The head of the refereeing commission, Bertrand Layec, has published an analysis of situations from the 34th round of the Croatian First League. He examined five controversial calls and concluded that all referee decisions were correctly made.

Situation 1: VUKOVAR 1991 - VARAŽDIN (22nd minute); Handball

After a shot at the visitors’ goal, the ball rebounded off a visitor’s leg into the hand of Vukovar’s player No. 21. The referee, correctly positioned, immediately invalidated the goal and penalized handball, which was confirmed by VAR.

Situation 2: VUKOVAR 1991 - VARAŽDIN (41st minute); Handball

Following a corner kick, Vukovar’s player No. 28 scored a goal. After reviewing the footage, VAR determined that the player initially handled the ball. The referee, following VAR protocol, correctly invalidated the goal.

Situation 3: GORICA - OSIJEK (41st minute); Offside

A free kick was directed into the penalty area, where the visiting player No. 26 scored. The assistant referee failed to notice the offside, but VAR recommended the referee review the footage. The replay clearly showed player No. 17 in an offside position, interfering with the defender. The referee correctly invalidated the goal and penalized the offside.

Situation 4: LOKOMOTIVA - HAJDUK (58th minute); Penalty

A visiting player No. 21 entered the penalty area and was fouled by the defender. The referee, despite a good position, did not notice the contact. VAR recommended the referee review the footage, which showed the defender’s foul. The referee correctly awarded a penalty.

Situation 5: ISTRA 1961 - RIJEKA (56th minute); Rough Play

In a fight for the ball, the visiting player No. 24 roughly kicked the opposing player No. 10. The referee initially only warned the player but VAR recommended a review. The referee correctly decided to penalize the player with a red card for the rough play.

  • referee analysis
  • NK Rijeka
  • Gorica
  • NK Osijek