investigate the matter.

Source: ESPN

CONCACAF Champions League – Semi-finals (Second Leg)

7 April 2015
LD Alajuelense – Montreal Impact
Referee: Joel Aguilar (SLV, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Zumba (SLV)
Assistant Referee 2: William Torres (SLV)
Fourth Official: Elmer Bonilla (SLV)

8 April 2015
Club America – CS Herediano
Referee: Walter Lopez (GUA)
Assistant Referee 1: Gerson Lopez (GUA)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Lemus (GUA)
Fourth Official: Oscar Reyna (GUA)

Referee Delfino suspended after using TV replay to reverse his decision

FIFA referee German Delfino has landed himself in trouble after overturning his decision to award a penalty and a red card after it was reported that his assistant saw a replay on a TV monitor in one of the dugouts and told him to change his mind. Delfino deemed that the Arsenal player Daniel Valencia prevented a goalscoring opportunity against Vélez Sarsfield by handling the ball in the area and the player was sent off, while Vélez were awarded a penalty. During the protests that followed, the replays showed it was instead the Vélez striker Mariano Pavone who handled the ball. As the Vélez players readied to take the penalty, Delfino decided to overturn his decision – apparently on the advice of his assistant who appeared to have seen a replay on monitors in the Arsenal bench – and the referee allowed Valencia to rejoin his teammates on the pitch. Delfino, who has admitted his performance was “messy”, has been suspended for one match for failing to control the game and will be allowed to return only in the lower leagues. Though the refereeing team maintained that overturning their decision had nothing to do with the instant replays on the Arsenal bench, the suspicion it was an unofficial use of video technology lingers. Velez manager Miguel Angel Russo said: “Delfino has every right to change his decision. But by his own decision; not off the television. The FIFA rules are very clear, they don't accept technology. If cameras are to exist then let them be used for everyone”. The game, which Vélez went to win 2-1, also offered an additional talking point when Valencia was sent off again during extra time after receiving a second yellow card for a professional foul, thus becoming the first player to be sent off twice during the same game in the Argentine league. 
"This type of play is very difficult to judge. From a distance it seemed to be the defender’s hand. The referees worked together and justice was done because it was the attacker’s hand and not the defender. It was messy, but there was justice at last", said Miguel Scime, director of the AFA Referee Development. Delfino, 36, did not know how to handle the situation, had trouble in communication with Miguel Angel Russo, the coach of Velez, and the assistant of Martin Palermo, Roberto Abbondanzieri, two of the most excited in the midst of the controversy. Delfino acknowledged: "The procedure was horrible and these are things that should not happen. I feel responsible. It never happened to me before in many years". Delfino's words speak for themselves; he is blamed for what happened. Because, beyond the controversy over the use or not of technology, it is clear that he had no sufficient strength to control the situation. "I talked to the referee and was an unfortunate move. Delfino told me that he did not rely on technology. He said he was not aware of a TV replay, but changed his decision after a visual communication with his assistants”, Scime added to ESPN. Delfino never admitted that he, somehow, through its assistants, leaned on technology. He claims that the fourth official Lucas Comesaña told him that the hand was Pavone’s, not Valencia’s. Delfino changed his decision, but there is one detail: from the middle of the field, how can the fourth official have a better look of what happened in the penalty area than Delfino or Nunez? It is very difficult. Everything suggests that a replay was seen on a TV monitor or someone else noticed it. "Beyond that, justice has been served; the only reality is that justice is done as you want. You have to do justice within the legal environment where it occurred. I have no evidence that Delfino based his decision on the technology; I have logic elements", said Guillermo Marconi, the head of the Union of Referees of Argentina.
The consequences of what happened in this match have not escaped CONMEBOL and FIFA. Delfino had an outstanding international season and was a candidate for the 2015 Copa America, along with Nestor Pitana. Now several posts recede into consideration. "It's a big stain on the Argentinian refereeing if not removed quickly," said an insider. Delfino is a referee usually right, but he had already been controversial. In 2012, a very bad job in San Lorenzo – San Martín, led to the relegation of San Juan. A year earlier, he had shown a second yellow card and sent-off to Martin Galmarini, of Tigre, for an inexistent handball against Gimnasia. To amend the error, the Disciplinary Committee did not sanction the player. Now, the most recent controversy can seriously affect the reputation of one of the best referees in Argentina.

