AFC Asian Cup 2023 – Quarter-finals (Matches 45-46)

2 February 2024

Tajikistan – Jordan
Referee: Fu Ming (CHN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Zhou Fei (CHN)
Assistant Referee 2: Zhang Cheng (CHN)
Fourth Official: Yusuke Araki (JPN)
Reserve AR: Khalaf Al-Shammari (KSA)
VAR: Jumpei Iida (JPN)
AVAR: Sivakorn Pu-Udom (THA)
Referee Assessor: Abdulrahman Hussain (QAT)

Australia – Korea
Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (OMA)
Assistant Referee 1 Abu Al-Amri (OMA)
Assistant Referee 2 Rashid Al-Ghaithi (OMA)
Fourth Official: Adel Al-Naqbi (UAE)
Reserve AR: Hasan Al-Mahri (UAE)
VAR: Abdulla Mohamed (UAE)
AVAR: Omar Al-Ali (UAE) 

Referee Assessor: Farkhad Abdullaev (UZB)

CONMEBOL referees at Euro 2024?

Six South American referees and assistant referees attended the UEFA courses in Limassol (Cyprus), from 24 to 31 January 2024. Referees Facundo Tello (Argentina) and Wilton Sampaio (Brazil) participated in the 32nd UEFA Advanced Course for Top Referees, training focused on world-class referees, where they perform visual and physical tests, injury prevention training, discussions on different topics and training with the VAR tool. On the other hand, assistant referees Ezequiel Brailovsky and Gabriel Chade from Argentina, along with Bruno Boschilia and Bruno Pires from Brazil, participated in the 8th UEFA Course for International Assistant Referees, a course that helps the preparation and development of assistant referees with real game situations. The strengthening of collaboration in refereeing is part of the memorandum of understanding signed by CONMEBOL and UEFA in February 2020. As part of this exchange, UEFA referees Maurizio Mariani (Italy) and Joao Pinheiro (Portugal) attended the CONMEBOL Pre-season camp. (Source: CONMEBOL)

UEFA Elite Category

Irfan Peljto BIH

Michael Oliver ENG

Anthony Taylor ENG

Jesus Gil Manzano ESP

Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez ESP

Jose Sanchez Martinez ESP

Clement Turpin FRA

Benoît Bastien FRA

François Letexier FRA

Felix Zwayer GER

Tobias Stieler GER

Daniel Siebert GER

Anastasios Sidiropoulos GRE

Orel Grinfeeld ISR

Daniele Orsato ITA

Davide Massa ITA

Marco Guida ITA

Serdar Gözübüyük NED

Danny Makkelie NED

Espen Eskas NOR

Szymon Marciniak POL

Artur Dias POR

Ovidiu Hațegan ROU

Istvan Kovacs ROU

William Collum SCO

Srdjan Jovanović SRB

Ivan Kružliak SVK

Slavko Vinčić SVN

Glenn Nyberg SWE

Halil Meler TUR

UEFA First Category

Enea Jorgji ALB

Aliyar Aghayev AZE

Erik Lambrechts BEL

Georgi Kabakov BUL

Duje Strukan CRO

Morten Krogh DEN

Craig Pawson ENG

Harm Osmers GER

Maurizio Mariani ITA

Donatas Rumsas LTU

Andris Treimanis LVA

Nikola Dabanović MNE

Bartosz Frankowski POL

Antonio Nobre POR

Joao Pinheiro POR

Radu Petrescu ROU

Filip Glova SVK

Matej Jug SVN

Rade Obrenovic SVN

Urs Schnyder SUI

Mohammed Al-Hakim SWE

Mykola Balakin UKR

UEFA Video Assistant Referees

Ivan Bebek CRO

Stuart Attwell ENG

Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP

Juan Martinez Munuera ESP

Jerôme Brisard FRA

Bastian Dankert GER

Marco Fritz GER

Aleandro Di Paolo ITA

Massimiliano Irrati ITA

Paolo Valeri ITA

Rob Dieperink NED

Dennis Higler NED

Pol van Boekel NED

Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL

Tiago Martins POR

Nejc Kajtazovič SVN

Fedayi San SUI

CONMEBOL Referees

Facundo Tello ARG 

Wilton Sampaio BRA

AFC Asian Cup 2023 – Round of 16 (Matches 43-44)

31 January 2024

Bahrain – Japan
Referee: Ahmad Al-Ali (KUW, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Abdulhadi Al-Anezi (KUW)
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Abbas (KUW)
Fourth Official: Mohanad Sarray (IRQ)
Reserve AR: Ahmed Al-Baghdadi (IRQ)
VAR: Mohammed Abdulla (UAE)
AVAR: Adel Al-Naqbi (UAE)
Referee Assessor: Ismail Al-Hafi (JOR)

Iran – Syria
Referee: Kim Jong-Hyeok (KOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Yoon Jae-Yeol (KOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Park Sang-Jun (KOR)
Fourth Official: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (QAT)
Reserve AR: Taleb al-Marri (QAT)
VAR: Kim Hee-Gon (KOR)
AVAR: Khamis Al-Marri (QAT)
Referee Assessor: Saad Al-Fadhli (KUW)

CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 – Round of 16 (Matches 43-44)

30 January 2024

Mali – Burkina Faso
Referee: Mutaz Ibrahim (LBY, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Khalil Hassani (TUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Diana Chicotesha (ZAM)
Fourth Official: Youcef Gamouh (ALG)
Reserve AR: Arsenio Marengula (MOZ)
VAR: Lahlou Benbraham (ALG)
AVAR 1: Akhona Makalima (RSA)
AVAR 2: Djibril Camara (SEN)

Morocco – South Africa
Referee: Mahmood Ismail (SDN)
Assistant Referee 1: Elvis Noupue (CMR)
Assistant Referee 2: Ibrahim Mohamed (SDN)
Fourth Official: Samuel Uwikunda (RWA)
Reserve AR: Liban Abdoulrazack (DJI)
VAR: Daniel Laryea (GHA)
AVAR 1: Issa Sy (SEN)
AVAR 2: Mahmoud El-Regal (EGY)

UEFA Women’s Champions League 2023/24 – Group Stage (Matchday 6)

30 January 2024
Real Madrid – BK Häcken
Referee: Riem Hussein GER (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Sina Diekmann GER
Assistant Referee 2: Melissa Joos GER
Fourth Official: Fabienne Michel GER
Referee Observer: Graziella Pirriatore ITA

Paris FC – Chelsea FCW
Referee: Ivana Projkovska MKD
Assistant Referee 1: Franca Overtoom NED
Assistant Referee 2: Elena Soklevska-Ilievski MKD
Fourth Official: Irena Velevačkoska MKD
Referee Observer: Maria Villa Gutierrez ESP

Bayern München – Paris St. Germain
Referee: Ewa Augustyn POL
Assistant Referee 1: Paulina Baranowska POL
Assistant Referee 2: Irina Pozdejeva LTU
Fourth Official: Monika Mularczyk POL
Referee Observer: Pernilla Larsson SWE

AFC Ajax – AS Roma
Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Guadalupe Porras Ayuso ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Eliana Fernandez Gonzalez ESP
Fourth Official: Ainara Acevedo Dudley ESP
Referee Observer: Gitte Holm DEN

