RateTheRef

I don't care about the rest of the names on the list, the one name I wanted to see there is there, so I am a very happy and proud bmb right now.  Congratulations István.

Pleased both Taylor and Oliver are going. I thought it may be a close call with Oliver but his recent UEFA appointments have indicated he's in favour.

Interestingly no English VARs (Attwell or Kavanagh), but perhaps not a complete surprise due to a few high profile blunders over this European season and the generally questionable use of VAR in this country to date..

Pleased both Taylor and Oliver are going. I thought it may be a close call with Oliver but his recent UEFA appointments have indicated he's in favour.

Interestingly no English VARs (Attwell or Kavanagh), but perhaps not a complete surprise due to a few high profile blunders over this European season and the generally questionable use of VAR in this country to date..

Kavanagh wasn’t on the training for the World Cup for VAR and Attwell has had a number of questionable performances in UEFA competitions. Kavanagh hasn’t had the best season performance wise on VAR in the premier league either.

Pleased to see both English refs involved.

I guess some refs/ARs with do VAR/AVAR too?

Those who know the pairings better, which refs have no ARs or 1 AR? As 36 x 2 would be 72 not 69

 I doubt referees would do VAR as well, Danny Makkelie might as he does have previous experience having done it in 2018

Glad to see Istan Kovacs and the female officials there as well. Counting frappart I make that 11 referees from Europe? I thought it was 10 they got

I won't comment on the other confederations but at least this time meritocracy exists on the UEFA selection.

Both Taylor and Oliver deserved the call based on their performances the last 18 months. And I am pleased to see that 2 English referees are possible on a WC.

Makkelie, Orsato, Turpin and Vincic were totally expected. Marciniak lost Euro due to health issues but he has made quite a comeback. So his selection is justified.

Well Frappart being there is not a surprise. Both Ceferin and Rosetti have a special interest in her. Perhaps she is there as reserve?

Kovacs is present for 2 reasons: A reward for his performances but also due to Hategan's health issues.

Lahoz is not a surprise. A referee with CL final, previous Euro, WC should be there. Meritocracy wins.

Finally Siebert. He wouldn't have been my choice. But he comes from Germany so he must be there. Zwayer/Aytekin were simply not good enough for Qatar.

Kovacs is present for 2 reasons: A reward for his performances but also due to Hategan's health issues.

I disagree - he is there for one reason and one reason only - his performances. He was already ahead of Ovi with the likes of Roberto Rossetti, Alex Deaconu and Kyros Vassaras prior to Ovi's heart attack. Compare their performances this season - Ovi has been a steady referee, reliable, a safe pair of hands and performed at expected level but nothing exceptional, István on the other hand has, in all bar one game, which was a poor showing, been consistently above expected level - masterclass. It's quite similar to the Atkinson v Clattenburg debates of old, Atkinson was the steady reliable safe pair of hands & Clatts the one who put in exceptional performances. Both excellent referees for different reasons, it's the same with Ovi & István. Rossetti backs István in the same way Collina backed Clatts.

So good to have 2 english referees after having none at the last world cup.