World of Football Refereeing

Referee Observation Report

MATCH FACTS
Group D, Matchday 1
11 June 2012 – 20:45 CET • Donbass Arena • Donezk

FRANCE 1:1 ENGLAND

GOALS
0-1 Joleon LESCOTT (ENG, 30’)
1-1 Samir NASRI (FRA, 39’)

YELLOW CARDS
Alex OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN (ENG, 34’), Ashley YOUNG (ENG, 71’)

SENDING OFFS
NONE

MATCH OFFICIALS
Function Full Name Origin Final Mark
Referee Nicola Rizzoli ITA 74,5
Assistant Referee 1 Renato Faverani ITA 74,0
Assistant Referee 2 Andrea Stefani ITA 82,0
Additional Assistant Referee 1 Gianluca Rocchi ITA 74,0
Additional Assistant Referee 2 Paolo Tagliavento ITA 77,0
Fourth Official Pavel Kralovec CZE 72,0
Reserve Assistant Referee Roman Slyško SVK 75,0
UEFA Delegate Armen Minasyan ARM
UEFA Referee Observer Jozef Marko SVK
Blog Referee Observer(s) Edward A. GRE

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
First Match of Group D of EURO 2012. Both teams wanted to win in order to take the lead
at the group. Always a match between France and England is supposed to be interesting
and very difficult for every referee. This match was played in a full stadium (over 50.000
spectators). First half was quite good with 2 goals and a good pace. The second one was
very boring without many efforts on goal but with many given fouls and some overlooked
ones.

 Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty and Importance

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 80,0

II. CONTROL
 Comment
He always had total control of the match. He had to talk to the players in some occasions
but that worked well for him. He didn’t have problems with the player’s reactions to him
and most of his decisions were accepted by everyone involved in the game.

 Exemplary situations that strengthen the general impression

Minute Situation and Assessment
Ashley Young (ENG) stands in front of Evra (FRA) who tries to play a free
19’
kick. Rizzoli preferred to talk to him even though he could issue a YC.

 Parameter Mark 2: Control

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 80,0

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)
His approach to the game was not to whistle every small contact. The way the match
turned out at the second half his approach was correct. If he had given every small foul
then the match would have end with over 60 fouls. His mistake is that he overlooked
some bigger fouls in his attempt to help the game. Another difficulty was some of the
Yellow cards I felt they were needed. He showed only 2 and missed some to players who
repeatedly broke the LOTG.

 Important Decisions ((non)given cards should be mentioned, other important

decisions in the opinion of the observer)
Minute Situation and Assessment
Ashley Young (ENG) stands in front of Evra (FRA) who tries to play a free
19’
kick. Rizzoli preferred to talk to him even though he could issue a YC.
34’ Chamberlain (ENG) fouls with both legs to Debuchy (FRA). Correct YC.
Cabaye (FRA) fouls from behind to Parker (ENG). Correct foul given but the
36’
YC was appropriate.
41’ Cabaye (FRA) fouls to Ashley Cole (ENG). He could issue the YC.

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 47’ Ribery (FRA) collides with Parker (ENG) and Rizzoli gives a drop ball.
Gerrard falls outside France penalty area. Debatable since there wasn’t a
52’
replay.
65’ Cabaye (FRA) fouls to Ashley Cole (ENG). He could issue the YC.
71’ Ashley Young fouls on Benzema (FRA). Correct YC.
Ribery (FRA) fouls on Oxlade-Chamberlain (ENG). A YC would be
73’
appropriate.
Johnson (ENG) hits Ribery on his face with his hands as they were running. A
79’
YC would be appropriate.
84’ Hendersson (ENG) fouls on Ribery (FRA). A YC should have been given.

 Parameter Mark 3: Decisions

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 70,0

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
of serious injuries, possible advantages applied, X
card-timing etc.)
Comment
Great physical condition, always close to the action and generally no physical problems. He should
however be able to anticipate some of the situations and be a little better at advantage rule.
Minute Situation and Assessment
Cabaye (FRA) fouls on Parker and the ball goes to Ashley Young outside
36’
French area. Rizzoli gives the foul. He should let the advantage.
47’ Ribery (FRA) collides with Parker (ENG) and Rizzoli gives a drop ball.

 Parameter Mark 4.1: Physical and Technical Aspects

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 70,0

 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 X

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 has also tools to gain authority (adequate and clear
gestures, using his whistle as kind of language)
Shows respect X
Comment
He had the ability to communicate with the players. They respected him and Rizzoli respected the
players. He had clear gestures for both players and crowd. He showed also the needed authority
when he had to instruct the players before free kicks.
Minute Situation and Assessment

 Parameter Mark 4.2: Tactical Approach

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 80,0

 Summary of both sections (if necessary, give the minutes)

Positive Points 1. Authority, communication, clear gestures.
2. Physical Condition

Points for improvement 1. Advantage Rule

2. ---

 Comment on the cooperation within the referee team

The co-operation was good but his assistants made some mistakes which were
transferred to Rizzoli.

