UEFA have announced that French referee Francois Letexier will take charge of the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England.
The 35-year-old official has already refereed three matches in Germany, including Spain's last-16 win over Georgia. Letexier has been a regular fixture in some of Europe's biggest games across the last 12 months. The Frenchman was in charge of the 2023 UEFA Super Cup between Manchester City FC and Sevilla FC, and was fourth official for Real Madrid's Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund.
An international referee since 2017, Letexier will lead a predominantly French group of officials in Berlin. He will be joined by French assistants Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni, and Szymon Marciniak (Poland) will be fourth official.
The video assistant referee role has been assigned to Jérôme Brisard (France) who will be assisted by Willy Delajod (France) and supported by Massimiliano Irrati (Italy). Polish official Tomasz Listkiewicz completes the line-up as assistant reserve referee.
Lexetier became the youngest referee in Ligue 1 when he was appointed in 2016 but also enjoys a part-time role as a court bailiff. UEFA will hope his appointment will see less controversy than that of Felix Zwayer for England's semi-final win over Netherlands.
Pre-match headlines talked of Zwayer's involvmentt in a match fixing scandal for which he served a six-month ban in 2005 after accepting a £250 bribe from fellow referee Robert Hoyzer. Post-match conversations were dominated by the decision to award England their first half penalty for a foul on Harry Kane after VAR's intervention.
Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk was left frustrated with the decision. "I don't know what to say," Van Dijk told beIN SPORTS.
"I don't know if I should say something about this, but I said it outside to our Dutch media. I think it says it all that the referee went in quite quickly after the game.
"We had no time to shake his hand, but it is what it is. The game is done, we lost and it's very tough to take. Certain moments obviously should have gone our way and it didn't, but whatever. It's difficult to accept this."
Former Dutch striker Pierre van Hooijdonk was similarly scathing, suggesting Zwayer should be banned from officiating games at the top level. "They can thank Felix Zwayer. He really needs to be blacklisted," he exclaimed.
"Terrible. Also, in the second half. A duel with Cody Gakpo where he simply blew his whistle again, ten meters from the linesman. Those are moments that were crucial in this match."
Lexetier is no stranger to controversy though, having oversaw an intercontinental Olympic play-off between Indonesia and Guinea earlier this year. The official awarded two penalties to the African nation, with the foul that allowed a match-winning effort actually outside the box. Letexier then sent off the Indonesia coach and will be hoping for a smoother time on Sunday.
cihacdkosz
0
well well 3 lions fans are ready for this excuse if it is not coming home
EzekielBalogun868
0
Bring any team badder💥💥
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lol 😂 you thought you are playing FIFA right🤣 this team will suffer in real life😒 🤣
Semetoo12345
0
i am not a England fan but just cannot stand all these complaints on the Referee which are really silly. Let me remind the dutch players that the referee didnt award the penalty, in fact he gave a goal kick to Netherlands but VAR intervened and recommended the penalty which is a correct decision absolutely right to award a penalty. the referee also disallowed a goal scored by Saka and didn't even drawn the offside line to double check the offside. why no complaint on this? Do the dutch players who made all these complaints on the referee really think they can qualify for the final when they played badly considering they hv no good striker who can finish properly in front of goal. They only can blame the referee but everyone can see England played much better just look at the match statistics that say it all.
Gibberish from a numbskull
yonbikmr
1
I think this is wrong to pick a referee from France since France lost the semifinal to France. I believe he had to be from other country
what the hell r u speaking blud?
agarstea
1
I think this is wrong to pick a referee from France since France lost the semifinal to France. I believe he had to be from other country
vopabcdmz
2
i am not a England fan but just cannot stand all these complaints on the Referee which are really silly. Let me remind the dutch players that the referee didnt award the penalty, in fact he gave a goal kick to Netherlands but VAR intervened and recommended the penalty which is a correct decision absolutely right to award a penalty. the referee also disallowed a goal scored by Saka and didn't even drawn the offside line to double check the offside. why no complaint on this? Do the dutch players who made all these complaints on the referee really think they can qualify for the final when they played badly considering they hv no good striker who can finish properly in front of goal. They only can blame the referee but everyone can see England played much better just look at the match statistics that say it all.
kibdmstuyz
0
Bring any team badder💥💥
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Too much attacking focus, remove Haaland and put Bellingham/Gundogan as False Nine to balance the midfield
wueelmopu
0
the Netherlands player missed the ball completely and got can with studs showing, How's that not a penalty when someone kicked a striker in the box. Was that not a late challenge on Kane by the Netherlands player?
i can beat this team with quick dribblers in the midfield, your midfield lack defensive options, your wing back is porus
andrepoon
1
Obvious penalty, period! That was a season ending, studs up challenge in the penalty box. Why is it not a penalty?????????
Blade58
2
I think England won the game fairly tho
Kingsmith20
4
Bring any team badder💥💥
juedkloy
0
England over the 90 minutes were the better side..I don't know the reason for this incessant complain by dutch players England had the possession England had more shots England had most on target shots
It was a clear penalty because he missed the ball and kicked Kane in the box, what is that?
juedkloy
1
the Netherlands player missed the ball completely and got can with studs showing, How's that not a penalty when someone kicked a striker in the box. Was that not a late challenge on Kane by the Netherlands player?
sadik2
2
Maguire are inspiring Spain’s defenders
kehbeilru
0
Both teams benefited from the referees (Spain and England)
Says all the Englanders
kehbeilru
0
England over the 90 minutes were the better side..I don't know the reason for this incessant complain by dutch players England had the possession England had more shots England had most on target shots
The footballing world is talking about the non-existent penalty awarded to England and not about the shot, possessions. Guess you r from England & so talking sht
kehbeilru
0
The footballing world is talking about the non-existent penalty awarded to England & not the whole 90 mins. Guess you are from England & so u r talking sht
Kodbkmnop
3
Both teams benefited from the referees (Spain and England)
duabcelmtu
1
England over the 90 minutes were the better side..I don't know the reason for this incessant complain by dutch players England had the possession England had more shots England had most on target shots
they are not complaining about shots on target or possession but the penalty given to England.
Kucbcitu
0
welb
viwadkuz
2
England over the 90 minutes were the better side..I don't know the reason for this incessant complain by dutch players England had the possession England had more shots England had most on target shots