Referees picked for World Cup quarters

FIFA has chosen European and South American referees to handle the World Cup quarter-finals that feature only teams from their regions.

The Uruguay v France clash will be refereed by Nestor Pitana of Argentina on Friday in Nizhny Novgorod. It will be his fourth assignment, including the opening game.

Friday's clash between Brazil and Belgium in Kazan will be handled by Milorad Mazic of Serbia, who refereed the Champions League final in May.

FIFA says Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci will work Russia against Croatia on Saturday in Sochi, having officiated Croatia's first group-stage game against Nigeria.

And Saturday's quarter-final showdown between Sweden and England in Samara will be the fourth game of the tournament refereed by Dutchman Bjorn Kuipers.

Kuipers officiated an England match at the last tournament in Brazil, the 2-1 defeat to Italy in their opening game in Manaus.