Europa League - Round of 16 - Referee Appointments (II)

UEFA has appointed the following referee teams to take charge of Thursday's return legs of Europa League Round of 16. Greek Tasos Sidiropoulos will control Valencia CF - Ludogorets observed by UEFA Referee Committee member Vlado Šajn - no surprise given the circumstance that he caught our and probably also UEFA's attention by a very good development in his past matches. Same counts for Polish Szymon Marciniak. The Sevilla derby will be handled by Portuguese Pedro Proença, the Italian duel by Howard Webb. And, last but not least, the next mixed team has unfolded: Damir Skomina will be assisted by Italian Gianluca Cariolato.

20 March 2014, 18:00 CET
Saturn, Ramenskoye, Russia
Anji - AZ Alkmaar
Referee: Craig Thomson (SCO)
Assistant Referee 1: Alan Mulvanny (SCO)
Assistant Referee 2: Damien Macgraith (IRL)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Steven McLean (SCO)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Clancy (SCO)
Fourth Official: David McGeachie (SCO)
UEFA Referee Observer: Siegfried Kirschen (GER)
UEFA Delegate: Andreas Akkelides (CYP)
Blog Referee Observer: Stjepan Novosel (CRO)

20 March 2014, 19:00 CET
Estadi de Mestalla, Valencia, Spain
Valencia CF - Ludogorets
Referee: Tasos Sidiropoulos (GRE)
Assistant Referee 1: Christos Akrivos (GRE)
Assistant Referee 2: Damianos Efthimiadis (GRE)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Ilias Spathas (GRE)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Stavros Tritsonis (GRE)
Fourth Official: Dimitrios Gagas (GRE)
UEFA Referee Observer: Vlado Šajn (SVN)
UEFA Delegate: Jevgenijs Milevskis (LVA)
Blog Referee Observer: Niclas (GER)

20 March 2014, 19:00 CET
Štruncovy Sady Stadión, Plzen, Czech Rep.
Viktoria Plzen - Olympique Lyon
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Paweł Sokolnicki (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Pawel Raczkowski (POL)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Tomasz Musiał (POL)
Fourth Official: Radosław Siejka (POL)
UEFA Referee Observer: Jozef Marko (SVK)
UEFA Delegate: Oleg Harlamov (EST)
Blog Referee Observer: Edward (GRE)

20 March 2014, 19:00 CET
Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
SL Benfica - Tottenham
Referee: Damir Skomina (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Bojan Ul (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Gianluca Cariolato (ITA)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Slavko Vinčić (SVN)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Ponis (SVN)
Fourth Official: Jure Praprotnik (SVN)
UEFA Referee Observer: Juan Fernández Marín (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Dumitru Mihalache (ROU)
Blog Referee Observer: Niclas (GER)

20 March 2014, 19:00 CET
Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italy
ACF Fiorentina - Juventus Turin
Referee: Howard Webb (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Mullarkey (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Darren Cann (ENG)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Andre Marriner (ENG)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Lee Mason (ENG)
Fourth Official: Jake Collin (ENG)
UEFA Referee Observer: Oguz Sarvan (TUR)
UEFA Delegate: Steen Dahrup (DEN)
Blog Referee Observer: Glitzo (AUT)

20 March 2014, 21:05 CET
Benito Villamarín, Sevilla, Spain
Real Betis - Sevilla CF
Referee: Pedro Proença (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Bertino Miranda (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Tiago Trigo (POR)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Duarte Gomes (POR)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: João Capela (POR)
Fourth Official: Paulo Alexandre Santos (POR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Nikolay Levnikov (RUS)
UEFA Delegate: Zoran Cvrk (CRO)
Blog Referee Observer: Chefren (ITA)

20 March 2014, 21:05 CET
Stadion Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
RB Salzburg - FC Basel
Referee: Manuel Gräfe (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Mike Pickel (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Guido Kleve (GER)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Marco Fritz (GER)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Robert Hartmann (GER)
Fourth Official: Marco Achmüller (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Alfredo Trentalange (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: David Roger Griffiths (WAL)
Blog Referee Observer: Marcel (NED)

20 March 2014, 21:05 CET
Stadio San Paolo, Napoli, Italy
SSC Napoli - FC Porto
Referee: Martin Atkinson (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Stephen Child (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Darren England (ENG)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Anthony Taylor (ENG)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Craig Pawson (ENG)
Fourth Official: Stuart Burt (ENG)
UEFA Referee Observer: Jean Lemmer (LUX)
UEFA Delegate: Markus Stenger (GER)
Blog Referee Observer: Emil Archambault (CAN)

10 Funny Yearbook Quotes

Get ready to laugh hard. These are some of the funniest senior yearbook quotes that you have read in a long time. They are written by graduating seniors as they pass their final year in school.

