Sweden refuses to use VAR

Sweden has become the first country to refuse to use Video Assistant Referees following a fan revolt against its introduction. The president of the Swedish Football Association, Fredrik Reinfeldt, confirmed VAR would not be implemented in its competitions, having previously proclaimed the system “our future”. The climbdown reflects Swedish clubs being at least 51 per cent fan-owned and fierce resistance among supporters to VAR’s introduction.

Reinfeldt, the former prime minister of Sweden, told Aftonbladet more than half of the top 32 teams opposed VAR. He said: “If I counted correctly, we have 18 elite clubs and two districts that have said they do not want to introduce VAR. We respect that. That’s why we didn’t bring forward any proposal about VAR to the previous board of representatives meeting and I don’t foresee it in the future either. I stand by respecting the democratic rules of the game.” Reinfeldt had warned a year ago Swedish clubs could be forced to use VAR in their home matches in UEFA competitions. But he said that threat had receded. “I don’t think so now, from what I’ve heard,” he added. “So, then it is up to us to make the decision. Then it is clear how it looks right now – the clubs do not want the introduction of this specific technology.”

The Swedish Professional Football Leagues group said last summer it would campaign against VAR being trialled this autumn. Its general secretary, Johan Lindvall, said at the time: “Sweden is currently the only country among Europe’s 30 highest-ranked leagues that has not decided to introduce VAR. The fact that we have not done so is largely due to our democratic model. We are proud of our club democracy, and we must protect it.” The introduction of VAR in Norway last year prompted protests from more than 70 fans’ groups.

Source: Yahoo Sports

UEFA Women’s Champions League 2023/24 – Semi-finals (Second Leg)

27 April 2024 

Chelsea FCW – FC Barcelona
Referee: Iuliana Demetrescu ROU (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Mihaela Tepusa ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Roxana Ivanov ROU
Fourth Official: Frida Mia Klarlund DEN
VAR: Ovidiu Haţegan ROU
AVAR: Cătălin Popa ROU
Referee Observer: Sofia Karagiorgi CYP

28 April 2024
Paris St. Germain – Olympique Lyonnais
Referee: Ivana Projkovska MKD
Assistant Referee 1: Vjolca Izeiri MKD
Assistant Referee 2: Staša Špur SVN
Fourth Official: Jelena Cvetković SRB
VAR: Christian Dingert GER
AVAR: Katrin Rafalski GER
Referee Observer: Gyöngyi Gaal HUN

Marciniak and Sokolnicki split their ways before Euro 2024

The selection of Szymon Marciniak as Euro 2024 referee was expected to be certain. However, this time, apart from Tomasz Listkiewicz, Adam Kupsik will be the second assistant referee, not Pawel Sokolnicki. The change in the team of Szymon Marciniak does not result from Sokolnicki’s lack of form, but rather from the desire to give a chance to participate in the great tournament to another assistant referee from Poland. Other senior referees from Ekstraklasa are not ranked so high in FIFA or UEFA and they do not have chances to participate in the World Cup or Euro, so the only possibility of such promotion for other Polish match officials is associated with a possible cooperation with Marciniak. From several candidates from the list of Polish FIFA assistant referees, Marciniak chose Adam Kupsik from Poznan.

The election of Tomasz Listkiewicz, not Paweł Sokolnicki, may be due to the fact that Listkiewicz is older. For him, the Euro 2024 will probably be the last big tournament. The younger Sokolnicki still has a real chance to referee with Marciniak at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. The second assistant referee will probably be Kupsik. He is, in a sense, the luckiest in the history of Polish refereeing. Kupsik will go to the big tournament after only a season of intensive cooperation with Marciniak: four matches in the Champions League group stage, three in the World Cup qualifiers and three in the Euro qualifiers. Kupsik’s greatest achievement so far was participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, in December 2023, together with Marciniak, where they were appointed to the semi-final and the final. (Source: TVP/Rafal Rostkowski)

Pawel Sokolnicki released a statement: "First of all, I want to congratulate Szymon and his team on their nomination to Euro 2024. Poland will be a nation represented by two teams, it's a huge privilege and honor. On the matter itself, the answer is simple. The 2023 UCL Final was my last big game as a part of the team, and I was fully aware of it. The remaining matches with Szymon only resulted from my obligations to my employer, the Polish FA. I achieved huge success under Szymon Marciniak's leadership; there is nothing more beautiful for us than refereeing the World Cup final and experiencing everything related to this, for which I thank Szymon. In addition, five finals - including two in a row as AVAR in Cologne and Baku - represent another great chapter in my career. I have a wonderful family, wife and two children. We are together and healthy, and that's the most important thing. Other things are just additions, believe me. It's time for new challenges". (Source: Onet)

CAF Confederation Cup 2023/2024 – Semi-finals (Second Leg)

28 April 2024

Dreams FC – Zamalek
Referee: Mahamat Alhadji (CHA, photo)

RS Berkane – USM Alger
Referee:

CAF Champions League 2023/2024 – Semi-finals (Second Leg)

26 April 2024

Mamelodi Sundowns – ES Tunis
Referee: Issa Sy (SEN, photo)

Al Ahly – TP Mazembe
Referee: Peter Waweru (KEN)
VAR: Maria Rivet (MRI)

AFC Champions League 2023/2024 – Semi-finals (Second Leg)

23 April 2024

Yokohama Marinos – Ulsan HD
Referee: Alireza Faghani (AUS, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Anton Shchetinin (AUS)
Assistant Referee 2: Ashley Beecham (AUS)

Al Hilal – Al Ain
Referee: Ahmad Al-Ali (KUW)
Assistant Referee 1: Abdulhadi Al-Anezi (KUW)
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Abbas (KUW)

UEFA Euro 2024

The UEFA Referees Committee has announced 18 referees, their referee assistant teams, and the video match officials and support match officials, who will be in charge of the 51 matches at UEFA Euro 2024, from 14 June to 14 July. As part of the co-operation between UEFA and the South American Football Confederation CONMEBOL, a referee from Argentina, Facundo Tello, together with his two assistants, will join the European group of referees at the final tournament in Germany. "UEFA Euro 2024 is the pinnacle of European national team football with the best teams competing and that’s why we have selected the best referees to officiate these matches. All chosen referees have performed consistently to the highest standards in UEFA’s top competitions, and in their domestic competitions. They have prepared exceptionally well to be in this position, and we have full confidence in them to show their quality at the final tournament", said Roberto Rosetti, UEFA managing director of refereeing.

Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG, 1985, photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt (ENG, 1980)

Assistant Referee 2: Dan Cook (ENG, 1987)

Referee: Anthony Taylor (ENG, 1978)

Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick (ENG, 1978)

Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn (ENG, 1985)

Referee: Francois Letexier (FRA, 1989)

Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier (FRA, 1983)

Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni (FRA, 1988)

Referee: Clement Turpin (FRA, 1982)

Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos (FRA, 1980)

Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pages (FRA, 1986)

Referee: Daniel Siebert (GER, 1984)

Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel (GER, 1984)

Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn (GER, 1985)

Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER, 1981)

Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Lupp (GER, 1978)

Assistant Referee 2: Marco Achmüller (GER, 1979)

Referee: Marco Guida (ITA, 1981)

Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli (ITA, 1977)

Assistant Referee 2: Giorgio Peretti (ITA, 1981)

Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA, 1975)

Assistant Referee 1: Ciro Carbone (ITA, 1978)

Assistant Referee 2: Alessandro Giallatini (ITA, 1975)

Referee: Danny Makkelie (NED, 1983)

Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra (NED, 1978)

Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries (NED, 1982)

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL, 1981)

Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL, 1978)

Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik (POL, 1982)

Referee: Artur Dias (POR, 1979)

Assistant Referee 1: Paulo Soares (POR, 1976)

