FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017 – Group Stage (Matches 13-16)

30 April 2017

Tahiti – Japan
Referee 1: Eduards Borisevics (LVA, photo)
Referee 2: Ago Kaertmann (EST)
Third Official: Sergio Gomes (POR)
Timekeeper: Jorge Martinez (PAR)

Paraguay – Portugal
Referee 1: Said Hachim (MAD)
Referee 2: Issam Bousbih (TUN)
Third Official: Yuichi Hatano (JPN)
Timekeeper: Liang Shao (CHN)

Poland – Brazil
Referee 1: Bakhtiyor Namazov (UZB)
Referee 2: Miguel Lopez (GUA)
Third Official: Hugo Pado (SOL)
Timekeeper: Ebrahim Al-Mansory (UAE)

Panama – UAE
Referee 1: Pablo Cadenasso (URU)
Referee 2: Lukasz Ostrowski (POL)
Third Official: Ivo Moraes (BRA)
Timekeeper: Jelili Ogunmuyiwa (NGA)

CONCACAF U-17 Championship 2017

Panama, 21 April - 7 May 2017 

Referees
1. Juan Calderon (CRC)
2. Ismael Cornejo (SLV)
3. Rodphin Harris (TRI)
4. Gladwyn Johnson (GUY)
5. Jose Kellys (PAN)
6. Bryan Lopez (GUA)
7. Hector Martinez (HON)
8. Daneon Parchment (JAM)
9. Michel Rodriguez (CUB)
10. Luis Santander (MEX, photo)
11. Adrian Skeete (BRB)
12. Armando Villarreal (USA)

Assistant Referees
1. Daniel Ake (BLZ)
2. Ian Anderson (USA)
3. Nicholas Anderson (JAM)
4. Alejandro Camarena (PAN)
5. Angel Castillo (DOM)
6. Marvin Diaz (GUA)
7. Eugene Farro (ARU)
8. Richard Gamache (CAN)
9. Andres Hernandez (MEX)
10. Kevin Lewis (TRI)
11. David Moran (SLV)
12. Jean Moreau (HAI)
13. Jesus Tabora (HON)
14. Daniel Williamson (PAN)
15. Kevin Stephens (GUY)
16. Zachari Zeegelaar (SUR)

Referee Assessors
1. Roberto Moreno (PAN)
2. Rodolfo Sibrian (SLV)

UEFA Futsal Cup Final 2017: Tomic (CRO) & Sorescu (ROU)

30 April 2017

Final
Sporting CP – Inter
Referee 1: Sasa Tomic (CRO, photo)
Referee 2: Bogdan Sorescu (ROU)
Third Official: Gabor Kovacs (HUN)
Timekeeper: Olzhas Abrayev (KAZ)

Match for Third Place

Ugra – Kairat
Referee 1: Alessandro Malfer (ITA)
Referee 2: Gabor Kovacs (HUN)
Third Official: Bogdan Sorescu (ROU)
Timekeeper: Olzhas Abrayev (KAZ)

UEFA Women’s Champions League – Semi-finals (Second Leg)

29 April 2017

Olympique Lyonnais – Manchester City
Referee: Esther Staubli (SUI, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Belinda Brem (SUI)
Assistant Referee 2: Sanja Rodak (CRO)
Fourth Official: Lina Lehtovaara (FIN)

Paris St. Germain – FC Barcelona
Referee: Jana Adamkova (CZE)
Assistant Referee 1: Lucie Ratajova (CZE)
Assistant Referee 2: Maria Lisicka (SVK)
Fourth Official: Olga Zadinova (CZE)

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017 – Group Stage (Matches 5-12)

28 April 2017
Japan – Poland
Referee 1: Mariano Romo (ARG, photo)
Referee 2: Micke Palomino (PER)
Third Official: Juan Angeles (DOM)
Timekeeper: Gonzalo Carballo (SLV)

Portugal – Panama
Referee 1: Jelili Ogunmuyiwa (NGA)
Referee 2: Hugo Pado (SOL)
Third Official: Issam Bousbih (TUN)
Timekeeper: Yuichi Hatano (JPN)

Brazil – Tahiti
Referee 1: Gionni Matticoli (ITA)
Referee 2: Laurynas Arzuolaitis (LTU)
Third Official: Liang Shao (CHN)
Timekeeper: Bakhtiyor Namazov (UZB)

UAE – Paraguay
Referee 1: Ago Kaertmann (EST)
Referee 2: Jude Utulu (MLT)
Third Official: Sofien Benchabane (FRA)
Timekeeper: Eduards Borisevics (LVA)

29 April 2017
Italy – Iran
Referee 1: Ivo Moraes (BRA)
Referee 2: Jorge Martinez (PAR)
Third Official: Said Hachim (MAD)
Timekeeper: Issam Bousbih (TUN)

Switzerland – Ecuador
Referee 1: Juan Angeles (DOM)
Referee 2: Gonzalo Carballo (SLV)
Third Official: Miguel Lopez (GUA)
Timekeeper: Hugo Pado (SOL)

Mexico – Nigeria
Referee 1: Sergio Gomes (POR)
Referee 2: Ebrahim Al-Mansory (UAE)
Third Official: Micke Palomino (PER)
Timekeeper: Laurynas Arzuolaitis (LTU)

Senegal – Bahamas
Referee 1: Yuichi Hatano (JPN)
Referee 2: Liang Shao (CHN)
Third Official: Lukasz Ostrowski (POL)
Timekeeper: Jude Utulu (MLT)

UYL referees taking a major step

The UEFA Youth League finals in Nyon are a crucial platform for gleaning experience for the future – not only for the talented young players on the field, but also for the referee teams chosen to officiate at the three matches. Three teams of match officials are taking another step along their development pathway at the finals, gathering knowledge on an international stage that will certainly stand them in good stead in their careers. The first semi-final between Barcelona and Salzburg at the Colovray Stadium was managed by a team of officials from Latvia – referee Andris Treimanis, and assistants Haralds Gudermanis and Aleksejs Spasjonnikovs.

The second semi-final featuring Real Madrid and Benfica was handled by a Polish trio: referee Bartosz Frankowski and assistants Dawid Golis and Jakub Winkler. Two referees from Switzerland – Alain Bieri and Sandro Schärer – acted as fourth officials at the semi-finals.

Turkey provides the officials for the final. Referee Ali Palabıyık, assistants Çem Satman and Kerem Ersoy, and fourth official Alper Ulusoy will take charge of the big occasion.

The referees have been selected for the potential they have shown so far on their assignments for UEFA. They already have match experience in other European competitions, and take charge of games in their own countries. Experienced former match officials are observing them at the UEFA Youth League games, and discuss the referees' performances with the officials after the match. The vast majority of this year's UEFA Youth League officials have also been learning the refereeing ropes at courses run by UEFA's Centre of Refereeing Excellence (CORE), which is playing a vital role in grooming young referees for their duties. Debriefing sessions are being held with the referees at the Nyon finals, as part of a process where the officials review their seasons so far, and look at areas for improvement. The referees are also asked to act in an educational capacity in managing the young players on the pitch - making a contribution in helping them learn key UEFA values such as respect for the referee and opponents. The UEFA Youth League appointments are the next step for the match officials as they look to develop successful careers, with UEFA offering constant advice and guidance to ease their path towards what the referees hope will be major assignments in the not-too-distant future.

