Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report

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UEFA Champions League 2012 / 2013

Quarterfinals

(GER) Borussia Dortmund 3:2 Málaga CF (ESP)

09 April 2013, 20:45 CET – Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany

1 2 3
Match Officials Name Origin Mark Mark Difficulty
Referee Craig Thomson SCO 8.0 --- Challenging
Assistant Referee 1 Derek Rose SCO 7.8 --- Challenging
Assistant Referee 2 Alasdair Ross SCO 7.7 --- Challenging
Additional AR 1 Steven McLean SCO 8.0 --- Normal
Additional AR 2 Kevin Clancy SCO 8.0 --- Normal
Fourth Official Graham Chambers SCO 8.2 --- Normal
UEFA Referee Observer Vaclav Krondl CZE
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Blog-Referee Observer Nik Askitopoulos ENG
1
Final mark according to evaluation scale. Expected level for AARs and fourth official is 8.0, crucial mistake 7.9 as usual!
2
Mark if the final mark had not been influenced by a crucial mistake (only in case of a crucial mistake, to be held empty if no
crucial mistake occurred).
3
Difficulty has to be integrated into the final mark. Levels of difficulty are: “normal”, “challenging” and “very challenging”.
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Blog-Referee Observer =Inofficial referee observer appointed by the blog administrator.

Evaluation scale Description of the Marks

9.0 – 10.0 Excellent.
8.5 – 8.9 Very good. Important decision(s) correctly taken.
8.3 – 8.4 Good. Expected level.
8.2 Satisfactory with small areas for improvement.
8.0 – 8.1 Satisfactory with important areas for improvement.
7.9 One clear and important mistake, otherwise 8.3 or above.
7.8 One clear and important mistake, otherwise 8.0 – 8.2.
7.5 – 7.7 Below expectation, poor control, significant point(s) for improvement.
Disappointing. Below expectation with one and clear important mistake
7.0 – 7.4
or a performance with two or more clear and important mistakes.
6.0 – 6.9 Unacceptable.

Description of the match:

Dortmund, Germany for a quarter-final match, with a typically buoyant crowd. The match was for
much of the first half a surprisingly normal test for the referee given the occasion, but one could
certainly say that the last third of the match raised in tempo, thus meaning that overall Thomson
and his team experienced a challenging end to end match. Malaga took a surprise lead in the tie
via Joaquin, which essentially meant that the home team had to play with greater urgency and a
greater directness; allowing the Spanish team to adopt the tactic of swift counter-attacking play.
Dortmund’s pressure paid off with a slick piece of build0up play, allowing Lebandowski to slide the
ball home for 1-1 on 40 mins. After the break, the refereeing team were really tested, and at times
the cause of their own downfall. This was none more so evident than in the 82nd min, after the
inevitable counter attack by Malaga down the left side, an offside goal was allowed to stand (a goal

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which would have been legitimate had the striker not sought glory) and they led 1-2. A spectacular
end to the game ensued, as Dortmund scored twice in stoppage time to progress through to the
semi-finals. We analyse below where this game turned quite sour for the Scottish officials during
this period of time.

Referee
I. Knowledge, Application and Interpretation of the Laws of the Game, Disciplinary Control
and Technical Management of the game with special reference to the situations and the
minutes when they occurred.
(Crucial decisions, if available, have to be explicitly mentioned in the grid and highlighted).
Comments:
Thomson set his standards high in the first 10 minutes, but was often unable to keep a consistent
line in decision making for the full 90 minutes. Fouls were given for rather innocuous challenges
and pushes but yet there seemed hesitancy with more serious challenges, including high studs and
reckless challenges from both teams. There was no crucial mistake for the referee himself, despite
one or two occasions where a mandatory caution may have been of value. He administered
cautions he gave in a credible manner.

Description of the situation

8’ Thomson is too far ahead of play and must turn back in order to sweep up the play ahead

10’ First caution of the game for BD’s Bender; this is a soft yellow, but the rolling of Joaquin does
not help the matter, and the referee is obviously using this as a tactical move early in the tie.

19’ Dimechelis wins the ball with two feet. One can give the benefit here as he was not close to the
player, but Thomson unmoved by scenario.

40’ This far into the game, and Thomson has only signaled once for a throw-in. Poor etiquette.

