UEFA Champions League 2021/2022 – Round of 16 (Second Leg, II)

15 March 2022
AFC Ajax – SL Benfica
Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande (ESP, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Yuste Jimenez (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Alonso Fernandez (ESP)
Fourth Official: Jose Munuera Montero (ESP)
VAR: Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez (ESP)
AVAR: Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez (ESP)
Referee Observer: Roberto Rosetti (ITA)

Manchester United – Atletico de Madrid
Referee: Slavko Vinčić (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič (SVN)
Fourth Official: Rade Obrenovič (SVN)
VAR: Marco Fritz (GER)
AVAR: Jure Praprotnik (SVN)
Referee Observer: Laurent Duhamel (FRA)

16 March 2022
Juventus – Villarreal
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Pawel Sokolnicki (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Fourth Official: Pawel Raczkowski (POL)
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
AVAR: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)
Referee Observer: Björn Kuipers (NED)

LOSC Lille – Chelsea FC
Referee: Davide Massa (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Stefano Alassio (ITA)
Fourth Official: Luca Pairetto (ITA)
VAR: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
AVAR: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)
Referee Observer: Herbert Fandel (GER)

UEFA Youth League 2021/2022 – Quarter-finals

15-16 March 2022

Juventus – Liverpool
Referee: Rohit Saggi (NOR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Geir Isaksen (NOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Morten Jensen (NOR)
Referee Observer: Nicola Rizzoli (ITA)

Paris St. Germain – FC Salzburg
Referee: Duje Strukan (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Bojan Zobenica (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Alen Jakšić (CRO)
Fourth Official: Romain Lissorgue (FRA)
Referee Observer: Stephen Lodge (ENG)

Borussia Dortmund – Atletico de Madrid
Referee: Julian Weinberger (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Maximilian Weiss (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Michael Obritzberger (AUT)
Fourth Official: Robin Braun (GER)
Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn (GER)

CONMEBOL Libertadores 2022 – Third Round (Second Leg)

15-17 March 2022

Barcelona – America Mineiro
Referee: Patricio Loustau (ARG, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Ezequiel Brailovsky (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Chade (ARG)
Fourth Official: Nicolas Gallo (COL)
Referee Assessor: Jose Carpio (ECU)
VAR Supervisor: Roberto Silvera (URU)

Olimpia – Fluminense
Referee: Roberto Tobar (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Chrisitian Schiemann (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Claudio Rios (CHI)
Fourth Official: Nicolas Gamboa (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Ubaldo Aquino (PAR)
VAR Supervisor: Hector Baldassi (ARG)

Estudiantes La Plata – Everton
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno (VEN)
Fourth Official: Angel Arteaga (VEN)
Referee Assessor: Angel Sanchez (ARG)
VAR Supervisor: Roberto Perassi (BRA)

The Strongest – Universidad Catolica
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Rafael Alves (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia (BRA)
Fourth Official: Flavio de Souza (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Juan Lugones (BOL)
VAR Supervisor: Fredy Arellanos (PER)

CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2022 – First Round (Second Leg)

15-17 March 2022

Metropolitanos – Estudiantes de Merida
Referee: Juan Benitez (PAR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Rodney Aquino (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Canete (PAR)
Fourth Official: Derlis Lopez (PAR)
Referee Assessor: Miguel Buitrago (VEN)
VAR Supervisor: Juan Corozo (ECU)

Oriente Petrolero – Royal Pari
Referee: Augusto Aragon (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Byron Romero (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Lescano (ECU)
Fourth Official: Guillermo Guerrero (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Pedro Saucedo (BOL)
VAR Supervisor: Sabrina Lois (ARG)

General Caballero – Sol de America
Referee: Piero Maza (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Alejandro Molina (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Lopez (VEN)
Fourth Official: Jose Argote (VEN)
Referee Assessor: Oscar Viera (PAR)
VAR Supervisor: Sergio Viola (ARG)

Melgar – Cienciano
Referee: Andres Rojas (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Guzman (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: John Leon (COL)
Fourth Official: Carlos Ortega (COL)
Referee Assessor: Cesar Escano (PER)
VAR Supervisor: Sergio Cristiano (BRA)