Assistant Referee 2: Pedro Ribeiro (POR, 1981)

Referee: Istvan Kovacs (ROU, 1984)

Assistant Referee 1: Vasile Marinescu (ROU, 1976)

Assistant Referee 2: Ovidiu Artene (ROU, 1977)

Referee: Ivan Kruzliak (SVK, 1984)

Assistant Referee 1: Branislav Hancko (SVK, 1987)

Assistant Referee 2: Jan Pozor (SVK, 1983)

Referee: Slavko Vinčić (SVN, 1979)

Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik (SVN, 1982)

Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič (SVN, 1985)

Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano (ESP, 1984)

Assistant Referee 1: Diego Barbero Sevilla (ESP, 1980)

Assistant Referee 2: Angel Nevado Rodriguez (ESP, 1981)

Referee: Glenn Nyberg (SWE, 1988)

Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi (SWE, 1986)

Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderqvist (SWE, 1988)

Referee: Sandro Schärer (SUI, 1988)

Assistant Referee 1: Stephane De Almeida (SUI, 1988)

Assistant Referee 2: Bekim Zogaj (SUI, 1979)

Referee: Halil Meler (TUR, 1986)

Assistant Referee 1: Mustafa Eyisoy (TUR, 1980)

Assistant Referee 2: Kerem Ersoy (TUR, 1985)

Referee: Facundo Tello (ARG, 1982)

Assistant Referee 1: Gabriel Chade (ARG, 1979)

Assistant Referee 2: Ezequiel Brailovsky (ARG, 1979)

Video Match Officials

1. Stuart Attwell (ENG, 1982)

2. David Coote (ENG, 1982)

3. Jerôme Brisard (FRA, 1986)

4. Willy Delajod (FRA, 1992)

5. Bastian Dankert (GER, 1980)

6. Christian Dingert (GER, 1980)

7. Marco Fritz (GER, 1977)

8. Massimiliano Irrati (ITA, 1979)

9. Paolo Valeri (ITA, 1978)

10. Rob Dieperink (NED, 1988)

11. Pol Van Boekel (NED, 1975)

12. Bartosz Frankowski (POL, 1986)

13. Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL, 1978)

14. Tiago Martins (POR, 1980)

15. Catalin Popa (ROU, 1981)

16. Nejc Kajtazovic (SVN, 1982)

17. Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez (ESP, 1982)

18. Juan Martinez Munuera (ESP, 1982)

19. Fedayi San (SUI, 1982)

20. Alper Ulusoy (TUR, 1981)

Support Match Officials

Referee: Irfan Peljto (BIH, 1984)

Assistant Referee: Senad Ibrisimbegović (BIH, 1981)

Referee: Donatas Rumsas (LTU, 1988)

Assistant Referee: Aleksandr Radius (ITA, 1982)

Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (NED, 1985)

Assistant Referee: Johan Balder (NED, 1982)

Referee: Espen Eskas (NOR, 1988)

Assistant Referee: Jan Engan (NOR, 1986)

Referee: Rade Obrenović (SVN, 1990)

Assistant Referee: Jure Praprotnik (SVN, 1985)

Referee: Mykola Balakin (UKR, 1989)

Assistant Referee: Oleksandr Berkut (UKR, 1991)

Refereeing teams at each match will consist of a referee, two assistant referees, a fourth official, a reserve assistant referee at the stadium, and a team of three video match officials. The designated support match officials will be acting as fourth official at matches. The preparation of the officials for UEFA Euro 2024 will include a course for all referees, referee assistants and video match officials, which will take place in Frankfurt, Germany, in mid-May. During the tournament referees, referee assistants and support referees will have their base camp in Frankfurt. The video match officials will be based in Leipzig, where during the matches they will operate from the International Broadcast Centre.

Source: UEFA

Concacaf Champions Cup 2024 – Semi-finals (First Leg)

23 April 2024
Club America – CF Pachuca
Referee: Ismail Elfath (USA, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Corey Parker (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Kyle Atkins (USA)
Fourth Official: Rubiel Vazquez (USA)
VAR: Allen Chapman (USA)
AVAR: Joseph Dickerson (USA)

24 April 2024
Columbus Crew – CF Monterrey
Referee: Oshane Nation (JAM)
Assistant Referee 1: Caleb Wales (TRI)
Assistant Referee 2: Ojay Duhaney (JAM)
Fourth Official: Julio Luna (GUA)
VAR: Daneon Parchment (JAM)
AVAR: Benjamin Whitty (CAY)

CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations Final 2024: Hassan (EGY)

21 April 2024

Final
Morocco – Angola
Referee: Mohamed Hassan (EGY, photo)

Match for Third Place
Libya – Egypt
Referee: Khalid Hnich (MAR)

Two-time World Cup referee Kirschen passed away at 80

The German Football Association (DFB) is mourning for his honorary member Siegfried Kirschen. The former referee and official died on Friday evening at the age of 80.

With SV Empor Augustusburg and Lokomotiv Karl-Marx-Stadt, Siegfried Kirschen started his football career in 1961. As referee, no one was more successful in East German football than Siegfried Kirschen. From 1972 to 1991, he refereed 250 matches of the GDR Oberliga and 43 European Cup matches, including the 1987 UEFA Cup Final between IFK Göteborg and Dundee United. Kirschen appeared as assistant referee at the Euro 1980 and 1984 and ended up refereeing 24 international A matches in his career. The highlight was his appearances at two World Cups. In Mexico’86, he refereed the group stage match between Northern Ireland and Brazil and the quarter-final between Spain and Belgium. Four years later, he was appointed to the group stage game Belgium against Uruguay and the Round of 16 match Czechoslovakia against Costa Rica, at the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Towards the end of his active time, in the 1990/1991 season, Kirschen refereed two games in the Bundesliga: the Nord-derby between FC St. Pauli and Hamburger SV and the Süd-derby between VfB Stuttgart and Bayern Munich.

After his retirement from the field, Kirschen became president of the newly founded football association of Brandenburg (FLB), beginning his second major career. He held this office for 28 years, until 2018. Kirschen was a decisive leader of structural reforms in the regional association. He was also a member of the DFB Executive Board and was a member of the DFB League Committee, the DFB Control Committee and the DFB Referee Department for several years. He also worked as a UEFA delegate for several years, was a member of the DFB referees committee, the DFB volunteering commission and DFB referee manager in the Bundesliga. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Egidius-Braun Foundation.

Kirschen has received several awards for his commitment and his services. From the DFB he received the Silver Pin of Honour in 1995 and the Golden Badge of Honour in 2011. Nominated by the Brandenburg Football Association, of which he was Honorary President, he was chosen an honorary member of the DFB in 2019. He was also an honorary member of the FLB and the Northeastern German Football Association. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf says: "Siegfried Kirschen has earned great contributions to football in Germany. As a referee, he distinguished by his sovereignty, his calm, which has transferred to the players. In the committees, he was a great asset for the DFB with his balancing nature and with his many good thoughts. We remember him as a strong personality and a warm-hearted, good guy. We will miss him very much."

Source: DFB

UEFA Youth League Final 2024: Brooks (ENG)

22 April 2024

Olympiakos SFP – AC Milan
Referee: John Brooks ENG (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Lee Betts ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Akil Howson ENG
Fourth Official: Darren England ENG
VAR: David Coote ENG
AVAR: Jarred Gillett ENG
Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo ESP

Polygraph tests for referees in Ukraine

Ukrainian hero Andriy Shevchenko has been in the spotlight since becoming President of the Ukraine Football Association in late January. The 47-year-old allegedly took over after he tried to have his godfather and predecessor, Pavelko, removed from office. After just a few months as his replacement, Shevchenko is finally doing something daring to clear Ukrainian domestic soccer of the suspected corruption that has dogged it. To make officiating more open and credible, he is pushing for domestic referees to be subject to lie-detector testing. “We see the polygraph as an opportunity to obtain clearer information, to understand which referees can do the job and which ones cannot… Information that will help us start from scratch,” he revealed, via Corriere. He went on to say that, going forward, any referees who do not pass the polygraph would not be able to officiate games. The Athletic further states that the ex-striker’s novel suggestion goes beyond the use of polygraphs. The present approach takes into account things like match significance, experience and refereeing abilities. He plans to replace it with a random selection mechanism. He intends to radically alter the referee appointment process. The ongoing accusations of match-fixing have severely damaged the image of Ukrainian soccer. This suggested move is a part of Shevchenko’s larger effort to clean up the sport and restore its integrity. 

