Valentin Valentinovich Ivanov
Encyclopedia
Valentin Valentinovich Ivanov (born July 4, 1961 in Moscow) is a Russian international football referee and a former player. The son of two Olympic champions of 1956, Valentin Ivanov
and Lidiya Ivanova, he lives in Moscow where he works as a teacher.
As a player, he reached the final of the Soviet Cup
in 1983.
He speaks Russian
and English and has been an international referee since January 1, 1997. The first international game he refereed was Luxembourg
–Poland
in 1999. Before his qualification he served as an assistant referee and officiated 3 games in the 1994 World Cup.
He refereed the 2005 U20 World Cup in the Netherlands, the Euro 2004 in Portugal and the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup in France.
In the 2005 - 2006 season, he officiated the World Cup
qualifiers between Wales
and England
, and Sweden
and Iceland
. Both England and Sweden qualified, and were drawn in the same group in the World Cup proper. He was also selected to referee the UEFA Champions League
semifinal match between Villarreal
and Arsenal
. This match will be remembered for a dubious penalty awarded in the final minute of play, for a 'push' by Gaël Clichy
of Arsenal, although replays show that there was minimal contact. However, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann
saved Juan Román Riquelme
's penalty, and Arsenal progressed to the final, where they lost 2 - 1 to Barcelona
.
In Euro 2004, he officiated in 3 games, issuing 15 yellows and 1 red. He ended the tournament as the fourth most-harsh referee, brandishing an average of 5.33 cards a game (Manuel González (Spain), Urs Meier
(Switzerland), and Lucilio Batista
(Portugal) each racked up 10 cards per game).
was Ivanov's last major international tournament, as he reached the mandatory retirement age of 45 for FIFA referees on July 4. In a second-round match between Portugal
and the Netherlands
, Ivanov issued 16 yellow cards and four red cards. The 16 cautions matched the World Cup record set in 2002
by Spanish referee Antonio López Nieto
, while the four dismissals (all on the respective players' second yellow cards) set a new World Cup record. The Netherlands were cautioned seven times, with two players given red cards following the second yellow. Portugal saw 9 yellow cards (World Cup record for one team), and two dismissals following the second yellow as well. FIFA
president Sepp Blatter
later suggested that Ivanov should have given himself a yellow card for his poor performance during the match. Sepp Blatter regretted these words and promised to officially apologise.
Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder
, the president of the German Football Association
also defended Ivanov, saying that Ivanov was just enforcing the rules. He noted that the match did not lack a sense of discretion on the part of the referee, but rather the teams did not follow the rules of the game. He also pointed out that FIFA gave the order to the referees to adhere to the rules firmly as far as tackling, holding jerseys and time wasting are concerned, and that this was made perfectly clear to all the teams.
Valentin Kozmich Ivanov
Valentin Kozmich Ivanov was a football winger/striker, co-leading scorer at the 1962 World Cup and co-1960 European Nations' Cup top scorer.Ivanov appeared 59 times for the Soviet Union, scoring 26 goals...
and Lidiya Ivanova, he lives in Moscow where he works as a teacher.
As a player, he reached the final of the Soviet Cup
Soviet Cup
The Soviet Cup, or USSR Cup , was the premier football cup competition in the Soviet Union.-Finals:-Performance by club:-Performance by republic:-References:*, rsssf.com. Accessed on 16 May 2006....
in 1983.
He speaks Russian
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
and English and has been an international referee since January 1, 1997. The first international game he refereed was Luxembourg
Luxembourg national football team
The Luxembourg national football team is the national football team of Luxembourg, and is controlled by the Luxembourg Football Federation. The team play most of their home matches at the Stade Josy Barthel, in Luxembourg.- History :...
–Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
in 1999. Before his qualification he served as an assistant referee and officiated 3 games in the 1994 World Cup.
He refereed the 2005 U20 World Cup in the Netherlands, the Euro 2004 in Portugal and the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup in France.
In the 2005 - 2006 season, he officiated the World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
qualifiers between Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
and England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
, and Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
and Iceland
Iceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
. Both England and Sweden qualified, and were drawn in the same group in the World Cup proper. He was also selected to referee the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
semifinal match between Villarreal
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
and Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. This match will be remembered for a dubious penalty awarded in the final minute of play, for a 'push' by Gaël Clichy
Gaël Clichy
Gaël Clichy is a French footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester City and the France national football team. Though initially right-foot dominant, he primarily plays as a left back that is also capable of playing as an offensive-minded wingback. Clichy is described as a player who...
of Arsenal, although replays show that there was minimal contact. However, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann
Jens Lehmann
Jens Gerhard Lehmann is a German former football goalkeeper. He was voted UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year for the 1996–97 and 2005–06 seasons, and he has been selected for three World Cup squads. He was a member of Arsenal's Invincibles, playing every match of their famous unbeaten title winning...
saved Juan Román Riquelme
Juan Román Riquelme
Juan Román Riquelme is an Argentine footballer who plays for Boca Juniors. A longtime Argentine international, Riquelme is best known for his spells with Boca Juniors and Villarreal...
's penalty, and Arsenal progressed to the final, where they lost 2 - 1 to Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
.
In Euro 2004, he officiated in 3 games, issuing 15 yellows and 1 red. He ended the tournament as the fourth most-harsh referee, brandishing an average of 5.33 cards a game (Manuel González (Spain), Urs Meier
Urs Meier
Urs Meier is a retired, Swiss football referee, a grocer by trade who owns a brand of household appliances in Würenlos, Switzerland. From 1994 until 2004 he was an international FIFA referee...
(Switzerland), and Lucilio Batista
Lucílio Batista
Lucílio Cardoso Cortez Batista is a retired Portuguese football referee.A bank teller by profession, Batista started refereeing Portuguese first division matches in the mid-90s. Amongst his many games in the national territory, he was in charge for the controversial League Cup final between Lisbon...
(Portugal) each racked up 10 cards per game).
2006 World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
was Ivanov's last major international tournament, as he reached the mandatory retirement age of 45 for FIFA referees on July 4. In a second-round match between Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
, Ivanov issued 16 yellow cards and four red cards. The 16 cautions matched the World Cup record set in 2002
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
by Spanish referee Antonio López Nieto
Antonio López Nieto
Antonio Jesús López Nieto is a Spanish football referee, who has officiated at one FIFA World Cup and during the UEFA Champions League....
, while the four dismissals (all on the respective players' second yellow cards) set a new World Cup record. The Netherlands were cautioned seven times, with two players given red cards following the second yellow. Portugal saw 9 yellow cards (World Cup record for one team), and two dismissals following the second yellow as well. FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
president Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
later suggested that Ivanov should have given himself a yellow card for his poor performance during the match. Sepp Blatter regretted these words and promised to officially apologise.
Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder
Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder
Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder , often called "MV", is the current Vice President of the Union of European Football Associations . Prior to his UEFA career, Mayer-Vorfelder was a politician of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, and served in the state cabinet of Baden-Württemberg from 1976 to 1998...
, the president of the German Football Association
German Football Association
The German Football Association is the governing body of football in Germany. A founding member of both FIFA and UEFA, the DFB organises the German football leagues, including the national league, the Bundesliga, and the men's and women's national teams. The DFB is based in Frankfurt and is...
also defended Ivanov, saying that Ivanov was just enforcing the rules. He noted that the match did not lack a sense of discretion on the part of the referee, but rather the teams did not follow the rules of the game. He also pointed out that FIFA gave the order to the referees to adhere to the rules firmly as far as tackling, holding jerseys and time wasting are concerned, and that this was made perfectly clear to all the teams.