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			{{Use mdy dates\|date=September 2019}}
			{{Use American English\|date=October 2015}}
			{{short description\|American soccer referee}}
	{{Infobox football official		{{Infobox football official
	\| name = Mark Geiger		\| name = Mark Geiger
	\| ~~fullname~~ = Mark Geiger		\| image = Mark Geiger.jpg
			\| caption = Geiger in 2018
	\| image = Referee Mark Geiger advantage.jpg
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date and age\|mf=yes\|1974\|8\|25}}		\| fullname = Mark William Geiger
			\| birth_date = {{Birth date and age\|mf=yes\|1974\|8\|25}}
			\| birth_place = ], U.S.
	\| birth_place =
	\| death_date =		\| death_date =
	\| death_place =		\| death_place =
			\| otheroccupation = {{ubl\|Senior director of match officials, ]\|Mathematics teacher}}
	\| otheroccupation = ]
	\| years1 = 2002–2004		\| years1 = 2002–2004
	\| league1 = ]		\| league1 = ]
	\| role1 = ]		\| role1 = ]
	\| years2 = ~~2004–~~		\| years2 = 2011–2017
	\| league2 = ]		\| league2 = ]
	\| role2 = ]		\| role2 = ]
			\| years3 = 2004–2019
	\| internationalyears1 = 2008–
			\| league3 = ]
	\| confederation1 = ]
			\| role3 = ]
	\| internationalrole1 = Referee
			\| internationalyears1 = 2008–2019
	\| internationalyears2 = 2008–
			\| confederation1 = ]
	\| confederation2 = ]
			\| internationalrole1 = ]
	\| internationalrole2 = Referee}}
			}}
	'''Mark Geiger''' (born August 25, 1974)<ref> ] website.</ref> is a ] ] for ],<ref name="PRO Referee Roster">{{cite web\|title=PRO Referee Roster\|url=http://www.proreferees.com/roster-referees.php\|publisher=PROreferees.com\|accessdate=June 5, 2013}}</ref> from ].<ref>Clunn, Nicholas. , '']'', October 1, 2003. Accessed May 11, 2012. "Mark Geiger, a math teacher from Beachwood, said his new classroom in the high school's addition - referred to as the 'West Wing' here - has made teaching a bit easier."</ref> He officiates in ] in the ] and ]. Geiger is also employed as a ] ] teacher.

			'''Mark William Geiger''' (born August 25, 1974) is an American sports administrator and former ] ]. He is the senior director of match officials at the ] (PRO), which oversees domestic referees in ] (MLS). Geiger previously officiated in MLS and was on the ] from 2008 to 2019. At the international level, Geiger refereed the ], the ], ], and ]s, and the ] and ]s. 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 ] teacher.
	==Career==
	He first took up refereeing in 1988. He became a ] National Referee in 2003 and has been officiating in ] since 2004. He has officiated in ] tournaments since becoming a ] referee in 2008, and has officiated ] and other international tournaments and fixtures. Geiger was selected for the ] in 2011, where he was selected to referee the final.<ref> news release about u-20 final and CCL games.</ref>

			==Refereeing career==
	In 2011, he was selected to officiate at the ] in ] during July and August of that year.<ref> from ] website.</ref> He officiated the ] game between eventual tournament champions ] and ] at ] in ] on 1 August.<ref>, FIFA U-20 World Cup, 2011: ] website.</ref> He then took charge of the ] game between ] and ] at ] in ], on 5 August.<ref>, FIFA U-20 World Cup, 2011: ] website.</ref> He was appointed to the ] match between ] and ] at ] in ] on 10 August.<ref>, FIFA U-20 World Cup, 2011: ] website.</ref> Finally, he was selected to referee the ] with American Assistant Referee Mark Hurd and Canadian Assistant Referee Joe Fletcher, between ] and ] at ] in ].<ref>, FIFA U-20 World Cup, 2011: ] website.</ref> This is the first time an American has ever been the referee at a major men's tournament final.<ref>.</ref> Geiger was selected as the Major League Soccer referee of the year for the 2011 season.<ref> from MLS website</ref>
			Geiger first took up refereeing in 1988. In 2003, he was named Referee of the Year by the New Jersey Soccer Association.<ref name="nj-referee-of-the-year">{{cite web \|title=Referee of the Year \|url=https://www.soccernjsa.com/referee-of-the-year/ \|website=soccernjsa.com \|publisher=New Jersey Soccer Association \|access-date=30 June 2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925073509/https://www.soccernjsa.com/referee-of-the-year/ \|archive-date=25 September 2023 \|url-status=live}}</ref> He became a ] National Referee in 2003 and officiated in ] from 2004 to 2018. He has officiated in ] tournaments since becoming a ] referee in 2008, and has officiated ] and other international tournaments and fixtures. Geiger was selected for the ] in 2011, where he refereed the final.<ref name="concacaf-u20final">{{cite web\|url=http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2425158,00.html \|title=Geiger to referee U-20 final, CCL Round 2 \|publisher=CONCACAF \|date=August 19, 2011 \|access-date=October 7, 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925222919/http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C12813~2425158%2C00.html \|archive-date=September 25, 2012 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

