The refereeing of the match between FK Struga Trim Lum and FK Vardar was assessed negatively by referee controller Goran Spirkoski, with several key moments that influenced the development of the game and created tension on the field, but without a direct impact on the final result of the match, being pointed out.
Namely, in the 14th minute, the head referee Furkan Idrizi did not award an obvious foul outside the penalty area against the visiting striker, after which the game was continued with a throw-in.
Additionally, in the 43rd minute, a clear yellow card was missed for the home player (No. 17) due to a too severe foul in the face of an opponent. In the 70th minute, the away player (No. 8) received a wrong yellow card for alleged simulation, although he had sustained an injury in the match, after which he was substituted.
The key moment came in the 80th minute, when the first assistant referee signaled an offside and a goal was disallowed for the home team. After a VAR intervention, the goal was determined to be legal. However, the VAR communication was confusing and caused additional reactions from the players on the pitch.
Additionally, the "captain only" rule was not consistently applied when explaining disputed decisions, and the addition of only three minutes of lost time in the second half was insufficient.
Fourth referee Urošević did not fulfill his duties and responsibilities in full and made a technical error even before the start of the match, allowing a discrepancy between the numbers entered in the scoresheet and the jersey number of a player, something that is extremely frivolous and unacceptable not only for this, but for any level of competition.
Stojanov Stojanche, who served as the VAR referee, was also negatively assessed. Although his final advice on the factual decision, which confirmed the regular goal for the home team, was correct, the confusing and unclear communication during the implementation of the VAR protocol in a crucial situation must be fully in accordance with the prescribed protocol and the FFP.
