Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich referee 'set to be dropped' from opening game of Euro 2024
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak and linesman Tomasz Listkiewicz were at the centre of controversy on Wednesday when Bayern Munich had a potential late equaliser chalked off
Referee Szymon Marciniak is expected to miss out on taking charge of the opening game at Euro 2024 due to his role in the controversy between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
After squandering a second-half lead during Wednesday's decisive Champions League semi-final clash, Bayern thought that they'd grabbed an equaliser deep into injury time through Matthijs de Ligt. Two seconds before his shot, however, Polish official Marciniak blew his whistle after linesman Tomasz Listkiewicz had intriguingly raised his flag.
It was a bizarre situation given that officials are now told to let play continue and VAR will subsequently clear up any offsides. Bayern were furious, especially after replays showed that right-back Noussair Mazraoui could've been narrowly onside in the build-up.
Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel spoke after full-time and labelled the officiating a "disaster." While the German giants are still ruing missing out on a second Champions League final in four years, there appear to be ramifications for Marciniak and his assistants.
According to reports from Poland, the officials had a great chance of refereeing the opening game of this summer's European Championship when hosts Germany take on Scotland in Munich. UEFA, though, are unhappy with Marciniak and Listkiewicz's high-profile errors relating to De Ligt's potential goal - which took place in the 103rd minute - as well as adding too much injury time on.
Their chances of taking charge of next month's curtain-raiser are now 'close to zero'. Marciniak has risen to become one of the world's top referees in recent years and was given the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France, receiving plaudits for his strong performance.
English referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor, and VAR assistants Stuart Attwell and David Coote, could be in line replace Marciniak and co for the game in Munich, as they've also been selected for Euro 2024.
Your turn! Should Szymon Marciniak still referee the opening game of Euro 2024? Join the debate in the comments section
UEFA's managing director of refereeing, Roberto Rosetti, has said: "All chosen referees have performed consistently to the highest standards in UEFA's top competitions, and also in their domestic competitions. They have prepared exceptionally well to be in this position and we have full confidence in them to show their quality at the final tournament."
The inquest is still ongoing in Germany, with De Ligt claiming that Listkiewicz even apologised to him post-match - although the linesman's dad, Michal, a former international referee, disputes that. Marciniak will be back on domestic duties this Sunday when he takes charge of Lech Poznan's game against Legia Warsaw, a grudge match which is considered the 'Polish Clasico'.
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