Source: UEFA

FIFA Confederations Cup 2017

With only two months to go before the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 kicks off at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on 17 June, FIFA has appointed 36 match officials, representing all six confederations. They have been selected by the FIFA Referees Committee from the list of candidates for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. Preparations for the match officials have been conducted as part of FIFA’s refereeing project for Russia 2018, which includes preparation seminars with practical and theoretical sessions. In addition, the referees are being supervised and monitored on an ongoing basis by the world’s best refereeing instructors. In their preparations, all of the candidates have been under the guidance and supervision of the chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, and the FIFA Head of Refereeing, Massimo Busacca. For Collina and Busacca, it is essential to ensure that the best match officials from all around the world are selected for FIFA competitions. “These officials are all potential candidates for next year’s flagship football event in Russia, and a high-profile tournament like the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 is key to their preparation. We are convinced that they will deliver the quality we strive for,” said Collina. The Confederations Cup match officials will participate in intensive pre-tournament theoretical and practical training sessions organised by the FIFA Refereeing Department. The main points of emphasis will be on consistency and uniformity in the interpretation of the Laws of the Game, football understanding, reading the game, positioning, teamwork and different football mentalities. “We prepare like a football team, just like players do, paying special attention to uniformity and consistency, fair play, protecting players and the tactical approach. Everything must come together now in this very important competition, which has some of the best players and a world-class line-up of teams,” explained Busacca. “We will work mainly on the tactical and technical aspects. This very important preparation is needed so that we can anticipate and prevent any possible issues, with one of our main goals being to ensure that we are in the right place at the right time.” Another important piece of history will be made at the Confederations Cup with video assistant referee (VAR) tests. The VARs will be used to support referees with “match-changing” decisions. The trial will involve VARs being given access to all broadcast feeds inside a video operations room, enabling them to provide information to the referee on the field of play in order to correct any clear mistakes in “match-changing” situations. These include serious incidents such as goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards and cases of mistaken identity. The VARs will play a supporting role along with the assistant referees and the fourth official, but the referee will continue to take the first as well as the final decision on the field of play. The referees will also be able to call upon goal-line technology (GLT). The FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 will be played in Kazan, Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Sochi from 17 June to 2 July 2017. (Source: FIFA)

AFC
Referee: Fahad Al Mirdasi (KSA, 1985, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Abdulah Al Shalwai (KSA, 1975)
Assistant Referee 2: Mohammed Al Abakry (KSA, 1980)

Referee: Alireza Faghani (IRN, 1978)
Assistant Referee 1: Reza Sokhandan (IRN, 1974)
Assistant Referee 2: Mohammadreza Mansouri (IRN, 1978)

Video Assistant Referee:
Ravshan Irmatov (UZB, 1977)

CAF
Referee: Bakary Gassama (GAM, 1979)
Assistant Referee 1: Jean Birumushahu (BDI, 1972)
Assistant Referee 2: Marwa Range (KEN, 1977)

Video Assistant Referee:
Malang Diedhiou (SEN, 1973)

CONCACAF
Referee: Mark Geiger (USA, 1974)
Assistant Referee 1: Joe Fletcher (CAN, 1976)
Assistant Referee 2: Charles Morgante (USA, 1974)

Video Assistant Referee:
Jair Marrufo (USA, 1977)

CONMEBOL
Referee: Nestor Pitana (ARG, 1975)
Assistant Referee 1: Hernan Maidana (ARG, 1972)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Belatti (ARG, 1979)

Referee: Wilmar Roldan (COL, 1980)
Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Guzman (COL, 1985)
Assistant Referee 2: Cristian De La Cruz (COL, 1978)

Video Assistant Referees:
1. Enrique Caceres (PAR, 1974)
2. Sandro Ricci (BRA, 1974)

OFC
Reserve Referee: Abdelkader Zitouni (TAH, 1981)

UEFA
Referee: Milorad Mazic (SRB, 1973)
Assistant Referee 1: Milovan Ristic (SRB, 1974)
Assistant Referee 2: Dalibor Djurdjevic (SRB, 1973)

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA, 1973)
Assistant Referee 1: Elenito Di Liberatore (ITA, 1973)
Assistant Referee 2: Mauro Tonolini (ITA, 1973)

Referee: Damir Skomina (SVN, 1976)
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik (SVN, 1985)
Assistant Referee 2: Robert Vukan (SVN, 1976)

Video Assistant Referees:
1. Ovidiu Hategan (ROU, 1980)
2. Artur Soares Dias (POR, 1979)
3. Clement Turpin (FRA, 1982)

CONCACAF Champions League Final 2017 (Second Leg)

26 April 2017

Pachuca – Tigres
Referee: Cesar Ramos (MEX, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Marvin Torrentera (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Hernandez (MEX)
Fourth Official: Erick Miranda (MEX)

UEFA Futsal Cup 2017 – Semi-finals

28 April 2017

Inter FS – Kairat Almaty
Referee 1: Bogdan Sorescu (ROU, photo)
Referee 2: Alessandro Malfer (ITA, photo)
Third Official: Gabor Kovacs (HUN)
Timekeeper: Olzhas Abrayev (KAZ)

Ugra Yugorsk – Sporting CP
Referee 1: Sasa Tomic (CRO)
Referee 2: Gabor Kovacs (HUN)
Third Official: Alessandro Malfer (ITA)
Timekeeper: Olzhas Abrayev (KAZ)

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017 – Group Stage (Matches 1-4)

27 April 2017

Iran – Mexico
Referee 1: Lukasz Ostrowski (POL, photo)
Referee 2: Jude Utulu (MLT)
Third Official: Eduards Borisevics (LVA)
Timekeeper: Ago Kaertmann (EST)

Ecuador – Senegal
Referee 1: Ebrahim Al-Mansory (UAE)
Referee 2: Bakhtiyor Namazov (UZB)
Third Official: Laurynas Arzuolaitis (LTU)
Timekeeper: Gionni Matticoli (ITA)

Nigeria – Italy
Referee 1: Miguel Lopez (GUA)
Referee 2: Pablo Cadenasso (URU)
Third Official: Mariano Romo (ARG)
Timekeeper: Micke Palomino (PER)

Bahamas – Switzerland
Referee 1: Issam Bousbih (TUN)
Referee 2: Said Hachim (MAD)
Third Official: Jelili Ogunmuyiwa (NGA)
Timekeeper: Ivo Moraes (BRA)

Refereeing Experts Workshop in Asia

The development of world refereeing took centre stage in Asia as some of the biggest names in world refereeing gathered for the opening of the inaugural Refereeing Experts Workshop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The two-day workshop, which the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has organised, aims to understand the various refereeing strategies currently employed by all six Confederations and FIFA as well as to identify opportunities for closer collaboration. Referees’ department heads and representatives from all six Confederations as well as AFC Referees Committee Deputy Chairman, Hany Taleb, FIFA Head of Refereeing, Massimo Busacca and FIFA Referees Committee Chairman, Pierluigi Collina were present to bring their expertise to the discussions.
AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John, who opened the workshop said: “The AFC has outlined our ambitions to ensure our players, teams and officials succeed on the world stage. We are here because we share common aspirations to raise the standards of officials worldwide. “Today’s forum provides great possibilities for progress through sharing and exchanging of ideas, and learning from the collective refereeing experiences worldwide.” Beginning with the AFC, each Confederation shared their development structures on the first day and considered administration, education and development programmes, competitions management as well as training and preparations.
UEFA's Head of Refereeing Services, Chris Wild said: “All Confederations are diverse in various aspects. We may differ in size and application of methods but we also share similar experiences and outcomes. There are definitely areas for learning from every Confederation. The opportunity for partnership through this workshop is hugely important to enhance the landscape of refereeing holistically.” Additional Assistant Referees, Video Assistant Referees and Goal-line technology were also discussed as representatives highlighted the need for continued uniformity.
CONCACAF Director of Refereeing Brian Hall said: “This is a historic and vital meeting for all the Confederations because it facilitates the process of examining best practices and forging closer team work to address future challenges of modern refereeing. Through the networking and sharing, it is beneficial for us at CONCACAF to maximise the different referees’ programmes, products and services, from grassroots to elite level that we are currently delivering. Ultimately we all have the same goal, to help every referee regardless of their nationality be the best they can be”.
FIFA Referees Committee Chairman, Pierluigi Collina, who will conclude the workshop with a presentation and feedback session alongside FIFA Head of Refereeing Massimo Busacca, added: “I would like to thank the AFC for firstly thinking of and then organising this workshop. This is an excellent opportunity for the global refereeing family to share, learn and grow together. We hope that this will be the first of a long series of similar workshops”.