31 January 2024
Olympique Lyonnais – Slavia Praha
Referee: Kirsty Dowle ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Amina Gutschi AUT
Assistant Referee 2: Sophie Dennington ENG
Fourth Official: Stacey Pearson ENG
Referee Observer: Eleni Kiriou GRE

SK Brann – SN St. Pölten
Referee: Kateryna Monzul UKR
Assistant Referee 1: Svitlana Grushko UKR
Assistant Referee 2: Oleksandra Vdovina UKR
Fourth Official: Anastasiya Romanyuk UKR
Referee Observer: Irina Mîrț ROU

SL Benfica – FC Barcelona
Referee: Emanuela Rusta ALB
Assistant Referee 1: Edjena Kapxhiu ALB
Assistant Referee 2: Pavleta Rashkova BUL
Fourth Official: Hristiyana Guteva BUL
Referee Observer: Sharon Sluyts BEL

Eintracht Frankfurt – FC Rosengard
Referee: Stephanie Frappart FRA 

Assistant Referee 1: Camille Soriano FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Melissa Rossignol FRA
Fourth Official: Maika Vanderstichel FRA
Referee Observer: Ana Minić SRB

Anderlecht-Genk match to be replayed after VAR error

A football disciplinary body has ruled that a match in the top tier of Belgian football between Anderlecht and Genk will be replayed in full after a VAR error led to a misapplication of the Laws of the Game. The incident occurred in the 23rd minute of the match when Genk forward Yira Sor followed up on teammate Bryan Heynan's missed penalty to finish beyond former Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who had saved the initial spot-kick. Replays showed that Sor was inside the penalty area as Heynan struck the ball, causing the VAR to recommend to referee Nathan Verboomen that the goal should be ruled out. However, the replay also showed that two Anderlecht players had also encroached into the penalty area, which, according to the Laws of the Game, should have resulted in Genk's penalty being retaken, rather than the match officials' decision which was to award Anderlecht a free kick. Anderlecht eventually won the match 2-1 via a 91st-minute winner from Anders Dreyer on 23 December 2023.

Belgium's refereeing body had initially ruled that the match would not be replayed as they regarded the incident as a VAR error rather than a misapplication of the Laws of the Game. However, Genk appealed the decision to the Disciplinary Council for Professional Football who overturned the refereeing body's decision and ruled that the match should be replayed in full. "The Disciplinary Council for Professional Football has ruled that the Anderlecht - KRC Genk match at the end of last year should be replayed," Genk said in a statement. "The Disciplinary Council initially declared itself competent to rule on the matter. This overturned the earlier decision of the Professional Referee Department not to replay the match. The Council then followed KRC Genk's argument that the match officials misapplied the rules at the penalty phase in question. KRC Genk hopes that a date will be found soon to replay the match." Anderlecht trail Belgian Pro League leaders Union St.-Gilloise by eight points, while third-placed Genk are 13 points behind.

Source: ESPN

AFC Asian Cup 2023 – Round of 16 (Matches 41-42)

30 January 2024

Uzbekistan – Thailand
Referee: Nazmi Bin Nasaruddin (MAS, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Mohamad Bin Khalil (MAS)
Assistant Referee 2: Mohd Bin Rasid (MAS)
Fourth Official: Ahmed Al Kaf (OMA)
Reserve AR: Abu Al-Amri (OMA)
VAR: Omar Al-Ali (UAE)
AVAR: Khalid Al-Turais (KSA)
Referee Assessor: Chia Eng Wah (SIN)

Saudi Arabia – Korea
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (UZB)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrei Tsapenko (UZB)
Assistant Referee 2: Timur Gaynullin (UZB)
Fourth Official: Abdullah Jamali (KUW)
Reserve AR: Ahmad Abbas (KUW)
VAR: Ahmad Al-Ali (KUW)
AVAR: Adel Al-Naqbi (UAE)
Referee Assessor: Abdulrahman Hussain (QAT)

CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 – Round of 16 (Matches 41-42)

29 January 2024

Senegal – Cote d’Ivoire
Referee: Pierre Atcho (GAB, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Boris Ditsoga (GAB)
Assistant Referee 2: Carine Atezambong (CMR)
Fourth Official: Bouchra Karboubi (MAR)
Reserve AR: Steven Moutsassi (CGO)
VAR: Mahmoud El-Bana (EGY)
AVAR 1: Samir Guezzaz (MAR)
AVAR 2: Zakaria Brinsi (MAR)

Cabo Verde – Mauritania
Referee: Mohamed Adel (EGY)
Assistant Referee 1: Ahmed Hossam (EGY)
Assistant Referee 2: Nouho Ouattara (CIV)
Fourth Official: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (BDI)
Reserve AR: Attia Amsaaed (LBY)
VAR: Maria Rivet (MRI)
AVAR 1: Mahmoud Ashour (EGY)
AVAR 2: Jerson Dos Santos (ANG)

AFC Asian Cup 2023 – Round of 16 (Matches 39-40)

29 January 2024

Iraq – Jordan
Referee: Alireza Faghani (AUS, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Anton Shchetinin (AUS)
Assistant Referee 2: Ashley Beecham (AUS)
Fourth Official: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (QAT)
Reserve AR: Saoud Al-Maqaleh (QAT)
VAR: Khamis Al-Marri (QAT)
AVAR: Salman Falahi (QAT)
Referee Assessor: Saad Al-Fadhli (KUW)

Qatar – Palestine
Referee: Ma Ning (CHN)
Assistant Referee 1: Zhou Fei (CHN)
Assistant Referee 2: Zhang Cheng (CHN)
Fourth Official: Ahmad Al-Ali (KUW)
Reserve AR: Abdulhadi Al-Anezi (KUW)
VAR: Fu Ming (CHN)
AVAR Muhammad Bin Jahari (SIN)
Referee Assessor: Ismail Al-Hafi (JOR)

CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 – Round of 16 (Matches 39-40)

28 January 2024

Equatorial Guinea – Guinea
Referee: Omar Artan (SOM, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Gilbert Cheriyot (KEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Stephen Yiembe (KEN)
Fourth Official: Bamlak Tessema (ETH)
Reserve AR: Eric Ayimavo (BEN)
VAR: Lahlou Benbraham (ALG)
AVAR 1: Akhona Makalima (RSA)
AVAR 2: Djibril Camara (SEN)

Egypt – Congo DR
Referee: Abongile Tom (RSA)
Assistant Referee 1: Souru Phatsoane (LES)
Assistant Referee 2: Ivanildo Lopes (ANG)
Fourth Official: Ahmed Heerallal (MRI)
Reserve AR: Abelmiro Dos Reis (STP)
VAR: Daniel Laryea (GHA)
AVAR 1: Issa Sy (SEN)
AVAR 2: Diana Chicotesha (ZAM)

AFC Asian Cup 2023 – Round of 16 (Matches 37-38)

28 January 2024

Australia – Indonesia
Referee: Mohammed Abdulla (UAE, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Mohamed Al-Hammadi (UAE)
Assistant Referee 2: Hasan Al-Mahri (UAE)
Fourth Official: Abdullah Jamali (KUW)
Reserve AR: Ahmad Abbas (KUW)
VAR: Omar Al-Ali (UAE)
AVAR: Adel Al-Naqbi (UAE)
Referee Assessor: Chia Eng Wah (SIN)

