RateTheRef

Last night I watched PSV v Athletico - not an easy game on paper and at times had some flashpoints.

I am not an Oliver fan, but I have to say he was excellent.  He has really grown as a referee and could be in line for a big final of some kind this year.

Quote from: TheThingFromLewes on Mon 03 Nov 2025 17:38

Quote from: rustyref on Mon 03 Nov 2025 17:25

It isn't ideal, certainly not best practice, but I do think the player exaggerated the push and almost jumped backwards, he was just trying to separate the players to avoid a flashpoint.  I can remember Collina doing this much more aggressively in the past, have it in my head it was Tomas Repka he was pushing.

Indeed you are correct…

Collina was world class and his reputation on the field was fearsome but fair.

https://youtu.be/x0azCQKuab0?si=yLUkalA8fOk_p-yv

I think Collina’s reputation really proceeded him in many cases to great benefit for his ability to control a game. I think he had developed such a character and personality that he could get away with these things.

I’m tempted to say, I knew Pierluigi Collina. Pierluigi Collina was a friend of mine. Danny Makkelie, you're no Pierluigi Collina.

I’ll get my coat.

The Collina clip was freom Euro 2000 so 25 years ago, times have changed and I would hope that Collina would have not got away with it now.

Given the insights from the above article, the PGMOL should refrain from giving a referee a VAR appointment when they have a "live" match over the same weekend.  It would not be good for their long term wellbeing.

They are paid around £180,000 and there is not capacity for referees not to double up these appointments

It will not be either Turpin or an English referee as the ones retained are:

AFC
Referee: Alireza Faghani AUS (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Anton Shchetinin AUS
Assistant Referee 2: Ashley Beecham AUS

CAF
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal ALG
Assistant Referee 1: Mokrane Gourari ALG
Assistant Referee 2: Abbes Zerhouni ALG

CONCACAF
Referee: Ivan Barton SLV
Assistant Referee 1: David Moran SLV
Assistant Referee 2: Henri Pupiro NCA

CONMEBOL
Referee: Facundo Tello ARG
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Belatti ARG
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Chade ARG

Referee: Ramon Abatti BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Danilo Manis BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Alves BRA

UEFA
Referee: François Letexier FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA

Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL

I always pay attention to what Martin Samuel writes though I am not always in agreement with him. In his piece today he is comparing what constitutes violent play and merits a red card. In particular he focusses on decisions made by Stuart Attwell whom, in passing, he refers to as "the Premier League's worst official".  A somewhat harsh judgement I would say. I don't think Attwell is anywhere near the best but neither would I single him out as the worst.

Samuel is an odd columnist, he also had a section in the main paper, which I often thought lacked the quality and insight of other journalists.  I remember he wrote a whole article on why Brighton could not host a game on Boxing Day, which went nowhere.  He is also prone to poor judgments, such as who is a good or bad referee. Writing this about Attwell is misguided, especially as he has just been given the FA cup final.

Final appointment

Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia-Herzegovina)

Assistants: Senad Ibrišimbegović and Davor Beljo (both Bosnia-Herzegovina)

4th Official: Halil Umut Meler (Türkiye)

Reserve AR: Kerem Ersoy (Türkiye)

VAR: Jérôme Brisard (France)

Assistant VAR: Willy Delajod (France)

VAR Support: Marco di Bello (Italy)

31 May 2025, 21:00 CET - Munich, GER (Allianz Arena)
Paris Saint Germain FC (FRA) - FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)

Referee: István Kovács ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marius Marica ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Ferencz Tunyogi ROU
Fourth Official: João Pedro da Silva Pinheiro POR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Bruno Miguel Alves Jesus POR
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Sorin Popa ROU
Video Assistant Referee Support: Paulus van Boekel NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Björn Kuipers NED
UEFA Delegate: Nils Fisketjonn NOR

Quote from: Whistleblower on Mon 28 Apr 2025 15:46

Clement Turpin does seem to be "Mr Dependable" these days; a reputation justly earned. Any referee who pushes long sleeves up their arm will get my vote; I did exactly the same.

Personally I think he’s the world number 1 referee , he never gets flustered rarely makes a mistake , communicates with players in a calm authoritive manner

I think the only timer I've seen him struggle was Germany v Scotland, which probably cost him the final of Euro 24