Your weekly source of information and entertainment, Sports Journal #50 brought to you by our journalists, is here! 📖⚽

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1/ FOOTBALL QUIZ

2/ WHAT IF...? #1

3/ ASSISTANT HELP

4/ FREE AGENTS 

5/ SERVER ROYAL: FINDING NEW TEAMS THE GRAVEYARD

6/ THE GLORY OF THE DOMESTIC CUPS ON THE SERVER ROYAL

7/ DOWNTIME ON THE CLASSIC SERVER

8/ REFEREE CONTROVERSY THROUGH THE EYES OF A MANAGER #21

FOOTBALL QUIZ

👑 The winners of the latest issue are: (Classic)

100 Keys 🔑 Premium - KaZu

10,000 ⚡ Energy - Blalson & Leviyan217

Hi! I'm back with another installment of the football quiz series. Of course, there will be prizes: 100 Premium 🔑 Keys for the first person to answer correctly and 10,000 ⚡ Energy for two randomly chosen people with the correct answer. The winners will be announced on Thursday at 8 p.m. Let's get started!

1/ Player Name and Surname:

Born in June 1969, from childhood he displayed an iron character and unparalleled determination. As a goalkeeper, he felt like the master of his own world. He began his career at a local club in southern Germany, but it was his move to Bayern Munich that made him a legend.

He defended for the Bavarian giants for over a decade. He was a symbol of the team – not only through his saves, but also through his attitude: he shouted, rallied, and sometimes even mesmerized his teammates. The Champions League final, which he saved almost single-handedly, went down in history – especially his series of penalty saves, after which, instead of dancing with joy, he fell to his knees in exhaustion.

The national team is a different story – dramatic, emotional, full of ups and downs. At the World Cup in Asia, he was an absolute bulwark. Some believe that only his saves allowed Germany to reach the final. And although he made one of his few mistakes there – costing the team gold – no one doubted who the true hero of the tournament was. For this, he received the prestigious award for the best player of the entire tournament – an unheard of achievement for a goalkeeper.

After his career, he turned to media work and later to management at the club he held closest to his heart. His famous "controlled fury" became a philosophy, and for young goalkeepers, a role model, defining the limits of not only physical but also mental endurance.

Author: Wylewinho

WHAT IF...? #1

Have you ever wondered what would happen if the administration decided to add a transfer market? What changes would result? Remember, this is just my opinion, a preview of what it could look like.

1/ Transfer Currency:

The transfer currency could be club credits, which we would obtain from the prize pool (modeled on the Royal server). This could work on the principle that 7.5% of the total pool is allocated to all leagues (4, 3, 2, 1) and national cups (e.g., the Italian league). From this, we can calculate that 60% of the pool would be allocated to national leagues and cups from all countries, and what about the Super League and tournaments (European, Champions). In my opinion, 20% of the pool should be allocated to the entire Super League. 5% for the European Tournament, and 15% for the Champions Tournament. This currency could be used to negotiate player transfers with other clubs and provide season-long wages to deserving players. This means that some players could only receive their normal salary, i.e., Euros, or none at all.

2/ Transfer negotiation method:

The transfer negotiation method could work through an interface where we could submit an offer (provided we don't have a full club), for example, 700 credits for player X. The club owner could reject, negotiate, or accept this offer. Furthermore, it would be possible to add the option of placing a given player on the transfer list and blocking offers. Additionally, a block would be added to prevent one player from submitting an offer for the same player every 5 minutes.

3/ A more important function of contracts:

If this idea were to be added to the game, a change to how contracts work would also be necessary. This would involve the ability to offer a multi-season contract so that the player doesn't leave for free, but also to ensure the player gets something out of it, by offering them a seasonal salary from club loans (these were discussed in point 1). This change would give contracts a greater influence on club management and play.

4/ Players without a club system:

This system would replace the option of inviting a player to a club with an offer of a contract, meaning there would be an immediate opportunity (NOT OBLIGATION) to offer a seasonal salary and the number of seasons the contract would last.

5/ Additional changes that could come with the addition of the transfer market:

• Improving a club through club credits.

This means purchasing, for example, the ability to have 21 players or training bonuses for a given amount of club credits.

• The club would be able to purchase club packs, which would be given to every player currently in the club.
• These packs would be located in a special tab in the store. They wouldn't have the best rewards, as they would be available to all members.
• The ability to purchase a temporary bonus for players who improve their skills.

