UEFA has announced that French referee François Letexier will officiate the European Championship final between England and Spain on Sunday, July 14, at Berlin's Olympic Stadium. This decision comes after Letexier's recent rise to prominence, highlighted by a viral moment in a Champions League match where he accidentally slapped Manchester City's Erling Haaland.
Letexier, a rising star in the European refereeing scene, has officiated numerous high-profile matches, including nine European Cup matches last season and the UEFA Super Cup between Manchester City and Sevilla. His nomination for the European Championship final marks a significant milestone in his career, making him the first Frenchman to referee the final since Michel Vautrot in 1988.
During the tournament, Letexier has already refereed three matches, including Spain's round of 16 match against Georgia, which ended in a 4-1 victory for the Spaniards. He will be supported by fellow Frenchmen Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni as assistant referees, with Poland's Szymon Marciniak serving as the fourth official. Jérôme Brisard, also from France, will act as the video assistant referee.
The appointment of Letexier comes amidst a backdrop of referee controversies at the 2024 European Championship. German referee Felix Zwayer faced significant criticism following the semi-final between England and the Netherlands, while Anthony Taylor was also a subject of debate after officiating the quarter-final between Germany and Spain.
- François Letexier's career has seen a meteoric rise since his debut in the French Ligue 1 in January 2016. By 2018, he was already officiating internationally and has been part of the elite class of the European Football Union for two and a half years.
- Letexier's most notable match prior to the European Championship final was the European Super Cup, which Manchester City won on penalties against Sevilla. His experience and performance in these high-stakes matches have solidified his reputation as a reliable and skilled referee on the international stage.