 10 Funny Yearbook Quotes

Next Page: Funny good morning quotes

Champions League - Round of 16 - Referee Appointments (VIII)

UEFA has appointed Björn Kuipers and Alberto Undiano to take charge of the enclosing two return legs of this season's Champions League Round of 16. The Dutchman, who was recently elected as The Third Team's Referee of the Year 2013, will take charge of the important duel at Old Trafford where Manchester United will have to catch up a 2:0-defeat conceded in the first leg, while Alberto Undiano will control the probably decided encounter between last season's finalists Borussia Dortmund and Zenit St. Petersburg, before handling El Clásico in La Liga next weekend.

19 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Manchester United - Olympiakos [0:2]
Referee: Björn Kuipers (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Angelo Boonman (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Erwin E.J. Zeinstra (NED)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Pol van Boekel (NED)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Richard Liesveld (NED)
Fourth Official: Charles Schaap (NED)
UEFA Referee Observer: Francesco Bianchi (SUI)
UEFA Delegate: Michael Kirchner (GER)
Blog Referee Observer: Niclas (GER)

19 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany
Borussia Dortmund - Zenit St. Petersburg [4:2]
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Díaz Pérez Del Palomar (ESP)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Clos Gómez (ESP)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes (ESP)
Fourth Official: Juan Carlos Yuste Jiménez (ESP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Stephen Graham Bennett (ENG)
UEFA Delegate: Christian Kofoed (DEN)
Blog Referee Observer: Nur H. (ENG)

Champions League - Round of 16 - Referee Appointments (VII)

Interesting appointments for Russian Sergei Karasev and German Felix Brych: They have been assigned for respectively very important matches in UEFA Champions League: While for the Russian the decided duel between Real Madrid and Schalke 04 means another step towards a promotion to the Elite Group, Brych has got the chance to convince the committee and Roberto Rosetti at Stamford Bridge that he is a candidate for one of this season's finals besides Jonas Eriksson and Björn Kuipers.

18 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid (ESP)
Real Madrid - Schalke 04 [6:1]
Referee: Sergei Karasev (RUS)
Assistant Referee 1: Nikolay Golubev (RUS)
Assistant Referee 2: Anton Averianov (RUS)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Maksim Layushkin (RUS)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Vitaly Meshkov (RUS)
Fourth Official: Dmitry Mosyakin (RUS)
UEFA Referee Observer: Vítor Melo Pereira (POR)
UEFA Delegate: Dennis Cruise (IRL)
Blog Referee Observer: Edward (GRE)

18 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Stamford Bridge, London (ENG)
Chelsea FC - Galatasaray Istanbul [1:1]
Referee: Felix Brych (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Mark Borsch (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan Lupp (GER)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Tobias Welz (GER)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Fourth Official: Christoph Bornhorst (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Roberto Rosetti (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Michele Uva (ITA)
Blog Referee Observer: Thomas H. (NED)

Europa League - Round of 16 - Referee Appointments (I)

Dutch Elite referee Björn Kuipers from the Netherlands has been appointed by UEFA to handle the full Italian clash between Juventus and ACF Fiorentina, to be played in Turin. 

Björn Kuipers, in charge of  the Italian derby Juventus-Fiorentina

19:00 CET, Natsionalen Stadion Vasil Levski, Sofia (BUL)
Ludogorets - Valencia CF
Referee: Clément Turpin (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Gringore (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Nicolas Danos (FRA)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Tony Chapron (FRA)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Nicolas Rainville (FRA)
Fourth Official: Cyril Saint-Cricq Lompre (FRA)
Referee Observer: Hans Reijgwart (NED)
UEFA Delegate: Velid Imamović (BIH)
Blog Referee Observer: Edward (GRE)

19:00 CET, Estádio do Dragão, Porto (POR)
FC Porto - SSC Napoli
Referee: Pavel Královec (CZE)
Assistant Referee 1: Roman Slyško (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Martin Wilczek (CZE)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Radek Příhoda (CZE)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Michal Paták (CZE)
Fourth Official: Antonin Kordula (CZE)
Referee Observer: Zoran Petrović (SRB)
UEFA Delegate: Eduard Dervishaj (ESP)
Blog Referee Observer: Glitzo (AUT)

19:00 CET, St. Jakob-Park, Basel (SUI)
FC Basel - FC Salzburg
Referee: Ovidiu Haţegan (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Octavian Sovre (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Sebastian Eugen Gheorghe (ROU)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Alexandru Tudor (ROU)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Sebastian Coltescu (ROU)
Fourth Official: Radu Ghinguleac (ROU)
Referee Observer: Bertrand Layec (FRA)
UEFA Delegate: Rainer Koch (GER)
Blog Referee Observer: Thomas H. (NED)

