Wikipedia

Szymon Marciniak

Szymon Marciniak (Polish: [ˈʂɨmɔn marˈt͡ɕiɲak]; born 7 January 1981) is a Polish football referee. He is considered one of the best rated international referees of his generation.[1][2] He has refereed the 2022 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France, the 2018 UEFA Super Cup between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid,[3] and the 2023 UEFA Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan. In 2023 and 2024, he was named "The World's Best Referee" by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).[4][5]

Szymon Marciniak
Marciniak at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Born (1981-01-07) 7 January 1981 (age 43)
Płock, Poland
Domestic
Years League Role
2009–present Ekstraklasa Referee
International
Years League Role
2011–present FIFA listed Referee

Early career

Marciniak was born in 1981 in Płock, Poland. The first sport he practiced in his youth was cycling. He changed this sport for football at the age of 15.[6] He played in the junior squad of Wisła Płock claiming the fourth place at the Polish Junior Championships with the team.[7] He also briefly played for the German Regionalliga club VfB Annaberg-Buchholz.[8] He began his career as a football referee at the age of 21. Initially, he combined refereeing football matches with playing as an amateur footballer. In 2006, he switched to working as a football referee professionally.[9]

He refereed his first match in the top Polish professional league in 2009 at the GKS Bełchatów stadium (match between GKS Bełchatów and Odra Wodzisław Śląski). Since then, he has refereed more than 300 matches in Ekstraklasa having been appointed the head referee in the 2016 Polish Cup final match as well as the 2017 Polish Super Cup.[10][11]

As of 2021, he has given 1201 yellow cards (on average four yellow cards per game), 79 red cards and has awarded 131 penalty kicks in over 300 Ekstraklasa matches he has refereed.[12]

International career

Marciniak became a FIFA referee in 2011.[13] The same year, he also debuted as a referee in the Europa League in the qualifying match between Aalesunds FK and Ferencvárosi TC.[14] In 2012, he refereed his first match in the UEFA Champions League between FK Ventspils and Molde FK.[15] He refereed at 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers,[16] beginning with the Group F match between Portugal and Azerbaijan.[17]

On 20 March 2015, he was appointed to the UEFA Elite referee list, finding himself among the top 27 football referees in Europe.[18] On 30 June 2015, he was the referee for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Final.[19]

 
Marciniak during a pre-match warm-up in 2021

In March 2016, he refereed his first match in the knockout phase of the Champions League, a Round of 16 match between Real Madrid and AS Roma. One month later, he officiated the quarterfinal between Bayern Munich and S.L. Benfica.[20]

He participated in the UEFA Euro 2016 and refereed three matches: Spain-Czech Republic and Iceland-Austria in the group stage of the tournament as well as Germany-Slovakia in the knockout phase.

On 29 March 2018, FIFA announced that he would officiate some matches at 2018 FIFA World Cup along with Paweł Sokolnicki and Tomasz Listkiewicz as assistant referees.[21] He officiated two group stage matches: Argentina-Iceland and Germany-Sweden.[22] He was also selected as the referee for the 2018 UEFA Super Cup final match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.[23]

On 15 December 2021, he was appointed to referee of the semi-final match between Qatar and Algeria (1–2) at the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup hosted by Qatar.[24]

On 19 May 2022, he was selected to officiate matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He officiated one match in the group stage (France's 2–1 win over Denmark) and one match in the Round of 16 (Argentina's 2–1 victory over Australia).[25] On 15 December 2022, it was announced that he would officiate the World Cup final between Argentina and France, becoming the first Polish referee to do so.[26][27][28] His performance in the final was highly praised by many commentators as well as fellow referees including Pierluigi Collina, Howard Webb, Keith Hackett, Lutz Wagner[29][30] and Thorsten Kinhöfer.[31]

On 17 May 2023, he refereed the UEFA Champions League semi-final match between Manchester City and Real Madrid (4–0).[32] Five days later, on 22 May 2023, he was appointed to referee the 2022–23 Cypriot Cup final between AEL Limassol and Omonia on 24 May,[33] as well as the 2023 UEFA Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan on 10 June,[34] becoming only the second referee in football history to officiate the World Cup final and the Champions League final in the same season.[35] On 22 December 2023, Marciniak took charge of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup Final in Jeddah between Manchester City and Fluminense FC.[36]

At the UEFA Euro 2024, he officiated the group stage match between Belgium and Romania and a round of 16 match between Switzerland and Italy.[37] He was also appointed the fourth official for the final match between Spain and England.[38]

