Disappointed Makkelie locked himself in his hotel room for two days

Danny Makkelie has been voted Referee of the Year by Voetbal International for the second year in a row. The 40-year-old referee looks back on his past season in an extensive conversation and reveals that he was mentally affected after the World Cup in Qatar. Makkelie missed the final between Argentina and France and says that he has had great difficulty dealing with this blow.

"I strive for perfection, always go for a 10, but it was too often a 6 or 7", says Makkelie in an extensive interview with Voetbal International. Makkelie points to the World Cup in Qatar as the cause, since it was not the end he had hoped for. “The first half of the season was of course all about staying fit”, Makkelie begins. “You are careful in everything, you put a brake on it and adjust your training. You also don't want to be discredited with incorrect decisions shortly before the World Cup. It would be normal in the summer when there are no competitions, but a World Cup in the middle of the season was new for everyone.” His efforts were fully aimed at the final, which he ultimately did not get from FIFA. “It caused me a mental blow. I retreated to my hotel room for two days. At first, we thought that the elimination of the Netherlands was good for us. Everyone will understand that as a referee you also want to reach the highest level and that was in it. We were in the stadium during the quarter-final Netherlands – Argentina watching an insane match. Only afterwards we realized the fuss and the impact created by the behavior of the players. Then it was logical that, as Dutch referees, we could not be appointed to an Argentina match. “It's about imaging, I get that. You just have to avoid appearances. You can talk about professionalism and integrity, but outsiders don't see it that way. Maybe that's why I was sick of it. It was painful.” The referee then retired to his hotel room for two days. “I was emotionally affected.” It was Kuipers who called Makkelie first. "Björn Kuipers experienced the same thing in 2014, when the Dutch national team reached the semi-finals. I really appreciate that; his experiences help me. I look up to him very much. He really is an example; we have had a lot of contact”. In the end, Makkelie only refereed two matches at the 2022 World Cup: Spain – Germany and Argentina – Poland.

Makkelie has thought about the World Cup and his forced departure for a long time but started to referee again and the support of people around him helped with that. “We soon refereed Feyenoord – PSV. It wasn't bad and there was little fuss, but I hadn't quite processed the disappointment yet. The experts saw it, including my coaches Herman van Dijk and Jaap Uilenberg. My mother also saw it. She knows me like no other, she did not see the self-assured Danny.” The referee has experienced 'the aftereffects' of the World Cup for the entire second half of the season, he says. “I also told my assistants honestly. It didn't come naturally; I asked them for extra support. I wanted to keep whistling. As if I had a collision and wanted to drive again quickly.”

Source: VoetbalZone

UEFA Referee Categories - first half of the season 2023/2024

Men

Elite (31)

Irfan Peljto (BIH), Aleksei Kulbakov (BLR), Michael Oliver (ENG), Anthony Taylor (ENG), Jesus Gil Manzano (ESP), Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez (ESP), Jose Sanchez Martinez (ESP), Benoît Bastien (FRA), Francois Letexier (FRA), Clement Turpin (FRA), Daniel Siebert (GER), Tobias Stieler (GER), Felix Zwayer (GER), Anastasios Sidiropoulos (GRE), Orel Grinfeeld (ISR), Davide Massa (ITA), Daniele Orsato (ITA), Serdar Gözübüyük (NED), Danny Makkelie (NED), Szymon Marciniak (POL), Artur Dias (POR), Ovidiu Hategan (ROU), Istvan Kovacs (ROU), Sergei Karasev (RUS), William Collum (SCO), Srdjan Jovanovic (SRB), Sandro Schärer (SUI), Ivan Kruzliak (SVK), Slavko Vincic (SVN), Glenn Nyberg (SWE), Halil Meler (TUR).

First Category (57)

Enea Jorgji (ALB), Juxhin Xhaja (ALB), Sebastian Gishamer (AUT), Harald Lechner (AUT), Julian Weinberger (AUT), Aliyar Aghayev (AZE), Erik Lambrechts (BEL), Lawrence Visser (BEL), Georgi Kabakov (BUL), Igor Pajac (CRO), Duje Strukan (CRO), Jakob Kehlet (DEN), Morten Krogh (DEN), Christopher Kavanagh (ENG), Craig Pawson (ENG), Ricardo De Burgos Bengoechea (ESP), Juan Martinez Munuera (ESP), Kristo Tohver (EST), Jerome Brisard (FRA), Willy Delajod (FRA), Stephanie Frappart (FRA), Giorgi Kruashvili (GEO), Harm Osmers (GER), Sascha Stegemann (GER), Anastasios Papapetrou (GRE), Balazs Berke (HUN), Tamas Bognar (HUN), Roi Reinshreiber (ISR), Marco Di Bello (ITA), Marco Guida (ITA), Maurizio Mariani (ITA), Manfredas Lukjancukas (LTU), Donatas Rumsas (LTU), Andris Treimanis (LVA), Aleksandar Stavrev (MKD), Nikola Dabanovic (MNE), Allard Lindhout (NED), Espen Eskas (NOR), Rohit Saggi (NOR), Bartosz Frankowski (POL), Pawel Raczkowski (POL), Daniel Stefanski (POL), Tiago Martins (POR), Antonio Nobre (POR), Joao Pinheiro (POR), Horatiu Fesnic (ROU), Radu Petrescu (ROU), Sergei Ivanov (RUS), John Beaton (SCO), Nicholas Walsh (SCO), Filip Glova (SVK), Matej Jug (SVN), Rade Obrenovic (SVN), Mohammed Al-Hakim (SWE), Andreas Ekberg (SWE), Ievhenii Aranovskyi (UKR), Mykola Balakin (UKR).

Second Category (200)

Eldorjan Hamiti (ALB), Antoine Chiaramonti (AND), Luis Teixeira (AND), Ashot Ghaltakhchyan (ARM), Zaven Hovhannisyan (ARM), Henrik Nalbandyan (ARM), Walter Altmann (AUT), Christian Ciochirca (AUT), Stefan Ebner (AUT), Manuel Schüttengruber (AUT), Rauf Jabarov (AZE), Elchin Masiyev (AZE), Lothar D’Hondt (BEL), Jonathan Lardot (BEL), Bram Van Driessche (BEL), Nathan Verboomen (BEL), Jasper Vergoote (BEL), Antoni Bandic (BIH), Luka Bilbija (BIH), Milos Gigovic (BIH), Dzmitry Dzmitryieu (BLR), Amine Kourgheli (BLR), Viktar Shymusik (BLR), Volen Chinkov (BUL), Georgi Davidov (BUL), Dragomir Draganov (BUL), Radoslav Gidzhenov (BUL), Nikola Popov (BUL), Dario Bel (CRO), Ante Culina (CRO), Fran Jovic (CRO), Patrik Kolaric (CRO), Ivana Martincic (CRO), Menelaos Antoniou (CYP), Andreas Argyrou (CYP), Kyriakos Athanasiou (CYP), Chrysovalantis Theouli (CYP), Ondrej Berka (CZE), Tomaš Klima (CZE), Jan Machalek (CZE), Jan Petrik (CZE), Marek Radina (CZE), Dominik Stary (CZE), Peter Kjaersgaard (DEN), Mads-Kristoffer Kristoffersen (DEN), Sandi Putros (DEN), Mikkel Redder (DEN), Jakob Sundberg (DEN), Stuart Attwell (ENG), John Brooks (ENG), Darren England (ENG), Jarred Gillett (ENG), Robert Jones (ENG), Andrew Madley (ENG), Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez (ESP), Jose Munuera Montero (ESP), Cesar Soto Grado (ESP), Juri Frischer (EST), Joonas Jaanovits (EST), Mohammed Al-Emara (FIN), Joni Hyytia (FIN), Antti Munukka (FIN), Oliver Reitala (FIN), Petri Viljanen (FIN), Karim Abed (FRA), Ruddy Buquet (FRA), Pierre Gaillouste (FRA), Benoît Millot (FRA), Jeremie Pignard (FRA), Kari a Hovdanum (FRO), Johan Ellefsen (FRO), Goga Kikacheishvili (GEO), Irakli Kvirikashvili (GEO), Bastian Dankert (GER), Christian Dingert (GER), Sven Jablonski (GER), Daniel Schlager (GER), Robert Schroder (GER), Jason Barcelo (GIB), Aristotelis Diamantopoulos (GRE), Vasileios Fotias (GRE), Stefanos Koumparakis (GRE), Evangelos Manouchos (GRE), Ioannis Papadopoulos (GRE), Gergo Bogar (HUN), Adam Farkas (HUN), Ferenc Karako (HUN), Istvan Vad (HUN), Neil Doyle (IRL), Robert Harvey (IRL), Robert Hennessy (IRL), Paul McLaughlin (IRL), Thorvaldur Arnason (ISL), Helgi Jonasson (ISL), Ivar Kristjansson (ISL), Vilhjalmur Thorarinsson (ISL), Yigal Frid (ISR), David Fuxman (ISR), Gal Leibovitz (ISR), Snir Levi (ISR), Daniele Chiffi (ITA), Michael Fabbri (ITA), Fabio Maresca (ITA), Luca Pairetto (ITA), Simone Sozza (ITA), Sayat Karabayev (KAZ), Artyom Kuchin (KAZ), Daniyar Sakhi (KAZ), Bulat Sariev (KAZ), Mervan Bejtullahu (KOS), Visar Kastrati (KOS), Genc Nuza (KOS), Robertas Valikonis (LTU), Jeremy Muller (LUX), Jasmin Sabotic (LUX), Ivo Torres (LUX), Edgars Malcevs (LVA), Vitalijs Spasjonnikovs (LVA), Roman Jitari (MDA), Dumitru Muntean (MDA), Ion Orlic (MDA), Jovan Kachevski (MKD), Igor Stojčevski (MKD), Ishmael Barbara (MLT), Matthew De Gabriele (MLT), Philip Farrugia (MLT), Trustin Farrugia Cann (MLT), Miloš Bošković (MNE), Miloš Savovic (MNE), Dennis Higler (NED), Jochem Kamphuis (NED), Joey Kooij (NED), Sander van der Eijk (NED), Andrew Davey (NIR), Tim Marschall (NIR), Ian McNabb (NIR), Jamie Robinson (NIR), Sivert Amland (NOR), Mohammad Aslam (NOR), Kristoffer Hagenes (NOR), Sigurd Kringstad (NOR), Kai Steen (NOR), Krzysztof Jakubik (POL), Tomasz Musial (POL), Damian Sylwestrzak (POL), Gustavo Correia (POR), Vitor Ferreira (POR), Luis Godinho (POR), Miguel Nogueira (POR), Fabio Verissimo (POR), Marian Barbu (ROU), Marcel Bîrsan (ROU), Andrei Chivulete (ROU), Vladislav Bezborodov (RUS), Evgeni Kukuliak (RUS), Kirill Levnikov (RUS), Artem Liubimov (RUS), Vitali Meshkov (RUS), Vladimir Moskalev (RUS), Pavel Shadykhanov (RUS), Kevin Clancy (SCO), David Dickinson (SCO), David Munro (SCO), Donald Robertson (SCO), Lazar Lukic (SRB), Milos Milanovic (SRB), Nenad Minakovic (SRB), Novak Simovic (SRB), Milan Stefanovic (SRB), Luca Cibelli (SUI), Alessandro Dudic (SUI), Lukas Fähndrich (SUI), Fedayi San (SUI), Urs Schnyder (SUI), Lionel Tschudi (SUI), Martin Dohal (SVK), Peter Kralovic (SVK), Michal Ocenas (SVK), Nejc Kajtazovic (SVN), David Šmajc (SVN), Kristoffer Karlsson (SWE), Adam Ladeback (SWE), Bojan Pandzic (SWE), Kaspar Sjöberg (SWE), Abdulkadir Bitigen (TUR), Attila Karaoglan (TUR), Arda Kardesler (TUR), Erkan Ozdamar (TUR), Ali Palabiyik (TUR), Yasar Ugurlu (TUR), Sergii Boiko (UKR), Oleksii Derevinskyi (UKR), Viktor Kopiievskyi (UKR), Kateryna Monzul (UKR), Vitaly Romanov (UKR), Denys Shurman (UKR), Cheryl Foster (WAL), Iwan Griffith (WAL), Robert Jenkins (WAL), Thomas Owen (WAL).