			Geiger officiated at the ] in ].<ref name="us-soccer-2011u20wc">{{cite web \| url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/13/03/mark-geiger-and-mark-hurd-invited-to-referee-at-2011-fifa-u20-world-cup \| title=U.S. Soccer Referee Mark Geiger and Assistant Referee Mark Hurd to Participate at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia \| publisher=U.S. Soccer \| date=May 16, 2011 \| access-date=October 7, 2015}}</ref> He officiated the ] game between eventual tournament champions ] and ] at ] in Barranquilla.<ref name="fifa-brazilvsaustria">{{cite web \| url=https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=255641/match=300145877/report.html \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430113506/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=255641/match=300145877/report.html \| url-status=dead \| archive-date=April 30, 2012 \| title=Match Report - Brazil 3-0 Austria \| publisher=FIFA \| access-date=October 10, 2015}}</ref> He then took charge of the ] game between ] and ] at ] in ].<ref name="fifa-uruguayvscameroon">{{cite web \| url=https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=255641/match=300145861/report.html\| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914133159/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=255641/match=300145861/report.html\| url-status=dead\| archive-date=September 14, 2011\| title=Match Report - Uruguay 0-1 Cameroon \| publisher=FIFA \| access-date=October 10, 2015}}</ref> He was appointed to the ] match between ] and ] at ] in Manizales.<ref name="fifa-spainvskorea">{{cite web \| url=https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=255639/match=300145889/report.html\| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410044615/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=255639/match=300145889/report.html\| url-status=dead\| archive-date=April 10, 2012\| title=Match Report - Spain 0-0 Korea Republic\| publisher=FIFA \| access-date=October 10, 2015}}</ref> Finally, he refereed the ] with American Assistant Referee Sean Hurd and Canadian Assistant Referee ], between ] and ] at ] in Bogotá.<ref name="fifa-brazilvsportugal">{{cite web \| url=https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=255635/match=300145903/report.html\| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309034130/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=255635/match=300145903/report.html\| url-status=dead\| archive-date=March 9, 2012\| title=Match Report - Brazil 3-2 Portugal\| publisher=FIFA \| access-date=October 10, 2015}}</ref> This was the first time a referee from the ] has ever officiated a major men's tournament final.<ref name="psra-u20final">{{cite web \| url=http://www.refereeassociation.net/articles.php?ID=83 \| title=Geiger, Hurd and Fletcher to Officiate FIFA U20 World Cup Final \| publisher=Professional Soccer Referees Association \| access-date=October 10, 2015 \| url-status=dead \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723080617/http://www.refereeassociation.net/articles.php?ID=83 \| archive-date=July 23, 2015 \| df=mdy-all }}</ref>
	In 2012, Geiger was selected as one of 16 referees to officiate at the ]. Geiger took charge of the ]<ref>.</ref> and the ].

