Jake Bayliss and Rich Jones
Deputy US Sports Editor, The MIRROR US
World Cup final referee Slavko Vincic was once detained during a police operation targeting a prostitution and drug ring, though he was quickly cleared of any involvement.
In May 2020, the Slovenian official, who will oversee the Argentina vs Spain showpiece in New York/New Jersey, was attending a business lunch in Bosnia and Herzegovina when law enforcement moved in. Vincic later explained that he had been invited to lunch during a business trip, but the venue turned out to be an unfortunate choice as police cracked down on unrelated individuals involved in prostitution and drugs.
The referee was questioned as a witness before being released and fully cleared of any wrongdoing. Speaking to Slovenian media, Vincic was adamant he had no ties to any criminal activity. He will take charge of the big game after Argentina appeared to brazenly break a World Cup rule time and time again against England.
“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 one of European football’s most prominent referees, having officiated the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. He also presided over Chelsea’s victory against Barcelona last November, a match that saw Barca defender Roland Araujo sent off for two yellow cards in the opening half.
He has officiated three games at this World Cup – Morocco vs Brazil and Jordan vs Algeria in the group stages plus a Round of 32 game between Mexico and Ecuador. He has only taken charge of one Argentina game previously, their shock loss to Saudi Arabia in the last World Cup.