Tajikistan – UAE
Referee: Yusuke Araki (JPN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jun Mihara (JPN)
Assistant Referee 2: Takumi Takagi (JPN)
Fourth Official: Mohammed Al Hoish (KSA)
Reserve AR: Yasir Al-Sultan (KSA)
VAR: Jumpei Iida (JPN)
AVAR: Sivakorn Pu-Udom (THA)
Referee Assessor: Abdulrahman Hussain (QAT)

CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 – Round of 16 (Matches 37-38)

27 January 2024

Nigeria – Cameroon
Referee: Redouane Jiyed (MAR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Lahsen Azgaou (MAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Zakaria Brinsi (MAR)
Fourth Official: Jalal Jayed (MAR)
Reserve AR: Mostafa Akarkad (MAR)
VAR: Samir Guezzaz (MAR)
AVAR 1: Haythem Guirat (TUN)
AVAR 2: Khalil Hassani (TUN)

Angola – Namibia
Referee: Dahane Beida (MTN)
Assistant Referee 1: Seydou Tiama (BFA)
Assistant Referee 2: Modibo Samake (MLI)
Fourth Official: Boubou Traore (MLI)
Reserve AR: Ahmed Hossam (EGY)
VAR: Mahmoud Ashour (EGY)
AVAR 1: Maria Rivet (MRI)
AVAR 2: Mahmoud El-Regal (EGY)

AFCON 2023 Referee Open Day

The CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 has enjoyed some exceptional officiating. Accredited journalists of the ongoing competition had the unique experience of viewing the referees’ training session and interact with them at the Aces Mimosas Training Centre in Abidjan.

The session afforded media the opportunity to understand the intricacies that go into preparation for a match for the refereeing team, including at VAR level. “They were able to see that the decisions are very precise and very correct. We have made a lot of progress in terms of video refereeing and for the moment, we continue to work hard. We put the referees in a game situation, whether referees on the field and the VARs to repeat the procedures, repeat the ways of analyzing and have uniformity in how the officiate”, said Noumandiez Doué, Director of Refereeing and Football Technology at CAF. The opportunity also allowed CAF refereeing officials to take stock of the referees' performances after the group stages of the competition. “We are satisfied with the performance of the referees so far. We work to improve what needs to be improved and perfect what is not yet perfect. Repetition corrects errors and that is what we are striving to do,” said Hugues Alain Adjovi, president of the CAF Referees Commission. The Open Day with referees, assistant referees and Video Assistant Referees is an activity traditionally organized by the Communication Department of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at each major CAF competition. It gives the media the opportunity to immerse themselves and understand the work of these officials whose role is both sensitive and decisive for the image of the competition. “It’s an opportunity to show everyone what we do, how we train, how we prepare before officiating on the pitch,” concluded Doué.

Source: CAF

Fifth World Cup for Dominican beach soccer referee Angeles

Dominican Juan Angeles is on the list of referees who will officiate at this year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, which will be held between February 15 and 25, 2024. The referee with the greatest laurels in Dominican football and one of the most prestigious in the world of beach soccer was appointed to the semi-finals of the last two editions of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay 2019 and Russia 2021.

Angeles becomes the referee with the most stakes in FIFA Beach World Cups ever. He received the badge as an international beach soccer referee in 2012 and will referee for the fifth time at the World Cup. The first was the 2015 World Cup in Portugal, then Bahamas 2017, Paraguay 2019 and Russia 2021.

Source: SIN

Former top referees subject to severe accusations in Finland

The Finnish Football Association's internal audit is currently investigating alleged abuses in refereeing at the top level in Finland, reports Helsingin Sanomat. For years, three referees from the Turku region have used their power in the top refereeing activities without hesitation, say the referees who were treated unfairly. The trio has also been called the Donkey Shirt Committee. The persons interviewed by HS talk about, among other things, abuse of power, bullying, nepotism, discrimination, pressure to use alcohol and sexual harassment. Hyytä, Kari and Gestranius are denying the suspected abuses.

Jouni Hyytä, Petteri Kari and Mattias Gestranius are suspected of improper activity. Hyytä was the head referee of the Finnish Football Association from 2017 to 2021 and is currently a referee observer. Kari is the chairman of the Referees Committee of the Football Association. Gestranius works at the Finnish FA as a coach for elite referees.

Source: mtv

Referee Makkelie shines in theatre

When Dennis Higler saw a penalty kick for Eindhoven over their heads during the Feyenoord-PSV (1-0), his colleague Danny Makkelie saw that they actually put their hands on each other. Not on a football field, but at an unusual location for a referee: the theatre. Makkelie, the winner of the Golden Card, gave a presentation at Schouwburg Amstelveen.

During the fascinating "performance" Makkelie talked about making crucial decisions in a split second under the biggest pressure and accompanied the spectators on a journey through his career. The referee shared video and audio clips. The sound recordings gave insight into the interaction between Makkelie, his assistants, the fourth official and the VAR. It also became clear how (often) players and coaches try to influence referee decisions.

Makkelie showed images from Euro and World Cup, where he was an active referee, but also shared “lows” in addition to the “highs”. He talked about death threats and the impact of refereeing on his “normal” life. Afterwards, in the foyer of the theater, the attendees had the opportunity to take a picture with Makkelie and ask questions. Because of the success of the evening, ARAG, for years the loyal sponsor of the Dutch referees, and Makkelie want to see if there is more demand for such presentations. There are currently discussions with several theatres to have Makkelie appear on stage elsewhere in the country.

Source: De Telegraaf

AFC Asian Cup 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 33-36)

25 January 2024

Korea – Malaysia
Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (KSA, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Khalaf Al-Shammari (KSA)
Assistant Referee 2: Yasir Al-Sultan (KSA)
Fourth Official: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (QAT)
Reserve AR: Watheq Al-Swaiedi (IRQ)
VAR: Abdulla Al-Marri (QAT)
AVAR: Mohammed Al-Hoish (KSA)
Referee Assessor: Toru Kamikawa (JPN)

Jordan – Bahrain
Referee: Omar Al-Ali (UAE)
Assistant Referee 1: Mohamed Al-Hammadi (UAE)
Assistant Referee 2: Hasan Al-Mahri (UAE)
Fourth Official: Ma Ning (CHN)
Reserve AR: Zhou Fei (CHN)
VAR: Mohammed Abdulla (UAE)
AVAR: Adel Al-Naqbi (UAE)
Referee Assessor: Abdulrahman Hussain (QAT)

Kyrgyzstan – Oman
Referee: Ahmad Al-Ali (KUW)
Assistant Referee 1: Abdulhadi Al-Anezi (KUW)
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Abbas (KUW)
Fourth Official: Adham Makhadmeh (JOR)
Reserve AR: Mohammad Al-Kalaf (JOR)
VAR: Abdullah Jamali (KUW)
AVAR: Shaun Evans (AUS)
Referee Assessor: Chia Eng Wah (SIN)

Saudi Arabia – Thailand
Referee: Kim Hee-Gon (KOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Yoon Jae-Yeol (KOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Park Sang-Jun (KOR)
Fourth Official: Ilgiz Tantashev (UZB)
Reserve AR: Timur Gaynullin (UZB)
VAR: Kim Jong-Hyeok (KOR)
AVAR: Ko Hyung-Jin (KOR)
Referee Assessor: Ismail Al-Hafi (JOR)

CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 33-36)