Source: AFC

CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2017

Gabon, 14-28 May 2017

Referees
1. Mohamed Marouf (EGY)
2. Souleiman Ahmed (DJI)
3. Ferdinand Udoh (NGA)
4. Mustapha Ghorbal (ALG)
5. Mihindou Gauthier (GAB)
6. Abou Coulibaly (CIV)
7. Hamada Nampiandraza (MAD, photo)
8. Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (BDI)
9. Davies Omweno (KEN)
10. Hassan Mohamed (SOM)
11. Maguette N’Diaye (SEN)
12. Jean-Jacques Ndala (COD)

Assistant Referees
1. Mahmoud Ahmed (EGY)
2. Aymen Ismail (TUN)
3. Seydou Tiama (BFA)
4. Moussounda Montel (GAB)
5. Souru Phatsoane (LES)
6. Gilbert Lista (SEY)
7. Gbemassiandan Kouton (BEN)
8. Arsenio Marengula (MOZ)
9. Lahcen Azgaou (MAR)
10. Abdoul Moctar (NIG)
11. Mamady Tere (GUI)
12. Frank Komba (TAN)
13. Temesgin Atango (ETH)
14. Soulaimane Amaldine (COM)

Reserve Referees
1. Haithem Kossai (TUN)
2. Daniel Laryea (GHA)

Reserve AR
1. Attia Amsaad (LBY)

Copa Libertadores – Group Stage (Matchday 5)

25 April 2017
Tucuman – J. Wilstermann
Referee: Juan Soto (VEN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Luis Sanchez (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno (VEN)
Fourth Official: Jose Hoyo (VEN)
Referee Assessor: Hugo Munoz (CHI)

Deportivo Iquique – Zamora
Referee: Gery Vargas (BOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Baldiviezo (BOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Roger Orellana (BOL)
Fourth Official: Ivo Mendez (BOL)
Referee Assessor: Jose Buitrago (COL)

San Lorenzo – Universidad Catolica
Referee: Daniel Fedorczuk (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Pastorino (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Nievas (URU)
Fourth Official: Esteban Ostojich (URU)
Referee Assessor: Ricardo Casas (ARG)

26 April 2017
Atletico Mineiro – Libertad
Referee: Wilson Lamouroux (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Diaz (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Alexander Leon (COL)
Fourth Official: Luis Sanchez (COL)
Referee Assessor: Roberto Perassi (BRA)

Melgar – Medellin
Referee: Anderson Daronco (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Guilherme Dias (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Danilo Manis (BRA)
Fourth Official: Rodolpho Toski (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Jorge Jaimes (PER)

Paranaense – Flamengo
Referee: Jose Argote (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Luis Murillo (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Fourth Official: Adrian Cabello (VEN)
Referee Assessor: Ednilson Corona (BRA)

Penarol – Palmeiras
Referee: Enrique Caceres (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardozo (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Zorrilla (PAR)
Fourth Official: Jose Mendez (PAR)
Referee Assessor: Hector Baldassi (ARG)

27 April 2017
Zulia – Lanus
Referee: Wilmar Roldan (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Humberto Clavijo (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Dionisio Ruiz (COL)
Fourth Official: Gustavo Murillo (COL)
Referee Assessor: Roman Hermoso (BRA)

Emelec – River Plate
Referee: Roberto Tobar (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Marcelo Barazza (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Edson Cisterna (CHI)
Fourth Official: Eduard Gamboa (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Jose Lara (ECU)

Nacional – Chapecoense
Referee: Eber Aquino (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Rodney Aquino (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Dario Gaona (PAR)
Fourth Official: Arnaldo Samaniego (PAR)
Referee Assessor: Ricardo Casas (ARG)

Gremio – Guarani
Referee: Patricio Loustau (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Hernan Maidana (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Gustavo Rossi (ARG)
Fourth Official: Fernando Espinoza (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Roberto Silvera (URU)

Sport Boys – Godoy Cruz
Referee: Victor Carrillo (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Stephen Atoche (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Michael Orue (PER)
Fourth Official: Luis Garay (PER)
Referee Assessor: Alvaro Sacarelo (URU)

AFC to launch Referee Academy

The AFC Referees Committee met at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and approved the establishment of a new AFC Referee Academy.

The AFC Referee Academy is scheduled to open later this year and it will be based at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur. The academy will focus on the AFC’s objective of increasing the number of AFC referees at world-class level and extending development support to the AFC Member Associations. Talent development as well as identifying and preparing potential referees for the AFC elite referees panel will be key tasks of the academy. These objectives will be driven by syllabus excellence delivered by top educators. The curriculum will consist of a four-year programme, conducted at three levels: introductory, intermediate and advanced. All AFC Member Associations can nominate two candidates to study at the academy. The programme will be open to both men and women referees. The committee (photo), chaired by Chung Mung Gyu for the first time, also agreed that the academy will replace the AFC Project Future Referees Programme. In addition, the committee approved the introduction of age criteria for the recruitment of AFC referees. The suggestion of a 35-year age limit was approved and it will apply to football and futsal, from the 2018 season. The members agreed the change was necessary to ensure refereeing in Asia continues to be of the highest possible standard.

Source: AFC

UEFA U-17 Euro 2017

Croatia, 3-19 May 2017

Referees
1. Dominik Ouschan (AUT, 1984, photo)
2. Nicholas Laforge (BEL, 1986)
3. Demetrios Masias (CYP, 1981)
4. Jens Maae (DEN, 1982)
5. Anastasios Papapetrou (GRE, 1985)
6. Donatas Rumsas (LTU, 1988)
7. Fabio Verissimo (POR, 1982)
8. Mohammed Al-Hakim (SWE, 1986)

Assistant Referees
1. Manuel Nogueira (AND, 1982)
2. Atom Sevgulyan (ARM, 1987)
3. Radek Kotik (CZE, 1982)
4. Mika Lamppu (FIN, 1988)
5. Idan Yarkoni (ISR, 1982)
6. Samat Tergeussizov (KAZ, 1985)
7. Jevgenijs Morozovs (LVA, 1986)
8. Goce Petreski (MKD, 1979)
9. Paul Robinson (NIR, 1983)
10. Mircea Grigoriu (ROU, 1988)
11. Aleksei Vorontcov (RUS, 1980)
12. Ian Bird (WAL, 1985)

Fourth Officials
1. Fran Jovic (CRO, 1984)
2. Tihomir Pejin (CRO, 1983)
3. Duje Strukan (CRO, 1984)
4. Mario Zebec (CRO, 1982)

Referee Observers
1. Marc Batta (FRA)
2. Alain Hamer (LUX)
3. Stefano Podeschi (SMR)
4. Fritz Stuchlik (AUT)
5. Kyros Vassaras (GRE)
6. Miroslav Vitkovic (CRO)

UEFA Women’s Champions League – Semi-finals (First Leg)

22 April 2017

FC Barcelona – Paris St. Germain
Referee: Teodora Albon (ROU, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Petruta Iugulescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Mihaela Tepusa (ROU)
Fourth Official: Lorraine Clark (SCO)
Referee Observer: Regien Belksma-Konink (NED)

Manchester City – Olympique Lyonnais
Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (HUN)
Assistant Referee 1: Judit Kulcsár (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Nikolet Bakker (NED)
Fourth Official: Eszter Urban (HUN)
Referee Observer: Blaženka Logarušić (CRO)

European leading assistant referees trained in Malaga

Training Europe’s leading assistant referees is a significant element of UEFA’s comprehensive referee development programme - and the men who assist the men in the middle have received expert advice and motivation for their duties at their latest UEFA course in Malaga.

