July 14th 2024.
The highly anticipated final of Euro 2024 between England and Spain is set to be officiated by the talented Francois Letexier. This will be Letexier's first time taking charge of such a major international event, adding to the excitement and pressure of the match.
England, who have been longing to end their 58-year drought, will have to face a formidable Spanish team that has been performing brilliantly throughout the tournament. The Three Lions secured their spot in the final with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Netherlands on Wednesday, while Spain also earned their place with a 2-1 win against France a day earlier.
For Letexier, this is a huge opportunity to showcase his skills as a referee in the biggest match of his career. At only 35 years old, the Frenchman has already made a name for himself in the world of refereeing, making his debut in Ligue 1 in 2016. He has also been entrusted with officiating high-profile games such as the Coupe de France final and the UEFA Super Cup clash between Manchester City and Sevilla last year. Letexier has also been involved in major European finals as the fourth official and VAR, including the recent Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United vs Villarreal matches.
Some English fans may recognize Letexier from last season's European competitions, where he officiated in both the Champions League and Europa League. He was in charge of Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Atalanta and the intense 3-3 draw between Real Madrid and Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
However, Letexier's career has not been without controversy. He once faced backlash for his decision to award a late penalty to Nice against Nantes in a Ligue 1 match, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Letexier received numerous threats after the game, highlighting the immense pressure and scrutiny that referees face.
During Euro 2024, Letexier has already overseen three matches: Croatia's 2-2 draw against Albania, Denmark's 0-0 stalemate with Serbia, and Spain's dominant 4-1 victory over Georgia in the round of 16. He has not handed out any red cards so far, with his highest number of yellow cards being five in the Denmark vs Serbia match.
Letexier will be supported by fellow Frenchmen Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni as assistant referees, with Polish official Szymon Marciniak as the fourth official. Another French referee, Jérôme Brisard, will be in charge of the VAR.
The news of Letexier's appointment has surprised many, given his limited experience compared to other top European referees. Mark Clattenburg, who officiated the Euro 2016 final, has expressed his surprise at the decision, especially since Letexier's fellow French referee Clement Turpin has more high-profile matches on his resume. Clattenburg believes Turpin may have been overlooked due to some mistakes he made in the opening match of Euro 2024 between Scotland and Germany.
As the stage is set for the Euro 2024 final in Berlin, all eyes will be on Letexier and his team of officials. It's a huge responsibility for the Frenchman, but he is determined to make a name for himself and deliver a fair and memorable final for both England and Spain.
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