At a time when refereeing mistakes are flowing in our Superliga, why do you wonder if we know how to use video technology, on Tuesday, Istvan Kovacs (39 years old) made an excellent advertisement for Romanian refereeing in front of the world!
Istvan Kovacs, referee with FIFA badge. PHOTO: The Truth Archive
Having reached the 6th match of the Champions League this season, the center from Carei also gave the most difficult test on this occasion. Because the return of the quarters, a match in which Barcelona and PSG met, turned out to be a hellish match from the referee's point of view.
After 3-2 for Barcelona at “Parc des Princes”, the Catalans left the impression that they are galloping towards the semi-finals. Because they opened the scoring in the return from the “Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys” through Raphina (12). From here, however, followed the collapse of Xavi Hernandez's team. Which, first, remained in ten men, after the elimination of Araujo (29). Then, he conceded goal after goal. And because the Catalan disaster began with that “Red” granted by Istvan Kovacs to Araujo, after the match, the Romanian was transformed into “scapegoat” by the Catalan press and Xavi. Totally unjustified! Here's why:
*The phase from the 29th minute, with the elimination of Araujo – The Catalan stopper, in the position of the last defender, fouled Barcola. The duel was also analyzed in the VAR room, and those present there validated the red card given by the center.
*Penalty awarded for PSG, in the 59th minute – Dembele was fouled in the box by Cancelo. Again, the phase was analyzed on video and the penalty dictated by Istvan Kovacs, converted by Mbappe, remained.
Apart from these two moments, Istvan Kovacs also eliminated Xavi (Barcelona coach) and Jose de la Fuente (Barcelona goalkeeping coach). The first was sent to the stands, in the 56th minute, after “book” Horațiu Feșnic signaled to the center that the main Catalans cursed him, in Spanish, after a foul dictated for PSG. So, here too we have a fair elimination. Later, Xavi's assistant also saw “Red” for the same reason, after a phase in which he got angry because the Romanian did not dictate a penalty for Barcelona.
Thierry Henry called it quits
In vain did the Catalans shout “thieves” after the match, trampling on Istvan Kovacs. The analysis made on TV by the Frenchman Thierry Henry (46 years old), a former emblematic footballer for Barcelona, says it all.
“If Xavi says that the removal of Araujo was the wrong decision, I come and say that in fact there were more mistakes made by Barcelona. At Araujo's disposal, the Barcelona player makes a mistake. Why give the referee the opportunity to eliminate you? Let Barcola break into the box and pray for the keeper to save you. Barcelona deserved to play in ten, to have a man out. Then, the penalty phase. That penalty was indeed a penalty! Barcelona did not take the goals from PSG, because they played with ten men, but because they panicked. You can't win any trophies when you panic“, was a fragment of Henry's speech that called things out.
Next is a derby in the country, then Euro 2024
The fact that Istvan Kovacs performed excellently on Tuesday was also confirmed by the delegation he received, this time, in the country, a few hours after Barcelona – PSG. The Central Commission of Referees (CCA) appointed him to officiate the FCSB – Rapid derby at the National Arena (Saturday, 8:30 p.m.).
And this season will be extended for Istvan Kovacs through a presence at Euro 2024 (June 14 – July 14, Germany). He has already made his “warming up” for this competition, “whistling” last month's Wales-Finland tie (4-1).
It should be noted that, until going to Euro 2024, Istvan Kovacs is entitled to dream of a Champions League final in the current season. With his gutsy performance on Tuesday, he actually made a case for it. And there is another argument in favor of the delegation of the center from Romania to the final of the League, at Wembley (Saturday, June 1).
In recent seasons, Kovacs has been “grown“at the international level. In 2022, he refereed the Conference League final, AS Roma – Feyenoord (1-0), after, also that year, he had been delegated to a Champions League semi-final, Manchester City – Real Madrid (4-3). Especially after this second match, with many difficult phases, praises poured in for the Romanian. Not coincidentally, FIFA and UEFA subsequently noticed Istvan Kovacs and involved him in several high-level tournaments and matches. Here are some examples:
*He was included in the group of referees for the World Cup in Qatar, even though he did not officiate any match at the final tournament, having only the capacity of “reserve” in eight games.
*He was present at the Club World Cup, in January 2023, and “whistled” the semi-final Flamengo – Al-Hilal (2-3).
*In June 2023, he was the reserve referee in the Champions League final, Manchester City – Inter Milan (1-0).
“Black ball”: superficial in the Superliga
Although Istvan Kovacs is a high-quality referee, when he returns to our Superliga he “sin“, sometimes, through lack of concentration. The last example: at the beginning of the year, in February, he destroyed the Sepsi – Universitatea Craiova match (1-3) from the 24th stage of the regular season. Then, the center from Carei had a shocking performance, as if he refereed while blindfolded!
At the time, Marius Avram (44 years old), a former international referee himself, explained to “Adevărul” how it is possible for Istvan Kovacs to be stellar in the Champions League, but dust and powder in some match, like Sepsi – Craiova. “The explanation starts from what we have observed in the championship in recent years. Namely the lack of accountability. I mean, before, things were like this: you refereed well in the country, you were automatically promoted to referee well abroad. Because, first of all, you had to understand that you, as a referee, have to perform here, with us, in the domestic championship! Well, now, if there is no more accountability from this point of view, because the officials from the Central Referees Commission are rather concerned with what our people are doing outside, then things like this appear. How was the performance of Istvan Kovacs at Sepsi – Craiova. In short, it's a lack of concentration“, Marius Avram told us.
The big games managed by Kovacs in the League in recent years
Season Match Phase
2022-2023 Liverpool – Real Madrid 2-5 Optimi, round
2022-2023 AC Milan – Napoli 1-0 Quarters, round
2021-2022 Man. City – Atl. Madrid 1-0 Quarters, round
2021-2022 Man. City – Real Madrid 4-3 Semi-finals, round
2020-2021 Bayen – Lazio 2-1 Optimi, return
