The UEFA Arbitration Committee confirmed its confidence in Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, who whistled the second semifinal of the Champions League between Barcelona and Inter Milan.
Inter Milan secured their place in the Champions League final after an exciting 4-3 win over Barcelona in extension, winning 7-6 on the aggregate score (the first match was 3-3). The acting of the Polish referee was widely criticized, mainly by the Barcelona summit, who accused him of being responsible for eliminating the Euro team and turning the team’s dream into a nightmare.
Barcelona President Joan Laporto, coach Hansi Flick and players Pedri, Araujo and Gavi blamed the Polish referee and his decisions for the elimination. They also spoke of a clear will on the part of the referee not to see Barcelona in the final.
“They were scared,” Gavi said without identifying the recipient or referring to the referee’s decisions.
However, Eric Garcia clarified the situation, saying, “Things did not come out as planned, not because of our mistakes. We all know what happened to us before with this referee.”
The brand asked UEFA’s arbitration committee what happened and if there was any problems with Marciniak after the match. The European body indicated that he had no problems with the referee and was completely satisfied with his performance.
An important decision, such as the penalty scheduled for star Lamine Jamal after VAR intervention, was considered right, as well as the absence of foul in Inter Milan’s third goal.
Marciniak received a high rating from UEFA, with special compliments for its decisive role and consistency in decision making. According to the Spanish newspaper Brand, the Polish referee is currently the most beloved by UEFA and one of FIFA’s favorites. Marciniak will also be present at the next Club World Cup.
This recognition confirms the position of the Polish referee as one of the best in the world, capable of conducting high pressure matches with great authority and competence. Despite the criticism received, his conduct of the match was praised by experts from the sector and UEFA, which confirmed his prominent position in the international referee scenario.
In the context of the Champions League semifinal, Marciniak’s decision to mark the penalty to Lamine Jamal was considered fair and consistent with the rules of the game, a moment that had a decisive impact on the end result. The positive assessment of your performance emphasizes your ability to keep calm and make the right decisions under the pressure of such an important match.
Although criticism is obvious, UEFA’s support and its inclusion among FIFA’s main referees demonstrate the value of Marciniak’s work. His success is not only a victory for him, but also a sign of the growing quality of international arbitration, which remains prominent in all high -level competitions.
With his presence at the Club World Cup, Marciniak will have the opportunity to continue demonstrating his ability at global events, contributing to the continuous improvement of football arbitration standards. His future in football seems promising, and his performances will continue to be closely observed in all the competitions he participates in.