21:05 CET, Juventus Stadium, Turin (ITA)
Juventus Turin - ACF Fiorentina
Referee: Björn Kuipers (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Angelo Boonman (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Erwin E.J. Zeinstra (NED)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Pol van Boekel (NED)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Richard Liesveld (NED)
Fourth Official: Hessel Steegstra (NED)
Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras (GRE)
UEFA Delegate: Adrian Ixari (MDA)
Blog Referee Observer: Chefren (ITA) 

21:05 CET, AZ Stadion, Alkmaar (NED)
AZ Alkmaar - Anji
Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Renato Faverani (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Stefani (ITA)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Paolo Mazzoleni (ITA)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Antonio Damato (ITA)
Fourth Official: Alessandro Giallatini (ITA)
Referee Observer: Charles Agius (MLT)
UEFA Delegate: Mehmet Süheyl Onen (TUR)
Blog Referee Observer: João M.M.S. (POR)

21:05 CET, Stade de Gerland, Lyon (FRA)
Olympique Lyon - Viktoria Plzen
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Pau Cebrian Devis (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Javier Rodriguez (ESP)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Clos Gómez (ESP)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Alejandro Hernández Hernández (ESP)
Fourth Official: Roberto Díaz Pérez del Palomar (ESP)
Referee Observer: Jørn West Larsen (DEN)
UEFA Delegate: Benny Jacobsen (DEN)
Blog Referee Observer: Marcel (NED)

21:05 CET, Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla (ESP)
Sevilla CF - Real Betis
Referee: Cüneyt Çakır (TUR)
Assistant Referee 1: Bahattin Duran (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Tarik Ongun (TUR)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Hüseyin Göçek (TUR)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Barış Şimşek (TUR)
Fourth Official: Orkun Aktaş (TUR)
Referee Observer: Sándor Piller (HUN)
UEFA Delegate: Jacob Erel (ISR)
Blog Referee Observer: Philipp S. (GER)

21:05 CET, White Hart Lane, London (ENG)
Tottenham - SL Benfica
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Mathias Klasenius (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Wärnmark (SWE)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Johannesson (SWE)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Markus Strömbergsson (SWE)
Fourth Official: Magnus Sjöblom (SWE)
Referee Observer: Pierluigi Collina (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Sándor Berzi (HUN)
Blog Referee Observer: Niclas (GER) 

Graduation quotes - Inspirational Funny

Here are some of the best graduation quotes that you will read. We have:
1. Inspirational quotes & 2. Funny quotes.

I have worked hard for this day and finally it has arrived. Today I am closer to my success than I have ever been. I am sure that I will succeed.

Graduation quotes

Every single project that I have completed and every exam that I wrote has made me a smarter person. Finally it is time to celebrate the results of all that hard work.
~ Ashley Kilt

A lot of students are looking at the
graduation day as the end of everything good. But I am determined to see this as  a new beginning to a new life of freedom and happiness.
~ Ferrari Mace

Graduation Quotes

You could look at this day as a way to get a new job or you could think big and create your own world and employ others for jobs.
~ Jefferey Wild

The first thing you need to do after graduation is make a list of the things that you really want as your career or in your business. Then check the things that you need to make it happen.
~ Anton Pfizer

Don't ever get discouraged and keep being your best in every thing that you do. As you plant your seeds of efforts you will find that all good things happen steadily.
~ Michael Pond

Do all things with excellence and enthusiasm. It is not just a one deal in life... not even something that happens once in a blue moon. Excellence is a habit which can make you very successful.
~ Tommy Bryce

Keep living the dream that you always dreamed but don't make the mistake of avoiding the little pleasures that come your way.
~ Monk Lloyd

Funny graduation quotes
Your family and close people are very happy and satisfied with you. This is the best time for you to go to them and ask for money ; )
~ Tony None

Always remember that you are in a world full of aggression and passion. If you are not fired up with passion you will be FIRED with passion.
~ Grace Wright

If life ever gets boring remember that nothing is worse than a lecture. It usually has a professor who talks non stop in someone else's sleep.
~ Melanie Voice

You will usually hear people using the word "Godspeed" during your convocation or graduation ceremony. What they are really trying to say is that you should get lost and will not be allowed at the current prices since fees have increased.
~ Althea Troy

Wonder where I would be without these 3 keys to graduate. We all ought to thank Google, Wikipedia and red bull for helping us reach this day.
~ Veronica Gates

More quotes
I will be missing all you friends and teachers. The next few days are not going to be the same and I will still be thinking about all the fun we had in school.
~ Melinda Dwight

