World Cup final referee only took up officiating after being shown red card as player

The referee in charge of today's World Cup final is Poland's Szymon Marciniak, who missed last summer's European Championships after contracting a heart illness

Harry Brent Senior Sports Writer

08:53, 18 Dec 2022

World Cup final referee Szymon Marciniak got into officiating after being sent off as a player(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Polish official Szymon Marciniak, who will be in charge of the World Cup final, says he got into refereeing after being sent off as a player.

The 41-year-old, who has been FIFA registered since 2011, is appearing at his second World Cup, having refereed a couple of matches in Russia four years ago.

‌

Today's match will be Marciniak's third in Qatar, with Argentina and France both getting a taste of him earlier in the tournament. He was the middle man during France's group stage clash with Denmark as well as Argentina's win over Australia in the round of 16.

‌

Speaking to FIFA.com, the Polish national said he was inspired to try his hand at officiating after getting into a barney with a referee who sent him during his playing days.

"We spoke after the game, and he told me a very important sentence: 'if you think this is easy work, go and try. You will see'.

Article continues below

"I was thought: why not? So, immediately I went for the course and started refereeing. I am grateful for him because if not for this red card - I would probably never have become a referee."

Will there be any red cards in the World Cup final? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Marciniak was inspired to get into refereeing when he was sent off as a player(Image: FIFA via Getty Images)

‌

Marciniak took to refereeing like a duck to water and quickly began climbing the ladder. He made his Europa League debut in 2011, his Champions League bow in 2012, and was handed a few World Cup qualifiers in 2013.

He was then selected for Euro 2016, refereeing three matches at the tournament, but missed Euro 2020 after contracting a heart illness called Tachycardia. It kept him out of action for a few months, but he made a full recovery in time to make the cut for Qatar 2022.

"I had a very difficult time for the last year and a half. In the beginning, it was very difficult for me and I had to stop refereeing … it was a terrible feeling. Only I, and my team, know how difficult of a time it was for me. Now, life gives back to me and I cannot even stop smiling because it's a great feeling," he said.

Article continues below