Changes at Copa America Centenario

The 58 participating referees were selected from within CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. The team includes 18 referees, 34 assistant referees and six reserve officials. The selection process was overseen by each confederation’s respective referee committees. As a pre-requisite to officiate this tournament, each referee was required to pass the FIFA fitness test.  “The magnitude of Copa America Centenario requires the highest caliber referees from within the continent”, said CONCACAF Director of Refereeing Brian Hall. “It is a unique honor for officials from both confederations to officiate this tournament in unison, while ensuring this once-in-a-lifetime competition offers fans and players world-class quality football. The pre-tournament referee seminar has been a great opportunity to prepare the referees mentally for an intense and competitive championship”. The fitness tests (Yo-Yo/Ariet) took place in Chicago under the direction of FIFA fitness instructors Silvio Aguinaga (PAR), Eric Samayoa (GUA), Cristian Rosen (ARG) and Alan Brown (CRC). The referees also attended a seminar on various topics, including: modifications of the Laws of the Game, offside, analysis and discussion of game situations, fouls, handball, reading the game, technical refereeing, tactical fouls, teamwork. The CONMEBOL Referees Committee announced the replacement of assistant referee Juan Macias from Ecuador (visa issues) with his compatriot Byron Romero. On the CONCACAF list, Daniel Williamson (Panama) will miss the tournament due to fitness problems. The selected officials will be based in Chicago throughout the tournament and will travel to assigned games across the United States. Game assignments will be announced prior to each match. (Source: ca2016.com)

CONMEBOL

Referee: Patricio Loustau (ARG)

Assistant Referee 1: Ezequiel Brailovsky (ARG)

Assistant Referee 2: Ariel Scime (ARG)

Referee: Gery Vargas (BOL)

Assistant Referee 1: Javier Bustillos (BOL)

Assistant Referee 2: Juan Montano (BOL)

Referee: Heber Lopes (BRA)

Assistant Referee 1: Kleber Gil (BRA)

Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia (BRA)

Referee: Julio Bascunan (CHI)

Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Astroza (CHI)

Assistant Referee 2: Christian Schiemann (CHI)

Referee: Wilmar Roldan (COL)

Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Guzman (COL)

Assistant Referee 2: Wilmar Navarro (COL)

Referee: Roddy Zambrano (ECU)

Assistant Referee 1: Luis Vera (ECU)

Assistant Referee 2: Byron Romero (ECU)

Referee: Enrique Caceres (PAR)

Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardoso (PAR)

Assistant Referee 2: Milciades Saldivar (PAR)

Referee: Victor Carrillo (PER)

Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Yupanqui (PER)

Assistant Referee 2: Coty Carrera (PER)

Referee: Andres Cunha (URU)

Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Taran (URU)

Assistant Referee 2: Richard Trinidad (URU)

Referee: Jose Argote (VEN)

Assistant Referee 1: Luis Murillo (VEN)

Assistant Referee 2: Luis Sanchez (VEN)

Reserve Referees

1. Wilton Sampaio (BRA)

2. Wilson Lamouroux (COL)

3. Daniel Fedorczuk (URU)

Reserve Assistant Referees

1. Gustavo Rossi (ARG)

2. Dario Gaona (PAR)

3. Alexander Leon (COL)

CONCACAF

Referee: Ricardo Montero (CRC)

Assistant Referee 1: Octavio Jara (CRC)

Assistant Referee 2: Juan Mora (CRC)

Referee: Yadel Martinez (CUB)

Assistant Referee 1: Hiran Dopico (CUB)

Assistant Referee 2: Christian Ramirez (HON)

Referee: Joel Aguilar (SLV)

Assistant Referee 1: Juan Zumba (SLV)

Assistant Referee 2: William Torres (SLV)

Referee: Roberto Garcia (MEX)

Assistant Referee 1: Jose Camargo (MEX)

Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Morin (MEX)

Referee: John Pitti (PAN)

Assistant Referee 1: Gabriel Victoria (PAN)

Assistant Referee 2: TBD

Referee: Mark Geiger (USA)

Assistant Referee 1: Charles Morgante (USA)

Assistant Referee 2: Joe Fletcher (CAN)

Referee: Jair Marrufo (USA)

Assistant Referee 1: Peter Manikowski (USA)

Assistant Referee 2: Corey Rockwell (USA)

Standby Referee: Armando Villarreal (USA)

Standby AR: Corey Parker (USA)

Euro 2016: AR Wilczek replaced by Mokrusch

UEFA has made a third change in the refereeing team for Euro 2016. Czech assistant referee Martin Wilczek, 46, was initially one of the oldest match officials selected for this European Championship, along with Michael Mullarkey (England). At the referee seminar held in France, Wilczek (photo) failed the fitness test and UEFA replaced him with the standby AR Tomas Mokrusch. Martin Wilczek was one of four assistants that accompanied referee Pavel Kralovec in their preparation for Euro 2016. The other assistant referee is Slovak Roman Slysko, while the additional assistant referees are Czech Michal Patak and Petr Ardeleanu.
Kralovec will be the first Czech referee appointed to the European Championship since Vaclav Krondl in 1996. The last Czech representative in the men's top event was assistant referee Evzen Amler at the FIFA World Cup 2002, while Dagmar Damkova refereed the 2008 Olympic final, UEFA Women's Euro 2009 final and 2011 UEFA Women's Champions League final.

Source: Sport.cz

Clattenburg: "Looking at details, trends and tactics"

As England's Mark Clattenburg walks out with his team of officials at Stadio San Siro on Saturday, his advice and achievements can inspire a new generation of referees. Honoured to be taking charge of the UEFA Champions League showpiece match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid just seven days after refereeing the FA Cup final at Wembley, he says his rise is evidence that the time invested in preparing for optimum performance on the pitch delivers results.

UEFA.com: How did you find out that you and your team would be in charge of the UEFA Champions League final?

Mark Clattenburg: I was on my way for the fortnightly gathering with the referees at St George's Park when I got the call from [UEFA's chief refereeing officer] Pierluigi Collina; when he calls you know it's important. It took a while for it to sink in – he had to spell it out a little bit for me.

UEFA.com: Did you aim to be refereeing in finals at the start of this season?

Clattenburg: At the start of each season we set ourselves goals that are achievable; the domestic cup final was certainly one. In the Champions League, the aim was to do as many games as possible as well as possible – after doing a semi-final, I really didn't expect to get the final as well, but obviously I'm very proud.

UEFA.com: What has been the key to success for you and your team this season?

Clattenburg: We have excellent support from UEFA's refereeing officers with great guidance as to how to improve performances on and off the field. I'm looking a lot at the finer detail of the matches now – at trends and tactics – and this shows that if you work hard, you can get excellent results.

UEFA.com: Have you watched the final from two years ago as part of your preparations?

Clattenburg: I've watched it two or three times so far and I've also spoken to Björn Kuipers [who refereed that match] about all the things that go around the final, to be as well prepared as possible. I've also made sure to watch both meetings between the clubs in the league this year as one of the coaches has changed since 2014, so that gives us as much information as possible to share with the team.

UEFA.com: The teams say that they prepare like any other game. Do you?

Clattenburg: We do and my job as the 'manager' of the refereeing team, if you like, is to make sure that everyone stays calm and that we support each other during the match. For all of us, it's a huge honour but now we want to make sure that the 90 minutes, or 120 minutes, goes as well as it possibly can.

UEFA.com: Howard Webb refereed this final six years ago. Do you feel that you, like him, can become a role model for young referees in England now?

Clattenburg: I hope so. It certainly shows that if you have the inspiration and follow your dreams, that you have the opportunity to do something special by refereeing a game in the most important club competition of all.

Source: UEFA

Assistant Referee seminar for FIFA World Cup 2018 (AFC, CAF, OFC)

The second FIFA seminar for prospective assistant referees for the 2018 FIFA World Cup takes place in Agadir (Morocco), from 23-27 May 2016.

