Can Messi keep balancing his Marciniak memories?

GBNEWS24DESK//

If it wasn’t obvious before, I think the match between Argentina and the Netherlands laid to rest all doubts about the importance of the referee in a football match.

Last heard, the chief official of that match, Mateu Lahoz, was on his way home to Spain, booking luggage handlers, ticketing agents and, if rumors are to be believed, all babies that were crying on the flight on the way. Apparently, he thought that they looked like De Paul. I am joking, of course. He thought they all looked like Dumfries. I am joking again.

But yes, referees are important. So let us look at the man who will officiate the final between La Albiceleste and Les Bleus. His name is Szymon Marciniak, 41, from Poland. He began his officiating career in Poland in 2009, and became a FIFA enlisted referee in 2013. His resume includes multiple high profile Champions League encounters, and two matches in this World Cup.

In this World Cup, he has booked five players and has not sent any off. All in all, a man of solid credentials, and good news for those looking forward to a well officiated match.