Women

Elite (25)

Ivana Martincic (CRO), Jana Adamkova (CZE), Frida Klarlund (DEN), Rebecca Welch (ENG), Marta Huerta De Aza (ESP), Lina Lehtovaara (FIN), Stephanie Frappart (FRA), Riem Hussein (GER), Eleni Antoniou (GRE), Katalin Kulcsar (HUN), Maria Ferrieri Caputi (ITA), Ivana Projkovska (MKD), Ewa Augustyn (POL), Monika Mularczyk (POL), Sandra Bastos (POR), Catarina Campos (POR), Iuliana Demetrescu (ROU), Alina Pesu (ROU), Anastasia Pustovoitova (RUS), Lorraine Watson (SCO), Jelena Cvetkovic (SRB), Esther Staubli (SUI), Tess Olofsson (SWE), Kateryna Monzul (UKR), Cheryl Foster (WAL).

First Category (47)

Emanuela Rusta (ALB), Merima Celik (BIH), Volha Blotskaya (BLR), Galiya Echeva (BUL), Kristina Georgieva (BUL), Hristiana Guteva (BUL), Sabina Bolic (CRO), Jelena Pejkovic (CRO), Veronika Kovarova (CZE), Lucie Sulcova (CZE), Abigail Byrne (ENG), Ainara Acevedo Dudley (ESP), Zulema Gonzalez Gonzalez (ESP), Maria Martinez Madrona (ESP), Olatz Rivera Olmedo (ESP), Reelika Turi (EST), Triinu Vaher (EST), Minka Vekkeli (FIN), Victoria Beyer (FRA), Alexandra Collin (FRA), Angelika Soeder (GER), Karoline Wacker (GER), Reka Molnar (HUN), Katalin Sipos (HUN), Eszter Urban (HUN), Deborah Bianchi (ITA), Maria Marotta (ITA), Elvira Nurmustafina (KAZ), Rasa Grigone (LTU), Justina Lavrenovaite-Perez (LTU), Viola Raudzina (LVA), Shona Shukrula (NED), Lizzy van der Helm (NED), Henrikke Nervik (NOR), Michalina Diakow (POL), Katarzyna Lisiecka-Sek (POL), Silvia Domingos (POR), Ana Terteleac (ROU), Vera Opeikina (RUS), Jelena Medjedovic (SRB), Marina Živković (SRB), Deborah Anex (SUI), Desiree Grundbacher (SUI), Michele Schmolzer (SUI), Zuzana Valentova (SVK), Aleksandra Cesen (SVN), Gamze Durmuş (TUR).

Second Category (66)

Mirela Cemeri (ALB), Araksya Saribekyan (ARM), Sofik Torosyan (ARM), Maria Ennsgraber (AUT), Olivia Tschon (AUT), Marina Zechner (AUS), Farida Lutfaliyeva (AZE), Viki De Cremer (BEL), Caroline Lanssens (BEL), Jana Van Laere (BEL), Tanja Racic (BIH), Maryia Buiko (BLR), Jelena Kumer (CRO), Ioanna Allaylotou (CYP), Zoe Stavrou (CYP), Michaela Pachtova (CZE), Nanna Andersen (DEN), Frederikke Sokjaer (DEN), Lisa Benn (ENG), Kirsty Dowle (ENG), Stacey Pearson (ENG), Ifeoma Kulmala (FIN), Lotta Vuorio (FIN), Audrey Gerbel (FRA), Maika Vanderstichel (FRA), Teona Sturua (GEO), Fabienne Michel (GER), Franziska Wildfeuer (GER), Anastasia Mylopoulou (GRE), Eirini Pingiou (GRE), Andromachi Tsiofliki (GRE), Claire Purcell (IRL), Briet Bragadottir (ISL), Meitar Shemesh (ISR), Silvia Gasperotti (ITA), Martina Molinaro (ITA), Tatiana Sorokopudova (KAZ), Rita Vehapi (KOS), Jurgita Macikunyte (LTU), Jeļena Jermolajeva (LVA), Oxana Cruc (MDA), Elena Gobjila (MDA), Irena Velevackoska (MKD), Marisca Overtoom (NED), Vivian Peeters (NED), Louise Thompson (NIR), Emilie Torkelsen (NOR), Sarah Zangeneh (NOR), Filipa Cunha (POR), Teresa Oliveira (POR), Cristina Trandafir (ROU), Nadezhda Gorinova (RUS), Marina Krupskaya (RUS), Alexandra Ponomareva (RUS), Simona Ghisletta (SUI), Miriama Bockova (SVK), Vanja Jankovic (SVN), Tjasa Misja (SVN), Lovisa Johansson (SWE), Maral Mirzai (SWE), Neslihan Muratdagi (TUR), Melis Ozcigdem (TUR), Cansu Tiryaki (TUR), Anastasiya Romanyuk (UKR), Liudmyla Telbukh (UKR), Kateryna Usova (UKR).

Futsal

Elite (35)

Stefan Vrijens (BEL), Vedran Babic (CRO), Nikola Jelic (CRO), Yiangos Yiangou (CYP), Ondrej Cerny (CZE), David Nissen (DEN), Marc Birkett (ENG), Peter Nurse (ENG), Juan Cordero Gallardo (ESP), Alejandro Martinez Flores (ESP), David Urdanoz Apezteguia (ESP), Grigori Osomkov (EST), Kirill Naishouler (FIN), Victor Chaix (FRA), Cedric Pelissier (FRA), Gabor Kovacs (HUN), Nicola Manzione (ITA), Chiara Perona (ITA), Lars Van Leeuwen (NED), Damian Grabowski (POL), Miguel Castilho (POR), Eduardo Coelho (POR), Cristiano Santos (POR), Vlad Ciobanu (ROU), Vladimir Kadykov (RUS), Irina Velikanova (RUS), Petar Radojcic (SRB), Daniel Matkovic (SUI), David Schaerli (SUI), Lukas Pesko (SVK), Ales Mocnik Peric (SVN), Dejan Veselic (SVN), Admir Zahovic (SVN), Kamil Cetin (TUR), Denys Kutsyi (UKR).

First Category (36)

Juan Boelen (BEL), Volha Pauliuts (BLR), Trayan Enchev (BUL), Jan Kresta (CZE), Martin Koster (DEN), Pablo Delgado Sastre (ESP), Javier Moreno Reina (ESP), Arttu Kyynaeraeinen (FIN), Julien Lang (FRA), Vasileios Christodoulis (GRE), Norbert Szilagyi (HUN), Giulio Colombin (ITA), Dario Pezzuto (ITA), Aslan Galayev (KAZ), Talgat Kosmukhambetov (KAZ), Dominykas Norkus (LTU), Ingus Purins (LVA), Viktor Bugenko (MDA), Josip Barton (MKD), Marjan Mladenovski (MKD), Stephen Vella (MLT), Ibrahim El Jilali (NED), Joern Te Kloeze (NED), Telmen Undrakh (NOR), Tomasz Frak (POL), Filipe Duarte (POR), Ruben Santos (POR), Bogdan Hanceariuc (ROU), Iuri Neverov (RUS), Grigori Zelentsov (RUS), Daniele D’Adamo (SMR), Darko Boskovic (SUI), Rastislav Behancin (SVK), Ugur Cakmak (TUR), Ozan Soykan (TUR), Fatma Tursun (TUR).

