UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 – Qualifying Round (Matchday 10)

22 September 2020

Kazakhstan – Austria
Referee: Katalin Sipos (HUN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Judit Kulcsar (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Anita Vad (HUN)
Fourth Official: Eszter Urban (HUN)

Estonia – Russia
Referee: Simona Ghisletta (SUI)
Assistant Referee 1: Belinda Brem (SUI)
Assistant Referee 2: Laetitia Nuara (SUI)
Fourth Official: Laura Mauricio (SUI)

Bosnia and Herzegovina – Italy
Referee: Silvia Domingos (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Cátia Tavares (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Tatiana Martins (POR)
Fourth Official: Beatriz Campos (POR)

Montenegro – Germany
Referee: Ainara Acevedo Dudley (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Eliana Fernandez Gonzalez (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Matilde Esteves-Garcia (ESP)
Fourth Official: Olatz Rivera Olmedo (ESP)

Latvia – Hungary
Referee: Lizzy Van Der Helm (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Diana Snoeren (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Bianca Scheffers (NED)
Fourth Official: Manon Plandsoen (NED)

Faroe Islands – Belarus
Referee: Abigail Marriott (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Lisa Rashid (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Melissa Burgin (ENG)
Fourth Official: Stacey Pearson (ENG)

Norway – Wales
Referee: Petra Pavlikova (SVK)
Assistant Referee 1: Ivana Leskova (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Lenka Pavlackova (SVK)
Fourth Official: Miriama Matulova (SVK)

Poland – Czech Republic
Referee: Iuliana Demetrescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Petruta Iugulescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Mihaela Tepusa (ROU)
Fourth Official: Cristina Trandafir (ROU)

Romania – Croatia
Referee: Ivana Projkovska (MKD)
Assistant Referee 1: Biljana Milanova (MKD)
Assistant Referee 2: Vjolca Izeiri (MKD)
Fourth Official: Irena Velevačkoska (MKD)

Ukraine – Greece
Referee: Aleksandra Česen (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Staša Špur (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Helena Buh (SVN)
Fourth Official: Tanja Subotič (SVN)

Malta – Denmark
Referee: Maria Martinez Madrona (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Silvia Fernandez Perez (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Rita Cabanero Mompo (ESP)
Fourth Official: Zulema Gonzalez Gonzalez (ESP)

Switzerland – Belgium
Referee: Tess Olofsson (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Camilla Stendahl (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Almira Spahić (SWE)
Fourth Official: Lovisa Johansson (SWE)

Iceland – Sweden
Referee: Ivana Martinčić (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Sanja Rodjak-Karšić (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Maja Petravić (CRO)
Fourth Official: Jelena Kumer (CRO)

North Macedonia – France
Referee: Reelika Turi (EST)
Assistant Referee 1: Karolin Kaivoja (EST)
Assistant Referee 2: Anni Rahula (EST)
Fourth Official: Luisa Klaar (EST)

AFC Champions League 2020 – Group Stage (West Region, Matchday 4)

17-18 September 2020

Shahr Khodro – Shabab Al Ahli 
Referee: Hanna Hattab (SYR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Ali Ahmad (SYR)
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Al-Roalle (JOR)
Fourth Official: Masoud Tufaylieh (SYR)

Pakhtakor – Al Hilal
Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (BHR) 
Assistant Referee 1: Mohamed Salman (BHR) 
Assistant Referee 2: Abdulla Al-Rowaimi (BHR) 
Fourth Official: Hettikankanamge Perera (SRI) 

Al Shorta – Al Ahli SFC
Referee: Sherzod Kasimov (UZB)
Assistant Referee 1: Abdukhamidullo Rasulov (UZB)
Assistant Referee 2: Timur Gaynulin (UZB)
Fourth Official: Adham Makhadmeh (JOR)

Sharjah – Al Duhail
Referee: Omar Al-Yaqoubi (OMA)
Assistant Referee 1: Hamed Al Ghafri (OMA)
Assistant Referee 2: Salim Nasser (OMA)
Fourth Official: Khalid Al Shaqsi (OMA)

Al Taawoun – Persepolis
Referee: Mohanad Sarray (IRQ) 

Assistant Referee 1: Watheq Al-Swaiedi (IRQ)
Assistant Referee 2: Mohammad Al-Kalaf (JOR)
Fourth Official: Ali Al-Qaysi (IRQ)

