Match Situations - Offside 1

Inspired by José García Aranda's website, there is a new section in this blog concentrating on specific match situations that are related to controversial parts of the Laws of the Game, version 2013/14. Your participation is crucial to make this blog's element give some benefit for referees and football enthusiasts in general.

You can have your say by giving your assessment on these situations in form of a comment underneath the respective posts. These comments should include a precise assessment and an additional explanation that strengthens your view if needed. 

Difficulty: Difficult

Your answer should contain:

Offside or No offside

If you have decided in favour of offside, please add:

Interfering with play by ... or

Interfering with an opponent by ... or

Gaining an advantage by being in that position by ...

Please find a poll on the right top of the blog. You can vote in favour of Offside or No offside.
Solutions will be posted three days after the match situation had been uploaded.

The video placed in this post is only posted for educational and not for commercial purpose!

Roberto García awaits "highlight of his refereeing career"

On Saturday, Mexican referee Roberto Garcia will officiate the eagerly-awaited FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013 final between France and Uruguay in Istanbul. The 38-year-old will be assisted by his compatriots Jose Luis Camargo and Alberto Morin, with the Ivorian Noumandiez Doue serving as fourth official.

Roberto García consideres his final honour as "invaluable" (c) FIFA.com

After taking charge of the match for third place, among others, at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2011 in his homeland, Garcia’s nomination to referee this final represents the next step in his career. FIFA.com caught up with the official for his thoughts ahead of the title-decider.

FIFA.com: What does it mean to you to have been nominated as referee for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013 final? 
Roberto Garcia: When I heard about it I was just incredibly proud and happy. I was delighted for my family and my two assistants too. Without doubt it’s the highlight of my refereeing career so far and a huge step forward for me in terms of my future. However, I've never forgotten how much hard work has gone in to me getting this far.

How did your family react?
Thankfully they’ve been very supportive of me and have encouraged me every step of the way. I called them as soon as I found out and obviously they were all over the moon. They went absolutely crazy!

What kind of match are you anticipating between France and Uruguay?
I expect it to be a very demanding game. Both teams have exceptionally talented and, above all, experienced players in their ranks. I think it'll be a fast-paced, hard-running encounter.

How will you prepare yourself both mentally and tactically for the final?
It's important not to get too wound up and to stay fully focused. You need to try and maintain the same level of healthy tension you've had at the tournament in previous weeks. My assistants and I are a very experienced team and we're really looking forward to the final and welcome the accompanying responsibility that brings. The tactical preparations are important too. The instructors in FIFA's Refereeing Department will prepare us perfectly with, amongst other things, numerous video clips of the games so far, which we'll analyse together. We’ll also simulate and practice certain match situations during our daily practical training with players. To enhance our preparations we have access to the DVDs of all of the games played here to date and on top of that we'll have a tactical match discussion with FIFA's Technical Study Group (TSG).

How important is teamwork and solidarity between you and your colleagues?

It's invaluable to me. It helps in taking care of all the administrative, technical and medical side of things surrounding each game. It wouldn't be possible for everything to run smoothly without that sense of togetherness and a good collective morale. It's extremely important to all of us. That's why we have a special ritual: immediately before each game we embrace, forming a tight circle, and we encourage each other.

How did you start out as a referee?
Ever since I was a small boy I've always been incredibly passionate about football. I made it into the second division in Mexico as a player and when I was 23 a good friend of mine persuaded me to do the basic refereeing courses. I'm happy to admit I enjoyed it immensely right from the off.

Vanishing spray has been used for the first time at a FIFA tournament here in Turkey. What are your first impressions of it?There's no doubt that it’s a huge help for us, especially when it comes to maintaining the required ten yard distance between the ball and the wall at free-kicks. As a result I think we're going to see more goals from free-kicks in future.  

 

How did referees prepare to use vanishing spray prior to the tournament? 
In May all 52 refereeing candidates went to a seminar on the topic in Rio de Janeiro, where we were given excellent and very interesting training about it. In the first few weeks here in Turkey we also had some practical training sessions with vanishing spray so that we could get used to implementing it during games.

After the tournament finishes, the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ is just around the corner...
That’s true. I would love to be at the World Cup in Brazil next year. In Massimo Bussaca we have a fantastic instructor who’s preparing us for that and who conveys the philosophy we represent as referees in a wonderful way. But to be honest, at the moment all I’m thinking about is the U-20 final in Istanbul. That’s the most important thing right now.

source: FIFA.com

Néstor Pitana and Wilmar Roldán will handle Copa Libertadores final ties

South America's football governing institution CONMEBOL has revealed the referee appointments for the two legs of 2013 Copa Libertadores final played between Olimpia Asunción of Paraguay and Brazilian team Atlético Mineiro: Argentina's Néstor Pitana and Wilmar Roldán from Colombia will have the honour.