Source: La Nation / The Guardian

Barreto: two consecutive World Cup finals as assistant referee

Uruguayan Ramon Barreto was the only referee in the history of FIFA to have been appointed to two consecutive World Cup finals: Germany – Netherlands, in Munich 1974, and Argentina – Netherlands, in Argentina 1978, both as assistant referee.
Barreto was selected for three World Cups, starting with Mexico 1970. Four years later, in Germany, he refereed the highly publicized match between East Germany and West Germany (1-0) in Hamburg and Poland – Sweden (1-0) in Stuttgart. He also assisted English referee Jack Taylor during the final between West Germany and the Netherlands (2-1). Barreto’s third World Cup was Argentina 1978, where he was appointed referee for Italy – Hungary (3-1) and the repeat of the 1974 final between West Germany and the Netherlands (2-2). He was then selected as assistant referee for the final game between Argentina and the Netherlands (3-1), with Sergio Gonella, the first Italian ever to referee the final. Ramon Barreto was also the referee of the 1976 Olympic Games final in Montreal between East Germany and Poland (3-1).
After his retirement, he became the chairman of Rampla Juniors, president of the Uruguayan Federation of Cycling and chairman of the Uruguayan Referees Committee.
Ramon Barreto recently suffered from an infection of a knee injury that, added to his diabetes, led to his death aged 76. "Ramon, what can I say? Just thank you! Deservedly, we talk about your remarkable career. You're the greatest!" wrote Jorge Larrionda, the last Uruguayan World Cup referee, on his Twitter account. 

Source: El Pais/Wikipedia

Copa Libertadores – Group Stage (Matchday 7)

7 April 2015
Atlas – Colo Colo
Referee: Nestor Pitana (ARG, photo)
Assistant Referee 1 Juan Belatti (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2 Ezequiel Brailovksy (ARG)
Fourth Official: Francisco Chacon (MEX)
Referee Observer: Edgardo Codesal (MEX)

Palestino – Zamora
Referee: Óscar Maldonado (BOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Wilson Arellano (BOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Edwin Paredes (BOL)
Fourth Official: Claudio Puga (CHI)
Referee Observer: Guido Aros (CHI)

Guaraní – Racing
Referee: Heber Lopes (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Marcelo Van Gasse (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Guilherme Camilo (BRA)
Fourth Official: Julio Quintana (PAR)
Referee Observer: Manuel Bernal (PAR)

San José – Juan Aurich
Referee: Roddy Zambrano (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Byron Romero (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Luis Vera (ECU)
Fourth Official: Gery Vargas (BOL)
Referee Observer: Jorge Cuevas (BOL)

8 April 2015
Huracán – Universtario de Sucre
Referee: Ulises Mereles (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Milciades Saldivar (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Dario Gaona (PAR)
Fourth Official: Fernando Rapallini (ARG)
Referee Observer: Juan Crespi (ARG)

Deportivo Táchira – Sporting Cristal
Referee: Raúl Orosco (BOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Javier Bustillos (BOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Montaño (BOL)
Fourth Official: José Hoyo (VEN)
Referee Observer: Adrián Gómez (VEN)

Cruzeiro – Mineros de Guyana
Referee: Jorge Osorio (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Marcelo Barraza (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Claudio Ríos (CHI)
Fourth Official: Raphael Claus (BRA)
Referee Observer: Juliano Lobato (BRA)

Tigres – River Plate
Referee: Adrián Vélez (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Guzmán (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Christian De la Cruz (COL)
Fourth Official: Roberto García (MEX)
Referee Observer: Gilberto Alcalá (MEX)

Estudiantes – Atlético Nacional
Referee: Daniel Fedorczuk (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolás Taran (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Richard Trinidad (URU)
Fourth Official: Jorge Baliño (ARG)
Referee Observer: Carlos Coradina (ARG)

9 April 2015
Libertad – Barcelona
Referee: Víctor Carrillo (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Jonny Bossio (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Jorge Yupanqui (PER)
Fourth Official: Carlos Amarilla (PAR)
Referee Observer: Celio Bejarano (PAR)

Montevideo Wanderers – Boca Juniors
Referee: Sandro Ricci (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Kleber Gil (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Rodrigo Correa (BRA)
Fourth Official: Jonhatan Fuentes (URU)
Referee Observer: Juan Cardellino (URU)

Atlético Mineiro – Santa Fe

Referee: Andrés Cunha (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Mauricio Espinosa (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Nievas (URU)
Fourth Official: Ricardo Marques (BRA)
Referee Observer: Ednilson Corona (BRA)

UEFA U-17 Euro 2015

Bulgaria, 6-22 May 2015

Referees
1. Marius Avram (ROU, 1979)
2. Danilo Grujic (SRB, 1980)
3. Adrien Jaccottet (SUI, 1983)
4. Mads-Kristoffer Kristoffersen (DEN, 1983)
5. Erik Lambrechts (BEL, 1984)
6. Dumitru Muntean (MDA, 1985)
7. Pawel Raczkowski (POL, 1983, photo)
8. Roy Reinshreiber (ISR, 1980)
9. Alan Sant (MLT, 1980)

Assistant Referees
1. Erik Arevshatyan (ARM, 1983)
2. Rejdi Avdo (ALB, 1983)
3. Mehmet Culum (SWE, 1983)
4. Nuno Pereira (POR, 1977)
5. Namik Huseynov (AZE, 1987)
6. Gareth Jones (WAL, 1985)
7. Sten Klaasen (EST, 1982)
8. Ville Koskiniemi (FIN, 1979)
9. Aleh Maslianka (BLR, 1982)
10. Romans Platonovs (LVA, 1978)
11. Dovydas Suziedelis (LTU, 1988)
12. Erik Weiss (SVK, 1979)