Union La Calera – Nublense
Referee: Gery Vargas (BOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Antelo (BOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Edwar Saavedra (BOL)
Fourth Official: Dilio Rodriguez (BOL)
Referee Assessor: Nilson Moncao (BRA)

River Plate – Liverpool
Referee: Nicolas Lamolina (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Savorani (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Sebastian Ranieri (ARG)
Fourth Official: Laura Fortunato (ARG)
Referee Assessor: Carlos Pastorino (URU)
VAR Supervisor: Fredy Arellanos (PER)

LDU Quito – Mushuc Runa
Referee: Leodan Gonzalez (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Barreiro (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Horacio Ferreiro (URU)
Fourth Official: Anahi Fernandez (URU)
Referee Assessor: Juan Albarracin (ECU)
VAR Supervisor: Ana Oliveira (BRA)

Sport Boys – Ayacucho
Referee: Ivo Mendez (BOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Tapia (BOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Ariel Guizada (BOL)
Fourth Official: Cristian Aleman (BOL)
Referee Assessor: Jorge Jaimes (PER)
VAR Supervisor: Patricio Polic (CHI)

America de Cali – Independiente Medellin
Referee: Alexis Herrera (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Lubin Torrealba (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Ponte (VEN)
Fourth Official: Orlando Bracamonte (VEN)
Referee Assessor: Wilson Lamouroux (COL)
VAR Supervisor: Enrique Caceres (PAR)

Antofagasta – Union Espanola
Referee: John Ospina (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Wilmar Navarro (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: John Gallego (COL)
Fourth Official: Carlos Betancur (COL)
Referee Assessor: Ricardo Casas (ARG)

Guairena – Nacional
Referee: Jose Argote (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Lopez (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Alejandro Molina (CHI)
Fourth Official: Piero Maza (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Manuel Bernal (PAR)
VAR Supervisor: Jairo Romero (VEN)

Deportivo La Guaira – Hermanos Colmenarez
Referee: Derlis Lopez (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Roberto Cañete (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Rodney Aquino (PAR)
Fourth Official: Juan Benitez (PAR)
Referee Assessor: Luiz Sanchez (VEN)
VAR Supervisor: Ana Perez (PER)

Guabira – Jorge Wilstermann
Referee: Guillermo Guerrero (ECU)
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Lescano (ECU)
Assistant Referee 2: Byron Romero (ECU)
Fourth Official: Augusto Aragon (ECU)
Referee Assessor: Oscar Maldonado (BOL)
VAR Supervisor: Olga Miranda (PAR)

Junior – La Equidad
Referee: Raphael Claus (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Kleber Gil (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Marcelo Van Gasse (BRA)
Fourth Official: Edina Alves (BRA)
Referee Assessor: Abraham Gonzalez (COL)
VAR Supervisor: Miguel Nievas (URU)

9 de Octubre – Delfin
Referee: Cristian Garay (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Retamal (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Serrano (CHI)
Fourth Official: Francisco Gilabert (CHI)
Referee Assessor: Luis Vera (ECU)
VAR Supervisor: Ednilson Corona (BRA)

Cerro Largo – Montevideo Wanderers
Referee: Kevin Ortega (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Orue (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Jesus Sanchez (PER)
Fourth Official: Michael Espinoza (PER)
Referee Assessor: Juan Cardellino (URU)
VAR Supervisor: Luzmila Gonzalez (COL)

CAF Confederation Cup 2021/2022 – Group Stage (Matchday 4)

13 March 2022

JS Saoura – Al Ittihad
Referee: Mahmoud El-Banna (EGY, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Han Mahmoud (EGY)
Assistant Referee 2: Samy Halhal (EGY)
Fourth Official: Ahmed Ghandour (EGY)

Coton Sport – TP Mazembe
Referee: Helder Martins (ANG)
Assistant Referee 1: Jerson Dos Santos (ANG)
Assistant Referee 2: Ivanildo Meirelles (ANG)
Fourth Official: Joao Goma (ANG)

Zanaco – Al Ahli
Referee: Hassan Hagi (SOM)
Assistant Referee 1: Hamza Abdi (SOM)
Assistant Referee 2: Nour Mohamed (SOM)
Fourth Official: Omar Artan (SOM)