Forty-one international assistant referees travelled to the Spanish resort to test their fitness and analyse a role that has grown in importance in the high-speed, high-stakes modern-day game. The course focused on various aspects of the assistant referee’s role, in particular Law 11 of the Laws of the Game relating to offside. Video clips of various incidents were studied and discussed, and clear guidelines were delivered to all of the assistants to ensure uniformity in decision-making in UEFA’s competitions. Assistant referees must also have a clear understanding of all laws including Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct - as they must be ready to inform the referee of any infringement that occurs outside the latter’s vision, and this aspect of the role was another key discussion point in Malaga. The assistants undertook a stringent fitness test, led by UEFA referee expert Werner Helsen and his team, with particular attention paid to the crucial speed and agility that is required by assistants over short distances.

UEFA refereeing officer Hugh Dallas was assisted at the course by former FIFA World Cup final assistant referees Philip Sharp and Leif Lindberg, together with experienced colleagues Giovanni Stevanato and Maciej Wierzbowski. “It’s great that we have such former top assistant referees who have operated at the highest level to pass on their vast experience and knowledge”, said Dallas. The assistants present in Malaga were unanimous in praising UEFA for giving them a clearer understanding of what is expected from them at the top European level. They worked hard on the field of play as well, with youth team players from local La Liga club Málaga CF assisting in helping simulate various offside scenarios. The officials then received instant video feedback and advice on how to improve their accuracy in their decision-making. “We also explained the importance of the assistants being prepared in advance of a match, by knowing the tactics of the teams that they will be officiating, and studying the movement of players and being aware of the team formations”, said Dallas, “as this will help them throughout the match. Tactical awareness is such a crucial part of the match officials’ preparation in modern-day football”, he explained. Alongside its tried and trusted work with referees, UEFA will carry on fostering assistant referees and aiding their development. “It’s important that UEFA doesn’t stand still,” Dallas said, “and that we continue to discover the new generation of match officials, including assistant referees. This course has gone a long way to serve that purpose”.

Source: UEFA

UEFA Europa League – Quarter-finals (Second Leg)

20 April 2017

Beşiktaş – Olympique Lyonnais
Referee: Milorad Mažić (SRB, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Milovan Ristić (SRB)
Assistant Referee 2: Dalibor Djurdjević (SRB)
Additional AR 1: Nenad Djokić (SRB)
Additional AR 2: Danilo Grujić (SRB)
Fourth Official: Nemanja Petrović (SRB)
Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras (GRE)

Schalke – Ajax
Referee: Ovidiu Hațegan (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Octavian Şovre (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Sebastian Gheorghe (ROU)
Additional AR 1: Radu Petrescu (ROU)
Additional AR 2: Sebastian Colţescu (ROU)
Fourth Official: Radu Ghinguleac (ROU)
Referee Observer: Michael Riley (ENG)

KRC Genk – Celta Vigo
Referee: William Collum (SCO)
Assistant Referee 1: Francis Connor (SCO)
Assistant Referee 2: David McGeachie (SCO)
Additional AR 1: Robert Madden (SCO)
Additional AR 2: John Beaton (SCO)
Fourth Official: Alan Mulvanny (SCO)
Referee Observer: Jaap Uilenberg (NED)

Manchester United – Anderlecht
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Raul Cabañero Martínez (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Diego Barbero Sevilla (ESP)
Additional AR 1: Carlos Clos Gómez (ESP)
Additional AR 2: José Sánchez Martínez (ESP)
Fourth Official: Roberto Alonso Fernández (ESP)
Referee Observer: Zdravko Jokić (SRB)

CONCACAF Champions League Final 2017 (First Leg)

18 April 2017

Tigres – Pachuca
Referee: Mark Geiger (USA, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Joe Fletcher (CAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Charles Morgante (USA)
Fourth Official: Baldomero Toledo (USA)

UEFA Champions League – Quarter-finals (Second Leg)

18 April 2017
Real Madrid – Bayern München
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: Adám Farkas (HUN)
Fourth Official: Peter Berettyán (HUN)
Referee Observer: Jean Lemmer (LUX)

Leicester City – Atletico Madrid
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Elenito Di Liberatore (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Mauro Tonolini (ITA)
Additional AR 1: Davide Massa (ITA)
Additional AR 2: Daniele Doveri (ITA)
Fourth Official: Riccardo Di Fiore (ITA)
Referee Observer: Bertrand Layec (FRA)

19 April 2017
FC Barcelona – Juventus
Referee: Björn Kuipers (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Sander van Roekel (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Erwin Zeinstra (NED)
Additional AR 1: Danny Makkelie (NED)
Additional AR 2: Pol van Boekel (NED)
Fourth Official: Mario Diks (NED)
Referee Observer: Murat Ilgaz (TUR)

AS Monaco – Borussia Dortmund
Referee: Damir Skomina (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Robert Vukan (SVN)
Additional AR 1: Matej Jug (SVN)
Additional AR 2: Slavko Vinčić (SVN)
Fourth Official: Tomaž Klančnik (SVN)
Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas (SCO)

Copa Libertadores – Group Stage (Matchday 4)

18 April 2017
Lanus – Zulia
Referee: Diego Haro (PER, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Jonny Bossio (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Raul Cruz (PER)
Fourth Official: Joel Alarcon (PER)
Referee Assessor: Alicio Pena (BRA)

Sporting Cristal – The Strongest
Referee: Mario Diaz de Vivar (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Milciades Saldivar (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Canete (PAR)
Fourth Official: Julio Quintana (PAR)
Referee Assessor: Jorge Larrionda (URU)

Chapecoense – Nacional
Referee: Carlos Orbe (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Byron Romero (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Lescano (ECU)
Fourth Official: Guillermo Guerrero (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Ubaldo Aquino (PAR)

19 April 2017
Estudiantes – Atletico Nacional
Referee: Andres Cunha (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Mauricio Espinosa (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Nicolas Taran (URU)
Fourth Official: Oscar Rojas (URU)
Referee Assessor: Rodolfo Otero (ARG)

Zamora – Deportivo Iquique
Referee: Michael Espinosa (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Coty Carrera (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Jorge Yupanqui (PER)
Fourth Official: Miguel Santivanez (PER)
Referee Assessor: Sandro Vera (ECU)

Santa Fe – Santos
Referee: Fernando Rapallini (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Belatti (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Chade (ARG)
Fourth Official: Silvio Trucco (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Adrian Gomez (VEN)

Libertad – Atletico Mineiro
Referee: Julio Bascunan (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Astroza (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Schiemann (CHI)
Fourth Official: Jorge Osorio (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Joel Ruiz (PAR)

20 April 2017
Godoy Cruz – Sport Boys
Referee: Omar Ponce (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Flavio Nall (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Ricardo Baren (ECU)
Fourth Official: Vinicio Espinel (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Claudio Puga (CHI)

Medellin – Melgar
Referee: Leodan Gonzalez (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Richard Trinidad (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Horacio Ferreiro (URU)
Fourth Official: Jonathan Fuentes (URU)
Referee Assessor: Pablo Silva (ARG)

Barcelona – Botafogo
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Lopez (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Elbis Gomez (VEN)
Fourth Official: Marlon Escalante (VEN)
Referee Assessor: Oscar Ruiz (COL)

Guarani – Gremio
Referee: Wilmar Roldan (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Guzman (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Cristian De la Cruz (COL)
Fourth Official: Andres Rojas (COL)
Referee Assessor: Hugo Munoz (ARG)

UEFA Europa League – Quarter-finals (First Leg)