			] during a 2012 MLS match]]
	==Other Occupation==

	Geiger teaches ] at ] in ], ]. He was among 103 recipients of the Presidential Math and Science Teachers Award in 2010.<ref> from ] press secretary.</ref>
			Geiger was selected as the Major League Soccer referee of the year for the 2011 season, and then again in 2014.<ref name="mls-refofyear2011">{{cite web \| url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2011/11/10/mls-veteran-geiger-named-referee-year \| title=MLS veteran Geiger named Referee of the Year \| publisher=Major League Soccer \| date=November 10, 2011 \| access-date=October 7, 2015}}</ref><ref name="mls-refofyear2014">{{cite web \| url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/11/25/mark-geiger-named-mls-referee-year-paul-scott-voted-assistant-referee-year \| title=Mark Geiger named MLS Referee of the Year; Paul Scott voted Assistant Referee of the Year \| publisher=Major League Soccer \| date=November 25, 2014 \| access-date=October 7, 2015 \| archive-url=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 \| archive-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref>
	Geiger works as a Human Resources Agent for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection{{http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A78zU_FJ9Fg}}

			In 2012, Geiger was selected as one of 16 referees to officiate at the ] in London. Geiger took charge of the Group D ]<ref name="fifa-spainvjapan">{{cite web\|url=https://www.fifa.com/mensolympic/matches/round=256009/match=300197675/index.html \|title=Matchcast - Spain 0:1 Japan \|publisher=FIFA \|access-date=October 7, 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524035202/http://www.fifa.com/mensolympic/matches/round%3D256009/match%3D300197675/index.html \|archive-date=May 24, 2013 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> and the ]. In 2013, Geiger was an official at the ].<ref name="PRO Referee Roster">{{cite web\|title=PRO Referee Roster\|url=http://www.proreferees.com/roster-referees.php\|publisher=Professional Referee Organization\|access-date=October 6, 2013\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603223128/http://www.proreferees.com/roster-referees.php\|archive-date=June 3, 2013}}</ref>

			Geiger was selected as ] representative referee for the ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/22/25/89/fcwc2013matchofficials_neutral.pdf\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112130017/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/22/25/89/fcwc2013matchofficials_neutral.pdf\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=November 12, 2013\|title=FCWC 2013 Appointments of Match Officials\|publisher=FIFA}}</ref>

			===2014 FIFA World Cup===
			Geiger was one of 25 referees appointed for the ] in Brazil.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/media/newsid=2261111/index.html\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115154322/http://www.fifa.com//worldcup/media/newsid=2261111/index.html\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=January 15, 2014\|title=Referee trios and support duos appointed for 2014 FIFA World Cup\|publisher=FIFA\|date=January 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/26/13/55/2014fwcrefereesselected_neutral.pdf\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116084943/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/26/13/55/2014fwcrefereesselected_neutral.pdf\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=January 16, 2014\|title=Referees & Assistant referees for the 2014 FIFA World Cup\|publisher=FIFA\|date=January 14, 2014}}</ref> Geiger described the assignment to the World Cup as "an immensely proud moment".<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.proreferees.com/news--mark-geiger-excited-to-fulfil-world-cup-dream.php\|title=Mark Geiger excited to fulfil World Cup dream\|publisher=Professional Referee Organization\|date=January 20, 2014\|access-date=June 30, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723085609/http://www.proreferees.com/news--mark-geiger-excited-to-fulfil-world-cup-dream.php\|archive-date=July 23, 2015\|url-status=dead}}</ref>
			Geiger officiated the 2014 World Cup ] match between ] and ] at the ] in Belo Horizonte;<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=6/news=referee-designations-for-matches-5-8-2368666.html \|archive-url=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 \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=June 14, 2014 \|publisher=FIFA\|date=June 12, 2014\|title=Referee designations for matches 5-8\|access-date=October 7, 2015}}</ref>
			the 2014 World Cup ] match between ] and ] at the ] in Rio de Janeiro;<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255931/match=300186498/index.html#nosticky \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607234913/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255931/match=300186498/index.html#nosticky \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=June 7, 2014 \|title=2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil Match Result: Spain v Chile\|publisher=FIFA}}</ref>
			and the 2014 World Cup ] match between ] and ] at the ] in Brasilia, the first American to referee in the knockout round of a FIFA World Cup.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.proreferees.com/news-pro-2014-world-cup-assignments.php\|title=PRO 2014 World Cup assignments\|publisher=Professional Referee Organization\|date=June 28, 2014\|access-date=June 30, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714235856/http://www.proreferees.com/news-pro-2014-world-cup-assignments.php\|archive-date=July 14, 2014\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