Your may have graduated now but remember that education is a life long process and there is never enough known. That is because the world is still evolving.
~ Patrick Roads

Next Page: Top 10 hilarious school quotes

Together Everybody Achieves More

There has been a change of this blog's header somewhen in 2012 or 2013, when the quite exaggerated title "World of Football Refereeing" became "The Third Team". It should demonstrate that we are considering referees, (additional) assistant referees and the fourth official as the third team on the field of play besides both football teams. While outstanding players such as Zlatan Ibrahimović or Cristiano Ronaldo have often enough proven that they alone can make all the difference, refereeing is no ring for lone fighters and no stage for soloists. 
A perfect example of that happened in the German Bundesliga match between Frankfurt and Stuttgart, two clubs threatened with relegation, last week.

As you can see in the video, there was a duel in the white team's penalty area - both players involved fell to the ground. Referee Deniz Aytekin showed a small moment of hesitation but then pointed to the spot to award a penalty kick in favour of the red-dressed team. The replays are clearly showing that this had been an error of perception - it was the attacker who caused the contact and who thus fouled his opponent and not vice versa. For the referee, this situation was difficult to judge as he did not have the optimum viewing angle and insight into the contact. But obviously, the first assistant referee, 1989 born Benjamin Brand, had a good look at it and saw who was the real offender. Laudably this young assistant referee, who had already been in focus once in this blog, showed immense courage to take quite an unpopular - given the late stage of the match and importance of its outcome - and also an extremely brave decision: With some quick communication, he overruled Aytekin by advising him to award a direct free-kick in favour of the defensive team instead of a penalty kick. The assistant referee's courage is one positive facet of this match situation. But what you should take along, having watched this incident, is something else:

1. Work as a team.

2. Trust each other. Encourage your assistants to assume responsibility if they are sure. However, be careful: avoid the diffusion of responsibility à la "Now we see more"...

3. Develop a flat hierarchy in your team - the ease old times when "linesmen" had nothing to say are over! In a functioning team, even a 24 year-old assistant referee can correct a UEFA Elite referee-to-be.

4. Have the guts to overrule your teammate if you are sure, the match benefits from it! Be brave!

5. Have the guts to respect and trust your teammate, who has just told you that you had made a mistake or even overruled you visible for all players and fans! 

6. Have the guts to correct your decision!

7. Sell it in a natural and sincere way. Only if this is done, players and fans will accept you are a human who has just made a mistake. Honesty wins and makes you stronger in the end.

Or, in a nutshell:  

Together  
Everybody  
Achieves  
More

Champions League - Round of 16 - Referee Appointments (VI)

UEFA Referee's committee has appointed the  First Category referee Ivan Bebek to handle the clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayer Leverkusen. After having been appointed twice in the last weeks in Europa League round of 32, the Croatian official will be at his debut in the KO stage of UEFA Champions League. Furthermore, the French Elite official Stéphane Lannoy will  be the man in the middle at Camp Nou, having been assigned to the second leg of Barcelona - Manchester City clash.

Ivan Bebek, at his debut in the KO phase of UEFA Champions League (c) croatiaweek.com

12 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
FC Barcelona - Manchester City [2:0]
Referee: Stéphane Lannoy (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Frédéric Cano (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Michael Annonier (FRA)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Ruddy Buquet (FRA)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Fredy Fautrel (FRA)
Fourth Official: Laurent Stien (FRA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Luciano Luci (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Christian Schmölzer (AUT)
Blog Referee Observer: Emil Archambault (CAN)

12 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Parc des Princes, Paris, France
Paris Saint-Germain - Bayer Leverkusen [4:0]
Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomislav Petrović (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Miro Grgić (CRO)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Domagoj Vučkov (CRO)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Goran Gabrilo (CRO)
Fourth Official: Dalibor Conjar (CRO)
UEFA Referee Observer: Donald McVicar (SCO)
UEFA Delegate: David Findlay (SCO)
Blog Referee Observer: Chefren (ITA)

Champions League - Round of 16 - Referee Appointments (V)

UEFA Referee Committee's members responsible for referee appointments have assigned a Norwegian and an English officiating team to take charge of the first two return legs of Champions League's Round of 16: Svein Oddvar Moen will oversee the top clash between Bayern München and Arsenal FC at 2012 Champions League final's venue - for the Norwegian, it is the second time to handle this duel after last season's Round of 16 first leg in London -, whereas Mark Clattenburg will control the tense and important tie between Atlético Madrid and AC Milan.

