UEFA will record talks between match officials

UEFA president Michel Platini wants match officials' conversations in European matches recorded after a controversial goal in the Champions League semi-final between Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Thomas Muller appeared to foul Jordi Alba before the German side's third goal in their 4-0 first-leg win. "I don't believe nobody saw the foul. Why was nothing said? I want to know! I have asked the General Secretary to record conversations between match officials in all matches involving five officials", Platini (photo) said during a visit to the northern French city of Lille to check on preparations for the Euro 2016.

The Europa League was the testing ground for games using five officials, which saw two additional assistant referees standing behind the goals and communicating by headset. It has since been extended to Champions League matches and Platini says he wants to know why fouls were still being missed. The 57-year-old Frenchman said: "I understand the error of the referee who didn't see the foul by Mueller. But there were three international referees involved and none of them saw it. Something is not right. If the referee was on his own, he wouldn't have seen it, and two might not have seen it either, but, between three, they have to see it". Platini did, however, reiterate his opposition to using video evidence, insisting that the implication of such technology would be too expensive.

Source: BBC

Copa Libertadores – Round of 16 (Second Leg)

8 May 2013

Atletico Mineiro – Sao Paulo

Referee: Roberto Silvera (URU, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Pastorino (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Popovits (URU)
Fourth Official: Daniel Fedorczuk (URU)
Referee Observer: Edson Resende (BRA)

Fluminense – Emelec

Referee: Victor Carrillo (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Johny Bossio (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Cesar Escano(PER)
Fourth Official: Henry Gambetta (PER)
Referee Observer:Armando Marques (BRA)

Nacional – Real Garcilaso

Referee: Carlos Amarilla (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Rodney Aquinos (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Milciades Saldivar (PAR)
Fourth Official: Mario De Vivar (PAR)
Referee Observer: Gustavo Lopes (URU)

American referee died after being punched by teen player

An American soccer referee who slipped into a coma after being punched by a teenage player during a game a week ago died Saturday night, police said. Ricardo Portillo, 46, of Salt Lake City passed away at the hospital, where he was being treated following an assault, police said. Police have accused a 17-year-old player in a recreational soccer league of punching Portillo after the man called a foul on him and issued him a yellow card.

"The suspect was close to Portillo and punched him once in the face as a result of the call," spokesman Justin Hoyal said in a press release. The teen has been booked into juvenile detention on suspicion of aggravated assault. Hoyal said authorities will consider additional charges since Portillo has died. Hoyal said an autopsy is planned. No cause of death was released. Portillo suffered swelling in his brain and had been listed in critical condition, Dr. Shawn Smith said Thursday at the Intermountain Medical Center in the Salt Lake City suburb of Murray. The victim's family, which publicly spoke of Portillo's plight this past week, has asked for privacy, Hoyal said.
Johana Portillo, 26, said last week that she wasn't at the April 27 game in the Salt Lake City suburb of Taylorsville, but she said she's been told by witnesses and detectives that the player hit her father in the side of the head. "When he was writing down his notes, he just came out of nowhere and punched him," she said. Accounts from a police report, Portillo's daughter and others further detail what occurred. The teenager was playing goalie during a game at Eisenhower Junior High School in Taylorsville when Ricardo Portillo issued him a yellow card for pushing an opposing forward trying to score a goal. The teenager, quite a bit heavier than Portillo, began arguing with the referee, then punched him in the face. Portillo seemed fine at first, then asked to be held because he felt dizzy. He sat down and started vomiting blood, triggering his friend to call an ambulance. When police arrived around noon, the teenager was gone and Portillo was laying on the ground in the fetal position. Through translators, Portillo told emergency workers that his face and back hurt and he felt nauseous. He had no visible injuries and remained conscious. He was considered to be in fair condition when they took him to the Intermountain Medical Center. But when Portillo arrived to the hospital, he slipped into a coma with swelling in his brain. Johana Portillo called detectives to let them know his condition had worsened. That's when detectives intensified their search for the goalie. By Saturday evening, the teenager's father agreed to bring him down to speak with police.
Portillo's family said he had been attacked before, and Johanna Portillo said she and her sisters begged their father to stop refereeing because of the risk from angry players, but he continued because he loved soccer. "It was his passion," she said. "We could not tell him no".
The now-deadly attack is just the latest disturbing example of aggressive action against referees going far beyond the realm of what is even remotely acceptable. Perhaps the most disturbing attack in the USA before the Taylorsville tragedy came in Florida in 2011, where a group of players and coaches violently attacked a referee at a Sarasota youth football game.
One can only hope that the lessons from this attack - and the subsequent jail time that the teen in question is likely to serve - will provide ample deterrent for future athletes and parents who struggle to contain their emotions in the midst of what is just a game, even if similar incidents in the past haven't succeeded in doing so.