AFC

Assistant Referees (FWC 2018)
1. Taleb Al Marri (QAT, 1988)
2. Saoud Al Maqaleh (QAT, 1988)
3. Abdulah Al Shalwai (KSA, 1975)
4. Mohammed Al Abakry (KSA, 1980)
5. Reza Sokhandan (IRN, 1974)
6. Mohammadreza Mansouri (IRN, 1978)
7. Abduxamidullo Rasulov (UZB, 1976)
8. Jakhongir Saidov (UZB, 1979)
9. Mohamed Al-Hammadi (EAU, 1984)
10. Hasan Al-Mahri (EAU, 1978)
11. Toru Sagara (JPN, 1976, photo)
12. Hiroshi Yamauchi (JPN, 1979)
13. Yaser Abdulla (BHR, 1974)
14. Ebrahim Saleh (BHR, 1974)

CAF

Assistant Referees (FWC 2018)
1. Abdelhak Etchiali (ALG, 1981)
2. Anouar Hmila (TUN, 1974)
3. Evarist Menkouande (CMR, 1974)
4. Elvis Noupue (CMR, 1983)
5. Zakhele Siwela (RSA, 1982)
6. Theogene Ndagijimana (RWA, 1978)
7. Djibril Camara (SEN, 1983)
8. El Hadji Samba (SEN, 1979)
9. Jean Birumushahu (BDI, 1972)
10. Marwa Range (KEN, 1977)
11. Redouane Achik (MAR, 1972)
12. Waleed Ahmed (SDN, 1974)
13. Jerson Dos Santos (ANG, 1983)
14. Berhe Tesfagiorghis (ERI, 1975)

OFC

Assistant Referees (FWC 2018)
1. Simon Lount (NZL, 1981)
2. Tevita Makasini (TGA, 1976)
3. Ravenish Kumar (FIJ, 1982)
4. Philippe Revel (TAH, 1982)

The UEFA course is scheduled for September 2016 and participants will be announced later.

AAR Banti withdraws from Euro 2016

Last month, Russian AR Anton Averianov failed the fitness tests and was replaced by Nikolai Golubev. Now, with only two weeks left before the competition, UEFA was forced to make another change in the refereeing team selected for Euro 2016. Initially appointed as an additional assistant referee, Luca Banti (photo) had to withdraw from Euro 2016 due to unexpected reasons concerning his personal life. He will be replaced by Daniele Orsato. (Source: AIA)

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (ITA, 1971)
Assistant Referee 1: Elenito Di Liberatore (ITA, 1973)
Assistant Referee 2: Mauro Tonolini (ITA, 1973)
Additional AR1: Antonio Damato (ITA, 1972)
Additional AR2: Daniele Orsato (ITA, 1975)

International Friendly Matches

May – June 2016

England – Turkey
Referee: Deniz Aytekin (GER, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Guido Kleve (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Mike Pickel (GER)
Fourth Official: Daniel Siebert (GER)

Hungary – Côte d'Ivoire
Referee: Vlado Glodjović (SRB)
Assistant Referee 1: Vladimir Jovanović (SRB)
Assistant Referee 2: Vladimir Čadjenović (SRB)
Fourth Official: Srdjan Jovanović (SRB) 

Serbia – Cyprus
Referee: Pavle Radovanović (MNE)
Assistant Referee 1: Danijel Dević (MNE)
Assistant Referee 2: Milutin Djukić (MNE)
Fourth Official: Nenad Djokić (SRB) 

Romania – Congo
Referee: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Fabiano Preti (ITA)
Fourth Official: Andrea Gervasoni (ITA)

Nigeria – Mali
Referee: Ruddy Buquet (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Guillaume Debart (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Cyril Gringore (FRA)
Fourth Official: François Letexier (FRA)

Azerbaijan – Andorra
Referee: Harald Lechner (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Heidenreich (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Maximilian Kolbitsch (AUT)
Fourth Official: Markus Hameter (AUT)

Croatia – Moldova
Referee: Ognjen Valjić (BIH)
Assistant Referee 1: Senad Ibrišimbegović (BIH)
Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo (BIH)
Fourth Official: Ante Vučemilović-Šimunović (CRO)

Northern Ireland – Belarus
Referee: Martin Atkinson (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Mullarkey (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Stephen Child (ENG)
Fourth Official: Craig Pawson (ENG)

Ireland – Netherlands
Referee: Artur Soares Dias (POR)
Assistant Referee: Rui Barbosa (POR)
Assistant Referee: Alvaro Mesquita (POR)
Fourth Official: Robert Harvey (IRL)

England – Australia
Referee: Danny Makkelie (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Bas van Dongen (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Hessel Steegstra (NED)
Fourth Official: Kevin Blom (NED)

Malta – Czech Republic
Referee: Dominik Ouschan (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Matthias Winsauer (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Staudinger (AUT)
Fourth Official: Robert Schörgenhofer (AUT)

Slovakia – Georgia
Referee: Oliver Drachta (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Roland Brandner (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan Kühr (AUT)
Fourth Official: Alexander Harkam (AUT)

Albania – Qatar
Referee: Alexander Harkam (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Witschnigg (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Robert Steinacher (AUT)
Fourth Official: Harald Lechner (AUT)

Azerbaijan – Macedonia
Referee: Markus Hameter (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Maximilian Kolbitsch (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Roland Braunschmidt (AUT)
Fourth Official: Manuel Schüttengruber (AUT)

Germany – Slovakia
Referee: Serge Gumienny (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jimmy Cremers (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Thibaud Nijssen (BEL)
Fourth Official: Bart Vertenten (BEL)

Italy – Scotland
Referee: Alan Sant (MLT)
Assistant Referee 1: Alan Camilleri (MLT)
Assistant Referee 2: William Debattista (MLT)
Fourth Official: Roberto Vella (MLT)

Turkey – Montenegro
Referee: Daniel Siebert (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Holger Henschel (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Jan Seidel (GER)
Fourth Official: Alper Ulusoy (TUR)

France – Cameroon
Referee: Simon Lee Evans (WAL)
Assistant Referee 1: Philip Thomas (WAL)
Assistant Referee 2: John Roberts (WAL)
Fourth Official: Bryn Markham-Jones (WAL)

Sweden – Slovenia
Referee: Jakob Kehlet (DEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Henrik Larsen (DEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Heine Sorensen (DEN)
Fourth Official: Anders Poulsen (DEN)

Austria – Malta
Referee: Mattias Gestranius (FIN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jan-Peter Aravirta (FIN)
Assistant Referee 2: Mikko Alakare (FIN)
Fourth Official: Antti Munukka (FIN)

Ireland – Belarus
Referee: Dejan Jakimovski (MKD)
Assistant Referee: Dejan Kostadinov (MKD)
Assistant Referee: Nikola Karakolev (MKD)
Fourth Official: Padraigh Sutton (IRL)

Poland – Netherlands
Referee: Miroslav Zelinka (CZE)
Assistant Referee 1: Ondřej Pelikán (CZE)
Assistant Referee 2: Jan Paták (CZE)
Fourth Official: Daniel Stefański (POL)

Russia – Czech Republic
Referee: Robert Schörgenhofer (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Matthias Winsauer (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Roland Brandner (AUT)
Fourth Official: Manuel Schüttengruber (AUT)

Spain – South Korea
Referee: Harald Lechner (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Staudinger (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Maximilian Kolbitsch (AUT)
Fourth Official: Alexander Harkam (AUT)

Gabon – Mauritania
Referee: Carlos Clos Gómez (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Martinez Munuera (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Javier Aguilar Rodriguez (ESP)
Fourth Official: Miguel Martinez Munuera (ESP)

