Iranian expert on refereeing, Nozar Rodneil, assessed the decisions of Kyrgyz referee Nurzatbek Abdikadirov in the final of the CAFA Nations Cup-2025. He specifically addressed the most controversial episodes during the debate, mentioning which decisions were appropriate and where they served as the basis for the debate. According to the expert, the psychological pressure and high stakes in the meeting scenario influenced the decisions.
"The referee, in the first half, soundly dismissed Ariya Yusufi. In the second half, two controversial situations occurred.
It is clear that the goalkeeper of the Uzbekistan national team committed a foul against Mohammad Kanoni, and the Iranian player did not break the rules before the collision with the opposing goalkeeper. The referee was supposed to award a penalty, but I don't know why he changed his mind."
Rodneyle stated that the first-half suspension was correctly assessed in terms of "the referee's position and proximity to the episode." In the next section, it was important to resolve ambiguities arising in controversial situations in harmony with VAR.
The expert commented on the foul he committed against Uzbek defender Mehdi Taremi as follows:
"In this situation, the referee should have shown the defender a yellow card initially, removing him from the field was a mistake, but after reviewing the VAR system, he corrected his decision. This was a fair approach."
Regarding this episode, he reminds us that in big games, the correctness of the first decision, not the speed, is paramount: the correction of the decision according to the standard protocol after the monitor review - brings the dispute closer to justice. At the same time, it is natural that each change affects the tempo and spirit of the game.
Regarding the penalty awarded in favor of Uzbekistan, Rodney said:
"Before entering the penalty area, Urunov committed a foul against Taremi, the referee was supposed to record the foul committed by the Uzbek winger. However, the game continued, and the penalty in the next situation was awarded correctly. His brother committed a violation against Uronov."
According to the expert, the "advantage rule" and the sequence of episodes became the decisive factors: although the first contact was not recorded, the contact in the next situation fully met the penalty criteria. Therefore, he considers the final decision made correct, but also retains the objection that the first foul should have been recorded.
In conclusion, Nosar Rodneyle's scores once again brought the final judging criteria, VAR intervention, and sequence of episodes to the agenda. In his opinion, "Yusufi was correctly sent off, Alijonov and the decision on the penalty are also appropriate," but the fact that the first score was not recorded at some moments caused controversy. At the senior level, each judgment must be evaluated by the balance between game logic, VAR protocol, and field control.
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