			===2017 FIFA Confederations Cup===
			Geiger was selected to officiate the ] in ]. In the Group Stage, Geiger officiated the ] match between ] and ] in ] as well as the ] match between ] and ] in ].<ref>{{cite web\|title=Australia-Germany Match Overview\|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=274633/match=300334890/index.html#nosticky\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220092339/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=274633/match=300334890/index.html#nosticky\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=February 20, 2017\|publisher=FIFA\|date=June 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=New Zealand-Portugal Match Overview\|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=274633/match=300334887/index.html#nosticky\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220094258/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=274633/match=300334887/index.html#nosticky\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=February 20, 2017\|publisher=FIFA\|date=June 24, 2017}}</ref>

			===2018 FIFA World Cup===
			Geiger was one of 36 referees selected for the ], working with a North American crew of ] from Canada and Frank Anderson from the United States.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/36-referees-and-63-assistant-referees-appointed-as-russia-2018-match-officials\|title=36 referees and 63 assistant referees appointed as Russia 2018 Match Officials\|website=FIFA.com\|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association\|date=March 29, 2018\|access-date=April 12, 2020}}</ref> 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 ]. Geiger worked as the ] In the match between ]. During the match he advised the referee, ], 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.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=498181\|title=Australia salvage draw against Denmark with VAR-awarded penalty\|website=espn.com\|publisher=ESPN\|date=June 21, 2018\|access-date=April 12, 2020}}</ref> 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 ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/soccer/news/world-cup-2018-south-korea-germany-marco-reus-timo-werner-laud-son-heung-min/x01b4wpdza3n1r8b8hpr2inyg\|title=World Cup 2018: South Korea vs. Germany preview, players to watch, key stats\|website=sportingnews.com\|publisher=Sporting News\|date=June 25, 2018\|access-date=April 12, 2020}}</ref> South Korea defeated Germany 2–0, but neither team advanced since Sweden defeated Mexico.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/match/300331532/#match-summary\|title=2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Matches - Korea Republic-Germany\|website=FIFA.com\|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association\|date=June 27, 2018\|access-date=April 12, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705180403/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/match/300331532/\|archive-date=July 5, 2018}}</ref> He then officiated at the Round of 16 game between ]. 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,<ref>{{Cite web \|title=PRO referee Mark Geiger among those selected for final phase of World Cup \|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/07/10/pro-referee-mark-geiger-among-those-selected-final-phase-world-cup \|work=MLS Soccer \|date=July 10, 2018 \|access-date=July 11, 2018}}</ref> and was ultimately selected to be VAR on the 3rd place match between ].<ref>{{cite tweet\|number=1017489193906425865\|user=fifamedia\|title=VAR designations for 2018 FIFA World...\|date=July 12, 2018}}</ref>

			== Controversies ==
			Geiger has been criticized for making controversial calls, such as the ] semi final between ] and ], when he called a controversial penalty for Mexico with Panama up 1–0 in the 90th minute.<ref>{{Cite web\|date=2019-01-09\|title=The controversies that marked Mark Geiger's referee career\|url=https://us.as.com/us/2019/01/09/futbol/1547074517_831361.html\|access-date=2020-09-18\|website=AS USA\|language=es-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|last=Gaines\|first=Cork\|date=23 July 2015\|title=Panama got screwed by a bogus 89th-minute penalty against Mexico and then went ballistic\|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/gold-cup-panama-mexico-penalty-2015-7\|access-date=2020-09-18\|website=Business Insider}}</ref> He admitted to making mistakes in that match as well.<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Wells\|first=Adam\|date=July 25, 2015\|title=Referee Admits Game-Altering Errors in Mexico vs. Panama 2015 Gold Cup Semifinal\|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2531090-referee-admits-game-altering-errors-in-mexico-vs-panama-2015-gold-cup-semifinal\|access-date=2020-09-18\|website=Bleacher Report\|language=en}}</ref> ] president ] said the match was "fixed", and he also wanted FIFA and CONCACAF to investigate.<ref>{{Cite web\|date=2015-07-24\|title=Mexico game was fixed - Panama FA chief\|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/panama/story/2535280/panama-mexico-game-was-fixed-says-panama-fa-chief\|access-date=2020-09-18\|website=ESPN.com\|language=en}}</ref>

