Refereeing World
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Olympic Games 2024 (Women’s Football Tournament) – Gold Medal Match: Olofsson (SWE)

10 August 2024

Brazil – USA

Referee: Tess Olofsson SWE (photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Almira Spahic SWE

Assistant Referee 2: Francesca Di Monte ITA

Fourth Official: Rebecca Welch ENG

Reserve AR: Franca Overtoom NED

VAR: Ivan Bebek CRO

AVAR: Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP

SVAR: Jerome Brisard FRA

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CONMEBOL Libertadores 2024 – Round of 16 (First Leg)

13-15 August 2024

Gremio – Fluminense

Referee: Dario Herrera ARG (photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Juan Belatti ARG

Assistant Referee 2: Cristian Navarro ARG

Fourth Official: Fernando Espinoza ARG

VAR: Silvio Trucco ARG

AVAR: Nicolas Lamolina ARG

Referee Assessor: Juan Zorrilla PAR

VAR Supervisor: Roberto Silvera URU

San Lorenzo – Atletico Mineiro

Referee: Gustavo Tejera URU

Assistant Referee 1: Martin Soppi URU

Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Barreiro URU

Fourth Official: Jose Burgos URU

VAR: Andres Cunha URU

AVAR: Santiago Fernandez URU

Referee Assessor: Joaquin Antequera BOL

VAR Supervisor: Luis Vera ECU

Colo Colo – Junior

Referee: Wilton Sampaio BRA

Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Pires BRA

Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia BRA

Fourth Official: Braulio Machado BRA

VAR: Rodolpho Toski BRA

AVAR: Rodrigo Guarizo BRA

Referee Assessor: Ricardo Casas ARG

VAR Supervisor: Giulliano Bozzano BRA

Penarol – The Strongest

Referee: Raphael Claus BRA

Assistant Referee 1: Danilo Manis BRA

Assistant Referee 2: Nailton Sousa BRA

Fourth Official: Bruno Arleu BRA

VAR: Daniel Nobre BRA

AVAR: Pablo Gonçalves BRA

Referee Assessor: Hector Baldassi ARG

VAR Supervisor: Pericles Cortes BRA

Talleres – River Plate

Referee: Andres Rojas COL

Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Guzman COL

Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Roldan COL

Fourth Official: Bismark Santiago COL

VAR: John Perdomo COL

AVAR: Heider Castro COL

Referee Assessor: Roberto Perassi BRA

VAR Supervisor: Julio Bascunan CHI

Botafogo – Palmeiras

Referee: Esteban Ostojich URU

Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Taran URU

Assistant Referee 2: Horacio Ferreiro URU

Fourth Official: Alberto Feres URU

VAR: Christian Ferreyra URU

AVAR: Richard Trinidad URU

Referee Assessor: Abraham Gonzalez COL

VAR Supervisor: Claudio Rios CHI

Nacional – Sao Paulo

Referee: Facundo Tello ARG

Assistant Referee 1: Ezequiel Brailovsky ARG

Assistant Referee 2: Pablo Gonzalez ARG

Fourth Official: Andres Merlos ARG

VAR: Jorge Balino ARG

AVAR: Pablo Dovalo ARG

Referee Assessor: Marlon Escalante VEN

VAR Supervisor: Gustavo Rossi ARG

Flamengo – Bolivar

Referee: Wilmar Roldan COL

Assistant Referee 1: John Leon COL

Assistant Referee 2: David Fuentes COL

Fourth Official: John Hinestroza COL

VAR: Juan Lara CHI

AVAR: Edson Cisternas CHI

Referee Assessor: Juan Corozo ECU

VAR Supervisor: Juan Cardellino URU

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CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2024 – Round of 16 (First Leg)

13-15 August 2024

Red Bull Bragantino – Corinthians

Referee: Piero Maza CHI (photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Claudio Urrutia CHI

Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Poblete CHI

Fourth Official: Manuel Vergara CHI

VAR: Jose Cabero CHI

AVAR: Benjamin Saravia CHI

Referee Assessor: Juan Lugones BOL

VAR Supervisor: Sebastian Restrepo COL

Huachipato – Racing

Referee: Roberto Perez PER

Assistant Referee 1: Michael Orue PER

Assistant Referee 2: Jesus Sanchez PER

Fourth Official: Augusto Menendez PER

VAR: Diego Haro PER

AVAR: Milagros Arruela PER

Referee Assessor: Fernando Falce URU

VAR Supervisor: Sandra Zambrano ECU

Rosario Central – Fortaleza

Referee: Alexis Herrera VEN

Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego VEN

Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Ponte VEN

Fourth Official: Yorman Delgado VEN

VAR: Joel Alarcon PER

AVAR: Johnny Bossio PER

Referee Assessor: Rodney Aquino PAR

VAR Supervisor: Henry Gambetta PER

LDU Quito – Lanus

Referee: Juan Benitez PAR

Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardozo PAR

Assistant Referee 2: Milciades Saldivar PAR

Fourth Official: Giancarlo Juliandoza PAR

VAR: Carlos Benitez PAR

AVAR: Luis Onieva PAR

Referee Assessor: Luzmila Gonzalez COL

VAR Supervisor: Jorge Mercado PAR

Palestino – Independiente Medellin

Referee: Augusto Aragon ECU

Assistant Referee 1: Christian Lescano ECU

Assistant Referee 2: Dennys Guerrero ECU

Fourth Official: Guillermo Guerrero ECU

VAR: Carlos Orbe ECU

AVAR: Bryan Loyaza ECU

Referee Assessor: Marcelo de Leon URU

VAR Supervisor: Oswaldo Segura ECU

Libertad – Sportivo Ameliano

Referee: Maximiliano Ramirez ARG

Assistant Referee 1: Gabriel Chade ARG

Assistant Referee 2: Jose Savorani ARG

Fourth Official: Pablo Echavarria ARG

VAR: German Delfino ARG

AVAR: Hernan Mastrangelo ARG

Referee Assessor: Silvia Regina BRA

VAR Supervisor: Marcio Santiago BRA

Athletico Paranaense – Belgrano

Referee: Gery Vargas BOL

Assistant Referee 1: Jose Antelo BOL

Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Tapia BOL

Fourth Official: Ivo Mendez BOL

VAR: Franklin Congo ECU

AVAR: Jefferson Macias ECU

Referee Assessor: Candelario Andarcia VEN

VAR Supervisor: Wilson Lamouroux COL

Boca Juniors – Cruzeiro

Referee: Jesus Valenzuela VEN

Assistant Referee 1: Tulio Moreno VEN

Assistant Referee 2: Lubin Torrealba VEN

Fourth Official: Yender Herrera VEN

VAR: Juan Soto VEN

AVAR: Mauricio Perez COL

Referee Assessor: Victor Carrillo PER

VAR Supervisor: Patricio Polic CHI

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Two-time World Cup referee Petrovic passed away at 73

Zoran Petrovic, the best Yugoslav referee ever, former FIFA and UEFA observer, longtime president of the Judicial Commission of the Football Association of Yugoslavia, then the Football Association of Serbia, passed away at 73.

Petrovic was among the four youngest referees at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where FIFA appointed him for one of the most challenging matches of the group stage. He also shared justice four years later at the World Cup in Italy where he received one of the highest ratings ever awarded at the World Cup for his performance in the England–Netherlands match. He disallowed two England goals and both times he was right, and there was no VAR system back then. With the advancement of Yugoslavia in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, after the victory against Spain in Verona, he returned home, because that was the fate of all referees whose teams secured a place in the next round.

In the same year, he refereed the European Super Cup match in Bologna, between Milan and Sampdoria. For the first time in the history of this competition, two teams from the same country met and the privilege of being at the center went to Zoran Petrovic. UEFA has also shown huge confidence in his knowledge and authority by appointing him to the second leg of the UEFA Cup final in which Ajax met Turin in May 1992.

Zoran Petrovic refereed, of course, several times the biggest derby of Serbian football, and we single out the match from April 1982. An eternal derby that went to the Red Star convincingly, although he never hid that he played in the younger categories of Partizan and never hid who he was rooting for. Only referees who believe in themselves can do that. “You have to love a club to love football” is his famous statement that represents the essence of common-sense thinking. Someone once said, just peek inside the archives and try to find the victory of Partizan in a Derby in which he shared justice. That was Zoran Petrović, a great man and a great referee, honest with himself and football.

Source: FSS

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UEFA Champions League 2024/2025 – Third Qualifying Round (Second Leg)

13 August 2024

Ludogorets – Qarabag

Referee: Simone Sozza ITA (photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Giorgio Peretti ITA

Assistant Referee 2: Davide Imperiale ITA

Fourth Official: Matteo Marchetti ITA

VAR: Gianluca Aureliano ITA

AVAR: Marco Serra ITA

Referee Observer: Paweł Gil POL

Ferencvarosi TC – FC Midtjylland

Referee: Orel Grinfeld ISR

Assistant Referee 1: Roi Hassan ISR

Assistant Referee 2: Idan Yarkoni ISR

Fourth Official: Gal Leibovitz ISR

VAR: Ziv Adler ISR

AVAR: Eli Hakmon ISR

Referee Observer: Drago Kos SVN

Apoel – Slovan

Referee: Sascha Stegemann GER

Assistant Referee 1: Christian Dietz GER

Assistant Referee 2: Christof Günsch GER

Fourth Official: Tobias Reichel GER

VAR: Pascal Müller GER

AVAR: Katrin Rafalski GER

Referee Observer: Hannes Kaasik EST

Bodo Glimt – Jagiellonia

Referee: Benoît Bastien FRA

Assistant Referee 1: Hicham Zakrani FRA

Assistant Referee 2: Aurélien Berthomieu FRA

Fourth Official: Thomas Léonard FRA

VAR: Benoît Millot FRA

AVAR: Bastien Dechepy FRA

Referee Observer: Robert Schörgenhofer AUT

Fenerbahce – Lille

Referee: José Sánchez Martínez ESP

Assistant Referee 1: Íñigo Prieto López ESP

Assistant Referee 2: Juan López Mir ESP

Fourth Official: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ESP

VAR: Juan Martínez Munuera ESP

AVAR: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP

Referee Observer: Levan Paniashvili GEO

Twente – Salzburg

Referee: Irfan Peljto BIH

Assistant Referee 1: Senad Ibrišimbegović BIH

Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo BIH

Fourth Official: Miloš Gigović BIH

VAR: Nejc Kajtazovič SVN

AVAR: Rade Obrenovič SVN

Referee Observer: Murat Ilgaz TUR

PAOK – Malmo

Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA

Assistant Referee 1: Giovanni Baccini ITA

Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Zingarelli ITA

Fourth Official: Giovanni Ayroldi ITA

VAR: Valerio Marini ITA

AVAR: Francesco Meraviglia ITA

Referee Observer: Vladimir Antonov MDA

FCSB – Sparta Praha

Referee: Morten Krogh DEN

Assistant Referee 1: Dennis Rasmussen DEN

Assistant Referee 2: Steffen Bramsen DEN

Fourth Official: Mikkel Redder DEN

VAR: Pol van Boekel NED

AVAR: Jochem Kamphuis NED

Referee Observer: Elmir Pilav BIH

Union St. Gilloise – Slavia Praha

Referee: Srdjan Jovanović SRB

Assistant Referee 1: Uroš Stojković SRB

Assistant Referee 2: Milan Mihajlović SRB

Fourth Official: Novak Simović SRB

VAR: Momčilo Marković SRB

AVAR: Jelena Cvetković SRB

Referee Observer: Stefan Johannesson SWE

Rangers FC – Dynamo Kyiv

Referee: Marco Guida ITA

Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli ITA

Assistant Referee 2: Stefano Alassio ITA

Fourth Official: Ermanno Feliciani ITA

VAR: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA

AVAR: Daniele Paterna ITA

Referee Observer: Neale Barry ENG

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UEFA Europa League 2024/2025 – Third Qualifying Round (Second Leg)