Second Category (88) 

Arlind Subashi (ALB), Gevorg Yeghoyan (ARM), Daniel Stauber (AUT), Manuel Wolf (AUT), Knyaz Amiraslanov (AZE), Ali Jabrayilov (AZE), Hikmat Qafarli (AZE), Yasin Alageyik (BEL), Jiri Bergs (BEL), Farik Keco (BIH), Vedran Marcinko (KOS), Nikola Tadic (KOS), Maksim Dzeikala (BLR), Anatol Ustsuizhanin (BLR), Ivan Ivanov (BUL), Kaloyan Kirilov (BUL), Ivo Tsenov (BUL), Mislav Dzeko (CRO), Dino Kramar (CRO), Larisa Avramidou (CYP), Michalis Christofides (CYP), Georgios Kozakos (CYP), Nicolas Nicolaou (CYP), Radim Cep (CZE), Filip Nesnera (CZE), Alice Vevodova (CZE), Daniel Sorensen (DEN), Oliver Ballinger (ENG), Jagnar Jakobson (EST), Paavo Kompaa (FIN), Maria Tuomi (FIN), Jordan Faltesse (FRA), Zviad Bliadze (GEO), Maximilian Alkofer (GER), Christian Gundler (GER), Jacob Pawlowski (GER), Zyl Sheriff (GIB), Antonios Adamopoulos (GRE), Panagiotis Ntalas (GRE), Annamaria Tolnay (HUN), Peter Zimonyi (HUN), David Berry (IRL), Mark Patchell (IRL), Raafat Al Hamola (ISR), Idan Berenshtein (ISR), Idan Elmalem (ISR), Mariia Glekova (ISR), Martina Piccolo (ITA), Giovanni Zannola (ITA), Turekhan Tursumbayev (KAZ), Besar Beqiri (KOS), Besart Ismajli (KOS), Florentina Kallaba (KOS), Irmantas Kaprasovas (LTU), Mantas Pomeckis (LTU), Steve Ribeiro (LUX), Eduards Fatkulins (LVA), Done Ristovski (MKD), Drazen Vuckevic (MNE), Jacob Van Dijke (NED), Dag Tangvik (NOR), Monica Czudzinovicz (POL), Slawomir Steczko (POL), Pawel Tokarewicz (POL), Liviu Chita (ROU), Laurentiu Deaconu (ROU), Tatiana Boltneva (RUS), Vitali Groshev (RUS), Gordon McCabe (SCO), Oliver Nikolic (SRB), Nebojsa Panic (SRB), Nikola Rabrenovic (SRB), Marco Rothenfluh (SUI), Peter Budac (SVK), Martin Matula (SVK), Doroteja Music (SVN), Jernej Petek (SVN), Ademir Avdic (SWE), Kastriot Gerxhaliu (SWE), David Glavonjic (SWE), George Jansizian (SWE), Hakan Tezcan (TUR), Orest Dutsiak (UKR), Yevhen Hordiienko (UKR), Sviatoslav Kliuchnyk (UKR), Mariia Myslovska (UKR), Vasilica Ciuplea (WAL), Carl Hughes (WAL).

UEFA: Referees Peljto, Hernandez and Nyberg promoted to Elite

The UEFA Referees Committee approved the referee categories for the first half of the season 2023/2024. The changes take effect on 1 July 2023.

Men

Retired from Elite: Carlos Del Cerro Grande (ESP), Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP).

Promoted from First Category to Elite: Irfan Peljto (BIH, photo), Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez (ESP), Glenn Nyberg (SWE).

Demoted from First Category to Second Category: Manuel Schüttengruber (AUT), Fran Jovic (CRO), Ruddy Buquet (FRA), Istvan Vad (HUN), Fabio Verissimo (POR), Ali Palabiyik (TUR), Sergii Boiko (UKR).

Promoted from Second Category to First Category: Juxhin Xhaja (ALB), Sebastian Gishamer (AUT), Igor Pajac (CRO), Morten Krogh (DEN), Juan Martinez Munuera (ESP), Willy Delajod (FRA), Anastasios Papapetrou (GRE), Balazs Berke (HUN), Manfredas Lukjancukas (LTU), Allard Lindhout (NED), Rohit Saggi (NOR), Antonio Nobre (POR), Mykola Balakin (UKR).

Women

Promoted from First Category to Elite: Frida Klarlund (DEN), Eleni Antoniou (GRE), Maria Ferrieri Caputi (ITA), Ewa Augustyn (POL), Catarina Campos (POR), Alina Pesu (ROU), Jelena Cvetkovic (SRB).

Demoted from First Category to Second Category: Vivian Peeters (NED), Simona Ghisletta (SUI), Melis Ozcigdem (TUR).

Promoted from Second Category to First Category: Emanuela Rusta (ALB), Merima Celik (BIH), Kristina Georgieva (BUL), Zulema Gonzalez Gonzalez (ESP), Olatz Rivera Olmedo (ESP), Triinu Vaher (EST), Minka Vekkeli (FIN), Alexandra Collin (FRA), Reka Molnar (HUN), Deborah Bianchi (ITA), Michalina Diakow (POL), Ana Terteleac (ROU), Deborah Anex (SUI), Michele Schmolzer (SUI), Gamze Durmus (TUR).

Futsal

Promoted from First Category to Elite: Yiangos Yiangou (CYP), Peter Nurse (ENG), Lars Van Leeuwen (NED), Damian Grabowski (POL), Vlad Ciobanu (ROU), Dejan Veselic (SVN), Denys Kutsyi (UKR).

Promoted from Second Category to First Category: Martin Koster (DEN), Arttu Kyynaeraeinen (FIN), Talgat Kosmukhambetov (KAZ), Dominycas Norkus (LTU), Joern Te Kloeze (NED), Bogdan Hanceariuc (ROU), Darko Boskovic (SUI), Fatma Tursun (TUR).

Referees with most First Division matches in top European leagues

Premier League (England): Mike Dean 561 (photo)

Eredivisie (Netherlands): Kevin Blom 373
Ligue 1 (France): Philippe Kalt 355
Primera Division (Spain): Alberto Undiano Mallenco 348
Bundesliga (Germany): Wolfgang Stark 344
Serie A (Italy): Concetto Lo Bello 328
Primeira Liga (Portugal): Artur Soares Dias 287

Source: BDFutbol

UEFA U-21 Euro 2023 – Quarter-finals

1 July 2023 

Georgia – Israel
Referee: Espen Eskas (NOR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Engan (NOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Bashevkin (NOR)
Fourth Official: Horatiu Fesnic (ROU)
VAR: Jerôme Brisard (FRA)
AVAR: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)
Referee Observer: Darko Čeferin (SVN)

Spain – Switzerland
Referee: Erik Lambrechts (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jo De Weirdt (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Monteny (BEL)
Fourth Official: Morten Krogh (DEN)
VAR: Rob Dieperink (NED)
AVAR: Christian Dingert (GER)
Referee Observer: Nuno Castro (POR)

2 July 2023
England – Portugal
Referee: Rade Obrenovič (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Grega Kordež (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Aleksandar Kasapovič (SVN)
Fourth Official: Duje Strukan (CRO)
VAR: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
AVAR: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)
Referee Observer: Terje Hauge (NOR)

France – Ukraine
Referee: Joao Pinheiro (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia (POR)
Fourth Official: Mohammed Al-Hakim (SWE)
VAR: Tiago Martins (POR)
AVAR: Helder Malheiro (POR)
Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras (GRE)

UEFA Champions League final referee’s bizarre dressing room routine in never-before-seen footage

Behind-the-scenes footage has emerged online showing the bizarre preparations that Champions League final referee Szymon Marciniak went through before officiating the match. Manchester City went on to claim a historic win in Istanbul, with Rodri's precision strike proving to be the decisive goal in the game, helping Pep Guardiola's side clinch their first Champions League title and the Treble with it beating Inter Milan 1-0. Marciniak was the man in the middle for the momentous affair, with the referee having already adjudicated eight matches in the European competition last season, including City's semi-final matches against Real Madrid. And while the European showpiece event is perhaps one of the biggest and most watched games in the football calendar, a bizarre video has been posted online of the referee practicing showing his yellow card in the dressing room ahead of the final.

During the clip, which was initially posted by Man City highlighting the occasion, the Polish referee is seen marching forwards to what appears to be a mirror and pulls out a yellow card and raises it high into the air, practicing showing a yellow card. He went on to give six yellows during the match, including one to Simone Inzaghi in the sixth minute of injury time, after he expressed his unhappiness on the touchline, with Inter mounting a late attack on Man City, but failing to grab a late equaliser.

The 42-year-old is then seen looking deep into his reflection in a mirror, perhaps psyching himself up to officiate the match, with AS reporting that 450 million people around the world were expected to tune to watch at least one part of the match. Marciniak, who also refereed the 2022 World Cup final between France and Argentina in December, claps his hands before turning to inspect his earpiece. He was joined in the officiating duties by his compatriots Paweł Sokolnicki and Tomasz Listkiewicz who ran the lines for the match, as well as fourth official Istvan Kovacs from Romania, and is seen talking to his team in the dressing room. Psyching his team up, he says to his team: 'Are you ready guys? Enjoy. 'We have all this time with the decisions guys. If it's needed take five seconds.' He then turns around and subsequently bangs his hand on the wall, saying: 'Let's go!'

