World of Football Refereeing

Referee Observation Report

MATCH FACTS
Group A, Matchday 1
08 June 2012 – 20:45 CET • Stadion Miejski • Wroclaw

RUSSIA 4:1 CZECH REPUBLIC

GOALS
1-0 Alan DZAGOEV (RUS, 14’)
2-0 Roman SHIROKOV (RUS, 23’)
2-1 Vaclav PILAR (CZE, 51’)
3-1 Alan DZAGOEV (RUS 78’)
4-1 Roman PAVLUYCHENKO (RUS 81’)

YELLOW CARDS
No
SENDING OFFS
No

MATCH OFFICIALS
Function Full Name Origin Final Mark
Referee Howard Webb ENG 79,0
Assistant Referee 1 Mike Mullarkey ENG 77,2
Assistant Referee 2 Peter Kirkup ENG 83,0
Additional Assistant Referee 1 Martin Atkinson ENG 75,0
Additional Assistant Referee 2 Mark Clattenburg ENG 75,0
Fourth Official Manuel de Sousa POR 75,0
Reserve Assistant Referee Bertino Miranda POR 75,0
UEFA Delegate Nodar Akhalkatsi GEO
UEFA Referee Observer Herbert Fandel GER
Blog Referee Observer(s) Sander dBR NED

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
Second match in group A and the first on EURO 2012 for Russia and Czech Republic.
The first match in this group ended on a one all draw between Poland an Greece, so that
a win could be an important one for both Russia and Czech Republic. Also the first match
for referee Howard Webb this EURO and his goal must be to referee more matches than
at the EURO in 2008. A lot of interest for the participants at the start. However, Russia
were much stronger and had an easy win, 4-1. The score influenced the difficulty of the
match but the players also accepted the Webb’s line and that worked well for him!

 Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty and Importance

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 65,0

II. CONTROL
 Comment
Webb was lenient but not in an annoying or a nuisance way. His style worked quite well
for this match. A lot of talking, fortunately not as much as during the semi final CL
between Bayern and Real Madrid, and he let the game flow. The players accepted and
understand the line which was also influenced by the score. The Czech never believed in
a win, neither after they had scored the 2-1. Not so many difficult situations to control for
Webb and overall he had the game under full control until the end. I wonder if it had not
been also due to his experience and his style.

 Exemplary situations that strengthen the general impression

Minute Situation and Assessment

 Parameter Mark 2: Control

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 77.0

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)
The match started with an extremely high number of fouls in the first five minutes, mostly
committed by Russia. I have not counted them but I think it was an amount of at least 10
fouls. Webb handled that in a fine manner, thanks to his calmness, it became less after
that. He had a correct no penalty occasion for Czech Republic in the 3rd minute. In the
25th minute Arshavin was pushed in the box by Plasil. Not that hard but it was a clear
push. Despite of the fact that Arshavin went down a bit easily, he should have awarded a
penalty to Russia in my opinion. Luckily it had no influence on the result of the match.

Webb had an excellent foul detection and especially a no foul detection. Baros and Webb
are not the best friends I guess. There were a lot of lithe fouls on Baros but Webb refused
to whistle them. He frequently applied the advantage rule but should have made it more
as he did in minute 68 after a handball by Arshavin, when the Czech could build up an
attack.

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 He missed one clear yellow card in minute 56 after a foul from Shirokov on Jiracek but
that was the only one he should have given.

Good assistant referees and especially Peter Kirkup did a great job.

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

decisions in the opinion of the observer)
Minute Situation and Assessment
3’ Correct no penalty decision.
Waited for the advantage after a foul on Shirokov but should have whistled.
24’ Foul on the midfield and that is his safe zone, because there was no clear
advantage for Russia.
No penalty for Russia after a push by Plasil on Arshavin, to my mind sooner a
25’
wrong decision.
31’ Correct not given a free kick to Jiracek after a fair tackle on the ball.
56’ Missed a yellow card after a foul on Jiracek by Shirokov.
Recognized the advantage in a great fashion after a handball by Arshavin and
67’
a possible attack by the Czech Republic.
92’ Correctly disallowed the 4-2. Offside.

 Parameter Mark 3: Decisions

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 82,0

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
text possible
Minute Situation and Assessment

 Parameter Mark 4.1: Physical and Technical Aspects

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 80,0

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  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
text possible (mandatory in case of an awarded minus)
Minute Situation and Assessment

 Parameter Mark 4.2: Tactical Approach

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 82,0

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

Positive Points 1. Applies a good and flexible diagonal system.
Good communication with players and not to much this
2.
time.

Points for improvement 1. More adequate attention for injuries.

The missed YC in minute 56 was a clear one with regard
2.
to the laws of the game.

 Comment on the cooperation within the referee team

The team worked well together. Both of the assistant referees did well, the additional
assistant referees Atkinson and Clattenburg were not that often challenged. Kirkup or
Clattenburg attended Webb correctly when some fireworks were thrown onto the pitch.

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

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 81,0

FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – REFEREE

Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY / IMPORTANCE 10 % 65,0
CONTROL 20 % 77,0
DECISIONS 40 % 82,0
STYLE 30 % 81,0
Final mark 79,0

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Assistant Referee 1
I. MATCH
 Comment
No close offside calls.

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

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 65,0

II. DECISIONS
 Application of the Laws of the Game – Comment
Only 1 offside call at all. In the 44th minute, he awarded a corner to the Czech but that
should have been a goal kick for Russia.

 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 82,0

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

FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – AR1

Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY 20 % 65,0
DECISIONS 60 % 82,0
STYLE 20 % 75,0
Final mark 77,2

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Assistant Referee 2
I. MATCH
 Comment
--

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

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 85,0

II. DECISIONS
 Application of the Laws of the Game – Comment
Kirkup had a lot of important and correct calls. No offside before the 2-0 and correctly
disallowed the possible 4-2 in the 92th minute. In the 40th minute he had no idea which
team should get a throw-in but he correctly followed Webb so (nearly) no-one noticed
that.

 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
Correct no offside before the 2-0. Difficult call because the ball passed a lot of
23’
players.
92’ Correct offside call which meant no 4-2.

 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
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

FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – AR2

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 Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY 20 % 85,0
DECISIONS 60 % 85,0
STYLE 20 % 75,0
Final mark 83,0

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Additional Assistant Referee 1

I. MATCH
 Comment
--

 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
--

 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
awareness and concentration (e.g. decisions on X
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 % 75,0
DECISIONS 60 % 75,0
STYLE 20 % 75,0
Final mark 75,0

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Additional Assistant Referee 2
I. MATCH
 Comment
--

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

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0

II. DECISIONS
 Application of the Laws of the Game, Involvement – Comment
No visible cooperation.

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

 Parameter Mark 3: Style

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0

FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – AAR2

Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY 20 % 75,0
DECISIONS 60 % 75,0
STYLE 20 % 75,0
Final mark 75.0

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Fourth Official
 Comment
No

 Final mark
FINAL MARK 75,0

Reserve Assistant Referee

 Comment
No

 Final mark
FINAL MARK 75,0

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