15 August 2024

Shamrock Rovers – Celje

Referee: Ovidiu Hațegan ROU (photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Mircea Grigoriu ROU

Assistant Referee 2: Sebastian Gheorghe ROU

Fourth Official: Iulian Dima ROU

VAR: Sebastian Colțescu ROU

AVAR: Sorin Costreie ROU

Referee Observer: Petteri Kari FIN

The New Saints – Petrocub

Referee: Robert Jones ENG

Assistant Referee 1: Simon Bennett ENG

Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Robathan ENG

Fourth Official: Tony Harrington ENG

VAR: Darren England ENG

AVAR: Ian Hussin ENG

Referee Observer: Calum Murray SCO

RFS – Santa Coloma

Referee: Juxhin Xhaja ALB

Assistant Referee 1: Arber Zalla ALB

Assistant Referee 2: Rejdi Avdo ALB

Fourth Official: Albert Doda ALB

VAR: Benjamin Brand GER

AVAR: Kreshnik Bajramaj ALB

Referee Observer: Kristinn Jakobsson ISL

Lincoln Red Imps – Dynamo Minsk

Referee: Anastásios Papapétrou GRE

Assistant Referee 1: Trýfon Petrópoulos GRE

Assistant Referee 2: Iordánis Aptósoglou GRE

Fourth Official: Stéfanos Koumbarákis GRE

VAR: Ángelos Evangélou GRE

AVAR: Konstantínos Tsétsilas GRE

Referee Observer: Edward Foley IRL

Rapid Wien – Trabzonspor

Referee: Manfredas Lukjančukas LTU

Assistant Referee 1: Mangirdas Mirauskas LTU

Assistant Referee 2: Aleksandras Stepanovas LTU

Fourth Official: Mindaugas Jackus LTU

VAR: Dennis Higler NED

AVAR: Edwin van de Graaf NED

Referee Observer: Martin Atkinson ENG

Elfsborg – Rijeka

Referee: Andris Treimanis LVA

Assistant Referee 1: Haralds Gudermanis LVA

Assistant Referee 2: Aleksejs Spasjonnikovs LVA

Fourth Official: Aleksandrs Golubevs LVA

VAR: Clay Ruperti NED

AVAR: Kristaps Ratnieks LVA

Referee Observer: John Ferry NIR

Viktoria Plzen – Kryvbas Kryvy Rih

Referee: Horațiu Feșnic ROU

Assistant Referee 1: Valentin Avram ROU

Assistant Referee 2: Alexandru Cerei ROU

Fourth Official: Iulian Călin ROU

VAR: Cătălin Popa ROU

AVAR: Szabolcs Kovacs ROU

Referee Observer: Draženko Kovačić CRO

Cercle Bruges – Molde

Referee: Balázs Berke HUN

Assistant Referee 1: Vencel Tóth HUN

Assistant Referee 2: Gergő Vígh-Tarsonyi HUN

Fourth Official: Mihály Káprály HUN

VAR: István Vad HUN

AVAR: Ferenc Karakó HUN

Referee Observer: Nerijus Dunauskas LTU

Ajax – Panathinaikos

Referee: Christopher Kavanagh ENG

Assistant Referee 1: Lee Betts ENG

Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring ENG

Fourth Official: Samuel Barrott ENG

VAR: Peter Bankes ENG

AVAR: Nick Hopton ENG

Referee Observer: Jens Larsen DEN

Maccabi Tel Aviv – Panevezys

Referee: Nicolas Walsh SCO

Assistant Referee 1: Graeme Stewart SCO

Assistant Referee 2: Calum Spence SCO

Fourth Official: Christopher Graham SCO

VAR: Andrew Dallas SCO

AVAR: Alan Muir SCO

Referee Observer: Ruud Bossen NED

Lugano – Partizan

Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea ESP

Assistant Referee 1: Iker de Francisco Grijalba ESP

Assistant Referee 2: Asier Pérez González ESP

Fourth Official: Pablo González Fuertes ESP

VAR: Alejandro Hernández Hernández ESP

AVAR: Adrián Cordero Vega ESP

Referee Observer: Simon Lee Evans WAL

Servette – Braga

Referee: Igor Pajač CRO

Assistant Referee 1: Ivan Mihalj CRO

Assistant Referee 2: Vedran Djurak CRO

Fourth Official: Tihomir Pejin CRO

VAR: Mario Zebec CRO

AVAR: Zdenko Lovrić CRO

Referee Observer: Stávros Tritsónis GRE

Borac Banja Luka – Klaksvik

Referee: Georgi Kabakov BUL

Assistant Referee 1: Martin Margaritov BUL

Assistant Referee 2: Diyan Valkov BUL

Fourth Official: Vladimir Valkov BUL

VAR: Dragomir Draganov BUL

AVAR: Georgi Ginchev BUL

Referee Observer: Alon Yefet ISR

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UEFA Europa Conference League 2024/25 – Third Qualifying Round (Second Leg)

13-15 August 2023

Astana – Corvinul

Referee: Atilla Karaoglan TUR (photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Ceyhun Sesigüzel TUR

