World of Football Refereeing
Referee Observation Report
MATCH FACTS
Group C, Matchday 3
18 June 2012 – 20:45 CET • Arena Gdansk • Gdansk
CROATIA 0:1 SPAIN
GOALS
0-1 J. NAVAS (ESP, 88’)
YELLOW CARDS
V. CORLUKA (CRO, 27’); D. SRNA (CRO, 44´); I. STRINIC (CRO, 53); M. MANDZUKIC (CRO,
90); N. JELAVIC (CRO, 90+1); I. RAKITIC (CRO, 90+3)
SENDING OFFS
MATCH OFFICIALS
Function Full Name Origin Final Mark
Referee Wolfgang Stark GER 66,5
Assistant Referee 1 Jan-Hendrik Salver GER 85,6
Assistant Referee 2 Mike Pickel GER 75,0
Additional Assistant Referee 1 Florian Meyer GER 54,0
Additional Assistant Referee 2 Deniz Aytekin GER 70,0
Fourth Official Richard Liesveld NED 75,0
Reserve Assistant Referee Sander van Roekel NED 75,0
UEFA Delegate Christian Schmöelzer AUT
UEFA Referee Observer Kyros Vassaras GRE
Maicon O BRA
Blog Referee Observer(s)
Carlos S COL
Remarks concerning the final marks
The final marks that have been awarded by the Blog Referee Observer(s) for every official are
aimed at expressing a general assessment on the respective official’s performance.
They comply with certain and different evaluation scales that are exposed and explained in the
Referee Observation Checklist (a separate document).
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The Referee
I. MATCH
Background
Last match of the group stage for both teams, in a group which had Spain as leader, but
not already qualified and Croatia needing a win or at least a 2-2 draw if they wanted to be
part of the quarter finals of the tournament. The game was extensive, and very tensed.
The viewers in the Stadium where very active and the atmosphere was really hot, there
were some problems with the fans since they used some flares during the game which
made the game stop some minutes. The field was in perfect conditions for the football
match and the weather conditions were good as expected. The match had some real
difficult decisions to make for the referee team, specially in the penalty boxes and there
were some difficulties with the players, specially in the last minutes were the Croats
played a bit to hard knowing they were out of the Euro.
Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty and Importance
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 85,0
II. CONTROL
Comment
Stark was passive with the conflicts between the players, but he did not allow the claims
of the players or their protest. There was a feeling that he did not had the full control of
the match and the Croats could have damaged the play in every single minute, specially
in the last stages of the match. Stark should also have not warned the players 3 or 4
times before showing the YC, because he lost a bit the credibility after warning them too
much times.
Exemplary situations that strengthen the general impression
Minute Situation and Assessment
YC for the Croat player Corluka after protesting Stark´s decision of not
27
awarding a penalty kick for his team.
Parameter Mark 2: Control
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 73,0
III. DECISIONS
Application of the Laws of the Game – Comment (advice: always refer to aspects
like card management, infringement detection, the application of the advantage
rule, holding in the penalty area after set pieces, simulation and lay extra ordinary
high emphasis on match influencing or even decisive decisions)
Stark’s decisions were not the best, especially in the first half. His card management was
doubtful in some situations where you have to give a YC for the offenses, like pulling the
opponent’s shirt. His advantage rule was in order, but we did not have many opportunities
to see it and it was not really tested. The key actions of the game were in the penalty area
like in minute 27 when he did not whistle a penalty for Croatia after a really hard tackle of
Sergio Ramos (15 ESP), the offender also had to be yellow carded in the offence which
was right in front of the AAR1 Meyer, and a bit difficult to see for Herrn Stark. There was
an offense by Pique (3, ESP) in which he could have given penalty after an elbow, but
after seeing the previews matches of the tournament it´s no wonder that those offences
are not being punished. The last remarkable action of the match was on the 87 minute,
when Sergio Busquets (16, ESP), was holding the Croat in his area in a very shameless
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way right in front of Stark it could have been a penalty with out problems. The goal of the
Spain comes right after that offence of Busquets. Positive by the goal the habilitation of
the AR1 Salver in the action. Stark should also take care of the way the says the players
“no more”, it´s ok to say “the next one is a YC” but then you have to show it in the next
offence or you would loose credibility.