Fans online have been reacting to the video with one claiming: 'I actually can’t believe that refs practice showing the card in front of a mirror.' While another said: 'Fantastic new video by Manchester City behind the scenes at the Champions League Final, however my highlight is the referee warming up by practicing his yellow card technique.' It comes after UEFA underwent a review of his appointment for the Champions League final, after Marciniak was accused of speaking at an event organised by a far-right leader. The referee was subsequently allowed to officiate the final after UEFA sought clarification on the allegations, while the referee also apologised to UEFA.

Source: Daily Mail

UEFA Women’s U-19 Euro 2023

Belgium, 18-30 July 2023

Referees 

1. Frida Klarlund (DEN, 1989, photo)
2. Abigail Byrne (ENG, 1992)
3. Ewa Augustyn (POL, 1989)
4. Jelena Cvetković (SRB, 1991)
5. Michele Schmölzer (SUI, 1991)
6. Aleksandra Cesen (SVN, 1987)

Assistant Referees
1. Pavleta Rashkova (BUL)
2. Emily Carney (ENG)
3. Anni Koppel (EST)
4. Alisa Levalampi (FIN)
5. Tiziana Trasciatti (ITA)
6, Linda Schmid (SUI)
7. Betül Yilmaz (TUR)
8. Ceri Williams (WAL)

Fourth Officials
1. Viki De Cremer (BEL, 1993)
2. Reka Molnar (HUN, 1986)

UEFA U-21 Euro 2025 Qualifiers (Matchday 1)

15-20 June 2023

Gibraltar – Moldova
Referee: Jasmin Sabotic (LUX, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Joaquim Gomes (LUX)
Assistant Referee 2: Claude Ries (LUX)
Fourth Official: Ivo Fernandes (LUX)
Referee Observer: Jens Larsen (DEN)

Lithuania – Denmark
Referee: Henrik Nalbandyan (ARM)
Assistant Referee 1: Mesrop Ghazaryan (ARM)
Assistant Referee 2: Sargis Hovhannisyan (ARM)
Fourth Official: Zaven Hovhannisyan (ARM)
Referee Observer: Pavle Radovanović (MNE)

Faroe Islands – Andorra
Referee: David Munro (SCO)
Assistant Referee 1: David McGeachie (SCO)
Assistant Referee 2: Jonathan Bell (SCO)
Fourth Official: Christopher Graham (SCO)
Referee Observer: Georgi Yordanov (BUL)

Gibraltar – Sweden
Referee: Nathan Verboomen (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Mathias Hillaert (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Ruben Wyns (BEL)
Fourth Official: Jasper Vergoote (BEL)
Referee Observer: Nerijus Dunauskas (LTU)

Latvia – San Marino
Referee: Helgi Jonasson (ISL)
Assistant Referee 1: Egil Gudlaugsson (ISL)
Assistant Referee 2: Kristjan Olafs (ISL)
Fourth Official: Ivar Kristjansson (ISL)
Referee Observer: Christos Nikolaidis (CYP)

 
Denmark – Wales
Referee: Ante Čulina (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Luka Pušić (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Dario Kolarević (CRO)
Fourth Official: Fran Jović (CRO)
Referee Observer: Sabri Çelik (TUR)

Kosovo – Estonia
Referee: Joey Kooij (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Dyon Fikkert (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan de Groot (NED)
Fourth Official: Alex Bos (NED)
Referee Observer: Sergejus Slyva (LTU)

Andorra – Belarus
Referee: Thomas Owen (WAL)
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel Beckett (WAL)
Assistant Referee 2: Lewiss Edwards (WAL)
Fourth Official: Aaron Jones (WAL)
Referee Observer: Karel Vidlak (CZE)

Concacaf Gold Cup 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 18-25)

28 June 2023

Jamaica – Trinidad and Tobago
Referee: Fernando Guerrero (MEX, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Enrique Bustos (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Jorge Sanchez (MEX)
Fourth Official: Reon Radix (GRN)
VAR: Benjamin Pineda (CRC)
AVAR: Ricardo Montero (CRC)

St. Kitts and Nevis – USA
Referee: Juan Calderon (CRC)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Mora (CRC)
Assistant Referee 2: Henri Pupiro (NCA)
Fourth Official: Bryan Lopez (GUA)
VAR: Selvin Brown (HON)
AVAR: Shirley Perello (HON)

29 June 2023
Qatar – Honduras
Referee: Armando Villarreal (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Cory Richardson (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Logan Brown (USA)
Fourth Official: Joseph Dickerson (USA)
VAR: Allen Chapman (USA)
AVAR: Timothy Ford (USA)

Haiti – Mexico
Referee: Walter Lopez (GUA)
Assistant Referee 1: Keytzel Corrales (NCA)
Assistant Referee 2: Raymundo Feliz (DOM)
Fourth Official: Keylor Herrera (CRC)
VAR: Chris Penso (USA)
AVAR: Edvin Jurisevic (USA)

30 June 2023
Martinique – Panama
Referee: Said Martinez (HON)
Assistant Referee 1: Walter Lopez (HON)
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Ramirez (HON)
Fourth Official: Bryan Lopez (GUA)
VAR: Tatiana Guzman (NCA)
AVAR: Guillermo Pacheco (MEX)

El Salvador – Costa Rica
Referee: Cesar Ramos (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: Alberto Morin (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Bisguerra (MEX)
Fourth Official: Randy Encarnacion (DOM)
VAR: Erick Miranda (MEX)
AVAR: Jorge Perez (MEX)

1 July 2023
Cuba – Guadeloupe
Referee: Ivan Barton (SLV)
Assistant Referee 1: David Moran (SLV)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Zumba (SLV)
Fourth Official: Fernando Guerrero (MEX)
VAR: Melissa Borjas (HON)
AVAR: Ismael Cornejo (SLV)

Guatemala – Canada
Referee: Marco Ortiz (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: Enrique Bustos (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Jorge Sanchez (MEX)
Fourth Official: Reon Radix (GRN)
VAR: Luis Santander (MEX)
AVAR: Shirley Perello (HON)

UEFA U-19 Euro 2023

Malta, 3 - 16 July 2023

Referees

1. Juxhin Xhaja (ALB, 1990)
2. Joonas Jaanovits (EST, 1991)
3. Sven Jablonski (GER, 1990, photo)
4. Gergő Bogar (HUN, 1991)
5. Yigal Frid (ISR, 1992)
6. Yael Falcon (ARG, 1988) - CONMEBOL Exchange

Assistant Referees
1. Dojando Myftari (ALB)
2. Aron Härsing (EST)
3. Robert Kempter (GER)
4. Theodoros Georgiou (HUN)
5. Yossi Babayoff (ISR)
6. Denis Ševcenko (LVA)
7. Rafael Morim (LUX)
8. Facundo Rodriguez (ARG) - CONMEBOL Exchange

Support Referees
1. Genc Nuza (KOS)
2. Ishmael Barbara (MLT)

Referee Observers
1. Frank De Bleeckere (BEL)
2. David Elleray (ENG)
3. Emil Bozinovski (MKD)
4. Martin Hansson (SWE)

UEFA U-21 Euro 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 17-24)

27 June 2023 

Portugal – Belgium
Referee: Willy Delajod (FRA, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Erwan Finjean (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Cyril Mugnier (FRA)
Fourth Official: Espen Eskas (NOR)
Referee Observer: Darko Čeferin (SVN)

Netherlands – Georgia
Referee: Rade Obrenovič (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Grega Kordež (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Aleksandar Kasapovič (SVN)
Fourth Official: Juxhin Xhaja (ALB)
Referee Observer: Terje Hauge (NOR)

Croatia – Romania
Referee: Joao Pinheiro (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia (POR)
Fourth Official: Allard Lindhout (NED)
Referee Observer: Haim Yakov (ISR)

Spain – Ukraine
Referee: Donatas Rumšas (LTU)
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radiuš (LTU)
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis (LTU)
Fourth Official: Andrei Chivulete (ROU)
Referee Observer: Björn Kuipers (NED)

28 June 2023
Israel – Czechia
Referee: Duje Strukan (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Bojan Zobenica (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Alen Jakšić (CRO)
Fourth Official: Goga Kikacheishvili (GEO)
Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP)

England – Germany
Referee: Aliyar Aghayev (AZE)
Assistant Referee 1: Zeynal Zeynalov (AZE)
Assistant Referee 2: Akif Amirali (AZE)
Fourth Official: Horațiu Feșnic (ROU)
Referee Observer: Antonio Damato (ITA)

Italy – Norway
Referee: Erik Lambrechts (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jo De Weirdt (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Monteny (BEL)
Fourth Official: Sebastian Gishamer (AUT)
Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras (GRE)

Switzerland – France
Referee: Morten Krogh (DEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Steffen Bramsen (DEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Dennis Rasmussen (DEN)
Fourth Official: Mohammed Al-Hakim (SWE)
Referee Observer: Nuno Castro (POR)

CONMEBOL Libertadores 2023 – Group Stage (Matchday 6)

27-29 June 2023

Libertad – Atletico Mineiro
Referee: Fernando Rapallini (ARG, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Bonfa (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Cristian Navarro (ARG)
Fourth Official: Leandro Rey (ARG)
VAR: Jorge Balino (ARG)
AVAR: Paulo Dovalo (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Miguel Nievas (URU)
VAR Supervisor: Roberto Silvera (URU)

Atletico Paranaense – Alianza Lima
Referee: Alexis Herrera (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Lubin Torrealba (VEN)
Fourth Official: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
VAR: Juan Soto (VEN)
AVAR: Carlos Lopez (VEN)
Referee Assessor: Luis Sanchez (VEN)
VAR Supervisor: Luis Vera (ECU)