Assistant Referee 2: Abdullah Özkara TUR

Fourth Official: Çagdaş Altay TUR

VAR: Erkan Engin TUR

AVAR: Onur Özütoprak TUR

Referee Observer: Gevorg Hovhannisyan ARM

Mornar – Paksi

Referee: Jasper Vergoote BEL

Assistant Referee 1: Martijn Tiesters BEL

Assistant Referee 2: Michael Geerolf BEL

Fourth Official: Kevin Van Damme BEL

VAR: Jan Boterberg BEL

AVAR: Simon Bourdeaud’hui BEL

Referee Observer: Laurent Duhamel FRA

Paide – Hacken

Referee: Volen Chinkov BUL

Assistant Referee 1: Deniz Sokolov BUL

Assistant Referee 2: Miroslav Ivanov BUL

Fourth Official: Hristiyana Guteva BUL

VAR: Vasimir El-Hatib BUL

AVAR: Stanimir Trenchev BUL

Referee Observer: Besfort Kasumi KOS

Fehervar – Omonia

Referee: Jakob Kehlet DEN

Assistant Referee 1: Victor Skytte DEN

Assistant Referee 2: Jakob Mastrup DEN

Fourth Official: Sandi Putros DEN

VAR: Jonas Hansen DEN

AVAR: Mads-Kristoffer Kristoffersen DEN

Referee Observer: Lassin Isaksen FRO

Flora – Vikingur

Referee: Michal Očenáš SVK

Assistant Referee 1: Adam Jekkel SVK

Assistant Referee 2: Tobiáš Pacák SVK

Fourth Official: Peter Královič SVK

VAR: Filip Glova SVK

AVAR: Martin Dohál SVK

Referee Observer: Gerard Perry IRL

Pyunik – Ordabasy

Referee: Miguel Nogueira POR

Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus POR

Assistant Referee 2: Paulo Brás POR

Fourth Official: Bruno Vieira POR

VAR: Catarina Campos POR

AVAR: Hugo Miguel POR

Referee Observer: Manuel Díaz Vega ESP

Sabah – St. Patrick

Referee: Marcel Bîrsan ROU

Assistant Referee 1: Radu Ghinguleac ROU

Assistant Referee 2: Adrian Vornicu ROU

Fourth Official: Sorin Antonie ROU

VAR: Radu Petrescu ROU

AVAR: Rareș Vidican ROU

Referee Observer: Igor Șațchi MDA

Legia – Brondby

Referee: Chrysovalántis Theoulí CYP

Assistant Referee 1: Pávlos Georgíou CYP

Assistant Referee 2: Mários Kalogírou CYP

Fourth Official: Panagiótis Chatzigeorgíou CYP

VAR: Dimítris Solomoú CYP

AVAR: Mários Christofórou CYP

Referee Observer: Vlado Svilokos CRO

Zira – Osijek

Referee: Julian Weinberger AUT

Assistant Referee 1: Maximilian Kolbitsch AUT

Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Witschnigg AUT

Fourth Official: Stefan Ebner AUT

VAR: Walter Altmann AUT

AVAR: Andreas Heiss AUT

Referee Observer: Viktor Shvetsov UKR

Hapoel Beer Sheva – Mlada Boleslav

Referee: Joonas Jaanovits EST

Assistant Referee 1: Aron Härsing EST

Assistant Referee 2: Jaan Roos EST

Fourth Official: Karl Koppel EST

VAR: Kristo Tohver EST

AVAR: Marko Liiva EST

Referee Observer: Clayton Pisani MLT

Tromsoe – Kilmarnock

Referee: Andrei Chivulete ROU

Assistant Referee 1: George Neacșu ROU

Assistant Referee 2: Andrei Constantinescu ROU

Fourth Official: Bogdan Dumitrache ROU

VAR: Marian Barbu ROU

AVAR: Florin Andrei ROU

Referee Observer: Sergejus Slyva LTU

Brann – St. Mirren

Referee: Radoslav Gidzhenov BUL

Assistant Referee 1: Georgi Todorov BUL

Assistant Referee 2: Petar Mitrev BUL

Fourth Official: Kristiyan Kolev BUL

VAR: Nikola Popov BUL

AVAR: Ivo Andreev BUL

Referee Observer: Michael Johansen DEN

Pafos – CSKA

Referee: Lothar D’Hondt BEL

Assistant Referee 1: Romain Devillers BEL

Assistant Referee 2: Nico Claes BEL

Fourth Official: Wesli De Cremer BEL

VAR: Erik Lambrechts BEL

AVAR: Bert Put BEL

Referee Observer: Ante Vučemilović-Šimunović CRO

Djugardens – Ilves

Referee: Elçin Masiyev AZE

Assistant Referee 1: Elşad Abdullayev AZE

Assistant Referee 2: Parvin Talibov AZE

Fourth Official: Fərid Hacıyev AZE

VAR: Aliyar Aghayev AZE

AVAR: Inqilab Mammadov AZE

Referee Observer: Leslie Irvine NIR

CFR Cluj – Maccabi Petah Tikva

Referee: Tamás Bognár HUN

Assistant Referee 1: Balázs Buzás HUN

Assistant Referee 2: Péter Kóbor HUN

Fourth Official: Bence Csonka HUN

VAR: Gergő Bogár HUN

AVAR: Eszter Urbán HUN

Referee Observer: Asim Xudiyev AZE

Banik Ostrava – FC Copenhagen

Referee: Stuart Attwell ENG

Assistant Referee 1: Neil Davies ENG

Assistant Referee 2: Wade Smith ENG

Fourth Official: Thomas Bramall ENG

VAR: Andrew Madley ENG

AVAR: Constantine Hatzidakis ENG

Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn GER

Sheriff Tiraspol – Olimpia Ljubljana

Referee: Maurizio Mariani ITA

Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni ITA

Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Tegoni ITA

Fourth Official: Matteo Marcenaro ITA

VAR: Michael Fabbri ITA

AVAR: Federico La Penna ITA

Referee Observer: Babak Quliyev AZE

AEK – Noah

Referee: Robert Schröder GER

Assistant Referee 1: Dominik Schaal GER

Assistant Referee 2: Robert Wessel GER

Fourth Official: Timo Gerach GER

VAR: Daniel Schlager GER

AVAR: Johann Pfeifer GER

Referee Observer: Georgi Yordanov BUL

Basaksehir – Tbilisi

Referee: Paweł Raczkowski POL

Assistant Referee 1: Radosław Siejka POL

Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL

Fourth Official: Jarosław Przybył POL

VAR: Paweł Malec POL

AVAR: Paweł Pskit POL

Referee Observer: Niklas Lídarenda FRO

Vojvodina – Maribor

Referee: Gustavo Correia POR

Assistant Referee 1: Luciano Maia POR

Assistant Referee 2: André Dias POR

Fourth Official: David Silva POR

VAR: Hélder Malheiro POR

AVAR: Bruno Esteves POR

Referee Observer: Alieh Čykun BLR

Drita – Auda

Referee: Kristoffer Karlsson SWE

Assistant Referee 1: Mikael Hallin SWE

Assistant Referee 2: Marcus Klitte SWE

Fourth Official: Joakim Östling SWE

VAR: Jeroen Manschot NED

AVAR: Erwin Blank NED

Referee Observer: Radek Příhoda CZE

Zrinjski Mostar – Botev Plovdiv

Referee: Robert Hennessy IRL

Assistant Referee 1: Dermot Broughton IRL

Assistant Referee 2: Emmett Dynan IRL

Fourth Official: Damien MacGraith IRL

VAR: Nejc Kajtazovič SVN

AVAR: Asmir Sagrkovič SVN

Referee Observer: László Vágner HUN

Wisla Krakow – Spartak Trnava

Referee: Donald Robertson SCO

Assistant Referee 1: David Roome SCO

Assistant Referee 2: Ross Macleod SCO

Fourth Official: Grant Irvine SCO

VAR: Kevin Clancy SCO

AVAR: Euan Anderson SCO

Referee Observer: Tony Asumaa FIN

KAA Gent – Silkeborg IF

Referee: José Munuera Montero ESP

Assistant Referee 1: Diego Sánchez Rojo ESP

Assistant Referee 2: Antonio Martínez Moreno ESP

Fourth Official: Mario Melero López ESP

VAR: César Soto Grado ESP

AVAR: Jorge Figueroa Vázquez ESP

Referee Observer: Thóroddur Hjaltalín ISL

Slask Wroclaw – St. Gallen

Referee: Duje Strukan CRO

Assistant Referee 1: Bojan Zobenica CRO

Assistant Referee 2: Alen Jakšić CRO

Fourth Official: Ante Terzić CRO

VAR: Ivan Bebek CRO

AVAR: Ante Čuljak CRO

Referee Observer: David Malcolm NIR

Larne – Ballkani

Referee: Robertas Valikonis LTU

Assistant Referee 1: Vytenis Kazlauskas LTU

Assistant Referee 2: Benas Kikutis LTU

Fourth Official: Kęstutis Bartuškevičius LTU

VAR: Donatas Šimėnas LTU

AVAR: Orestas Abramavičius LTU

Referee Observer: Gunnar Jónsson ISL

FK Decic – HJK Helsinki

Referee: Adam Ladebäck SWE

Assistant Referee 1: Niklas Nyberg SWE

Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Yng SWE

Fourth Official: Fredrik Klitte SWE

VAR: Tiago Martins POR

AVAR: André Narciso POR

Referee Observer: Igor Pristovnik CRO

Puskas Academia – Ararat Armenia

Referee: Genc Nuza KOS

Assistant Referee 1: Fatlum Berisha KOS

Assistant Referee 2: Bujar Selimaj KOS

Fourth Official: Ilir Mehmeti KOS

VAR: Dardan Çaka KOS

AVAR: Besnik Morina KOS

Referee Observer: Salustià Ciprés AND

Hajduk Split – MSK Ruzomberok

Referee: Luca Pairetto ITA

Assistant Referee 1: Alessio Berti ITA

Assistant Referee 2: Valerio Vecchi ITA

Fourth Official: Gianluca Manganiello ITA

VAR: Paolo Mazzoleni ITA

AVAR: Matteo Gariglio ITA

Referee Observer: Pavel Salii KAZ

SC Vitoria – FC Zurich

Referee: Oleksiy Derevinskyy UKR

Assistant Referee 1: Semen Shlonchak UKR

Assistant Referee 2: Viktor Matyash UKR

Fourth Official: Dmytro Kubryak UKR

VAR: Dmytro Panchyshyn UKR

AVAR: Oleksandr Shandor UKR

Referee Observer: Rusmir Mrković BIH

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Orsato joined the Russian Expert Refereeing Committee

Italian top referee Daniele Orsato ended his on-field career after Euro 2024 and joined the Expert Refereeing Committee of the Russian Football Union (RFU).

“Daniele Orsato will interact, like all other our experts, either by voting or through online activities. There is nothing new in this part. We are very glad that we managed to get him onboard. As soon as he finished his career, he agreed to cooperate with us. He may have had alternative proposals, but we managed to agree on cooperation, signing a contract for one season. We do not exclude the possibility to invite him in-person to our winter and summer gatherings. He was one of the top referees in the world and it is a pleasure to have a Champions League final referee in Russian football. I don't think anyone could question his reputation and professionalism. Based on the current number and quality of experts, we can say that we consider the composition of the Expert Refereeing Committee to be finalized. We are very satisfied with the results of our search for experts who cooperate with the RFU”, said Pavel Kamantsev, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the Expert Refereeing Committee. The other members of the RFU Expert Refereeing Committee are Nestor Pitana (ARG), Ravshan Irmatov (UZB) and Cuneyt Cakir (TUR), while Milorad Mazic (SRB) is the full-time Head of the Russian Refereeing Department. (Source: Championat)

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers – CONMEBOL (Matchday 7)

5-6 September 2024

Argentina – Chile

Referee: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN, photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego (VEN)

Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno (VEN)

Fourth Official: Alexis Herrera (VEN)

VAR: Juan Soto (VEN)

AVAR: Carlos Lopez (VEN)

Referee Assessor: Jose Buitrago (COL)

VAR Supervisor: Victor Carrillo (PER)

Bolivia – Venezuela

Referee: Wilmar Roldan (COL)

Assistant Referee 1: John Leon (COL)

Assistant Referee 2: Richard Ortiz (COL)

Fourth Official: John Hinestroza (COL)

VAR: John Ospina (COL)

AVAR: Mauricio Perez (COL)

Referee Assessor: Manuel Bernal (PAR)

VAR Supervisor: Rodney Aquino (PAR)

Uruguay – Paraguay

Referee: Dario Herrera (ARG)

Assistant Referee 1: Juan Belatti (ARG)

Assistant Referee 2: Cristian Navarro (ARG)

Fourth Official: Maximiliano Ramirez (ARG)

VAR: Mauro Vigliano (ARG)

AVAR: Hernan Mastrangelo (ARG)

Referee Assessor: Ednilson Corona (BRA)

VAR Supervisor: Luis Vera (ECU)

Peru – Colombia

Referee: Esteban Ostojich (URU)

Assistant Referee 1: Martin Soppi (URU)

Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Barreiro (URU)

Fourth Official: Gustavo Tejera (URU)

VAR: Christian Ferreira (URU)

AVAR: Andres Cunha (URU)

Referee Assessor: Hector Baldassi (ARG)

VAR Supervisor: Gustavo Rossi (ARG)

Brazil – Ecuador

Referee: Facundo Tello (ARG)

Assistant Referee 1: Ezequiel Brailovsky (ARG)

Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Chade (ARG)

Fourth Official: Pablo Echavarria (ARG)

VAR: Silvio Trucco (ARG)

AVAR: Hector Paletta (ARG)

Referee Assessor: Dario Ubriaco (URU)

VAR Supervisor: Claudio Rios (CHI)

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers – CONMEBOL (Matchday 8)

10 September 2024

Colombia – Argentina

Referee: Piero Maza (CHI, photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Jose Retamal (CHI)

Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Rocha (CHI)

Fourth Official: Cristian Garay (CHI)

VAR: Juan Lara (CHI)

AVAR: Benjamin Saravia (CHI)

Referee Assessor: Roberto Silvera (URU)

VAR Supervisor: Pericles Cortes (BRA)

Ecuador – Peru

Referee: Andres Rojas (COL)

Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Guzman (COL)

Assistant Referee 2: David Fuentes (COL)

Fourth Official: Bismarks Santiago (COL)

VAR: John Perdomo (COL)

AVAR: Heider Castro (COL)

Referee Assessor: Jairo Romero (VEN)

VAR Supervisor: Emerson de Carvalho (BRA)

Venezuela – Uruguay

Referee: Raphael Claus (BRA)

Assistant Referee 1: Danilo Manis (BRA)

Assistant Referee 2: Rodrigo Correa (BRA)

Fourth Official: Bruno Arleu (BRA)

VAR: Wagner Reway (BRA)

AVAR: Fabricio Vilarinho (BRA)

Referee Assessor: Oscar Maldonado (BOL)

VAR Supervisor: Juan Restrepo (COL)

Paraguay – Brazil

Referee: Andres Matonte (URU)

Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Taran (URU)

Assistant Referee 2: Andres Nievas (URU)

Fourth Official: Alberto Feres (URU)

VAR: Leodan Gonzalez (URU)

AVAR: Richard Trinidad (URU)

Referee Assessor: Christian Schiemann (CHI)

VAR Supervisor: Patricio Polic (CHI)

Chile – Bolivia

Referee: Juan Benitez (PAR)

Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardozo (PAR)

Assistant Referee 2: Milciades Saldivar (PAR)

Fourth Official: Juan Lopez (PAR)

VAR: Derlis Lopez (PAR)

AVAR: Eduardo Britos (PAR)

Referee Assessor: Cesar Escano (PER)

VAR Supervisor: Carlos Pastorino (URU)

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VAR changes in Premier League

The Premier League has launched a new X account @PLMatchCentre ahead of the start of the 2024/25 season. For the first time, the social media account will provide near-live explainers and updates on operational and officiating matters for every Premier League match. The account will post factual explanations of on-pitch refereeing decisions and the involvement of the video assistant referee, including the role of technology in the decision-making process. In the absence of live VAR audio being broadcast, as it is not permitted in football, the Premier League Match Centre will be able to relay on social media near-live information from the VAR Hub during a game. Premier League Match Centre – based at Stockley Park – is the operational hub of the League that helps with the smooth running of matchday operations of the competition. It is linked into all Premier League stadiums, the VAR Hub and broadcast partners around the world.