13 April 2017

Ajax – Schalke
Referee: Sergei Karasev (RUS, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Anton Averianov (RUS)
Assistant Referee 2: Tikhon Kalugin (RUS)
Additional AR 1: Sergei Lapochkin (RUS)
Additional AR 2: Sergei Ivanov (RUS)
Fourth Official: Igor Demeshko (RUS)
Referee Observer: Bo Karlsson (SWE)

Olympique Lyonnais – Beşiktaş
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Pau Cebrián Devís (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Javier Aguilar Rodríguez (ESP)
Additional AR 1: Jesús Gil Manzano (ESP)
Additional AR 2: Carlos Clos Gómez (ESP)
Fourth Official: Teodoro Sobrino Magán (ESP)
Referee Observer: Francesco Bianchi (SUI)

Celta Vigo – KRC Genk
Referee: Clement Turpin (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Cyril Gringore (FRA)
Additional AR 1: Benoît Bastien (FRA)
Additional AR 2: Nicolas Rainville (FRA)
Fourth Official: Hicham Zakrani (FRA)
Referee Observer: Christos Skapoullis (CYP)

Anderlecht – Manchester United
Referee: Felix Brych (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Mark Borsch (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan Lupp (GER)
Additional AR 1: Marco Fritz (GER)
Additional AR 2: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Fourth Official: Rafael Foltyn (GER)
Referee Observer: Alfredo Trentalange (ITA)

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 Qualifiers – UEFA (Preliminary Round)

April 2017

Greece – Malta
Referee: Lina Lehtovaara (FIN, photo)

Turkey – Montenegro
Referee: Eszter Urban (HUN)

Albania – Kosovo
Referee: Lorraine Clark (SCO)

Estonia – Latvia
Referee: Zuzana Kováčová (SVK)

Moldova – Andorra
Referee: Marte Sørø (NOR)

Kazakhstan – Georgia
Referee: Eleni Lampadariou (GRE)

Israel – Lithuania
Referee: Sofia Karagiorgi (CYP)

Faroe Islands – Luxembourg
Referee: Petra Chudá (SVK)

Greece – Kosovo
Referee: Amy Rayner (ENG)

Kazakhstan – Latvia
Referee: Ivana Projkovska (MKD)

Lithuania – Moldova
Referee: Marte Sørø (NOR)

Malta – Albania
Referee: Lorraine Clark (SCO)

Georgia – Estonia
Referee: Zuzana Kováčová (SVK)

Montenegro – Faroe Islands
Referee: Petra Chudá (SVK)

Israel – Andorra
Referee: Barbara Poxhofer (AUT)

Turkey – Luxembourg
Referee: Sarah Garratt (ENG)

Faroe Islands – Turkey
Referee: Eszter Urban (HUN)

Moldova – Israel
Referee: Sofia Karagiorgi (CYP) 

Andorra – Lithuania 
Referee: Barbara Poxhofer (AUT)

Albania – Greece
Referee: Lina Lehtovaara (FIN)

Luxembourg – Montenegro
Referee: Sarah Garratt (ENG)

Latvia – Georgia
Referee: Ivana Projkovska (MKD)

Kosovo – Malta
Referee: Amy Rayner (ENG)

Estonia – Kazakhstan
Referee: Eleni Lampadariou (GRE)

Copa Libertadores – Group Stage (Matchday 3)

11 April 2017
Libertad – Godoy Cruz
Referee: Daniel Fedorczuk (URU, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Pastorino (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Popovits (URU)
Fourth Official: Leodan Gonzalez (URU)
Referee Assessor: Ubaldo Aquino (PAR)

J. Wilstermann – Atletico Tucuman
Referee: Roberto Tobar (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Claudio Rios (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Jose Retamal (CHI)
Fourth Official: Carlos Ulloa (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Jose Buitrago (COL)

Estudiantes – Barcelona
Referee: Victor Carrillo (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Raul Cruz (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Victor Raez (PER)
Fourth Official: Henry Gambetta (PER)
Referee Assessor: Francisco Mondria (CHI)

Gremio – Deportivo Iquique
Referee: Esteban Ostiojich (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Mauricio Espinosa (URA)
Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Nievas (URU)
Fourth Official: Jonathan Fuentes (URU)
Referee Assessor: Nilson Moncao (BRA)

12 April 2017
Guarani – Zamora
Referee: Nestor Pitana (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Bonfa (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Cristian Navarro (ARG)
Fourth Official: Diego Abal (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Atilio Invernizzi (PAR)

Universidad Catolica – San Lorenzo
Referee: Enrique Caceres (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardozo (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Zorrilla (PAR)
Fourth Official: Arnaldo Samaniego (PAR)
Referee Assessor: Martin Vazquez (URU)

Flamengo – Atletico Paranaense
Referee: Wilson Lamouroux (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Wilmar Navarro (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Dionisio Ruiz (COL)
Fourth Official: Harold Perilla (COL)
Referee Assessor: Sergio Cristiano (BRA)

Palmeiras – Penarol
Referee: Roddy Zambrano (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Luis Vera (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Macias (ECU)
Fourth Official: Luis Quiroz (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Rodolfo Otero (ARG)

13 April 2017
Emelec – Medellin
Referee: Luiz De Oliveira (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Kleber Gil (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Pires (BRA)
Fourth Official: Rodolpho Toski (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Jorge Jaimes (PER)

River Plate – Melgar
Referee: Raul Orosco (BOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Antelo (BOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Montano (BOL)
Fourth Official: Juan Garcia (BOL)
Referee Assessor: Pablo Silva (ARG)

Atletico Nacional – Botafogo
Referee: Ulises Mereles (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Rodney Aquino (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Caceres (PAR)
Fourth Official: Jose Mendez (PAR)
Referee Assessor: Imer Machado (COL)

Atletico Mineiro – Sport Boys
Referee: Jose Argote (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Franchescoly Chacon (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Luis Murillo (VEN)
Fourth Official: Alexis Herrera (VEN)
Referee Assessor: Alicio Pena (BRA)

UEFA Futsal Euro 2018 Qualifiers – Main Round

8-11 April 2017

Group A – Tbilisi (GEO)
1. Oleg Ivanov (UKR)
2. Ozan Soykan (TUR)
3. Norbert Szilágyi (HUN)
4. Admir Zahovič (SVN, photo)

Group B – Baku (AZE)
1. Borislav Kolev (BUL)
2. Costas Nicolaou (CYP)
3. Timo Onatsu (FIN)
4. Lars Van Leeuwen (NED)

Group C – Kyiv (UKR)
1. Miguel Castilho (POR)
2. Ondřej Černý (CZE)
3. Trayan Enchev (BUL)
4. Lukáš Peško (SVK)

Group D – Calarasi (ROU)
1. Alejandro Martinez (ESP)
2. Cédric Pelissier (FRA)
3. Elchin Samadli (AZE)
4. Ivan Shabanov (RUS)

Group E – Elblag (POL)
1. Guy Berger (ISR)
2. Eduardo Fernandes (POR)
3. Angelo Galante (ITA)
4. Grigori Zelentsov (RUS)

Group F – Almaty (KAZ)
1. Gerd Bylois (BEL)
2. Kamil Çetin (TUR)
3. Vasilios Christodoulis (GRE)
4. Kirill Naishouler (FIN)

Group G – Kocaeli (TUR)
1. Marc Birkett (ENG)
2. Tomasz Frak (POL)
3. Juan Gallardo (ESP)
4. Jan Kresta (CZE)

UEFA Champions League – Quarter-finals (First Leg)

11 April 2017

Juventus – FC Barcelona
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: Hans Reijgwart (NED)

Borussia Dortmund – AS Monaco
Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Mauro Tonolini (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Lorenzo Manganelli (ITA)
Additional AR 1: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
Additional AR 2: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
Fourth Official: Alessandro Costanzo (ITA)
Referee Observer: Horst Brummeier (AUT)

12 April 2017
Bayern München – Real Madrid
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Riccardo Di Fiore (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Filippo Meli (ITA)
Additional AR 1: Luca Banti (ITA)
Additional AR 2: Antonio Damato (ITA)
Fourth Official: Elenito Di Liberatore (ITA)
Referee Observer: Jozef Marko (SVK)

Atletico Madrid – Leicester City
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: Luciano Luci (ITA)

Referees' road to Russia continues

The Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano in Florence, Italy hosted some of the world’s top referees as part of a week-long seminar for prospective match officials at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. A total of 61 elite referees from across the six confederations joined Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s Chairman of the Referees Committee and Massimo Busacca, FIFA’s Head of Refereeing, who conducted a theoretical and practical seminar which also saw the Heads of Refereeing of all six confederations - who are members of FIFA’s Referees Committee - take part. Collina, Busacca and all involved instructors aimed at preparing the referees for football's biggest and most important competition, the World Cup.