			==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.<ref>{{cite news \|date=January 9, 2019 \|title=Top American soccer referee Mark Geiger is retiring \|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2019/01/09/top-american-soccer-referee-mark-geiger-is-retiring/38869363/ \|work=USA Today \|agency=Associated Press \|access-date=March 10, 2019}}</ref>

			==FIFA World Cup record==
			] from England and ] from Colombia before the penalty shootout in the Round of 16]]
			{\| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center; font-size:85%;"
			! colspan="4" \| 2014 FIFA World Cup – Brazil
			\|-
			! Date !! Match !! Venue !! Round
			\|-
			\| June 14, 2014 \|\| {{fb\|COL}} 3–0 {{fb\|GRE}} \|\| ] \|\| Group stage
			\|-
			\| June 18, 2014 \|\| {{fb\|ESP}} 0–2 {{fb\|CHI}} \|\| ] \|\| Group stage
			\|-
			\| June 30, 2014 \|\| {{fb\|FRA\|1974}} 2–0 {{fb\|NGA}} \|\| ] \|\| Round of 16
			\|-
			! colspan="4" \| 2018 FIFA World Cup – Russia
			\|-
			! Date !! Match !! Venue !! Round
			\|-
			\| June 20, 2018 \|\| {{fb\|POR}} 1–0 {{fb\|MAR}} \|\| ] \|\| Group stage
			\|-
			\| June 27, 2018 \|\| {{fb\|KOR}} 2–0 {{fb\|GER}} \|\| ] \|\| Group stage
			\|-
			\| July 3, 2018 \|\| {{fb\|COL}} 1–1 {{fb\|ENG}} \|\| ] \|\| Round of 16
			\|-
			\|}

			==Personal life==
			Geiger was born on August 25, 1974, and grew up in ]. After studying teaching at ], he became a mathematics teacher at ] in ], 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.<ref name="fifa-2014prospectiverefs">{{cite web \| url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/04/76/97/open_list_prospective_referees__assistants_2014fwcrefereesproject2012_march2013.pdf \| archive-url=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 \| url-status=dead \| archive-date=April 18, 2013 \| title=Open list of prospective referees & assistant referees for the 2014 FIFA World Cup \| publisher=FIFA \| access-date=October 6, 2015}}</ref><ref name="whitehouse">{{cite press release \| url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/presidential-math-and-science-teachers-award-release \| title=Presidential Math and Science Teachers Award Release \| date=June 7, 2010 \| access-date=October 6, 2015 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216172118/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/presidential-math-and-science-teachers-award-release \| via=] \| work=] \| archive-date=February 16, 2017}}</ref><ref name="washpost-refereeprofile">{{cite news \| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/retired-math-teacher-mark-geiger-is-the-only-american-selected-to-referee-the-world-cup/2014/06/10/3a544ad6-efda-11e3-bf76-447a5df6411f_story.html \| title=Retired math teacher Mark Geiger is the only American selected to referee the World Cup \| newspaper=The Washington Post \| date=June 10, 2014 \| access-date=October 6, 2015 \| author=Day, Timothy D.}}</ref>

	==Honors==		==Honors==
	*~~''']~~:~~'''~~ ~~2011~~		* New Jersey Soccer Association Referee of the Year: 2003<ref name="nj-referee-of-the-year" />
	* Morgan J. Hellebuyck North American Officials Award 2006		* Morgan J. Hellebuyck North American Officials Award 2006
			*]: ], ]

	==References==		==References==
	{{~~reflist~~}}		{{Reflist}}

			==External links==
			* {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707114743/http://www.proreferees.com/roster-mark-geiger.php \|date=July 7, 2014 \|title=Profile at Professional Referee Organization}}
			* {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624121341/http://worldreferee.com/site/copy.php?linkID=1646&linkType=referee&contextType=bio \|date=June 24, 2018 \|title=Profile at WorldReferee.com}}
			* {{Soccerway referee\|mark-geiger/82588}}
			* {{WorldFootball.net referee}}
			* {{WorldReferee.com}}