The newly appointed chairman of the Referee Committee for the Ukrainian FA, Kateryna Monzul, is an important person in the field. This group is in charge of the random selection process and the polygraph exams. Throughout her very successful career as a referee, Monzul was chosen as the top female official in the world in 2015. The first female referee to do so, she presided over three women’s World Cups, the Ukrainian men’s Premier League, men’s World Cup qualifications, Europa League and Nations League matches. Trust in the esteemed Monzul is rather strong, yet again. She took over for the Italian Luciano Lucci, who had been in charge since 2015. There was considerable resistance to Andriy Shevchenko and his polygraph tests at the notion’s first discussion last year. Volodymyr Sharan, the former manager of FC Minaj in the Ukrainian Premier League, stated: “Well, that’s too much, I’m sorry. This is control. The human factor will always be present, there will (always) be some kind of mistake, you can’t get away from this, but there is VAR insurance. Let’s check the football players and team coaches (instead). We will arrive three hours before the game and pass all the lie detector tests.” On the other hand, others see it as a step in the right direction. “It can make refereeing fairer,” former FIFA referee from Ukraine Myroslav Stupar said. “Sometimes arguments can break out between referees and representatives of certain clubs, so it is worth noting that in some games these referees do not judge the matches of the teams with which the conflict arose. I believe that Kateryna Monzul will fix it.”

Source: World Soccer Talk

CONMEBOL Libertadores 2024 – Group Stage (Matchday 3)

23-25 April 2024

Estudiantes – Gremio
Referee: Gustavo Tejera (URU, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Martin Soppi (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Horacio Ferreiro (URU)
Fourth Official: Anahi Fernandez (URU)
VAR: David Rodriguez (COL)
AVAR: Mauricio Perez (COL)
Referee Assessor: Sergio Viola (ARG)
VAR Supervisor: Carlos Pastorino (URU)

Caracas – Rosario Central
Referee: Gery Vargas (BOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Antelo (BOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Edwar Saavedra (BOL)
Fourth Official: Javier Revollo (BOL)
VAR: Nicolas Gallo (COL)
AVAR: Leonard Mosquera (COL)
Referee Assessor: Jairo Romero (VEN)
VAR Supervisor: Wilson Lamouroux (COL)

Atletico Mineiro – Penarol
Referee: Andres Rojas (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Guzman (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: John Gallego (COL)
Fourth Official: Bismark Santiago (COL)
VAR: Carlos Orbe (ECU)
AVAR: Christian Lescano (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Paulo Conceicao (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Victor Carrillo (PER)

Liverpool – San Lorenzo
Referee: Roberto Perez (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Stephen Atoche (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Enrique Pinto (PER)
Fourth Official: Kevin Ortega (PER)
VAR: Augusto Menendez (PER)
AVAR: Jonny Bossio (PER)
Referee Assessor: Miguel Nievas (URU)
VAR Supervisor: Emerson De Carvalho (BRA)

Colo Colo – Alianza Lima
Referee: Dario Herrera (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Facundo Rodriguez (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Maximiliano Del Yesso (ARG)
Fourth Official: Pablo Echavarria (ARG)
VAR: Hernan Mastrangelo (ARG)
AVAR: Hector Paletta (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Hector Baldassi (ARG)
VAR Supervisor: Roberto Silvera (URU)

Junior – LDU Quito
Referee: Facundo Tello (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Gabriel Chade (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Cristian Navarro (ARG)
Fourth Official: Nazareno Araza (ARG)
VAR: Mauro Vigliano (ARG)
AVAR: Salome Di Iorio (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Abraham Gonzalez (COL)
VAR Supervisor: Pericles Cortes (BRA)

Botafogo – Universitario
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Ponte (VEN)
Fourth Official: Jose Uzcategui (VEN)
VAR: Juan Soto (VEN)
AVAR: Carlos Lopez (VEN)
Referee Assessor: Ricardo Marques (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Gustavo Rossi (ARG)

Nacional – Deportivo Tachira
Referee: Ramon Abatti (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Nailton Sousa (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Luanderson Lima (BRA)
Fourth Official: Rodrigo Pereira (BRA)
VAR: Daniel Nobre (BRA)
AVAR: Charly Straud (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Fernando Falce (URU)
VAR Supervisor: Emerson De Carvalho (BRA)

Huachipato – The Strongest
Referee: Andres Matonte (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Pablo Llarena (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Santiago Fernandez (URU)
Fourth Official: Robert Cabrera (ECU)
VAR: Andres Cunha (URU)
AVAR: Jonathan Fuentes (URU)
Referee Assessor: Julio Bascunan (CHI)
VAR Supervisor: Angel Sanchez (ARG)

Libertad – River Plate
Referee: Raphael Claus (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Rodrigo Correa (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Alves (BRA)
Fourth Official: Bruno Arleu (BRA)
VAR: Rodolpho Toski (BRA)
AVAR: Pablo Goncalves (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Manuel Bernal (PER)
VAR Supervisor: Patricio Polic (CHI)

Bolivar – Flamengo
Referee: Alexis Herrera (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Tulio Moreno (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Lubin Torrealba (VEN)
Fourth Official: Yorman Delgado (VEN)
VAR: Silvio Trucco (ARG)
AVAR: Nicolas Lamolina (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Jorge Antequera (BOL)
VAR Supervisor: Luis Vera (ECU)

Independiente Del Valle – Palmeiras
Referee: Cristian Garay (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Retamal (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Ureta (CHI)
Fourth Official: Manuel Vergara (CHI)
VAR: Fernando Vejar (CHI)
AVAR: Miguel Araos (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Juan Corozo (ECU)
VAR Supervisor: Barbra Bastias (CHI)

Cobresal – Talleres
Referee: Ivo Mendez (BOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Tapia (BOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Montano (BOL)
Fourth Official: Dilio Rodriguez (BOL)
VAR: Wilfredo Campos (BOL)
AVAR: Jorge Justiniano (BOL)
Referee Assessor: Carlos Ulloa (CHI)
VAR Supervisor: Juan Cardellino (URU)

Cerro Porteno – Fluminense
Referee: Esteban Ostojich (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Taran (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Barreiro (URU)
Fourth Official: Christian Ferreyra (URU)
VAR: Leodan Gonzalez (URU)
AVAR: Richard Trinidad (URU)
Referee Assessor: Ubaldo Aquino (PAR)
VAR Supervisor: Patricio Polic (CHI)

Barcelona – Sao Paulo
Referee: Juan Benitez (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardozo (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Julio Aranda (PAR)
Fourth Official: Giancarlo Juliadoza (PAR)
VAR: Derlis Lopez (PAR)
AVAR: Eduardo Britos (PAR)
Referee Assessor: Jose Lara (ECU)
VAR Supervisor: Myriam Melgarejo (PAR)

Palestino – Millonarios
Referee: Pablo Echavarria (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Facundo Rodriguez (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Maximiliano Del Yesso (ARG)
Fourth Official: Dario Herrera (ARG)
VAR: Hernan Mastrangelo (ARG)
AVAR: Hector Paletta (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Hector Baldassi (ARG)
VAR Supervisor: Roberto Silvera (URU)

CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2024 – Group Stage (Matchday 3)

23-25 April 2024

Union La Calera – Cruzeiro
Referee: Mario Diaz de Vivar (PAR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Milciades Saldivar (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Jose Villagra (PAR)
Fourth Official: Blas Romero (PAR)
VAR: Ulises Mereles (PAR)
AVAR: Luis Onieva (PAR)
Referee Assessor: Carlos Ulloa (CHI)
VAR Supervisor: Juan Cardellino (URU)

Deportivo Garcilaso – Cuiaba
Referee: Augusto Aragon (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Dennys Guerrero (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Edson Vasquez (ECU)
Fourth Official: Anthony Diaz (ECU)
VAR: Juan Lara (CHI)
AVAR: Alan Sandoval (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Jorge Jaimes (PER)
VAR Supervisor: Juan Lugones (BOL)

Sportivo Trinidense – Nacional Potosi
Referee: Francisco Gilabert (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Edson Cisternas (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Serrano (CHI)
Fourth Official: Felipe Gonzalez (CHI)
VAR: Rodrigo Carvajal (CHI)
AVAR: Alejandro Molina (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Oscar Viera (PAR)
VAR Supervisor: Wilson Avila (ECU)

Argentinos Juniors – Corinthians
Referee: Piero Maza (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Claudio Urrutia (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Poblete (CHI)
Fourth Official: Christian Aleman (BOL)
VAR: Jose Cabero (CHI)
AVAR: Victor Abarzua (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Hernan Maidana (ARG)
VAR Supervisor: Cesar Escano (PER)

Alianza – Universidad Catolica
Referee: Yael Falcon (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Ezequiel Brailovsky (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Sebastian Rainieri (ARG)
Fourth Official: Fernando Espinoza (ARG)
VAR: Jorge Balino (ARG)
AVAR: Lucas Novelli (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Sebastian Restrepo (COL)
VAR Supervisor: Claudio Rios (CHI)

Danubio – Athletico Paranaense
Referee: Kevin Ortega (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Stephen Atoche (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Enrique Pinto (PER)
Fourth Official: Roberto Perez (PER)
VAR: Augusto Menendez (PER)
AVAR: Jonny Bossio (PER)
Referee Assessor: Miguel Nievas (URU)
VAR Supervisor: Cesar Escano (PER)

Coquimbo Unido – Racing Club
Referee: Carlos Betancur (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Richard Ortiz (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Cristian Aguirre (COL)
Fourth Official: Maria Daza (COL)
VAR: Yadir Acuna (COL)
AVAR: Heider Castro (COL)
Referee Assessor: Christian Schiemann (CHI)
VAR Supervisor: Jorge Mercado (PAR)

Red Bull Bragantino – Sportivo Luqueno
Referee: Bryan Loayza (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Ricardo Baren (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: David Vacacela (ECU)
Fourth Official: Alex Cajas (ECU)
VAR: Juan Andrade (ECU)
AVAR: Monica Amboya (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Ednilson Corona (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Ricardo Casas (ARG)

Real Tamayapo – Belgrano
Referee: Juan Lopez (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Roberto Canete (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Nancy Fernandez (PAR)
Fourth Official: Zulma Quinonez (PAR)
VAR: Jose Mendez (PAR)
AVAR: Jose Cuevas (PAR)
Referee Assessor: Pedro Saucedo (BOL)
VAR Supervisor: Joel Ruiz (PAR)

Rayo Zuliano – Sportivo Ameliano
Referee: Leandro Rey (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Belatti (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Jose Savorani (ARG)
Fourth Official: Laura Fortunato (ARG)
VAR: German Delfino (ARG)
AVAR: Paulo Dovalo (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Candelario Andarcia (VEN)
VAR Supervisor: Oswaldo Segura (ECU)

Nacional – Racing
Referee: Felipe Gonzalez (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Edson Cisternas (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Serrano (CHI)
Fourth Official: Francisco Gilabert (CHI)
VAR: Rodrigo Carvajal (CHI)
AVAR: Alejandro Molina (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Victor Martinez (PAR)
VAR Supervisor: Wilson Avila (ECU)

Metropolitanos – Lanus
Referee: John Ospina (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Miguel Roldan (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Padilla (COL)
Fourth Official: Carlos Ortega (COL)
VAR: Nicolas Gallo (COL)
AVAR: Leonard Mosquera (COL)
Referee Assessor: Marlon Escalante (VEN)
VAR Supervisor: Wilson Lamouroux (COL)

Fortaleza – Boca Juniors
Referee: Wilmar Roldan (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Guzman (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: John Gallego (COL)
Fourth Official: Bismark Santiago (COL)
VAR: Carlos Orbe (ECU)
AVAR: Christian Lescano (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Silvia Regina (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Victor Carrillo (PER)

Always Ready – Universidad Cesar Vallejo
Referee: Edina Alves (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Neuza Back (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Fabrini Bevilaqua (BRA)
Fourth Official: Paulo Zanovelli (BRA)
VAR: Daiane Muniz (BRA)
AVAR: Fabricio Vilarinho (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Oscar Maldonado (BOL)
VAR Supervisor: Marcio Santiago (BRA)

Independiente Medellin – Defensa y Justicia
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Danilo Manis (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Pires (BRA)
Fourth Official: Rafael Klein (BRA)
VAR: Wagner Reway (BRA)
AVAR: Rodrigo D’Alonso (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Oscar Ruiz (COL)
VAR Supervisor: Pericles Cortes (BRA)

Delfin – Internacional
Referee: Michael Espinoza (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Coty Carrera (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Albert Alarcon (PER)
Fourth Official: Jesus Cartagena (PER)
VAR: Milagros Arruela (PER)
AVAR: Joel Alarcon (PER)
Referee Assessor: Jose Carpio (ECU)
VAR Supervisor: Rodney Aquino (PAR)

Concacaf Futsal Championship Final 2024: Wilkens (USA) & Molina (CRC)

20 April 2024

Final

Panama – Cuba

Referee 1: Josh Wilkens (USA, photo)
Referee 2: Diego Molina (CRC)
Third Referee: Krystin Pahia (USA)
Timekeeper: Jose Barrera (SLV)
Reserve AR: Jonathan Betancourt (MEX)

Match for Third Place
Costa Rica – Guatemala
Referee 1: Ricardo Lay (PAN)
Referee 2: Brenda Valdez (CUB)
Third Referee: Reinier Fiss (CUB)
Timekeeper: Jorge Flores (SLV)
Reserve AR: Adrian Martinez (CUB)

UEFA Women’s Champions League 2023/24 – Semi-finals (First Leg)

20 April 2024

FC Barcelona – Chelsea FCW
Referee: Stephanie Frappart FRA (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Camille Soriano FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Elodie Coppola FRA
Fourth Official: Tess Olofsson SWE
VAR: Katalin Kulcsar HUN
AVAR: Maika Vanderstichel FRA
Referee Observer: Snježana Fočić CRO

Olympique Lyonnais – Paris St. Germain
Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Guadalupe Porras Ayuso ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Francesca Di Monte ITA
Fourth Official: Maria Ferrieri Caputi ITA
VAR: Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP
AVAR: Eliana Fernandez Gonzalez ESP
Referee Observer: Dagmar Damkova CZE

CAF Confederation Cup 2023/2024 – Semi-finals (First Leg)

21 April 2024

Zamalek – Dreams FC
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (RWA, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Ivanildo Lopes (ANG)
Assistant Referee 2: Modibo Samake (MLI)
Fourth Official: Boubou Traore (MLI)
VAR: Akhona Makalima (RSA)
AVAR: Abongile Tom (RSA)
Referee Assessor: Aboubacar Doumbouya (GUI)

