World Cup Officiating

[Banana]

So after 3 red cards in the opening match......not even more than a couple of yellows in all the other games

Him and the idiot that didn't get a pen against Mbappe are surely on the train home.

 

[A Real Mysteron]

I have been impressed with the refs so far in the most part.

 

[whyteleafebee76]

I like that the refs aren't buying any of the play acting or the trying to win soft fouls that we see in the PL. They seem to be letting a lot go and the games are flowing better as a result.

 

[hanworthbee]

Imo the refs are almost always excellent at tournaments as is the var. don’t know why we can’t get them to be like that in the PL

 

[pompeybee]

The amount of time added on (allowing for the drinks breaks) has generally been low, suggesting that time wasting has reduced. And there seems to be less nonsense at corners, maybe because defenders in particular don't want to risk being penalised.

Trends at major tournaments tend to carry over into domestic football, do here's hoping.

 

[BEEcool]

That ref for the France game is f*cking hero for standing by his decision not to award a penalty.

 

[mhead bee]

Its been pretty good so far other than a few obvious mistakes and a few 50/50's, "what was he looking at" moments. I like the speed of the game, no more time wasting on throws and goal kicks and so, fingers crossed, very few flop dives. So often a screaming cheat throws himself to the floor and everyone just carries on, I am loving that.

 

[KenCootesNephew]

The amount of time added on (allowing for the drinks breaks) has generally been low, suggesting that time wasting has reduced. And there seems to be less nonsense at corners, maybe because defenders in particular don't want to risk being penalised.

Trends at major tournaments tend to carry over into domestic football, do here's hoping.

Let's hope that's coming home too

 

[mhead bee]

The amount of time added on (allowing for the drinks breaks) has generally been low, suggesting that time wasting has reduced. And there seems to be less nonsense at corners, maybe because defenders in particular don't want to risk being penalised.

Trends at major tournaments tend to carry over into domestic football, do here's hoping.

The EPL has already said it is introducing this stuff next season around the 5 second rule. But we all know it only lasts 1 game and only applies to bottom half teams.

I have never bought into the stuff about the foreign refs being better than ours, mainly because the foreign refs are brought up on the any contact = free kick culture which made Italian and Spanish football unwatchable for decades as the ball is in play for 4-5 seconds at a time before "peep". But this WC they have been superb so far, VAR seems to work (a couple of weird ones granted) , but we aren't sitting through 5 mins checks for every goal and foul as the the VAR room spend hours studying angles before making a nonsense decision. The game actually flows.

The drinks break irritates me, its the music and adverts mainly and then the count down to kicks offs. I don't want all that American sh*t over here.

 

[jlove]

Imo the refs are almost always excellent at tournaments as is the var. don’t know why we can’t get them to be like that in the PL

I’m not sure it’s the referees. The Premier League seems to have different laws that most clubs push to the limit. In the WC, you don’t see too many dead ball plays and you certainly don’t see Arsenal-style bumping, barging, holding and rugby tackles in the penalty area.

Warn the clubs and enforce the laws – consistently throughout the season – and we might see better football, even at the breakneck pace of the PL.

 

[JANORAK]

Did anyone else get ‘Pit Girl’ vibes from the female Asst Refs, with their subs boards, last night?

 

[stevendamico]

The VAR seems light-years ahead of what the EPL has on speed and accuracy. I also liked what happened in the US match when there was a "mistaken identity" review. Tim Ream was given a yellow for a tackle just outside the box, but replay showed quite obviously Ream never made contact with the other player, who just flopped. Yellow card was rescinded and given to the flopping player.

My understanding is that review can only happen if a card was given. Not applicable for regular fouls.

 

[Westlad]

The VAR seem light-years ahead of what the EPL on speed and accuracy. I also liked what happened in the US match when there was a "mistaken identity" review. Tim Ream was given a yellow for a tackle just outside the box, but replay showed quite obviously Ream never made contact with the other player, who just flopped. Yellow card was rescinded and given to the flopping player.

My understanding is that review can only happen if a card was given. Not applicable for regular fouls.

I think this is generally because of more resources for World Cup? When first introduced in the 2018 WC it was pretty quick, despite the Pl and most other leagues not using it.

 

[Themepark]

The EPL has already said it is introducing this stuff next season around the 5 second rule.

It's a law change so everyone is introducing it. Although I reckon this new law is going to be carnage on the grassroots levels the first few weeks especially... but that's for another time...

I'm obviously looking at things in a slightly different way as I'm also looking at how they move around/signal things/interact with players etc. but I think the officiating overall has been okay from what I've seen, I personally quite like Clement Turpin, though I thought he seemed to have a bit of an off day when he reffed us - he usually seems a lot more composed than that.

As much as assistants walking out carrying rolled up flags like they're javelins winds me up as it looks so rubbish... as did the need to communicate every decision with the whistle via morse code for the first few games ( ), it's very interesting to see all the different styles/personalities all the officiating teams have and how their various football cultures differ from one another.

