Mark Geiger Explained

Mark Geiger
Fullname:Mark William Geiger
Birth Date:1974 8, mf=yes
Birth Place:Beachwood, New Jersey, U.S.
Years1:2002–2004
League1:A-League
Role1:Referee
Years2:2011–2017
League2:NASL
Role2:Referee
Years3:2004–2019
League3:MLS
Role3:Referee
Internationalyears1:2008–2019
Confederation1:FIFA listed
Internationalrole1:Referee

Mark William Geiger (born August 25, 1974) is an American sports administrator and former soccer referee. He is the senior director of match officials at the Professional Referee Organization (PRO), which oversees domestic referees in Major League Soccer (MLS). Geiger previously officiated in MLS and was on the FIFA International Referees List from 2008 to 2019. At the international level, Geiger refereed the 2012 Olympics, the 2013, 2015, and 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cups, and the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups. At the 2014 World Cup, he became the first referee from the United States to officiate a knockout match at a World Cup tournament. Before becoming a full-time referee, Geiger was a high school mathematics teacher.

Refereeing career

Geiger first took up refereeing in 1988. In 2003, he was named Referee of the Year by the New Jersey Soccer Association.[1] He became a United States Soccer Federation National Referee in 2003 and officiated in Major League Soccer from 2004 to 2018. He has officiated in CONCACAF tournaments since becoming a FIFA referee in 2008, and has officiated Gold Cup and other international tournaments and fixtures. Geiger was selected for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in 2011, where he refereed the final.[2]

Geiger officiated at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.[3] He officiated the Group E game between eventual tournament champions Brazil and Austria at Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla.[4] He then took charge of the Group B game between Uruguay and Cameroon at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá.[5] He was appointed to the Round of 16 match between Spain and South Korea at Estadio Palogrande in Manizales.[6] Finally, he refereed the Final with American Assistant Referee Sean Hurd and Canadian Assistant Referee Joe Fletcher, between Brazil and Portugal at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá.[7] This was the first time a referee from the United States has ever officiated a major men's tournament final.[8]

Geiger was selected as the Major League Soccer referee of the year for the 2011 season, and then again in 2014.[9] [10]

In 2012, Geiger was selected as one of 16 referees to officiate at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Geiger took charge of the Group D match between Spain vs. Japan[11] and the quarterfinal between Japan vs. Egypt. In 2013, Geiger was an official at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[12]

Geiger was selected as CONCACAF's representative referee for the 2013 Club World Cup.[13]

2014 FIFA World Cup

Geiger was one of 25 referees appointed for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.[14] [15] Geiger described the assignment to the World Cup as "an immensely proud moment".[16] Geiger officiated the 2014 World Cup Group C match between Colombia and Greece at the Estadio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte;[17] the 2014 World Cup Group B match between Chile and Spain at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro;[18] and the 2014 World Cup Round of 16 match between France and Nigeria at the Estádio Nacional in Brasilia, the first American to referee in the knockout round of a FIFA World Cup.[19]

2017 FIFA Confederations Cup

Geiger was selected to officiate the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia. In the Group Stage, Geiger officiated the Group B match between Australia and Germany in Sochi as well as the Group A match between New Zealand and Portugal in Saint Petersburg.[20] [21]

2018 FIFA World Cup

Geiger was one of 36 referees selected for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, working with a North American crew of Joe Fletcher from Canada and Frank Anderson from the United States.[22] Geiger served as referee on three matches at the tournament and was VAR in five matches.

Geiger's first assignment was the second group stage match of Group B between Portugal and Morocco. Geiger worked as the VAR In the match between Denmark and Australia. During the match he advised the referee, Antonio Mateu Lahoz, to review a possible handball in the penalty area. After review, Lahoz awarded a penalty kick that allowed the Socceroos to score and secure a 1–1 draw.[23] He subsequently worked as VAR for the Group D match between Argentina and Iceland, the Group G match featuring Belgium and Tunisia and the Round of 16 contest between Uruguay and Portugal before his final assignment in the tournament's Third Place match.