46’ Signals correctly for a handball by Bender. Correct not to administer 2nd caution.

2nd half

47’ Good detection of foul as Camacho fouls through the legs of BD3

47’ Bender fouls Baptista, well spotted.

51’ Good spot on Sanchez ‘nudge’ but sets himself up for claims of inconsistency if he doesn’t
penalize such fouls throughout the 90’.

54’ Sanchez comes in with a high foot and straight leg, and though there was no contact with the
opponent (just his own player!), the dropped ball scenario that follows shortly after can be avoided
by isolating Sanchez for a quiet word, and of course awarding an indirect freekick to Malaga.

57’ Good management at a corner prior to ball in play.

58’ Good advantage call just beyond the HWL for BD11

60’ Schmelzer correctly cautioned for reckless foul on Joaquin, who seems to have been targeted
regularly.

62’ Another incident involving Schmelzer, this time with Gomez of Malaga towards the dugout side.
Though it is clear that Schmelzer has left a trailing hand on Gomez, it is disappointing to see Gomez

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go down with such theatrics seemingly trying to get the German sent from the field of play. I cannot
be sure that Thomson has a great angle on this incident given his 90deg view point, and the
movement of the arm was very subtle. AR1 could assist here, but again the viewing angle is
blocked. It is quite feasible for two cautions here, but equally, a word with both players, ensuring
they are in no doubt as to the expected behaviour from here-on-in could well have been the
management used in this scenario – where the tense nature of the occasion and minute of the
game needs to be taken into account. As it is, only Gomez is cautioned.

73’ Missed corner for Malaga

76’ Thomson does not caution BD18 after reckless foul on Isco – not in keeping with previous
application.

80’ Another straight leg challenge, this time on Reus. No whistle.

81’ Dropzone for freekick from left side is poor as the referee has to look behind him over his
shoulder in order to see the ball enter play. Seek better angle by starting more central here.

88’ Caution for Toulalan for high boot correct.

93’ Just after the winning goal for BD (offside as below), it seems the referee does not deal with an
ecstatic substitute who runs onto the field of play to celebrate with BD27 and who also takes great
pleasure in chastising Willy, the Malaga GK. A red could even be the choice here, but certainly a
mandatory caution.

II. Tactical approach and its Degree of Consistency, Personality, Match Control and
Management of the Teams and Players with special reference to the situations and the
minutes when they occurred.
Comments:
Despite some inconsistencies, there were still a calm authority (a referee often selected for having
the opposite of a ‘effervescent personality’) shown throughout which is a strength of the
Scotsman’s game, and his player management was also to be commended. Overall match control
then was good, and aside from the last 7 minutes of the game, the players and technical areas
accepted his decisions in the main.

Tactical approach, totally consistent and harmonious throughout

Positive Points
1.
the entire match.
Game-feeling, common sense, harmoniously combined with the
2.
Laws of the Game.
3. Relationship with players, of whom he was fully respected.
Great personality, which was his medium to manage the match
4.
and not the mere usage of cards and whistles.

III. Physical Shape, Stamina, Positioning, Movement as well as Mental Awareness, if needed,
with reference to the minutes when they occurred, always in case of a “-“.
Physical Condition (very good, good, average, poor): Good. His stamina was expected to good,
though the greater development areas were in his positioning and mental awareness. Thomson
took a very central line on the field, which often meant he was either too far ahead of play (and
even at times, looking over his shoulder), or too central which meant he was unable to have a
clearer angle in terms of foul detection. His positioning was also not conducive to good teamwork
with his refereeing team, including his 4th official. Anticipation of play was however of good
standard.

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Further Aspects:
+ Expected -
Always close to play, follows play at all times with a flexible
X
diagonal system and impedes interference with play
Efficient positioning (at set pieces e.g.) and movement to be
X ready to take a (crucial) decision (specially in the box; be able
to enter the box in some cases when it is necessary)
X Shows awareness and is able to anticipate the action

Minute Description of the situation

Thomson is too far ahead of play and must turn back in order to sweep up the play
8’
ahead

IV. Teamwork (co-operation with (A)ARs and fourth official with reference, if needed, to
special situations and the minutes when they occurred)
Comments:
As above, this was an element of the game that was most disappointing given the spectacle of the
game. There seemed to be a lack of communication throughout, which was not just typified after
the chaos of the last 7 minutes, but also in terms of basic in and out decisions.