River Plate – The Strongest
Referee: Gustavo Tejera (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Taran (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Martin Soppi (URU)
Fourth Official: Yender Herrera (VEN)
VAR: Juan Lara (CHI)
AVAR: Angelo Hermosilla (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Patricio Loustau (ARG)
VAR Supervisor: Carlos Pastorino (URU)

Fluminense – Sporting Cristal
Referee: Piero Maza (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Claudio Urrutia (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Alejandro Molina (CHI)
Fourth Official: John Hinestroza (COL)
VAR: Leonard Mosquera (COL)
AVAR: Mauricio Perez (COL)
Referee Assessor: Alicio Pena (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Patricio Polic (CHI)

Olimpia – Melgar
Referee: Raphael Claus (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Danilo Simon (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia (BRA)
Fourth Official: Ramon Abatti (BRA)
VAR: Wagner Reway (BRA)
AVAR: Paulo Goncalves (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Ednilson Corona (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Pericles Cortes (BRA)

Atletico Nacional – Patronato
Referee: Paulo Zanovelli (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Guilherme Camilo (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Leila Moreira (BRA)
Fourth Official: Savio Sampaio (BRA)
VAR: Daiane Muniz (BRA)
AVAR: Fabricio Vilarinho (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Ana Perez (PER)
VAR Supervisor: Wilson Avila (ECU)

Nacional – Metropolitanos
Referee: Roberto Perez (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Enrique Pinto (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Stephen Atoche (PER)
Fourth Official: Diego Haro (PER)
VAR: Carlos Orbe (ECU)
AVAR: Jonny Bossio (PER)
Referee Assessor: Jorge Larrionda (URU)
VAR Supervisor: Henry Gambetta (PER)

Internacional – Independiente Medellín
Referee: Facundo Tello (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Ezequiel Brailovsky (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Maximiliano Del Yesso (ARG)
Fourth Official: Maximiliano Ramirez (ARG)
VAR: Mauro Vigliano (ARG)
AVAR: German Delfino (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Paulo Conceicao (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Ricardo Casas (ARG)

Racing – Nublense
Referee: Kevin Ortega (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Orue (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Jesus Sanchez (PER)
Fourth Official: Edwin Ordonez (PER)
VAR: John Perdomo (COL)
AVAR: John Leon (COL)
Referee Assessor: Hector Baldassi (ARG)
VAR Supervisor: Sandra Zambrano (ECU)

Flamengo – Aucas
Referee: Andres Rojas (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Sebastian Vela (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Richard Ortiz (COL)
Fourth Official: Bismarks Santiago (COL)
VAR: Nicolas Gallo (COL)
AVAR: Jorge Guzman (COL)
Referee Assessor: Regildenia Moura (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Patricio Polic (CHI)

Corinthians – Liverpool
Referee: Angel Arteaga (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Tulio Moreno (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Ponte (VEN)
Fourth Official: Dilio Rodriguez (BOL)
VAR: Yadir Acuna (COL)
AVAR: Maria Daza (COL)
Referee Assessor: Ana Oliveira (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Gustavo Rossi (ARG)

Independiente Del Valle – Argentinos Juniors
Referee: Wilmar Roldan (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Wilmar Navarro (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Dionisio Ruiz (COL)
Fourth Official: Ivo Mendez (BOL)
VAR: Nicolas Rodriguez (COL)
AVAR: Alexander Guzman (COL)
Referee Assessor: Juan Corozo (ECU)
VAR Supervisor: Wilson Lamouroux (COL)

Palmeiras – Bolivar
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Lubin Torrealba (VEN)
Fourth Official: Alexis Herrera (VEN)
VAR: Juan Soto (VEN)
AVAR: Carlos Lopez (VEN)
Referee Assessor: Luis Sanchez (VEN)
VAR Supervisor: Luis Vera (ECU)

Boca Juniors – Monagas
Referee: Andres Matonte (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Barreiro (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Paulo Llarena (URU)
Fourth Official: Anahi Fernandez (URU)
VAR: Rodolpho Toski (BRA)
AVAR: Rodrigo Guarizo (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Sergio Viola (ARG)
VAR Supervisor: Carlos Pastorino (URU)

Colo Colo – Pereira
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Rodrigo Correa (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Pires (BRA)
Fourth Official: Flavio Souza (BRA)
VAR: Rafael Traci (BRA)
AVAR: Jose Rocha (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Christian Schiemann (CHI)
VAR Supervisor: Juan Cardellino (URU)

Barcelona – Cerro Porteno
Referee: Dario Herrera (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Belatti (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Chade (ARG)
Fourth Official: Paulo Echavarria (ARG)
VAR: Silvio Trucco (ARG)
AVAR: Salome Di Iorio (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Jose Carpio (ECU)
VAR Supervisor: Angel Sanchez (ARG)

CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2023 – Group Stage (Matchday 6)

27-29 June 2023

Palestino – Fortaleza
Referee: Carlos Ortega (COL, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: John Gallego (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Roldan (COL)
Fourth Official: Carlos Betancur (COL)
VAR: Heider Castro (COL)
AVAR: Monica Amboya (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Barbra Bastias (CHI)
VAR Supervisor: Juan Cardellino (URU)

San Lorenzo – Estudiantes de Merida
Referee: Gery Vargas (BOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Antelo (BOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Tapia (BOL)
Fourth Official: Andres Matonte (URU)
VAR: John Perdomo (COL)
AVAR: John Leon (COL)
Referee Assessor: Hernan Maidana (ARG)
VAR Supervisor: Sandra Zambrano (ECU)

Sao Paulo – Tigre
Referee: Guillermo Guerrero (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Ricardo Baren (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Dennys Guerrero (ECU)
Fourth Official: Augusto Aragon (ECU)
VAR: Roberto Sanchez (ECU)
AVAR: Edison Vazquez (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Silvia Regina (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Jose Espinel (ECU)

Deportes Tolima – Puerto Cabello
Referee: Joel Alarcon (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Leonar Soto (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Coty Carrera (PER)
Fourth Official: Michael Espinoza (PER)
VAR: Jose Cabero (CHI)
AVAR: Edson Cisternas (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Abraham Gonzalez (COL)
VAR Supervisor: Marcio Santiago (BRA)

Estudiantes La Plata – Oriente Petrolero
Referee: Manuel Vergara (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Retamal (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Rocha (CHI)
Fourth Official: Cristian Garay (CHI)
VAR: Antonio Garcia (URU)
AVAR: Juan Andrade (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Sergio Viola (ARG)
VAR Supervisor: Victor Carrillo (PER)

Red Bull Bragantino – Tacuary
Referee: Fernando Vejar (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Alejandro Molina (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Alan Sandoval (CHI)
Fourth Official: John Hinestroza (COL)
VAR: Luis Quiroz (ECU)
AVAR: Andres Tola (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Ricardo Marques (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Jairo Romero (VEN)

Emelec – Danubio
Referee: Braulio Machado (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Rafael Alves (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Luanderson Lima (BRA)
Fourth Official: Wagner Magalhaes (BRA)
VAR: Daniel Nobre (BRA)
AVAR: Igor Benevenuto (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Jose Lara (ECU)
VAR Supervisor: Angel Sanchez (ARG)

Guarani – Huracan
Referee: Bruno Arleu (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Danilo Simon (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia (BRA)
Fourth Official: Raphael Claus (BRA)
VAR: Wagner Reway (BRA)
AVAR: Paulo Goncalves (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Ednilson Corona (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Pericles Cortes (BRA)

Santa Fe – Goias
Referee: Leodan Gonzalez (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Horacio Ferreiro (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Santiago Fernandez (URU)
Fourth Official: Christian Aleman (BOL)
VAR: Andres Cunha (URU)
AVAR: Alex Cajas (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Oscar Ruiz (COL)
VAR Supervisor: Wilson Avila (ECU)

Universitario – Gimnasia Esgrima La Plata
Referee: Esteban Ostojich (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Richard Trinidad (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Nievas (URU)
Fourth Official: Yorman Delgado (VEN)
VAR: Bryan Loaiza (ECU)
AVAR: Christian Lescano (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Cesar Escano (PER)
VAR Supervisor: Sergio Cristiano (BRA)

Santos – Blooming
Referee: Augusto Aragon (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Ricardo Baren (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Dennys Guerrero (ECU)
Fourth Official: Guillermo Guerrero (ECU)
VAR: Roberto Sanchez (ECU)
AVAR: Edison Vazquez (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Marcelo Rogerio (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Jose Espinel (ECU)

Newells Old Boys – Audax Italiano
Referee: John Ospina (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: David Fuentes (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Mary Blanco (COL)
Fourth Official: Carlos Betancur (COL)
VAR: Antonio Garcia (URU)
AVAR: Juan Andrade (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Sabrina Lois (ARG)
VAR Supervisor: Victor Carrillo (PER)

Penarol – America Mineiro
Referee: Diego Haro (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Enrique Pinto (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Stephen Atoche (PER)
Fourth Official: Roberto Perez (PER)
VAR: Carlos Orbe (ECU)
AVAR: Jonny Bossio (PER)
Referee Assessor: Martin Vazquez (URU)
VAR Supervisor: Henry Gambetta (PER)

Defensa y Justicia – Millonarios
Referee: Cristian Garay (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Retamal (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Rocha (CHI)
Fourth Official: Manuel Vergara (CHI)
VAR: Angelo Hermosilla (CHI)
AVAR: Juan Lara (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Hernan Maidana (ARG)
VAR Supervisor: Roberto Silvera (URU)