I'm referring to bonuses that can also be obtained from card collections, for example, +33% effectiveness for the entire club for 7 days.

6/ Advantages and disadvantages of the whole concept:

Advantages:

• A more diverse club management system and a greater emphasis on player care and their contracts.
• The ability to earn credits without spending money.
• Many ways to develop your club and players, such as expanding your club slots or purchasing a rewards package for each player.
  

Disadvantages:

• Difficulty acquiring more club credits.
• Without proper balance, there's a high chance of increasing the advantage for the better teams.

Author: Gruby Tymek

ASSISTANT HELP

Assistants in FootballTeam: Your Path to Football Success – Why Buy Them?

In the world of FootballTeam, where every detail matters and the competition is fierce, it's crucial to utilize every available advantage. One of the most effective tools that can significantly accelerate your development and increase your chances of success are Assistants. But are they actually worth investing in? The answer is unequivocal: yes! Let's take a closer look at why Assistants are a must-have for every ambitious manager.

The game offers three assistants: Premium Assistant, Training Assistant, and Work Assistant. Each offers unique benefits that, when combined, create a powerful tool for dominating the virtual pitch.

Premium Assistant: A Complete Benefit Package for Maximum Optimization:

If you're looking for a comprehensive solution that combines the best features of other assistants while adding a range of exclusive bonuses, the Premium Assistant is for you. It's the perfect choice for players who want to get the most out of their game and maximize their potential.

- 20% More Euros from Work: A basic, yet incredibly important bonus that significantly increases your daily income, ensuring financial stability in the game.

- 5% Cheaper Training: Savings on training, which accumulate over time, allow you to manage your budget more freely and invest in other aspects of your development.

- 3 Bets/Day: Additional bets offer more chances to win valuable items, Euros, or Energy. This is the key to gaining an advantage and accelerating your progress.

- Loyalty Bonus: This bonus (depicted as "Loyalty 20%") suggests additional benefits for regularly using the Premium Assistant. This could mean even bigger rewards or bonuses in the future, rewarding your consistency.

- Free Starter Pack – Content x2: Receive a starter pack every day, and with the Premium Assistant, its content is doubled. It's a great way to get a jumpstart and earn valuable items that give you an immediate advantage.

- +2 Club Points for Every Calendar Challenge Completed: Club Points are incredibly important for growing your club and reaping the benefits. Additional points from challenges allow for faster club growth and access to better bonuses for all members, while strengthening your position within the team.

Who is it for? For players who want to comprehensively improve their game, maximize profits, accelerate player development, and actively participate in club life, striving for the highest leagues.

Training Assistant: A Faster Path to Mastery:

Training is the foundation of every footballer's development. The faster and more effectively you train, the faster your player will achieve higher stats and skills. Training Assistant is your secret weapon in this regard, regardless of whether you purchase it separately or as part of the Premium package.

- 5% Cheaper Training: You spend millions of euros on training every day. A 5% reduction in costs may seem small, but over a week, a month, or an entire season, the savings add up to enormous amounts. You can use these savings to upgrade items or invest in other investments, significantly impacting your budget.

- Reduces Training Time to 5 Seconds: This is a true revolution! Instead of waiting "for ages" for a single training session to complete, you reduce this time to just 5 seconds. This means you can complete significantly more training sessions in less time, directly translating into your player's rapid development. Imagine how quickly your player gains new skills and climbs up the rankings!

Who's it for? For players who need a steady, high-yield cash flow to fund player development, invest in more expensive game components, and stay at the top of the financial table.

Why Buy Assistants?

1. A Serious Investment in Development: Assistants aren't just a convenience; they're a strategic investment. Thanks to them, your player develops faster, and you earn more. As a result, you reach higher levels faster, acquire better items, and become a stronger player.

2. Time Savings: Reducing training and work time is key to efficiency. You can spend less time grinding and more time on strategic decisions, matches, and interactions with your club, deriving greater enjoyment from the game.

3. Greater Financial Benefits: Increased earnings from work and cheaper training means your in-game economy is much more stable and grows faster, allowing you to manage your resources more freely.

4. Competitive Advantage: Players who use assistants have a natural advantage. Faster development, more Euros, and additional bonuses allow them to outpace others in the race for success and dominance.

5. Convenience and Automation: The ability to enable "auto-renewal" is a huge convenience. You don't have to remember to manually renew your assistants, ensuring they continue to work and provide uninterrupted benefits, allowing you to focus on the game.