Fourth Officials
1. Georgi Kabakov (BUL, 1986)
2. Tsvetan Krastev (BUL, 1978)
3. Nikola Popov (BUL, 1983)
4. Ivaylo Stoyanov (BUL, 1981)

Referee Observers
1. Marc Batta (FRA)

2. Jozef Marko (SVK)
3. Uno Tutk (EST)
4. Stefan Ormandjiev (BUL)

Top Turkish referees become full-time professionals

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) yesterday took a giant step over the issue of professional refereeing, which has been on the agenda for a long time in Turkish football. With the contracts signed in March, Cüneyt Çakir (photo), Hüseyin Göçek, Bariş Şimşek, Mete Kalkavan, Ali Palabiyik and Firat Aydinus have officially become Turkey's first professional referees.
According to a statement made by the TFF, the referees working within the federation must come to the administrative center of the TFF in Riva and train under the supervision of the Central Referee Board. The referees on contract will also provide training in courses, conferences and seminars. During their shift, the referees will contribute to preparing special content, consisting of video footage, that will be used for training referees. After a three-month pilot scheme, the other referees will be included into contractual refereeing. Contractual refereeing has been put into action as a result of work and preparation that has been made since 2012. During this period, the TFF has carried out many innovation regulations in relation to referees. The wages of referees have increased by 91 percent since 2012 and they have been given more authority in order to prevent the continual verbal attacks and assaults. The other innovations brought in by the TFF are the new six-referee system and vanishing spray. Referees in the English leagues have been professional since 2001, with the move being brought in to help improve the standard of refereeing. The current stable of referees is 79, with some 249 assistant referees across England's top four leagues. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited is run by Michael Riley, a former FIFA referee who heads the Select Group of 18 referees that officiate the biggest matches in the country. Premier League referees receive a salary of 65,000 pounds per year and they receive around 1,000 pounds per game they officiate. The salary decreases the lower the league the game is. The system is funded by the Football League, Premier League and the FA. 

Source: Sabah

UEFA Youth League – Semi-finals

10 April 2015

Roma – Chelsea
Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano (ESP, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Miguel Martinez Munuera (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Teodoro Sobrino Magan (ESP)
Fourth Official: Stephan Klossner (SUI)
Referee Observer: Marc Batta (FRA)

Anderlecht – Shakhtar Donetsk
Referee: Eitan Shmuelevitz (ISR)
Assistant Referee 1: Danny Krasikow (ISR)
Assistant Referee 2: Nissan Davidy (ISR)
Fourth Official: Adrien Jaccottet (SUI)
Referee Observer: Marc Batta (FRA)

AGLA World’s Best Futsal Referee 2014: Malfer (ITA)

Italian Alessandro Malfer has been voted by AGLA/Futsal Planet the world’s best futsal referee of 2014 with 746 points, ahead of the Croatian Sasa Tomic (606) and Argentinian Dario Santamaria (464). Alessandro Malfer, 40, started his refereeing career in 2002 and earned his FIFA futsal badge in 2011. Three years later he was selected for the UEFA Futsal Euro in Belgium and the UEFA Futsal Cup final in Azerbaijan.

AGLA World’s Best Futsal Referees 2014

1. Alessandro Malfer (ITA, photo) 746 p
2. Sasa Tomic (CRO) 606 p
3. Dario Santamaria (ARG) 464 p
4. Marc Birkett (ENG) 455 p
5. Daniel Rodriguez (URU) 262 p
6. Nurdin Bukuev (KGZ) 217 p
7. Chris Colley (AUS) 199 p
8. Leroy Brown (GUA) 127 p
9. Cesar Malaga (PER) 90 p
10. Maulana Buanamade (MOZ) 89 p

Three-time World Cup referee Nicolae Rainea has died at 81

Former World Cup referee Nicolae Rainea passed away at the age of 81, announced UEFA and the Romanian Football Federation. Born on 19 November 1933, Rainea, who was nicknamed “The Locomotive of the Carpathians” (he ran more than 200,000 km during matches and training), started refereeing in 1959. Within six years he was officiating at first division matches and he quickly made the FIFA list, being an international referee for 17 years (1967-1983).
Over a career spanning 24 years, Rainea racked up a stellar list of matches as he became one of the most respected officials in the world. The most successful Romanian referee oversaw three Romanian Cup finals, 267 top-flight games and 115 international matches. Rainea was selected for three FIFA World Cups (1974, 1978, 1982) and was appointed to the UEFA Euro Final 1980. He also refereed three European club finals: UEFA Champions Cup 1983, UEFA Super Cup 1978 and UEFA Cup 1978. After hanging up his whistle aged 50, he remained in football as a referee observer and regional football association president. He later became an honorary member of the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) and an honorary citizen of the city Galati. After an untreated mild cold turned into a pulmonary edema, Rainea suffered a cardiac arrest and died at the hospital.

Source: UEFA