CS Sfaxien – Pyramids
Referee: Jean Ishimwe (RWA)
Assistant Referee 1: Dieudonne Mutuyimana (RWA)
Assistant Referee 2: Raymond Bwiliza (RWA)
Fourth Official: Louis Hakizimana (RWA)

Orlando Pirates – Royal Leopards
Referee: Athoumani Mohamed (COM)
Assistant Referee 1: Souleimane Amaldine (COM)
Assistant Referee 2: Said Chebli (COM)
Fourth Official: Soulaimane Ansudane (COM)

Al Masry – AS Otoho
Referee: Ahmad Heeralall (MRI)
Assistant Referee 1: Baje Babajee (MRI)
Assistant Referee 2: Sailesh Gobin (MRI)
Fourth Official: Patrice Milazare (MRI)

Simba – Berkane
Referee: Jean Ndala Ngambo (COD)
Assistant Referee 1: Olivier Safari (COD)
Assistant Referee 2: Leon Kikumbi (COD)
Fourth Official: Yannick Malala (COD)

Mimosas – USGN
Referee: Bernard Camille (SEY)
Assistant Referee 1: Hensley Petrousse (SEY)
Assistant Referee 2: Gerard Pool (SEY)
Fourth Official: Eldrick Adelaide (SEY)

CAF Champions League 2021/2022 – Group Stage (Matchday 4)

11-12 March 2022

Al Hilal – Al Merrikh
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (ALG, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Mokrane Gourari (ALG)
Assistant Referee 2: Abdelhak Etchiali (ALG)
Fourth Official: Mehdi Abid Charef (ALG)

Mamelodi Sundowns – Al Ahly
Referee: Bamlak Tessema (ETH)
Assistant Referee 1: Elvis Noupue (CMR)
Assistant Referee 2: Issa Yaya (CHA)
Fourth Official: Blaise Ngwa (CMR)

Horoya – Raja Casablanca
Referee: Boubou Traore (MLI)
Assistant Referee 1: Modibo Samake (MLI)
Assistant Referee 2: Baba Yomboliba (MLI)
Fourth Official: Ibrahima Keita (MLI)

ES Setif – AmaZulu
Referee: Haythem Guirat (TUN)
Assistant Referee 1: Mohamed Bakir (TUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Yamen Melloulchi (TUN)
Fourth Official: Mohamed Bouali (TUN)

CR Belouizdad – Jwaneng Galaxy
Referee: Sabri Fadul (SDN)
Assistant Referee 1: Mohammed Ibrahim (SDN)
Assistant Referee 2: Omer Ahmed (SDN)
Fourth Official: Mahmood Ismail (SDN)

Etoile du Sahel – Esperance de Tunis
Referee: Mohamed Maarouf (EGY)
Assistant Referee 1: Mahmoud El-Regal (EGY)
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed El-Din (EGY)
Fourth Official: Amin Omar (EGY)

Zamalek – Wydad AC
Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (BDI)
Assistant Referee 1: Emery Niyongabo (BDI)
Assistant Referee 2: Pascal Ndimunzigo (BDI)
Fourth Official: Georges Gatogato (BDI)

Petro de Luanda – Sagrada Esperanca
Referee: Janny Sikazwe (ZAM)
Assistant Referee 1: Souru Phatsoane (LES)
Assistant Referee 2: Thomas Kaela (ZAM)
Fourth Official: Joshua Bondo (BOT)

Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship Final 2022: Araya (CRC)

12 March 2022

Final
USA – Mexico

Referee: Marianela Araya (CRC, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Mijensa Rensch (SUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Ivett Santiago (CUB)
Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton (JAM)
VAR: Tatiana Guzman (NCA)
AVAR: Chantal Boudreau (CAN)

Match for Third Place
Canada – Puerto Rico
Referee: Katia Garcia (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: Enedina Caudillo (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Sandra Ramirez (MEX)
Fourth Official: Melissa Borjas (HON)
VAR: Francia Gonzalez (MEX)
AVAR: Ekaterina Koroleva (USA)

Mateu Lahoz will continue until 2023

On Saturday, March 12, Spanish top referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz will be 45 years old. He reaches this age at a time when he is considered one of the best referees in Spain and in Europe. We have the best example with his appointment to the last Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City in Porto. A nomination that had its continuity in the European Championship last summer and after being chosen for the last World Cup in Russia. This week, he just whistled the Round of 16 duel between Liverpool and Inter Milan. Under normal conditions, the 2021-2022 season would be the last in Mateu's long refereeing career, reaching the 45 years, but it is certain that the referee will continue next season 2022-2023.