Al Sadd – Al Ain
Referee: Mohd Yaacob (MAS)
Assistant Referee 1: Mohd Muhamad (MAS)
Assistant Referee 2: Abdul Hasim (SIN)
Fourth Official: Ahmed Al-Ali (JOR)

Al Nassr – Sepahan
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (UZB)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrei Tsapenko (UZB)
Assistant Referee 2: Ronnie Min Kiat (SIN)
Fourth Official: Sivakorn Pu-Udom (THA)

Taylor: “The expectations in England are different than UEFA”

With Champions League winners Bayern Munich taking on the Europa League winners Sevilla in Budapest on Thursday 24 September, the news comes in a fantastic year for English refereeing with another high-profile international appointment for one of the country’s top referees. "The appointment of Anthony and his team is richly deserved as they have developed into one of the most impressive refereeing teams in Europe," said David Elleray, chairman of our FA Referees Committee. "Following on from being the first referee in recent times to referee two FA Cup finals, Anthony now has the unique achievement of being involved in every major UEFA final, having previously officiated as an additional assistant referee in the 2014 Super Cup, 2015 Europa League Final and the EURO and Champions’ League finals of 2016. No referee gets top appointments without a very strong ‘team’ and Anthony would be the first to admit that the work of Gary, Adam, Stuart and Paul have been instrumental in this appointment." 

- Anthony, how does it feel to be recognised by UEFA with this fantastic appointment? 

- This is not just about me, it’s the whole team, so Gary, Adam, Stu and Paul. We work together regularly, in every single game in UEFA, so I would like to think it was recognition for the whole team’s hard work. Without the rest of the team, I can’t do my job on the field and I would like to think it’s recognition for how well we performed in the two knockout games that we did in Germany and Lisbon in the Champions League.So it's really humbling to be recognised by UEFA this way, but like I say, it's down to every single person in the team, not just me. 

- What's it like refereeing two European teams? How, if it all, is it different to the domestic game? 

- It can be different. The expectation in this country is to allow a lot more physical contact, international matches obviously pose their own challenges in how you are able to communicate with players, but also the different styles of play as well. So obviously in the Super Cup you have Bayern, which is obviously an English style kind of team and a Spanish team in Sevilla, who are very technical, so it's very much preparing properly for the contrast in styles of play and the expectations from the teams about the physical contact allowed. Within UEFA, there are some very clear parameters set down in terms of penalties and handball, interpretations we have started to use more in the Premier League this year. 

- This football season has come so quickly after the 2019-20 season finished, how are you feeling? 

- Everything comes down to preparation. We had a structured rest and reintroduction before Project Restart and then we had UEFA preparing us with some more specific stuff before going to games in Germany and Lisbon, so following our final match in Lisbon, we got maybe a 10-14 day period where we got a bit of rest and then we had a three-week pre-season preparation period, so fitness wise, I'm feeling really good. 

- It must be different refereeing with no fans in the stadium, how have you adapted to this? 

- The atmosphere fans create at any match is part of the game and why people are involved in the game and enjoy refereeing and playing so much. I think refereeing in an empty stadium makes it harder because you can hear everything. For example, in a Premier League game you can hear every bit of contact, but every bit of contact does not make it a foul, that is something the whole of our group have been getting used to, judging what's a foul and what's not. It certainly changes the dynamic on how you make a decision sometimes. 

- And finally, where are you with your potential nomination to UEFA EURO 2020, now it is delayed until 2021? 

- The Euros have been put back and the decision of which refereeing teams would go to EURO 2020 was due not long after we went into lockdown, so obviously the aim is for myself and Michael Oliver to get selected and that whole selection process has effectively been extended by nine months, so it's not just about one match, it is every single match we are involved in with UEFA and they also take into account how you perform domestically as well. 

Source: The FA

Virus removes Brazilian referee from Copa Libertadores

The referee for the Copa Libertadores clash between Argentina’s Racing and Uruguay’s Nacional was replaced after testing positive for Covid-19. CONMEBOL said in a statement that Brazilian referee Anderson Daronco (photo), his assistants Fabricio Vilarinho, Rafael Alves and fourth official Bruno Arleu will remain isolated for 14 days, as Argentinian health protocols recommend. CONMEBOL said all were asymptomatic when they took the tests on Sunday. Daronco will be replaced by Chilean Cristian Garay, who was initially expected to referee another Copa Libertadores match in Argentina between local Defensa y Justicia and Ecuador’s Delfín. 

