Who is Qatar vs Ecuador World Cup referee Daniele Orsato and what controversies has he been involved in?

SERIE A referee Daniele Orsato has been called up for the World Cup, to referee some of the world’s biggest games, including the opener. 

The Italian official will preside over the first match between Qatar and Ecuador as the hosts get the controversial tournament underway.

Daniele Orsato refereed last season’s Champions League semi-final between Manchester City and Real Madrid

Has he officiated at a World Cup or Euros before?

The Italian made his first World Cup appearance in 2018 and also officiated at Euro 2020. Orsato had before officiated a series of international friendlies and World Cup qualifying fixtures, including the first leg of the World Cup play-off between Honduras and Australia. He’s also been a senior referee in Serie A since 2010.

What has he done so far?

Orsato made his Serie C debut in 2002, moving to the premier Serie A division for the 2006-07 season. He has gone on to make nearly 200 appearances in the division. Since 2012, the Italian has been involved in Champions League fixtures. Orsato went on to referee last year’s Champions League final between PSG and Bayern Munich before reffing this year’s semi-final second leg between Real Madrid and Chelsea.

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Has he used VAR before?

Orsato reversed a decision in a Serie A clash between Inter Milan and Juventus after using VAR to view the incident. The Italian correctly decided to send off Inter’s Matias Vecino instead of sticking with the yellow card he had already given. But in the same game he controversially refused to use VAR after failing to give Miralem Pjanic a card for a high tackle on Rafinha, with the Bosnian already on a yellow. The decision would prove crucial as Juve went on to secure a late 3-2 win. VAR has been used in Italian’s Serie A since the start of the 2017/18 season. Orsato is a regular official in the series. He also refereed the controversial Champions League tie between Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. Orsato awarded a penalty to United in the 94th minute via VAR and Marcus Rashford scored it to send United through.

Which Euro 2020 games did he referee?

Daniele Orsato made his Euro 2020 bow in England’s 1-0 win over Croatia. And following that game he refereed Spain vs Poland, awarding a penalty to the Spaniards after a VAR review. He later officiated Ukraine’s win over Sweden in the last 16 of the tournament.