Since September 2020, this age limit no longer exists in Spain. The change in the employment status of the referees with an annual contract led to this change. From that date, it is every June 30 when the annual contract of referees and assistants ends, when the CTA decides which referees continue at the conclusion of each season. It starts with the referees who reach this age. And that decision will be for Mateu Lahoz to continue next season 2022-2023. The reason is more than justifiable. He is one of UEFA's candidates to participate in the World Cup in Qatar, which would be the second consecutive World Cup for him. For the CTA, this reason is more than enough for Mateu to continue in the elite of Spanish and world refereeing. In addition, Spanish football can continue to enjoy its seniority and experience. This explains why Carlos Del Cerro is also whistling this season even though the referee from Madrid will reach the age of 46 this coming Sunday, March 13. He is also another of the candidates of Spanish refereeing and UEFA to be at the Qatar event. In the case of Del Cerro, the next 2022-2023 season will be the second extension beyond 45-year-old. The third candidate for the World Cup is Gil Manzano, but he is not in this situation given that he has just turned 38 on February 4. It will not be until October when FIFA communicates the list of the referees from all confederations that will attend the World Cup. Then Spanish football and refereeing will be able to continue enjoying refereeing of Mateu and Del Cerro, until 30 June 2023. Then the two referees will hang up their whistle and could become specialized VARs.

Source: Mundo Deportivo

PSG president stormed referee room after UCL loss to Real Madrid

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi stormed the referee's dressing room and broke equipment after his side were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid, according to the referee's report and verified by multiple reports including ESPN. Madrid overturned a two-goal deficit in the last-16 second leg, with Karim Benzema's second-half hat-trick sealing a 3-2 aggregate victory for Madrid. It was the first of Benzema's three goals which enraged PSG, who felt Benzema should have been called for a foul on goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the build-up.

Al-Khelaifi's outburst was documented in the referee's report, which also stated that PSG director of football Leonardo was alongside him. Al-Khelaifi and Leonardo "behaved aggressively and tried to enter the referee's dressing room," according to the report. "When the referee asked them to leave, the president hit a piece of the assistant's equipment, breaking it." The ESPN report states that a source says they had "never seen club executives behave like that." According to Spanish publication Marca, Al-Khelaifi's behavior was recorded by a Real Madrid employee — possibly club delegate Mejia Davila, whose office Al-Khelaifi initially, mistakenly entered first — who will likely send the footage to UEFA to study for a possible punishment. There have been a number of various details reported on social media. Some reports state that Al-Khelaifi threatened to "kill" the officials, while others claim that Al-Khelaifi snapped an assistant referee's flag and blocked the door, not allowing the officials to leave.

According to reports by both The Athletic and L'Equipe on Thursday, UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Al-Khelaifi. L'Equipe cite Article 11 of the UEFA disciplinary regulations, which states it can sanction anyone who "behaves in an insulting way or otherwise contravenes the elementary rules of propriety." Article 15 also states that "incorrect behavior of players and [club] officials" could result in suspensions or fines. The situation will now be handled by UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body.

Source: Sporting News

Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship 2022 – Semi-finals

10 March 2022

Canada – Mexico
Referee: Astrid Gramajo (GUA, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Iris Vail (GUA)
Assistant Referee 2: Lourdes Noriega (HON)
Fourth Official: Melissa Borjas (HON)
VAR: Ekaterina Koroleva (USA)
AVAR: Benjamin Whitty (CAY)

USA – Puerto Rico
Referee: Odette Hamilton (JAM)
Assistant Referee 1: Stephanie Yee Sing (JAM)
Assistant Referee 2: Santa Medina (DOM)
Fourth Official: Katia Garcia (MEX)
VAR: Tatiana Guzman (NCA)
AVAR: Francia Gonzalez (MEX)