Football – Champions League
Controversy over possible fascist tendencies of the referee of the final
Szymon Marciniak, who will referee the Champions League final on June 10, took part in a congress organized by a homophobic and anti-Semitic man. He apologized and was maintained.
UpdatedJune 2, 2023, 2:42 PM
Szymon Marciniak was defended by the Polish Prime Minister.
Reuters
A controversy erupted on Friday in Poland after the recent participation of Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, designated for the Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan on June 10, at a congress organized by the far right, a matter taken “very seriously” by UEFA.
“UEFA and the entire football community abhor the ‘values’ promoted by the group in question and take these allegations very seriously,” the body told AFP, indicating that an announcement will be made on Friday. “after consideration of all the evidence”.
Szymon Marciniak was quick to apologize. “Upon reflection and further investigation, it has been determined that I was seriously misled and completely unaware of the true nature and affiliations of the event,” he wrote in a statement released by the ‘. The referee expressed his “sincere apologies” for having taken part in a congress organized in Katowice by Slawomir Mentzen, a far-right leader who declared in 2019 that he did not want “Jews, homosexuals, abortion, of taxes and of the European Union”.
“I did not know that (editor’s note: this event) was associated with a Polish far-right movement. If I had known, I would have categorically declined the invitation. The values promoted by this movement are totally contrary to my personal convictions and to the principles that I strive to defend in my life”, continues Szymon Marciniak.
“We are shocked and outraged by Marciniak’s public association with Mentzen and his toxic political far right”
Rafal Pankowski, co-founder of the anti-racist association “Never again”
UEFA, alerted Thursday by the association for the fight against racism and anti-Semitism Nigdy Wiecej (“Never again”), confirmed the appointment of the Pole to referee the final of June 10 in Istanbul. The European body “takes note” of Szymon Marciniak’s “deep apologies and clarification” and claims to have contacted Nigdy Wiecej, who “requested” the maintenance of the referee, considering that his ouster “would harm the promotion of the fight against discrimination.
Earlier, the ‘Never Again’ Association expressed its outrage through one of its co-founders, Rafal Pankowski: ‘We are shocked and outraged by Marciniak’s public association with Mentzen and his extreme right toxic politics. This goes against core fair play values such as equality and respect. We call on the referee to recognize his mistake. If he doesn’t, we think UEFA and FIFA should take action.”
Support from the Polish Federation
In Poland, several voices were raised in favor of Szymon Marciniak. “He is the best referee in the world, respecting every person and ensuring that respect on the pitch and in life. We cannot judge it on the basis of a single and unfair opinion,” Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Twitter.
On Friday, Polish football association PZPN said “after speaking with the referee and reviewing the evidence gathered, the Polish Football Association rejects all charges against Szymon Marciniak”. “It appears from these that he does not know Slawomir Mentzen and has never spoken with him,” PZPN said.
(AFP)Show comments