			{{CONCACAF Awards}}
			{{2014 FIFA World Cup referees}}
			{{Major League Soccer referees}}
			{{2017 FIFA Confederations Cup referees}}
			{{2018 FIFA World Cup referees}}
			{{Authority control}}

	{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->
	\| NAME = Geiger, Mark
	\| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
	\| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Soccer referee and math teacher
	\| DATE OF BIRTH = August 25, 1974
	\| PLACE OF BIRTH =
	\| DATE OF DEATH =
	\| PLACE OF DEATH =
	}}
	{{DEFAULTSORT:Geiger, Mark}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Geiger, Mark}}
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
			]
			]
			]
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]

Latest revision as of 05:35, 14 July 2024

American soccer referee

Mark Geiger
Domestic
Geiger in 2018
Full name	Mark William Geiger
Born	(1974-08-25) August 25, 1974 (age 50) Beachwood, New Jersey, U.S.
Other occupation	Senior director of match officials, Professional Referee Organization Mathematics teacher
Years	League	Role
2002–2004	A-League	Referee
2011–2017	NASL	Referee
2004–2019	MLS	Referee
International
Years	League	Role
2008–2019	FIFA listed	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. 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.

Geiger officiated at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. He officiated the Group E game between eventual tournament champions Brazil and Austria at Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla. He then took charge of the Group B game between Uruguay and Cameroon at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá. He was appointed to the Round of 16 match between Spain and South Korea at Estadio Palogrande in Manizales. 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. This was the first time a referee from the United States has ever officiated a major men's tournament final.

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

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 and the quarterfinal between Japan vs. Egypt. In 2013, Geiger was an official at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

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

2014 FIFA World Cup

Geiger was one of 25 referees appointed for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Geiger described the assignment to the World Cup as "an immensely proud moment". Geiger officiated the 2014 World Cup Group C match between Colombia and Greece at the Estadio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte; the 2014 World Cup Group B match between Chile and Spain at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro; 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.

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.

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. 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. 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. South Korea defeated Germany 2–0, but neither team advanced since Sweden defeated Mexico. 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, and was ultimately selected to be VAR on the 3rd place match between Belgium and England.

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. He admitted to making mistakes in that match as well. Panamanian Football Federation president Pedro Chaluja said the match was "fixed", and he also wanted FIFA and CONCACAF to investigate.

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.

FIFA World Cup record

2014 FIFA World Cup – Brazil
Date	Match	Venue	Round
June 14, 2014	Colombia 3–0 Greece	Belo Horizonte	Group stage
June 18, 2014	Spain 0–2 Chile	Rio de Janeiro	Group stage
June 30, 2014	France 2–0 Nigeria	Brasília	Round of 16
2018 FIFA World Cup – Russia
Date	Match	Venue	Round
June 20, 2018	Portugal 1–0 Morocco	Moscow	Group stage
June 27, 2018	South Korea 2–0 Germany	Kazan	Group stage
July 3, 2018	Colombia 1–1 England	Moscow	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.

Honors

New Jersey Soccer Association Referee of the Year: 2003
Morgan J. Hellebuyck North American Officials Award 2006
MLS Referee of the Year: 2011, 2014