Four Argentine match officials, female FIFA assistant referees Mariana De Almeida and Daiana Milone, and fourth officials Fernando Echenique and Nicolas Lamolina, were called as last-minute local replacements. A few days ago, Ecuadorian referee Augusto Aragon and assistant referee Christian Lescano also tested positive for Covid-19 and had to be replaced. Copa Libertadores restarted on Tuesday after a six-month halt due to the pandemic. Now Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Argentina are among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of confirmed cases of the disease. 

Source: AP

UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 – Qualifying Round (Matchday 9)

17-19 September 2020 

Bosnia and Herzegovina – Denmark 

Referee: Sandra Bastos (POR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Olga Almeida (POR) 
Assistant Referee 2: Diana Henriques (POR) 
Fourth Official: Ana Afo (POR)

Sweden – Hungary
Referee: Rebecca Welch (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Sian Massey (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Natalie Aspinall (ENG)
Fourth Official: Kirsty Dowle (ENG)

Italy – Israel
Referee: Ewa Augustyn (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Paulina Baranowska (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Katarzyna Wasiak (POL)
Fourth Official: Katarzyna Lisiecka-sek (POL)

Iceland – Latvia
Referee: Desiree Grundbacher (SUI)
Assistant Referee 1: Linda Schmid (SUI)
Assistant Referee 2: Sabrina Keinersdorfer (SUI)
Fourth Official: Antonija Pajtak (SUI)

Russia – Netherlands
Referee: Pernilla Larsson (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Jilan Taher (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Emelie Elfstrand (SWE)
Fourth Official: Sandra Österberg (SWE)

Croatia – Switzerland
Referee: Lucie Šulcova (CZE)
Assistant Referee 1: Lucie Ratajova (CZE)
Assistant Referee 2: Jana Štychova (CZE)
Fourth Official: Olga Zadinová (CZE)

Belgium – Romania
Referee: Volha Tsiareshka (BLR)
Assistant Referee 1: Alena Karas (BLR)
Assistant Referee 2: Anastasiya Danchenko (BLR)
Fourth Official: Alena Kanaplianikava (BLR)

Faroe Islands – Northern Ireland
Referee: Graziella Pirriatore (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Veronica Vettorel (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Giulia Tempestilli (ITA)
Fourth Official: Silvia Gasperotti (ITA)

Czech Republic – Poland
Referee: Shona Shukrula (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Franca Overtoom (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Nicolet Bakker (NED)
Fourth Official: Marisca Overtoom (NED)

Kosovo – Estonia
Referee: Olivia Tschon (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Biljana Iskin (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Amina Raschid (AUT)
Fourth Official: Maria Ennsgraber (AUT)

Slovenia – Turkey
Referee: Viki De Cremer (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Joline Delcrois (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Bosmans Ilka (BEL)
Fourth Official: Lois Otte (BEL)

Montenegro – Ukraine
Referee: Viola Raudziņa (LVA)
Assistant Referee 1: Diana Vanaga (LVA)
Assistant Referee 2: Liga Didriķe (LVA)
Fourth Official: Tatjana Debisa (LVA)

Serbia – France
Referee: Frida Nielsen (DEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Sidsel Rasmussen (DEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Fie Bruun (DEN)
Fourth Official: Frederikke Søkjær (DEN)

Germany – Ireland
Referee: Monika Mularczyk (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Katarzyna Wojs (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Anna Dabrowska (POL)
Fourth Official: Michalina Diakow (POL)

Moldova – Spain
Referee: Jelena Pejkovic (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Ivona Pejic (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Gordana Katušić (CRO)
Fourth Official: Sabina Bolić (CRO)

Gavillucci is furious: “Nicchi should explain the 80,000 euro contract!”

Claudio Gavillucci, former Serie A referee, spoke to Radio Punto Nuovo about his conflict with the AIA president, Marcello Nicchi: "Last Friday, my AIA card was revoked through the disciplinary appeal committee. The first level sentence was confirmed and my card was revoked forever. There is the last level of judgment, so I'll go ahead. This decision is a punishment for having exercised my right to appeal to the TAR in order to seek compensation for a wrong dismissal suffered. They told me I couldn't do it, but many athletes and clubs do. I did not do it to return to the field, but because I wanted to have a judgment from the civil court and not the sports one, to understand if I had been kicked out following the rules. My lawyer, Gianluca Ciotti, an AIA associate, was also suspended. I dealt with issues such as transparency, the unification of the C.A.N. A and C.A.N. B, the possibility of having the referees speak after the matches. Before letting the referees speak outside, Nicchi should listen to their ideas inside. I have never put myself in opposition to AIA, but my complaints have always been made to improve the association, so much so that they have been accepted, but on Friday I found myself out forever: this is absurd. The TAR is full of sports appeals, but they are not thrown out of their associations because of that". 

