French refereeing may be criticized day after day, but it seems not that bad. This Wednesday, François Letexier received a nice Christmas gift: the title of best referee in the world in 2024. Awarded by the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics), this prize rewards the best performing official on the scene. nationally and internationally over the last twelve months.
Referee in particular of the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England, but also prestigious Champions League posters, such as Liverpool-Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund-Barcelona, the 35-year-old Frenchman is ahead of the Slovenian Slavko Vincic and the Italian Daniele Orsato. “He controlled high-intensity matches well with exceptional performances,” writes the IFFHS. Seventh, the Pole Szymon Marciniak therefore lost his title, which he had held for two years.
François Letexier has, however, been in turmoil in recent weeks. Last December 18, during the meeting between AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain, he did not award a red card to Wilfried Singo, guilty of a big sole on the face of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Replaced immediately after having ten staples placed on the pitch, the Italian goalkeeper still bears the scars of this impressive fault on his right cheek. Those responsible for the arbitration then overruled Letexier, considering that his decision was not the right one.
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