Kosovo – Faroe Islands
Referee: Alexandre Boucaut (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Frédéric Godelaine (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Nicolas Ponsar (BEL)
Fourth Official: Erik Lambrechts (BEL)

France – Scotland
Referee: Sébastien Delferière (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Yves De Neve (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Monteny (BEL)
Fourth Official: Nicolas Laforge (BEL)

Norway – Iceland
Referee: Kevin Clancy (SCO)
Assistant Referee 1: Alan Mulvanny (SCO)
Assistant Referee 2: Stuart Stevenson (SCO)

England – Portugal
Referee: Marco Guida (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Alessandro Costanzo (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Matteo Passeri (ITA)
Fourth Official: Davide Massa (ITA)

Macedonia – Iran
Referee: Neil Doyle (IRL)
Assistant Referee: Robert Clarke (IRL)
Assistant Referee: Mark Gavin (IRL)
Fourth Official: Dimitar Meckarovski (MKD)

Switzerland – Moldova
Referee: Alejandro Hernández Hernández (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Pau Cebrián Devís (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Martínez Munuera (ESP)

Austria – Netherlands
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Barbero Sevilla (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Teodoro Sobrino Magán (ESP)
Fourth Official: Carlos Clos Gómez (ESP)

Belgium – Norway
Referee: Tobias Stieler (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Rafael Foltyn (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Jan Seidel (GER)
Fourth Official: Daniel Siebert (GER)

Russia – Serbia
Referee: Ruddy Buquet (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Guillaume Debart (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Laurent Stien (FRA)
Fourth Official: Eric Danizan (FRA)

Slovenia – Turkey
Referee: Marco Guida (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Alessandro Giallatini (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Lorenzo Manganelli (ITA) 

Italy – Finland
Referee: Bas Nijhuis (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Rob van de Ven (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Charles Schaap (NED)
Fourth Official: Davide Massa (ITA)

Iceland – Liechtenstein
Referee: Marcin Borski (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Rafał Rostkowski (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Krzysztof Myrmus (POL)

Poland – Lithuania
Referee: Filip Glova (SVK)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomas Vorel (Slovakia)
Assistant Referee 2: Michal Tomcík (SVK)
Fourth Official: Boris Marhefka (SVK)

Canada – Uzbekistan
Referee: Manuel Schüttengruber (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Kühr (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Roland Riedel (AUT)
Fourth Official: Oliver Drachta (AUT)

Spain – Georgia
Referee: Vilhjalmur Thorarinsson (ISL)
Assistant Referee 1: Gylfi Sigurdsson (ISL)
Assistant Referee 2: Gunnar Gunnarsson (ISL)
Fourth Official: Juan Martinez Munuera (ESP)

Portugal – Estonia
Referee: Bart Vertenten (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jimmy Cremers (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Karel Rocker (BEL) 
Fourth Official: João Capela (POR)

Belgium – Finland
Referee: Hugo Miguel (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Ricardo Ferreira (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Nuno Pereira (POR)
Fourth Official: Fábio Veríssimo (POR)

Slovakia – Northern Ireland
Referee: Radu Petrescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Artene (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Mircea Grigoriu (ROU)

Switzerland – Belgium
Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Alessandro Costanzo (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Filippo Meli (ITA)
Fourth Official: Sascha Amhof (SUI)

Serbia – Israel
Referee: Sebastian Colțescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Radu Ghinguleac (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Alexandru Cerei (ROU)

Luxembourg – Nigeria
Referee: Martin Atkinson (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Mullarkey (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Stephen Child (ENG)
Fourth Official: Laurent Kopriwa (LUX)

Estonia – Andorra
Referee: Sergėjus Slyva (LTU)
Assistant Referee 1: Vytautas Šimkus (LTU)
Assistant Referee 2: Ingrida Siliūnienė (LTU)
Fourth Official: Gediminas Mažeika (LTU)

Estonia – Latvia
Referee: Gediminas Mažeika (LTU)
Assistant Referee 1: Vytautas Šimkus (LTU)
Assistant Referee 2: Ingrida Siliūnienė (LTU)
Fourth Official: Sergėjus Slyva (LTU)

Romania – Ukraine
Referee: Davide Massa (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Riccardo Di Fiore (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Matteo Passeri (ITA)
Fourth Official: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)

Spain – Bosnia and Herzegovina
Referee: Stephan Klossner (SUI)
Assistant Referee 1: Remy Zgraggen (SUI)
Assistant Referee 2: Jean-Yves Wicht (SUI)
Fourth Official: Sandro Schärer (SUI)

Portugal – Norway
Referee: Padraig Sutton (IRL)
Assistant Referee 1: Dermot Broughton (IRL)
Assistant Referee 2: Allen Lynch (IRL)
Fourth Official: Carlos Xistra (POR)

Germany – Hungary
Referee: Martin Strombergsson (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel Gustavsson (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Per Brogevik (SWE) 
Fourth Official: Glenn Nyberg (SWE)

Albania – Ukraine
Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Fabiano Preti (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Filippo Meli (ITA)
Fourth Official: Andrea Gervasoni (ITA)

Sweden – Wales
Referee: Tobias Welz (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Thorsten Schiffner (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Holger Henschel (GER)
Fourth Official: Christian Dingert (GER)

Romania – Georgia
Referee: Artur Soares Dias (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Rui Barbosa (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Paulo Soares (POR)
Fourth Official: Istvan Kovacs (ROU)

Azerbaijan – Canada
Referee: Sascha Amhof (SUI)
Assistant Referee 1: Stéphane Almeida (SUI)
Assistant Referee 2: Vital Jobin (SUI)
Fourth Official: Adrien Jaccottet (SUI)

Japan – Bulgaria
Referee: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Konrad Sapela (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Michał Obukowicz (POL)
Fourth Official: Yudai Yamamoto (JPN)

Bosnia and Herzegovina – Denmark
Referee: Benjamin Williams (AUS)
Assistant Referee 1: David Walsh (AUS)
Assistant Referee 2: George Lakrindis (AUS)
Fourth Official: Jarred Gillett (AUS)

UEFA U-17 Euro Final 2016: Ardeleanu (CZE)

Petr Ardeleanu has been selected to referee the UEFA European U-17 Championship final on Saturday, saying: "I had goosebumps when told because it was a surprise." A little over two weeks after overseeing the opening fixture of the 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, Petr Ardeleanu will return to Baku's 8km Stadium on Saturday to referee the final between Portugal and Spain. The 35-year-old from Tachov – a town in the west of the Czech Republic close to the German border – will lead a team featuring assistant referees Balázs Buzás (Hungary) and Ceyhun Sesigüzel (Turkey), and fourth official Gunnar Jarl Jónsson (Iceland). Ardeleanu has been the man in the middle for three games in Azerbaijan, including the matchday one meeting of Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He describes his first final tournament as "amazing". "It's a good experience for all of the referees," he told UEFA.com. "[Being chosen for] the final is unbelievable; I had goosebumps when told because it was a surprise. There are good referees here, good guys, so I've been really lucky. It can happen only once in a lifetime." The title decider will be Ardeleanu's 21st UEFA assignment of what has been his busiest campaign since joining the international list in January 2013. It is a season that started with a UEFA Europa League qualifier in Belfast on 2 July and one that will culminate in a trip to France for UEFA Euro 2016, where he will be an additional assistant referee under the Czech Republic's premier official, Pavel Královec. Ardeleanu acknowledges that emulating his compatriot will, if at all, be a gradual process. "Every referee wants to reach the top, but it's a case of taking things step by step and it may happen eventually," he said. "You must do a good job and have a little bit of luck." Ardeleanu and his colleagues have been convening with the tournament's referee observers and UEFA Referee Coordinator Nikolai Levnikov after every match. Fourth official at the weekend for the last-eight tie involving Germany and Belgium, Ardeleanu most recently handled Spain's decisive Group D contest with Italy, while in October he was in charge of two of La Roja's qualifying round matches in Riga. Such familiarity with one of the finalists can only help. "You know who their important players are, the leaders, and you can communicate with them," explained Ardeleanu, a regular presence in the Czech top flight. "Some of the players recognise you and are aware of what to expect from you, and vice-versa. I have also watched two of Portugal's games and seen clips from some of their other matches". (Source: UEFA)

21 May 2016
Portugal – Spain
Referee: Petr Ardeleanu (CZE, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Balazs Buzas (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Ceyhun Sesigüzel (TUR)
Fourth Official: Gunnar Jonsson (ISL)
Referee Observer: Nikolai Levnikov (RUS)

Osses retires early to become chairman of Chilean referees

If anyone was wondering why Enrique Osses, one of the best referees in South America, was not appointed to either Copa America Centenario or the Olympic Football Tournament, here is the answer. He retired early from active refereeing to become the new chairman of the Chilean Referees Committee. Osses, 42, refereed at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and was pre-selected by FIFA for the next World Cup in Russia.