The seminar had a number of key focuses. These included protecting players and the image of the game, consistency and uniformity, reading the game from a technical and tactical perspective and understanding a variety of player and team mentalities. Additionally, throughout the week match officials reviewed video clips of real match situations and participated in practical training sessions with players, which were filmed to enable participants to receive instant feedback from the instructors."We are looking for uniformity and consistency in our performances, this is key for us," Busacca said. The seminar was split into focused sessions and covered physical fitness tests, theoretical sessions, video assistant refereeing and practical sessions with local players. "During this seminar the match officials had to show us that they deserve to be on the list of prospective candidates for the FIFA World Cup and they have still to prove, that they deserve it," Collina said. "Their performances, especially in practical sessions on the pitch, give them an opportunity to train in different areas and have experiences which they will use on the field of play."

The use of video assistant referees (VARs) was one of the main topics of the seminar and every theoretical session in the classroom was followed by a practical session on the pitch. "The VAR system has been developed to provide additional support for the referee," Busacca said. "The message to the match officials here was clear: we want the referees prepared and making correct decisions. This was the objective of the seminar. If something clearly wrong would occur, VAR will help them. We want the essential flow of the game to be maintained and, as always, the first and the final decisions lie with the referee. This is our philosophy, and these principles as well as the practical application of the technology, have been explained and demonstrated to our match officials as part of an ongoing training programme. We want to use this technology to review clear situations, not cases of doubt," Collina added. "We want the referee to keep their personality and to have the power to take the decision first. Over time, through matches and through training sessions where we replicate match situations and use the latest technology, the understanding between referees and VARs will continue to improve."

Even the most experienced among the group found the course useful and very important for their performance on the pitch. "The theoretical sessions in the class room are crucial for me and for the whole team of referees," Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson said. "What we are learning here we bring to the field of play where we will try to implement it in the best possible way, that’s why it’s very important that these seminars are put on by FIFA. These seminars give us the opportunity to improve, to learn from the recent experiences of our colleagues at tournaments and to find uniformity across all the continents". Russia’s Sergey Karasev, much like the 60 other attendees, was fully focused on trying to take his refereeing to the ultimate stage – the pitches of his native country in 2018. "This course gives us the opportunity to take one step further in our work, to try and be selected for the biggest competition in the world and hopefully to represent our nations at the FIFA World Cup," Karasev said. "There are no words to express my emotions and feelings at the prospect of officiating at the games of the most important sports event in the world. It has been always my dream and I would be very proud to referee at the FIFA World Cup in my home country”.

Busacca believes the match officials proved to him during the week in Italy that they are ready to officiate games on a high level in upcoming FIFA competitions. “In my opinion, these referees are definitely on track," Busacca concluded. "The first competition, the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Korea Republic will start in May and we have to be ready and they are ready. Every day they have been able to increase their competencies and this shows the high quality of the match officials. We want to have the best referees for our competitions. We started almost immediately after the World Cup in Brazil three years ago with the first seminar and as we approach the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia more and more of our work bears fruit. I’m happy with the work we have completed so far, but we have still a lot of work to do".

Source: FIFA

Updated List of Prospective Referees FIFA World Cup 2018

AFC

Referees
1. Abdulrahman Al Jassim (QAT, 1987)
2. Fahad Al Mirdasi (KSA, 1985)
3. Alireza Faghani (IRN, 1978, photo)
4. Ravshan Irmatov (UZB, 1977)
5. Abdulla Mohamed (EAU, 1978)
6. Ryuji Sato (JPN, 1977)
7. Nawaf Shukralla (BHR, 1976)

VARs
1. Muhammad Bin Jahari (SIN, 1986)
2. Jong Hyeok Kim (KOR, 1983)

CAF

Referees
1. Mehdi Abid Charef (ALG, 1980)
2. Alioum Alioum (CMR, 1982)
3. Bernard Camille (SEY, 1975)
4. Malang Diedhiou (SEN, 1973)
5. Bakary Gassama (GAM, 1979)
6. Ghead Grisha (EGY, 1976)
7. Janny Sikazwe (ZAM, 1979)

VAR
1. Eric Otogo Castane (GAB, 1976)

CONCACAF

Referees
1. Joel Aguilar (SLV, 1975)
2. Roberto Garcia (MEX, 1974)
3. Mark Geiger (USA, 1974)
4. Walter Lopez (GUA, 1980)
5. Ricardo Montero (CRC, 1986)
6. John Pitti (PAN, 1978)
7. Cesar Ramos (MEX, 1983)

VAR
1. Jair Marrufo (USA, 1977)

CONMEBOL

Referees
1. Jose Argote (VEN, 1980)
2. Julio Bascunan (CHI, 1978)
3. Enrique Caceres (PAR, 1974)
4. Andres Cunha (URU, 1976)
5. Diego Haro (PER, 1982)
6. Nestor Pitana (ARG, 1975)
7. Sandro Ricci (BRA, 1974)
8. Wilmar Roldan (COL, 1980)
9. Gery Vargas (BOL, 1981)
10. Roddy Zambrano (ECU, 1978)

VARs
1. Wilton Sampaio (BRA, 1981)
2. Mauro Vigliano (ARG, 1975)

OFC

Referees
1. Matthew Conger (NZL, 1978)
2. Norbert Hauata (TAH, 1979)

VAR
1. Nicholas Waldron (NZL, 1982)

UEFA

Referees
1. Felix Brych (GER, 1975)
2. Cuneyt Cakir (TUR, 1976)
3. Mark Clattenburg (ENG, 1975)
4. William Collum (SCO, 1979)
5. Jonas Eriksson (SWE, 1974)
6. Ovidiu Hategan (ROU, 1980)
7. Sergei Karasev (RUS, 1979)
8. Viktor Kassai (HUN, 1975)
9. Pavel Kralovec (CZE, 1977)
10. Bjorn Kuipers (NED, 1973)
11. Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP, 1977)
12. Szymon Marciniak (POL, 1981)
13. Milorad Mazic (SRB, 1973)
14. Svein Oddvar Moen (NOR, 1979)
15. Daniele Orsato (ITA, 1975)
16. Gianluca Rocchi (ITA, 1973)
17. Anastasios Sidiropoulos (GRE, 1979)
18. Damir Skomina (SVN, 1976)
19. Artur Soares Dias (POR, 1979)
20. Clement Turpin (FRA, 1982)

VARs
1. Danny Makkelie (NED, 1983)
2. Felix Zwayer (GER, 1981)

Schalke mascot shows referee red card over penalty decision

Schalke's mascot showed referee Felix Zwayer his own red card after he failed to award the side a penalty at the end of the Ruhr derby against Borussia Dortmund in Bundesliga.