In short, Assistants in FootballTeam are not a luxury, but a tool every serious player should consider. If you're looking to develop quickly, maximize your profits, and achieve FootballTeam legend status, don't hesitate – Assistants are waiting to guide you to victory!

Author: DaVoS

FREE AGENTS 

In every transfer window, there are players who, despite being without a club, are far from forgotten. These are names that generate interest across the market, valued for their quality, experience, and potential impact, but who remain unsigned, carefully weighing their next move.

They’re not under the radar; quite the opposite. Multiple clubs are in contact, agents are busy, and the football world is watching closely. Some are returning from injury, others are navigating contract negotiations or looking for the right project that matches their ambitions. What’s clear is that these are not players in search of a chance, they’re players choosing the right one.

Today, we spotlight three such cases: highly regarded free agents who are being courted by several clubs but are still waiting for the right fit. In a competitive market, these are opportunities hiding in plain sight, and whoever gets them over the line could be making one of the smartest moves of the season.

Majszi: Deadly striker 

Majszi, a forward with a proven track record at some of the top clubs in the game, remains one of the most experienced and respected free agents available. Ranked among the top 50 players, his name carries weight across the community, and for good reason.

What defines Majszi isn’t just his technical ability or eye for goal, but his leadership on and off the pitch. He’s been part of winning squads, has delivered in high-pressure situations, and brings the kind of experience that can immediately elevate any team he joins.

Right now, several clubs are keeping close tabs on his situation. He hasn’t made a decision yet, but wherever he lands, one thing is certain: Majszi has the quality to change a team’s season and bring joy to any locker room that secures his signature. For clubs looking for a decisive, battle-tested striker, this is a golden opportunity hiding in plain sight.

Habibii: Serial killer

Habibii was once one of the most dominant strikers in the game, a true goal machine whose instincts, positioning, and finishing terrorized defenses season after season. With a long career at some of the most competitive clubs, he became known for his ability to deliver under pressure and lead the attacking line with authority.

After a long time away from the spotlight, Habibii is now back on the market, and his return is making noise. Teams across the server are paying attention, fully aware that forwards with his experience, killer instinct, and clutch mentality don’t come around often.

With his sharp eye for goal, intelligent movement, and proven history at the highest level, Habibii is without a doubt one of the top market opportunities right now. Any club looking to boost their attack and bring in a veteran presence should act fast.

Kaneki Ken: Amazing talent

Kaneki Ken is a midfielder with pedigree, known for his sharp vision, tactical intelligence, and ability to control the rhythm of a match. He made a name for himself during his time in the Superliga, and left his mark at historic clubs like Izba.

Now, after a quieter spell, Kaneki Ken is ready to relaunch his career and return to the top level. He’s training hard, fully focused, and waiting for the right project that matches his ambition and footballing style.

His mix of experience, quality, and composure in midfield makes him a very attractive option for clubs seeking balance and leadership in the center of the pitch. With his proven background and hunger to shine again, Kaneki Ken could be the missing piece for any team aiming to compete at the highest level.

Author: EL PULPO

SERVER ROYAL: FINDING NEW TEAMS THE GRAVEYARD

Your weekly source of sports information and entertainment, Sports Journal #47, brought to you by our team of journalists! Hello everyone. I'm continuing my project as a FootballTeam journalist, this time dedicated to a new team on the ROYAL server, THE GRAVEYARD. 

The leader of this incredible squad is WŁADYSŁAW MAZURKIEWICZ, who relies on two assistants: Heiko Durchgrätscher and Cristiano Ronaldo 7. These three active players manage the club perfectly, allowing it to continue growing and improving.

This new team has only played since ROYAL's first season, playing in the Polish first division. In season 1, they played 28 league matches, winning 26, drawing 2, and losing 0, with 139 goals scored and 23 conceded.

The Graveyard is looking to finish first in the league and secure a place in the top spots of the First Division in its second season. It has managed to reach the top each season, bringing in new players who improve its team play. Right now, it's in the top 42, a very good position for its second season. It's definitely doing very well, and will surely continue to improve over time.

Current Season:

Right now, with 22 matches played, it's in 4th place, the result of 14 wins, 0 draws, and 8 losses, with 82 goals scored and 55 conceded. This team is likely to be promoted and could enter the European Cup.

