FIFA has appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic to officiate the World Cup final match between Argentina and Spain. This appointment comes six years after Vincic was arrested at a party in Bosnia and Herzegovina that reportedly involved drugs and prostitution. Vincic, 46, has stated he was a witness and not involved in the illegal activities.
The incident occurred in 2020 in the Bosnian city of Bijeljina, where police detained 26 men and nine women. Authorities seized four packets of cocaine, 10 pistols, three protective vests, and over $11,400 in cash. Vincic was held by police as a witness and was later released. One individual arrested at the party, Tijana Maksimovic, later pleaded guilty to international enticement to prostitution.
Vincic explained that he was in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a business meeting and accepted an invitation to lunch, which he described as his "biggest mistake." He told Slovenian newspaper Vecer, "I have nothing to do with the group that was arrested and detained, nor do my business partners." He added that he and his business associates were asked as witnesses and were permitted to leave when it became clear they did not know the others involved.
The president of the Association of Football Referees of Slovenia, Vlado Saijn, defended Vincic, stating he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and did not know most of the people at the party, calling the situation an "unfortunate set of circumstances."
Vincic has already officiated three matches during the current World Cup: Brazil's draw with Morocco, Algeria's victory over Jordan, and Mexico's win against Ecuador. His assistant referees for the final will be fellow Slovenians Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic, with Jordan's Adham Makhadmeh serving as the fourth official.