Argentina fans have been put on red alert after Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic was appointed to officiate Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
Lionel Messi is chasing a second successive World Cup title after leading Argentina to the New York showpiece, amid allegations of favouritism from officials during the tournament.
On Wednesday, FIFA appointed Vincic to take charge of the final at MetLife Stadium. He will be joined by compatriots Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic as assistant referees, while Jordan’s Adham Makhadmeh will serve as fourth official.
Vincic is a highly experienced referee, having officiated the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, as well as Spain’s Euro 2024 semi-final victory over France on their way to becoming champions.
However, it is not only his colourful past, including being ‘wrongly’ arrested at a ‘sex party’ in 2020, that has raised concerns in the Argentine media. Much of the apprehension appears to centre instead on his history with the national team.
The 46-year-old made his World Cup debut at Qatar 2022 and officiated Argentina’s shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia. Notably, that remains the last match involving Argentina that he has overseen, while Messi and Co have not lost a World Cup match since, recovering from that early setback to lift the trophy by defeating France on penalties in the final.
Vincic made his World Cup debut at Qatar 2022 and officiated Argentina’s shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia (above) – the last match involving Argentina that he has overseen
Vincic has shown one red card this World Cup, dismissing Ecuador’s Hincapie for covering his mouth during a confrontational exchange with Mexican striker Santi Gimenez
Vincic, meanwhile, has officiated three matches at this World Cup: the 1-1 group-stage draw between Brazil and Morocco, Algeria’s 2-1 win over Jordan, and Mexico’s victory over Ecuador in the Round of 32.
Across those matches, he has shown seven yellow cards and one straight red card, dismissing Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie for covering his mouth during a confrontational exchange with Mexican striker Santi Gimenez.
The news was shared on Thursday by FIFA, with a video also posted on social media of an emotional Vincic finding out. ‘So, first of all, a shock. Then happiness. I was shaking, so it’s an incredible honour to get the World Cup final,’ Vincic said. ‘It’s something that … it’s only a dream for a referee, for a young referee when they start. So, I’m very proud, very proud of myself, my team.’
A few years ago, though, Vincic’s rise to the top was nearly halted altogether when, on May 30, 2020, he attended a house party in Bijeljina, a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He later described the visit as his ‘biggest mistake’ after police raided the property as part of an investigation into a drugs and prostitution ring, with Vincic among those arrested.
According to local media reports at the time, 26 men and nine women were arrested, while officers seized 10 pistols, 14 packages of cocaine, phones, laptops and more than €10,000 (£8,509; $10,842) in cash. Vincic was questioned but never charged.
‘I found myself on this ranch by chance,’ Vincic later told Slovenian news outlet Vecer. ‘I have my own company. I was in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a business meeting and accepted an invitation to lunch, which turned out to be my biggest mistake. I regret it. I was sitting at a table with my company; all of a sudden, the police came and what happened, happened.
‘I have nothing to do with the group that was arrested and detained, nor do my business partners. Yes, they really took us to the police, questioned us as witnesses. When it turned out that we didn’t even know them, we were able to go.’
Vladimir Sajn, president of the Slovenian Referees Association, described the incident as a ‘set of unfortunate circumstances’, saying Vincic had ‘found himself in this place at the wrong time’.
Within a year, the controversy had faded and Vincic refereed a Europa League semi-final between Arsenal and Villarreal before being appointed fourth official for the final.
Football fans are hoping that the weather clears ahead of the weekend, after officials in New York and New Jersey issued an air-quality health alert because of wildfire smoke
Photographs from the city have shown people wearing masks as they move around Manhattan
Argentina will not only be hoping there are no bad omens but also that the weather clears ahead of the weekend, after officials in New York and New Jersey issued an air-quality health alert because of wildfire smoke just days before the final.
Haze caused by Canadian wildfires has blanketed the New York region, prompting officials to urge residents to reduce outdoor exertion and stay indoors where possible. Photographs from the city have shown the Empire State Building and surrounding skyscrapers shrouded in smoke, while people have been seen wearing masks as they move around Manhattan.
Spain landed on Wednesday night and spent Thursday training outdoors, appearing unaffected by the air quality. They have not commented on whether they have any concerns.
Argentina, meanwhile, remained in Georgia following their semi-final victory over England but will begin training in New Jersey on Friday afternoon.
MetLife Stadium is an open-air venue, but there is currently no suggestion that the World Cup final, with more than 80,000 spectators expected to attend, will be affected.
Air quality in the area is forecast to improve on Friday, while rain expected on Saturday should help disperse some of the smoke.
