Recopa Sudamericana 2015 (First Leg)

6 February 2015 

River Plate – San Lorenzo
Referee: German Delfino (ARG, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Bonfa (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Cristian Navarro (ARG)
Fourth Official: Silvio Trucco (ARG)
Referee Observer: Carlos Coradina (ARG)

Fastest red card in Dutch history rescinded as referee admits blunder

The red card shown to PSV Eindhoven defender Jetro Willems after just 29 seconds into the league match against NAC Breda has been rescinded after the referee admitted he had shown it in error. The international fullback will face no further sanction, the KNVB said in a statement. Willems was dismissed by referee Kevin Blom on Tuesday for a wild challenge on Gill Swerts although the NAC player avoided any contact by jumping out of the way.

It was the quickest red card shown in Dutch league history, beating the one minute and 19 seconds it took before Ivory Coast international Bonaventure Kalou was sent off for Feyenoord at Heerenveen in 2001. After reviewing television images of the incident, the referee decided he had made a mistake and reported it to the KNVB. Subsequently Willems is available for PSV's next game on Saturday at home to Utrecht. NAC failed to take advantage of the numerical superiority and were beaten 2-0 by Dutch league leaders PSV.

Source: Reuters

Referee Seechurn suspended and demoted by CAF

At its extraordinary meeting held at the CAF Headquarters in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, on 2 February 2015, the CAF Referees Committee reviewed the performance of the referee Seechurn Rajindrapasard (Mauritius) during Match No. 26, Tunisia vs. Equatorial Guinea, played on 31 January 2015 in Bata in the final tournament of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. The Referees Committee noted with regret the poor performance of the referee during the match, including an unacceptable failure to maintain calm and ensure proper control of the players during the match. Hence the Referees Committee decided:
- To end the mission of Seechurn Rajindrapasard as a referee for the Africa Cup of Nations 2015.
- To suspend him for a period of six (6) months for poor performance.
- To delist him from the CAF Elite Referees panel.

At its meeting at CAF Headquarters in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, on 3 February 2015, the Disciplinary Board considered all the incidents and reports of the various officials relating to the match no. 26 Tunisia vs. Equatorial Guinea, played on 31 January 2015. The incidents noted in the meeting, included a pitch invasion by fans, the aggressive attitude of some supporters in the stands, invading of the pitch after the final whistle by players and substitutes of the Tunisian team - insulting the referee of the match and trying to physically assault him - the regrettable behavior of the president of the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF), Mr. Wadie Jary, entering the field of play and strongly criticizing the referee and CAF; and vandalism by some Tunisian players which included breaking of a door in the locker room area and a fridge. The disciplinary board also studied two letters sent by the Tunisian Federation dated the 2nd February 2015; the first letter concerning the explanation of the FTF in connection with the above incidents, the second correspondence requesting an investigation. The second letter clearly suggested that CAF and its officials were questionable and biased against Tunisia in general and that CAF, its officials and committees were devoid of sporting ethics, causing in a premeditated manner the elimination of Tunisia from the Orange AFCON 2015. The following decisions were taken against the respective parties, Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea:
Tunisian Football Federation
Based on Articles 82, 83, 125 and 133 of the Disciplinary Code of CAF, the Disciplinary Jury of CAF:
- Asked the Equatorial Guinean party to estimate the cost of repairing the damage caused by the Tunisian party at the stadium in Bata and CAF will provide this amount to the Tunisian Federation to cover it.
- Condemned the conduct of Mr. Wadie Jary, president of the Tunisian Football Federation and member of the Organizing Committee of the AFCON.
- Imposed on the Tunisian Federation a fine of US$ 50,000 (Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) for the insolent, aggressive and unacceptable behavior of the players and officials of the Tunisian team during the aforementioned game.
- Instructed the Tunisian Federation to send to CAF before February 5th, at midnight, a letter of apology for the insinuations of bias and lack of ethics against CAF and its officials, or to present irrefutable evidence to substantiate the accusations of the FTF. Should the Federation not send this letter of apology or required evidence before the stated deadline, the disciplinary panel would suggest to the Executive Committee of CAF additional sanctions, including the possibility not to accept the participation of the national team of Tunisia in the next edition of Cup of Nations, AFCON, 2017.
Equatorial Guinean Football Federation
Considering the pitch invasion by some Equatoguinean fans and the lack of security measures observed, and based on Article 151 para 2 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, the Disciplinary Jury of CAF imposed a financial penalty of US$5,000 (Five Thousand US Dollars) on FEGUIFUT, and asked them to ensure that all security arrangements are taken to ensure the smooth running of the matches of the semifinals and finals of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in 2015.

Source: CAF

UEFA: Taking referees to the top

At UEFA's winter course in Athens, UEFA chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina has advised new European international referees on the qualities needed for a successful career. Courage to take responsibility for decisions... assiduous preparation... confidence in one's ability and the capacity to learn from mistakes... and the strength to cope with difficult moments. Just some of the catalogue of qualities required by today's top men and women referees. Newcomers to the FIFA international list were given a comprehensive insight into what it takes to reach the summit as a match official by someone who has been there – UEFA's chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina – at the 24th UEFA Introductory Course for International Referees in Athens.