Ahead of the 2024/25 season, Tony Scholes, the Premier League’s Chief Football Officer, and Howard Webb, the PGMOL's chief refereeing officer, discussed the changes to VAR that will be in place for the campaign.

This season the Premier League is introducing a term, “Referee's Call”, when communicating about VAR. Can you explain?

Tony Scholes: One of the difficulties around VAR for the last couple of years is the lack of clarity as to when the VAR should or should not intervene. “Referee’s Call” really is just an introduction of a terminology to make it clear that the initial decision by the on-pitch official is critical. It’s similar to what exists in other sports like cricket and “Umpire’s Call”. The referee’s call should stand unless the VAR, based on readily available evidence, can see without doubt the on-pitch official has made a clear mistake. In the absence of that clear evidence, the referee’s call will stand.

Howard Webb: “Referee’s Call” is important because it helps manage people's expectations. We have situations that split opinion – and VAR can’t always provide definitive answers all the time, because the real world is not always correct or incorrect. So “Referee’s Call” clarifies the process to fans, managers and players – even if they disagree with the decision.

Will this approach help to reduce delays for VAR decisions?

Webb: I hope that having this clearly established threshold in place will mean the VARs can recognize quickly if something is or isn't clearly and obviously wrong.

Scholes: What I’d add is that we are doing what the game is telling us they want to see in this league. We did an extensive survey in the spring, where managers, football directors and captains told us they wanted to have a high bar for the VAR intervention. In pre-season we have been visiting clubs and they have been supportive of the new terminology. It makes sense to them.

Tell us more about semi-automated offsides and what we can expect?

Scholes: We hope to introduce it after one of the autumn international breaks, but it’s important to point out that we will only do it when PGMOL are 100 per cent confident, because ultimately, they're in charge of decision-making. They will have to be completely happy that the process works and improves things.

Webb: The biggest benefit of semi-automated offsides is around the efficiency of the process. We already believe our interventions around offside are accurate. The manual use of technology can take time, particularly in the more complicated situations. We're looking forward to making it quicker but retaining the accuracy. It's “semi-automated” because there still needs to be some validation on the outputs from the technology that the VAR will go through, such as the kick point being identified. The other big advantage is it will create graphics we can use in-stadium for fans and with broadcasters. This ability to see the offside, we believe, will give a better experience for people watching on TV and within the stadium.

Scholes: The introduction of semi-automated offside technology should not only reduce delays but also instill greater confidence in the whole process.

You have talked about trying to improve the fan experience around VAR in stadiums. What are you looking to do?

Scholes: Back in June, we said we would discuss with clubs about improving the fan experience in stadiums so that it can become as good as for those fans watching on TV. One way we will do this in 2024/25 is through offering more big-screen replays where there has been a delay to the match, not only for decisions overturned after a VAR intervention but also for those decisions confirmed by the VAR. PGMOL intend to pilot in-stadium announcements by referees in a competition at some point this season, but this is unlikely to be in the Premier League.

Are you changing your approach to communication of VAR decisions elsewhere?

Scholes: The Premier League Match Centre is going to be much more proactive this season in setting out on social media the factual basis of a decision that's been made, or the VAR intervention that's been done. The intention is that fans around the world and in stadium can see the factual basis of the decision they have seen on the pitch.

What changes are being made to added time?

Scholes: Last season, we added on every second from when the ball hit the back of the net until the restart. In 2024/25, we are not going to add on the first 30 seconds on that because 30 seconds is the natural time it would take the two teams to get back in position for the restarts after a goal.

Webb: It’s a benefit, especially when you think of the number of goals that were scored last year [a record 1,246]. Suddenly, if you've got eight goals in a match, you've automatically got four minutes added on the board. Listening to the game, there's a sense that was potentially excessive. So, it's been well received by everybody we've consulted with.

At the Euros, UEFA had a rule on only captains approaching referees - will that be implemented in the Premier League?

Webb: We watch all developments closely such as what happened at the Euros. As a game, we collectively worked hard last year on participant behaviour, speaking extensively with clubs, their players, and management teams and the importance of not surrounding officials as the power of example is strong for the next generations. We saw more yellow cards last season, but we knew we would because referees were empowered by the game and told not to turn a blind eye to certain behaviours. But international football is significantly different to the Premier League; they have 52 games, we have 380. We have a 10-month season. If we commit to something in August, we need to be confident it's deliverable in May. If we set a benchmark early in the season that we find it difficult to sustain, and we have to change, then we lose credibility.

Scholes: Last season we made a lot of significant changes which brought a rise in the number of yellow cards. The players’ response was extremely good, and the behaviour levels last season, and therefore the image of the game, was a significant improvement on previous seasons. It's passionate game. Yes, we want passion in there - but the players are role models as well.

If you had one wish to take place in the Premier League regarding the football, refereeing, VAR, what would you like?

Webb: I hope that people understand and accept what VAR can do and can’t do - and therefore, if they don't agree with the final decision, I don't want them to automatically see that as a failing of VAR. We need to do our part in ensuring that when clear errors are identified they are acted upon, and VAR does what it’s setting out to do - but people have tolerance and understanding of those areas where it can't create perfection because perfection doesn't exist.

Scholes: Last season’s Premier League was compelling, entertaining, competitive. So my wish would be that the football is at least as good as it was last year and that all of the talk is about the football. We need to ensure that VAR is operating as effectively as it can be so that everybody is talking about the football, not about refereeing or VAR decisions.

Source: Premier League

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FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024

The FIFA Referees Committee has announced the match officials who will officiate at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024, which will take place from 16 October to 3 November. A total of 38 female match officials, comprising 12 referees, 24 assistant referees and 2 support referees, will take charge of the matches. “We have selected a talented group of match officials, with the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup set to play a key role in their development. After the successful FIFA Women’s World Cup last year, we are already working on the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027. Knowing that an important generational change in FIFA TEAM ONE will be necessary, this tournament will offer match officials who have the potential to be candidates for Brazil 2027 to work under the guidance of top FIFA refereeing instructors," said the chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina. "Additionally, we look forward to further trialling football video support, which offers a clear example of how FIFA is driving the use of technology to help referees.” Following the successful tests conducted at the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup 2024 and the planned trial at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024, this year’s edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be the third FIFA tournament to feature football video support (FVS). The trial follows numerous requests from FIFA member associations for an alternative, cost-effective way to use technology to support match officials. In response to those requests, FIFA has developed FVS, which, unlike the VAR system, does not use dedicated video match officials and therefore does not check all match-changing incidents. Instead, the onus falls on the respective head coaches, who will be allowed to make a limited number of review requests per match when they feel that a clear and obvious error has been made in match-changing incidents, such as goals, penalty decisions, direct red-card incidents or cases of mistaken identity. The players can also recommend that their coach request a review. (Source: FIFA)

AFC

Referee: Asaka Koizumi JPN (photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Amal Badhafari UAE

Assistant Referee 2: Riiohlang Dhar IND

Referee: Thi Ly Le VIE

Assistant Referee 1: Thi Phuong Ha VIE

Assistant Referee 2: Suwida Wongkraisorn THA

CAF

Referee: Ghada Mehat ALG

Assistant Referee 1: Soukaina Hamdi MAR

Assistant Referee 2: Yara Abdelfattah EGY

Referee: Shamira Nabadda UGA

Assistant Referee 1: Fanta Kone MLI

Assistant Referee 2: Nancy Kasitu ZAM

CONCACAF

Referee: Deily Gomez CRC

Assistant Referee 1: Gabriela Zuniga CRC

Assistant Referee 2: Kindria Aguero CRC

Referee: Carly Shaw-MacLaren CAN

Assistant Referee 1: Gabrielle Lemieux CAN

Assistant Referee 2: Katarzyna Wasiak USA

CONMEBOL

Referee: Milagros Arruela PER

Assistant Referee 1: Gabriela Moreno PER

Assistant Referee 2: Vera Yupanqui PER

Referee: Daiane Muniz BRA

Assistant Referee 1: Maira Mastella BRA

Assistant Referee 2: Fernanda Gomes BRA

UEFA

Referee: Abigail Byrne ENG

Assistant Referee 1: Paulina Baranowska POL

Assistant Referee 2: Ceri Williams WAL

Referee: Jelena Cvetkovic SRB

Assistant Referee 1: Karolin Kaivoja EST

Assistant Referee 2: Lena Hirtl AUT

Referee: Frida Klarlund DEN

Assistant Referee 1: Fie Bruun DEN

Assistant Referee 2: Ainhoa Fernandez AND

Referee: Alina Pesu ROU

Assistant Referee 1: Daniela Constantinescu ROU

Assistant Referee 2: Anita Vad HUN

Support Referees

1. Estefania Diaz DOM

2. Olatz Rivera Olmedo ESP

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Soares Dias ends his referee career

Following a successful Euro 2024, Portuguese referee Artur Soares Dias will end his career after the Saudi Super Cup, Al Nassr - Al Hilal.