Important Decisions ((non)given cards should be mentioned, other important
decisions in the opinion of the observer)
Minute Situation and Assessment
16 Not shown YC after a Croat pulls his opponent shorts
An other “mandatory” card not shown after a pulling of shirt, the positive thing
19
is that Stark keeps his line
21 Foul of a Croat which deserved a YC, but Stark did not show it.
Foul of Sergio Ramos, it was a non given penalty for Croatia, but you could
26 argue that he came first to the ball and then to the player, but it is also very
hard, so Ramos deserved at least a YC and the penalty had to be whistle.
YC for Croat Strinic after protesting the non given penalty, it´s ok, but it also
27
looked a bit fussy to show that card after having avoid two clear ones
Pique jumps and hits with his elbow a Croat player in the area, if we go to the
rule book it should have been penalty and red card, but as we saw in the
68
tournament, this offenses have not been punished, so he maintain the
tournament´s line.
Sergio Busquets holds a Croat player in the area, normally this kind of actions
87 are whistle as penalty by Stark, and I do think he saw it, so I really don’t know
why he did not gave the penalty for Croatia.
Spain´s goal, it comes right from the action of Busquets, so it could have been
88 disallowed. To remark the perfect call of the AR1 in the goal, the is not
offside.
89 Possible YC offense of a Croat player, Stark only warns him
YC for Croat player Mandzukic after intercepting a free kick whit the hand and
90
not respecting the wall distance, correct.
YC for Croat player, it seems to be correct, but there is no replay to confirm,
90+1
so benefit of doubt, correct
90+3 YC for Rakitic (CRO, 7) correct
Parameter Mark 3: Decisions
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 54,0
IV. STYLE
Physical and Technical Aspects
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Always close to the play, follows play at all times, and
X
does not interfere with play
Flexible Diagonal System X
Able to anticipate the action X
Enters the penalty area when necessary X
Appropiate, efficient and economic Positioning also at
X
set pieces
Physical Condition in general X
Adequate behaviour in dealing with injuries (awareness
X
of serious injuries, possible advantages applied,
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card-timing etc.)
Comment
All in a expected level
Minute Situation and Assessment
Parameter Mark 4.1: Physical and Technical Aspects
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0
Tactical Approach
Expected
Criteria + level
-
The referee has a certain tactical approach, which is
moving in the measures the Laws of the Game define, X
which is understood and consistent
The referee’s tactical approach is active, he is able to
X
predict situations and to avoid conflicts by that
Personality and authority on the pitch X
Adequate communication X
Shows determination and courage in his decisions and
has also tools to gain authority (adequate and clear X
gestures, using his whistle as kind of language)
Shows respect X
Comment
He should not whistle that long in some actions, a short whistle for minor fouls or a long for mayor
fouls, but there is not need to whistle that long after e.g. offside calls.
Minute Situation and Assessment
Parameter Mark 4.2: Tactical Approach
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 70,0
Summary of both sections (if necessary, give the minutes)
Positive Points 1. Team Work
2.
Multiple warning to the players ---> lost of credibility (see
Points for improvement 1.
above)
2. Use of his whistle
Comment on the cooperation within the referee team
He seems to do a team work with this assistant and additional assistants, but the failed as
team in the key actions. Stark allowed his team to make the decisions with him, that’s a
positive point for them
Parameter Mark 4: Style (factorized (50%) sum of both partial sections)
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 72,5
FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – REFEREE
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Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY / IMPORTANCE 10 % 85
CONTROL 20 % 73
DECISIONS 40 % 54
STYLE 30 % 72,5
Final mark 66,45
Assistant Referee 1
I. MATCH
Comment
Good match for him, the best of the referee team. He did a good job and had some
difficult situation to deal with, one big like the goal
Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty (only aspects concerning the AR1)
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 80,0
II. DECISIONS
Application of the Laws of the Game – Comment
A couple of hard decisions, his offside detection was excellent, and helped Stark when
he was able to.
Overview
Expected
Criteria + level
-
(Non-)Offside detection (evaluated independently (!)