 

[mhead bee]

I personally quite like Clement Turpin,

I’ve never tried it myself

 

[mhead bee]

I think this is generally because of more resources for World Cup? When first introduced in the 2018 WC it was pretty quick, despite the Pl and most other leagues not using it.

The EPL VAR seems to create its own problems. I look at an incident and after 3 seconds I have made a decision. Over here they take 5-6 mins and still come up with something that makes no sense to anyone

VAR is an action replay, nothing else, it’s the circus in charge who are turning into a clowns car crash.

 

[Banana]

Referee fees for FIFA World Cup 2026​

According to online sources, all referees selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will receive large financial compensation. Each match official (Referee, Assistant Referee, Video Match Official, Fourth Official, Reserve AR) will be paid a participation bonus plus match fees.

Match Fees
Referees: $2,000/match
Assistant Referees: $1,000/match

Participation Bonus
Referees: $50,000
Assistant Referees: $40,000
*Additional bonuses will be paid for knock-out stage and final roles.

 

[SmiffyBee]

I'm not sure i like the way refs hunch over at corners and some attacking free kicks, looking intently at the action.
Better to stand upright i usually think.

 

[SpiderBee]

Some are good, some not so much. Usually the way with refs!

 

[hanworthbee]

Referee fees for FIFA World Cup 2026​

According to online sources, all referees selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will receive large financial compensation. Each match official (Referee, Assistant Referee, Video Match Official, Fourth Official, Reserve AR) will be paid a participation bonus plus match fees.

Match Fees
Referees: $2,000/match
Assistant Referees: $1,000/match

Participation Bonus
Referees: $50,000
Assistant Referees: $40,000
*Additional bonuses will be paid for knock-out stage and final roles.

So the lino only gets £10k less than the actual ref ! Good negotiating from the linos!

 

[SmiffyBee]

First game I've seen for an English official.
Michael Oliver.
..... he's already got hit by the ball in the first 2 mins....

 

[mhead bee]

I am still liking most of it, but there deffo seems to be a policy of not dishing out millions of yellows and var only stepping in for utter howlers.

It is letting a lot of people off the hook, I am hoping if Congo scored tonight they would have brought it back and carded Wissa for a pretty poor challenge.

The longer it goes on the more you see the inevitable inconsistency appearing. Time wasting, kicking balls away, creeping up the line on throws ons etc and a lot of persistent fouling is being allowed. They are also not too fussed about rugby tackles at corners.

 

[HMDBFC]

Bang on with the Harry Kane penalty claim, why wasn't he booked btw

 

[longtimeagobee]

Will we be getting this unobtrusive VAR ing in the Premier League?
Games seem to be flowing kinda like the old days, except for the drinks breaks, can do without those.

 

[Brentford77]

First game I've seen for an English official.
Michael Oliver.
..... he's already got hit by the ball in the first 2 mins....

Anthony Taylor has done two also

 

[BuzzBeeSi]

Will we be getting this unobtrusive VAR ing in the Premier League?
Games seem to be flowing kinda like the old days, except for the drinks breaks, can do without those.

Yeah whatever Fifa has done has clearly worked. Pretty much every game is a treat!

 

[mhead bee]

Bang on with the Harry Kane penalty claim, why wasn't he booked btw

From over Harry’s right shoulder it looks a dive, from the corner flag angle it’s a stone wall penalty. How can you book for that

I was just surprised they didn’t give it to Argentina.

There have been no bookings do anything, tactical fouling, time wasting, diving, kicking the ball away, it’s only going to get worse.

 

[SpiderBee]

France, Argentina, Colombia will exploit these refereeing weaknesses to the detriment of the cup as it progresses.

 

[Leedsbee]

Think the refereeing has been excellent and to an extent reflects American bafflement at the way footballers fall over under contact so much. Prefer this approach ie nothing you can do can hurt me. Seem to have got on top of the messing around before corners and a lot of the time wasting.Still think the clock should be stopped at the mid game ad break to make 45 and 90 minutes still mean something.

 

[HantsBee]

Players seem to appear to be getting away with doing the imaginary yellow card gesture as it has happened on numerous occasions without any punishment. Also refs do not seem to be interacting with the players very much and seem to adopt a stern attitude towards the players.

 

[LostBee]

reflects American bafflement at the way footballers fall over under contact so much.

Yet their hero is LeBron James, who spends most of his time throwing himself to the floor as soon as an opposition player gets near him.

Go figure

 

[The Pipe]

My overall impression is that whilst mistakes are still made the officiating has allowed the games to flow, they seem to be accepting that it is a contact sport and just wave the game on whilst the players just lay on the floor then suddenly arise like Lazarus !!! In the EPL they would without doubt whistle for a foul.

As for VAR, whilst I understand there was a long delay last night in the main there lack of intervention has been a godsend. Rather than forensically examine every move in the previous 5 mins they have gone with the refs decision, something the PGMOL could learn from.