Strong personality, distant with players and coaches, he managed to stand out. 2012 was the year that marked his career. He was chosen by CONMEBOL as the best referee of South America and was appointed to both continental finals: Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. Before, he had refereed at the South American U-20 Championships 2007 and 2009. At national teams’ level, the highlight of his career was being selected to officiate at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Osses refereed two matches: Japan - Ivory Coast in Group C and Costa Rica - Italy in group D. In addition, he was fourth official at the match Iran - Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, his most important match was the semi-final of the Confederations Cup 2013 between Brazil and Uruguay (2-1).

In 2005, Osses sent off 21 players in 16 league games. During a 2005 match that faced San Felipe against Union Espanola, the latter's goalkeeper Ignacio Gonzalez received his second yellow card and consequently a red card. Upset by this, Gonzalez brought Osses to the ground after hitting him in the face. Afterwards, the player was held in police custody for two hours. He was banned for 22 matches, which he did not serve because he left the team, to play in Argentina. Two years later, he had to suspend the derby between Universidad de Chile and Colo Colo after 67 minutes due to major incidents. The following year, a match between Colo Colo and UC ended with four UC players sent-off. Colo Colo won 3-1 and Fernando Carvallo, the UC coach, demanded sanctions for Osses. At the end of the Apertura 2011, he refereed again the UC players, but his most controversial situation occurred in the following year, between U and O'Higgins, when Osses awarded a penalty kick against Guillermo Marino. After that match, Osses was declared persona non grata in Rancagua and, even today, is being accused by rival fans that he favoured the university team. In 2013, Nacional of Uruguay and Barcelona of Ecuador met for the Copa Libertadores. Osses did not send off Uruguayan Alejandro Lembo, who had been booked twice. He only did it four minutes later, when he was warned by his assistant. Finally, in the 2015 Copa America, he achieved notoriety by sending off Brazilian Neymar and Colombian Bacca. The star of Barcelona received a four-game suspension and did not play again in the tournament.

Enrique Osses replaced Pablo Pozo, another former World Cup (2010) referee, who led the Referees Committee in Chile for the last 4 years. “I am happy to have been chairing the commission for so long. It was a very friendly way out. They chose a trustworthy person. I have a friendship with Enrique (Osses) and I had already talked to him. I can only wish him the best of luck”, said Pozo. Osses will decide whether he will continue with Patricio Basualto and Guido Aros or nominates other contributors.

Source: La Tercera

Copa Libertadores – Quarter-finals (Second Leg)

18 May 2016
Atletico Mineiro – Sao Paulo
Referee: Andres Cunha (URU, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Pastorino (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Horacio Ferreiro (URU)
Fourth Official: Oscar Rojas (URU)
Referee Observer: Juliano Lobato (BRA)

19 May 2016
Boca Juniors – Nacional
Referee: Heber Lopes (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Guilherme Dias (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Pires (BRA)
Fourth Official: Leandro Vuaden (BRA)
Referee Observer: Miguel Scime (ARG)

Atletico Nacional – Rosario Central
Referee: Daniel Fedorczuk (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Taran (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Nievas (URU)
Fourth Official: Esteban Ostojich (URU)
Referee Observer: Dember Perdomo (COL)

24 May 2016
Pumas Unam – Independiente del Valle
Referee: Victor Carrillo (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Braulio Cornejo (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Victor Raez (PER)
Fourth Official: Henry Gambetta (PER)
Referee Observer: Gilberto Alcala (MEX)

UEFA U-17 Euro 2016 – Semi-finals

18 May 2016 

Germany – Spain

Referee: Bartosz Frankowski (POL, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Georgi Todorov (BUL)
Assistant Referee 2: Ceyhun Sesiguzel (TUR)
Fourth Official: Ville Nevalainen (FIN)
Referee Observer: Vladimir Antonov (MDA)

Portugal – Netherlands
Referee: Peter Kralović (SVK)
Assistant Referee 1: Balázs Buzás (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Lazaros Dimitriadis (GRE)
Fourth Official: Gunnar Jónsson (ISL)
Referee Observer: Asim Khudiyev (AZE)

OFC Nations Cup 2016

Papua New Guinea, 28 May - 11 June 2016

Referees
1. Ravitesh Behari (FIJ)
2. Mederic Lacour (NCL)
3. Matthew Conger (NZL, photo)
4. Nicholas Waldron (NZL)
5. Anio Amos (PNG)
6. George Time (SOL)
7. Norbert Hauata (TAH)
8. Abdelkader Zitouni (TAH)
9. Robinson Banga (VAN)
10. Joel Hopken (VAN)

Assistant Referees
1. Ravinesh Kumar (FIJ)
2. Avinesh Narayan (FIJ)
3. Bertrand Brial (NCL)
4. Mark Rule (NZL)
5. Norman Sali (PNG)
6. Noah Kusunan (PNG)
7. Johnny Niabo (SOL)
8. Folio Moeaki (TGA)
9. John Pareanga (COK)
10. Phillippe Revel (TAH)
11. Hilmon Sese (VAN)
12. Tevita Makasini (TGA)

UEFA U-19 Euro 2016

Germany, 11-24 July 2016

Referees
1. Aliyar Aghayev (AZE, 1987)
2. Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez (ESP, 1982)
3. Radu Petrescu (ROU, 1982, photo)
4. Roi Reinshreiber (ISR, 1980)
5. Bart Vertenten (BEL, 1988)
6. Anatolii Zhabchenko (UKR, 1979)

Assistant Referees
1. Ridiger Cokaj (ALB, 1984)
2. Igor Demeshko (RUS, 1978)
3. Milutin Djukic (MNE, 1979)
4. Vladimir Gerasimov (LTU, 1987)
5. Geir Oskar Isaksen (NOR, 1988)
6. Douglas Ross (SCO, 1983)
7. Birkir Sigurdarsson (ISL, 1985)
8. Manuel Vidali (SVN, 1981)

Fourth Officials
1. Nikola Dabanovic (MNE, 1981)
2. Alan Sant (MLT, 1980)

Reserve Referee
1. Bojan Pandzic (SWE, 1982)

Reserve ARs
1. Sami Nykänen (FIN, 1984)
2. Samat Tergeussizov (KAZ, 1985)

Referee Observers
1. Kyros Vassaras (GRE)
2. Terje Hauge (NOR)
3. Matteo Trefoloni (ITA)
4. Emil Bozhinovski (MKD)

UEFA U-17 Euro 2016 – Quarter-finals

14 May 2016
Germany – Belgium
Referee: Gunnar Jonsson (ISL, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Balázs Buzás (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Lazaros Dimitriadis (GRE)
Fourth Official: Petr Ardeleanu (CZE)
Referee Observer: Nikolai Levnikov (RUS)

