Women’s World Cup qualifiers for Ascari, Podeschi on Europa League duty

A week of international appointments for UEFA Delegate Cristiano Ascari and UEFA Referee Observer Stefano Podeschi. Ascari is already at work, having been assigned to the women’s World Cup qualifying match between Portugal and Turkey. The game in Vizela is especially important for the Portuguese, who are second in their group and go into the tenth and final fixture of their section with a one-point lead over Serbia. With Germany top of the table and already sure of a place at the next World Cup, the long-distance duel between Portugal and Serbia has a play-off spot at stake. Stefano Podeschi, meanwhile, will fly out to France tomorrow. Appointed as UEFA Referee Observer for Nantes’ first home match in the UEFA Europa League group stage, he will assess the performance of the Austrian refereeing team led by Lechner. Heidenreich and Kolbitsch will be the assistant referees, while Hameter will act as fourth official. An Austrian duo will also be in charge of VAR. Nantes v Olympiakos will take centre stage at the Stade Beaujoire.

---