11 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Allianz Arena, München, Germany
Bayern München - Arsenal FC [2:0]
Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen (NOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Kim Thomas Haglund (NOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Frank Andås (NOR)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Ken Henry Johnsen (NOR)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Svein-Erik Edvartsen (NOR)
Fourth Official: Leif Erik Opland (NOR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Jaap Uilenberg (NED)
UEFA Delegate: Balázs Makray (HUN)
Blog Referee Observer: Niclas (GER)
 
11 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Estadio Vicente Calderón, Madrid, Spain
Atlético Madrid - AC Milan [1:0]
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Simon Beck (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Stuart Burt (ENG)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Andre Marriner (ENG)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Lee Probert (ENG)
Fourth Official: Jake Collin (ENG)
UEFA Referee Observer: Sergey Zuev (RUS)
UEFA Delegate: Roland Tis (BEL)
Blog Referee Observer: Stjepan N. (CRO)

UEFA Youth League - Quarterfinals Appointments

These are the officials appointed by UEFA.

Quarterfinal, 11 March 2014, 18:00 CET
Stadium: Charlety, Paris (FRA)

Paris Saint-Germain FC - Real Madrid

Referee: Petr Ardeleanu  (CZE)

Assistant Referee 1: Tomáš Mokrusch  (CZE)

Assistant Referee 2: Radek Kotik  (CZE)

Fourth Official: Alexandre Perreau Niel  (FRA)

UEFA Referee Observer: Vladimir Medved  (SVK)

UEFA Delegate: Scott Struthers  (SCO)

Quarterfinal, 16 March 2014, 14:30 CET
Stadium: Chelsea Football Club Training Ground, Surrey (ENG)

Chelsea - Schalke 04

Referee: Arnold Hunter  (NIR)

Assistant Referee 1: Richard Storey  (NIR) 

Assistant Referee 2: James Eakin  (NIR)

Fourth Official: Charles Breakspear  (ENG)

UEFA Referee Observer: Robert Sedlacek  (AUT)

UEFA Delegate: Tugomir Frajman  (SVN)

Quarterfinal, 18 March 2014, 18:00 CET
Stadium: Mini Estadi, Barcelona (ESP)

Barcelona - Arsenal

Referee:  Alexander Harkam  (AUT)

Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Witschnigg  (AUT)

Assistant Referee 2: Christian-Petru Ciochirca  (AUT)

Fourth Official: David Medie Jimenez  (ESP)

UEFA Referee Observer: Luis Medina Cantalejo  (ESP)

UEFA Delegate: João Morais  (POR)

Quarterfinal, 18 March 2014, 20:00 CET
Stadium: Ewen Fields, Hyde (ENG)

Manchester City - SL Benfica

Referee:  Mete Kalkavan (TUR)

Assistant Referee 1: Ceyhun Sesigüzel (TUR)

Assistant Referee 2: Esat Sancaktar (TUR)

Fourth Official: David Coote (ENG)

UEFA Referee Observer: Jon Skjervold  (NOR)

UEFA Delegate: Georg Pangl  (AUT)

UEFA Observers and Delegates for CL Round of 16 Second Legs ready

These are the officials selected who will observe the referees and delegate the matches of Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg ties during the coming two weeks.

11 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Atlético Madrid - AC Milan
UEFA Referee Observer: Sergey Zuev (RUS)
UEFA Delegate: Eggert Magnusson (ISL)
Prediction: Stéphane Lannoy (FRA)

11 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Bayern München - Arsenal FC
UEFA Referee Observer: Jaap Uilenberg (NED)
UEFA Delegate: Balázs Makray (HUN)
Prediction: Cüneyt Çakır (TUR)

12 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Paris SG - Bayer Leverkusen
UEFA Referee Observer: Donald McVicar (SCO)
UEFA Delegate: David Findlay (SCO)
Prediction: Pavel Královec (CZE)

12 March 2014, 20:45 CET
FC Barcelona - Manchester City
UEFA Referee Observer: Luciano Luci (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Christian Schmölzer (AUT)
Prediction: Felix Brych (GER)

18 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Real Madrid - Schalke 04
UEFA Referee Observer: Vítor Melo Pereira (POR)
UEFA Delegate: Dennis Cruise (IRL)
Prediction: Damir Skomina (SVN)

18 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Chelsea FC - Galatasaray
UEFA Referee Observer: Roberto Rosetti (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Michele Uva (ITA)
Prediction: Milorad Mažić (SRB)

19 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Borussia Dortmund - Zenit St Petersburg
UEFA Referee Observer: Stephen Bennett (ENG)
UEFA Delegate: Christian Kofoed (DEN)
Prediction: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (ESP)

19 March 2014, 20:45 CET
Manchester Utd. - Olympiakos
UEFA Referee Observer: Francesco Bianchi (SUI)
UEFA Delegate: Michael Kirchner (GER)
Prediction: Svein Oddvar Moen (NOR)

Good relationship quotes

Some people fade away after a few seconds in the crowd, others disappear after a season. But there are some who live in your heart forever with every little reason. ~ Janell Tweed

It is not just your relationship but almost all relationships go through hell & hard times. But people who understand that can always find a way to build lasting relations.