References

^ "Referee of the Year". soccernjsa.com. New Jersey Soccer Association. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
"Geiger to referee U-20 final, CCL Round 2". CONCACAF. August 19, 2011. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
"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. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
"Match Report - Brazil 3-0 Austria". FIFA. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
"Match Report - Uruguay 0-1 Cameroon". FIFA. Archived from the original on September 14, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
"Match Report - Spain 0-0 Korea Republic". FIFA. Archived from the original on April 10, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
"Match Report - Brazil 3-2 Portugal". FIFA. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
"Geiger, Hurd and Fletcher to Officiate FIFA U20 World Cup Final". Professional Soccer Referees Association. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
"MLS veteran Geiger named Referee of the Year". Major League Soccer. November 10, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
"Mark Geiger named MLS Referee of the Year; Paul Scott voted Assistant Referee of the Year". Major League Soccer. November 25, 2014. Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
"Matchcast - Spain 0:1 Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
"PRO Referee Roster". Professional Referee Organization. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
"FCWC 2013 Appointments of Match Officials" (PDF). FIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 12, 2013.
"Referee trios and support duos appointed for 2014 FIFA World Cup". FIFA. January 15, 2014. Archived from the original on January 15, 2014.
"Referees & Assistant referees for the 2014 FIFA World Cup" (PDF). FIFA. January 14, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 16, 2014.
"Mark Geiger excited to fulfil World Cup dream". Professional Referee Organization. January 20, 2014. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
"Referee designations for matches 5-8". FIFA. June 12, 2014. Archived from the original on June 14, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
"2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil Match Result: Spain v Chile". FIFA. Archived from the original on June 7, 2014.
"PRO 2014 World Cup assignments". Professional Referee Organization. June 28, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
"Australia-Germany Match Overview". FIFA. June 19, 2017. Archived from the original on February 20, 2017.
"New Zealand-Portugal Match Overview". FIFA. June 24, 2017. Archived from the original on February 20, 2017.
"36 referees and 63 assistant referees appointed as Russia 2018 Match Officials". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. March 29, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
"Australia salvage draw against Denmark with VAR-awarded penalty". espn.com. ESPN. June 21, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
"World Cup 2018: South Korea vs. Germany preview, players to watch, key stats". sportingnews.com. Sporting News. June 25, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
"2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Matches - Korea Republic-Germany". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. June 27, 2018. Archived from the original on July 5, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
"PRO referee Mark Geiger among those selected for final phase of World Cup". MLS Soccer. July 10, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
@fifamedia (July 12, 2018). "VAR designations for 2018 FIFA World..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
"The controversies that marked Mark Geiger's referee career". AS USA (in Spanish). January 9, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
Gaines, Cork (July 23, 2015). "Panama got screwed by a bogus 89th-minute penalty against Mexico and then went ballistic". Business Insider. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
Wells, Adam (July 25, 2015). "Referee Admits Game-Altering Errors in Mexico vs. Panama 2015 Gold Cup Semifinal". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
"Mexico game was fixed - Panama FA chief". ESPN.com. July 24, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
"Top American soccer referee Mark Geiger is retiring". USA Today. Associated Press. January 9, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
"Open list of prospective referees & assistant referees for the 2014 FIFA World Cup" (PDF). FIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 18, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
"Presidential Math and Science Teachers Award Release". whitehouse.gov (Press release). June 7, 2010. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2015 – via National Archives.
Day, Timothy D. (June 10, 2014). "Retired math teacher Mark Geiger is the only American selected to referee the World Cup". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2015.

External links

Profile at Professional Referee Organization at the Wayback Machine (archived July 7, 2014)
Profile at WorldReferee.com at the Wayback Machine (archived June 24, 2018)
Mark Geiger referee profile at Soccerway
Mark Geiger referee profile at WorldFootball.net
Mark Geiger at WorldReferee.com

CONCACAF Awards

Men's winners

Player of the Year	2013: Peralta 2014: Navas 2015: Hernández 2016: Ruiz 2017: Navas 2018: Lozano 2021: Davies 2022: Davies
Goalkeeper of the Year	2013: Howard 2014: Howard 2015: Howard 2016: Navas 2017: Navas 2018: Navas
Coach of the Year	2013: Klinsmann 2014: Pinto 2015: Gómez 2016: Ramírez 2017: Vanney 2018: Almeyda
Referee of the Year	2013: Rodríguez 2014: Geiger 2015: Aguilar 2016: Ramos 2017: Ramos 2018: Ramos

Women's winners

Player of the Year	2013: Morgan 2014: Wambach 2015: Lloyd 2016: Morgan 2017: Morgan 2018: Morgan 2021: Dunn 2022: Shaw
Goalkeeper of the Year	2015: Solo 2016: Harris 2017: Franch 2018: Naeher
Coach of the Year	2015: Ellis 2016: Valverde 2017: Espejo 2018: Menzies
Referee of the Year	2015: Moreira 2016: Chenard 2017: Venegas 2018: Venegas