Liga de Quito – Cesar Vallejo
Referee: Andres Merlos (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Savorani (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Mariana De Almeida (ARG)
Fourth Official: Fernando Espinoza (ARG)
VAR: Hernan Mastrangelo (ARG)
AVAR: Laura Fortunato (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Juan Corozo (ECU)
VAR Supervisor: Wilson Lamouroux (COL)

Botafogo – Magallanes
Referee: Bismarks Santiago (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Sebastian Vela (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Richard Ortiz (COL)
Fourth Official: Andres Rojas (COL)
VAR: Yadir Acuna (COL)
AVAR: Maria Daza (COL)
Referee Assessor: Hilton Moutinho (BRA) 

VAR Supervisor: Gustavo Rossi (ARG)

UEFA Champions League 2023/2024 – Preliminary Round

Semi-Finals (27 June 2023)

AC d’Escaldes – Buducnost Podgorica
Referee: Marcel Bîrsan (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Radu Ghinguleac (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Ciprian Danșa (ROU)
Fourth Official: Marian Barbu (ROU)
VAR: Radu Petrescu (ROU)
AVAR: Cătălin Popa (ROU)
Referee Observer: Robert Schörgenhofer (AUT)

SP Tre Penne – Breidablik
Referee: Mads-Kristoffer Kristoffersen (DEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Ole Kronlykke (DEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Martin Markus (DEN)
Fourth Official: Lasse Graagaard (DEN)
VAR: Jeroen Manschot (NED)
AVAR: Clay Ruperti (NED)
Referee Observer: Robert Schörgenhofer (AUT)

 

Final (30 June 2023)

Winner SF1 – Winner SF2
Referee: Krzysztof Jakubik (POL, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Arkadiusz Wojcik (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Tomasz Niemirowski (POL)
Fourth Official: Wojciech Myc (POL)
VAR: Pawel Pskit (POL)
AVAR: Pawel Malec (POL) 

Referee Observer: Robert Schörgenhofer (AUT)

Premios Acevedo 2023

First Division (men)
Referee: Jose Munuera Montero
Assistant Referee: Inigo Prieto Lopez

First Division (women)
Referee: Olatz Rivera Olmedo
Assistant Referee: Carmela Capistros Bitrian

Second Division

Referee: Francisco Hernandez Maeso

Assistant Referee: Asier Perez Durana

Concacaf Gold Cup 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 10-17)

24 June 2023

USA – Jamaica
Referee: Cesar Ramos (MEX, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Alberto Morin (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Bisguerra (MEX)
Fourth Official: Fernando Guerrero (MEX)
VAR: Erick Miranda (MEX)
AVAR: Jorge Perez (MEX)

25 June 2023
Trinidad and Tobago – St. Kitts and Nevis
Referee: Said Martinez (HON)
Assistant Referee 1: Walter Lopez (HON)
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Ramirez (HON)
Fourth Official: Keylor Herrera (CRC)
VAR: Melissa Borjas (HON)
AVAR: Ismael Cornejo (SLV)

Haiti – Qatar
Referee: Daneon Parchment (JAM)
Assistant Referee 1: Caleb Wales (TRI)
Assistant Referee 2: Ojay Duhaney (JAM)
Fourth Official: Reon Radix (GRN)
VAR: Ricardo Montero (CRC)
AVAR: Benjamin Pineda (CRC)

Mexico – Honduras
Referee: Mario Escobar (GUA)
Assistant Referee 1: Luis Ventura (GUA)
Assistant Referee 2: Humberto Panjoj (GUA)
Fourth Official: Bryan Lopez (GUA)
VAR: Timothy Ford (USA)
AVAR: Allen Chapman (USA)

26 June 2023
El Salvador – Martinique
Referee: Adonai Escobedo (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Espinosa (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Karen Diaz (MEX)
Fourth Official: Randy Encarnation (DOM)
VAR: Guillermo Pacheco (MEX)
AVAR: Luis Santander (MEX)

Costa Rica – Panama
Referee: Drew Fischer (CAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Kathryn Nesbitt (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Michael Barwegen (CAN)
Fourth Official: Joseph Dickerson (USA)
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic (USA)
AVAR: Chris Penso (USA)

27 June 2023
Canada – Guadeloupe
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Corey Parker (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Kyle Atkins (USA)
Fourth Official: Keylor Herrera (CRC)
VAR: Jorge Perez (MEX)
AVAR: Erick Miranda (MEX)

Guatemala – Cuba
Referee: Oshane Nation (JAM)
Assistant Referee 1: Zachari Zeegelaar (SUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Jassett Kerr-Wilson (JAM)
Fourth Official: Randy Encarnation (DOM)
VAR: Ismael Cornejo (SLV)
AVAR: Melissa Borjas (HON)

UEFA U-21 Euro 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 9-16)

24 June 2023

Portugal – Netherlands
Referee: Horațiu Feşnic (ROU, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Valentin Avram (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Alexandru Cerei (ROU)
Fourth Official: Juxhin Xhaja (ALB)
Referee Observer: Antonio Damato (ITA)

Georgia – Belgium
Referee: Duje Strukan (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Bojan Zobenica (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Alen Jakšić (CRO)
Fourth Official: Willy Delajod (FRA)
Referee Observer: Terje Hauge (NOR)

Romania – Ukraine
Referee: Morten Krogh (DEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Steffen Bramsen (DEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Dennis Rasmussen (DEN)
Fourth Official: Sebastian Gishamer (AUT)
Referee Observer: Björn Kuipers (NED)

Spain – Croatia
Referee: Allard Lindhout (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Rogier Honig (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Patrick Inia (NED)
Fourth Official: Joao Pinheiro (POR)
Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras (GRE)

25 June 2023
Czechia – Germany
Referee: Espen Eskas (NOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Engan (NOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Bashevkin (NOR)
Fourth Official: Aliyar Aghayev (AZE)
Referee Observer: Darko Čeferin (SVN)

England – Israel
Referee: Rade Obrenovič (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Grega Kordež (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Aleksandar Kasapovič (SVN)
Fourth Official: Goga Kikacheishvili (GEO)
Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP)

Switzerland – Italy
Referee: Mohammed Al-Hakim (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Fredrik Klyver (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Max Wilde (SWE)
Fourth Official: Andrei Chivulete (ROU)
Referee Observer: Haim Jakov (ISR)

Norway – France
Referee: Donatas Rumšas (LTU)
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radius (LTU)
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis (LTU)
Fourth Official: Erik Lambrechts (BEL)
Referee Observer: Nuno Castro (POR)

Chenard: The "professional adventurer" starring in a new role

A lot of us have ideas about how we’ll happily retire after a long working life. This also applies to professional footballers and referees. As the years tick by, thoughts about retiring from active sports become more pressing. However, fate can sometimes intervene and usher in involuntary retirement, as was the case with Carol Anne Chenard. "My cancer diagnosis and missing [France] 2019 ended my on-field career – not in the way that I had envisioned. It wasn’t how I thought my career would end," says the Canadian. "While I was undergoing treatment, I was trying to stay involved in the game. By that time, I wanted to get back on the pitch, but I didn’t know what my prognosis was at the time. Concacaf, FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association let me continue to do some training. That’s what kept me close and involved. When I knew that I couldn't come back on the playing field, I was really struggling with what my next steps were. Am I going to become an instructor? What do I want to do? The playing field and the referees are really close to my heart. I wasn't quite ready to step away and I was provided this opportunity."

The opportunity that the 46-year-old is referring to came about in January this year, when FIFA announced the names of the match officials for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. The list included 19 video assistant referees (VARs) and, for the first time, six women – one of whom was Chenard. "I'm really proud to come back. VAR is now a new option which we didn’t have five years ago. It really provided me an opportunity to continue to use my experience that I had from tournaments. It allows me to support referees and to still participate closer to the pitch than if I was an instructor. But to be a part of a group of video match officials and be able to contribute and support the young referees that are coming up, is really special for me."

Chenard's path to becoming a Video Match Official (VMO) began by training with the PRO (Professional Referee Organization), a professional US-Canadian refereeing organization that supports the MLS (Major League Soccer) and NWSL (National Women's Soccer League). This was followed by practice matches, work in the MLS on a probationary basis for a year and then regularly, as well as matches in the NWSL. Then came her nomination as a video assistant referee for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022 in India, including the final on 30 October 2022. "I’ve done about 50 matches now overall in the last three years. Obviously, I was able to progress and get my FIFA certification after having some experience and doing some matches. It’s different than being on the field. There’s pressure on you because you’re looking at things on a video and can watch replays, whereas as a referee you don't get that opportunity. People are a little bit more accepting when you make a mistake," she explains. "As a VMO, you have to be able to look at the video, analyse the considerations quickly and then decide. It’s very easy in the video operating room to get stuck in a loop; but you really have to be able to take the considerations that we all learn as referees, assistant referees, referees on the field, watch them, understand what angles you need, but then you also have to be able to make the decision. One of my strengths is, because I was a top-level referee, that I am able to pull the plug and make the decision. Obviously, the correct outcome is what you want, but we don't want every video reviewed to take five minutes. That's not the intent for the game."