Schalke's appeals for a penalty in injury time of the 1-1 Bundesliga draw were turned down by Zwayer, who sent coach Markus Weinzierl to the stands for protesting after Marc Bartra stopped the ball with his arm. Zwayer lost his red card in the ensuing discussions, but it was gathered by Schalke mascot "Erwin," who held it in front of the referee as if sending him off after the game. The incident was subsequently investigated by the DFB after it made headlines in Germany and former referees demanded a pitchside ban for the mascot. Former referee Peter Gagelmann says, "It shouldn't be possible for a mascot to show (a card) to the referee". However, the DFB announced that there will be no further investigations but Schalke have been "warned because of its mascot's behaviour towards referee Felix Zwayer" and threatened to sanction Erwin in the event of it happening again.

Source: ESPN

Haimoudi: "Hammoum destroyed the Algerian refereeing"

- The president of the Federal Committee of Referees has announced his retirement from refereeing. What is your reaction after this decision?
- It's a non-event for me. First of all, it is not a retirement, we must not deceive people; it is an automatic departure with regard to the end of his mandate in the office, that is for precision. I do not have an opinion on a person who has marginalized all the skilled persons to bring back people who have given absolutely nothing to refereeing, even worse, they have destroyed it. I ask him the following question: Has Hammoum a quiet conscience vis-à-vis Haimoudi? I think, as everyone has noticed, that his transition to the head of the CFA was marked by a blatant dysfunction that caused the level of refereeing to decline in an incredible way; he completely destroyed it. Every week, we are constantly experiencing recurring errors of referees, which often have a direct impact on the outcome of matches, hence the club's apprehension of referees.

- Rightly, you touch a sensitive point of refereeing. Why all these recurring errors of referees, sometimes even intentional referees?
- It is the poor handling of the referees by the structure that has not put the right people in the right place. However, the president of the FAF has put a lot of resources at the disposal of the CFA, sometimes more than enough, for a mediocre result; that is the paradox. I am amazed and scandalized when I learn from Hammoum that the CFA has organized many seminars. What was done during these seminars? Seminars are not organized with one person who does all the subjects of the refereeing, whereas it is very limited pedagogically and has no experience in the world of refereeing. There are many skilled people that have been marginalized by the president of the CFA. When refereeing is put in the hands of one person, the results can only be catastrophic. Errors are part of the game, but at home they have become recurring. Moreover, the CFA lied to the referees, it deceives them. When a referee makes a mistake, you have to reframe it and show where improvement is needed, so that in the future it does not re-occur. It should not be left in the blur.
- It has also been observed that it is always the same referees who are used: Benbraham, Bekouassa, Arab and Boukhalfa. What do you think?
- Again, this is a serious strategic error, the CFA did not create competition between the referees. They trusted a group of referees who found themselves without competitors, so it is normal that others are dissatisfied with this management. Some of the referees you mentioned are good, you have to manage them and avoid pressure. They talked about an elite. Are there no other referees who deserve to be part of this elite? The other mistake is that the CFA has been working on quantity and not on quality, which is very serious, because refereeing needs quality to raise the level of competitions. This function is the backbone of football. The appointments of referees are not made according to well-defined criteria. When the president of the CFA sends a sms to the referees at 3:00 am to inform them of their appointment, it is very serious… how do you want the referee to be concentrated, prepare his match, his trip, his strategy? That is why I am saying that there is total bankruptcy in the management of referees. A disciplinary code must be introduced into the rules of the referees; it is a primary condition.
- The president of the CFA says that five internationals have retired and it is difficult to replace them...
- There, too, he fabulates. The five referees retired gradually. Belaïd Lacarne had six international referees that retired in 2001 and replaced them with Djaballah, Benouza, Haïmoudi, and two years later, the Algerian refereeing reached CAN 2004 with Djezzar, then 2006 Benouza, 2008 Benouza and I until the World Cup 2014. There was short-term work that had borne fruit, it is not the case today, there is no work strategy or management; it is total disregard, notwithstanding the resources that FAF made available to the CFA. You do not replace an international with a 37 or 38-year-old referee, you have to work with a 27-year-old to make a sustainable investment. It is now necessary to think of the project of professionalization of the referees with a group of 5 to 10 referees under the age of 30; this is the future of refereeing. As is the case in the world, it is necessary to have a futuristic vision on the development and training of the referees of tomorrow with people still active, but not with those who left refereeing twenty years ago. They do not bring anything back.
- Some mention the weakness of the CFA component...
- It was he who brought back his collaborators and he must entirely assume his choice. People need to know that a regional referee can never form a World Cup. Even a former international who has not participated in any CAF or FIFA competition can not form a World Cup referee.
- Hammoum says he has solicited you and has never closed the doors of the CFA...
- It's wrong! He wants to deceive sports opinion, he never asked me, he did everything to block me, yet I do not know him, I met him only once in the final of the Algerian Cup, MCA-USMA, when he was the match delegate; I did not understand his stubbornness against me, I leave him with his conscience. Elsewhere, former World Cup referees have been promoted to important posts, at home, while Hammoum has dismissed them for nothing.
- What should be the profile of a CFA president in the future?
- You need an honest and competent person, authoritative and respectable, so that the referees feel that they are dealing with a person who does not play with their work, because the big problem today is discipline. Someone must come to restore what has been lost and all current members must give way to new faces to boost the refereeing.
- So, are you interested in the post of president of the CFA?
- I am perhaps surprised, I am not interested in the post of President of the CFA for the moment; this position is political, I am a technician who has received a high level training at FIFA before the Brazilian World Cup, where I refereed matches including the one for the third place, Brazil - Netherlands. I want to help my country with the training of the referees of tomorrow, with a modern model, I also want to contribute to the development and the technical organization of the refereeing. The seminars attended with CAF and FIFA allowed me to enrich my knowledge of training and development. If my country needs me, I am ready to respond; I must give back to Algeria what it has given me. Hammoum closed the doors of my country to transmit my know-how. Several referees called me to ask me to come and mentor them; it hurts me to live all this.

Source: Liberte Algerie

UEFA Futsal Revolution

The UEFA Futsal EURO is to be expanded to 16 teams, Women's and U-19 Futsal EUROs launched and a UEFA Futsal Champions League is to replace the UEFA Futsal Cup, after decisions made by the UEFA Executive Committee in Helsinki.

UEFA Futsal EURO to expand

• The competition will change from a biennial 12-team final tournament to a 16-nation event played every four years.

• The first 16-team event after the 12-sided UEFA Futsal EURO 2018 finals in Ljubljana will be held in 2022. No competition will be held in leap years, when the FIFA Futsal World Cup is played.

UEFA Futsal Cup to become UEFA Futsal Champions League 

• The club competition, the UEFA Futsal Cup, to become the UEFA Futsal Champions League from 2018/19. 

• For 2017/18, a change to the UEFA Futsal Cup access list with the top three-ranked nations (Russia, Spain and Portugal) receiving a second representative. The fourth-ranked nation, Italy, may also receive a second berth if the holders are already qualified via a top-three league. 

• A new competition system will be confirmed, but will still contain preliminary, main and elite round stages leading to the four-team final tournament. 

New women's and youth competitions 

• A UEFA Women's Futsal EURO to be introduced, to be held every two years starting in 2019. The competition will end with a four-team final tournament. 

• An U-19 Futsal EURO to be introduced, to be held every two years starting in 2019. The competition will end with an eight-team final tournament. 

Youth Olympics qualifying 

• Futsal will be held at the Youth Olympics for the first time in Buenos Aires next year (for players born between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2003). 

• For the girls' event, the top eight nations in the UEFA men's futsal rankings will be invited to qualifying. Two four-team mini-tournaments will be held with the two winners qualifying for the Youth Olympics. 

• For the boys' event, the top 16 nations in the rankings will invited and will compete in four mini-tournaments. The group winners will then be ranked by result and the top two nations in that ranking not qualified for the girls' event will qualify for the boys' event. 