Argentina's Néstor Pitana (c) mundoxeneize

 

Néstor Pitana's appointment along with Hernán Maidana and Juan Pablo Belatti, who both are pre-selected for the next World Cup, has the potential of a game-changing signal. It might indicate a change on the prospective list of referees for 2014 FIFA World Cup. Diego Abal, who did not manage to show a convincing performance at Confederations Cup and faced some injury problems at Zürich's FIFA meeting in September 2012, could be replaced by Pitana who also provisionally attended a seminar organized by FIFA in Rio de Janeiro at the end of May 2013. A nomination for 2013 Under-17 World Cup seems probable. Germán Delfino completes the team as fourth official.

Wilmar Roldán at the 2012 Olympic Games (c) supersport.com

In the second leg of this final round, Colombian Wilmar Roldán, who is widely considered as South America's number 1 at the moment, has been designated to take charge of his second Copa Libertadores final of his career. For the 1980 born match official, it will be his 34th match in the highest club competition of South American football. He will be assisted by his prospective World Cup assistants Humberto Clavijo and Eduardo Díaz, with whom he also handled matches at the still ongoing Under-20 World Cup 2013. Imer Machado, also Colombian, will be the fourth official.

17.07.2013, 02:50 CET, Asunción (PAR)

Olimpia vs Atlético Mineiro 

Referee: Néstor Pitana (ARG)

Assistant Referee 1: Hernán Maidana (ARG)

Assistant Referee 2: Juan Pablo Belatti (ARG)

Fourth Official: Germán Delfino (ARG)

24.07.2013, 02:50 CET, Belo Horizonte (BRA)

Atlético Mineiro vs Olimpia 

Referee: Wilmar Roldán (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Humberto Clavijo (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Eduardo Díaz (COL)
Fourth Official: Imer Machado (COL)

Find more about South American football refereeing @ Árbitro Internacional.

Roberto García to take charge of Istanbul final - Sandro Ricci with Third Place match

Mexican pre-selected World Cup referee Roberto García (1974) has been assigned to take charge of Sunday's Under-20 World Cup 2013 final to be played in Istanbul's Ali Sami Yen Stadium, the home of Galatasaray Istanbul.

Roberto García has been rewarded with the final (c) mediotiempo

Along with his assistant referees José Camargo and Alberto Morín he will oversee the tie between France and Uruguay. García is an international referee since 2007 and already took control over five matches at 2011 Under-17 World Cup in his mother country including the Third Place final between Brazil and Germany.

A few hours earlier, Brazilian Sandro Ricci (1974) will be in charge of the Third Place match between Ghana and Iraq. Having received his FIFA badge only in 2011, he will be assisted by Alessandro Rocha and Emerson De Carvalho.

For both García and Ricci it is their fourth match at this tournament.

Third Place Final

13 July 2013
Match 51 – Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi, Istanbul (TUR) – 17:00 CET
GHANA		-:-		IRAQ
Referee: Sandro Ricci (Brazil) Assistant Referee 1: Alessandro Rocha De Matos (Brazil) Assistant Referee 2: Emerson De Carvalho (Brazil) Fourth Official: Peter O'Leary (New Zealand) Reserve Assistant Referee: Jan Hendrik Hintz (New Zealand) Blog Observer: Nur H. (England)

Final

13 July 2013
Match 52 – Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi, Istanbul (TUR) – 20:00 CET
FRANCE		-:-		URUGUAY
Referee: Roberto García (Mexico) Assistant Referee 1: José Luis Camargo (Mexico) Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Morín (Mexico) Fourth Official: Noumandiez Doue (Côte d'Ivoire) Reserve Assistant Referee: Songuifolo Yeo (Côte d'Ivoire) Blog Observer: Edward (Greece)

Shukralla and Eriksson to be in charge of U-20 World Cup semifinals

FIFA has designated the officiating teams for Wednesday's FIFA Under-20 World Cup semifinals in Bursa and Trabzon respectively. Bahrain's Nawaf Shukralla will take charge of France - Ghana being involved in a match of the African side for the second time at this tournament, while Swedish Jonas Eriksson has been nominated for the duel between both surprising nations of this competition, Iraq and Uruguay.

fr.l.: Yaser Tulefat, Nawaf Shukralla, Ebrahim Saleh (BHR) (c) bfa.bh

Semifinal 1

10 July 2013
Match 49 – Atatürk Stadium, Bursa (TUR) – 17:00 CET
FRANCE		-:-		GHANA
Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain) Assistant Referee 1: Yaser Abdulla Tulefat (Bahrain) Assistant Referee 2: Ebrahim Mubarak Saleh (Bahrain) Fourth Official: Walter López Castellanos (Guatemala) Reserve Assistant Referee: Leonel Leal (Costa Rica) Blog Observer: Chefren (Italy)