24 January 2024

South Africa – Tunisia 

Referee: Issa Sy (SEN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Nouha Bangoura (SEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Eric Ayimavo (BEN)
Fourth Official: Louis Houngnandande (BEN)
Reserve AR: Gilbert Cheriyot (KEN)
VAR: Dahane Beida (MTN)
AVAR: Diana Chicotesha (ZAM)

Namibia – Mali
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (RWA)
Assistant Referee 1: Adou Ngoh (CIV)
Assistant Referee 2: Nouho Ouattara (CIV)
Fourth Official: Ibrahim Traore (CIV)
Reserve AR: Souru Phatsoane (LES)
VAR: Lahlou Benbraham (ALG)
AVAR: Salima Mukansanga (RWA)

Tanzania – Congo DR
Referee: Amin Omar (EGY)
Assistant Referee 1: Attia Amsaaed (LBY)
Assistant Referee 2: Khalil Hassani (TUN)
Fourth Official: Mahmoud El-Bana (EGY)
Reserve AR: Gilbert Cheriyot (KEN)
VAR: Mahmoud Ashour (EGY)
AVAR: Mohamed Adel (EGY)

Zambia – Morocco
Referee: Patrice Tanguy (GAB)
Assistant Referee 1: Dimbiniaina Andriatianarivelo (MAD)
Assistant Referee 2: Koffi Ahonto (TOG)
Fourth Official: Abdel Bouh (MTN)
Reserve AR: Souru Phatsoane (LES)
VAR: Abongile Tom (RSA)
AVAR: Carine Atezambong (CMR)

Spanish FA files complaint over Real Madrid VAR audio leak

Spain's Football Association (RFEF) has lodged a complaint to Spanish Police after VAR audio conversations from Sunday's match between Real Madrid and Almeria, which included several controversial refereeing decisions, were leaked to local media, the RFEF announced on Tuesday.

The audio includes an interaction between on-pitch referee Francisco Hernandez Maeso and VAR official Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez about a possible red card for Vinicius Jr for hitting an opponent in the face. There was no infringement called on the field and the play was not reviewed, so the VAR conversations between the officials should have remained private. Only official reviews are released to the general public.

"The RFEF, which is conducting an internal investigation into the incident, considers that it is extremely serious that this audiovisual material has been extracted and hopes that a response will be found as soon as possible in order to determine who is responsible," the RFEF said in a statement. The audio leaks fanned the flames of what was already a highly controversial match in which Real snatched a come-from-behind 3-2 win over bottom side Almeria. They did it thanks to a Dani Carvajal strike in the ninth minute of stoppage time in a frantic LaLiga tussle that was marked by VAR controversy, with three debatable decisions that awarded Real a goal and a penalty and ruled out an Almeria effort. Sunday's refereeing made headlines and sparked major debate in a country in which football authorities and refereeing officials have been under the microscope due to several scandals.

Source: Reuters

UEFA Women’s Champions League 2023/24 – Group Stage (Matchday 5)

24 January 2024

BK Häcken – Paris FC
Referee: Iuliana Demetrescu ROU (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Mihaela Tepusa ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Roxana Ivanov ROU
Fourth Official: Ana Terteleac ROU
Referee Observer: Bibiana Steinhaus GER

AS Roma – Bayern München
Referee: Frida Klarlund DEN
Assistant Referee 1: Katrine Wulff DEN
Assistant Referee 2: Anita Vad HUN
Fourth Official: Nanna Andersen DEN
Referee Observer: Dilan Gökçek Işcan TUR

Chelsea FCW – Real Madrid
Referee: Catarina Campos POR
Assistant Referee 1: Vanessa Gomes POR
Assistant Referee 2: Andreia Sousa POR
Fourth Official: Silvia Domingos POR
Referee Observer: Antonia Kokotou GRE

Paris St. Germain – AFC Ajax
Referee: Rebecca Welch ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Emily Carney ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Sian Massey-Ellis ENG
Fourth Official: Emily Heaslip ENG
Referee Observer: Snježana Fočić CRO

25 January 2024
Slavia Praha – SK Brann
Referee: Maria Ferrieri Caputi ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Francesca Di Monte ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Tiziana Trasciatti ITA
Fourth Official: Deborah Bianchi ITA
Referee Observer: Ausra Kance LTU

FC Rosengard – SL Benfica
Referee: Ivana Martinčić CRO
Assistant Referee 1: Sanja Rodjak-Karšić CRO
Assistant Referee 2: Maja Petravić CRO
Fourth Official: Sabina Bolić CRO
Referee Observer: Petra Pavlikova SVK

FC Barcelona – Eintracht Frankfurt
Referee: Deborah Anex SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Linda Schmid SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Belinda Brem SUI
Fourth Official: Laura Mauricio SUI
Referee Observer: Caroline De Boeck BEL

SN St. Pölten – Olympique Lyonnais
Referee: Silvia Gasperotti ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Giulia Tempestilli ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Laura Cordani SMR
Fourth Official: Maria Marotta ITA
Referee Observer: Jenny Palmqvist SWE

MLS referee union voted to strike

Members of the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) voted unanimously to authorize union leaders to call a strike, a move designed to put pressure on the MLS' Professional Referee Organization (PRO) during negotiations over the new collective bargaining agreement. The PSRA CBA expired on Jan. 15 but was extended until Jan. 31, and a lockout or strike would imperil the MLS season due to start on Feb. 21. During 2014 CBA negotiations, PRO imposed a two-week lockout before a deal was reached.

"We knew the frustration levels were high, because these officials have not benefited from the growth of our sport and PSRA was forced to file an unfair labor practice charge to address alleged direct dealing committed by certain PRO managers," Peter Manikowski, president and lead negotiator of PSRA, said in a news release. "PSRA officials are committed professionals focused on perfecting their craft. Yet, as the focus should be on bargaining toward a new collective agreement, PSRA has had to address PRO's alleged unfair labor practices, which undermine the bargaining process." The 250-plus PSRA officials work mainly in MLS, and their previous CBA was ratified in February 2019. Outstanding issues include compensation and benefits; scheduling, training camps and other quality-of-life impacts; and travel. "Officials live for the game," Manikowski said. "They are asking to be bargained with fairly and in accordance with the law. We know what fair looks like; this is what we do. Our members see this strike authorization as a way to blow the whistle on PRO's alleged unfair labor practices. Our members are ready to exercise all legal options to protect the rights of officials everywhere - and by doing so, to protect the game we all believe in so passionately." PSRA officials tweeted a photo of the thermostat in their locker room at the FC Dallas-Inter Miami CF exhibition match that showed the temperature at 42 F with a message that said: "Current temperature in the Referee locker room at the #CottonBowl for tonight's #MLS game with #FCDallas and #InterMiami. Meanwhile, the players (yes, including #Messi) have heat. Support us. We live for the game."