Soares Dias has been refereeing since 2010. The 44-year-old referee has been on the UEFA elite list since 2016, taking charge of multiple matches in the Champions League and other top competitions. In May, he refereed the 2024 UEFA Europa League final between Olympiacos and Fiorentina. Dias has also taken charge of matches in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Source: Cabine Sport

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CONMEBOL Futsal U-17 Copa America 2024

Paraguay, 17-25 August 2024

Referees1. Lautaro Romero (ARG, photo)

2. Lorena Sanchez (ARG)

3. Gustavo Ortega (BOL)

4. Juan Villarroel (BOL)

5. Anelize Schultz (BRA)

6. Guilherme Schwinden (BRA)

7. Christian Espindola (CHI)

8. Rodolfo Vera (CHI)

9. Daniel Manrique (COL)

10. Nilson Norena (COL)

11. Leonel Ruales (ECU)

12. Daniel Villacis (ECU)

13. Maria Caceres (PAR)

14. Jose Ocampo (PAR)

15. Bill Villalba (PAR)

16. Rolly Rojas (PER)

17. Alejandro Villanueva (PER)

18. Andres Martinez (URU)

19. Diego Nisivoccia (URU)

20. Federico Piccardo (URU)

21. Jesus Chinchilla (VEN)

22. Oriana Zambrano (VEN)

Referee Assessors

1. Leandro Lorenzo (ARG)

2. Nestor Valiente (PAR)

3. Manuel Benitez (VEN)

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Concacaf Leagues Cup 2024 – Semi-finals

21 August 2024

Los Angeles FC – Colorado Rapids

Referee: Mario Escobar (GUA, photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Luis Ventura (GUA)

Assistant Referee 2: Humberto Panjoj (GUA)

Fourth Official: Bryan Lopez (GUA)

Reserve AR: Juan Tipaz (GUA)

VAR: Jose Rivero (USA)

AVAR: Benjamin Pineda (CRC)

Columbus Crew – Philadelphia Union

Referee: Armando Villarreal (USA)

Assistant Referee 1: Cory Richardson (USA)

Assistant Referee 2: Kyle Atkins (USA)

Fourth Official: Jon Freemon (USA)

Reserve AR: Cameron Blanchard (USA)

VAR: Daniel Radford (USA)

AVAR: Edvin Jurisevic (USA)

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CONMEBOL Libertadores 2024 – Round of 16 (Second Leg)

20-22 August 2024

Fluminense – Gremio

Referee: Andres Matonte URU (photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Taran URU

Assistant Referee 2: Pablo Llarena URU

Fourth Official: Jose Burgos URU

VAR: Christian Ferreyra URU

AVAR: Richard Trinidad URU

Referee Assessor: Abraham Gonzalez COL

VAR Supervisor: Victor Carrillo PER

Atletico Mineiro – San Lorenzo

Referee: Felipe Gonzalez CHI

Assistant Referee 1: Jose Retamal CHI

Assistant Referee 2: Miguel Rocha CHI

Fourth Official: Fernando Vejar CHI

VAR: Jose Cabero CHI

AVAR: Alan Sandoval CHI

Referee Assessor: Miguel Nievas URU

VAR Supervisor: Wilson Avila ECU

Junior – Colo Colo

Referee: Anderson Daronco BRA

Assistant Referee 1: Danilo Manis BRA

Assistant Referee 2: Luanderson Lima BRA

Fourth Official: Rodrigo Pereira BRA

VAR: Igor Benevenuto BRA

AVAR: Diego Pombo BRA

Referee Assessor: Jose Carpio ECU

VAR Supervisor: Pericles Cortes BRA

The Strongest – Penarol

Referee: Cristian Garay CHI

Assistant Referee 1: Claudio Urrutia CHI

Assistant Referee 2: Juan Serrano CHI

Fourth Official: Dione Rissios 🇨🇱

VAR: Francisco Gilabert CHI

AVAR: Miguel Araos CHI

Referee Assessor: Marcelo Rogerio BRA

VAR Supervisor: Wilson Lamouroux COL

River Plate – Talleres

Referee: Gustavo Tejera URU

Assistant Referee 1: Martin Soppi URU

Assistant Referee 2: Andres Nievas URU

Fourth Official: Javier Feres URU

VAR: Leodan Gonzalez URU

AVAR: Santiago Fernandez URU

Referee Assessor: Christian Schiemann CHI

VAR Supervisor: Giulliano Bozzano BRA

Palmeiras – Botafogo

Referee: Facundo Tello ARG

Assistant Referee 1: Juan Belatti ARG

Assistant Referee 2: Cristian Navarro ARG

Fourth Official: Sebastian Zunino ARG

VAR: Silvio Trucco ARG

AVAR: Hector Paletta ARG

Referee Assessor: Hector Baldassi ARG

VAR Supervisor: Carlos Pastorino URU

Sao Paulo – Nacional

Referee: John Ospina COL

Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Guzman COL

Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Padilla COL

Fourth Official: John Hinestroza COL

VAR: John Perdomo COL

AVAR: Heider Castro COL

Referee Assessor: Jose Lara ECU

VAR Supervisor: Angel Sanchez ARG

Bolivar – Flamengo

Referee: Yael Falcon ARG

Assistant Referee 1: Facundo Rodriguez ARG

Assistant Referee 2: Maximiliano Del Yesso ARG

Fourth Official: Laura Fortunato ARG

VAR: Mauro Vigliano ARG

AVAR: Mariana de Almeida ARG

Referee Assessor: Jairo Romero VEN

VAR Supervisor: Gustavo Rossi ARG

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CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2024 – Round of 16 (Second Leg)

20-22 August 2024

Racing – Huachipato

Referee: Juan Benitez PAR (photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Roberto Canete PAR

Assistant Referee 2: Jose Cuevas PAR

Fourth Official: Giancarlo Juliadoza PAR

VAR: Ulises Mereles PAR

AVAR: Luis Onieva PAR

Referee Assessor: Joel Ruiz PAR

VAR Supervisor: Marcelo Santiago BRA

Corinthians – Red Bull Bragantino

Referee: Andres Rojas COL

Assistant Referee 1: Richard Ortiz COL

Assistant Referee 2: David Fuentes COL

Fourth Official: Carlos Betancur COL

VAR: Mauricio Perez COL

AVAR: Maria Daza COL

Referee Assessor: Pedro Saucedo BOL

VAR Supervisor: Claudio Rios CHI

Fortaleza – Rosario Central

Referee: Esteban Ostojich URU

Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Barreiro URU

Assistant Referee 2: Agustin Berisso URU

Fourth Official: Anahi Fernandez URU

VAR: Andres Cunha URU

AVAR: Jonathan Fuentes URU

Referee Assessor: Oscar Maldonado BOL

VAR Supervisor: Sebastian Restrepo COL

Lanus – LDU Quito

Referee: Kevin Ortega PER

Assistant Referee 1: Michael Orue PER

Assistant Referee 2: Jesus Sanchez PER

Fourth Official: Michael Espinoza PER

VAR: Diego Haro PER

AVAR: Jonny Bossio PER

Referee Assessor: Roberto Perassi BRA

VAR Supervisor: Juan Lugones BOL

Independiente Medellin – Palestino

Referee: Flavio Souza BRA

Assistant Referee 1: Rodrigo Correa BRA

Assistant Referee 2: Fabrini Bevilaqua BRA

Fourth Official: Edina Alves BRA

VAR: Wagner Reway BRA

AVAR: Jose Rocha BRA

Referee Assessor: Cynthia Franco PAR

VAR Supervisor: Ednilson Corona BRA

Sportivo Ameliano – Libertad

Referee: Augusto Aragon ECU

Assistant Referee 1: Christian Lescano ECU

Assistant Referee 2: Ricardo Baren ECU

Fourth Official: Bryan Loyaza ECU

VAR: Carlos Orbe ECU

AVAR: Monica Amboya ECU

Referee Assessor: Paolo Conceicao BRA

VAR Supervisor: Sandra Zambrano ECU

Belgrano – Athetico Paranaense

Referee: Carlos Benitez PAR

Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardozo PAR

Assistant Referee 2: Milciades Saldivar PAR

Fourth Official: Juan Lopez PAR

VAR: Derlis Lopez PAR

AVAR: Eduardo Britos PAR

Referee Assessor: Carlos Ulloa CHI

VAR Supervisor: Victor Martinez PAR

Cruzeiro – Boca Juniors

Referee: Wilmar Roldan COL

Assistant Referee 1: John Leon COL

Assistant Referee 2: John Gallego COL

Fourth Official: Carlos Betancur COL

VAR: Juan Lara CHI

AVAR: Edson Cisternas CHI

Referee Assessor: Roberto Silvera URU

VAR Supervisor: Luis Vera ECU

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Referee Kulbakov ended his career with many records in Belarus

The match of the 18th round of the national championship between Torpedo and Neman was the last for Aleksei Kulbakov, the most accomplished referee of Belarus in the 21st century.

Aleksei Kulbakov began to referee in 1996, at the age of 16, when he was periodically assigned matches in the championship of the Gomel region. Very soon, he was noticed by specialists, and his career quickly went uphill: in 1998, Aleksei (not yet 19 years old) was trusted with games of the championship of Belarus in the second division, in 2000 – first division, in 2001 - the national youth tournament and the Cup. In 1998, Kulbakov was in the first referee category and only four years later promoted to national level. In the spring of 2003, at the age of 23, his long-awaited debut in the highest league took place on 12 May at the Youth City Stadium. He received special compliments from the honorary coach of Belarus, Nikolai Blashko, who inspected that match, and therefore he soon received a second match, followed immediately by the third and so on. At that time, no one knew that a new star had risen in the domestic refereeing.

In May 2005, Kulbakov refereed his first Belarus Cup final at the capital stadium Dynamo. Around the same time started Aleksei's international career, that developed steadily. His first match outside Belarus was Portugal – Albania, at a youth tournament in January 2004. Kulbakov received his FIFA badge in 2006 and, since then, his name has never left the refereeing list of FIFA. He refereed his first European Cup match in June 2006 (Daugavpils – Torshavn), followed by his first match of national teams (Cyprus – San Marino) in September 2007.

In 2008, there was a breakthrough in the career of a rapidly progressing Belarusian: Kulbakov became one of the 19 participants of the UEFA program "Talents and Mentors" for promising European referees. Over the next two years, Aleksei refereed UEFA matches under the leadership of the referee observer Andreas Schluchter from Switzerland. Since the 2009-10 season, the Belarusian began to receive regular appointments in the group stage of the Europa League (first match CFR Cluj – FC Copenhagen). From the 2014-15 season, he began to referee matches in the group stage of the Champions League, with the debut on 9 December 2014 (Benfica - Bayer Leverkusen).

In 2006, Kulbakov was in the fourth category of UEFA referees, but advanced quickly: 2008 – Category 3, 2009 – Category 2, 2011 – Category 1. In June 2019, He was promoted to the Elite category, which includes the top 26 leading European referees. Kulbakov's track record includes European U-17 Championship 2006 in Luxembourg (including the match for the third place Spain - Germany), the European U-19 Championship 2013 in Lithuania (including the final France - Serbia), and the European U-21 Championship 2019. He was involved in Euro 2016 in France as a reserve referee in 8 matches. In 2020, when the pandemic was rampant around the world, Aleksei became a participant in a very interesting experiment - to obtain international experience, he refereed in foreign competitions, such as Saudi Arabia, Greece and Libya.

During his long career, Kulbakov, a 44-year-old native of Gomel, refereed 535 matches, where he awarded 142 penalty kicks and issued 1836 yellow cards, 32 second yellow cards and 40 red cards. Aleksei leads the Belarusian Referees Club, established by the "Pressball," which includes referees who completed at least 300 games of the highest category. In the second place, after Kulbakov, is the best Belarusian referee of the last century, Vadim Zhuk with 389 matches, followed by Sergey Shmolik with 344. From the current generation of referees, the most matches in the highest category have Viktor Shimusik (210) and Dmitry Dmitriev (201).

Kulbakov’s national matches: 330 in the top national division, 48 in the Belarus Cup, 4 in the Super Cup, 15 in foreign national competitions. International matches: 88 in European Cups (Champions League 21, Europa League 61, Conference League 4, Intertoto Cup 2), 36 games with the participation of national A teams and 14 with national youth teams. Out of his 88 European Cup matches, 42 were in the group stage (Champions League 14, Europa League 25, Conference League 3), wile 12 were in the Europa League knock-out stage. Kulbakov’s domestic records: six finals of the Belarusian Cup (2005, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2023, 2024) and four Super Cups (2017, 2018, 2020, 2022). He was recognized seven times as the best referee in Belarus (2004, 2008, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023).