Portugal – Austria
Referee: Fran Jović (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Marios Dimitriadis (CYP)
Assistant Referee 2: Georgi Todorov (BUL)
Fourth Official: Peter Kralović (SVK)
Referee Observer: Vladimir Antonov (MDA)

15 May 2016
Spain – England
Referee: Svein-Erik Edvartsen (NOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Ceyhun Sesigüzel (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Levan Varamishvili (GEO)
Fourth Official: Mitja Žganec (SVN)
Referee Observer: Asim Khudiyev (AZE)

Sweden – Netherlands
Referee: Ville Nevalainen (FIN)
Assistant Referee 1: Emmet Dynan (IRL)
Assistant Referee 2: Edward Spiteri (MLT)
Fourth Official: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)
Referee Observer: Nikolai Levnikov (RUS)

Drunk referees banned by Czech FA

Two referees in the Czech football league have been banned indefinitely after one appeared to be drunk on the sideline and the other was seen urinating during a game. The verdict taken by the federation’s referee committee came a day after the behavior occurred during a match between Pribram and Slavia Prague, which was broadcast live. Fourth official Marek Pilny attracted attention from the start. He was stumbling along the sideline and at one point he fell over, prompting the TV commentator to say the referee provided better entertainment than the players. Pilny was escorted from the field at half-time. Referee Jiri Jech began urinating behind the goal during the game.

The FACR said fourth official Marek Pilny and additional assistant referee Jiri Jech would lose their licences and face disciplinary action. “Pilny was visibly drunk from the beginning of the game,” the association said in a statement. “He struggled for balance by the touchline, he fell, at times he ran with the linesman copying his movements. After 10 minutes he had to be guarded by a bodyguard, and at half-time Pilny left for the changing rooms and never came back,” the association said. It added that additional assistant Jech was “also under the influence of alcohol and allegedly even peed during the game”.

FA head Miroslav Pelta said the game’s referee and two assistants would be suspended until the end of the season because they failed to prevent the situation. He showed no mercy for the two match officials, whose staggering and tottering is depicted in videos posted online. “They were not tipsy, they were drunk. They do not exist for us anymore”, said Pelta.

A similar situation happened in 2008, when FIFA referee Sergei Shmolik, 43, has been suspended for allegedly being drunk while officiating a first division game in Belarus. It was thought at first that Shmolik was suffering from back pain. However, tests in hospital later revealed that he had high levels of alcohol in his system. That incident ended his career, only one year after Shmolik was voted the best referee in Belarus.

Source: BBC

Copa Libertadores – Quarter-finals (First Leg)

11 May 2016
Sao Paulo – Atletico Mineiro
Referee: Wilmar Roldan (COL, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Díaz (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Humberto Clavijo (COL)
Fourth Official: Luis Sánchez (COL)
Referee Observer: Nilson Moncao (BRA)

12 May 2016
Nacional – Boca Juniors
Referee: Enrique Caceres (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Milciades Saldivar (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Cañete (PAR)
Fourth Official: Ulises Mereles (PAR)
Referee Observer: Juan Cardellino (URU)

Rosario Central – Atlético Nacional
Referee: Sandro Ricci (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Kleber Gil (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Rodrigo Correa (BRA)
Fourth Official: Raphael Claus (BRA)
Referee Observer: Carlos Coradina (ARG)

17 May 2016
Independiente del Valle – Pumas Unam
Referee: Mauro Vigliano (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Ivan Nunez (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Navarro (ARG)
Fourth Official: Silvio Trucco (ARG)
Referee Observer: Bomer Fierro (ECU)

Velasco Carballo says goodbye: "Refereeing shaped my life”

Carlos Velasco Carballo will end today his career of 29 years in Spanish refereeing. His farewell will be in Mestalla, where he will be refereeing the match between Valencia and Real Sociedad, a game to enjoy his last 90 minutes of saying goodbye to La Liga. In June, he will make his international farewell at Euro 2016 in France, representing the Spanish refereeing. “I refereed all my life and will die refereeing”, said Velasco Carballo in an interview with Blog Brotons/Eurosport before his last domestic match.

- What remains after such a long and brilliant career?

- I will remember the good times and forget the bad ones. I will always have in my memory when it all started, on those fields in Ernesto Cotorruelo or Mine or Puerta Bonita. When we went to a Champions League match, our team was always joking: "from Garcia de la Mata to Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford from Puerta Bonita to Old Trafford". How interesting was the way we have come!

- You refereed 372 matches: 65 in Segunda B, 57 in Segunda Division and 250 in Primera Division.

- A lifetime. If I were to start again, with the experience I have, I would have not done or said many things. That illusion of the early years is lost with the passage of time; it is the adult experience that gives you security.

- Does it bother you that people will stick with things like: “He had Pique mania and sent him off twice” or “he sent off Betis 9 Betis players in 20 games”? 

- Who stays with that are not football fans; they do not know much about refereeing. I think that, after 29 years, my image is not like that; it is impossible. You can receive criticism to improve and I accept it, but if you are attacked by something you are sure it is not true, I do not worry about it. 

- A referee cannot fix his mistakes. 

- When that happens, you would like to step back in time; doubts help you grow. Awarding a penalty kick or a yellow card or a red card is the same as the arrow from the archer, no turning back. It happened to all of us who are able to recognize our mistakes. What matters is to clear that memory and be ready for the next challenge.

- What happened in the 2011-2012 season? You created a furor by issuing lots of cards, 16 red and 131 yellow?

- It had to do with the maturity of the referee, the more you know the players their behavior towards you is different. It is normal for referees to issue fewer cards as they evolve. Our job depends a lot on the matches we are assigned, with huge rivalry or more cards. As a coincidence, in the same season, I refereed the final of the Europa League and went to the Champions League final as fourth official. I also refereed at Euro 2012, in Ukraine and Poland. They were two very strong years in my refereeing career.

- Each referee has its own style; how did you control your matches?

- A referee goes from being just a referee to becoming a “director of the game” when you have control of the game. It is like taming a horse, you have to know when to let go of the reins and when to hold. Refereeing much more than knowing the rules. 

- Have you been informed about your errors at half-time? 

- It is something I have banned on my team. When we got to the field I said "turn your mobile off or silent". It does did not bring anything good to know if I am right or wrong. If, after 29 years, I have to wait for the half-time to see if I was right or not to award a penalty, I learned nothing in my career. 

- Why football flees from technology? 

- I am an industrial engineer, I worked 20 years, my specialty is industrial electronics and therefore I am a technological professional. My house is full with tools that help me to study and analyze. The referees go on the field with a lot of technology: chest heart rate monitor, stopwatch with GPS, a bracelet with a hip flask to communicate, another bracelet that informs me of the messages from the assistants. I go home and analyze the matches with specific programs. Now also it has introduced goal-line technology line. We do not run away from it. 

- What is the obstacle to apply the “instant replay” in football? 

- Unlike other sports, football is based on continuity, not to stop. We must take extreme care not to change the essence of sport; that is my opinion. 

- Why the referees have the absolute truth, don't you think that is excessive? 

- I do not think so. Anyone can complain to the competition committee, the appeals committee or to CAS. Somehow, justice must establish a base and the judge has accuracy for legal purposes, if we do not start from that basis, we would be lost. The judge is given a faith that really what he is saying is the truth. Sometimes, the courts remove cards issued in sports. 

- Is it easy to spot a cheating player? 

- I do not like the word cheat because it is offensive. In football, everyone wants to get the most performance and there are players who simulate being fouled. The expression "has deceived the referee" must be changed, the referee is not the one being deceived, but the opposing team, because the injured is the opposing team; the player deceives a co-worker. 

- You are human like everyone else and you cannot go wrong. 

- But anyone doubts that a referee will put on the record something that is not true. 

- Does anyone doubt that a referee can be sold? 

- I work really hard to understand. In Spain we are lucky; very few people in the football world believe that a referee can be sold. 

