Referee Szymon Marciniak will also try to represent his country in an exemplary manner at the World Cup.

Pole is one of the most experienced and respected in world football and takes responsibility for France’s group stage against Denmark.

Marciniak has taken charge of Man City, Liverpool and Spurs matches in the Champions League

Who is Szymon Marciniak?

Born in Plock, Marciniak had an odd path to refereeing.

He started out as a player and was so upset at being sent off in a game that he told the referee in an ugly tirade that he was the worst he had ever seen.

And the official replied: “If you think you can do better – try it!”

So he did.

Marciniak rose through the amateurs to make his Ekstraklasa debut in 2009.

He became a Fifa-listed referee in 2011, making him eligible for selection in the Europa League, Champions League and internationals.

After taking charge of the U21 European Championship final in 2015, he made his big championship bow the following summer in France.

There, Marciniak judged Spain against the Czech Republic, Iceland against Austria in the group stage, and Germany against Slovakia in the knockout phase.

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Has he refereed in the WC before?

This will be the Pole’s second experience at a World Cup, having received his cards in Russia 2018.

He has experience from Euro 2016 – but took charge of Liverpool, Manchester City and Spurs games in this season’s Champions League.

At the 2018 World Cup, he scored Argentina against Iceland and Germany against Sweden.

He also took charge of the Uefa Super Cup match between Real and Atletico Madrid in 2018.

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