Before discussing the other aspects of officiating at the group stage, let us update some numbers after the first knockout round (eight games). There were 15 yellow cards and no red cards in this phase and the overall refereeing was very good with very few questionable if any controversial decisions. With addition of the new […]
referees
American refs in Qatar
• Argentina-Croatia, Dec. 13: Kathryn Nesbitt (offside VAR), Kyle Atkins (standby AVAR).• France-Morocco, Dec. 14: Armando Villarreal (support VAR), Corey Parker (standby AVAR).Note: For complete list of U.S. refereeing assignments, click HERE.
Officiating at World Cup 2022, a first look
Forty-eight games were played at the group stage. I watched a good number of them but not all the games. I wanted to share my observations for the officiating. After the World Cup, I will share my thoughts on the complete process. Referee and VAR Assignments. FIFA invited 36 referees from 32 countries, three of […]
Ismail Elfath hits U.S. World Cup reffing milestone
Ismail Elfath, who was in charge of Monday’s Croatia-Japan round of 16 game, became the second American referee to whistle three games in a World Cup. He matches Mark Geiger, who was in charge of three games at both the 2014 and the 2018 World Cup. U.S. assistant referees Kyle Atkins and Corey Parker teamed […]
Sunday morning: What we're reading (and listening to)
1. What follows the World Cup exit vs. Netherlands? By Bruce Arena (MLSSoccer.com)2. What next for female officials after Stephanie Frappart landmark? (BBC Sport)3. How Israeli-Palestinian conflict spilled into the World Cup By Stefan Nestler (DW.com)
Friday morning: What we're reading (and listening to)
1. Referee Stephanie Frappart disrupts narrative to make World Cup history By Suzanne Wrack (Guardian)2. FIFA plans to kill the drama of the World Cup group stage. Here’s how to save it By Henry Bushnell (Yahoo Sports)3. Iran’s World Cup team gets tepid welcome home, amid protests (AP)
Thursday afternoon: What we're reading (and listening to)
1. Watching USA with four generations: ‘I’m 98 and trying to make up for lost time’ By Roshane Thomas (The Athletic)2. Christian Pulisic hospital photo goes viral: Meet the kid who shared the iconic image By Dominic Bonvissuto (OutKick)3. French federation files complaint over disallowed goal By Jerome Pugmire (AP)
Wednesday morning: What we're reading (and listening to)
1. USMNT’s Christian Pulisic will ‘be ready’ for Netherlands despite injury (ESPN)2. Stéphanie Frappart to become first female referee at men’s World Cup game (Reuters)3. England: Marcus Rashford display a poignant personal moment for true exciting talent By Phil McNulty (BBC)
American refs in Qatar: Ismail Elfath in the middle for Brazil-Cameroon
American referee Ismail Elfath, who was in the middle for Portugal’s 3-2 win over Ghana on Nov. 24, got his second assignment: Brazil-Cameroon on Dec. 2. He will again be joined by U.S. assistant referees Kyle Atkins and Corey Parker. Elfath, of Austin, Texas, reffed this season’s MLS Cup. The 2020 MLS Referee of the Year emigrated from […]
Tuesday afternoon: What we're reading (and listening to)
1. A gift for my father, and the gift he gave to me By Paul Tenorio (The Athletic)2. Croatia charged for World Cup fans’ taunts of Canada goalie (AP)3. How is AI helping FIFA detect offsides? By Esteban Pardo (DW.com)