Source: Pressball

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UEFA Champions League 2024/2025 – Play-offs (First Leg)

20-21 August 2024

Dinamo Zagreb – Qarabag Agdam

Referee: Glenn Nyberg SWE (photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE

Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderkvist SWE

Fourth Official: Adam Ladebäck SWE

VAR: Bastian Dankert GER

AVAR: Johann Pfeifer GER

Referee Observer: Michael Riley ENG

LOSC Lille – Slavia Praha

Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL

Assistant Referee 1: Radosław Siejka POL

Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL

Fourth Official: Paweł Raczkowski POL

VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL

AVAR: Pawel Malec POL

Referee Observer: Thomas Einwaller AUT

Bodo Glimt – Crvena Zvezda

Referee: Ivan Kružliak SVK

Assistant Referee 1: Branislav Hancko SVK

Assistant Referee 2: Jan Pozor SVK

Fourth Official: Peter Kralović SVK

VAR: Pol van Boekel NED

AVAR: Jochem Kamphuis NED

Referee Observer: Lucílio Batista POR

FC Midtjylland – Slovan Bratislava

Referee: Alejandro Hernández Hernández ESP

Assistant Referee 1: José Naranjo Perez ESP

Assistant Referee 2: Diego Sánchez Rojo ESP

Fourth Official: José Munuera Montero ESP

VAR: Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP

AVAR: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz ESP

Referee Observer: Pascal Garibian FRA

Malmö FF – Sparta Praha

Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano ESP

Assistant Referee 1: Diego Barbero Sevilla ESP

Assistant Referee 2: Ángel Nevado Rodriguez ESP

Fourth Official: Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez ESP

VAR: Juan Martínez Munuera ESP

AVAR: Valentín Pizzaro Gómez ESP

Referee Observer: Haim Jakov ISR

Dynamo Kyiv – FC Salzburg

Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI

Assistant Referee 1: Jonas Erni SUI

Assistant Referee 2: Susanne Küng SUI

Fourth Official: Lionel Tschudi SUI

VAR: Fedayi San SUI

AVAR: Johannes von Mandach SUI

Referee Observer: Howard Webb ENG

BSC Young Boys – Galatasaray SK

Referee: Daniel Siebert GER

Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER

Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER

Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager GER

VAR: Christian Dingert GER

AVAR: Benjamin Cortus GER

Referee Observer: Sokol Jareci ALB

↧

UEFA Europa Conference League 2024/2025 – Play-offs (First Leg)

20-22 August 2024

FC Noah – MFK Ružomberok

Referee: Joey Kooij NED (photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Patrick Inia NED

Assistant Referee 2: Dyon Fikkert NED

Fourth Official: Jannick Van Der Laan NED

VAR: Jeroen Manschot NED

AVAR: Richard Martens NED

Referee Observer: Edward Foley IRL

Vitoria SC – Zrinjski Mostar

Referee: Vassilis Fotias GRE

Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Fotopoulos GRE

Assistant Referee 2: Vasileios Nikolakakis GRE

Fourth Official: Panagiotis Tsiaras GRE

VAR: Anstasios Sidiropoulos GRE

AVAR: Konstantinos Katoikos GRE

Referee Observer: Marinus Koopman NED

Pyunik FC – NK Celje

Referee: Luka Bilbija BIH

Assistant Referee 1: Damir Lazić BIH

Assistant Referee 2: Aleksandar Smiljanić BIH

Fourth Official: Dragan Petrović BIH

VAR: Antoni Bandić BIH

AVAR: Miloš Gigovic BIH

Referee Observer: Stéphane Lannoy FRA

Legia Warszawa – KF Drita

Referee: Christopher Kavanagh ENG

Assistant Referee 1: Lee Betts ENG

Assistant Referee 2: Wade Smith ENG

Fourth Official: Darren England ENG

VAR: Peter Bankes ENG

AVAR: Ian Hussin ENG

Referee Observer: Pavle Radovanović MNE

Mlada Boleslav – Paksi SE

Referee: Goga Kikacheishvili GEO

Assistant Referee 1: David Akhvlediani GEO

Assistant Referee 2: Davit Gabisonia GEO

Fourth Official: Irakli Kvirikashvili GEO

VAR: Aleko Aptsiauri GEO

AVAR: Giorgi Avazashvili GEO

Referee Observer: Helmut Fleischer GER

FK Panevezys – The New Saints

Referee: Eldorjan Hamiti ALB

Assistant Referee 1: Ilir Tartaraj ALB

Assistant Referee 2: Xhulio Mani ALB

Fourth Official: Kreshnik Cjapi ALB

VAR: Kreshnik Barjamaj ALB

AVAR: Olsion Yzeiraj ALB

Referee Observer: Georgios Bikas GRE

AC Omonia – Zira FK

Referee: Juri Frischer EST

Assistant Referee 1: Veiko Mõtsnik EST

Assistant Referee 2: Sander Saga EST

Fourth Official: Kristo Külljastinen EST

VAR: Kristo Tohver EST

AVAR: Joonas Jaanovits EST

Referee Observer: Christof Dierick BEL

Djurgardens IF – NK Maribor

Referee: Jasper Vergoote BEL

Assistant Referee 1: Martijn Tiesters BEL

Assistant Referee 2: Michael Geerolf BEL

Fourth Official: Kevin Van Damme BEL

VAR: Erik Lambrechts BEL

AVAR: Jan Boterberg BEL

Referee Observer: Emil Bozinovski MKD

SK Brann – FC Astana

Referee: David Šmajc SVN

Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandar Kasapovič SVN

Assistant Referee 2: David Gabrovec SVN

Fourth Official: Aleksandar Matkovič SVN

VAR: Asmir Sagrković SVN

AVAR: Alen Borošak SVN

Referee Observer: Antonio Damato ITA

BK Häcken – FC Heidenheim

Referee: Viktor Kopiievskyi UKR

Assistant Referee 1: Semen Shlonchak UKR

Assistant Referee 2: Volodymyr Vysotskyi UKR

Fourth Official: Dmytro Kubriak UKR

VAR: Oleksii Derevinskyi UKR

AVAR: Dmytro Panchyshyn UKR

Referee Observer: Michal Beneš CZE

FC Copenhagen – Kilmarnock FC

Referee: Fabio Maresca ITA

Assistant Referee 1: Davide Imperiale ITA

Assistant Referee 2: Alessio Berti ITA

Fourth Official: Antonio Rapuano ITA

VAR: Paolo Mazzoleni ITA

AVAR: Matteo Gariglio ITA

Referee Observer: Sabri Celik TUR

CFR Cluj – Pafoc FC

Referee: Novak Simović SRB

Assistant Referee 1: Nikola Djorović SRB

Assistant Referee 2: Miloš Simović SRB

Fourth Official: Stanko Ostraćanin SRB

VAR: Momčilo Marković SRB

AVAR: Aleksandar Živković SRB

Referee Observer: Christopher Lautier MLT

Lincoln Red Imps – Larne FC

Referee: Ishmael Barbara MLT

Assistant Referee 1: Roberto Vella MLT

Assistant Referee 2: Luke Portelli MLT

Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann MLT

VAR: Gianluca Aureliano ITA

AVAR: Daniele Paterna ITA

Referee Observer: Alan Sars FRA

Víkingur – Santa Coloma

Referee: Ante Čulina CRO

Assistant Referee 1: Luka Pušić CRO

Assistant Referee 2: Dario Kolarević CRO

Fourth Official: Ante Terzić CRO

VAR: Fran Jović CRO

AVAR: Dario Bel CRO

Referee Observer: Marian Ruzbarsky SVK

RNK Rijeka – Olimpija Ljubljana

Referee: César Soto Grado ESP

Assistant Referee 1: Iván Masso Granado ESP

Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Álvarez Fernández ESP

Fourth Official: Victor Garcia Verdura ESP

VAR: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea ESP

AVAR: Javier Alberola Rojas ESP

Referee Observer: Michael Argyrou CYP

ACF Fiorentina – Puskas Akademia

Referee: Willy Delajod FRA

Assistant Referee 1: Erwan Finjean FRA

Assistant Referee 2: Philippe Jeanne FRA

Fourth Official: Thomas Leonard FRA

VAR: Bastien Dechepy FRA

AVAR: Eric Wattellier FRA

Referee Observer: Andreas Schluchter SUI

Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih – Real Betis Balompie

Referee: Arda Kardeşler TUR

Assistant Referee 1: Mehmet Tugral TUR

Assistant Referee 2: Deniz Özaral TUR

Fourth Official: Zorbay Küçük TUR

VAR: Mustafa Coskun TUR

AVAR: Onur Özütoprak TUR

Referee Observer: Petteri Kari FIN

FK Partizan – KAA Gent

Referee: Elchin Masiyev AZE

Assistant Referee 1: Elshad Abdullayev AZE

Assistant Referee 2: Parvin Talibov AZE

Fourth Official: Farid Hajiyev AZE

VAR: Kamal Umudlu AZE

AVAR: Rashad Ahmadov AZE

Referee Observer: Gylfi Orrason ISL

Wisla Krakow – Cercle Brugge

Referee: Philip Farrugia MLT

Assistant Referee 1: Alan Camilleri MLT

Assistant Referee 2: Duncan Sultana MLT

Fourth Official: Alex Johnson MLT

VAR: Jarred Gillett ENG

AVAR: Constantine Hatzidakis ENG

Referee Observer: Michael Koukoulakis GRE

KI Klaksvik – HJK Helsinki

Referee: Ioannis Papadopoulos GRE

Assistant Referee 1: Polychronis Kostaras GRE

Assistant Referee 2: Lazaros Dimitriadis GRE

Fourth Official: Athanasios Tzilos GRE

VAR: Stefanos Komparakis GRE

AVAR: Aléxandros Tsakalídis GRE

Referee Observer: Markus Strömbergsson SWE

St. Patrick's Athletic – Istanbul Başakşehir

Referee: Mohammed Al-Emara FIN

Assistant Referee 1: Turkka Valjakka FIN

Assistant Referee 2: Juuso Mantere FIN

Fourth Official: Peiman Simani FIN

VAR: Sören Storks GER

AVAR: Patrick Hanslbauer GER

Referee Observer: Laurent Duhamel FRA

FC St. Gallen – Trabzonspor

Referee: Miguel Nogueira POR

Assistant Referee 1: Pedro Martins POR

Assistant Referee 2: Paulo Brás POR

Fourth Official: Bruno Vieira POR

VAR: André Narciso POR

AVAR: Fábio Melo POR

Referee Observer: Michael Ross NIR

RC Lens – Panathinaikos

Referee: Gergo Bogár HUN

Assistant Referee 1: Theodoros Georgiou HUN

Assistant Referee 2: Balázs Szalai HUN

Fourth Official: Tamás Bognár HUN

VAR: István Vad HUN

AVAR: Ferenc Karakó HUN

Referee Observer: Stefano Podeschi SMR

Chelsea FC – Servette FC

Referee: Jérémie Pignard FRA

Assistant Referee 1: Aurélien Drouet FRA

Assistant Referee 2: Laurent Coniglio FRA

Fourth Official: Jérémy Stinat FRA

VAR: Benoît Millot FRA

AVAR: Mathieu Vernice FRA

Referee Observer: Drago Kos SVN

↧

UEFA Europa League 2024/2025 – Play-offs (First Leg)