Good relationship quotes

This relationship that I have with you is one of the best that I have ever had. You make me laugh, you make me smile. Everything you do brings so much happiness to me.
~ Tony Mass

I cannot ask for anything more from you. All the love that you have brought in my life has made it so beautiful. With every heart beat I want you to know that I love you.
~ Jennifer Lawn

Relationships grow better when you have
feelings and emotions connected to them. Love the people who are important to you and you will see things get better.
~ Annie Johns

The key to a good relationship is realizing that no relation is ever perfect. You need to remove or adjust with the bad parts and focus on the things that are good. That is the simple secret.
~ Shane Lou

If you think about it, you will find that the happiest times and the saddest times have all come from relationships. That is why relationships are so important.
~ Henry Thor

Every relationship begins with a spark. If you maintain the spark for a long time, the relationship can flourish and become something really beautiful.
~ Sarah Jose

No matter how much we may fight in this relationship, I will always protect you and stand by you when you need it the most.
~ Mary Williams

The best relationships are the one which have no worries or cares in the world. They are free and happy with no care whatsoever.
~ Oliver Samuel

People are busy and tired but when a relationship is really special, they will find time somehow and be there for you.
~ Natasha Moe

Next Page: Good Morning Love Quotes

The IFAB has made clear: The Triple Punishment will persist

The best piece of news of last week’s 128th annual conference of the IFAB, the body that is responsible for defining and changing the Laws of the Game and their application, has certainly been that – for now – there will not be any form of technology in football exceeding Goalline Technology (GLT) that is to be deployed at FIFA World Cup 2014 and that was first tested last year. The usage of video replays was discussed in Zurich but luckily rejected. This counts for another vitally important issue on the agenda, too: the triple punishment. 

Nicola Rizzoli correctly sending off Szczesny for DOGSO

Following the proposal of Europe’s football governing body UEFA and its president, Michel Platini, the lawmakers discussed about the opportunity to avert the triple punishment as a consequence for players who have denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity in the penalty area. The three components subject to debate are the penalty kick awarded, the red card given and the match suspension that usually followed after the matchday. According to Mr Platini, “everybody fel[t] that as an injustice”. Since the Frenchman has often proven his extremely well-marked sense of justice – the surely universally, i.e. for every European club, effective Financial Fairplay Program is the best example of that … - this concern is definitely a noble and honest one. Though he has not defined yet who is “everybody”. In my humble opinion, the triple punishment is per sé no injustice and most referees actually feel so as well. The argument most frequently put forward is that, by awarding the penalty kick, the obvious goal-scoring opportunity was re-established. While this argument sounds logical and justified, it leaves open whether a red card is really shown to sanction the circumstance that an obvious goal-scoring opportunity was denied or to sanction the will and intent of a defender to deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. In addition, the Laws of the Game clearly emphasize that it does not matter where the infringement occurred, whether it was outside the penalty area or inside. For this reason, having two different disciplinary sanctions for the same offense, depending on where exactly it occurred, is not adequate. As a compromise, the IFAB has now stated that referees should be more careful with issuing red card for DOGSO in the penalty area and that a council would attempt to specify Law 12 in terms of that. UEFA's attempt to create an own version of the Laws of the Game by instructing their referees to deal differently with dogso than their colleagues in the rest of the world do hence appears ridiculously with the benefit of hindsight.

In the end, the solution would have been quite easy, in my opinion. Most of those people loving football and having a sense of justice – at least I dare to say so – can accept that denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity is sanctioned with a red card regardless where it occurred. I would even say most of the supporters, players and specially managers would refuse to accept yellow cards for fouls that have denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity in the last minute of additional time – please imagine what would happen when a player misses a penalty kick, maybe because of a wet ground which makes him slip, and the offender has got away with a yellow card and saved his team the win…

Therefore, the real area for debate neither is the circumstance of the match sanction (the penalty kick), nor is the disciplinary sanction (the red card). What national associations could do themselves (UEFA would not have to interfere with FIFA and the IFAB), as it is their area of responsibility and jurisdiction, is to eliminate the third component of the triple punishment, i.e. the match suspension. Normally, at least in Germany, for example, players are banned for one match if they have committed a dogso in the penalty area, as long as the penalty kick was converted into a goal. If the forward failed to convert the penalty kick, the offender is usually banned for two matches (or more, depending on the severity of the offense, too). What they could do is not to ban the offender as soon as the penalty kick resulted in a goal. The team of the offender would have faced a double punishment in this case – the red card in the match and the penalty kick resulting in a goal. But there would not be a match suspension. If the attacking team however failed to convert the penalty kick into a goal, the offender could be banned for one or two matches. This would, from my point of view, meet the desires of the clubs but still maintain a certain level of justice and fairness in its true meaning – and not in Mr Platini’s one. That’s why I consider the debate on the triple punishment in its current form as much ado about nothing and not recognizing a possible area where things could be changed without necessarily changing the Laws of the Game.

