Referee for World Cup Semifinal between Netherlands and Argentina: Cuneyt Cakir
The second semifinal of the World Cup will be officiated by Cuneyt Cakir of Turkey.
This isn’t a huge surprise, for me, at least. Cakir’s well-respected by FIFA and he does have quite a bit of experience.
He’s done pretty well in this tournament. Here’s what he’s been in:
Fourth official will be Jonas Eriksson of Sweden.
Featured Photo: goalpost.tv
PLAY THE ADVANTAGE 
Expected, but thoroughly deserved appointment.
BTW – Italian newspaper La Gazzeta Delo Sport, who are usually reliable in all things refereeing claim this is the shortlist for the final: Cakir, Geiger, Irmatov, Proenca and Rizzoli. We can now rule out Cakir. So I see this happening:
Brazil-Netherlands: Irmatov
Germany-Argentina: Geiger
Germany-Netherlands: Rizzoli
Brazil-Argentina: Proenca
However, I doubt we’ll see Proenca again. Moreover, I still think Eriksson is in with a chance if it’s a all-COMMEBOL or all-UEFA final. If it is indeed a UEFA referee, I can only see Eriksson and Rizzoli getting the honour.
LikeLike
Eriksson and Geiger are 4O for semis. If they were being held for final, they’d give the 4O to another ref
LikeLike
I agree that it’s very unlikely we’ll see Messrs Geiger and Eriksson in the final. I don’t think it’s ever happened in the past (I’ll need to delve into the record books), but hey, there’s a first for everything. I personally wouldn’t rule them out just yet.
LikeLike
I really don’t get the Geiger obsession. He doesn’t have the experience for a World Cup final.
LikeLike
You could argue Horacio Elizondo or Said Belqola did not have the experience, but they ref’d a WC final, in their first ever tournament.
Geiger had two solid performances out of there. I haven’t seen much of on this side of the pond – but generally, I’ve been impressed. Yes, he had a poor game, but so have Proenca and Irmatov who are also (reportedly) also in the running, even though they are more “experienced”.
LikeLike
Sorry for the grammatical errors – using smartphone…
LikeLike
Oh…too bad…I was still hoping for Webb, never mind how unlikely that is.
LikeLike
Instinct says it will be an AFC refereeing crew for the final and CAF for the Third-Place play-off to please all federations. Difficult to satisfy CONMEBOL given their current involvement.
LikeLike
Who are you suggesting?
LikeLike
Agree. I think that one part of FIFA’s anti racist campaign will be appointing a black man for bronze medal game. In this case Mr Doue. And the gold medal game for Mr Irmatov. I would prefer Mr Rizzoli for the last match, but I think it is politically impossible to grant UEFA two finals in a row.
LikeLike