USM Alger – RS Berkane
Referee: Abdel Bouh (MTN)

CAF Champions League 2023/2024 – Semi-finals (First Leg)

20 April 2024

TP Mazembe – Al Ahly
Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (BDI, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Jerson Dos Santos (ANG)
Assistant Referee 2: Eric Ayimavo (BEN)
Fourth Official: Louis Houngnandande (BEN)
VAR: Daniel Laryea (GHA)
AVAR: Salima Mukansanga (RWA)
Referee Assessor: Edzona Lawson-Hogban (TOG)

ES Tunis – Mamelodi Sundowns
Referee: Omar Artan (SOM)

Concacaf Futsal Championship 2024 – Semi-finals

18 April 2024

Panama – Guatemala
Referee 1: Chris Grabas (CAN, photo)
Referee 2: Manuel Rosario (DOM)
Third Referee: Brenda Valdez (CUB)
Timekeeper: Josue Molina (CRC)
Reserve AR: Yordanka Pouyoux (CUB)

Costa Rica – Cuba
Referee 1: Matthew Rodman (USA)
Referee 2: Maynor Sanic (GUA)
Third Referee: Jonathan Betancourt (MEX)
Timekeeper: Johnny Donan (SLV)
Reserve AR: Krystin Pahia (USA)

UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 – Quarter-finals (Second Leg)

18 April 2024

LOSC Lille – Aston Villa
Referee: Ivan Kružliak SVK (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Branislav Hancko SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Jan Pozor SVK
Fourth Official: Peter Kralovič SVK
VAR: Pol van Boekel NED
AVAR: Michal Očenaš SVK
Referee Observer: Lutz-Michael Fröhlich GER

ACF Fiorentina – Viktoria Plzen
Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Barbero Sevilla ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Angel Nevado Rodriguez ESP
Fourth Official: Jose Munuera Montero ESP
VAR: Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez ESP
AVAR: Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez ESP
Referee Observer: Emil Božinovski MKD

PAOK – Club Brugge
Referee: Davide Massa ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Stefano Alassio ITA
Fourth Official: Marco Di Bello ITA
VAR: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
AVAR: Luca Pairetto ITA
Referee Observer: Martin Hansson SWE

Fenerbahçe – Olympiakos
Referee: Tobias Stieler GER
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Gittelmann GER
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Borsch GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager GER
VAR: Christian Dingert GER
AVAR: Sascha Stegemann GER
Referee Observer: Juan Fernandez Marin ESP

UEFA Europa League 2023/2024 – Quarter-finals (Second Leg)

18 April 2024

AS Roma – AC Milan
Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL
Fourth Official: Paweł Raczkowski POL
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
AVAR: Bartosz Frankowski POL
Referee Observer: Sokol Jareci ALB

Atalanta BC – Liverpool FC
Referee: François Letexier FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA
Fourth Official: Pierre Gaillouste FRA
VAR: Jerôme Brisard FRA
AVAR: Willy Delajod FRA
Referee Observer: Lucilio Batista POR

West Ham United – Bayer Leverkusen
Referee: Jose Sanchez Martinez ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Raul Cabanero Martinez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Inigo Prieto Lopez ESP
Fourth Official: Cesar Soto Grado ESP
VAR: Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP
AVAR: Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea ESP
Referee Observer: Jan Wegereef NED

Olympique de Marseille – SL Benfica
Referee: Felix Zwayer GER
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Lupp GER
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Achmüller GER
Fourth Official: Harm Osmers GER
VAR: Bastian Dankert GER
AVAR: Marco Fritz GER
Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras GRE

Concacaf Futsal Championship 2024 – Quarter-finals

17 April 2024

Costa Rica – Canada
Referee 1: Roberto Lopez (PAN, photo)
Referee 2: Josh Wilkens (USA)
Third Referee: Lester Mazariegos (GUA)
Timekeeper: Johnny Donan (SLV)
Reserve AR: Krystin Pahia (USA)

Panama – USA
Referee 1: Diego Molina (CRC)
Referee 2: Reinier Fiss (CUB)
Third Referee: Anthony Terborg (SUR)
Timekeeper: Manuel Rosario (DOM)
Reserve AR: Brenda Valdez (CUB)

Guatemala – Mexico
Referee 1: Adrian Martinez (CUB)
Referee 2: Jose Barrera (SLV)
Third Referee: Chris Grabas (CAN)
Timekeeper: Josue Molina (CRC)
Reserve AR: Javier Garcia (DOM)

Dominican Republic – Cuba
Referee 1: Ricardo Lay (PAN)
Referee 2: Jorge Flores (SLV)
Third Referee: Jonathan Betancourt (MEX)
Timekeeper: Maynor Sanic (GUA)
Reserve AR: Colin Abel (GUY)

Ex-FIFA referee Estrada Fernandez claims former CTA Vice-President threatened him over phone

Former La Liga referee Xavier Estrada Fernandez has claimed he was threatened by the former Vice-President of the Referees Technical Committee (CTA), Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira. The latter is at the heart of a corruption scandal that has sullied the image of Spanish football in recent years. Enriquez Negreira was paid between €6-7m over a period of 17 years by Barcelona between 2001 and 2018, when he was sacked by the CTA. Barcelona have been charged with corruption and bribery, but are yet to be found guilty of anything, and have denied all wrongdoing.

Estrada Fernandez, who refereed for 17 years professionally, including 12 years in La Liga between 2009 and 2021, has released a book on the matter titled ‘The Truth about Negreira’ this week, in which he claims he was threatened by his former boss via phone call. “Negreira had all the power. Being the Vice-President of the Referees for so many years, he had all the referee information. He could designate relegations, promotions and who officiated the games. When he appointed me as an international referee, he called me to threaten me for asking for my own team of assistants. You have to understand that I come from zero and was doing it just for the passion for refereeing. When something like this happens to you, you think about a lot of things.”

The CTA, primarily through President Luis Medina Cantalejo, have denied that Negreira had any decision-making power, claiming that his role was for the most part decorative. Estrada disputed that, saying there was clear difference between his mandate and that of his successor Carlos Velasco Carballo. “It is evident that Negreira controlled the promotions and relegations. Before the arrival of Velasco Carballo, the list went by score. Then it was in alphabetical order and that score was not visible.” However, he told Diario AS that he did not believe that the referees had been corrupt in their officiating, in spite of Negreira’s threats. “Here we must distinguish between a club’s payments to a vice president and the work of the referees. When the case explodes, I begin to interweave information, connect the dots with what others had said, and try to defend the honour of the group. There is a figure here [around which this revolves] which that is that of the assembly member.” Finally, he declared that his former colleagues were holding their silence out of fear. “Of course, active referees are afraid to speak. How can they not be afraid if the president of the arbitration delegation received the request for my head.” The case is still being investigated by the police and state prosecution, as they gather evidence in order to bring the matter to trial.