Jonas Eriksson of Sweden (c) Welt.de

Semifinal 2

10 July 2013
Match 50 – Huseyin Avni Aker Stadium, Trabzon (TUR) – 20:00 CET
IRAQ		-:-		URUGUAY
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden) Assistant Referee 1: Mathias Klasenius (Sweden) Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Wärnmark (Sweden) Fourth Official: Bakary Papa Gassama (Gambia) Reserve Assistant Referee: Angesom Ogbamariam (Eritrea) Blog Observer: Niclas E. (Germany)

Good Morning Beautiful Quotes

The beauty of the morning starts with the dew fall. It continues with the chirping of the birds, the dancing of the trees and the splendid sunlight in all its glory. Welcome to a beautiful morning!
~ Graybeard Roans

Good Morning Beautiful Quotes

Openly I whispered and breathed a big gulp of air and saw all the beautiful trees and birds which surrounded me. The morning was beautiful just like your smile.
~ Milton Hook

Morning is one of the most
beautiful times of the day. You have never come across such a day in your life before and you should embrace its beauty with both arms wide.
~ Kirsten Pres

The secret to living happily is to not look at the morning as just another morning that has sprung up due to the rotation of the earth. Happiness will come when you believe that this day you will create and experience something beautiful.
~ Gary Dwight

Every time I see the sunshine in the bright blue sky, I cannot help but think how blessed I really am to see another day. There are so many who may have not woken up to see it but I have been blessed.
~ Donna Karen

The beauty of the day lies in the hopes that we build in it, the love that surrounds us and the wonderful people who help us get better in life.
~ Jolene Hopes

Just like the birds which happily chirp all day long, I want to spend this morning thanking the almighty God, my family and every friend for being such a good sport and support. You'll are the best!
~ Molly Hans

Its not just about you every day. When you have built yourself and your attitude completely, make sure that you take time to build someone else and make make the day beautiful for them too.
~ Poppins Rock

Next Page: Good Morning Quotes for Girlfriend

How can you write a beautiful quote about the morning?
All of the quotations above have one thing in common. They are all positive and look at the bright side of life. That is what we all need and that is what the morning as a start to a new day is all about.
Then we also look at the beautiful side of nature and all the ingredients of the morning. The birds chirping and the shining sun all lead up to the morning. Now when you read it, its not that difficult to make your own, is it?
Send a quote to us in the comments section and thousands of people will read it.

Have a great day and check the next page for more quotes and tips.

UEFA Women's Euro 2013 - Referee Appointments

UEFA has announced the first referee appointments for the starting games of 2013 Women's EURO that will be played in Sweden. Romanian Champions League final referee Teodora Albon will take charge of the official opener between Italy and Finland, while World Cup 2011 and Olympic Games 2012 final referee Bibiana Steinhaus has been assigned to officiate the unofficial opener between hosting nation Sweden and Denmark.

Marina Wozniak (1st left) and Bibiana Steinhaus (2nd left) (c) fansoccer.de

10 July 2013, 18:00 CET (Halmstad, SWE)
Italy - Finland (Group A)
Referee: Teodora Albon (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Petruta Iugulescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Lucie Ratajová (CZE)
Fourth Official: Monika Mularczyk (POL)
UEFA Referee Observer: Carolin Rudolph (GER)

10 July 2013, 20:30 CET (Gothenburg, SWE)
Sweden - Denmark (Group A)
Referee: Bibiana Steinhaus (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Marina Wozniak (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Maria Villa Gutierrez (ESP)
Fourth Official: Esther Azzopardi (MLT)
UEFA Referee Observer: Katarzyna Nadolska (POL)

11 July 2013, 18:00 CET (Kalmar, SWE)
Norway - Iceland (Group B)
Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (HUN)
Assistant Referee 1: Judit Kulcsár (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Sian Massey (ENG)
Fourth Official: Kirsi Heikkinen (FIN)
UEFA Referee Observer: Dagmar Damková (CZE)

11 July 2013, 20:30 CET (Vaxjo, SWE)
Germany - Netherlands (Group B)
Referee: Silvia Tea Spinelli (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Romina Santuari (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Maria Lisická (SVK)
Fourth Official: Carina Vitulano (ITA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Bo Karlsson (SWE)

12 July 2013, 18:00 CET (Norrkoping, SWE)
France - Russia (Group C)
Referee: Jenny Palmqvist (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Helen Karo (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Tonja Paavola (FIN)
Fourth Official: Esther Azzopardi (MLT)
UEFA Referee Observer: Katarzyna Nadolska (POL)