Football has played a major role in Chenard's return in a new role to the showpiece event of the women’s game. It gave her strength in the fight against the unknown. Early on in her refereeing career, she learned to control what can be controlled, and this was the approach she took when she received her cancer diagnosis. "I tried not to worry about the things I didn't know. It is very difficult when you are waiting for your diagnosis and waiting to find out what the plan is. Once I had a plan in place for me, it made a huge difference. I’m very action oriented," says this impressive, driven woman. "My first chemo was on the kick-off date of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, June 7. I did my chemo and watched the opening game, which in my heart was the game I wanted to do. The day I got diagnosed I knew I was going to miss France. In my head I said: I'm going to Tokyo; my goal is [the Olympic Football Tournament in] Tokyo. This was before I knew what I was in for, how my body would react. I think sometimes when you have a goal, which is what I learned in soccer as well, you can work towards it. I think controlling what I can control, surrounding myself with great people, having this goal and keeping my eye on some kind of a target was really helpful for me." This ‘professional adventurer’, as Chenard describes herself on her Twitter account, still has one goal firmly in her sights even after the showpiece event of women's football. "Football has allowed me to see the world. When I was skating, I was able to travel and see the world, but football has really allowed me to go to almost every corner of the world and meet people. I want to continue that. I've never been to Australia – it’s one of the few places I haven’t been to. I’m really looking forward to our time there and then I'm going to continue travelling, meeting people, young referees, young kids, going to schools and encouraging people to see the world."

Source: FIFA

UEFA U-21 Euro 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 1-8)

21 June 2023

Georgia – Portugal
Referee: Espen Eskas (NOR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Engan (NOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Bashevkin (NOR)
Fourth Official: Juxhin Xhaja (ALB)
Referee Observer: Antonio Damato (ITA)

Belgium – Netherlands
Referee: Aliyar Aghayev (AZE)
Assistant Referee 1: Zeynal Zeynalov (AZE)
Assistant Referee 2: Akif Amirali (AZE)
Fourth Official: Rade Obrenovič (SVN)
Referee Observer: Darko Čeferin (SVN)

Ukraine – Croatia
Referee: Mohammed Al-Hakim (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Fredrik Klyver (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Max Wilde (SWE)
Fourth Official: Andrei Chivulete (ROU)
Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras (GRE)

Romania – Spain
Referee: Erik Lambrechts (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jo De Weirdt (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Monteny (BEL)
Fourth Official: Donatas Rumšas (LTU)
Referee Observer: Nuno Castro (POR)

22 June 2023
Czechia – England
Referee: Horațiu Feşnic (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Valentin Avram (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Alexandru Cerei (ROU)
Fourth Official: Goga Kikacheishvili (GEO)
Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP)

Germany – Israel
Referee: Willy Delajod (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Erwan Finjean (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Cyril Mugnier (FRA)
Fourth Official: Duje Strukan (CRO)
Referee Observer: Terje Hauge (NOR)

Norway – Switzerland
Referee: Joao Pinheiro (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia (POR)
Fourth Official: Sebastian Gishamer (AUT)
Referee Observer: Augustus Constantin (ROU)

France – Italy
Referee: Allard Lindhout (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Rogier Honig (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Patrick Inia (NED)
Fourth Official: Morten Krogh (DEN)
Referee Observer: Haim Jakov (ISR)

CONMEBOL Beach Soccer Libertadores 2023

Chile, 18-25 June 2023

Referees

1. Mariano Romo (ARG, photo)
2. Carlos Maidana (ARG)
3. Luis Mojica (BOL)
4. Jose Mendoza (BOL)
5. Lucas Estevao (BRA)
6. Luciano Andrade (BRA)
7. Jorge Gomez (COL)
8. Adanes Pino (COL)
9. Cristian Galaz (CHI)
10. Ricardo Zuniga (CHI)
11. Javier Marcillo (ECU)
12. Brandon Amay (ECU)
13. Alex Valdiviezo (PER)
14. Micke Palomino (PER)
15. Ramon Blanco (PER)
16. Christian Altez (URU)
17. Aecio Fernandez (URU)
18. Pablo Cadenasso (URU)
19. Diomar Aguana (VEN)
20. Darwin Bustos (VEN)

Concacaf Gold Cup 2023 – Preliminary Round (Matches 7-9)

20 June 2023

Guadeloupe – Guyana
Referee: Oshane Nation (JAM, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Zachari Zeegelaar (SUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Jassett Kerr-Wilson (JAM)
Fourth Official: Joseph Dickerson (USA)
VAR: Chris Penso (USA)
AVAR: Edvin Jurisevic (USA)

Martinique – Puerto Rico
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Corey Parker (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Kyle Atkins (USA)
Fourth Official: Randy Encarnacion (DOM)
VAR: Luis Santander (MEX)
AVAR: Jorge Perez (MEX)

Saint Kitts and Nevis – French Guiana
Referee: Adonai Escobedo (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Espinosa (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Karen Diaz (MEX)
Fourth Official: Keylor Herrera (CRC)
VAR: Melissa Borjas (HON)
AVAR: Erick Miranda (MEX)

CONMEBOL Futsal U-17 Copa America 2023

Paraguay, 17-25 June 2023

Referees

1. Dario Santamaria (ARG, photo)
2. Estefania Pinto (ARG)
3. Fernando Zylberberg (ARG)
4. Henry Gutierrez (BOL)
5. Juan Villarroel (BOL)
6. Alfredo Wagner (BRA)
7. Flavio Marquez (BRA)
8. Christian Espindola (CHI)
9. Rodrigo Concha (CHI)
10. Valeria Palma (CHI)
11. Yuri Garcia (COL)
12. Rolando Bermudez (COL)
13. Jonathan Herbas (ECU)
14. Daniel Villacis (ECU)
15. Gerson Ceron (PER)
16. Alejandro Villanueva (PER)
17. Daniel Rodriguez (URU)
18. Diego Etcheverry (URU)
19. Jose Villar (VEN)
20. Felix Rumbos (VEN)

UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers (Matchday 4)

19 June 2023

France – Greece
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Pau Cebrian Devis (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Diaz Perez (ESP)
Fourth Official: Jose Munuera Montero (ESP)
VAR: Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea (ESP)
AVAR: Javier Alberola Rojas (ESP)
Referee Observer: Stephen Lodge (ENG)

Ukraine – Malta
Referee: Ruddy Buquet (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Aurelien Drouet (FRA)
Fourth Official: Bastien Dechepy (FRA)
VAR: Benoît Millot (FRA)
AVAR: Eric Wattellier (FRA)
Referee Observer: Erol Ersoy (TUR)

Armenia – Latvia
Referee: Peter Kralović (SVK)
Assistant Referee 1: Milan Štrbo (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Tomaš Vorel (SVK)
Fourth Official: Martin Dohal (SVK)
VAR: Sören Storks (GER)
AVAR: Pascal Müller (GER)
Referee Observer: Michael Argyrou (CYP)

Finland – San Marino
Referee: Genc Nuza (KOS)
Assistant Referee 1: Fatlum Berisha (KOS)
Assistant Referee 2: Bujar Selimaj (KOS)
Fourth Official: Visar Kastrati (KOS)
VAR: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
AVAR: Dario Bel (CRO)
Referee Observer: Ladislav Gadosi (SVK)

Ireland – Gibraltar
Referee: Marian Barbu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marica (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Imre Bucsi (ROU)
Fourth Official: Sebastian Coltescu (ROU)
VAR: Ovidiu Hategan (ROU)
AVAR: Cătălin Popa (ROU)
Referee Observer: Uno Tutk (EST)

England – North Macedonia
Referee: Istvan Kovacs (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Vasile Marinescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Ovidiu Artene (ROU)
Fourth Official: Radu Petrescu (ROU)
VAR: Pol van Boekel (NED)
AVAR: Jeroen Manschot (NED)
Referee Observer: Markus Strömbergsson (SWE)

Turkey – Wales
Referee: Fabio Maresca (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Tegoni (ITA)
Fourth Official: Luca Massimi (ITA)
VAR: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
AVAR: Gianluca Aureliano (ITA)
Referee Observer: Lucilio Batista (POR)

Northern Ireland – Kazakhstan
Referee: Roi Reinshreiber (ISR)
Assistant Referee 1: David Biton (ISR)
Assistant Referee 2: Sagy Metzamber (ISR)
Fourth Official: Snir Levy (ISR)
VAR: Orel Grinfeeld (ISR)
AVAR: David Fuxman (ISR)
Referee Observer: Lassin Isaksen (FRO)

Slovenia – Denmark
Referee: François Letexier (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Hicham Zakrani (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni (FRA)
Fourth Official: Jeremy Stinat (FRA)
VAR: Jerôme Brisard (FRA)
AVAR: Jeremie Pignard (FRA)
Referee Observer: Fritz Stuchlik (AUT)

Switzerland – Romania
Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Ciro Carbone (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Alessandro Giallatini (ITA)
Fourth Official: Andrea Colombo (ITA)
VAR: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)
AVAR: Luca Pairetto (ITA)
Referee Observer: Juan Fernandez Marin (ESP)

Israel – Andorra
Referee: Dragomir Draganov (BUL)
Assistant Referee 1: Martin Venev (BUL)
Assistant Referee 2: Hristo Hadzhiyski (BUL)
Fourth Official: Nikola Popov (BUL)
VAR: Michael Fabbri (ITA)
AVAR: Ivaylo Stoyanov (BUL)
Referee Observer: Georgios Bikas (GRE)

Belarus – Kosovo
Referee: Julian Weinberger (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Heidenreich (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Sara Telek (AUT)
Fourth Official: Alexander Harkam (AUT)
VAR: Christian Dingert (GER)
AVAR: Alan Kijas (AUT)
Referee Observer: Christopher Lautier (MLT)

20 June 2023
Scotland – Georgia
Referee: Istvan Vad (HUN)
Assistant Referee 1: Vencel Toth (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Istvan Albert (HUN)
Fourth Official: Ferenc Karako (HUN)

VAR: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)

AVAR: Tamas Bognar (HUN)

Referee Observer: Edward Foley (IRL)

Norway – Cyprus
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (MKD)
Assistant Referee 1: Goce Petreski (MKD)
Assistant Referee 2: Kushtrim Lika (MKD)
Fourth Official: Igor Stojchevski (MKD)