Source: Football Espana

UEFA Champions League 2023/2024 – Quarter-finals (Second Leg)

16 April 2024 

FC Barcelona – Paris St. Germain
Referee: Istvan Kovacs ROU (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Vasile Marinescu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Ovidiu Artene ROU
Fourth Official: Horațiu Feșnic ROU
VAR: Marco Fritz GER
AVAR: Bastian Dankert GER
Referee Observer: Terje Hauge NOR

Borussia Dortmund – Atletico de Madrid
Referee: Slavko Vinčić SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: Matej Jug SVN
VAR: Nejc Kajtazovič SVN
AVAR: Rade Obrenovič SVN
Referee Observer: Murat Ilgaz TUR

17 April 2024
Bayern München – Arsenal FC
Referee: Danny Makkelie NED
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries NED
Fourth Official: Sander van der Eijk NED
VAR: Rob Dieperink NED
AVAR: Clay Ruperti NED
Referee Observer: Domenico Messina ITA

Manchester City – Real Madrid
Referee: Daniele Orsato ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Ciro Carbone ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Alessandro Giallatini ITA
Fourth Official: Maurizio Mariani ITA
VAR: Massimiliano Irrati ITA
AVAR: Paolo Valeri ITA
Referee Observer: Alain Hamer LUX

FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 Qualifiers (UEFA) – Elite Round (Play-Offs)

First Leg, 12-13 April 2024

Poland – Croatia
Referee 1: Eduardo Coelho POR (photo)
Referee 2: Cristiano Santos POR
Third Referee: Ruben Santos POR
Timekeeper: Monika Czudzinowicz POL
Referee Observer: Massimo Cumbo ITA

Netherlands – Finland
Referee 1: Nicola Manzione ITA
Referee 2: Giulio Colombin ITA
Third Referee: Dario Pezzuto ITA
Timekeeper: Joern Te Kloeze NED
Referee Observer: Sreten Vasić SRB

Second Leg, 16-17 April 2024

Croatia – Poland
Referee 1: Ondřej Černy CZE
Referee 2: Cedric Pelissier FRA
Third Referee: Radim Cep CZE
Timekeeper: Nikola Jelić CRO
Referee Observer: Angelo Galante ITA

Finland – Netherlands
Referee 1: Juan Cordero Gallardo ESP
Referee 2: Alejandro Martinez Flores ESP
Third Referee: Pablo Delgado Sastre ESP
Timekeeper: Arttu Kyynaeraeinen FIN
Referee Observer: Swen Eichler GER

AFC Champions League 2023/2024 – Semi-finals (First Leg)

17 April 2024

Al Ain – Al Hilal
Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (JOR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Mohammad Al-Kalaf (JOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Al-Roalle (JOR)

Ulsan HD – Yokohama Marinos
Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (OMA)
Assistant Referee 1: Abu Al Amri (OMA)
Assistant Referee 2: Rashid Al Ghaithi (OMA)

Concacaf Futsal Championship 2024 – Group Stage (Matches 1-18)

13 April 2024

Cuba – Canada
Referee 1: Josh Wilkens (USA, photo)
Referee 2: Manuel Rosario (DOM)
Third Referee: Krystin Pahia (USA)
Timekeeper: Anthony Terborg (SUR)

USA – Trinidad and Tobago
Referee 1: Ricardo Lay (PAN)
Referee 2: Jonathan Betancourt (MEX)
Third Referee: Jorge Flores (SLV)
Timekeeper: Brenda Valdez (CUB)

Guatemala – Dominican Republic
Referee 1: Adrian Martinez (CUB)
Referee 2: Josue Molina (CRC)
Third Referee: Colin Abel (GUY)
Timekeeper: Johnny Donan (SLV)

Mexico – Suriname
Referee 1: Roberto Lopez (PAN)
Referee 2: Javier Garcia (DOM)
Third Referee: Chris Grabas (CAN)
Timekeeper: Yordanka Pouyoux (CUB)

Costa Rica – Haiti
Referee 1: Reinier Fiss (CUB)
Referee 2: Lester Mazariegos (GUA)
Third Referee: Francisco Cedeno (PAN)
Timekeeper: Carlos Trejo (MEX)

Panama – Nicaragua
Referee 1: Jose Barrera (SLV)
Referee 2: Matthew Rodman (USA)
Third Referee: Diego Molina (CRC)
Timekeeper: Maynor Sanic (GUA)

14 April 2024
Trinidad and Tobago – Guatemala
Referee 1: Reinier Fiss (CUB)
Referee 2: Chris Grabas (CAN)
Third Referee: Jonathan Betancourt (MEX)
Timekeeper: Ricardo Lay (PAN)

Dominican Republic – USA
Referee 1: Jorge Flores (SLV)
Referee 2: Colin Abel (GUY)
Third Referee: Josue Molina (CRC)
Timekeeper: Roberto Lopez (PAN)

Suriname – Costa Rica
Referee 1: Francisco Cedeno (PAN)
Referee 2: Yordanka Pouyoux (CUB)
Third Referee: Javier Garcia (DOM)
Timekeeper: Brenda Valdez (CUB)

Haiti – Mexico
Referee 1: Adrian Martinez (CUB)
Referee 2: Maynor Sanic (GUA)
Third Referee: Krystin Pahia (USA)
Timekeeper: Matthew Rodman (USA)

Canada – Panama
Referee 1: Diego Molina (CRC)
Referee 2: Lester Mazariegos (GUA)
Third Referee: Josh Wilkens (USA)
Timekeeper: Jose Barrera (SLV)

Nicaragua – Cuba
Referee 1: Johnny Donan (SLV)
Referee 2: Carlos Trejo (MEX)
Third Referee: Anthony Terborg (SUR)
Timekeeper: Manuel Rosario (DOM)

15 April 2024
Trinidad and Tobago – Dominican Republic
Referee 1: Brenda Valdez (CUB)
Referee 2: Anthony Terborg (SUR)
Third Referee: Francisco Cedeno (PAN)
Timekeeper: Yordanka Pouyoux (CUB)

Guatemala – USA
Referee 1: Roberto Lopez (PAN)
Referee 2: Johnny Donan (SLV)
Third Referee: Reinier Fiss (CUB)
Timekeeper: Carlos Trejo (MEX)

Suriname – Haiti
Referee 1: Chris Grabas (CAN)
Referee 2: Krystin Pahia (USA)
Third Referee: Colin Abel (GUY)
Timekeeper: Javier Garcia (DOM)

Costa Rica – Mexico
Referee 1: Josh Wilkens (USA)
Referee 2: Ricardo Lay (PAN)
Third Referee: Adrian Martinez (CUB)
Timekeeper: Lester Mazariegos (GUA)

Panama – Cuba
Referee 1: Jose Barrera (SLV)
Referee 2: Josue Molina (CRC)

Third Referee: Jonathan Betancourt (MEX)

Timekeeper: Maynor Sanic (GUA)

Canada – Nicaragua
Referee 1: Diego Molina (CRC)
Referee 2: Jorge Flores (SLV)
Third Referee: Manuel Rosario (DOM)
Timekeeper: Matthew Rodman (USA)

AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024

Qatar, 15 April – 3 May 2024

Referees

1. Casey Reibelt AUS
2. Mooud Bonyadifard IRN
3. Hiroyuki Kimura JPN (photo)
4. Ahmed Al-Ali JOR
5. Ko Hyung-Jin KOR
6. Ammar Ashkanani KUW
7. Hussein Yehia LBN
8. Abdulla Al-Marri QAT
9. Sadullo Gulmurodi TJK
10. Nasrullo Kabirov TJK
11. Ahmed Darwish UAE
12. Rustam Lutfullin UZB

Assistant Referees
1. Joanna Charaktis AUS
2. George Lakrindis AUS
3. Guo Jingtao CHN
4. Luo Zheng CHN
5. Ali Fakih LBN
6. Alireza Ildorom IRN
7. Watanabe Kota JPN
8. Takeshi Asada JPN
9. Ahmad Muhsen JOR
10. Ayman Obeidat JOR
11. Ramina Tsoi KGZ
12. Ko Hyung-Jin KOR
13. Ali Jraq KUW
14. Faisal Al-Shammari QAT
15. Zahy Al-Shammari QAT
16. Mohamad Kazzaz SYR
17. Vafo Karaev TJK
18. Hasan Karimov TJK
19. Yaser Al-Murshidi UAE
20. Sanjar Shayusupov UZB
21. Alisher Usmanov UZB