IFAB has rejected UEFA proposal to avert the "Triple Punishment"

Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson sending off Martín Demichelis for DOGSO (c) dailymail.co.uk

Following an official request by UEFA, warmly supported by president Michel Platini (hereyou can find the news), IFAB has discussed in today’s meeting  the opportunity to change or avert the “Triple Punishment”.  The final decision is that nothing will change. The Triple Punishment has been confirmed, therefore a referee will have still to send off a player in case of DOGSO. The hope is  that a red card can occur only in mandatory situations, nevertheless everything will remain under the full discretion of the match officials. 

Apart from that, IFAB has also discussed further issues, deciding in this way: a player will be banned in case of messages under his shirt (especially after a celebration), the usage of head covers has been officially ratified,  no technology on the pitch to help the referee apart from the GLT already in use, the experiment about sin bins will continue at amateur level. 

Finally, FIFA secretary  Jérôme Valcke  has stated that LotG will be changed and  clarified in certain points, especially about the discussed topics, in order to make them even more detailed.

 

 

  

Europa League - Round of 32 - Referee Appointments (II)

These are the referee appointments for the second leg ties of UEFA Europa League's Round of 32. Among others, top-class referee Björn Kuipers will take charge of Eintracht Frankfurt - FC Porto and Poland's Szymon Marciniak (photo) will be observed by Marc Batta, vice Chief Officer  in UEFA's referee committee.

18:00 CET, Rubin, Kazan (RUS)
Rubin Kazan - Real Betis
Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Darren England (ENG)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Anthony Taylor (ENG)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Jonathan Moss (ENG)
Fourth Official: Simon Beck (ENG)
Referee Observer: Georgios Bikas (GRE)
UEFA Delegate: Stanislaw Speczik (POL)
Blog Referee Observer: Edward (GRE)

19:00 CET, Stadio San Paolo, Napoli (ITA)
SSC Napoli - Swansea City
Referee: Ovidiu Alin Hategan (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Octavian Sovre (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Sebastian Eugen Gheorghe (ROU)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Sebastian Coltescu (ROU)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: István Kovács (ROU)
Fourth Official: Radu Adrian Ghinguleac (ROU)
Referee Observer: Alain Hamer (LUX)
UEFA Delegate: George Koumas (CYP)
Blog Referee Observer: Philipp S. (GER)

19:00 CET, Donbass Arena, Donetsk (UKR)
Shakhtar Donetsk - Viktoria Plzen
Referee: Pol van Boekel (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Davie Goossens (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Bas van Dongen (NED)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Serdar Gözübüyük (NED)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Dennis Higler (NED)
Fourth Official: Rob van de Ven (NED)
Referee Observer: Miroslav Radoman (SRB)
UEFA Delegate: Michel Pralong (SUI)

19:00 CET, Commerzbank Arena, Frankfurt (GER)
Eintracht Frankfurt - FC Porto
Referee: Björn Kuipers (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Angelo Boonman (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Erwin E.J. Zeinstra (NED)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Richard Liesveld (NED)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Ed Janssen (NED)
Fourth Official: Charles Schaap (NED)
Referee Observer: Levan Paniashvili (GEO)
UEFA Delegate: Michael Appleby (ENG)

19:00 CET, Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla (ESP)
Sevilla CF - NK Maribor
Referee: Luca Banti (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Sandro Pozzi (SUI)
Assistant Referee 2: Riccardo Di Fiore (ITA)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Andrea Gervasoni (ITA)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Domenico Celi (ITA)
Fourth Official: Matteo Passeri (ITA)
Referee Observer: László Vagner (HUN)
UEFA Delegate: Joël Wolff (LUX)

19:00 CET, Stadion Salzburg, Salzburg (AUT)
RB Salzburg - Ajax Amsterdam
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Mauro Tonolini (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Lorenzo Manganelli (ITA)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Antonio Damato (ITA)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Carmine Russo (ITA)
Fourth Official: Alessandro Constanzo (ITA)
Referee Observer: Patrick Kelly (IRL)
UEFA Delegate: Andrei Medintsev (BUL)