- Is honesty the main virtue of a referee? 

- Certainly. Our lapidary sentence is "I called what I saw". When a referee blows the whistle, he sees the players detect it and they see in your eyes that honesty, they see it and know that you blow what you see.

- There is a part of your life that was stolen from your family.

- I am aware that I have stolen time from my children many times and I can never repay it. 6 or 7 years ago I determined to leave my career as an engineer to devote 100% to refereeing and have some time for my family. These moments when I am with them are of higher quality and I know they are proud of their father.

- The true love of your life has been refereeing?

- What I have been in my life is referee. I have been an engineer for many years, I am a father, I have been a husband, I have been many things, but certainly what I have been most is a referee. My life without refereeing would be pointless, it has forged my personality. I refereed all my life and will die refereeing. 

- You could not referee a Champions League final due to Spanish teams. Will you regret being Spanish? 

- I am very proud to be Spanish and very happy with the success of the Spanish teams. I have met with the triumphs of Spanish football and I enjoyed it. 

- Have someone tried to influence your decisions ever? 

- It has never happened to me. It is a very serious issue and we need to protect ourselves. In Spain it has not been any known case in recent years. I put my hand in the fire for my colleagues and me, no doubt. 

- When you put your referee uniform in the attic what will be written on the lid of the box? 

- "There is a lot of work and a lot of happiness". Refereeing has made me happy and I must say that I have worked a lot because I am extremely competitive. If, for example, UEFA would ask us to learn French and Chinese, besides English, which is our common language of communication, to go to Euro, I would start learning two new languages. I am a competitive animal. 

Source: Brotons/Eurosport

UEFA U-17 Euro 2016 – Group Stage (Matches 17-24)

11 May 2016
Germany – Austria
Referee: Mitja Žganec (SVN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Ceyhun Sesigüzel (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Alain Heiniger (SUI)
Fourth official: Aliyar Aghayev (AZE)
Referee Observer: Nikolai Levnikov (RUS)

Scotland – Azerbaijan
Referee: Svein-Erik Edvartsen (NOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Marios Dimitriadis (CYP)
Assistant Referee 2: Georgi Todorov (BUL)
Fourth official: Sergejus Slyva (LTU)
Referee Observer: Marc Batta (FRA)

Portugal – Belgium
Referee: Ville Nevalainen (FIN)
Assistant Referee 1: Neeme Neemlaid (EST)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Christiansen (FRO)
Fourth official: Orkhan Mammadov (AZE)
Referee Observer: Vladimir Antonov (MDA)

Bosnia and Herzegovina – Ukraine
Referee: Fran Jović (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Emmet Dynan (IRL)
Assistant Referee 2: Edward Spiteri (MLT)
Fourth official: Alain Durieux (LUX)
Referee Observer: Asim Khudiyev (AZE)

12 May 2016
Spain – Italy
Referee: Petr Ardeleanu (CZE)
Assistant Referee 1: Levan Varamishvili (GEO)
Assistant Referee 2: Vasili Ermischin (MDA)
Fourth official: Alain Durieux (LUX)
Referee Observer: Asim Khudiyev (AZE)

Serbia – Netherlands
Referee: Gunnar Jónsson (ISL)
Assistant Referee 1: Alain Heiniger (SUI)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Christiansen (FRO)
Fourth official: Orkhan Mammadov (AZE)
Referee Observer: Vladimir Antonov (MDA)

Sweden – France
Referee: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Balázs Buzás (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Lazaros Dimitriadis (GRE)
Fourth official: Sergejus Slyva (LTU)
Referee Observer: Nikolai Levnikov (RUS)

Denmark – England
Referee: Peter Kralović (SVK)
Assistant Referee 1: Edward Spiteri (MLT)
Assistant Referee 2: Emmet Dynan (IRL)
Fourth official: Aliyar Aghayev (AZE)
Referee Observer: Marc Batta (FRA)

UEFA Champions League Final 2016: Clattenburg (ENG)

The UEFA Referees Committee has announced that English official Mark Clattenburg will referee the 2016 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid in Milan on 28 May. Clattenburg, 41, has been an international referee since 2007. The former electrician officiated the 2012 English League Cup decider and, later that year, the final of the 2012 Olympics men's football competition. Clattenburg was an additional assistant at UEFA Euro 2012 and has been selected as one of 18 referees for UEFA Euro 2016. Having overseen the 2014 UEFA Super Cup, this season he has taken charge of two UEFA Europa League matches and six in the UEFA Champions League, including the semi-final first leg between Atlético Madrid and Bayern München in Spain that the home side won 1-0.

Milan, 28 May 2016
Real Madrid – Atletico Madrid
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (ENG, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Simon Beck (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Jake Collin (ENG)
Additional AR 1: Anthony Taylor (ENG)
Additional AR 2: Andre Marriner (ENG)
Fourth Official: Viktor Kassai (HUN)
Reserve AR: Stuart Burt (ENG)
Referee Observer: Pierluigi Collina (ITA)

UEFA Europa League Final 2016: Eriksson (SWE)

The UEFA Referees Committee has announced that Swedish official Jonas Eriksson will referee the 2016 UEFA Europa League final between Liverpool and Sevilla. Eriksson, 42, has been an international referee since 2002. He officiated the 2013 UEFA Super Cup between Chelsea and Bayern München, and was in Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Last year he was fourth official for the UEFA Champions League final in Berlin, where Barcelona defeated Juventus. This season Eriksson has officiated one game in the UEFA Europa League and five more in the UEFA Champions League, including the round of 16 second leg between Bayern and Juventus that ended 4-2 after extra time. Following the UEFA Europa League final in Basel on 18 May, Eriksson's next big date is UEFA Euro 2016, where he is one of the 18 referees.

Basel, 18 May 2016
FC Liverpool – Sevilla FC
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (SWE, photo)
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: Svein Oddvar Moen (NOR)
Reserve AR: Mehmet Culum (SWE)
Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas (SCO)

UEFA Women’s Champions League Final 2016: Kulcsar (HUN)

The UEFA Referees Committee has announced that Hungarian official Katalin Kulcsár will referee the 2016 UEFA Women's Champions League final between Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais. The 31-year-old has been an international referee since 2005. This season she has officiated three UEFA Women's Champions League matches, including the goalless quarter-final first leg between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in Spain.

Reggio Emilia, 26 May 2016

VfL Wolfsburg – Olympique Lyon
Referee: Katalin Kulcsar (HUN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Judit Kulcsar (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Hima (HUN)
Fourth Official: Gyöngyi Gaal (HUN)
Reserve AR: Lucia Abruzzese (ITA)
Referee Observer: Bo Karlsson (SWE)

Assistant Referee seminar for FIFA World Cup 2018 (CONCACAF and CONMEBOL)

The first FIFA seminar for assistant referees pre-selected for the 2018 FIFA World Cup takes place in Asuncion (Paraguay), from 9-13 May 2016. As opposed to the joint seminars for referees, the assistant referee seminars will be separate for men and women prospective match officials. 