PRO is responsible for administrating referee programs in North America as well as assigning referees to work games in MLS, the NASL, the USL and the NWSL. It is funded by MLS and the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Source: ESPN

AFC Asian Cup 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 31-32)

24 January 2024

Japan – Indonesia
Referee: Khamis Al-Marri (QAT, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Taleb Al-Marri (QAT)
Assistant Referee 2: Saoud Al-Maqaleh (QAT)
Fourth Official: Sadullo Gulmurodi (TJK)
Reserve AR: Mohamad Kazzaz (SYR)
VAR: Salman Falahi (QAT)
AVAR: Muhammad Bin Jahari (SGP)
Referee Assessor: Cheung Yim Yau (HKG)

Iraq – Vietnam
Referee: Nazmi Bin Nasaruddin (MAS)
Assistant Referee 1: Mohamad Bin Khalil (MAS)
Assistant Referee 2: Mohd Bin Rasid (MAS)
Fourth Official: Alireza Faghani (IRN)
Reserve AR: Abdul Hasim (SIN)
VAR: Fu Ming (CHN)
AVAR: Sivakorn Pu-Udom (THA)
Referee Assessor: Saad Al-Fadhli (KUW)

Rodriguez: “Why does an active FIFA referee go to a team hotel?”

Former Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez, who attended three World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014), revealed public allegations about the current FIFA referee Fernando Guerrero. “He always visits us at the hotel”, said Nahuel Guzman, goalkeeper of UANL Tigres, Mexico's top club, publicly. It's about FIFA referee Fernando Guerrero and his behavior between matches. “If this is proven during the investigation, it should be a sufficient reason to disqualify the referee and refer it to FIFA”, thunders one of the greatest referees in history, three-time World Cup participant, Marco Rodriguez. Argentinian Nahuel Guzman probably spilled the beans by accident. While giving an interview, he talked about the circumstances in which he saw a red card in the recent play-off final of the Mexican Primera Division. The UANL Tigres team, for which he is the goalkeeper, played against CF America at the Azteca Stadium. Mexican FIFA referee Adonai Escobedo showed Tigres players three red cards. In the 80th minute, with the score still 0-0, he sent Raymundo Fulgencio off. In the 95th minute, i.e. the fifth minute of extra time, when the score was 1-0 for CF America, he showed Guzman a second yellow card and, as a result, a red card, and in the 122nd minute, i.e. the second added minute of the second half of extra time, when it was already 3-0, showed Luis Quinones a direct red card. During the interview, when Guzman was asked who was the referee of the match against CF America, and after a while it was suggested that it was "The Singer" Fernando Guerrero, who is also a Mexican FIFA referee, the Tigres goalkeeper denied and said: “Big hugs to The Singer, who always visits us at the hotel when we are in Mexico City. A good man.”

“Interesting statement by Paton Guzman and sufficient reason for the FMF to investigate the actions of an active referee by visiting teams from the Mexican league in their hotel. This high-risk behavior must be eradicated from the refereeing group, which is constantly attacked, and its honorability is questioned. If proven through the investigation, it should be sufficient reason to disqualify a referee and communicate it to FIFA, unless there is a legitimate argument provided by the referee, but I don't see how he can justify it. Why does an active referee go to a team hotel? We understand that Fernando Guerrero, a Mexican international referee, has built his career on PR tools with the media, players, and managers, however it is unacceptable under the international refereeing code”, alleged Rodriguez.

Guerrero's reputation was also recently seriously questioned by Francisco Chacon, who was also an international referee. After the match of CF America - Club Leon (2-0) in the quarter-finals of the Mexican championship, the Azteca TV expert accused the referee of helping the hosts with wrong decisions and of being their "main ally", which suggests that Guerrero refereed unfairly: "What catches my attention is the fact that Fernando Guerrero is the officially appointed referee for many CF America matches, but it seems unbelievable to me that other teams do nothing about it. Everyone knows that Guerrero is a scoundrel. "Guzman's statement and such serious comments by two former international referees damage Guerrero's image and may have a very negative impact on the course of his career since the standards in judicial matters are very high in Mexico. Mexico was one of the first countries in the world to employ football referees on professional contracts. If the FMF or FIFA investigate his conduct and confirm the allegations made by Rodriguez and Chacon, the 43-year-old Guerrero's career could end immediately.

Source: Marco Rodriguez/Chiquimarco

CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 29-32)

23 January 2024

Guinea – Senegal
Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (BDI)
Assistant Referee 1: Seydou Tiama (BFA)
Assistant Referee 2: Abelmiro Dos Reis (STP)
Fourth Official: Mohamed Maarouf (EGY)
Reserve AR: Lahsen Azgaou (MAR)
VAR: Pierre Atcho (GAB)
AVAR: Mahmoud El-Regal (EGY)

Gambia – Cameroon
Referee: Bamlak Tessema (ETH)
Assistant Referee 1: Jerson Dos Santos (ANG)
Assistant Referee 2: Ivanildo Lopes (ANG)
Fourth Official: Youcef Gamouh (ALG)
Reserve AR: Steven Moutsassi (CGO)
VAR: Mustapha Ghorbal (ALG)
AVAR: Mokrane Gourari (ALG)

Angola – Burkina Faso
Referee: Jean Ndala (COD)
Assistant Referee 1: Mostafa Akarkad (MAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Hossam (EGY)
Fourth Official: Louis Houngnandande (BEN)
Reserve AR: Lahsen Azgaou (MAR)
VAR: Samir Guezzaz (MAR)
AVAR: Haythem Guirat (TUN)

Mauritania – Algeria
Referee: Omar Artan (SOM)
Assistant Referee 1: Elvis Noupue (CMR)
Assistant Referee 2: Boris Ditsoga (GAB)
Fourth Official: Ahmed Heerallal (MRI)
Reserve AR: Steven Moutsassi (CGO)
VAR: Daniel Laryea (GHA)
AVAR: Akhona Makalima (RSA)

AFC Asian Cup 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 27-30)

23 January 2024

Syria – India
Referee: Sivakorn Pu-Udom (THA, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Nakarit Rawut (THA)
Assistant Referee 2: Tanate Chuchuen (THA)
Fourth Official: Kim Jong-Hyeok (KOR)
Reserve AR: Yoon Jae-Yeol (KOR)
VAR: Muhammad Bin Jahari (SIN)
AVAR: Adel Al-Naqbi (UAE)
Referee Assessor: Abdulrahman Hussain (QAT)

Australia – Uzbekistan
Referee: Yusuke Araki (JPN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jun Mihara (JPN)
Assistant Referee 2: Takumi Takagi (JPN)
Fourth Official: Ma Ning (CHN)
Reserve AR: Zhang Cheng (CHN)
VAR: Jumpei Iida (JPN)
AVAR: Fu Ming (CHN)
Referee Assessor: Ismail Al-Hafi (JOR)

Hong Kong – Palestine
Referee: Shaun Evans (AUS)
Assistant Referee 1: Anton Shchetinin (AUS)
Assistant Referee 2: Ashley Beecham (AUS)
Fourth Official: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (QAT)
Reserve AR: Taleb Al-Marri (QAT)
VAR: Abdulla Al-Marri (QAT)
AVAR: Ko Hyung-Jin (KOR)
Referee Assessor: Chia Eng Wah (SIN)

Iran – UAE
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (UZB)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrei Tsapenko (UZB)
Assistant Referee 2: Timur Gaynullin (UZB)
Fourth Official: Ahmad Al-Ali (KUW)
Reserve AR: Abdulhadi Al-Anezi (KUW)
VAR: Mohammed Al-Hoish (KSA)
AVAR: Abdullah Jamali (KUW)
Referee Assessor: Toru Kamikawa (JPN)

CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 25-28)

