Bio
Leonardo Gaciba da Silva
Born: 1971-06-26
Intl. since: 2005-01-01
Hometown: Porto Alegre
Country: Brazil
Speaks: Portuguese, English
Occupation: Physical education teacher, personal trainer
Hobbies: Video games. Drinking mate (tea) and eating churrasco.

Gaciba started his career in 1998 in the local league of his birthplace Pelotas. He officiated the final of that rather obscure 'Colonial de Pelotas' league when he was just 18 years old.
His international career didn't go that well: he got his FIFA badge in 2005 but lost it again for failing the fitness test at the start of 2010. Our Brazilian correspondent assured us Gaciba would be back, but in September 2010 Gaciba yet again failed the test, his last chance so it seems.

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In 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 he was elected Best Brazilian Referee by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Gaciba's international matches include a number of games in the Copa Libertadores 2006 and 2007. He also appeared in the 2007 South American Youth Championship. His dream is to be part of a World Cup sometime soon.

Diving

In an article by Tim Vickery for theWorldGame.com.au, Gaciba is quoted as saying that Brazilian players are used to fall to the ground after even the slightest of touches. Where players in other countries are wont to try to go for the ball and continue play when they are fouled upon, the Brazilians have a tendency to go down and claim the foul. That's because in Brazil their claim is usually rewarded. This is detrimental to their technique, according to Gaciba, barring the development of their 'wrong foot' and giving them a name for diving.

Dribbling

More about the Brazilian style of playing and the dangers of dribbling too much can be found in this article that also features a funny decision by Gaciba. After some 'cheeky stepovers' by Coritiba striker Jaba, Gaciba conceded a free kick in favor of the opposing team Santos to protect Jaba against reprisals!

Did you know
18

  • When away from home, Gaciba never forgets to bring his gameboy and some fresh mate tea, known in Brazil as chimarrão.
  • Gaciba was supposed to appear in the World Cup 2007 U20 in Canada, but was sent home because he or one of his assistants didn't pass the fitness test.
  • Gaciba's favourite Brazilian referee is Carlos Simon (of course) and internationally Collina (who else) takes first place for him.
  • Gaciba admits to being a bit superstitious. He always enters the field with 'various saints hidden in his underpants'.
  • Leonardo Gaciba da Silva was voted best referee of the year 2006 by members of the site www.cartaovermelho.esp.br. Carlos Simon, Brazil's most famous referee at the moment, ended up almost last.

Statistics
Statistics for LEONARDO GACIBA DA SILVA
Totals Home Away Total
Penalties 7 3 10
Fouls 0 0 0
Yellow 64 71 135
YellowRed 0 0 0
Red 6 8 14
Averages Home Away Total
Penalties 0.23 0.1 0.16
Fouls 0 0 0
Yellow 2.06 2.29 2.18
YellowRed 0 0 0
Red 0.19 0.26 0.23

Based on 31 international matches

Matches
MATCHES FOR LEONARDO GACIBA DA SILVA
Date Score Yellow Red Penalties Fouls
Copa Libertadores 2009
group stageClub NacionalRiver Plate2009-04-234 - 2 4 (2-2)1 (0-1)2 (1-1)0 (0-0)
group stageClub NacionalNacional (UR)2009-02-180 - 3 2 (1-1)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
group stageSan LorenzoSan Luis FC2009-02-114 - 1 3 (2-1)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
1st stageEstudiantesSporting Cristal2009-02-041 - 0 9 (3-6)1 (0-1)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
Copa Sudamericana 2008
round of 16Defensor SportingRiver Plate2008-09-251 - 2 5 (1-4)1 (0-1)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
qualifiersGremioInternacional2008-08-282 - 2 8 (3-5)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
qualifiersVasco da GamaPalmeiras2008-08-133 - 1 4 (2-2)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
WC 2010 qualifiers - S. America
ColombiaUruguay2008-09-060 - 1 2 (0-2)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
BoliviaParaguay2008-06-184 - 2 2 (1-1)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
Copa Libertadores 2008
1st knockoutLDU QuitoEstudiantes2008-04-292 - 0 7 (2-5)1 (0-1)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
group stageUniversidad CatólicaAmérica2008-04-172 - 0 6 (1-5)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
group stageEstudiantesDanubio2008-03-182 - 0 1 (0-1)0 (0-0)1 (1-0)0 (0-0)
group stageUniv. San MartinRiver Plate2008-02-132 - 0 6 (3-3)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
1st stageMineros de GuayanaArsenal de Sarandí2008-02-052 - 1 6 (5-1)1 (1-0)1 (1-0)0 (0-0)
Copa Sudamericana 2007
preliminariesBotafogoCorinthians2007-08-223 - 1 6 (3-3)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
preliminariesDefensor SportingLibertad2007-08-072 - 1 7 (4-3)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
Copa Libertadores 2007
group stageDefensor SportingDeportivo Pasto2007-03-283 - 0 4 (1-3)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
group stageParanáFlamengo2007-03-140 - 1 3 (1-2)1 (1-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
group stageBanfieldEl Nacional2007-02-274 - 1 4 (2-2)1 (0-1)1 (1-0)0 (0-0)
Copa Sudamericana u20 2007
final stageUruguay u20Chile u202007-01-251 - 1 4 (2-2)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
final stageParaguay u20Uruguay u202007-01-191 - 3 3 (2-1)0 (0-0)1 (1-0)0 (0-0)
group stageArgentina u20Uruguay u202007-01-163 - 3 4 (3-1)0 (0-0)1 (0-1)0 (0-0)
group stageArgentina u20Colombia u202007-01-101 - 2 7 (4-3)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
Copa Sudamericana 2006
preliminariesCorinthiansVasco da Gama2006-09-133 - 1 2 (1-1)1 (1-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
preliminariesSantos FCCruzeiro2006-09-061 - 0 4 (3-1)2 (1-1)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
Copa Libertadores 2006
group stageThe StrongestUnion Espanola2006-03-290 - 1 2 (1-1)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
group stageSporting CristalBolívar2006-03-082 - 1 2 (2-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)
group stageTigresDeportivo Cali2006-02-215 - 4 4 (2-2)0 (0-0)1 (0-1)0 (0-0)
Copa Sudamericana 2005
preliminariesFluminenseSantos FC2005-08-172 - 1 3 (2-1)0 (0-0)1 (1-0)0 (0-0)
Copa Sudamericana u17 2005
group stageUruguay u17Chile u172005-04-104 - 0 3 (1-2)1 (0-1)1 (1-0)0 (0-0)
group stageUruguay u17Argentina u172005-04-021 - 0 8 (4-4)3 (2-1)0 (0-0)0 (0-0)