Geiger then officiated the Group F third match between South Korea and Germany.[24] South Korea defeated Germany 2–0, but neither team advanced since Sweden defeated Mexico.[25] He then officiated at the Round of 16 game between Colombia and England. England advanced on penalties after a 1–1 draw. Geiger was selected as one of the final 12 referees on the shortlist to officiate the final or third place play-off match,[26] and was ultimately selected to be VAR on the 3rd place match between Belgium and England.[27]

Controversies

Geiger has been criticized for making controversial calls, such as the 2015 Gold Cup semi final between Panama and Mexico, when he called a controversial penalty for Mexico with Panama up 1–0 in the 90th minute.[28] [29] He admitted to making mistakes in that match as well.[30] Panamanian Football Federation president Pedro Chaluja said the match was "fixed", and he also wanted FIFA and CONCACAF to investigate.[31]

Retirement

On January 9, 2019, Geiger announced that he would retire from refereeing and take up a position within PRO as its director of senior match officials.[32]

FIFA World Cup record

2014 FIFA World Cup – Brazil
Date Match Venue Round
June 14, 2014 3–0 Group stage
June 18, 2014 0–2 Group stage
June 30, 2014 2–0 Round of 16
2018 FIFA World Cup – Russia
Date Match Venue Round
June 20, 2018 1–0 Group stage
June 27, 2018 2–0 Group stage
July 3, 2018 1–1 Round of 16

Personal life

Geiger was born on August 25, 1974, and grew up in Beachwood, New Jersey. After studying teaching at Trenton State College, he became a mathematics teacher at Lacey Township High School in Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey, a role that he gave up to become a full-time referee. While at Lacey Township High School, Geiger was among 103 recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching in 2010.[33] [34] [35]