How do you think this season will end? Will they improve? Will they finish in the top 4? Absolutely! They were eliminated in the round of 16 of the Polish Domestic Cup, where they faced DZIADIADREAM. They lost 3-2 (away) in the first leg and won 4-3 (at home) in the second leg. We'll see if they can reach the decisive stages of the Polish Cup next season. It would be a historic achievement!

Tactics:

THE GRAVEYARD tends to play in a 3-1-5-1 formation with a creative tactic, which is impressive and effective in their matches. In this formation, you can see a good balance in all areas of the field. At first glance, it seems like the midfield is combative, with five players with good OVR levels, but the fact that these midfielders are very strong, combined with the help of a CDM, makes the midfield very solid.

In addition to this, they have three very solid defenses, but they sometimes falter, especially in matches against teams of equal or higher level, and a strong attack, all driven by the attacking midfielder and the tactics he uses, which are very offensive. In conclusion, it's a good formation for the team, with a good balance in all areas. This is the reason why they have achieved good results in the current Season 2.

Star Players:

Like every team, there are star players, and THE GRAVEYARD has several who carry the team forward and stand out from the rest. Some of these are Lolek San (946 RB), Heiko Durchgrätscher (669 RB), and Cristiano Ronaldo (7 RB).

As I mentioned before, this team has a balanced formation and strong players in every position, making it very competitive and balanced in every aspect. Of all these players, the one who stands out the most is Lolek San, a player who grows with time and has impressive stats that will surely attract the attention of other teams.

Lolek San

Lolek San is a defensive midfielder who has only played for two seasons, which is impressive given his rating achieved in such a short time. Without a doubt, he is an above-average player who will continue to grow, and the best teams on the server will surely want him.

In addition to his rating and bright future in the game, he has impressive offensive skills, great efficiency, set-piece skills, stamina, and even playmaking. He is a very well-rounded player in every aspect, which translates into impeccable performance on the pitch.

At this point in the season, the number two has scored a total of 10 goals, provided 9 assists, and made 26 saves in the league in just 18 matches played. If we count all competitions, he has an incredible 28 goals, 14 assists, and 56 saves in just 29 matches, which is impressive!

Leave us your predictions for how this team will continue in the comments. See you next edition.

AUTHOR: TE QUIEBRO ID 2754

THE GLORY OF THE DOMESTIC CUPS ON THE SERVER ROYAL

Hello, players! How about we talk about trophies, goal shouts, and the sweet melody of victory?

This week, the virtual pitches of the Royal server vibrated with the emotions of the great Cup finals! Eight thrilling decisions, each with its own story, its heroes, and, of course, its champions. Get ready for a quick summary full of plays that marked the conquest of glory!

Poland

In the Polish final,  DziadziaDream, from League 2A, hosted the first-division giant, CIS JASZCZUROWA. It was a true goal-fest on July 15th, with the final score of 5x3 for the home team! Striker ChosenLast was the star of the match, scoring a spectacular hat-trick for DziadziaDream, while Ark Zuu 9 (2 goals) and spajdzi scored for the visitors. A breathtaking victory!

England

Among the English teams, the decision had an international flavor! The title went to BOSMAN FC, who visited the Russian domains of Иди жалуйся Дьяволу. With a 3x1 scoreline, the visitors came out on top.  Alutech scored for the home team, but Raúl Gonzalez, with two goals, and defender Marcent, with one, secured the trophy for BOSMAN FC.

Italy

In the Italian Cup, the result was a true stroll! The NY Red Bulls, from New York, showed no mercy to the Russian hosts Торпедо Москва, inflicting a merciless 6x0 thrashing. Orlando Rodrigues (twice), defenders Rimuru Tempest and Hayalet, and midfielders Osamo and Satoru Gojo were responsible for the visitors' celebration.

Spain

Among the Spanish teams, the final was a home team show!  ROYAL СLUB overran RTS WIDZEW ŁÓDŹ with an impressive 7x0. Striker Косой мудак shone with a hat-trick, defender CRAZY scored two goals, and Roman Brook and Никаких голов completed the massacre. An overwhelming victory!

Germany

In the German Cup, we had a thrilling and closely contested final! Sanatate FC made Harmandalı work hard for their 3x2 victory. R O B S O N e Choocker scored for the home team, but tadic, Kupilav and Adil Atalay secured the title for Harmandalı in a breathtaking match.