Gavillucci goes back to talk about Nicchi's contract as a VAR consultant: "The AIA regulation is very clear: the president cannot have as main income something that derives from his office. I don't think I have read any denials and the problem is that this contract is public. I hope that the Federal Prosecutor has opened a file and is investigating; if that is the case, Nicchi would have to resign. He has always declared that he does not receive any income. The problem is that in this way he would have betrayed the trust of his colleagues, who for a derisory reimbursement carry out a volunteer activity of thousands of referees in the area. If it is true, it would be better to understand why he has been there for 12 years without having created an alternation at the top, and it would have to be understood why he wants to re-apply for another 4 years. By 15 January 2021 the new president of the AIA will have to be elected by the presidents of the territorial sections. In numerous sections there are also delegates. Most likely these elections will be called by Nicchi between 15 November and 15 December 2020. The candidate who opposes Nicchi will only have a month to get to know the people who will elect the new president, which would be reduced to just over a week due to parties and closed sections. That sucks, with respect to democracy and a level playing field. The regulation does not give candidates time to campaign or make statements more than 30 days before the election of the president." Nicchi's possible heir is Alfredo Trentalange: "I have heard the rumors, it is an opportunity not to be missed. He has great human skills and techniques also recognized internationally, which is what the AIA most needs. In a democracy, in a free country, there is a need for those who fight in the political vote to have the same opportunities. How do you get around Italy in just over a week, with 200 sections? Someone should ask for a change of regulation and give more time and space to those who oppose the current president, without fear of retaliation. Whoever takes over will have to change this electoral law. I hope there will be a change from a technical point of view, and if Trentalange will really be the next president, considering also the role he plays in FIFA as an instructor, it would give a great opportunity to our country. Will I be new face of governance? I put it in writing in my book and I have always done everything with the aim of improving the AIA, so if they would ask me, I wouldn't back down." 

Source: Il Corriere dello Sport

First female AR in MLS title match

When Katy Nesbitt decided to take a break from her role as a chemistry professor last year to channel all her energy on soccer, she did so with two summer tournaments as her focus. First up was the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, then this year was intended to be geared towards the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The 12 months that have followed since officiating five World Cup games in France have taken a significantly different course, and while her second objective remains on the horizon, she’s been able to make history via an alternative route at a tournament that was only conceived this spring. 

Last month, Nesbitt became the first female to officiate an MLS title game, and as a consequence, has found herself in the limelight in a way she hadn’t anticipated. “The reaction has been bigger than anything I have experienced before, even getting named to go to the World Cup,” she explained. “Standing out as a female on a men’s final hit home with a lot of different people in a variety of ways. I’ve had a ton of people reach out and everybody who I’ve spoken to has shared their experiences with me and what it means. Going on The Call Up was a cool opportunity for me, and that’s highlighted the impression it has had on females outside of the referee world.” With 65 regular-season MLS games and three playoff matches under her belt prior to heading to Orlando, and having been named as the reserve assistant referee for the 2018 MLS Cup Final, Nesbitt has packed plenty in since her debut in 2015. Understandably, the MLS is Back Tournament Final now tops that list as her most significant domestic assignment. “It was such an honor to get that appointment. It was the first time I’ve been on a final so that was huge, but to be the first woman on an MLS title game means a lot to me. I was determined not to let it be a distraction by focusing on the preparation and making sure I had a good match. Although it was at the back of my mind, I didn’t want to be feeling the weight of what I was about to do. Only in the days that followed the game did I get a feel for how powerful that was. That has had a big impact on me. The camaraderie amongst the PRO guys was unbelievably strong. The teamwork was always there within the group and you were always rooting for the best for everyone. All the appointments were announced to the group in the meeting room, just like you would at an international tournament, which was really good. You got to celebrate together each time and as the tournament progressed, the group got smaller, so the environment became more intimate. When the crew for the final was announced it was a special moment for us all.” 

