ref for final

If Holland get knocked out before final then Kuipers must a good bet! Value maybe gone on it now though

I backed Irmatov and Nishimura both at 14s pre-tournament (mentioned in another thread).

Nishi messed up his chances of getting the final in the very first game (Brazil v Croatia) but Irmatov has now had 3 good games and has become fav. He had a QF and a SF in 2010, as well as the 3rd place game at the Olympics

I suspect he will be given a QF as his last test before the Final.

Depends who the finalists are.  If it's Europe v South America I suspect it will be Irmatov.  If it's Europe v Europe I suspect it will be a European, of which there are many candidates, although I'd favour Cakir or Rizzoli which reflects the current betting.  A Turkish referee is a good political choice and I think Rizzoli would have got Euro 2012 had Italy not been in the final.  If it's South America v South America it's much more difficult to call.

ive done Rodriquez as think be a switch from Europe this time

Irmatov was booked for the Argentina v Switzerland last 16 clash but Argentina opposed the appointment and FIFA changed the referee.

“For our match Argentina - Switzerland, on Tuesday, Blatter and Busacca appointed the Uzbek referee Irmatov. Argentina opposed. Then FIFA appointed a referee from Sweden. Very rare! A referee from UEFA is appointed to referee a match where one of the teams is from the same confederation (Europe). I do not doubt the skills and the professionalism of the Swedish referee, but I cannot understand why FIFA did not pay attention to such details. I am wondering where the Argentinian representative in the FIFA Referees Committee was when this decision was made? For those who do not remember, Irmatov refereed our match Argentina – Germany at the previous World Cup (2010) in South Africa.”

Irmatov has been booked to ref the Netherlands v C Rica QF which seemed the obvious QF appointment for him given the above, whilst Argentina once again have a European, Rizzoli, refereeing their match against a European team.

why on earth would the argies not want the Uzbek?

When Irmatov takes charge of the Holland v Costa Rica game, it will be his 4th match of this tournament, and 9th World Cup match in total at the tender age of 36

...and I believe Argentina's protest is because they weren't happy with the way he refereed the 2010 QF between them and Germany.

Personally I thought he did perfectly well in that game and it just smacks of sour grapes (Germany won 4-0)

I find it odd that FIFA relented.

On that basis  I think as..

It would have been the 2nd time Irmatov had refereed Switzerland in this tournament

and the head of FIFA's selection panel, Busacca and also Blatter are both Swiss

The reason he was replaced by Erikson was to avoid any potential controversy.

think Luiz Felipe Scolari has been lined up to ref the final

howard webb again,he did such a good job last time

will Irmatov get the final or 3/4th playoff?

I imagine that if the Netherlands win tonight to make it an all European final, that they will go for a European ref (Rizzoli or Proenca likely to get the nod).

If, however, the Argies win, making it a Euro - SA final, then I think Irmatov will be given it

From an Italian referee site

"According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, however, the challenge remains in the running of July 13, three names plus one. And that is: the safe Nicola Rizzoli (Italy. Pedro Proenca (Portugal) and Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan), which in theory could be added ..."

Ted..I think the Argies have protested about Irmatov getting an earlier game
the protest was upheld and he was replaced.

South American journalists report that Jonas Eriksson gets the lucky judge may adjudicate the World Cup final on Sunday.

Four sentences team remains among the candidates for the most prestigious assignment in the football world. Howard Webb, Nicola Rizzoli, Ravshan Irmatov - and Jonas Eriksson.

Latest news on Twitter among Argentine journalists is that the Swede has to tend whistle on Sunday.

Rizzoli 1.01

Rizolli confirmed

someone knew

It was "confirmed" on Argentinian radio at about 4.10 that Jonas Eriksson had been appointed.  This was then confirmed subsequently by Uruguayan, Colombian and Peruvian media sources.

At around 5.20 it was announced on Turkish tv's twitter feed that Rizzoli had been appointed.  It took another 20-30mins before Portugese media concurred with Turkish tv and within the next 15 minutes it became clear that Argentine radio were talking bollox.  Needless to say it cost me a few bob.  Threw away a reasonable profit on Rizzoli.

hard lines Clydebank..a setback but with your class the poor bookie has little or no chance of winning the war..stay in touch pal.