22 August 2024

Molde FK – IF Elfsborg

Referee: István Kovács ROU (photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marica ROU

Assistant Referee 2: George Neacsu ROU

Fourth Official: Horațiu Feșnic ROU

VAR: Stuart Attwell ENG

AVAR: Katalin Kulcsár HUN

Referee Observer: Alain Hamer LUX

LASK – FCSB

Referee: Allard Lindhout NED

Assistant Referee 1: Joost van Zuilen NED

Assistant Referee 2: Rogier Honig NED

Fourth Official: Marc Nagtegaal NED

VAR: Clay Ruperti NED

AVAR: Alex Bos NED

Referee Observer: Manuel Díaz Vega ESP

RFS – Apoel

Referee: Aliyar Aghayev AZE

Assistant Referee 1: Zeynal Zeynalov AZE

Assistant Referee 2: Akif Amirali AZE

Fourth Official: Ingilab Mammadov AZE

VAR: Daniele Chiffi ITA

AVAR: Francesco Meraviglia ITA

Referee Observer: Lutz-Michael Fröhlich GER

Viktoria Plzen – Heart of Midlothian

Referee: Sven Jablonski GER

Assistant Referee 1: Lasse Koslowski GER

Assistant Referee 2: Eduard Beitinger GER

Fourth Official: Timo Gerach GER

VAR: Benjamin Brand GER

AVAR: Pascal Müller GER

Referee Observer: Viktor Kassai HUN

PAOK – Shamrock Rovers

Referee: Enea Jorgji ALB

Assistant Referee 1: Denis Rexha ALB

Assistant Referee 2: Ridiger Çokaj ALB

Fourth Official: Florian Lata ALB

VAR: Luca Pairetto ITA

AVAR: Marco Serra ITA

Referee Observer: Uno Tutk EST

PFK Ludogorets – Petrocub Hîncești

Referee: Anastasios Papapetrou GRE

Assistant Referee 1: Tryfon Petropoulos GRE

Assistant Referee 2: Iordanis Aptosoglou GRE

Fourth Official: Alexandros Tsakalidis GRE

VAR: Angelos Evangelou GRE

AVAR: Spyridon Zampalas GRE

Referee Observer: Martin Hansson SWE

Maccabi Tel Aviv – TSC Bačka Topola

Referee: Sebastian Gishamer AUT

Assistant Referee 1: Roland Riedel AUT

Assistant Referee 2: Santino Schreiner AUT

Fourth Official: Walter Altmann AUT

VAR: Alan Kijas AUT

AVAR: Josef Spurny AUT

Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski POL

Ferencvárosi TC – Borac Banja Luka

Referee: Nicholas Walsh SCO

Assistant Referee 1: Graeme Stewart SCO

Assistant Referee 2: Calum Spence SCO

Fourth Official: Christopher Graham SCO

VAR: Kevin Clancy SCO

AVAR: Alain Muir SCO

Referee Observer: Alberto Undiano Mallenco ESP

FC Lugano – Beşiktaş JK

Referee: Morten Krogh DEN

Assistant Referee 1: Dennis Rasmussen DEN

Assistant Referee 2: Steffen Bramsen DEN

Fourth Official: Mikkel Redder DEN

VAR: Rob Dieperink NED

AVAR: Erwin Blank NED

Referee Observer: Leslie Irvine NIR

Dinamo Minsk – RSC Anderlecht

Referee: Rohit Saggi NOR

Assistant Referee 1: Morten Jensen NOR

Assistant Referee 2: Anders Dale NOR

Fourth Official: Sigurd Kringstad NOR

VAR: Maurizio Mariani ITA

AVAR: Rosario Abisso ITA

Referee Observer: Konrad Plautz AUT

Jagiellonia Białystok – AFC Ajax

Referee: Rade Obrenovič SVN

Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik SVN

Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordež SVN

Fourth Official: Martin Matoša SVN

VAR: Matej Jug SVN

AVAR: Dragoslav Perič SVN

Referee Observer: Matteo Trefoloni ITA

SC Braga – SK Rapid

Referee: Mykola Balakin UKR

Assistant Referee 1: Oleksandr Berkut UKR

Assistant Referee 2: Dmytro Zaporozhenko UKR

Fourth Official: Denys Shurman UKR

VAR: Dennis Higler NED

AVAR: Edwin Van De Graaf NED

Referee Observer: Darko Čeferin SVN

↧

↧

Finalissima U-20 (UEFA-CONMEBOL) 2024

24 August 2024

Flamengo – Olympiacos

Referee: Yender Herrera VEN (photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Alberto Ponte VEN

Assistant Referee 2: Migdalia Rodriguez VEN

Fourth Official: Bryan Loayza ECU

VAR: Carlos Orbe ECU

AVAR: Monica Amboya ECU

Referee Assessor: Sabrina Lois ARG

VAR Supervisor: Angel Sanchez ARG

↧

Roldan sent off Boca player after 9 seconds in Copa Sudamericana

Boca Juniors defender Luis Advincula was sent off after only nine seconds in his team’s Copa Sudamericana knock-out match against Brazil’s Cruzeiro on Thursday. Cruzeiro advanced to the quarter-finals of the tournament after a 5-4 win in a penalty shootout.

The 34-year-old Peruvian right-back received the red card from veteran referee Wilmar Roldan after stepping with his right foot on the ankle of Cruzeiro’s Lucas Romero, who screamed in pain, but managed to continue playing. Advincula left the Mineirao Stadium in tears as his teammates tried to comfort him. Cruzeiro won the match 2-1, which forced the penalty shootout after Boca’s 1-0 win in the first leg. The Brazilian club will take on Paraguay’s Libertad in the next round of the tournament.

Source: AP

↧

Concacaf Leagues Cup Final 2024: Nation (JAM)

25 August 2024

Final

Columbus Crew – Los Angeles FC

Referee: Oshane Nation (JAM, photo)

Assistant Referee 1: Caleb Wales (TRI)

Assistant Referee 2: Ojay Duhaney (JAM)

Fourth Official: Cesar Ramos (MEX)

Reserve AR: Nick Uranga (USA)

VAR: Edvin Jurisevic (USA)

AVAR: Allen Chapman (USA)

Match for Third Place

Philadelphia Union – Colorado Rapids

Referee: Fernando Guerrero (MEX)

Assistant Referee 1: Michel Espinoza (MEX)

Assistant Referee 2: Leonardo Castillo (MEX)

Fourth Official: Victor Caceres (MEX)

Reserve AR: Jorge Sanchez (MEX)

VAR: Erick Miranda (MEX)

AVAR: Oscar Mejia (MEX)

↧

Soares Dias: “I had planned my retirement differently, but some events changed the way it was announced”

Artur Soares Dias hangs his whistle after more than 500 games in Portugal. More than 700 in total, if we add his international matches. At 45 years old, the referee from Porto leaves the field, but not football. In the first interview since the announcement, Artur Soares Dias went with A Bola to the former Portucel factory, in Viana do Castelo, where he worked until 2012, when he decided to stop being Director of Human Resources to become a professional football referee. An exclusive journey through a career full of tremendous challenges, but one that fills with pride the son of Manuel Soares Dias, also a former referee.

- Why did you choose to speak for the first time about the end of your referee career here at former Portucel, in Viana do Castelo?

- We are normal people, we have families, we have children, we are parents and so it is always good to show what is beyond that person that everyone sees on the field. And so I think it's good to show us in this reality. I was very happy here. It was here that I spent many of my youth years after college. I took over the management of Human Resources when I was only 24 years, with 310 employees and a budget of 11.4 million euros to manage. It was one of my biggest challenges, being able to lead a company of such a large size.

- As a Human Resources director, you had to negotiate, hire people and fire others. Among these collaborators some have certainly called you a lot of things, but not the bad words that football has made you known. No one called you corrupted here...

- It is true. One of the least rewarding areas of Human Resources is having to fire people. I was very resilient because I argued that dismissal should be the last measure to happen. They surely didn’t call me corrupt, unlike what happened on these football fields. But they may have called me something else, but I didn't know, did I? In the final part of my career, there was always a great respect for my experience, an understanding of the mistakes I made - and I made many of them, unfortunately - but they knew that they were human, and because they were human were acceptable. It was always very gratifying.

- But you dealt with frequent insults...

- I confess that we, when we are on the field, because of concentration, of the focus on what is the most important, which is to make good decisions, we are far aside from what everyone else perceives. Another thing is the insult on the streets, the gratuitous insult, the cheap insult. This is more difficult to digest, because we all have the right to our privacy, respect, and they were the most difficult times. Although, the result of what my career was, recognition, in particular in recent years, was easier. There were more selfies, words of encouragement, not to give up and continue. In the recent past, there was more and more of this, because some people began to realize that the end was near.

- I was at this former Portucel when, in 2010, you became an international referee and two years later you decided to be a full-time professional referee. How did you make the decision to abandon this life for the love of refereeing?

- I had two moments in my life that were the hardest to make decisions. One, surely, was in 2012, when, after a trip I made between Viana do Castelo and Porto, I heard a song from Antonio Variacoes that we all know – “Mude of life if you do not live satisfied...” [singing] I started working at 8:30 and could only leave from here a few times at eight o’clock at night, I arrived home very tired, still trained and the day after I was here again. I came home many times exhausted and found myself thinking that was not life. I had a huge passion for refereeing and the pressure I felt on the field. Oh, I love it. Resilience is one of the names that accompanies me. I believe that passion is essential to success. At that moment, I decided to go after my passion and I thought I would make it. I was going to make it to the Olympic Games, where no Portuguese referee had gone before. When I decided to be a professional referee, I decided to train, prepare, dedicate, strive to get there. It was not easy. I already had children and when I left the business world for some “biting”, as they said, it was not easy. We are not valued, we are not treated well... My father often said: “Boy, no one can serve two masters well.” I had a very big gentleman who is this [former Portucel] and another even bigger master who was football. I decided on the passion to manage 22 players, and my perspective was to conquer the world. It was to go out there to show that Portugal has top referees and has quality to show. The refereeing in Portugal is good.

- But from 2012 until today we continue to question the quality of refereeing...

