Referee allowed to whistle Champions League final after excuse for far-right rally

Szymon Marciniak has apologized for his presence at a far-right rally in Poland. UEFA has therefore allowed him to “simply” whistle next week’s Champions League final between Manchester City and Internazionale.

Marciniak was controversial in his own country after he gave a speech at the Everest event on Monday. That event was organized to promote the Konfederacja political party. Slawomir Mentzen, leader of the far-right party, repeatedly spoke out in the past as an opponent of Jews and homosexuals, among others.

“I would like to apologize for my participation in Everest,” Marciniak wrote in his statement. “I was misled and was absolutely unaware of the true background of the event.”

“I did not know that this event is associated with the far-right movement in Poland. If I had known this, I would have categorically refused the invitation,” the 42-year-old Pole said.

Marciniak at the Everest meeting.

Top arbitrator Marciniak, who whistled the World Cup final between Argentina and France six months ago, is described as “a brilliant speaker” by Mentzen on his Facebook page. The meeting was organized to promote the Konfederacja party ahead of the parliamentary elections in Poland.

Marciniak’s appearance at Everest caused great dissatisfaction among “Never Again,” the largest anti-racism organization in Poland. That organization raised the matter with UEFA and called on Marciniak to publicly distance himself from Konfederacja’s thinking.

“We accept Marciniak’s apology and explanation. Based on this information, we confirm that he can perform his role as referee in the Champions League final,” UEFA wrote, stressing that it is against hate, discrimination and intolerance and stands for unity, fair play and respect.