VAR: Paolo Valeri (ITA)

AVAR: Mario Zebec (CRO)

Referee Observer: Gylfi Orrason (ISL)

Moldova – Poland
Referee: Filip Glova (SVK)
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel Polacek (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Peter Bednar (SVK)
Fourth Official: Kristian Michel (SVK)

VAR: Luis Godinho (POR)

AVAR: Michal Ocenas (SVK)

Referee Observer: Helmut Fleischer (GER)

Faroe Islands – Albania
Referee: Chrysovalantis Theouli (CYP)
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Soteriou (CYP)
Assistant Referee 2: Pavlos Georgiou (CYP)
Fourth Official: Menelaos Antoniou (CYP)

VAR: Angelos Evangelou (GRE)

AVAR: Dimitris Solomou (CYP)

Referee Observer: Stefan Johannesson (SWE)

Austria – Sweden
Referee: Marco Guida (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Giorgio Peretti (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Davide Imperiale (ITA)
Fourth Official: Giovanni Ayroldi (ITA)

VAR: Marco Di Bello (ITA)

AVAR: Aleandro Di Paolo (ITA)

Referee Observer: Pascal Garibian (FRA)

Estonia – Belgium
Referee: John Beaton (SCO)
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel McFarlane (SCO)
Assistant Referee 2: Douglas Potter (SCO)
Fourth Official: Matthew MacDermid (SCO)

VAR: David Coote (ENG)

AVAR: Nicholas Walsh (SCO)

Referee Observer: Stefano Podeschi (SMR)

Hungary – Lithuania
Referee: Antonio Nobre (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Pedro Ribeiro (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Tiago Costa (POR)
Fourth Official: Andre Narciso (POR)

VAR: Tiago Martins (POR)

AVAR: Fabio Melo (POR)

Referee Observer: Domenico Messina (ITA)

Bulgaria – Serbia
Referee: Craig Pawson (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Ian Hussin (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring (ENG)
Fourth Official: Robert Jones (ENG)

VAR: Christopher Kavanagh (ENG)

AVAR: Jarred Gillett (ENG)

Referee Observer: Orhan Erdemir (TUR)

Iceland – Portugal
Referee: Daniel Siebert (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn (GER)
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager (GER)
VAR: Bastian Dankert (GER)
AVAR: Benjamin Brand (GER)
Referee Observer: Stephen Tanner (ENG)

Bosnia and Herzegovina – Luxembourg
Referee: Gal Leibovitz (ISR)
Assistant Referee 1: Rostislav Talis (ISR)
Assistant Referee 2: Omer Barbiro (ISR)
Fourth Official: Nael Odeh (ISR)

VAR: Ziv Adler (ISR)

AVAR: Eli Hacmon (ISR)

Referee Observer: Leslie Irvine (NIR)

Liechtenstein – Slovakia
Referee: Yigal Frid (ISR)
Assistant Referee 1: Matityahu Yakobov (ISR)
Assistant Referee 2: Yossi Babayoff (ISR)
Fourth Official: Idan Leiba (ISR)

VAR: Daniel Natan (ISR)

AVAR: Eitan Shmuelevitz (ISR)

Referee Observer: Michael Johansen (DEN)

Concacaf Nations League Final 2023: Martinez (HON)

18 June 2023

Final
Canada – USA

Referee: Said Martinez (HON, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Walter Lopez (HON)
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Ramirez (HON)
Fourth Official: Selvin Brown (HON)
VAR: Ricardo Montero (CRC)
AVAR: Benjamin Pineda (CRC)

Match for Third Plaxce
Panama – Mexico
Referee: Daneon Parchment (JAM)
Assistant Referee 1: Ojay Duhaney (JAM)
Assistant Referee 2: Caleb Wales (TRI)
Fourth Official: Ismael Cornejo (SLV)
VAR: Tatiana Guzman (NCA)
AVAR: Shirley Perello (HON)

UEFA Nations League Final 2023: Zwayer (GER)

‘Good things come to those who wait,’ as the saying goes. A career path that began at the tender age of 13 will reach a new peak for German referee Felix Zwayer when he takes charge of Sunday’s UEFA Nations League final. Three decades of refereeing will doubtless stand the 42-year-old Berlin-born match official in good stead when he manages the crunch encounter between Croatia and Spain at the Stadion Feijenoord in Rotterdam – and Zwayer is confident that he is in prime shape to handle one of European national team football’s biggest occasions. “I’m extremely happy that UEFA has put its trust in me, and I feel that I’m ready for this match,” he told UEFA.com. “It’s a big game, the latest in a series of finals that have been taking place in recent weeks. I’m very proud to have the chance to hopefully perform as well as the referees that have taken charge of the other finals.”

Early fascination

Zwayer has travelled a long road in refereeing, setting off on his adventure just as he entered his teens. “I was a player, and I attended an indoor football tournament,” he recalled. “I was immediately fascinated by the two guys who were in charge of matches. I went straight home and told my parents that I wanted to be a referee. I started doing research and found out that the minimum age to become a referee at that time was 14. I was disappointed at this because I still had a little time to wait. My elder brother had already reached that age, and he had started refereeing. I wrote a letter to my local federation asking about the possibility to start a little earlier. Happily, they accepted my request – and I was hooked immediately.” Zwayer’s path that would eventually lead him to the top began with youth matches before he graduated to refereeing adult football games at the age of 17. He rose gradually through the amateur and semi-professional ranks, arriving in Germany’s second division in 2007. Two years later, the door opened onto the German top-flight Bundesliga, and his international badge followed in 2012. Key domestic and international assignments have followed over the years, including the 2018 German Cup final between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt – doubly special because the match took place in Zwayer’s hometown Berlin’s Olympiastadion, as well as on his 37th birthday.

'You must nurture your own style'

‘Be yourself’ is Zwayer’s recipe for success. “You must nurture your own style and be able to fit your refereeing to your personality,” he said. “And in developing your own style, it’s important that you have people around you who believe in you and are ready to support your development along your career path. You move step by step and set goals when it’s necessary.” He agrees that being a referee provides crucial tools to deal with life and its various facets. “All the skills you learn as a referee can be used in your private life and your job,” he emphasised. “I’ve been able to make good use of all the experiences I’ve had over 30 years.” Zwayer deploys such skills in professional life outside of football as a real estate manager in a company that he owns with three partners. “I do enjoy the chance of going to our office and being involved in this other part of my life,” he said. Zwayer will be accompanied in the Netherlands on Sunday by assistant referees and compatriots Stefan Lupp and Marco Achmüller, as well as fourth official Ivan Kruzliak (Slovakia). The video assistant referee (VAR) team will be headed by Marco Fritz (Germany), alongside two assistant VARs, Sven Jablonski (Germany) and Stuart Attwell (England). “It’s not possible for a referee to officiate on his own. Given all of the decisions that have to be taken in a match, you need your team alongside you,” Zwayer reflected. “And referees’ teamwork is not just a matter of taking decisions – it’s also about giving each other confidence, advice and support in difficult situations. You must all be on the same wavelength.” The experienced referee team for Sunday’s encounter in Rotterdam began their preparations for the final well in advance. “We studied the teams in the semi-finals,” Zwayer said. “Players, performances, tactics, all possible aspects – this means, for example, that we’ll be fully aware of what might change for a team between the semi-final and the final. I actually love to go to the stadium for the pre-match training session. You get used to the venue and its environment, the people working there, the facilities. It means that as you get closer to the kick-off on the day, you’re already tuned in about what to expect. Then, in the dressing room, my assistants and I will prepare for the match in whatever way is best for each of us. We know each other extremely well because we’ve worked together for a long time. Each of us knows how the other is feeling or what to say at a given moment. I personally like to put on headphones and listen to music in the dressing room – and that’s also because my colleagues don’t particularly like the music that I like to listen to!”

‘No doors are closed’

While sharpening his focus on the duties ahead, Zwayer will be determined to enjoy the instant as Sunday’s kick-off becomes imminent. “When you line up with the teams,” he said, “It’s important to feel the joy, pride and passion, to savour the achievement of being there. I know that I will also think of my family, because they always give me the strength to do my very best.” Quality time with his wife and their two daughters aged five and two helps Zwayer relax at home. A lover of all sports, a keen badminton player and an enthusiastic cook, he also appreciates a wide range of music – and particularly relishes the special atmosphere of open-air concerts. “They’re very similar to big football matches in many ways,” he explained. “A large audience, the atmosphere building up, the anticipation of a special moment to come… and then the performance finally happens.” The assignment for Sunday’s final at Rotterdam’s famous ‘De Kuip’ is helping Felix Zwayer envisage new horizons while keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground. “You never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “It’s important to go from match to match. I’ve had good times and bad times as a referee, but I’ve always managed to bounce back after disappointments. When you get to high levels as a referee, you dream of taking part in major tournaments, and there’s a big event just around the corner – Euro 2024 in my country next summer. I will continue to do my best and give my all, and I hope that my performances might make me one of the candidates for selection. The appointment for the Nations League final is definitely an important step for me – because it shows that no doors are closed to me for the future.” (Source: UEFA)

18 June 2023

Final
Croatia – Spain
Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Lupp (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Achmüller (GER)
Fourth Official: Ivan Kružliak (SVK)
VAR: Marco Fritz (GER)
AVAR 1: Sven Jablonski (GER)
AVAR 2: Stuart Attwell (ENG)
Referee Observer: Markus Nobs (SUI)

Match for Third Place
Netherlands – Italy
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderqvist (SWE)
Fourth Official: Kristo Tohver (EST)
VAR: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)
AVAR: Pawel Pskit (POL)
Referee Observer: Leslie Irvine (NIR)