12 July 2013, 20:30 CET (Linkoping, SWE)
England - Spain (Group C)
Referee: Kateryna Monzul (UKR)
Assistant Referee 1: Natalia Rachynska (UKR)
Assistant Referee 2: Hege Steinlund (NOR)
Fourth Official: Monika Mularczyk (POL)
UEFA Referee Observer: Carolin Rudolph (GER)

13 July 2013,  18:00 CET (Halmstad, SWE)
Italy - Denmark (Group A)
Referee: Esther Staubli (SUI)
Assistant Referee 1: Sian Massey (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Lucie Ratajová (CZE)
Fourth Official: Katalin Kulcsár (HUN)
UEFA Referee Observer: Bo Karlsson (SWE)

13 July 2013, 20:30 CET (Gothenburg, SWE)
Finland - Sweden (Group A)
Referee: Cristina Dorcioman (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Maria Lisická (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Maria Villa Gutierrez (ESP)
Fourth Official: Carina Vitulano (ITA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Dagmar Damková (CZE)

14 July 2013,  18:00 CET (Kalmar, SWE)
Norway - Netherlands (Group B)
Referee: Teodora Albon (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Petruta Iugulescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Judit Kulcsár (HUN)
Fourth Official: Esther Azzopardi (MLT)
UEFA Referee Observer:  Katarzyna Nadolska (POL)

14 July 2013, 20:30 CET (Vaxjo, SWE)
Iceland - Germany (Group B)
Referee: Kirsi Heikkinen (FIN)
Assistant Referee 1: Tonja Paavola (FIN)
Assistant Referee 2: Helen Karo (SWE)
Fourth Official: Monika Mularczyk (POL)
UEFA Referee Observer: Dagmar Damková (CZE)

15 July 2013,  20:30 CET (Linkoping, SWE)
England - Russia (Group C)
Referee: Bibiana Steinhaus (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Marina Wozniak (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Lucie Ratajová (CZE)
Fourth Official: Cristina Dorcioman (ROU)
UEFA Referee Observer: Bo Karlsson (SWE)

15 July 2013, 20:30 CET (Norrkoping, SWE)
Spain - France (Group C)
Referee: Carina Vitulano (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Romina Santuari (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Hege Steinlund (NOR)
Fourth Official: Esther Staubli (SUI)
UEFA Referee Observer: Carolin Rudolph (GER)

16 July 2013, 20:30 CET (Halmstad, SWE)
Sweden - Italy (Group A)
Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (HUN)
Assistant Referee 1: Judit Kulcsár (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Sian Massey (ENG)
Fourth Official: Monika Mularczyk (POL)
UEFA Referee Observer: Carolin Rudolph (GER)

16 July 2013, 20:30 CET (Gothenburg, SWE)
Denmark - Finland (Group A)
Referee: Kateryna Monzul (UKR)
Assistant Referee 1: Natalia Rachynska (UKR)
Assistant Referee 2: Maria Villa Gutierrez (ESP)
Fourth Official: Esther Azzopardi (MLT)
UEFA Referee Observer: Katarzyna Nadolska (POL)

17 July 2013, 18:00 CET (Kalmar, SWE)
Germany - Norway (Group B)
Referee: Esther Staubli (SUI)
Assistant Referee 1: Maria Lisická (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Romina Santuari (ITA)
Fourth Official: Teodora Albon (ROU)
UEFA Referee Observer: 

17 July 2013, 18:00 CET (Vaxjo, SWE)
Netherlands - Iceland (Group B)
Referee: Cristina Dorcioman (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Petruta Iugulescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Hege Steinlund (NOR)
Fourth Official: Carina Vitulano (ITA)
UEFA Referee Observer: 

18 July 2013, 20:30 CET (Linkoping, SWE)
France - England (Group C)
Referee: Kirsi Heikkinen (FIN)
Assistant Referee 1: Tonja Paavola (FIN)
Assistant Referee 2: Natalia Rachynska (UKR)
Fourth Official: Esther Azzopardi (MLT)

18 July 2013, 20:30 CET (Norrkoping, SWE)
Russia - Spain (Group C)
Referee: Jenny Palmqvist (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Helen Karo (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Marina Wozniak (GER)
Fourth Official: Monika Mularczyk (POL)


K.O. Stage

Quarterfinal matches

21 July 2013, 15:00 CET (Halmstad, SWE)
Sweden - Iceland
Referee: Kirsi Heikkinen (FIN)
Assistant Referee 1: Tonja Paavola (FIN)
Assistant Referee 2: Maria Villa Gutierrez (ESP)
Fourth Official: Kateryna Monzul (UKR)

21 July 2013, 18:00 CET (Vaxjo, SWE)
Italy - Germany
Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (HUN)
Assistant Referee 1: Judit Kulcsár (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Hege Steinlund (NOR)
Fourth Official: Teodora Albon (ROU)