CONCACAF

Assistant Referees (FWC 2018)
1. Juan Zumba (SLV, 1982, photo)
2. William Torres (SLV, 1975)
3. Jose Camargo (MEX, 1972)
4. Alberto Morin (MEX, 1980)
5. Charles Morgante (USA, 1974)
6. Joe Fletcher (CAN, 1976)
7. Leonel Leal (CRC, 1976)
8. Gerson Lopez (GUA, 1983)
9. Octavio Jara (CRC, 1981)
10. Juan Mora (CRC, 1989)
11. Daniel Williamson (PAN, 1977)
12. Gabriel Victoria (PAN, 1973)
13. Marvin Torrentera (MEX, 1971)
14. Miguel Hernandez (MEX, 1977)

CONMEBOL

Assistant Referees (FWC 2018)
1. Luis Murillo (VEN, 1976)
2. Carlos Lopez (VEN, 1982)
3. Eduardo Cardozo (PAR, 1982)
4. Juan Zorrilla (PAR, 1975)
5. Nicolas Taran (URU, 1980)
6. Mauricio Espinosa (URU, 1972)
7. Jonny Bossio (PER, 1975)
8. Raul Lopez (PER, 1977)
9. Carlos Astroza (CHI, 1976)
10. Christian Schiemann (CHI, 1977)
11. Hernan Maidana (ARG, 1972)
12. Juan Belatti (ARG, 1979)
13. Emerson De Carvalho (BRA, 1972)
14. Marcelo Van Gasse (BRA, 1976)
15. Alexander Guzman (COL, 1985)
16. Cristian De La Cruz (COL, 1978)
17. Juan Montano (BOL, 1988)
18. Javier Bustillos (BOL, 1976)
19. Christian Lescano (ECU, 1983)
20. Byron Romero (ECU, 1980)

The course for AFC, CAF and OFC assistant referees will take place on 23-27 May 2016 in Agadir (Morocco). The UEFA course is scheduled for September and the participants will be announced later.

CONCACAF Futsal Championship 2016

Costa Rica, 8-14 May 2016

Referees
1. Einer Arce (CRC)
2. Victor Prendas (CRC)
3. Ronny Castro (CRC)
4. Yeraldin Araya (CRC)
5. Sergio Cabrera (CUB)
6. Roberto Sanchez (CUB)
7. Jorge Flores (SLV)
8. Jose Barrera (SLV)
9. Carlos Gonzalez (GUA)
10. Leroy Brown (GUA)
11. Carlos De La Cruz (GUA)
12. Francisco Rivera (MEX)
13. Wenceslaos Aguilar (PAN)
14. Luis Aguilar (PAN)
15. Ladislao Estribi (PAN)
16. Julio Guevara (PAN)
17. Shane Butler (USA)
18. Lance Van Haitsma (USA)

Referee Assessors
1. Elix Peralta (PAN)
2. Edward Marco (USA)
3. Levi Allen (CAY)
4. Victorino Rodriguez (SLV)

Technical Instructor
Carlos Del Cid (GUA)

Fitness Instructor
Rodrigo Castro (CRC)

UEFA U-17 Euro 2016 – Group Stage (Matches 9-16)

8 May 2016
Ukraine – Austria
Referee: Svein-Erik Edvartsen (NOR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Lazaros Dimitriadis (GRE)
Assistant Referee 2: Levan Varamishvili (GEO)
Fourth Official: Orkhan Mammadov (AZE)
Referee Observer: Vladimir Antonov (MDA)

Portugal – Scotland
Referee: Gunnar Jónsson (ISL)
Assistant Referee 1: Ceyhun Sesigüzel (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Alain Heiniger (SUI)
Fourth Official: Aliyar Aghayev (AZE)
Referee Observer: Marc Batta (FRA)

Azerbaijan – Belgium
Referee: Petr Ardeleanu (CZE)
Assistant Referee 1: Emmet Dynan (IRL)
Assistant Referee 2: Edward Spiteri (MLT)
Fourth Official: Alain Durieux (LUX)
Referee Observer: Nikolai Levnikov (RUS)

Germany – Bosnia and Herzegovina
Referee: Peter Kralović (SVK)
Assistant Referee 1: Vasili Ermischin (MDA)
Assistant Referee 2: Balázs Buzás (HUN)
Fourth Official: Sergejus Slyva (LTU)
Referee Observer: Asim Khudiyev (AZE)

9 May 2016
Denmark – Sweden
Referee: Mitja Žganec (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Vasili Ermischin (MDA)
Assistant Referee 2: Marios Dimitriadis (CYP)
Fourth Official: Aliyar Aghayev (AZE)
Referee Observer: Vladimir Antonov (MDA)

Italy – Netherlands
Referee: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Lazaros Dimitriadis (GRE)
Assistant Referee 2: Balázs Buzás (HUN)
Fourth Official: Sergejus Slyva (LTU)
Referee Observer: Asim Khudiyev (AZE)

Serbia – Spain
Referee: Ville Nevalainen (FIN)
Assistant Referee 1: Neeme Neemlaid (EST)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Christiansen (FRO)
Fourth Official: Orkhan Mammadov (AZE)
Referee Observer: Marc Batta (FRA)

France – England
Referee: Fran Jović (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Georgi Todorov (BUL)
Assistant Referee 2: Levan Varamishvili (GEO)
Fourth Official: Alain Durieux (LUX)
Referee Observer: Nikolai Levnikov (RUS)

FIFA: More knowledge, less mistakes

“Their team spends as much time as possible in the final third of the pitch. They take their time with the ball on their feet… Pay attention here: how they play with two very quick wingers ready to start a counter-attack, even when they don’t have the ball.” When you listen to the lecture, it is easy to guess that this is a football coach giving instructions about the opponent to a team. However, a deep understanding of the game has become more and more of a pivotal part of the preparation for other protagonists in elite football: the referees. 

An exhaustive study of the tactical and technical characteristics of modern football is one of the key elements of the seminars for pre-selected referees for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019. Jean-Paul Brigger, the head of FIFA’s technical division, attends each of these continental gatherings and is constantly ready to pinpoint tendencies and provide analytical data to help the referees understand the game better, predict actions and eventually improve their positioning and decision-making. “Understanding the game has always been important for the referees, of course, but when the game has become so fast, and with a huger variety of tactics, it has become truly paramount in elite football,” explains Brigger following the seminar for CONCACAF and CONMEBOL referees, which took place in Miami between 25 and 29 April. “If you know a team is constantly pressing the opponent’s defenders when they have the ball, for example, this has a direct impact on your positioning as a referee. Because you know there’s a higher possibility of a decision needing to be made, you better stay closer to the ball. It’s the kind of knowledge that pays off very clearly.” Ever since he took helm of FIFA’s Refereeing Department in 2011, Massimo Busacca has been working relentlessly to reach consistency and uniformity across the board. As FIFA takes the unprecedented step of carrying out joint preparation for both men and women on the way to the World Cups, the former Swiss international referee sees the technical understanding of the game as another weapon to minimise the amount of mistakes as much as it’s humanly possible. “I’m looking to incorporate every element that may reduce the number of mistakes,” says Busacca. “The knowledge of the game of football and of the teams that play the match can be a weapon for that. The mistakes will always be there, but we try to constantly set the bar higher. A referee that in ten important decisions makes one mistake can be a top referee. If he or she commits two or three mistakes, then they can no longer be considered a top referee.” 

The sessions conducted by Brigger have been received with an enormous degree of interest from the prospective World Cup referees, even more so when the analysis involved the women’s game, which has been going through such visible and fast-paced evolution. “Receiving technical training allows us to understand why players do certain things, to be able to recognise tendencies in the games and to adapt accordingly,” said Canadian Carol Anne Chenard following the seminar in Miami. “Having feedback from the technical department has also identified to the referees the evolution of player and team tactics. This allows us to properly prepare ourselves to deal with what we will see on the field of play.” Fresh from taking part in Brazil 2014, where he became the first American referee to officiate in the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup, Mark Geiger was also pleased to see the emphasis given on technical studies in Miami. “Proper positioning and having the correct angle is crucial in evaluating situations during a game, because without it a referee cannot make a correct decision,” he explained, while summing up the ultimate – and by no means easy - goal of being able to anticipate actions. “Knowing how the teams play will help the referee determine where the next phase of play will be and what will happen next”.