Source: UEFA

CONCACAF Champions League – Semi-finals (Second Leg)

4 April 2017
CF Pachuca – FC Dallas
Referee: Melvin Matamoros (HON, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Hermenerito Leal (GUA)
Assistant Referee 2: Walter Lopez (HON)
Fourth Official: Mario Escobar (GUA)

5 April 2017
Vancouver Whitecaps – Tigres UANL
Referee: Javier Santos (PUR)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Mora (CRC)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Fernandez (CRC)
Fourth Official: William Anderson (PUR)

Former World Cup referee Michel suspended for 3 weeks

Former top referee Lubos Michel (SVK) has been suspended for 3 weeks for making offensive remarks directed at the referee of the match PAOK - Panionios.

Top FIFA referee between 1993 and 2008, Lubos Michel (48, photo) led a UEFA Champions League final in 2008 between Chelsea and Manchester United, participated in the FIFA World Cups 2002 and 2006 and was the referee of the Confederations Cup final in 2005 (Brazil - Argentina). Since the end of his career nine years ago, the Slovak has remained very present in the world of football. Director of competitions with Shakhtar Donetsk from 2008 to 2015, Lubos Michel was appointed sporting director of PAOK Salonik in December 2015. An experience that has earned him some problems recently. At the recent match PAOK Salonik – Panionios, on 19 March 2017, Michel made some offensive remarks against referee Dimitris Styliaras, who had sent-off a player from each team. The former referee was awarded a € 1,500 fine, as well as a 3-week suspension that removed his access to the technical area, referee room and any official duties.

Source: PAOK Voice

FIFA Seminar for pre-selected referees: 437 days to World Cup 2018

The FIFA Seminar for pre-selected referees for the 2018 World Cup started at Coverciano, in Italy. In the morning, all the referees gathered in the auditorium of the Italian Technical Center, where Pierluigi Collina, in his capacity as Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, inaugurated the sessions: "I would like to thank FIGC for accepting our 62 referees, including 9 VARs, and 9 instructors from five continents, and supporting FIFA in organizing this event". Collina then addressed the referees present in the Aula Magna of Coverciano: "You must feel proud to be here, even if this is not enough: now is the time to work hard to achieve the goal. Today, the 437 days to the World Cup may seem like a lot, but they are not if the goal is to get ready to rise to the highest football competition".

At Coverciano, during this week, the referees will be subjected to medical evaluations, tests on body composition (fat mass, lean mass, state of hydration), in order to verify their current form. Massimo Busacca, FIFA Head of Refereeing, after having stressed that "the new members of recently named Committee are former top referees", spoke about the VAR: "Before deciding whether the technological tool will be used in the big World Cup, it will be tested live in FIFA competitions scheduled this year: the U-20 World Cup, the Confederations Cup and the Club World Cup. We must work hard to become familiar with the technology and to be ready; a challenge that top referees must know how to win".

Functional in this direction has been the intervention of David Elleray, IFAB Technical Director, responsible for the VAR project, which recalled the key points of the Protocol and reminded the referees as "VAR is a friendly tool if used properly, such as last week in Paris, during the friendly match between France and Spain at the end of this challenge, in fact, there was no talk of refereeing mistakes corrected by the VAR, but the positive impact of the latter".

In the afternoon, practice session were conducted on the field, with game situations simulated with the help of players Under 16 and Under 17 of Fiorentina, which are made available to FIFA.

Source: FIGC

Copa Sudamericana – Round 1 (Matchday 2)

4 April 2017
Independiente – Alianza Lima
Referee: Patricio Polic (CHI, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Marcelo Barraza (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Raul Orellana (CHI)
Fourth Official: Eduardo Gamboa (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Hector Baldassi (ARG)

Club Petrolero – Universided Catolica
Referee: Michael Espinoza (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Orue (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Stephen Atoche (PER)
Fourth Official: Luis Garay (PER)
Referee Assessor: Dario Ubriaco (URU)

Cruzeiro – Nacional
Referee: Juan Soto (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Franchescoly Chacon (VEN)
Fourth Official: Jose Hoyo (VEN)
Referee Assessor: Nilson Moncao (BRA)

5 April 2017
Everton – Patriotas
Referee: Juan Albarracin (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Byron Romero (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Edwin Bravo (ECU)
Fourth Official: Guillermo Guerrero (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Victor Rivera (PER)

Ponte Preta – Gimnasia
Referee: Gustavo Murillo (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Humberto Clavijo (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Alexander Leon (COL)
Fourth Official: Luis Sanchez (COL)
Referee Assessor: Roberto Silvera (URU)

Defensa y Justicia – Sao Paulo
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Luis Sanchez (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno (VEN)
Fourth Official: Adrian Cabello (VEN)
Referee Assessor: Ubaldo Aquino (PAR)

Corinthians – Universidad de Chile
Referee: Dario Herrera (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Ezequiel Brailovsky (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Ariel Scime (ARG)
Fourth Official: Fernando Espinoza (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Jose Buitrago (COL)

Fluminense – Liverpool
Referee: Eber Aquino (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Zorrilla (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Dario Gaona (PAR)
Fourth Official: Julio Quintana (PAR)
Referee Assessor: Ana Oliveira (BRA)

6 April 2017
Estudiantes Caracas – Sol de America
Referee: Raphael Claus (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Fabricio Vilarinho (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Danilo Manis (BRA)
Fourth Official: Wagner Reway (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Candelario Andarcia (VEN)

Sport Recife – Danubio
Referee: Jorge Baliño (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Lucas Germanotta (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Chade (ARG)
Fourth Official: Diego Abal (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Roberto Perassi (BRA)

Oriente Petrolero – Deportivo Cuenca
Referee: Anderson Daronco (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Rodrigo Correa (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Guilherme Camilo (BRA)
Fourth Official: Wagner Magalhães (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Hugo Munoz (CHI)

Sramka changed the way people considered the role of assistant referee

On 27 January 2017, long-serving former assistant referee Igor Šramka passed away at the age of 57. “His decision during the Euro 2000 semi-final between France and Portugal forever changed the way people considered the role of assistant referee”, said Jozef Marko, long-time member of the UEFA Referees Committee, shortly after Šramka had made that game-changing decision in Brussels. Portugal defender Abel Xavier conceded a penalty for handball when the score was 1-1 in the 27th minute of extra time. The Slovakian assistant saw the incident and sent a signal to the referee, Austria’s Günter Benkö. After their consultation, Benkö awarded a penalty to France. The Portuguese protested, of course, but Šramka was confident about his decision. “I was convinced it was a penalty and there was no reason to step back”. Zidane scored from the penalty spot and France made it to the final and went on to lift the trophy as European champions. Šramka’s decision has gone down in the history of football. After seeing a replay of the crucial moment, the head of the Portuguese delegation visited him in the referees’ dressing room and with a handshake accepted the accuracy of the decision. 

The brave heart of a great man, whose respect for the truth and the rules affected that match and the future role of the assistant referee, stopped beating on 27 January following a heart attack on 23 January 2017. Doctors, including his friend and fellow assistant referee Roman Slyško, fought for three days to save his life. But it was not to be.

Šramka, together with Luboš Michel and Martin Balko, formed a fantastic refereeing trio at the beginning of the new millennium, by when Šramka was already an experienced assistant referee. He officiated in five matches at Euro 2000, including the semi-final, four matches at the 2002 World Cup, including the Brazil v Turkey semi-final, and at the Confederations Cup in 2001. He and his countrymen were also among the Euro 2004 referee teams. In the UEFA Champions League, he officiated in 18 matches, and the Slovakian trio also oversaw the 2003 UEFA Cup final between FC Porto and Celtic FC. In addition to football, he enjoyed bowling, and was a member of the executive committee of the Slovakian Bowling Federation. Igor Šramka was a true professional, fully dedicated and committed to his job. His sudden death has shocked and saddened the Slovakian football family, who can take some comfort from the belief that he is overseeing the game from up above.

Source: UEFA Direct