France

In France, the encounter between the Polish hosts SOM JESZCZE GORSI and the Brazilian visitors B13 FC ended with a 3x1 victory for the Brazilians. Frikenz scored for the home team, but striker "Ele de novo" (from B13 FC) scored a decisive hat-trick, sealing the conquest.

Turkey

In Turkey, the final was calm for the home team Летний Дождик, who dominated the match from start to finish against PSZENNE ORŁY, winning 4x1. Attacking midfielder Реквием по мечте (twice), and strikers IDDQD and Seishiro Nagi were the home team's goalscorers. Midfielder  basista scored the visitors' consolation goal at the end of the match.

Russia

In Russia, the final was a true rout! The home team Łosie w Kosmosie showed no mercy to the visitors ФК Динамо Москва and thrashed them 5x0. Strikers Trabant, with a hat-trick, and Koleslaw,with two goals, were the executioners of the match, securing the title with a dominant performance.

And you, player, were you part of the journey of any team that reached this final? What did you think of the results? Tell us in the comments!

See you next week, with more Football Team emotions!

Author: Fábio Muri

DOWNTIME ON THE CLASSIC SERVER

Dear Readers!

What's new on the Classic server? Good morning, Andrzejek here, and I'd like to invite you to check out my article for the next issue of Sports Journal. As we started, we'll see if anything new or simply noteworthy happened on the "slightly" forgotten Classic server. Enjoy!

League, national, and tournament matches are played on every server practically every day. Why practically? Well, because between seasons, all servers, without exception, take a break, regardless of whether it's Legacy, Royal, or Classic. The latter, which I'm describing today, fortunately or unfortunately, went on a 4-day break! After all this, many of you are probably wondering why this break is taking so long? I'll explain... According to my information, the administration is aiming to slowly start aligning the season starts across all servers to ensure that this date falls on one specific and the same day. Could anything have happened during such a long break?

Unfortunately, players didn't have much to do during this time, as the mini-event with powerful packs ended Sunday evening. How can such a long break be used effectively?

It's worth remembering that this isn't a one-time event, and such breaks will continue, perhaps even exclusively on the classic server, due to the very low player count and the resulting low support response.

Another question arises: how can we use such a long break, and whether it's even possible? The answer is - YES, it is possible! The break between seasons is a time to organize items in your locker room, upgrade them, sell them, and/or trade them for collections.

Since we're on the subject of collections, it's worth checking if we've listed all of them, as some of them provide a really cool boost to character development, with interesting amounts of resources ranging from Energy, through Golden Balls, to drinks, regular packs, or card packs.

Another thing that's often neglected is upgrading or augmenting items. During the season, we usually don't spend as much time on this aspect of the game as we do on training, and an added bonus is that league rewards can help us achieve this goal.

We can't forget about the crucial task in FootballTeam, which awaits almost every club board, guided towards glory and victory: transfers. I realize that in the current situation on the classic server, it's extremely difficult to make any transfer moves, due to the current online count of 100-200 players. Nevertheless, a four-day break can be positive and make this task easier for the board members.

Have there been any changes at the clubs? As of the writing of this article, there have been no major additions to the Black Stars and STORK ELITE teams, but minor changes have been noticed at Titans, the team that makes up the server's third-strongest team.

Magic Andre, a former Huragan Młyny player who normally plays as a central midfielder, has joined the club. Will this transfer prove to be a success? As with transfers, for someone to come, someone has to go, and suddenly, one of R A U L board members is leaving the Titans. As of the writing of this article, he is without a club, so I'd be happy to include a brief thread on the R A U L situation in my next article.

Tabaluga, a moderately active player, has left FC KREMATORIUM, and has been replaced by Mati W, a former player with the former 7more7 team.

That's all for today's article. We are waiting for the start of the season on the classic server so that we can fully focus on the best articles from this server :)

With footballing greetings,

Andrzejek

Author: Andrzejek

REFEREE CONTROVERSY THROUGH THE EYES OF A MANAGER #21

Hello, Kiero DS here. Due to the numerous controversial situations involving football referees, I've decided to create a new series where I will analyze these situations step by step. This series will be updated as controversies arise.

Referee Faghani and the Chelsea-PSG final. Why him, and why was it such a difficult match?

As someone who has been involved in football for years, both as a referee and a coach, I know one thing: there are matches that look "normal" from the outside, but only when you're on the pitch (or analyzing the players' actions and the context of the decisions) do you understand how complex they are. The Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, officiated by 47-year-old Alireza Faghani, was such a case.

Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's head of referees, knew exactly what he was doing when he assigned Faghani to this match. The Australian referee is nearing the end of his career, so any consequences of controversial decisions won't have as much impact on his future as they might have on younger, still-forming referees.

Right from the Start – A Test of Emotional Control!

From the perspective of the rules of the game, Faghani's intervention in the third minute was entirely justified. Although Marco Cucurella didn't commit a foul, his excessive commentary on the referee's work qualifies as unsportsmanlike conduct (Laws of the Game 2024/25 – Chapter 12: Misconduct and Misconduct). The stoppage of play and the clear reprimand were intended to prevent escalation. This sent an important message: I'm in charge here, not you.

From the outset, the match played at a pace befitting a final, with numerous physical clashes bordering on fouls. It must be admitted that Faghani chose a sensible officiating line – he didn't want to blow the whistle "in a pharmacist's way" but rather give the players space to engage in physical competition. This is a difficult art. The rules allow for fouls that are irrelevant to the advantage or dynamics of the game – but such decisions require great sensitivity.

Applying and withdrawing an advantage – a key element:

In the 13th minute, a situation arose that perfectly illustrates the complexity of the referee's job. After Cucurella's foul on Doue, Faghani initially attempted to give an advantage, but quickly withdrew when it became apparent that PSG were unable to continue the attack. According to the Laws (Chapter 5), the referee can withdraw an advantage if it immediately becomes clear that it does not provide an advantage. Kudos for the quick reaction and flexibility.

The first major controversy – cards for Neto and Neves:

Pedro Neto's yellow card in the 34th minute was textbook – repeating comments after a foul is classic unsporting conduct. However, the controversy began in the 65th minute, when the same player stopped Doue with a tactical offense (grabbing him with both hands). Considering the previous card, the pitch situation, and the fact that Doue had open space in front of him, this was a second yellow card and, consequently, a red card. Here, Faghani made a mistake – a significant one, as it disrupted the balance of the match.

In the 75th minute, João Neves picked up the fallen Cucurello and released him in a provocative manner – an unacceptable action. According to the regulations, this was a yellow card for unsporting conduct or provocation. Faghani failed to react, which was another infraction.

VAR and a red for Neves – good, but not entirely fair?

The 84th-minute incident, when Neves yanks Cucurella's hair, is textbook "violent conduct" – that is, violent conduct outside of a fight for the ball, as defined in the Laws of the Game (Chapter 12). The VAR worked perfectly, and Faghani correctly changed the decision from yellow to red. The problem? Cucurella went unpunished, even though provocatively prodding an opponent is also punishable – a minimum of a yellow card. And while many will consider this "nothing," in reality, such actions escalate conflicts on the pitch. The lack of consistency between both sides weakens the referee's authority.

Politics, history, and "referee baggage":

It's impossible to ignore the non-sporting aspects. Chelsea is a club with American capital, PSG with Qatari capital. Both are members of UEFA, and the FIFA Club World Cup is held in the USA. The decision to appoint a referee was therefore, in my opinion, partly a conscious effort to protect younger referees. Faghani has already achieved a lot, and any potential repercussions after this match won't derail his career. A young referee, who could fall victim to the system – like Danny Makkelie after the Real Madrid-PSG match in 2022 – is a different story.

Cuneyt Cakir and Michael Oliver experienced similar experiences – both of whom were "recorded" by big names and connections. Such situations linger in referees' minds. They know that decisions – even if they comply with the regulations – could block their path to the final, the tournament, or even further nominations. Therefore, the selection of an experienced referee was entirely logical.

Summary – difficult match, difficult decisions, difficult consequences:

Did Faghani make mistakes? Yes. Was his performance poor? Yes – by his standards. But when judging him, one must take into account the incredible difficulty of this match. Players fighting not only for the trophy but for the prestige of entire continents, boards with influence, VAR under immense pressure, and several decisions that could be interpreted in different ways.

From my perspective – as both a referee and a coach – Faghani deserves more sympathy than criticism. His decision was sensible, the match was incredibly difficult, and the Laws of the Game often leave room for interpretation. The problem is that not every referee can afford to misinterpret. Faghani – perhaps one of the few – could.

Thank you for reading my article! If you enjoy this type of content or have ideas for further topics I should write about, leave your suggestions in the comments. Best regards!

Author : Kiero DS