In my opinion the officials in the World Cup have improved the spectacle of the game

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

Players seem to appear to be getting away with doing the imaginary yellow card gesture as it has happened on numerous occasions without any punishment.

Glad someone else has noticed this. Was it just the PL which had this as a yellow card offence? Can't remember.

 

[mhead bee]

France, Argentina, Colombia will exploit these refereeing weaknesses to the detriment of the cup as it progresses.

100%

The tactical fouling, snidy late tackles, time wasting, kicking the ball away will hit new heights. Brace yourself for Sunday night. My prediction is Mexico will get a penalty that is far more of a dive than the Kane one not given.

 

[mhead bee]

My overall impression is that whilst mistakes are still made the officiating has allowed the games to flow, they seem to be accepting that it is a contact sport and just wave the game on whilst the players just lay on the floor then suddenly arise like Lazarus !!! In the EPL they would without doubt whistle for a foul.

As for VAR, whilst I understand there was a long delay last night in the main there lack of intervention has been a godsend. Rather than forensically examine every move in the previous 5 mins they have gone with the refs decision, something the PGMOL could learn from.

In my opinion the officials in the World Cup have improved the spectacle of the game

Agree in the main. Most refs have ignored the step in front flop dives, but others have embraced it and given every one. I like the way the game flows much quicker, but a lot of poor tackles are slipping through the net, like Wissa last night. You can't have it both ways really.

 

[HaylingBee74]

Glad someone else has noticed this. Was it just the PL which had this as a yellow card offence? Can't remember.

I think its the wrong punishment. I think for waving a yellow card should be a sin bin offence, its immediate and reflects telling the referee what to do. Would 15 minutes sitting there stop it though?

 

[SmiffyBee]

Last night's ref Ilgiz Tantashev and the VAR team shouldn't be involved in anymore games.
How're could they miss so many chances to punish or draw a line last night ?
Shocking !
Luckily France showed great character and football won in the end.

 

[SmiffyBee]

Anthony Taylor appointed to Portugal v Spain Monday.

 

[badgerbee]

Thought the ref in Mex v Eng game got all the big decisions spot on.

 

[Leonardo]

Thought the ref in Mex v Eng game got all the big decisions spot on.

I thought he lost control of the match and missed several incidents of Mexican dark arts. O'Reilly got booked but look just before.

 

[Adam]

Thought the ref in Mex v Eng game got all the big decisions spot on.

Huh? What about the free kick for their first goal which was a blatant dive? Pretty big decision IMO.

And that's not forgetting that for 2 of the major decisions, VAR had to help him out because he missed them! He was cack.

 

[badgerbee]

Huh? What about the free kick for their first goal which was a blatant dive? Pretty big decision IMO.

And that's not forgetting that for 2 of the major decisions, VAR had to help him out because he missed them! He was cack.

Nah, his final decisions for both penalties and the sending off were correct.
The 3 biggest decisions in the game.
Could have stuck with his original ones. Which would have been incorrect.
Doesn't really matter how he got there.

 

[aawharris]

A lot of the officials from smaller nations (and South America) have been pathetic, regularly losing control of players and getting a lot of decisions wrong.
Not supported by VAR who seem to have gone rogue and making their own random decisions too

 

[Adam]

Nah, his final decisions for both penalties and the sending off were correct.
The 3 biggest decisions in the game.
Could have stuck with his original ones. Which would have been incorrect.
Doesn't really matter how he got there.

His decisions were no penalty and no red card, just FYI. VAR corrected him.

 

[badgerbee]

His decisions were no penalty and no red card, just FYI. VAR corrected him.

Yep.
And as I said, FYI, he arrived at the correct results for all 3 of the biggest decisions in the end.
Good use of the VAR.

 

[Adam]

Yep.
And as I said, FYI, he arrived at the correct results for all 3 of the biggest decisions in the end.
Good use of the VAR.

fair enough can’t really argue and win this one. Refs needing 3 peers to correct their decision makes them elite. I’ve heard it all.

 

[hanworthbee]

I dont believe you can get any elite referees from the likes of Uzbekistan. Not sure where this bloke was from though

 

[hobbsy]

I dont believe you can get any elite referees from the likes of Uzbekistan. Not sure where this bloke was from though

Aussie

 

[BuzzWord]

I don't believe you can get any elite referees from the likes of Uzbekistan. Not sure where this bloke was from though

Iran .... been reffing in Australia for last few years .... & did well under the extraordinary pressure put on him.
Meanwhile, the main VAR chap is Columbian.

Hey, who cares .... we stuffed Los Mexicanos in their own back yard .... come onnnnnnnn!!!!!!

 

[birdy67]

I dont believe you can get any elite referees from the likes of Uzbekistan. Not sure where this bloke was from though

Mad statement. Any monkey can be trained to blow a whistle when they see something they don't like. With VAR to back them up it doesn't even matter if they get that decision wrong. The sooner we have an AI robot officiating and taking all emotion out of the game the better. Then it can only be correct.