22 January 2024

Equatorial Guinea – Cote d’Ivoire
Referee: Mahmood Ismail (SDN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Ibrahim Mohamed (SDN)
Assistant Referee 2: Arsenio Marengula (MOZ)
Fourth Official: Abdel Bouh (MTN)
Reserve AR: Dimbiniaina Andriatianarivelo (MAD)
VAR: Mahmoud Ashour (EGY)
AVA: Mahmoud El-Bana (EGY)

Guinea Bissau – Nigeria
Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (MAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Carine Atezambong (CMR)
Assistant Referee 2: Diana Chicotesha (ZAM)
Fourth Official: Jalal Jayed (MAR)
Reserve AR: Koffi Ahonto (TOG)
VAR: Redouane Jiyed (MAR)
AVAR: Zakaria Brinsi (MAR)

Mozambique – Ghana
Referee: Mutaz Ibrahim (LBY)
Assistant Referee 1: Djibril Camara (SEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Abbes Zerhouni (ALG)
Fourth Official: Samual Uwikunda (RWA)
Reserve AR: Dimbiniaina Andriatianarivelo (MAD)
VAR: Lahlou Benbraham (ALG)
AVAR: Salima Mukansanga (RWA)

Cabo Verde – Egypt
Referee: Mahamat Alhadji (CHA)
Assistant Referee 1: Liban Abdoulrazack (DJI)
Assistant Referee 2: Steven Moutsassi (CGO)
Fourth Official: Patrice Tanguy (GAB)
Reserve AR: Koffi Ahonto (TOG)
VAR: Abongile Tom (RSA)
AVAR: Maria Rivet (MRI)

AFC Asian Cup 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 25-26)

22 January 2024

Qatar – China
Referee: Abdullah Jamali (KUW, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Abdulhadi Al-Anezi (KUW)
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Abbas (KUW)
Fourth Official: Shaun Evans (AUS)
VAR: Ahmad Al-Ali (KUW)
AVAR: Adel Al-Naqbi (UAE)
Referee Observer: Cheung Yim Yau (HKG)

Tajikistan – Lebanon
Referee: Mohanad Sarray (IRQ)
Assistant Referee 1: Watheq Al-Swaiedi (IRQ)
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Al-Baghdadi (IRQ)
Fourth Official: Ahmed Al Kaf (OMA)
VAR: Khalid Al-Turais (KSA)
AVAR: Mohammed Al-Hoish (KSA)
Referee Observer: Saad Al-Fadhli (KUW)

FIFA referees Claus and Abatti failed CONMEBOL fitness test

World Cup referee Raphael Claus and three other Brazilian FIFA match officials failed the FIFA fitness test during the pre-season course organized by CONMEBOL, at its headquarters in Luque, Paraguay. The information was verified by ESPN.

In addition to Claus, referee Ramon Abatti and assistants Fabrício Vilarinho and Fabrini Bevilaqua also failed the fitness test, held on the first day of the CONMEBOL seminar, which brings together referees from all member associations. All four match officials are part of the current FIFA List.

The event, which took place between January 13 and 18, included courses, training and other activities, aimed at the start of the new South American football season. Despite failing the test, the Brazilian quartet remained on Paraguayan soil carrying out these activities but will not be able to officiate matches in competitions organized by CONMEBOL, including CONMEBOL Libertadores and CONMEBOL Sudamericana, until they pass the fitness test. It is expected that CONMEBOL will organize a new test by the end of January. As the local championships are organized by each state's own federations, the quartet will be able to officiate in these competitions that open the national calendar. Claus, Fabrini and Vilarinho are already scheduled for games over the weekend. Ramon Abatti, in turn, was not selected in the Catarinense Championship.

Source: ESPN

CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 22-24)

21 January 2024

Morocco – DR Congo
Referee: Peter Waweru (KEN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Gilbert Cheruiyot (KEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Stephen Eleazar (KEN)
Fourth Official: Ahmed Heeralall (MRI)
VAR: Akhona Makalima (RSA)
AVAR: Mohamed Adel (EGY)

Zambia – Tanzania
Referee: Louis Houngnandande (BEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Eric Ayimavo (BEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Modibo Samake (MLI)
Fourth Official: Boubou Traore (MLI)
VAR: Dahane Beida (MTN)
AVAR: Issa Sy (SEN)

South Africa – Namibia
Referee: Youcef Gamouh (ALG)
Assistant Referee 1: Mokrane Gourari (ALG)
Assistant Referee 2: Nouho Ouattara (CIV)
Fourth Official: Samuel Uwikunda (RWA)
VAR: Mustapha Ghorbal (ALG)
AVAR: Omar Artan (SOM)

AFC Asian Cup 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 23-24)

21 January 2024

Kyrgyzstan – Saudi Arabia
Referee: Jumpei Iida (JPN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Jun Mihara (JPN)
Assistant Referee 2: Takumi Takagi (JPN)
Fourth Official: Ma Ning (CHN)
Reserve AR: Zhou Fei (CHN)
VAR: Hiroyuki Kimura (JPN)
AVAR: Yusuke Araki (JPN)
Referee Assessor: Ismail Al-Hafi (JOR)

Oman – Thailand
Referee: Mooud Bonyadifard (IRN)
Assistant Referee 1: Saeid Ghasemi (IRN)
Assistant Referee 2: Alireza Ildorom (IRN)
Fourth Official: Alireza Faghani (IRN)
Reserve AR: Abdul Hasim (SIN)
VAR: Abdulla Mohamed (UAE)
AVAR: Muhammad Bin Jahari (SIN)
Referee Assessor: Abdulrahman Hussain (QAT)

CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 19-21)

20 January 2024

Algeria – Burkina Faso
Referee: Abongile Tom (RSA, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Souru Phatsoane (LES)
Assistant Referee 2: Abelmiro Dos Reis (STP)
Fourth Official: Bamlak Tessema (ETH)
VAR: Pierre Atcho (GAB)
AVAR: Carine Atezambong (CMR)

Mauritania – Angola
Referee: Mohamed Maarouf (EGY)
Assistant Referee 1: Attia Amsaaed (LBY)
Assistant Referee 2: Khalil Hassani (TUN)
Fourth Official: Mutaz Ibrahim (LBY)
VAR: Mahmoud El-Banna (EGY)
AVAR: Mahmoud El-Regal (EGY)

Tunisia – Mali
Referee: Daniel Laryea (GHA)
Assistant Referee 1: Jerson Dos Santos (ANG)
Assistant Referee 2: Ivanildo Lopes (ANG)
Fourth Official: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (BDI)
VAR: Salima Mukansanga (RWA)
AVAR: Lahlou Benbraham (ALG)

Belgium: VAR manager dismissed; the technical director will also leave?

Belgian refereeing is discussed almost every week. The Football Association seems to have understood the message. The collaboration with VAR manager Fredy Fautrel will end and he will be replaced by Dutchman Kevin Blom. There is a good chance that the technical director Bertrand Layec will also have to leave.

At the initiative of Stephanie Forde, operational director of the Referee Department, the referees received a collective pay increase at the end of last year. The referee now earns 2,200 euros per match (+200 euros), while the compensation for the VAR almost doubled (from 450 to 880 euros). It had been 10 years since their wages had been adjusted. “In return, we expect high-quality refereeing and an efficient organization,” said Lorin Parys, CEO of the Pro League. The reality, however, is that the referees have only taken few steps forward in recent months or even rather backwards. The VARs in particular still make too many mistakes. With the most egregious example being the VAR team's miss during Anderlecht-Genk, a match that may have to be replayed. Genk and Club Brugge are legally defending themselves against refereeing errors. That in itself is exceptional.

