Slavko Vincic, the Slovenian referee who took charge of the recent World Cup final, has announced his retirement from officiating, just a week after the tournament concluded. The decision follows a highly criticised performance during the final match between Spain and Argentina, which saw Spain triumph 1-0 in extra time.
Vincic faced significant scrutiny for his management of Argentina's robust style of play throughout the final. The controversy escalated with the late sending-off of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez in stoppage time, an incident that added to the heated atmosphere. Following Ferran Torres' decisive extra-time goal, ugly scenes unfolded on the pitch as players from both sides clashed, prompting an investigation by FIFA into the post-match altercations. Spanish star Gavi has, however, expressed that he does not wish for Argentina's Leandro Paredes, who threw him to the ground, to face a suspension.
Confirming Vincic's departure, the Slovenian Football Association released a statement acknowledging the conclusion of his 'historic refereeing career at the top of the world'. Despite the recent controversy, the 46-year-old official boasts a distinguished record. He was recognised as the World Cup's best referee by both the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) and the Association of Italian Referees (AIA), which awards the biennial Giulio Campanati Award.
A prominent member of UEFA's elite group of referees since 2019, Vincic's career highlights include officiating at Euro 2020 and taking charge of the 2024 semi-final between Spain and France. During this summer's World Cup, he oversaw four matches, including Brazil’s Group C opener against Morocco and Mexico’s 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the last 16, where he controversially dismissed Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie for covering his mouth under a newly introduced rule.
At club level, Vincic's impressive portfolio includes refereeing the 2024 Champions League final, where Real Madrid secured their 15th title against Borussia Dortmund. He also presided over the 2022 Europa League final, which saw Scottish club Rangers defeated by Eintracht Frankfurt, and served as fourth official for the 2021 final when Manchester United lost on penalties to Villarreal. His international club appointments also notably include the 2025 Turkish Super Lig fixture between Galatasaray and Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, a historic selection as he became the first foreign official to take charge of the fixture following requests from both clubs.