Controversies

On 1 June 2023, it was reported that three days earlier Marciniak spoke at an entrepreneur conference co-organised by Sławomir Mentzen, a right-wing libertarian politician and leader of the Confederation Liberty and Independence in Poland, who has in the past been accused of anti-semitic and anti-LGBT statements.[39] His attendance at the event was first disclosed by the Polish anti-racist organisation Never Again.[40] Marciniak responded to Never Again's report by releasing a statement in which he dissociated himself from the views presented by the organizer stressing that he "always puts fair play and respect for other people first".[41][42] Ultimately, UEFA announced Marciniak would remain as referee for the UEFA Champions League final scheduled for 10 June.[43]

Personal life

He has two children with wife Magdalena: a son, Bartosz (born 2003) and a daughter, Natalia (born 2012).[44] He practices Muay Thai and plays badminton as an amateur.[45][46]

In 2021, he was diagnosed with tachycardia after having recovered from COVID-19 infection, which prevented him from officiating matches at the UEFA Euro 2020.[47]

He is the protagonist of the Canal+ documentary series entitled Sędziowie (Referees)[48] and Na podsłuchu presenting the work of football referees.[49] In 2022, he appeared as a guest at the Kuba Wojewódzki talk show.[50] He also received the Personality of the Year Award in the Piłka nożna magazine plebiscite.[51] In 2023, he appeared in the fourth episode of the 8th edition of Polsat's TV show Hell's Kitchen. Piekielna Kuchnia.[52] The same year, he was awarded the Laude Probus Medal by the council authorities of his hometown of Płock.[53]

Record

Major national team competition

UEFA Euro 2016 – France
Date Match Venue Location Round Result Yellow cards Red cards
13 June 2016   Spain –   Czech Republic Stadium de Toulouse Toulouse Group stage 1–0 1 0
22 June 2016   Iceland –   Austria Stade de France Paris Group stage 2–1 5 0
26 June 2016   Germany –   Slovakia Stade Pierre-Mauroy Lille Round of 16 3–0 4 0
2018 FIFA World Cup – Russia
Date Match Venue Location Round Result Yellow cards Red cards
16 June 2018   Argentina –   Iceland Otkritie Arena Moscow Group stage 1–1 0 0
23 June 2018   Germany –   Sweden Fisht Olympic Stadium Sochi Group stage 2–1 4 1
2022 FIFA World Cup – Qatar
Date Match Venue Location Round Result Yellow cards Red cards
26 November 2022   France –   Denmark Stadium 974 Doha Group stage 2–1 3 0
3 December 2022   Argentina –   Australia Ahmad bin Ali Stadium Al Rayyan Round of 16 2–1 2 0
18 December 2022   Argentina –   France Lusail Stadium Lusail Final 3–3 (4–2) 7 0
UEFA Euro 2024 – Germany
Date Match Venue Location Round Result Yellow cards Red cards
22 June 2024   Belgium –   Romania RheinEnergieStadion Cologne Group stage 2–0 3 0
29 June 2024    Switzerland –   Italy Olympiastadion Berlin Round of 16 2–0 3 0

Other matches

2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship – Czech Republic
Date Match Venue Location Round Result Yellow cards Red cards
17 June 2015   Czech Republic –   Denmark Eden Aréna Prague Group A 1–2 2 0
17 June 2015   Italy –   Portugal Městský fotbalový stadion Miroslava Valenty Uherské Hradiště Group B 0–0 4 0
30 June 2015   Sweden –   Portugal Eden Aréna Prague Final 0–0 (4–3) 2 0
2021 FIFA Arab Cup – Qatar
Date Match Venue Location Round Result Yellow cards Red cards
30 November 2021   Qatar –   Bahrain Al Bayt Stadium Al Khor Group stage 1–0 6 0
4 December 2021   Lebanon –   Algeria Al Janoub Stadium Al Wakrah Group stage 0–2 1 2
15 December 2021   Qatar –   Algeria Al Thumama Stadium Doha Semi-final 1–2 4 0

