July 11th 2024.
The highly anticipated final of Euro 2024 between England and Spain is just around the corner, and all eyes will be on the referee, Francois Letexier. This will be his first time officiating a major international showpiece, and he couldn't be more excited for this opportunity.
England secured their spot in the final with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Netherlands on Wednesday, while Spain also emerged victorious with the same scoreline against France a day earlier. The stage is set for a thrilling clash in Berlin on Sunday, and Letexier is ready to take on the biggest match of his career.
At only 35 years old, Letexier has already made a name for himself in the world of elite refereeing. He made his debut in Ligue 1 back in 2016 and has since gone on to referee the finals of the Coupe de France and the UEFA Super Cup. He has also been involved in high-profile matches such as the Champions League and Europa League finals as a fourth official and VAR, respectively.
During Euro 2024, Letexier has already officiated three matches, including the group stage games between Croatia and Albania, Denmark and Serbia, and the Round of 16 match between Spain and Georgia. He hasn't shown any red cards so far, but did hand out five yellow cards in the Denmark vs Serbia match.
Some English fans may recognize Letexier from last season's European competitions, as he refereed both Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Atalanta and the thrilling 3-3 draw between Real Madrid and Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Joining Letexier on the field will be assistant referees Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni, with Szymon Marciniak from Poland as the fourth official. French official Jérôme Brisard will be the VAR.
In terms of memorable moments in Letexier's career, there was a controversial penalty awarded in a Ligue 1 match between Nice and Nantes, which ended in a 1-1 draw. This decision caused quite a stir, and Letexier even received threats after the game, leading him to file a complaint for the first time in his career.
Reflecting on this incident, Letexier stated that as a referee, he is used to being judged on his technical decisions, but being criticized for his integrity and honesty is something new. He also mentioned the individual consequences of receiving threats, both in person and on social media. This experience led him to take action and file a complaint.
As the countdown to the final begins, all eyes will be on Letexier as he takes charge of the biggest match of his career. It's a moment he has been working towards for years, and he is ready to show the world his skills and professionalism.
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