Source: FIFA

Copa America Centenario

USA, 3-26 June 2016

CONMEBOL (10) 

Referee: Patricio Loustau (ARG, photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Ezequiel Brailovsky (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Ariel Scime (ARG)

Referee: Gery Vargas (BOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Javier Bustillos (BOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Montano (BOL)

Referee: Heber Lopes (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Kleber Gil (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia (BRA)

Referee: Julio Bascunan (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Astroza (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Schiemann (CHI)

Referee: Wilmar Roldan (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Guzman (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Wilmar Navarro (COL)

Referee: Roddy Zambrano (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Luis Vera (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Macias (ECU)

Referee: Enrique Caceres (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardoso (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Milciades Saldivar (PAR)

Referee: Victor Carrillo (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Yupanqui (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Coty Carrera (PER)

Referee: Andres Cunha (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Taran (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Richard Trinidad (URU)

Referee: Jose Argote (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Luis Murillo (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Luis Sanchez (VEN)

CONCACAF (7)

Referee: Ricardo Montero (CRC)
Assistant Referee 1: Octavio Jara (CRC)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Mora (CRC)

Referee: Yadel Martinez (CUB)
Assistant Referee 1: Hiran Dopico (CUB)
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Ramirez (HON)

Referee: Joel Aguilar (SLV)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Zumba (SLV)
Assistant Referee 2: William Torres (SLV)

Referee: Roberto Garcia (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Camargo (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Morin (MEX)

Referee: John Pitti (PAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel Williamson (PAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Victoria (PAN)

Referee: Mark Geiger (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Charles Morgante (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Joe Fletcher (CAN)

Referee: Jair Marrufo (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Peter Manikowski (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Corey Rockwell (USA)

Reserve Referees
1. Wilton Sampaio (BRA)
2. Wilson Lamouroux (COL)
3. Daniel Fedorczuk (URU)
4. Armando Villarreal (USA)

Reserve Assistant Referees
1. Gustavo Rossi (ARG)
2. Dario Gaona (PAR)
3. Alexander Leon (COL)
4. Corey Parker (USA)

UEFA U-17 Euro 2016 – Group Stage (Matches 1-8)

5 May 2016
Azerbaijan – Portugal
Referee: Bartosz Frankowski (POL, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Balázs Buzás (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Vasili Ermischin (MDA)
Fourth Official: Sergejus Slyva (LTU)
Referee Observer: Marc Batta (FRA)

Austria – Bosnia and Herzegovina
Referee: Petr Ardeleanu (CZE)
Assistant Referee 1: Georgi Todorov (BUL)
Assistant Referee 2: Marios Dimitriadis (CYP)
Fourth Official: Alain Durieux (LUX)
Referee Observer: Vladimir Antonov (MDA)

Ukraine – Germany
Referee: Gunnar Jónsson (ISL)
Assistant Referee 1: Neeme Neemlaid (EST)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Christiansen (FRO)
Fourth Official: Aliyar Aghayev (AZE)
Referee Observer: Asim Khudiyev (AZE)

Belgium – Scotland
Referee: Peter Kralović (SVK)
Assistant Referee 1: Levan Varamishvili (GEO)
Assistant Referee 2: Lazaros Dimitriadis (GRE)
Fourth Official: Orkhan Mammadov (AZE)
Referee Observer: Nikolai Levnikov (RUS)

6 May 2016
Italy – Serbia
Referee: Mitja Žganec (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Edward Spiteri (MLT)
Assistant Referee 2: Emmet Dynan (IRL)
Fourth Official: Alain Durieux (LUX)
Referee Observer: Marc Batta (FRA)

Netherlands – Spain
Referee: Fran Jović (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Marios Dimitriadis (CYP)
Assistant Referee 2: Georgi Todorov (BUL)
Fourth Official: Aliyar Aghayev (AZE)
Referee Observer: Vladimir Antonov (MDA)

France – Denmark
Referee: Ville Nevalainen (FIN)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Christiansen (FRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Neeme Neemlaid (EST)
Fourth Official: Sergejus Slyva (LTU)
Referee Observer: Asim Khudiyev (AZE)

England – Sweden
Referee: Svein-Erik Edvartsen (NOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Alain Heiniger (SUI)
Assistant Referee 2: Ceyhun Sesigüzel (TUR)
Fourth Official: Orkhan Mammadov (AZE)
Referee Observer: Nikolai Levnikov (RUS)

UEFA Europa League – Semi-finals (Second Leg)

5 May 2016

Liverpool – Villarreal
Referee: Viktor Kassai (HUN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: György Ring (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Vencel Tóth (HUN)
Additional AR 1: Tamás Bognar (HUN)
Additional AR 2: Ádám Farkas (HUN)
Fourth Official: Peter Berettyán (HUN)
Referee Observer: Frank De Bleeckere (BEL)

Sevilla FC – Shakhtar Donetsk
Referee: Björn Kuipers (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Sander van Roekel (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Erwin Zeinstra (NED)
Additional AR 1: Pol van Boekel (NED)
Additional AR 2: Richard Liesveld (NED)
Fourth Official: Mario Diks (NED)
Referee Observer: Markus Nobs (SUI)

UEFA Women's U-17 Euro 2016

Belarus, 4-16 May 2016

Referees
1. Ana Soares Aguiar (POR, 1981, photo)
2. Eleni Andoniou (GRE, 1985)
3. Dimitrina Milkova (BUL, 1984)
4. Elvira Nurmustafina (KAZ, 1985)
5. Tess Olofsson (SWE, 1988)
6. Vera Opeykina (RUS, 1989)

Assistant Referees
1. Oleksandra Ardasheva (UKR 1987)
2. Émilie Aubry (SUI, 1990)
3. Jelena Jermolajeva (LVA, 1988)
4. Helena Malavašič (SVN, 1981)
5. Bianca Scheffers (NED, 1979)
6. Kinga Seniuk-Mikulska (POL, 1979)
7. Sibel Yamaç Tamkafa (TUR, 1981)
8. Kristina Yanushkevich (KAZ, 1988)

Fourth Officials
1. Volha Tsiareshka (BLR, 1989)
2. Iryna Turauskaya (BLR, 1982)

Referee Observers
1. Aleh Chykun (BLR)

Copa Libertadores – Round of 16 (Second Leg)

3 May 2016
Atlético Nacional – Huracán
Referee: Jose Argote (VEN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Luis Sanchez (VEN)
Fourth Official: Marlon Escalante (VEN)
Referee Observer: Otalvaro Polanco (COL)

Pumas Unam – Deportivo Tachira
Referee: Patricio Polic (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Francisco Mondria (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Raul Orellana (CHI)
Fourth Official: Claudio Puga (CHI)
Referee Observer: Edgardo Codesal (MEX)

4 May 2016
Toluca – São Paulo
Referee: Wilson Lamouroux (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Wilmar Navarro (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Alexander León (COL)
Fourth Official: Gustavo Murillo (COL)
Referee Observer: Gilberto Alcalá (MEX)

River Plate – Independiente Del Valle
Referee: Wilmar Roldan (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Diaz (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Dionisio Ruiz (COL)
Fourth Official: Luis Sanchez (COL)
Referee Observer: Miguel Scime (ARG)

Corinthians – Nacional
Referee: Néstor Pitana (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Bonfa (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Navarro (ARG)
Fourth Official: Jorge Baliño (ARG)
Referee Observer: Ednilson Corona (BRA)

Atlético Mineiro – Racing
Referee: Daniel Fedorczuk (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Mauricio Espinosa (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Richard Trinidad (URU)
Fourth Official: Leodan Gonzalez (URU)
Referee Observer: Juliano Lobato (BRA)

5 May 2016
Rosario Central – Gremio
Referee: Enrique Caceres (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Caceres (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Dario Gaona (PAR)
Fourth Official: Mario Diaz De Vivar (PAR)
Referee Observer: Luis Pasturenzi (ARG)

Boca Juniors – Cerro Porteño
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Kleber Gil (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia (BRA)
Fourth Official: Anderson Daronco (BRA)
Referee Observer: Miguel Scime (ARG)