The night before the World Cup playoff semi-final between Italy and Northern Ireland, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie and his full officiating team—compatriots Steegstra and de Vries, Spanish fourth official Gil Manzano, and VAR assistants van Boekel and Manschot—had dinner together in a restaurant in central Bergamo. Makkelie boasts a positive record with Italy, having refereed four of the Azzurri’s matches without a single defeat, tallying two draws and two victories.
Northern Ireland’s Dossier on Referee Makkelie
The Dutch referee was subjected to an in-depth study by Northern Ireland’s coach, Michael O’Neill. O’Neill compiled a 36-page dossier on Makkelie and his officiating style for his players. O’Neill stated: “I want the lads to know everything about him, from his average number of bookings to the typical reasons he issues cards. This information can be crucial for players, helping them to behave appropriately in every game situation. Analysts have prepared a comprehensive report that all my players will receive.” The coach emphasized that for a nation considered an underdog, meticulous attention to every detail is essential to gain those small advantages that can make a difference. It is likely that O’Neill fears the atmosphere and the support of the Bergamo crowd could influence the referee’s decisions. The dossier was created precisely to prepare the players on how to interact with Makkelie, with the aim of preventing doubtful or controversial incidents from determining the outcome of the match. Northern Ireland is still scarred by past experiences in the playoffs against Switzerland.