V. If needed: General comments or advices for improvement; explanation of the chosen

mark; further matters (can be let empty).
Comments:
Thomson is an experienced referee and one supposes that the occasion was simply too much this
time for he and his team. The Scot should seek to stamp his authority on the game with a more
fluid and dynamic performance at this level, and this would also improve the confidence of his
assistants. Using a wider variety of player management techniques, and positioning himself in
wider areas of the field would have helped him in what became a tough game tonight.

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Assistant Referee 1
Assistant referee’s performance (please mention some important decisions either by integrating
them into a coherent comment or mentioning them in the grid below; mandatory if a “-“ (negative
point) is selected)
Relevant Aspects:

+ Expected -
Correct offside decisions by means of a good application of the
X
“wait and see”-technique
X Good positioning and movement

X Mental alertness and reaction to incidents in his area of vicinity

Reasonable degree of co-operation with referee (not flagging
X too much / too little; being able to support referee in crucial
decisions)
X Efficient control at set pieces

Comments:
Mr Rose started off very well, but the occasion appeared to get the better of him overall. There
were two missed throw-ins, at least two poor offside calls (one crucial) and there was a general
nervousness about the performance.

Description of the situation

15’ Correct offside given by AR1
38’ Wrong offside call given by AR1
39’ Wrong throw-in call – easy to see it came off Piszczek
45’ Wrong throw-in call
67’ Good offside call – tight
82’ Poor offside call leading to 1-2. Seemed to be jolted in his movement due to first pass, this left
him behind the play and unable to detect this offside

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Assistant Referee 2
Assistant referee’s performance (please mention some important decisions either by integrating
them into a coherent comment or mentioning them in the grid below; mandatory if a “-“ (negative
point) is selected)
Relevant Aspects:

+ Expected -
Correct offside decisions by means of a good application of the
X
“wait and see”-technique
X Good positioning and movement

X Mental alertness and reaction to incidents in his area of vicinity

Reasonable degree of co-operation with referee (not flagging
X too much / too little; being able to support referee in crucial
decisions)
X Efficient control at set pieces

Comments:
Mr Ross was equally as overwhelmed by the quarter-final occasion, and crucially missed the
opportunity to raise the flag twice in the build-up to the winning goal for Dortmund in the 93rd min.

Description of the situation

45’ Good non-offside judgment displayed BD9
60’ Good non-offside once again M10
69’ Correct offside, BD9
90’ Good offside detection BD11
93’ Two opportunities to raise the flag as BD sort the win. The centered ball from Goetze on the left
side sees 4 BD forwards standing in an offside position – however, the flag should have been raised
as BD9 interferes with play as he becomes active in moving to challenge Dimechelis for the aerial
ball. Thereafter, the ball is scrambling in the penalty area, only for BD11 to square the ball to BD27
who puts the ball in on the goal line itself. BD27 is beyond the 2nd last defender (the GK in this case)
and must be flagged offside. The flag stays down.

Fourth Official

Fourth official’s performance (reference to technical management like substitutions or signalling

of additional time, dealing with benches in case of conflicts)
Comments:
Coped well with busy benches, particularly with Klopp who was animated throughout the second
half.

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Additional Assistant Referee 1

Assistant referee’s performance (please mention some important decisions either by integrating
them into a coherent comment or mentioning them in the grid below; mandatoryif a “-“ (negative
point) is selected)
Relevant Aspects:

+ Expected -
X Good positioning and movement
Mental alertness and reaction to incidents in his area of vicinity
X
based on a reasonable degree of co-operation with referee
X Efficient control at set pieces

Comments:
As expected

Minute Description of the situation

Additional Assistant Referee 2

Assistant referee’s performance (please mention some important decisions either by integrating
them into a coherent comment or mentioning them in the grid below; mandatoryif a “-“ (negative
point) is selected)
Relevant Aspects:

+ Expected -
X Good positioning and movement
Mental alertness and reaction to incidents in his area of vicinity
X
based on a reasonable degree of co-operation with referee
X Efficient control at set pieces

Comments:
Could AAR 2 have confirmed the offside on the mic having such a good viewing angle? He could
have IMO. UEFA probably does not consider it as his mistake.

Minute Description of the situation

93’ As above