Mixed

Goal of the Year	2013: Jiménez 2014: Ruiz 2015: Lloyd 2016: Je. Corona 2017: Escoto 2018: Jo. Corona

v t e Referees at the 2014 FIFA World Cup
AFC	Ravshan Irmatov Yuichi Nishimura Nawaf Shukralla Ben Williams
CAF	Noumandiez Doué Bakary Gassama Djamel Haimoudi
CONCACAF	Joel Aguilar Mark Geiger Marco Antonio Rodríguez
CONMEBOL	Enrique Osses Néstor Pitana Wilmar Roldán Sandro Ricci Carlos Vera
OFC	Peter O'Leary
UEFA	Felix Brych Cüneyt Çakır Jonas Eriksson Björn Kuipers Milorad Mažić Pedro Proença Nicola Rizzoli Carlos Velasco Carballo Howard Webb

v t e Major League Soccer referees
Referees	Mark Allatin Malik Badawi Claudiu Badea Fotis Bazakos Serhiy Boyko Allen Chapman Alexis Da Silva / Marcos DeOliveira Joe Dickerson Filip Dujic Ismail Elfath Drew Fischer Tim Ford Jon Freemon Guido Gonzales, Jr Pierre-Luc Lauziere Jair Marrufo Rosendo Mendoza Ismir Pekmic Chris Penso Tori Penso Michael Radchuk Victor Rivas Nima Saghafi / Lukasz Szpala Ramy Touchan Ted Unkel Rubiel Vazquez Armando Villarreal
Assistant Referees	Lyes Arfa Kyle Atkins Peter Balciunas Micheal Barwegen Andrew Bigelow Cameron Blanchard Diego Blas Chantal Boudreau Logan Brown Jose Da Silva Brian Dunn Chris Elliott Gianni Facchini Adam Garner Ryan Graves Jeffrey Greeson Jeremy Hanson Walt Heatherly Justin Howard Eduardo Jeff Gerard-Kader Lebuis Jeremy Kieso Kevin Klinger Kevin Lock Felisha Mariscal Brooke Mayo Ian McKay Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho Meghan Mullen Mike Nickerson Matt Nelson Kathryn Nesbitt Corey Parker Ben Pilgrim Brian Poeschel Cory Richardson Corey Rockwell Mike Rottersman Kali Smith Jeffrey Swartzel Stefan Tanaka-Freundt Nick Uranga Chris Wattam Eric Weisbrod Jason White Adam Wienckowski Tyler Wyrostek
Video Assistant Referees	David Barrie Carol Anne Chenard Greg Dopka Geoff Gamble Jorge Gonzalez Edvin Jurisevic Alejandro Mariscal Younes Marrakchi Daniel Radford José Carlos Rivero Sorin Stoica Kevin Stott Kevin Terry, Jr.
Assistant Video Assistant Referees	Jozef Batko Jonathan Johnson Mike Kampmeinert Craig Lowry Jeffrey Muschik Rene Parra Josh Patlak Robert Schaap Thomas Supple Fabio Tovar TJ Zablocki

v t e Referees at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup
AFC	Fahad Al-Mirdasi Alireza Faghani
CAF	Bakary Gassama
CONCACAF	Mark Geiger
CONMEBOL	Néstor Pitana Wilmar Roldán
UEFA	Milorad Mažić Gianluca Rocchi Damir Skomina
OFC	Abdelkader Zitouni (support)

v t e Referees at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
AFC	~~Fahad Al-Mirdasi~~ Alireza Faghani Ravshan Irmatov Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed Ryuji Sato Nawaf Shukralla
CAF	Mehdi Abid Charef Malang Diedhiou Bakary Gassama Gehad Grisha Janny Sikazwe Bamlak Tessema Weyesa
CONCACAF	Joel Aguilar Mark Geiger Jair Marrufo Ricardo Montero John Pitti César Arturo Ramos
CONMEBOL	Julio Bascuñán Enrique Cáceres Andrés Cunha Néstor Pitana Sandro Ricci Wilmar Roldán
OFC	Matthew Conger Norbert Hauata
UEFA	Felix Brych Cüneyt Çakır Sergei Karasev Björn Kuipers Szymon Marciniak Antonio Mateu Lahoz Milorad Mažić Gianluca Rocchi Damir Skomina Clément Turpin

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