Referee Zakharov was outraged by the refereeing of an American at the World Cup in Qatar

– To begin with, of course, a banal question: how do you like refereeing in general?

– Nothing surprised. As usual at the world championships, the judges are of absolutely different levels. This is not a European championship and not European competitions, where everything is reduced to a common denominator, but the selection is much more thorough. Here, there is no balance, since it is necessary to take an arbiter from this country, and from that one … Such, alas, is a hybrid policy.

– Was there a refereeing that literally outraged you?

– Of course, the American in yesterday’s match Portugal – Ghana.

– Are you talking about a penalty?

– Well, the penalty – it’s generally insane. He’s messed everything up before. First, he raised the bar of martial arts to the skies, and then lowered it himself. How else to explain the excellent goal of Ronaldo? The assistants also picked up the uncertainty, and the jitters were transmitted to those watching the VAR. The second and third goals of the Portuguese had to look for offsides.

– Why did the linesmen stop raising the flag, even with an obvious offside position?

They just don’t take risks. Looking forward to watching VAR. And it really ruins the game. The man celebrated the goal, the fans have already noted – this can lead to psychological trauma. But guys with flags from mental problems, on the contrary, are protected. Not good. There is a “wait and see” principle. But not in these cases. And not for assistants, but for the main ones.

– Will the insane amount of added minutes go back to normal now?

– Undoubtedly. A certain person appeared with a stopwatch, which fixes everything thoroughly. Now the minutes are added not on the whim of the chief judge, but on the dial. FIFA is trying to save playing time.

– Almost like in hockey?

– It’s OK. Let them play more football.

– At 6:1, add 10 minutes and then watch VAR – is that normal?

– From my point of view, it is not normal to wallow and roll the ball up and down. Another thing is that there may be problems with television and advertisers, but so far everyone is silent.

– What is the way out?

– All arbitrators have a pocket on their chest, and there is the whole arsenal to fight against the tightening of time. This option is closer to me.

– For 16 games, not a single removal. When did this happen?

– The policy of the Italians leading the judging, led by Collina. Plus, they did a good job with the players in each team, they warned about penalties, especially for unnecessary talk.

– There was no reason for red cards at all?

– There was, of course. But to a greater extent, the yellow ones were not given. Yes, access to martial arts has been raised, but no one has canceled the rules of the game.

– Have you noticed any tricks on the part of the players?

– I just wanted to say that in such unusual conditions everyone will survive according to the law of the jungle. See how many throw outs, take a meeting between Croats and Moroccans. Why is the ball flying so far? Because the players throw it with one hand, although it seems that with two, as it should be. The ball flies 5-6 meters further. I did it myself when I played in Nakhodka. If the out is close to the penalty area, it’s the same as a corner. And they scored a lot from my throws. The linesmen should look after the legs in these cases, and the main ones should look after the hands. They look bad.

– Yegor Titov called you the most arrogant referee, “a boletus man.” Are there the same irreconcilable with football players in Qatar?

– All different. But if we keep in mind the temperament, I liked the way the Iranian, Argentinean, Frenchman, Serbian are in contact with the players. Each in their own way, but they keep the game in their hands.

– I remember how you, at times, defuse the situation. Somehow a yellow card was shown to a run-out dog. At the World Cup, do the referees need to somehow relax the players sometimes?

– Why additionally relax the already relaxed rich people? And so we watch football without contacts, without passion, without emotions. Take care of yourself millionaires. Look, all the injuries are just from spasms. Therefore, the stands are silent. There is no fire. This is not the game the British invented.

– Is there a difference between two sensations similar in plot development? I mean the defeat of Germany and Argentina.

– Football is such a thing that loves hard workers and does not forgive dudes. I’m talking about the Argentines. You can’t beat anyone on one leg. If the game is not going well, there is always Messi, use him to the fullest. But this was not the case either. And the legs after an intensive segment of the first half of the season are seen to be wadded, lactic acid has accumulated in excess. At the same time, one can only admire the Arabian team and pay tribute to its coach. Managed to rebuild the defense, pushing a little deeper one of the central defenders.

– What happened to the Germans?

– It’s a slightly different story. They believed in the infallibility of their defensive lines. But in the second round everything will fall into place.

– Even the Germans with the Spaniards?

– You know that 22 people play football, and the Germans always win. Especially when they were pinned to the wall. There will be a completely different football, although the “Red Fury” is the best thing I’ve seen here so far. By the way, I judged these guys at the European Youth Championship. Even then they were hungry for victories. We never rested on our laurels, which we saw against Costa Rica. The ball is controlled perfectly, and with it the game. The placement of players and coaching tactics ensure constant control over the center of the field – no gaps between the lines.

– Which of the “dark horses” did you like?

– Moroccans. Everyone knows the capabilities of Hakimi, Amrabat and Ziyech, but their performance is impressive. Yuri Palych Semin told the regions that by the end of the game both corner flags should be wet. From sweat. Hakimi will always have.

– In another African team, the Cameroonian goalkeeper Onana surprised with his exits from the penalty area. At Inter, he does not allow himself this.

– It’s more of desperation. but which of the keepers made a real impression with the game with his feet, this is Schmeichel. I always considered Akinfeev a model here, but the Dane owns such a plasser that midfielders are not needed at all. Once – and the ball lay down at the feet of the forward.

– When everyone has already been seen in action, it is easier to make predictions. So, how will Wales and Iran, opening the second round, please us?

– The Welsh may have problems with alcohol, but not with character. Today they will take three points even after a bottle of whiskey. The Iranians, on the contrary, have obvious problems with the mood. Take Azmun, from whom a lot was expected. And the guy was so oversaturated with Russian money that he forgot about football.

– In the same group, well-looking Americans will be able to oppose something to the rampant British?

– The states are preparing a team with an eye on the home world championship of the 26th year. In the meantime, they can only beat England in their American football, but not in theirs.

– What for Qatar, what for Senegal the second defeat in a row is similar to death. The hosts again without a chance?

– I think yes. Quite weak. It is clear that there will be support, but this will not save them. If the Senegalese start to realize chances, they are able to win big.

– Holland and Ecuador can afford to play for a draw?

They can allow it, but they won’t. An unpredictable game, and yet I tend to draw.