Source: AP/CTV

UEFA U-17 Euro 2013 – Group Stage (Matchday 1)

5 May 2013

Group A
Slovakia – Austria
Referee: Serdar Gozubuyuk (NED, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Silver Koiv (EST)
Assistant Referee 2: Dmitry Zhuk (BLR)
Fourth Official: Nerijus Dunauskas (LTU)
Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras (GRE)

Switzerland – Sweden
Referee: Anastasios Sidiropoulos (GRE)
Assistant Referee 1: Sergei Vassyutin (KAZ)
Assistant Referee 2: Dejan Kostadinov (MKD)
Fourth Official: Slavko Vincic (SVN)
Referee Observer: Nikolai Levnikov (RUS)

Group B
Russia – Ukraine
Referee: Ivaylo Stoyanov (BUL)
Assistant Referee 1: Gregory Crotteux (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Milan Minic (SRB)
Fourth Official: Vladimir Vnuk (SVK)
Referee Observer: Jan Fasung (SVK)

Croatia – Italy
Referee: Neil Doyle (IRL)
Assistant Referee 1: Birkir Sigurdarsson (ISL)
Assistant Referee 2: Richard Storey (NIR)
Fourth Official: Vladimir Vnuk (SVK)
Referee Observer: Jozef Marko (SVK)

Merk: “More eyes see less!"

Former FIFA World Cup referee Markus Merk regrets wrong decisions in the Champions League and is particularly critical of the additional assistant referees and the development of refereeing.

The UEFA Champions League, affectionately called “elite class”, has been affected by the performance of referees in a serious crisis. There were and will always be wrong decisions wherever there are human mistakes. I know how mistakes are made and how bitter they feel. But UEFA referees never were in as much criticism and the wrong decisions have never been so blatant, both quantitatively and qualitatively.

The Hungarian Viktor Kassai was one of the best in his profession and he was elected the world’s best referee in 2011, but his errors in the game Bayern – Barcelona were striking. He was very toleratnt with Pique’s handball, Gomez’s offside goal should have been seen as well as the handball by Alves and the resulting penalty. We are talking about the highest level, the pinnacle of the European football. Since it is difficult to understand Muller’s hockey-style bodycheck before Robben’s 3-0 goal, I do not believe in the viability of the refereeing sextet.

There is hardly a game without a serious error. Borussia Dortmund's winning goal in the previous round against Malaga will remain in our memory since the players were caught offside twice. But the opening goal, the Spaniard was also in an offside position. Poetic justice? No, two errors! In this series of blunders also joined the German team led by Wolfgang Stark. The same as Kassai, one of the best referees in recent years, he became uncertain after Euro 2012 and the series of wrong decisions ran like a red thread through his season and led to massive criticism and a protest of FC Barcelona after his performance in the quarter-finals at Paris St Germain. But even in games without German participation, there were a lot of surprising errors by the referees. Thus, the Norwegian referee Moen refused a clear penalty to Galatasaray in the quarter-finals in Madrid and thus the supposedly important away goal. He cautioned their star striker Burak Yilmaz for diving and, because of that, he was missing in the return game. Previously, Real were already beneficiaries, in the second round at Manchester United, where they brought an exaggerated red card for Nani and headed Alex Ferguson in a rage. Enough! Why are these mistakes?

More eyes see less! Since 2009, UEFA introduced referees 5 and 6. They should be not just goal judges, but "additional assistant referees" and support the main referee in decisions. I have always commented this step with great skepticism. Most errors or non-decisions happen in the penalty areas, where one is relying on the other, expelling their responsibility. This decision is all in the worlds, personally and professionally. In daily life, this is sometimes correctable, but referees must take quick decisions. Kassai and Stark are exemples of victims of this innovation. In this form, the model of “goal judges” clearly failed.

Since 2006, there has been a structural change in refereeing. Referee training has been streamlined, while individuality and personality were suppressed. Incidental training rituals have become more important as standardized error-minimizing rule interpretation and important solutions (interpretation of the handball, double punishment for denying obvious goal-scoring opportunities in the penalty area, etc.) are not competently corrected. As long as it goes mainly for personal positioning and less about professional development in the football federation’s levels, this will not improve. Too bad for football and the "elite class".

Source: Markus Merk / Sky.de

OFC Champions League – Semi-finals

First Leg, 4-5 May 2013

Auckland City – Ba
Referee: Norbert Hauata (TAH, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Hintz (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Rule (NZL)
Fourth Official: Nicholas Waldron (NZL)

Amicale – Waitakere United
Referee: Averii Jacques (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Joseph (VAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Alick Lukai (VAN)
Fourth Official: Bruce George (VAN)

Second Leg, 11-12 May 2013

Ba – Auckland City
Referee: Gerald Oiaka (SOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Ravinesh Kumar (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 2: Rakesh Chandra (FIJ)
Fourth Official: Andrew Achari (FIJ)

Waitakere United – Amicale
Referee: Kader Zitouni (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Terry Piri (COK)
Assistant Referee 2: Glen Lochrie (NZL)
Fourth Official: Matt Conger (NZL)

FIFA Confederations Cup referees announced on 13 May

"With the FIFA Confederations Cup around the corner, preparations for the tournament are reaching fever-pitch. And not only is our anticipation high, but this is also true among Brazilians too. The latest reasearch data from March 2013 of a survey conducted in all host cities shows that 87 per cent of the general public are aware of the Festival of champions and 78 per cent are looking forward to the kick-off on 15 June in Brasilia", said FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke. "On-pitch, the referees, just like the teams, have to undergo a thorough qualification process. The 52 referee trios up for selection will convene in Rio de Janeiro from 25-30 May 2013 for a comprehensive preparation seminar. This will be a major milestone in the referees FIFA World Cup project which started in September 2012, with the confirmation of the match officials for the Festival of Champions to be announced on 13 May".