The Pro League is increasing the pressure on referees. There is a feeling within the football association that a breath of fresh air is necessary. The Referee Department with its many bosses will be shaken up, with the first victim being Fredy Fautrel. The Frenchman had been VAR manager since 2019. Although there are extenuating circumstances - the technology not being the most modern or advanced - the video referee remains a problem. “Where is Fautrel? You don't see him, you don't hear him.” According to our information, Fautrel is no longer welcome in the VAR zone in Tubize. He has an expiring contract and will be replaced by Kevin Blom. The Dutchman was active as a VAR in the Netherlands until 2021 and helped manage matches in the Champions League, supporting top referee Danny Makkelie. During the corona period, Blom briefly worked as a kebab courier. He donated the money he earned to charity.

Changes are also expected at the very top of the Belgian referee pyramid. The intention is that operational director Stephanie Forde will weigh more heavily on the policy. It is no longer a question of if, but rather when, technical director Bertrand Layec will have to leave. The Frenchman is paid generously, while the association has to make significant savings. There has been resentment about Layec for some time, both within the association and at the clubs. At the end of the football season, Bertrand Layec, technical director of refereeing, prepared a presentation showing how well the Belgian referees had performed under his leadership. Each year the figures turned out to be even better than the previous one. He pointed to Lawrence Visser and Erik Lambrechts, who moved up in the international hierarchy. And before the many discussions that existed among football fans and analysts, he liked to refer to 'the gray zone'. A zone in which no errors exist. Layec behaves stubbornly towards the clubs. Layec also exerts his will when appointing referees for certain matches. His position also seems to be partly overlapping with that of the German chairman Herbert Fandel, who, using his contacts, is expected to put Belgian refereeing on the international map.

Source: HLN

CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 16-18)

19 January 2024

Senegal – Cameroon
Referee: Mahmood Ismail (SDN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Ibrahim Mohammed (SDN)
Assistant Referee 2: Diana Chikotesha (ZAM)
Fourth Official: Omar Artan (SOM)
VAR: Mahmoud Ashour (EGY)
AVAR: Maria Rivet (MRI)

Cabo Verde – Mozambique
Referee: Samir Guezzaz (MAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Lahcen Azgaou (MAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Mustapha Akerkad (MAR)
Fourth Official: Jalal Jiyed (MAR)
VAR: Redouane Jiyed (MAR)
AVAR: Zakaria Brinsi (MAR)

Guinea – Gambia
Referee: Abdel Bouh (MTN)
Assistant Referee 1: Arsenio Marengula (MOZ)
Assistant Referee 2: Steven Moutsassi (CGO)
Fourth Official: Kalilou Traore (CIV)
VAR: Dahane Beida (MTN)
AVAR: Bouchra Karboubi (MAR)

FIFA World Cup 2026 – Referee Seminar (UEFA)

FIFA is holding this week in Seville a preparation seminar for European referees who aspire to referee at the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. In addition to being the venue for this preparation meeting, Spain has been represented at this seminar, both among the referees and instructors. Jesus Gil Manzano and Jose Sanchez Martinez were called as World Cup candidates and so was the president of the CTA, Luis Medina Cantalejo, as instructor.

Candidate referees attending this seminar: Irfan Peljto (BIH, 1984), Stephanie Frappart (FRA, 1983), Francois Letexier (FRA, 1989), Clement Turpin (FRA, 1982), Felix Zwayer (GER, 1981), Maurizio Mariani (ITA, 1982), Davide Massa (ITA, 1981), Serdar Gözübüyük (NED, 1985), Danny Makkelie (NED, 1983), Espen Eskas (NOR, 1988), Artur Dias (POR, 1979), Joao Pinheiro (POR, 1988), Istvan Kovacs (ROU, 1984), Srdjan Jovanovic (SRB, 1986), Ivan Kruzliak (SVK, 1984), Slavko Vincic (SVN, 1979), Jesus Gil Manzano (ESP, 1984), Jose Sanchez Martinez (ESP, 1983), Glenn Nyberg (SWE, 1988), Tess Olofsson (SWE, 1988), Sandro Schärer (SUI, 1988), Halil Meler (TUR, 1986)

Former World Cup referees Oscar Ruiz (COL), Nicola Rizzoli (ITA), Valentin Ivanov (RUS), Milorad Mazic (SRB), Cuneyt Cakir (TUR) and Jorge Larrionda (URU) are among the technical instructors.

Source: RFEF

AFC Asian Cup 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 21-22)

20 January 2024

Jordan – Korea
Referee: Salman Falahi (QAT, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Taleb Al-Marri (QAT)
Assistant Referee 2: Saoud Al-Maqaleh (QAT)
Fourth Official: Adel Al-Naqbi (UAE)
VAR: Abdulla Al-Marri (QAT)
AVAR: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (QAT)
Referee Observer: Toru Kamikawa (JPN)

Bahrain – Malaysia
Referee: Ahmed Al Kaf (OMA)
Assistant Referee 1: Abu Al Amri (OMA)
Assistant Referee 2: Rashid Al Ghaithi (OMA)
Fourth Official: Mohanad Sarray (IRQ)
VAR: Omar Al-Ali (UAE)
AVAR: Shaun Evans (AUS)
Referee Observer: Chia Eng Wah (SIN)

CONMEBOL Referee Pre-Season Course 2024

The first group of referees, assistant referees and VARs completed the pre-season course held by the CONMEBOL Referees Committee, with the objectives of reinforcing technical concepts and procedures on the field of play for all competitions, as well as continue the training of referees in the use of the VAR. A total of 190 referees, assistant referees and VARs, representing all 10 CONMEBOL Member Associations, are part of the Pre-season, divided into three groups, which will train for four days each. In addition, there will be guest referees from UEFA and AFC (Saudi Arabia). All participating referees will be evaluated through technical and fitness tests, which allows the possibility of working on the field in a healthy way. In addition, they will carry out match simulations, training sessions and theoretical classes led by the technical and fitness instructors, members and coordinators of the Referees Committee. The work is carried out in the Video Operation Room (VOR) of the Referee Technological Training Center (CETA) for activities related to the VAR, in the Athletics Facility of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee for fitness tests, and the CONMEBOL HQ, including the General Diaz Stadium, for activities on the field. (Source: CONMEBOL)

Participants (Group 1)

Referees

Argentina
Dario Herrera, Facundo Tello (photo), Leandro Rey, Laura Fortunato, Maximiliano Ramírez, Pablo Echavarria

Chile
Fernando Vejar, Francisco Gilabert, Jose Cabero, Manuel Vergara, Maria Belen, Piero Maza

Paraguay
Carlos Benitez Giancarlos Juliadoza, Jose Mendez, Juan Lopez, Juan Benitez, Mario Diaz De Vivar, Zulma Quinonez

Assistant Referees

Argentina
Gisela Trucco, Jose Savorani, Juan Belatti, Mariana De Almeida, Maximiliano Del Yesso, Pablo Gonzalez, Sebastian Raineri

Chile
Alan Sandoval, Alejandro Molina, Carlos Poblete, Claudio Urrutia, Edson Cisternas, Gabriel Ureta, Jose Retamal

Paraguay
Eduardo Britos, Eduardo Cardozo, Jose Villagra, Julio Aranda, Luis Onieva, Milciades Saldivar, Nancy Fernandez

