Aliyar Aghayev: Pierluigi Collina congratulated us with good management" - INTERVIEW

Baku. 23 April. REPORT.AZ/ Report News Agency presents an interview with the FIFA referee Aliyar Aghayev:

- You were the chief referee of the semi-final match in UEFA Champions League when Spanish Barcelona won England’s Man City with a score of 5:4. What is the reason for confidence in referees from Serbia, Switzerland and Sweden, along with Azerbaijan to manage decisive meetings of the race?

- This is a procedure that takes place every year. UEFA referees are being appointment based on grades received in domestic, at the same time in international competitions. This time at the crucial meetings confidence was show in my assistants Zeynal Zeynalov and Akif Amirali. As you mentioned, we managed Barcelona and Manchester City match. The another meeting of Chelsea that came through a penalty shootout to overcome Porto 5:4 was entrusted to Serbian referee brigade led by Srdjan Jovanovi. The final match between Barcelona and Chelsea that will be held today will be led by Swedish referees headed by Andreas Ekberg.

- What is the prospect of managing match at this level?

- It is a good thing to invite to this stage, but it is a starting point for us. The games were watched by Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee Pierluigi Collina and others. During our stay, they gave their recommendations and assignments. During my match Collina was the inspector.

- How did he assess you?

- We do not know our mark yet. But after the match, he met us, congratulated with good management and expressed gladness.

- In summer, there will be changes in the categories of referees. Can your management of the semi-final match of the UEFA Youth League affect your promotion to the I category?

- Yes it can. However, it doesn’t depend on this game only. UEFA Referees Committee evaluates the games we manage during a year. Grades are good, let's see what happens. Currently, I am in the II category, I get the assignment for the qualifying round matches, the Europa League group stage meetings.If my category rises, I will handle more responsible matches.There is an Elite category ahead.

- Manchester City head coach Simon Davies said that giving second yellow card to Lorenzo Gonzalez and dismissing him at the 36-minute minute of the match was not the right decision. What can you say about it?

- I don’t want to comment on the episode. If you look at those images, you will definitely agree with me. Perhaps, they did not expect to receive red card on the 36th minute. That’s why they gave this comment.