Source: FIFA

CAF Champions League – Round of 16 (Second Leg)

3-5 May 2013

Al Ahly – CAB

Referee: Bouchaib El Ahrach (MAR, photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Youssef Mabrouk (MAR)

Assistant Referee 2: Bouazza Rouani (MAR)

Fourth Official: Noureddine El Jaafari (MAR)

St. George – Zamalek
Referee: Janny Sikazwe (ZAM)
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Tembo (ZAM)
Assistant Referee 2: Chansa Kabwe (ZAM)
Fourth Official: Wellington Kaoma (ZAM)

TP Mazembe – Orlando Pirates
Referee: Bernard Camille (SEY)
Assistant Referee 1: Gilbert Lista (SEY)
Assistant Referee 2: Hensley Petrousse (SEY)
Fourth Official: Emile Fred (SEY)

Rec Do Libolo – Rangers
Referee: Eric Otogo Castane (GAB)
Assistant Referee 1: Theophile Vinga (GAB)
Assistant Referee 2: Sylvain Mouala (GAB)
Fourth Official: Woungui Antsaraga (GAB)

Esperance Tunis – JSM Bejaia
Referee: Yakhouba Keita (GUI)
Assistant Referee 1: Sidiki Sidibe (GUI)
Assistant Referee 2: Aboubacar Doubouya (GUI)
Fourth Official: Sekou Toure (GUI)

Sewe Sport – FUS
Referee: Bakary Gassama (GAM)
Assistant Referee 1: Dickory Jawo (GAM)
Assistant Referee 2: Sulayman Touray (GAM)
Fourth Official: Maudo Jallow (GAM)

Stade Malien – Coton Sport
Referee: Noumandiez Doue (CIV)
Assistant Referee 1: Songuifolo Yeo (CIV)
Assistant Referee 2: Moussa Bayere (CIV)
Fourth Official: Bienvenu Sinko (CIV)

ES Setif – AC Leopards
Referee: William Agbovi (GHA)
Assistant Referee 1: Malik Salifu (GHA)
Assistant Referee 2: David Laryea (GHA)
Fourth Official: Reginald Lathbrige (GHA)

UEFA Women’s Champions League Final 2013: Albon (ROU)

Romania's Teodora Albon has been appointed as referee for the UEFA Women's Champions League final between French holders Olympique Lyonnais and German showpiece debutants VfL Wolfsburg at Stamford Bridge in London. Albon, 35, will be accompanied by a team of three Romanian match officials – assistants Petruta Iugulescu and Mihaela Tepusa, and fourth official Cristina Dorcioman. Sian Massey of England has been named as the reserve assistant referee.
Albon began refereeing in 2000 when still a player with CFF Clujana and Romania. She joined the FIFA list three years later, just a month after her 25th birthday. She was chosen for the 2006 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship in Switzerland, overseeing the final between Germany and Russia. Earlier that year, she had also officiated in her first FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying games. Albon went to the Women's U19 finals again in 2009, this time in Belarus, and was in charge for the final between Sweden and England. She proceeded to referee matches at the 2010 and 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups. By now, she was a regular in the UEFA Women's Champions League and handled her first semi-final in 2011/12, Lyon versus FFC Turbine Potsdam. Her husband, Mirel Albon, was her former club coach and led Romania in the 2012 Women's U19 finals. He was previously a top-division assistant referee, and Teodora continues to referee in the Romanian men's second division. (Source: UEFA)

23 May 2013

VfL Wolfsburg – Olympique Lyon

Referee: Teodora Albon (ROU)

Assistant Referee 1: Petruta Iugulescu (ROU)

Assistant Referee 2: Mihaela Tepusa (ROU)

Fourth Official: Cristina Dorcioman (ROU)
Reserve AR: Sian Massey (ENG)

Referee Observer: Dagmar Damkova (CZE)

UEFA Europa League – Semi-finals (First Leg)

2 May 2013

Chelsea – Basel

Referee: Jonas Eriksson (SWE, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Mathias Klasenius (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Warnmark (SWE)
Additional AR 1: Stefan Johannesson (SWE)
Additional AR 2: Markus Strombergsson (SWE)
Fourth Official: Stefan Wittberg (SWE)
Referee Observer: Nuno Castro (POR)

Benfica – Fenerbahce

Referee: Stephane Lannoy (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Frederic Cano (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Michael Annonier (FRA)
Additional AR 1: Antony Gautier (FRA)
Additional AR 2: Ruddy Buquet (FRA)
Fourth Official: Laurent Stien (FRA)
Referee Observer: Manuel Lopez (ESP)