Nesbitt is no stranger to spending time away from home on assistant referee duty, having officiated at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, 2018 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship, 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup as well as last summer’s Women’s World Cup, and most recently, the Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifiers at the start of the year. Therefore, the 31-year-old had a better understanding of the environment they would inhabit throughout the MLS is Back Tournament than some of her peers – insight she was happy to share. “A few officials reached out to me before traveling to get an understanding of what to expect. I was in contact with the guys in Utah [working the NWSL Challenge Cup] so that helped as well, not least with knowing what items to pack that might not be so easy to obtain! We did a lot of preparations as a group as well to ensure we would be ready for the situations that would be different, on and off the field. The mental side takes more of a toll than people really take into account before they go into a long stretch like this. Everyone has different requirements and adjusts accordingly. We had the comfort of the procedures MLS and PRO had set up for us and I was really impressed by a lot of people who brought pictures and important things from their families and completely decorated their rooms and made it a homely place. It took a few days for everyone to get into the rhythm of things. That is normal of any tournament; you are always a little nervous when you first get there – just this time we were also figuring out how we were going to make this work, how we could be comfortable around each other constantly wearing a mask, but we soon settled in. Everybody wanted the tournament to go forward and safety was the number one priority. My experience of tournaments helped me settle: the comfort level of knowing you will get used to a new atmosphere, and what day-to-day would look like in general definitely assisted with that side.” All the wiser for an experience no-one had anticipated at the beginning of the year, Nesbitt has, by her own admission, endeavored to embrace the responsibilities that come with breaking ground as best she can. Reflecting on her time in Orlando has only increased her hunger for her next milestone, one she is already prepping for. “The tournament on the whole was a success; the people and the atmosphere away from the games contributed to that. If you are having an enjoyable time away from the field, it leads to a good experience when you are doing your job. It’s a lesson I’ve slowly learned over time, but it was proven even more to me during MLS is Back. We left the bubble having achieved something as a group, and that has set us up for the regular-season games, which have been good to get back to. On a personal level, to know working the final has impacted and inspired others has enhanced that achievement for me. It’s the first time I’ve experienced that feeling so that was really special. My goal for this year was the Olympics and because I’ve not reached that, it stays number one for me. I will work as hard as I can because I want to achieve that next summer.” 

Source: PRO

AFC Champions League 2020 – Group Stage (West Region, Matchday 3)

14-15 September 2020 

Al Ahli SFC – Al Shorta 

Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (BHR, photo) 

Assistant Referee 1: Mohamed Salman (BHR) 

Assistant Referee 2: Abdulla Al-Rowaimi (BHR) 

Fourth Official: Ali Shaban (KUW) 

Shabab Al Ahli – Shahr Khodro 

Referee: Ali Al-Qaysi (IRQ) 

Assistant Referee 1: Watheq Al-Swaiedi (IRQ) 

Assistant Referee 2: Ali Ahmad (IRQ) 

Fourth Official: Mohanad Sarray (IRQ) 

Al Hilal – Pakhtakor 

Referee: Ko Hyung-Jin (KOR) 

Assistant Referee 1: Yoon Kwang-Yeol (KOR) 

Assistant Referee 2: Park Sang-Jun (KOR) 

Fourth Official: Kim Dae-Young (KOR) 

Al Duhail – Sharjah 

Referee: Muhammad Bin Jahari (SIN) 

Assistant Referee 1: Ronnie Min Kiat (SIN) 

Assistant Referee 2: Abdul Hasim (SIN) 

Fourth Official: Mohd Yaacob (MAS) 

Persepolis – Al Taawon 

Referee: Ahmed Al Kaf (OMA) 

Assistant Referee 1: Abu Al Amri (OMA) 

Assistant Referee 2: Rashid Al Ghaithi (OMA) 

Fourth Official: Omar Al Yaqoubi (OMA) 

Al Ain – Al Sadd 

Referee: Hettikamkanamge Perera (SRI) 

Assistant Referee 1: Palitha Hemathunga (SRI) 

Assistant Referee 2: Sanjeewa Wellabada (SRI) 

Fourth Official: Hanna Hattab (SYR) 

Sepahan – Al Nassr 

Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (JOR) 

Assistant Referee 1: Ahmed Al-Roalle (JOR) 

Assistant Referee 2: Mohammad Al-Kalaf (JOR) 

Fourth Official: Ahmed Al-Ali (JOR)

UEFA Super Cup 2020: Taylor (ENG)