X
from the difficulty of the (non-)offside situations)
Quality of other decisions with regard to the
X
application of the Laws of the Game
Important Decisions (of course heavy attention to be paid on (non-)offside
decisions)
Minute Situation and Assessment
88 Goal of Spain, difficult situation but he solved it perfectly
Parameter Mark 2: Decisions
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 90,0
III. STYLE
Physical and Technical Aspects
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Physical Condition X
Positioning and movement X
Adequate alertness, mental awareness and
concentration (e.g. decisions on situations happening X
in his area of vicinity)
Holds and moves his flag in accordance with the
X
Laws of the Game
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Parameter Mark 3: Style
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 78,0
FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – AR1
Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY 20 % 80
DECISIONS 60 % 90
STYLE 20 % 78
Final mark 85,6
Assistant Referee 2
I. MATCH
Comment
Not challenged, he did a good job in the few actions he had.
Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty (only aspects concerning the AR2)
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0
II. DECISIONS
Application of the Laws of the Game – Comment
Good offside detection in a normal match
Overview
Expected
Criteria + level
-
(Non-)Offside detection (evaluated independently (!)
X
from the difficulty of the (non-)offside situations)
Quality of other decisions with regard to the
X
application of the Laws of the Game
Important Decisions (of course heavy attention to be paid on (non-)offside
decisions)
Minute Situation and Assessment
Parameter Mark 2: Decisions
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0
III. STYLE
Physical and Technical Aspects
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Physical Condition X
Positioning and movement X
Adequate alertness, mental awareness and
concentration (e.g. decisions on situations happening X
in his area of vicinity)
Holds and moves his flag in accordance with the X
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Laws of the Game
Parameter Mark 3: Style
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0
FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – AR2
Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY 20 % 75
DECISIONS 60 % 75
STYLE 20 % 75
Final mark 75,0
Additional Assistant Referee 1
I. MATCH
Comment
Had one big call to do during the match, the rest was in ok
Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty (only aspects concerning the AAR1)
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0
II. DECISIONS
Application of the Laws of the Game, Involvement – Comment
He had the responsibility to take the decision in the penalty action
Overview
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Important decisions in the penalty area (e.g. fouls like
X
holding after set pieces, goal-decisions etc.)
Quality of other decisions with regard to the
X
application of the Laws of the Game
Important Decisions
Minute Situation and Assessment
Not given penalty for Spain after Sergio Ramos foul. It was all his
26
responsibility.
Parameter Mark 2: Decisions
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 40,0
III. STYLE
Physical and Technical Aspects
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Positioning and movement X
Active involvement, adequate alertness, mental
awareness and concentration (e.g. decisions on X
situations happening in his area of vicinity)
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Parameter Mark 3: Style
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0
FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – AAR1
Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY 20 % 75
DECISIONS 60 % 40
STYLE 20 % 75
Final mark 54,0
Additional Assistant Referee 2
I. MATCH
Comment
Some challenges and one decision to make.
Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty (only aspects concerning the AAR2)
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 70,0
II. DECISIONS
Application of the Laws of the Game, Involvement – Comment
He helped when he was able to, respect to Sergio Busquets action, a player was in the
middle of the action, therefore he was not able to see it.
Overview
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Important decisions in the penalty area (e.g. fouls like
X
holding after set pieces, goal-decisions etc.)
Quality of other decisions with regard to the
application of the Laws of the Game X
Important Decisions
Minute Situation and Assessment
Sergio Busquets hold a player in the penalty area, that could be whistle as
87 penalty, but Stark didn´t. The AAR2: Deniz Aytekin was covered by a player in
the situation, therefore was not able to see it.
Parameter Mark 2: Decisions
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 70,0
III. STYLE
Physical and Technical Aspects
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Positioning and movement X
Active involvement, adequate alertness, mental
awareness and concentration (e.g. decisions on X
situations happening in his area of vicinity)
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Parameter Mark 3: Style
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 70,0
FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – AAR2
Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY 20 % 70
DECISIONS 60 % 70
STYLE 20 % 70
Final mark 70,0
Fourth Official
Comment
Nothing to report, normal match for him
Final mark
FINAL MARK 75,0
Reserve Assistant Referee
Comment
Again a comfortable chair please!
Final mark
FINAL MARK 75,0
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