General Assignments Discussion

I think Spain v Cabo Verde is an interesting one that would work if you are going to place her early on MD1. Saudi v Uruguay is a tougher match, but it's in Miami and something tells me it wouldn't be crazy to put her there in front of Collina early on.

If you're looking at MD2, it might be when Curacao comes around again to play Ecuador.

 

Oh, good point. I guess FIFA did violate it last time to get Frappart a match, but I think Penso is going to be treated differently this time and do not expect them to break neutrality just to get her a match. In fact, I exepct two group stage matches so would hope she gets a MD1 assignment in the next couple days.

 

I'm not sure how big the list is, but I think there is a list of countries beyond Iran that will not see an American referee. I suspect Iraq is on it, but I could be wrong. Otherwise, yes, that seems like a good option on paper.

I wonder about Ramos. Do we think he'd be given a Mexico City match deliberately so he can say he refereed a home World Cup? If so, Uzbekistan v Colombia could be his. It's the only group stage match there that does not involve Mexico.

 

Don't think I didn't think about that when I made that suggestion.

 

Sweden v Tunisia is already assigned, but yes.

I would think he gets that Mexico City moment, but we'll find out soon because Uzbekistan v Colombia is the only option.

But, to your point, I'm now seeing that Spain v Uruguay is in Guadalajara. I already suggested elsehwere Ramos might be on that match and I didn't even note the venue.

 

I don't think anyone was confusing anything. I noted Saudi-Uruguay could be an option for Penso and @IARef96 then noted the magenta kit angle.

 

It dawns on me that Saudi Arabia-Uruguay can be a UEFA name so it probably will be a UEFA name. Right? I haven't done the math, yet. Has the tournament grown enough so that you don't need to put the UEFA referees on all the matches that could have them or is it a case where you do need to place them wherever they can be placed? This also impacts the idea that Ramos could/would/should get Uzbekistan v Colombia.

Also, couple other notes.

Scharer and Hernandez have both been assigned 4ths. Hernandez picked up a second AR last minute, but Scharer doesn't have one right now. I wonder what that signals for the duration of the tournament. And the answer impacts the question above (meaning: how many UEFA referees do you need to place on two matches each?).

Second, we are probably far enough along to start asking where Marciniak, Turpin and even Letexier land. Argentina v Algeria seems like it has to be a UEFA referee, but is it "big enough" to warrant one of them? England v Croatia is certainly a big gun, but which one? You're then looking at MD2 tilts like Mexico v Korea Rep. and maybe Switzerland v Bosnia... the well starts to run really dry for the duration of MD2 if you're maintaining neutrality.

 

Spain : Cabo Verde - MAKHADMEH (JOR)
Belgium : Egypt - ABATTI (BRA)
Iran : New Zealand - RAMOS (MEX)
Saudi Arabia : Uruguay - MARIANI (ITA)

 

I find it *very* interesting that the Iran-New Zealand match didn't go to a UEFA referee and perhaps even more interesting that Ramos was given the task. Doesn't look like the sentiment of putting him in Mexico matters at the moment (though there will/could be other opportunities). I wonder if this just signals that Iran matches will be treated a little bit differently, because given his standing with FIFA and the relative quality of that match, it doesn't need that big of a name.

Makmadmeh makes total sense.

I'm a big fan of Abatti, so excited to see him and I think that's a very good assignment, particularly with Sampaio already getting a big one.

Mariani in pink in Miami in front of Collina on what could be a very tough match... sigh. Maybe there's a bit of "eh we can sacrifice him here, if necessary," but it sure feels more like a referee being awarded something he hasn't earned. I guess only when looking at all the first UEFA appointments can we say more, as he has to land some place.

Not seeing Penso here is a little frustrating because I thought this was a good window.

 

Drew Fischer is 4th to Mariani, for what that's worth. You're starting to see, as expected I think, that main referees will have to pick up some of the 4th slack (a very small part of that would be Artan missing, yes, but also just the number of games and travel). It does mean Fischer is probably in Miami for at least a day or two after that, so that should be taken into account when trying to map out his first whistle assignment.

France v Senegal is a pretty big match that will get announced tomorrow. I guess Faghani is now the default, given both Elfath and Ramos have been assigned. Alernative would be a bigger South American name, but they've all been assigned, too.

Could Penso be one of the Group J games?

 

Yes, that seems the only other alternative. I'd prefer it, but I also would be happy to have Faghani fail early on a big stage.

 

Presuming Belgium v Iran needs neutrality and quite obviously Elfath and Faghani are not options... is that Sampaio or Tello then?

 

Also, @Mikael_Referee , Letexier, Turpin or Marciniak for England v Croatia?