Video Match Officials
1. Shaun Evans AUS
2. Katherine Jacewicz AUS
3. Alexander King AUS
4. Shen Yinhao CHN
5. Kim Woo-Sung KOR
6. Abdullah Al-Kandari KUW
7. Meshari Al-Shamari QAT
8. Mohammed Al-Shammari QAT
9. Majed Al-Shamrani KSA
10. Abdullah Al Shehri KSA
11. Hanna Hattab SYR
12. Sivakorn Pu-Udom THA
13. Torphong Somsing THA
14. Yahya Al-Mulla UAE
15. Mohammed Obaid UAE
16. Norsafarov Firdavs UZB

Referee Assessors
1. Ryuji Sato JPN
2. Awni Hassouneh JOR
3. Nagor Bin Mohamed MAS
4. Abdulrahman Hussain QAT

CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations 2024

Morocco, 11-21 April 2024

Referees
1. Ammar Balahouane (ALG)

2. Jose Katemo (ANG)
3. Eric Mindjih (CMR)
4. Abel Kouame (CIV)
5. Mohamed Hassan (EGY, photo)
6. Tarek El-Khataby (EGY)
7. Luis Ondo (EQG)
8. Ali Alayat (LIB)
9. Khalid Hnich (MAR)
10. Said El-Haoud (MAR)
11. Armando Almoco (MOZ)
12. Davou Musa (NGA)
13. Nabil Gueddich (TUN)
14. Aymen Kammoun (TUN)

FIFA World Cup 2026 – Candidate Referees Seminar (CONCACAF & CONMEBOL)

Miami (USA), 13-17 April 2024

CONCACAF

1. Drew Fischer (CAN, 1980)

2. Juan Calderon (CRC, 1987)
3. Ivan Barton (SLV, 1991, photo)
4. Mario Escobar (GUA, 1986)
5. Walter Lopez (GUA, 1980)
6. Said Martinez (HON, 1991)
7. Oshane Nation (JAM, 1991)
8. Cesar Ramos (MEX, 1983)
9. Marco Ortiz (MEX, 1988)
10. Katia Garcia (MEX, 1992)
11. Ismail Elfath (USA, 1982)
12. Tori Penso (USA, 1986)

CONMEBOL
1. Yael Falcon (ARG, 1988)
2. Dario Herrera (ARG, 1985)
3. Facundo Tello (ARG, 1982)

4. Ivo Mendez (BOL, 1991)
5. Ramon Abatti (BRA, 1989)

6. Edina Alves (BRA, 1980)
7. Raphael Claus (BRA, 1979)
8. Wilton Sampaio (BRA, 1981)
9. Cristian Garay (CHI, 1989)
10. Piero Maza (CHI, 1984)
11. John Ospina (COL, 1992)
12. Andres Rojas (COL, 1984)
13. Augusto Aragon (ECU, 1986)
14. Juan Benitez (PAR, 1984)

15. Derlis Lopez (PAR, 1988)
16. Kevin Ortega (PER, 1992)
17. Roberto Perez (PER, 1991)
18. Andres Matonte (URU, 1988)
19. Gustavo Tejera (URU, 1988)

20. Emikar Calderas (VEN, 1990)
21. Alexis Herrera (VEN, 1989)
22. Jesus Valenzuela (VEN, 1983)

Nyberg: "It's a kid's mistake, not a penalty in UCL quarter-final"

Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has expressed his fury at Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg's failure to award a penalty for a "kid's mistake" during Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg clash at Arsenal. Tuchel focused on a 66th-minute decision - with the score at 2-1 to Bayern - when David Raya played a goal kick short to Gabriel and the Arsenal defender picked the ball up with his hands before attempting to restart play even though the ball was live. Bayern protested but nothing was given.

"For me, for all of us, he made a huge mistake not giving the handball penalty," said Tuchel afterwards. "I know it is a crazy situation but they put the ball down, he whistles, he gives the ball and the defender takes the ball in his hand. What makes us really angry is the explanation on the field. He told our players that it is a 'kid's mistake' and he will not give a penalty like this in a quarter-final. This is a horrible, horrible explanation. He is judging handballs. Kid's mistake, adult's mistake. Whatever. We feel angry because it is a huge decision against us." (Source: ESPN)

In the early days of VAR there were some notable situations where, according to the IFAB, interventions happened against the spirit of the protocol. Perhaps the most infamous example came in the 2. Bundesliga fixture between Holstein Kiel and VfL Bochum in October 2019 when a substitute conceded a penalty. Kiel's Michael Eberwein was warming up behind the goal when Bochum's Silvere Ganvoula M'boussy dragged a shot wide. Eberwein touched the ball before the whole of the ball had left the field of play, and the VAR intervened to give a penalty to Bochum. In law that was the correct decision, but the IFAB insisted VAR was not intended to penalise such a minor infraction.Obviously that incident involved a player who wasn't involved in the game while Gabriel was on the field, yet it gives an impression of how the IFAB views infringements which might be correct in law but perhaps not in the spirit of the game -- as far as VAR's remit is concerned. (Source: ESPN)

UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 – Quarter-finals (First Leg)

11 April 2024

Olympiakos – Fenerbahçe
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Stephane De Almeida SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Bekim Zogaj SUI
Fourth Official: Alessandro Dudic SUI
VAR: Bastian Dankert GER
AVAR: Lionel Tschudi SUI
Referee Observer: Frank De Bleeckere BEL

Viktoria Plzen – ACF Fiorentina
Referee: Orel Grinfeeld ISR
Assistant Referee 1: Roy Hassan ISR
Assistant Referee 2: Idan Yarkoni ISR
Fourth Official: Gal Leibovitz ISR
VAR: Ziv Adler ISR
AVAR: Roi Reinshreiber ISR
Referee Observer: Vladimir Antonov MDA

Club Brugge – PAOK
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER
Fourth Official: Sven Jablonski GER
VAR: Marco Fritz GER
AVAR: Sören Storks GER
Referee Observer: Stefano Podeschi SMR

Aston Villa – LOSC Lille
Referee: Espen Eskas NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Bashevkin NOR
Fourth Official: Rohit Saggi NOR
VAR: Dennis Higler NED
AVAR: Pol van Boekel NED
Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo ESP

UEFA Europa League 2023/2024 – Quarter-finals (First Leg)

11 April 2024

AC Milan – AS Roma
Referee: Clement Turpin FRA (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Erwan Finjean FRA
Fourth Official: Ruddy Buquet FRA
VAR: Jerôme Brisard FRA
AVAR: Willy Delajod FRA
Referee Observer: Manuel Díaz Vega ESP

Liverpool FC – Atalanta BC
Referee: Halil Meler TUR
Assistant Referee 1: Mustafa Eyisoy TUR
Assistant Referee 2: Kerem Ersoy TUR
Fourth Official: Arda Kardeşler TUR
VAR: Alper Ulusoy TUR
AVAR: Abdulkadir Bitigen TUR
Referee Observer: Vladimir Šajn SVN

Bayer Leverkusen – West Ham United
Referee: Artur Dias POR
Assistant Referee 1: Paulo Soares POR
Assistant Referee 2: Pedro Ribeiro POR
Fourth Official: Antonio Nobre POR
VAR: Tiago Martins POR
AVAR: Hugo Miguel POR
Referee Observer: Levan Paniashvili GEO

SL Benfica – Olympique de Marseille
Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Cook ENG
Fourth Official: Andrew Madley ENG
VAR: Christopher Kavanagh ENG
AVAR: Jarred Gillett ENG
Referee Observer: Luis Medina Cantalejo ESP

UEFA Champions League 2023/2024 – Quarter-finals (First Leg)

9 April 2024

Arsenal FC – Bayern München
Referee: Glenn Nyberg SWE (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderqvist SWE
Fourth Official: Adam Ladebäck SWE
VAR: Pol van Boekel NED
AVAR: Dennis Higler NED
Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo ESP