19:00 CET, Natsionalen Stadion Vasil Levski, Sofia (BUL)
Ludogorets - Lazio Roma
Referee: Olegário Benquerença (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Ricardo Santos (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Rui Tavares (POR)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Manuel De Sousa (POR)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Artur Soares Dias (POR)
Fourth Official: Nuno Tomás Pereira (POR)
Referee Observer: Rodger Gifford (WAL)
UEFA Delegate: Claude Runavot (FRA)

19:00 CET, St. Jakob-Park, Basel (SUI)
FC Basel - Maccabi Tel-Aviv
Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomislav Petrović (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Miro Grgić (CRO)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Tihomir Pejin (CRO)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Goran Gabrilo (CRO)
Fourth Official: Dalibor Conjar (CRO)
Referee Observer: Ilkka Koho (FIN)
UEFA Delegate: Pat Quigley (IRL)
Blog Referee Observer: Chefren (ITA)

21:05 CET, Estadi de Mestalla, Valencia (ESP)
Valencia CF - Dynamo Kyiv
Referee: Deniz Aytekin (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Guido Kleve (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Markus Häcker (GER)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Siebert (GER)
Fourth Official: Mark Borsch (GER)
Referee Observer: Konrad Plautz (AUT)
UEFA Delegate: Gerhard Sager (SWE)
Blog Referee Observer: Thomas H. (NED) 

21:05 CET, White Hart Lane, London (ENG)
Tottenham - Dnipro
Referee: Antony Gautier (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Michaël Annonier (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Philippe Jeanne (FRA)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Benoît Bastien (FRA)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Benoît Millot (FRA)
Fourth Official: Guillaume Débart (FRA)
Referee Observer: Rune Pedersen (NOR)
UEFA Delegate: José Aguilar (POR)
Blog Referee Observer: Niclas (GER)

21:05 CET, KRC Genk Arena, Genk (BEL)
KRC Genk - Anji
Referee: Manuel Gräfe (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Thorsten Schiffner (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Mike Pickel (GER)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Marco Fritz (GER)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Robert Hartmann (GER)
Fourth Official: Holger Henschel (GER)
Referee Observer: Miroslav Vitković (CRO)
UEFA Delegate: Teuvo Holopainen (FIN)

21:05 CET, Hüseyin Avni Aker Stadyumu, Trabzon (TUR)
Trabzonspor - Juventus Turin
Referee: Pavel Královec (CZE)
Assistant Referee 1: Roman Slyško (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Martin Wilczek (CZE)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Radek Příhoda (CZE)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Michal Patak (CZE)
Fourth Official: Ondrej Pelikan (CZE)
Referee Observer: Markus Nobs (SUI)
UEFA Delegate: Ronny Zimmermann (GER)

21:05 CET, Stade de Gerland, Lyon (FRA)
Olympique Lyon - Chornomorets Odessa
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (MKD)
Assistant Referee 1: Marjan Kirovski (MKD)
Assistant Referee 2: Dejan Kostadinov (MKD)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Dimitar Meckarvoski (MKD)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Dejan Jakimovski (MKD)
Fourth Official: Nikola Karakolev (MKD)
Referee Observer: Costas Kapitanis (CYP)
UEFA Delegate: Milovan Djukanovic (MNE)
Blog Referee Observer: Nur H. (ENG)

21:05 CET, Estádio da Luz, Lisbon (POR)
SL Benfica - PAOK
Referee:  Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Pawel Sokolnicki (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Pawel Raczkowski (POL)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Tomasz Musial (POL)
Fourth Official: Radoslaw Siejka (POL)
Referee Observer: Marc Batta (FRA)
UEFA Delegate: Danilo Filacchione (ITA)
Blog Referee Observer: Chefren (ITA)

21:05 CET, AZ Stadion, Alkmaar (NED)
AZ Alkmaar - Slovan Liberec
Referee: Serhiy Boiko (UKR)
Assistant Referee 1: Oleksandr Korniyko (UKR)
Assistant Referee 2: Volodymyr Volodin (UKR)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Ievgenii Aranovskyi (UKR)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Anatoliy Abdula (UKR)
Fourth Official: Oleksandr Voytyuk (UKR)
Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn (GER)
UEFA Delegate: Ghenadie Scurtul (MDA)
Blog Referee Observer: Edward (GRE)

21:05 CET, Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence (ITA)
ACF Fiorentina - Esbjerg fB
Referee: Marijo Strahonja (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Sinisa Premuzaj (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Goran Pataki (CRO)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Ante Vučemilović-Šimunović jr (CRO)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Fran Jović (CRO)
Fourth Official: Ivica Modrić (CRO)
Referee Observer: Raymond Ellingham (WAL)
UEFA Delegate: Graham Hover (ENG)