The UEFA Referees Committee has announced that Anthony Taylor will take charge of the UEFA Super Cup game between Bayern München and Sevilla, which takes place at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Thursday 24 September. Now 41, Manchester-born Taylor has been refereeing since 2002, and featured in his first UEFA matches in 2009. He has been a referee in England's Premier League since 2010 and is now a regular fixture in the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Champions League and national-team competitions. His most recent UEFA assignment was Paris’s 2-1 win against Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on 12 August. This will not be Taylor's first UEFA Super Cup; he was listed as an additional assistant referee for the 2014 game, in which Real Madrid beat 2020 contenders Sevilla 2-0. Taylor's assistants and VAR team also come from England, while fourth official Orel Grinfeeld is from Israel. (Source: UEFA)

24 September 2020
Bayern München – FC Sevilla
Referee: Anthony Taylor (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn (ENG)
Fourth Official: Orel Grinfeeld (ISR)
VAR: Stuart Attwell (ENG)
AVAR: Paul Tierney (ENG)

Referee Observer: Roberto Rosetti (ITA)

Veissiere: "PSG-OM was a poisoned gift to Brisard"

Jérôme Brisard has become one of the main characters of the PSG-OM match (0-1). A headliner costume that referees hate to wear. But the particular nature of the “Clasico”, the heightened tension on the field, the bad shots, the insults, the 14 warnings and 5 expulsions have tipped the match into a sad scenario in which he plays the leading role. “The match was out of control”, raged Leonardo after the match, furious at the choice of Jérôme Brisard to lead the early top match of the championship: “It is not to criticize the referee, but maybe it was not his moment to referee a Clasico“. 

The mistrust is visibly obvious towards a man who has held the whistle in Ligue 1 since January 2017 and a Montpellier-Dijon (1-1), during which he had not issued any cards. Since then, the 34-year-old referee has led a record of 66 L1 games. He awarded 243 cautions and 19 expulsions, 13 of which were direct red cards. Statistics which place him among the average of French referees, even if he tended to have a heavy hand during his last outings. Brisard thus issued 8 yellow and one red card in the final of the Coupe de la Ligue (PSG-OL, 0-0, 6-5 after kfpm) and 8 cautions during Strasbourg-Nice (0-2). During the recent Clasico, he seemed quickly overwhelmed by events and not helped by the players who had obviously decided to strengthen their match. Faced with the controversy, Pascal Garibian flew to the aid of one of the hopes among the French referees. “On a technical, disciplinary and managerial level, we cannot blame Jérôme Brisard”, explains the boss of the Technical Direction of Refereeing (DTA). “When we analyze the cards awarded, all are deserved. Any referee would have made the same decisions. From the start of the match, Jérôme took out the first yellow cards to limit the players’ excess of force. He tried to do prevention throughout the game. Cautions are disciplinary sanctions intended to be preventive. It is clear that he was not heard.” 

Explanations not necessarily convincing. Especially for Gilles Veissière. “Nineteen cards in a match, it has no tail nor head, squeaks the former international referee. A PSG-OM is not a match like any other. He was asked to drive a car for which he does not yet have a license. But it is not his fault, it is the appointment which is not appropriate. He knows the theory, of course, but not yet the practice. He is very good, he has qualities. But we don’t ask a young 34-year-old referee to lead such a match.” Faced with the accusation of illegitimacy, Pascal Garibian stands up behind Brisard, whom he had launched into the high-end refereeing in July during the final of the Coupe de la Ligue. “He is an experienced referee, it’s his fifth season in Ligue 1,” argues Garibian, who led 288 L1 games. He has just been nominated in the First Category of UEFA, the antechamber of the Elite group. He is an internationally recognized referee and for us he has all the legitimacy to referee our biggest matches.” However, apart from three qualifying matches for the Europa League, his international experience boils down to only one match, still in this competition. During this match between Getafe and Basel (0-1) last October, Jérôme Brisard had awarded 11 cautions and sent off a player. It is this lack of experience that Gilles Veissière points out. “During the Clasico, all the players are recognized and very experienced internationals, so he was the least capped on the field, it’s insane, notes the one who officiated during the 2002 World Cup and the Euro 2000 and 2004. A referee in a big picture must give guarantees. Refereeing is a question of balance. You have to know how far you have to tolerate things, what level of intensity you accept. To know where to place the cursor, you need to have led a few challenging matches.” For the former referee, the choice to appoint Jérôme Brisard for this shock at the top had all elements of a poisoned gift. With consequences that are difficult to imagine: “This kind of match can haunt you for a very long time”, concluded Veissière.

Source: Archysport