Awards

See also

References

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  2. ^ "Najlepsi polscy sędziowie – ranking. Od Mycia do Marciniaka". weszlo.com. 19 February 2021. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
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  4. ^ "Szymon Marciniak at the top!". iffhs.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  5. ^ "IFFHS MEN'S WORLD BEST REFEREE 2023". IFFHS. 3 January 2024. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Szymon Marciniak sędzią finału mundialu. Co wiadomo o jego życiu prywatnym?". sport.interia.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Ostrołęczanin grał razem z sędzią Marciniakiem. Grabowski: kiedyś strzygł się na "grzybka"" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  8. ^ "Szymon Marciniak zaczynał od kolarstwa, trenuje muay thai. "Jak jesteś taki cwaniak, to sam złap za gwizdek"". eurosport.tvn24.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
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  10. ^ "Szymon Marciniak poprowadzi finał Pucharu Polski" (in Polish). 24 April 2016. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
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  15. ^ "2012/13, Second qualifying round, 2nd leg". Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
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  17. ^ FIFA. "Match Report – Portugal – Azerbaijan 3:0 (0:0)". 11 September 2012. Retrieved on 28 April 2013.
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  19. ^ "MME 2015: Szymon Marciniak sędzią turnieju finałowego" (in Polish). 14 March 2015. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  20. ^ "LM: Szymon Marciniak sędzią meczu Bayern - Benfica". 90minut.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  21. ^ "List of Match Officials at 2018 FIFA World Cup" (PDF). fifa.com. 29 March 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  22. ^ Robert Summerscales (17 December 2022). "Szymon Marciniak Chosen As World Cup Final Referee After Anthony Taylor Ruled Out". si.com. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
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  24. ^ "Qatar 1-2 Algeria". fifa.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
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  27. ^ Seth Vertelney. "Szymon Marciniak will referee the 2022 World Cup final". eu.usatoday.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
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  30. ^ "Szymon Marciniak was arguably the best World Cup final referee so far". 19 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
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  33. ^ "Ο Σιμόν Μαρτσίνιακ θα διαιτητεύσει τον τελικό του Κυπέλλου Coca - Cola" (in Greek). Cypriot Football Federation. 22 May 2023. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  34. ^ "Referee teams appointed for 2023 UEFA club competition finals". uefa.com. 22 May 2023. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  35. ^ Aditya Chauhan (10 June 2023). "Szymon Marciniak becomes second referee to manage World Cup and Champions League finals in same season". khelnow.com. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  36. ^ Graham Dunbar (22 December 2023). "Man City confirmed as world's best club in 2023 after winning fifth trophy". apnews.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  37. ^ "Which officials are in charge of the EURO 2024 matches? Every referee appointment". uefa.com. 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  38. ^ "Marciniak joins elite team for Euro 2024 final as fourth official". -polskieradio.pl. 11 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  39. ^ "Mentzen: piątka Konfederacji to nie są moje poglądy. No to przypominamy" (in Polish). 31 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  40. ^ Syal, Rajeev (1 June 2023). "Champions League final referee 'spoke at event with far-right leader'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  41. ^ "Szymon Marciniak zabrał głos. Jest oficjalne oświadczenie". sportowefakty.wp.pl (in Polish). 1 June 2023. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  42. ^ "Sędzia Szymon Marciniak przeprasza. UEFA ujawnia treść pisma". pap.pl (in Polish). 2 June 2023. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
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  45. ^ Leon Czmiel (17 December 2022). "Kim jest Szymon Marciniak? Informacje i ciekawostki o polskim arbitrze". lubsport.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  46. ^ Kamila Jamrożek (23 May 2023). "Szymon Marciniak to polski sędzia światowej klasy. Już przeszedł do historii". tvn.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  47. ^ Jakub Maj (16 December 2022). "Mundial 2022. Szymon Marciniak: Miałem chorobę serca. Musiałem zrezygnować z sędziowania". gol24.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  48. ^ Jacek Czaplwski (22 December 2021). "Powstał serial dokumentalny "Sędziowie" o pracy arbitrów z Ekstraklasy. Pierwszy odcinek w Canal+ Sport 25". gol24.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  49. ^ Tomasz Górski (24 June 2023). "Kamery Canal+ na meczu A-klasy. Sędziował Szymon Marciniak, tłumy na trybunach [WIDEO]". i.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  50. ^ Paweł Karpiarz (18 May 2022). "Marciniak przyznał się u Wojewódzkiego do największego błędu. "Żarło mi dwa lata"". sport.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
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  52. ^ ""Hell's Kitchen": Gwiazdy ze świata piłki nożnej w show". polsat.pl (in Polish). 21 March 2023. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  53. ^ a b "Medal "Laude Probus" dla Szymona Marciniaka. Radni także za przyznaniem mu tytułu "Zasłużony dla Płocka"". sport.tvn.pl (in Polish). 30 March 2023. Archived from the original on 24 June 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
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  55. ^ "IFFHS MEN'S WORLD BEST REFEREE 2023". IFFHS. 3 January 2024. Archived from the original on 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  56. ^ "Gala Tygodnika "Piłka Nożna": Szymon Marciniak Osobowością Roku 2022". polsatsport.pl (in Polish). 21 January 2023. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  57. ^ "Szymon Marciniak ze Złotą Odznaką "Za zasługi dla sportu"". gov.pl (in Polish). 16 June 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
Sporting positions
  Szymon Marciniak
Preceded by UEFA Super Cup Final Referee
2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by FIFA World Cup Final Referee
2022 		Succeeded by
Preceded by UEFA Champions League Final Referee
2023 		Succeeded by
Preceded by FIFA World Club Cup Final Referee
2023 		Succeeded by
 
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