 Parameter Mark 4: Style (factorized (50%) sum of both partial sections)

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0

FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – REFEREE

Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY / IMPORTANCE 10 % 80
CONTROL 20 % 80
DECISIONS 40 % 70
STYLE 30 % 75
Final mark 74,5

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Assistant Referee 1
I. MATCH
 Comment
He had some difficulties. One mistake at the offside area and 1 corner mistaken given
goal-kick plus a foul in front of him not given. Still a satisfying performance.

 Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty (only aspects concerning the AR1)

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 70,0

II. DECISIONS
 Application of the Laws of the Game – Comment
One mistake at the offside area and 1 corner mistaken given goal-kick plus a foul in front
of him not given. On the positives he had 1 correct offside given and 1 no-offside situation
with Ribery.

 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
12’ No-offside call on Ribery (FRA). Brilliant decision.
Goal Kick awarded for England. He should give a corner kick since
33’
Chamberlain touched the ball last.
54’ Offside call on Ashley Young (ENG). Correct decision.
58’ Ribery (FRA) pushes Johnson (ENG) in front of AR 1. He should give it.
68’ Offside call on Millner (ENG). Wrong decision.

 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
Laws of the Game

 Parameter Mark 3: Style

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0

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FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – AR1
Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY 20 % 70
DECISIONS 60 % 75
STYLE 20 % 75
Final mark 74,0

Assistant Referee 2
I. MATCH
 Comment
He had 3 consecutive offside decisions at the first 30’. After those situations he was
always alert and helped the referee by indicating free kicks in his area. Very good
performance.

 Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty (only aspects concerning the AR2)

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 80,0

II. DECISIONS
 Application of the Laws of the Game – Comment
He had 3 consecutive offside decisions at the first 30’. He solved them brilliantly even
though some of them were difficult. He also was great in the no-offside area.

 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
3’ Wellbeck (ENG) is adjudged to be in an offside position. Correct call.
18’ A. Young (ENG) is adjudged to be in an offside position. Correct call.
26’ Millner (ENG) is adjudged to be in an offside position. Correct call.
80’ Great no-offside call to Ribery which leads to a French opportunity.

 Parameter Mark 2: Decisions

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 85,0

III. STYLE
 Physical and Technical Aspects
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Physical Condition X
Positioning and movement X
Adequate alertness, mental awareness and
X
concentration (e.g. decisions on situations happening

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 in his area of vicinity)
Holds and moves his flag in accordance with the
X
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 % 80
DECISIONS 60 % 85
STYLE 20 % 75
Final mark 82,0

Additional Assistant Referee 1

I. MATCH
 Comment
Missed, along with AR 1, one corner for France. Other than that not heavy work for him.

 Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty (only aspects concerning the AAR1)

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 65,0

II. DECISIONS
 Application of the Laws of the Game, Involvement – Comment
Apart from the missed corner, he was alert talking a lot to Rizzoli and always close to the
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

 Parameter Mark 2: Decisions

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0

III. STYLE
 Physical and Technical Aspects
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Positioning and movement X
Active involvement, adequate alertness, mental X

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 awareness and concentration (e.g. decisions on
situations happening in his area of vicinity)

 Parameter Mark 3: Style

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0

FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – AAR1

Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY 20 % 65
DECISIONS 60 % 75
STYLE 20 % 80
Final mark 74,0

Additional Assistant Referee 2

I. MATCH
 Comment
Not challenged at all. Always alert and concentrated but nothing difficult for him.

 Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty (only aspects concerning the AAR2)

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 65,0

II. DECISIONS
 Application of the Laws of the Game, Involvement – Comment
Only involvement in some corners in front of him. All correct. Always alert and he seemed
to be talking to the referee a lot.

 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

 Parameter Mark 2: Decisions

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 80,0

III. STYLE
 Physical and Technical Aspects
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Positioning and movement X
Active involvement, adequate alertness, mental
X
awareness and concentration (e.g. decisions on

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 situations happening in his area of vicinity)

 Parameter Mark 3: Style

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 80,0

FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – AAR2

Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY 20 % 65
DECISIONS 60 % 80
STYLE 20 % 80
Final mark 77,0

Fourth Official
 Comment
He could have helped Rizzoli when Ribery (FRA) is fouled in front of him by Gerrard
(ENG). The referee let the game but Kralovec could inform him. Apart from that nothing
extraordinary.

 Final mark
FINAL MARK 72,0

Reserve Assistant Referee

 Comment
Nothing to comment

 Final mark
FINAL MARK 75,0

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