Honors

2011, 2014

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Referee of the Year . soccernjsa.com . New Jersey Soccer Association . 30 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230925073509/https://www.soccernjsa.com/referee-of-the-year/ . 25 September 2023 . live.
  2. Web site: Geiger to referee U-20 final, CCL Round 2 . CONCACAF . August 19, 2011 . October 7, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120925222919/http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C12813~2425158%2C00.html . September 25, 2012 . dead .
  3. Web site: U.S. Soccer Referee Mark Geiger and Assistant Referee Mark Hurd to Participate at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia . U.S. Soccer . May 16, 2011 . October 7, 2015.
  4. Web site: Match Report - Brazil 3-0 Austria . https://web.archive.org/web/20120430113506/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=255641/match=300145877/report.html . dead . April 30, 2012 . FIFA . October 10, 2015.
  5. Web site: Match Report - Uruguay 0-1 Cameroon . https://web.archive.org/web/20110914133159/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=255641/match=300145861/report.html. dead. September 14, 2011. FIFA . October 10, 2015.
  6. Web site: Match Report - Spain 0-0 Korea Republic. https://web.archive.org/web/20120410044615/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=255639/match=300145889/report.html. dead. April 10, 2012. FIFA . October 10, 2015.
  7. Web site: Match Report - Brazil 3-2 Portugal. https://web.archive.org/web/20120309034130/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=255635/match=300145903/report.html. dead. March 9, 2012. FIFA . October 10, 2015.
  8. Web site: Geiger, Hurd and Fletcher to Officiate FIFA U20 World Cup Final . Professional Soccer Referees Association . October 10, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150723080617/http://www.refereeassociation.net/articles.php?ID=83 . July 23, 2015 . mdy-all .
  9. Web site: MLS veteran Geiger named Referee of the Year . Major League Soccer . November 10, 2011 . October 7, 2015.
  10. Web site: Mark Geiger named MLS Referee of the Year; Paul Scott voted Assistant Referee of the Year . Major League Soccer . November 25, 2014 . October 7, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150221163408/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/11/25/mark-geiger-named-mls-referee-year-paul-scott-voted-assistant-referee-year . February 21, 2015.
  11. Web site: Matchcast - Spain 0:1 Japan . FIFA . October 7, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130524035202/http://www.fifa.com/mensolympic/matches/round%3D256009/match%3D300197675/index.html . May 24, 2013 . dead .
  12. Web site: PRO Referee Roster. Professional Referee Organization. October 6, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130603223128/http://www.proreferees.com/roster-referees.php. June 3, 2013.
  13. Web site: FCWC 2013 Appointments of Match Officials. https://web.archive.org/web/20131112130017/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/22/25/89/fcwc2013matchofficials_neutral.pdf. dead. November 12, 2013. FIFA.
  14. Web site: Referee trios and support duos appointed for 2014 FIFA World Cup. https://web.archive.org/web/20140115154322/http://www.fifa.com//worldcup/media/newsid=2261111/index.html. dead. January 15, 2014. FIFA. January 15, 2014.
  15. Web site: Referees & Assistant referees for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. https://web.archive.org/web/20140116084943/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/26/13/55/2014fwcrefereesselected_neutral.pdf. dead. January 16, 2014. FIFA. January 14, 2014.
  16. Web site: Mark Geiger excited to fulfil World Cup dream. Professional Referee Organization. January 20, 2014. June 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150723085609/http://www.proreferees.com/news--mark-geiger-excited-to-fulfil-world-cup-dream.php. July 23, 2015. dead.
  17. Web site: Referee designations for matches 5-8. https://web.archive.org/web/20140614052854/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=6/news=referee-designations-for-matches-5-8-2368666.html . dead . June 14, 2014 . FIFA. June 12, 2014. October 7, 2015.
  18. Web site: 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil Match Result: Spain v Chile. https://web.archive.org/web/20140607234913/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255931/match=300186498/index.html#nosticky . dead . June 7, 2014 . FIFA.
  19. Web site: PRO 2014 World Cup assignments. Professional Referee Organization. June 28, 2014. June 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714235856/http://www.proreferees.com/news-pro-2014-world-cup-assignments.php. July 14, 2014. dead.
  20. Web site: Australia-Germany Match Overview. https://web.archive.org/web/20170220092339/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=274633/match=300334890/index.html#nosticky. dead. February 20, 2017. FIFA. June 19, 2017.
  21. Web site: New Zealand-Portugal Match Overview. https://web.archive.org/web/20170220094258/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=274633/match=300334887/index.html#nosticky. dead. February 20, 2017. FIFA. June 24, 2017.
  22. Web site: 36 referees and 63 assistant referees appointed as Russia 2018 Match Officials. FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. March 29, 2018. April 12, 2020.
  23. Web site: Australia salvage draw against Denmark with VAR-awarded penalty. espn.com. ESPN. June 21, 2018. April 12, 2020.
  24. Web site: World Cup 2018: South Korea vs. Germany preview, players to watch, key stats. sportingnews.com. Sporting News. June 25, 2018. April 12, 2020.
  25. Web site: 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Matches - Korea Republic-Germany. FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. June 27, 2018. April 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20180705180403/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/match/300331532/. July 5, 2018.
  26. Web site: PRO referee Mark Geiger among those selected for final phase of World Cup . MLS Soccer . July 10, 2018 . July 11, 2018.
  27. 1017489193906425865. fifamedia. VAR designations for 2018 FIFA World.... July 12, 2018.
  28. Web site: 2019-01-09. The controversies that marked Mark Geiger's referee career. 2020-09-18. AS USA. es-us.
  29. Web site: Gaines. Cork. 23 July 2015. Panama got screwed by a bogus 89th-minute penalty against Mexico and then went ballistic. 2020-09-18. Business Insider.
  30. Web site: Wells. Adam. July 25, 2015. Referee Admits Game-Altering Errors in Mexico vs. Panama 2015 Gold Cup Semifinal. 2020-09-18. Bleacher Report. en.
  31. Web site: 2015-07-24. Mexico game was fixed - Panama FA chief. 2020-09-18. ESPN.com. en.
  32. News: January 9, 2019 . Top American soccer referee Mark Geiger is retiring . USA Today . Associated Press . March 10, 2019.
  33. Web site: Open list of prospective referees & assistant referees for the 2014 FIFA World Cup . https://web.archive.org/web/20130418025519/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/04/76/97/open_list_prospective_referees__assistants_2014fwcrefereesproject2012_march2013.pdf . dead . April 18, 2013 . FIFA . October 6, 2015.
  34. Presidential Math and Science Teachers Award Release . June 7, 2010 . October 6, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170216172118/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/presidential-math-and-science-teachers-award-release . . . February 16, 2017.
  35. News: Retired math teacher Mark Geiger is the only American selected to referee the World Cup . The Washington Post . June 10, 2014 . October 6, 2015 . Day, Timothy D..

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