Chelsea v PSG ref questioned by police after drug & prostitution ring operation

A  Champions League referee previously found himself unwittingly involved in a police operation.

Champions League referee Slavko Vincic previously found himself detained as part of a police operation targeting a prostitution and drug ring, though he soon proved his innocence. In May 2020, the Slovenian official, who will oversee the round of 16 second leg between Chelsea and PSG on Tuesday, was at a business lunch in Bosnia and Herzegovina when law enforcement intervened.

Vincic explained that he was attending a business meeting and had accepted a lunch invitation. However, the chosen location proved to be unfortunate as police targeted unrelated parties as part of a prostitution and drugs crackdown.

The referee was subsequently questioned as a witness and released by the police, being cleared of any wrongdoing. Speaking to Slovenian media, Vincic clarified he had no connection to any criminal activity.

"I found myself on this ranch by chance. I have my own company, I was in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a business meeting," Vincic said at the time. "I 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, asked as witnesses, when it turned out that we didn't even know them, we were able to go."

A statement from Bijeljina police said: "During the search of the house and vehicles used by the suspects, 14 packages of cocaine, 10 pistols, three suits of body armour, over 10,000 euros in various currencies, phones and laptops were found and seized."

Following Vincic's release, Vlado Sajn, president of the Slovenian Football Referees Association, said: "According to the information we have gathered from official and unofficial sources and from Slavko himself, he is not suspected of anything. No charges have been filed against him."

The 46-year-old is an elite referee in European football, having officiated the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. He took charge of Chelsea's triumph over Barcelona in November, which saw Barca defender Roland Araujo dismissed for two yellow cards in the first half.

Vincic also oversaw PSG's draw with Newcastle United in January. Meanwhile, Liam Rosenior's side will be focused on overturning a three-goal deficit against the French giants at Stamford Bridge.