Collina, who took charge of the 2002 FIFA World Cup final, 1999 UEFA Champions League final and 2004 UEFA Cup final as well as countless other big matches in a distinguished refereeing career, offered the benefit of his vast experience to the 53 new European men and women match officials in a passionate hour-long presentation. "The referee's job is a difficult one," he stressed. "You have less than half a second to take a decision, often under heavy pressure and the scrutiny of the public and media. Your decisions can affect not only sporting results but may have an economic impact. So a referee has to embrace responsibility. You have to know yourself, your strengths and your weaknesses. You must seek to improve until your very last refereeing assignment – and stay open to changes." Collina emphasised just how important it is for a leading referee to prepare properly, in terms of keeping fit – "today's top referee must be an athlete," he said – and with respect to being aware of the teams they are refereeing. "If you study the teams' tactics, and individual players' characteristics, you can stay one step ahead in being able to make decisions in match situations. It is not simply the will to win that makes the difference – it is the will to prepare. If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail." Physical fitness is a key element of a top official's armour in the high-intensity, high-pressure football of today. "Players make mistakes at the end of matches because they are tired," Collina reflected, "and this can also happen to referees. You must be able to remain lucid even in the very closing stages of a match because you don't know what will happen," he added, recalling his own experience as referee of the memorable 1999 UEFA Champions League final, when Manchester United FC's two goals in the dying moments earned them a remarkable success over FC Bayern München in Barcelona. Collina urged the referees to protect the game as well as the players – and to protect themselves. "We do not want to see players' careers endangered because of a risky tackle by an opponent, nor can we accept the mobbing of a referee by players," he underlined. Another essential aspect of a referee's need to prepare was to ensure thorough knowledge of the Laws of the Game. "On the field, the referee is the person who guarantees that a match is being played in accordance with the rules," Collina explained, "and you must know the rules and their updated interpretation to be able to take correct decisions." How should referees react to making an error? "You need to think forward and forget [an error] during the match," was Collina's advice. "The moment is gone. After the match, learn from the mistake, find the reason behind it – try and turn a negative moment into a positive experience, it will make you stronger." The crucial ingredient of teamwork, mutual motivation and support between a referee and his assistants was a vital component in successful performances, with the UEFA newcomers asked to always bear in mind that a referee is not in a position to deal with a match alone. Talent, Collina said, may win games, but teamwork was central to winning championships. "You must be self-confident and trust in yourself," Collina said in concluding his presentation to the new European referees. "Congratulations on coming this far – you have dreams of being a top referee... and UEFA is here to try and help you achieve that dream".

Source: UEFA

CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2015 – Semi-finals

4 February 2015
DR Congo – Côte d'Ivoire
Referee: Neant Alioum (CMR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Evarist Menkouande (CMR)
Assistant Referee 2: Zakhele Siwela (RSA)
Fourth Official: Bernard Camille (SEY)
Reserve AR: Marwa Range (KEN)

5 February 2015
Ghana – Equatorial Guinea
Referee: Eric Otogo-Castane (GAB)
Assistant Referee 1: Abdelhak Etchiali (ALG)
Assistant Referee 2: Jerson Dos Santos (ANG)
Fourth Official: Mehdi Abid Charef (ALG)
Reserve AR: Yahaya Mahamadou (NIG)
Referee Observer: Njipendi Kuotu (CMR)

Copa Libertadores – Play-off (First Leg)

3 February 2015
Alianza Lima – Huracán
Referee: José Buitrago (COL, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Humberto Clavijo (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Wilson Berrio (COL)
Fourth Official: Miguel Santivañez (PER)
Referee Observer: Manuel Yupanqui (PER)

Morelia – The Strongest
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos López (VEN)
Fourth Official: Oscar Macías (MEX)
Referee Observer: Carlos González (MEX)

4 February 2015
Corinthians – Once Caldas
Referee: Patricio Loustau (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Gustavo Rossi (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Ivan Núñez (ARG)
Fourth Official: Raphael Claus (BRA)
Referee Observer: Nilson Moncao (BRA)

Deportivo Táchira – Cerro Porteño
Referee: Victor Carrillo (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Cesar Escano (PER)
Assistant Referee 2: Jonny Bossio (PER)
Fourth Official: Adrian Cabello (VEN)
Referee Observer: Bernardo Corujo (VEN)

5 February 2015
Palestino – Nacional
Referee: Antonio Arias (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Rodney Aquino (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Cáceres (PAR)
Fourth Official: Eduardo Gamboa (CHI)
Referee Observer: Guido Aros (CHI)

Independiente del Valle – Argentina 6
Referee: Roberto García (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: José Camargo (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Morín (MEX)
Fourth Official: Carlos Orbe (ECU)
Referee Observer: Bommer Fierro (ECU)

Rizzoli injured in Serie A

The referee of the last World Cup final, Nicola Rizzoli, suffered a calf injury in min. 35 of the Serie A match Genoa – Fiorentina. The game was stopped for several minutes, while Rizzoli consulted with the medical team. He was not able to continue and was replaced by the additional assistant referee Marco Di Bello for the remainder of the game. Rizzoli assumed the AAR1 role until the end of the match.
 

Source: ANSA