Agree with most of your conjecture, but since the 2011 U-20 WC was in S. America, I am sure they knew all about him. Not that it might make any difference. PH
Wasn't sure where to post this but... it seems to me that the refereeing in the European Championship has been palpably of a higher standard overall than in Copa America. Reasons for this? - Use of AARs and (potentially) goal line technology - Some teams in Copa America really are more difficult to referee - On average, more experienced referees of "big" games in the European Championship Thoughts?
This has already been mentioned. It is not often that we get the chance to do a daily side-by-side comparison. Not so much your 1st item, but 2nd & 3rd are true. -Better instruction and training. Better organization of referee programs. CONCACAF's is a mess. -More money. A lot of CONCACAF's money and (maybe CONMEBOL's also) has gone in to the bank accounts of the crooks that used to run it and are currently under indictment. -Also it is only one Confederation. -Teams that play good football and refrain from play-acting (as much) and other tantrums. Better discipline and behavior. PH
Don't discount familiarity as a factor. As an example for those that didn't see it, Kuipers stood halfway down the tunnel, rather than at the exit, to greet every player as he came down to lineup. Several shared brief hugs with him and one came back after he walked by to seemingly share a joke. I'm talking about guys like Lewandowski and Muller mainly, but he appeared to greet every player and every player seemed to know him. Taking control of UCL games regularly to hone skills is one thing. But perhaps the more important factor is it makes referees like Kuipers colleagues of these star players. The players expect to see him and Rizzoli and Clattenburg and Brych and others. They know who they are and know what they get from them. No such familiarity and no such expectations exist in Copa. When you add that to everything written above, you see why there are big differences.
Well, it also helps when your photo has been on the front of the FIFA edition of the LOTG. But yes, these refs are celebrities as well. I think there was time in CONMEBOL and even CONCACAF when some referees were like this. Roberto Wright (WC 1990) used to do TV commercials in Brazil, and Mario Rubio, who sent off Maradona in WC 1982, did them in Mexico. I could be wrong, but I don't think anything like this occurs these days. PH
On the subject of Marrufo, @coreyrock has been active on twitter since the conclusion of the group stage. This gives me the impression that the crew's obligations to the tournament have been fulfilled.
I think the gringo factor also player in. When almost all of the teams speak Spanish and almost all of the referees speak Spanish as a first language, why throw in the "handicapped" referee?
Refereeing in general in CONMEBOL is appalling most of the time. Referees have even less consistency than in UEFA and make decisions on what seem to be personal whims.
This is not a significant factor at this level. Anyway, how do you know how much Spanish Geiger speaks and understands? There have been several US FIFA referees in the past who took the trouble to learn some Spanish, and who could referee Spanish-speaking teams quite well. Most of of the big teams in CONCACAF are from Spanish-speaking countries so this is not that unusual. In any event, the players are always glad to talk to the referee in English! Look at the Euros for example. You can see the referee who speaks his own language talking to a player who speaks a different language. The conversation is in English! PH
Nearing the end of the tournament I am left thinking we did not get to see enough of any referee. I think too many referees were tapped for this tournament and there were not enough games for them all. The Euros have a two group game guarantee for each referee apparently and that would be a good starting spot I think for the Copa as well. What are th e opinions here about this topic? Nothing doing or big issue?
I'll reply to your "no it isn't" with a "yes it is." Which game did Geiger get? Do the Euros involve 90% of teams/referees sharing one primary language and the rest not? Does CONCACAF regularly consider CONMEBOL referees for qualifiers or other events?
No, the other politics are more significant than the language issue. English-speaking CONCACAF referees have been appointed to many matches with both Spanish-speaking teams. Marrufo is fully fluent in both languages; by your idea he should get more matches. What did he get? PH
When? There are only two appointments left, one of them essentially meaningless. It doesn't look like the Euros are even having a third place match. PH
Alright, I'll bite and begin the speculation. I have two possible surprises that this user may be referring to. Surprise A, Goal Line ARs are used in the finals (highly unlikely though). Surprise B, regardless of which match it ends up being, an american crew will be assigned to whichever match the USA is not participating in (finals or 3rd place).
A is apparently not happening, after serious consideration. B is possible only to the extent that you could see a US crew on the 3/4 game if the US isn't there. So beating Messi helps Geiger. Conmebol will get the final. Seems like there were two possible surprises but neither will pan out, unless the surprise referenced is Cacares or which American ARs stayed with Geiger.
Definitely still a possibility. Corey Rockwell still tweeted about being busy with Copa America. Not sure if refs still have required training or other events even after they are done, but it appeared he may not be done with his work there.
I suppose the only real surprise left would be Geiger or Maruffo as the 4th for the final, as a little nod of respect to the host country.
I think the surprise intended earlier in the quote was the crew assigned to the US game. I mean, that was pretty surprising for me, because he certainly made a mess of the Mexico game. I was surprised that of all the officials here, they chose the PAR crew for a second game.