- I believe there is background work to be done, there are mentalities to be changed and new perspectives to be given. There is new blood to enter, and I believe that there is a lot of work to be done in this matter because I think the value is here and we will be able to easily reach that level, if we can show the value that exists. It is a hard way, it will be a difficult path, but with everyone involved, including the leaders who are equally very mistreated, we will succeed. If it were not for the vision of these leaders to make good investments in certain referees and to develop the infrastructure this would be worse. I think there's little recognition.

- Not all football problems start and end with refereeing?

- That’s for sure, but it’s hard to have that perception, it’s true. If we all sit at a table, reflect... football is an industry, it is a business that gives something to all of us, if it is valued in the same way. It's time that we all think together.

- If the referees speak more often, would that help?

- I often say that communication is essential. Let’s go to what’s more basic: if we don’t talk to our children in a right way, if we don’t interact with them and if we don’t explain them the world, most likely they’re not. We have to communicate all. We must not be afraid to say, “I have erred, now help me not to err anymore.” We will create conditions that facilitate their work. Let's build it, it's easy. Let's share ideas.

- There were games where you wished to be the Human Resources director who called the players to speak openly as you couldn’t do as a referee?

- One of the most valued issues in refereeing is the body language, it is communication without verbalizing, but it is very difficult, because we will not stop the game because the fans want to see the game going on. But I loved it. The worst feeling I had in my life as a referee was to get home and realize that I was wrong, that I hurt someone, and then not being able to have the opportunity to change it. I had the habit of going to see what went well and what went wrong in the game. Let me send a word to the younger ones: help us to be better. Since I made this decision, I have received hundreds of messages, many of them from young people asking for videos to motivate them, something that has made me astonished. To think that I'm an idol for some people... I thought about it. There is a big shortage of referees. There are games that go not played due to lack of referees and we all have to help those 17- and 18-year-olds who want to start. We have to motivate them, so a word of appreciation to these young people who are resilient to be able to build the Soares Dias of the future. I wish you have an easiest life than I had. I remember when I was appointed to a derby I thought before whether I would survive or if it was going to be the end of my career. We know that our success or failure is at a second, a penalty, a red card. Fortunately, I managed to survive 20 years and many derbies and classics. Now with VAR you don't die in a second anymore, because we have someone who helps us make, and review, the best decision.

- Did you decide to be a referee because you were the son of the former referee Manuel Soares Dias?

- No. My father contradicted my wishes, because he knew well how difficult it was to be a football referee, and during his time it was worse. At this moment, it is much easier because there was a huge evolution in refereeing, at all levels; the result of the work of all people who were involved in refereeing, but at the time of my father it was very difficult and therefore he never encouraged me.

- How did the refereeing bug get into you?

- Look, I was a kid. I was 15 years old when I went with my father to a game in the old Estádio da Luz, full, and I remember perfectly entering those very narrow tunnels and having noticed the emotions, feeling the enormous pressure that was in that place. I found it cute, as a result of my young age, not knowing what I was going to get into.

- How did you say to Manuel that you were going to be a referee too?

- I’m a father and I know that parents want better for their children. We try to refer them to what we think is the best way for them, but we all have the right to experience anything, good and bad. He tried to discourage me but could not convince me and then became my greatest support and it was with him that I managed to get here.

- He died early in 2009 and did not have a real sense of the level his son reached...

- This is one of my greatest heartbreaks... I often joked with him and told him, “Father, I’m going to pass you in two years”. He replied, “You are judging now”. I have always defended the name Soares Dias. It’s one of the things I like most, it’s the respect I have in it, it’s what I consider most. It is a constant struggle to dignify it.

- You have a son and a daughter whom you have always protected from everything that was said?

- I tried to protect them to the fullest. Some stories are very difficult. My son came home and said, as he told me a few times, fortunately very few, that a classmate at the school told him that his father was a thief... hearing this from an eight- or nine-year-old. This comes from the lack of education, the lack of principles and values that is given at their home. Unfortunately, this happens, but I tried to protect my children. The only thing I taught them was: “When someone says a comment about your father, just say that your father is the best at what he does. Then ask them if their father is as good as yours. If their father is as good as yours, he'll be a very respected person, because your father is very good at what he does”.

- At some point you thought of quitting?

- Lots of times I found myself many nights wondering “what am I doing here?”

- Did anyone try to bribe you?

- Not really. Perhaps there have been attempts, but they have not been materialized. When we're talking about bribes, we're talking about giving a tracksuit when I started and was only a kid. But if we cut right away with these little things, like a workout pass or a lunch, people soon would know that you’re not going to do it.

- So that idea that they are all corrupt, they are all sold, is it pure invention?

- I believe so. In my case, it is pure invention. In society there are serious and less serious people. I'm not saying that others do or don't. I speak for myself and will always defend myself. I also believe that my colleagues in the first category do not have anything to do with this. I believe in their seriousness. I believe they are examples to follow for society, just like me.

- In 2017 you lived perhaps the worst moment of your career, at Maia’s training center. Were you threatened by a cheerleader?

- I'm glad you mentioned this. At Maia there were two 20-year-old kids who spent their time on the street and when they saw me, before the game Pacos de Ferreira-FC Porto, they said: “If you don’t behave well tomorrow, we’ll take care of your health.” I have received messages like these dozens of times. Even recently I got messages during the night threatening me. This is the life of a referee. However, that was only one in a thousand contacts. What is certain is that a story has been created around it, intentionally, in the sense of manipulating society, manipulating the masses. The facts occurred but were presented in the media on a larger scale. But do me a favor: mediatize all others, because there are many more. Create conditions so they do to happen. This is essentially because of education of the fans, creating conditions for families to go to the stadiums, children to go to stadiums with their parents, which happens less and less. I always say that when there is a problem, there is a cause.

- You have refereed three Euro 2024 matches. Why didn't you announce the end of your career when you returned from Germany?

- When Roberto Rosetti, the head of UEFA refereeing, said goodbye to me, I told him that I had finished my career. This decision was communicated to him and to all other leaders of Portuguese refereeing. I had planned to finish my career at 45 and that’s what I did.

- But why did we only find out about it on the eve of the Saudi Super Cup?

- There are circumstances of our lives that we do not control. I had planned it differently, thinking that the end of my career would be communicated in a structured, planned way. This structure, this plan, existed and exists, but we have had some events in-between that I think were not well managed. They made the news come out in a way that is not compatible with a career like mine, but life is like that. There are unforeseen events, and we just need the ability to relativize them and keep moving forward.

- After all this you refereed the Saudi Super Cup.

- I was very well received by Jorge Jesus, Luís Castro and Ronaldo, Ruben Neves, Otavio. It was fantastic.

- Why did you end your career with the Saudi Super Cup and not the Portuguese Super Cup?

- The president of the committee makes the appointments, and he considered that it was good for another colleague to be appointed. I think they should bet on the future of Portuguese refereeing.

- Is it without a heartache?

- None with anyone, even those who have hurt me. I thank them too, because they were the gasoline for my career.

- You are seen as the successor of Pedro Proença. When he leaves the League and heads to other roles, and it is said that the Portuguese Football Federation may be next for him, can you succeed him in the League?

- Fortunately, I can be anything, but it’s not anything I’m going to be. I will continue in sport, certainly, and in football in particular. I have a profile and knowledge that allows me to be in several roles and I have already been challenged to various possibilities. I have given a lot to refereeing, but the refereeing cycle has come to an end. I am sure I can bring value to football in some way.

- I see you as someone ready to work in football, but not just refereeing. Is that it?

- I have the same vision, but I think it’s still premature to close any door. I am not available for anything, but I am available to serve football. That will be the way.

- Is there still much to do in football?

- There is, definitely; new blood is needed in the organizations, and I feel like I have that blood. And I believe I can be an asset.

- Are there any doors open outside?

- The doors are open. But I'm still living the end of my referee career. It's still bubbling. The path will be found with clairvoyance. Now I need to relax. After so many weekends living football, I need to pay attention to my children.

- So, you won’t watch a lot of football, nor the matches of your colleagues?

- I need to rest from refereeing at this time.

- Refereeing gave you more friends or more enemies?

- My career was much better than I thought. Going to two European Championships, a World Cup, Olympic Games... Last year I was elected among the 25 best referees in the world. I never imagined this in my life, it was fantastic. I owe a lot to refereeing, it made me know the world. I'm grateful. I appreciate it.

- Which player did you like the most? Was there any?

- There were several. I can talk about one. Or two of them. Or better three. Pepe, who is a great person. There's that whole show on the field. Outside the field, he shows good education, fantastic attention, respect... I value this a lot. Renato Sanches: in a game in Russia, without asking him anything, knocking on the door and handing me a shirt of his team. Because I was Portuguese, and he liked my refereeing. Incredible! These things mark me. Bernardo Silva, for the same reasons. Incredible values. Even on the field, distinct from others. But there are more... these principles must be valued.

- The best leader?

- We have several. Those who are able to acknowledge their mistake, which has happened several times. As the result of the emotion, they feel ended up spilling over what was normal and some had the competence and principles of recognizing the error and apologizing. The leaders in Portugal should be more valued, for what they give to football. All are determined and I thank them for having put me on and even when I made mistakes, they always had the right way to tell me about them.

- The most difficult coach on the bench?

- Some go extra miles, more than others, but as I like the positive characters, I remember Jorge Jesus, who was kind enough to give me a shirt and applaud my refereeing. This is what I value and thank for.

- As a 45-year-old who ended your career as international referee, what do you ask for?

- I have everything. I'm not missing anything.

- What about the controversial video in the Povoas pool, in which you are seen by the pool, close to Pinto da Costa, former president of FC Porto?

- I landed in Saudi Arabia, and I was surprised by a video, which I didn’t even know that existed, and with the communication of the end of my career. It was all precipitated in the wrong way and it doesn’t make sense what happened. I have a right as a person - and I cannot dissociate, because I must have respect, education and principles - to be with friends. And I was invited to go to a party of a friend, Dr. Fernando Povoas, to go to his house with the family to see the animals. It was the first time I went there. And I was surprised by the presence of other people, among them Pinto da Costa”, he explains.

- If it were today, would you go again?

- I would perhaps think about going or not going, to protect myself, because it is certain that we are talking about a former referee and a former president who met at a private event. If I knew he was there, I wouldn't go. We have to protect ourselves a lot because society doesn't see this with good eyes. I never depended on club officials, so it was not now that I would need it. Not because he is Pinto da Costa, but because he is a leader or former leader of a club.

- Tiago Martins came up with the idea that “there are unjust cards to show.” You showed many cards throughout your career and one of them was showed to Jurgen Klopp in a Europa League match between Liverpool and Sparta Prague.

- He’s a football lord and, after showing him the card, he apologized to me for the attitude and told me that I was absolutely right. The ability to recognize error is not for everyone.

- In the final of the UEFA Conference League and in your last game, the Saudi Super Cup, you had Tiago Martins as VAR.

- Tiago Martins was one of the people, among others, very important in my career. I remember that in 2018, when FIFA asked me if there was any Portuguese to act as VAR, I indicated Tiago. Fortunately, I was right, because he has demonstrated his competence.

Source: A Bola

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