Mark Geiger

Mark William Geiger (born August 25, 1974) is an American sports administrator and former soccer referee.

[3] He officiated the Group E game between eventual tournament champions Brazil and Austria at Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla.

[20][21] 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.

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.

[30] Panamanian Football Federation president Pedro Chaluja said the match was "fixed", and he also wanted FIFA and CONCACAF to investigate.

[31] 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.

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.

Geiger signalling for advantage during a 2012 MLS match
Mark Geiger and goalkeepers Jordan Pickford from England and David Ospina from Colombia before the penalty shootout in the Round of 16