Video Assistant Referees

Argentina
Pablo Dovalo, Salome Di Iorio

Bolivia
Alvaro Campos, Jorge Justiniano

Brazil
Igor Benevenuto, Jose Rocha, Rodrigo Nunes

Chile
Benjamin Saravia

Colombia
David Rodriguez, Heider Castro, Jenny Parga, Maria Daza, Mauricio Rios

Ecuador
Luis Quiroz, Roberto Sanchez, Susana Corella

Paraguay
Fernando Lopez, Ulises Mereles

Peru
Joel Alarcon

Uruguay
Antonio García

VAR Training

Bolivia
Oscar Maldonado, Jorge Antequera

Brazil
Ricardo Marques, Hilton Moutinho, Italo de Azevedo

Chile
Christian Schiemann

Colombia
Luzmila Gonzalez, Sebastian Restrepo

Ecuador
Jose Carpio, Oswaldo Segura

Paraguay
Victor Martinez, Jorge Mercado, Myriam Melgarejo

Peru
Cesar Escano

Uruguay
Marcelo De Leon

Venezuela
Candelario Andarcia, Marlon Escalante

Referees Committee
Enrique Caceres (PAR), Dario Ubriaco (URU), Jose Buitrago (COL)

Referee Coordinators
Carlos Astroza (CHI), Fredy Arellanos (PER)

Technical Instructors
Gustavo Rossi (ARG), Victor Carrillo (PER), Regildenia Moura (BRA), Barbra Bastias (CHI), Wilson Lamouroux (COL), Ubaldo Aquino (PAR), Juan Cardellino (URU), Wilson Avila (ECU), Olga Miranda (PAR)

Fitness Instructors
Silvio Aguinaga, Juan Araya, Juan Gonzalez

AFC Asian Cup 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 18-20)

19 January 2024

Hong Kong – Iran
Referee: Hanna Hattab (SYR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Ali Ahmad (SYR)
Assistant Referee 2: Mohamad Kazzaz (SYR)
Fourth Official: Ko Hyung-Jin (KOR)
VAR: Hiroyuki Kimura (JPN)
AVAR: Katherine Jacewicz (AUS)
Referee Observer: Abdulrahman Hussain (QAT)

Iraq – Japan
Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (KSA)
Assistant Referee 1: Khalaf Al-Shammari (KSA)
Assistant Referee 2: Yasir Al-Sultan (KSA)
Fourth Official: Nazmi Bin Nasaruddin (MAS)
VAR: Khamis Al-Marri (QAT)
AVAR: Mohammed Al-Hoish (KSA)
Referee Observer: Cheung Yim Yau (HKG)

Vietnam – Indonesia
Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (TJK)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrei Tsapenko (UZB)
Assistant Referee 2: Timur Gaynullin (UZB)
Fourth Official: Ilgiz Tantashev (UZB)
VAR: Sivakorn Pu-Udom (THA)
AVAR: Fu Ming (CHN)
Referee Observer: Saad Al-Fadhli (KUW)

CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 13-15)

18 January 2024

Cote d’Ivoire – Nigeria
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (ALG, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Abbes Zerhouni (ALG)
Assistant Referee 2: Nouha Bangoura (SEN)
Fourth Official: Jean Ndala (COD)
Reserve AR: Steven Moutsassi (CGO)
VAR: Benbraham Lahlou (ALG)
AVAR: Mokrane Gourari (ALG)

Equatorial Guinea – Guinea Bissau
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (RWA)
Assistant Referee 1: Dimbiniaina Andriatianarivelo (MAD)
Assistant Referee 2: Koffi Ahonto (TOG)
Fourth Official: Ahmed Heerallal (MRI)
Reserve AR: Steven Moutsassi (CGO)
VAR: Haythem Guirat (TUN)
AVAR: Peter Waweru (KEN)

Egypt – Ghana
Referee: Pierre Atcho (GAB)
Assistant Referee 1: Boris Ditsoga (GAB)
Assistant Referee 2: Carine Atezambong (CMR)
Fourth Official: Patrice Tanguy (GAB)
Reserve AR: Adou Ngoh (CIV)
VAR: Issa Sy (SEN)
AVAR: Abongile Tom (RSA)

AFC Asian Cup 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 15-17)

18 January 2024

Syria – Australia
Referee: Adel Al-Naqbi (UAE, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Mohamed Al-Hammadi (UAE)
Assistant Referee 2: Hasan Al-Mahri (UAE)
Fourth Official: Mooud Bonyadifard (IRN)
Reserve AR: Alireza Ildorom (IRN)
VAR: Abdulla Mohamed (UAE)
AVAR: Abdulla Al-Marri (QAT)
Referee Assessor: Toru Kamikawa (JPN)

India – Uzbekistan
Referee: Fu Ming (CHN)
Assistant Referee 1: Zhou Fei (CHN)
Assistant Referee 2: Zhang Cheng (CHN)
Fourth Official: Adham Makhadmeh (JOR)
Reserve AR: Mohammad Al-Kalaf (JOR)
VAR: Omar Al-Ali (UAE)
AVAR: Yusuke Araki (JPN)
Referee Assessor: Chia Eng Wah (SIN)

Palestine – UAE
Referee: Ahmad Al-Ali (KUW)
Assistant Referee 1: Abdulhadi Al-Anezi (KUW)
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Abbas (KUW)
Fourth Official: Ahmed Al Kaf (OMA)
Reserve AR: Abu Al-Amri (OMA)
VAR: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (QAT)
AVAR: Abdullah Jamali (KUW)
Referee Assessor: Ismail Al-Hafi (JOR)

CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 11-12)

17 January 2024

Morocco – Tanzania
Referee: Mahamat Alhadji (CHA, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Jerson Dos Santos (ANG)
Assistant Referee 2: Seydou Tiama (BFA)
Fourth Official: Boubou Traore (MLI)
Reserve AR: Modibo Samake (MLI)
VAR: Mahmoud Ashour (EGY)
AVAR: Maria Rivet (MRI)

Congo DR – Zambia
Referee: Bamlak Tessema (ETH)
Assistant Referee 1: Liban Abdoulrazack (DJI)
Assistant Referee 2: Nouho Ouattara (CIV)
Fourth Official: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (BDI)
Reserve AR: Modibo Samake (MLI)
VAR: Dahane Beida (MTN)
AVAR: Akhona Makalima (RSA)

AFC Asian Cup 2023 – Group Stage (Matches 13-14)

17 January 2024

Lebanon – China
Referee: Ko Hyung-Jin (KOR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Park Sang-Jun (KOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Kim Kyoung-Min (KOR)
Fourth Official: Ilgiz Tantashev (UZB)
Reserve AR: Andrei Tsapenko (UZB)
VAR: Kim Jong-Hyeok (KOR)
AVAR: Kim Hee-Gon (KOR)
Referee Assessor: Cheung Yim Yau (HKG)

Tajikistan – Qatar
Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura (JPN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jun Mihara (JPN)
Assistant Referee 2: Takumi Takagi (JPN)
Fourth Official: Yoshimi Yamashita (JPN)
Reserve AR: Naomi Teshirogi (JPN)
VAR: Jumpei Iida (JPN)
AVAR: Yusuke Araki (JPN)
Referee Assessor: Saad Al-Fadhli (KUW)