Real Madrid – Manchester City
Referee: François Letexier FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA
Fourth Official: Pierre Gaillouste FRA
VAR: Jerôme Brisard FRA
AVAR: Willy Delajod FRA
Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas SCO

10 April 2024
Atletico de Madrid – Borussia Dortmund
Referee: Marco Guida ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Ciro Carbone ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Giorgio Peretti ITA
Fourth Official: Fabio Maresca ITA
VAR: Paolo Valeri ITA
AVAR: Massimiliano Irrati ITA
Referee Observer: Markus Nobs SUI

Paris St. Germain – FC Barcelona
Referee: Anthony Taylor ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn ENG
Fourth Official: Robert Jones ENG
VAR: Stuart Attwell ENG
AVAR: David Coote ENG
Referee Observer: Bjorn Kuipers NED

Concacaf Champions Cup 2024 – Quarter-finals (Second Leg)

9 April 2024

Club America – New England Revolution
Referee: Said Martinez (HON, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Walter Lopez (HON)
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Ramirez (HON)
Fourth Official: Julio Luna (GUA)
VAR: Ricardo Montero (CRC)
AVAR: Benjamin Pineda (CRC)

Tigres UANL – Columbus Crew
Referee: Bryan Lopez (GUA)
Assistant Referee 1: Luis Ventura (GUA)
Assistant Referee 2: Humberto Panjoj (GUA)
Fourth Official: Keylor Herrera (CRC)
VAR: Tatiana Guzman (NCA)
AVAR: Daneon Parchment (JAM)

10 April 2024
CF Pachuca – CS Herediano
Referee: Oshane Nation (JAM)
Assistant Referee 1: Caleb Wales (TRI)
Assistant Referee 2: Ojay Duhaney (JAM)
Fourth Official: Victor Rivas (USA)
VAR : Daneon Parchment (JAM)
AVAR: Tatiana Guzman (NCA)

CF Monterrey – Inter Miami
Referee: Ivan Barton (SLV)
Assistant Referee 1: David Moran (SLV)
Assistant Referee 2: Henri Pupiro (NCA)
Fourth Official: Ismael Cornejo (SLV)
VAR: Benjamin Pineda (CRC)
AVAR: Ricardo Montero (CRC)

CONMEBOL Libertadores 2024 – Group Stage (Matchday 2)

9-11 April 2024

Estudiantes – The Strongest
Referee: Nicolas Gallo (COL, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Miguel Roldan (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Mary Blanco (COL)
Fourth Official: Bismarks Santiago (COL)
VAR: Juan Lopez (PAR)
AVAR: Luis Onieva (PAR)
Referee Assessor: Hernan Maidana (ARG)
VAR Supervisor: Rodney Aquino (PAR)

Gremio – Huachipato
Referee: Leodan Gonzalez (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Barreiro (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Agustin Berisso (URU)
Fourth Official: Christian Ferreyra (URU)
VAR: Jose Burgos (URU)
AVAR: Santiago Fernandez (URU)
Referee Assessor: Manuel Bernal (PAR)
VAR Supervisor: Henry Gambetta (PER)

Libertad – Deportivo Tachira
Referee: Andres Rojas (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Guzman (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: David Fuentes (COL)
Fourth Official: Wilmar Roldan (COL)
VAR: John Perdomo (COL)
AVAR: David Rodriguez (COL)
Referee Assessor: Ubaldo Aquino (PAR)
VAR Supervisor: Angel Sanchez (ARG)

Fluminense – Colo Colo
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Antoni Garcia (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno (VEN)
Fourth Official: Angel Arteaga (VEN)
VAR: Juan Soto (VEN)
AVAR: Carlos Lopez (VEN)
Referee Assessor: Marcelo Rogerio (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Gustavo Rossi (ARG)

Junior – Universitario
Referee: Leandro Rey (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Facundo Rodriguez (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Maximiliano Del Yesso (ARG)
Fourth Official: Sebastian Zunino (ARG)
VAR: Hernan Mastrangelo (ARG)
AVAR: Pablo Dovalo (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Abraham Gonzalez (COL)
VAR Supervisor: Luis Vera (ECU)

Independiente del Valle – San Lorenzo
Referee: John Hinestroza (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: John Leon (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Mayra Sanchez (COL)
Fourth Official: Yorman Delgado (VEN)
VAR: Fernando Vejar (CHI)
AVAR: Edson Cisternas (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Jose Carpio (ECU)
VAR Supervisor: Carlos Pastorino (URU)

Cerro Porteno – Alianza Lima
Referee: Wilmar Roldan (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Guzman (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: David Fuentes (COL)
Fourth Official: Andres Rojas (COL)
VAR: John Perdomo (COL)
AVAR: David Rodriguez (COL)
Referee Assessor: Jorge Mercado (PAR)
VAR Supervisor: Angel Sanchez (ARG)

Atletico Mineiro – Rosario Central
Referee: Kevin Ortega (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Orue (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Jesus Sanchez (PER)
Fourth Official: Roberto Perez (PER)
VAR: Augusto Menendez (PER)
AVAR: Michael Espinoza (PER)
Referee Assessor: Paulo Conceicao (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Wilson Avila (ECU)

Penarol – Caracas
Referee: Felipe Gonzalez (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Retamal (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Alejandro Molina (CHI)
Fourth Official: Jose Cabero (CHI)
VAR: Rodrigo Carvajal (CHI)
AVAR: Alan Sandoval (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Fernando Falce (URU)
VAR Supervisor: Wilson Lamouroux (COL)

Flamengo – Palestino
Referee: Facundo Tello (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Gabriel Chade (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Sebastian Raineri (ARG)
Fourth Official: Nazareno Arasa (ARG)
VAR: German Delfino (ARG)
AVAR: Hector Paletta (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Marcelo Rogerio (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Gustavo Rossi (ARG)

Sao Paulo – Cobresal
Referee: Carlos Ortega (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: John Gallego (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Richard Ortiz (COL)
Fourth Official: John Ospina (COL)
VAR: Yadir Acuna (COL)
AVAR: Heider Castro (COL)
Referee Assessor: Miguel Nievas (URU)
VAR Supervisor: Oscar Maldonado (BOL)

Barcelona – Talleres
Referee: Esteban Ostojich (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Martin Soppi (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Andres Nievas (URU)
Fourth Official: Andres Matonte (URU)
VAR: Andres Cunha (URU)
AVAR: Richard Trinidad (URU)
Referee Assessor: Oswaldo Segura (ECU)
VAR Supervisor: Barbra Bastias (CHI)

Bolivar – Millonarios
Referee: Guillermo Guerrero (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Dennys Guerrero (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Edison Vasquez (ECU)
Fourth Official: Yerson Zambrano (ECU)
VAR: Carlos Orbe (ECU)
AVAR: Jefferson Macias (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Pedro Saucedo (BOL)
VAR Supervisor: Oscar Viera (PAR)

Liga de Quito – Botafogo
Referee: Andres Matonte (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Martin Soppi (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Andres Nievas (URU)
Fourth Official: Esteban Ostojich (URU)
VAR: Andres Cunha (URU)
AVAR: Richard Trinidad (URU)
Referee Assessor: Jose Lara (ECU)
VAR Supervisor: Carlos Pastorino (URU)

Palmeiras – Liverpool
Referee: Angel Arteaga (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Antoni Garcia (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno (VEN)
Fourth Official: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
VAR: Benjamin Saravia (CHI)
AVAR: Juan Sepulveda (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Ednilson Corona (BRA)
VAR Supervisor: Claudio Rios (CHI)

River Plate – Nacional
Referee: Cristian Garay (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Claudio Urrutia (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Rocha (CHI)
Fourth Official: Francisco Gilabert (CHI)
VAR: Juan Lara (CHI)
AVAR: Carlos Poblete (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Hector Baldassi (ARG)
VAR Supervisor: Victor Carrillo (PER)