Szymon Marciniak is a Polish football referee. He is considered one of the best rated international referees of his generation. He has refereed the 2022 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France, the 2018 UEFA Super Cup between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, and the 2023 UEFA Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan. In 2023 and 2024, he was named "The World's Best Referee" by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).
Marciniak at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Marciniak during a pre-match warm-up in 2021
Referee (association football)
In association football, the referee is the person responsible for interpreting and enforcing the Laws of the Game during a match. The referee is the final decision-making authority on all facts connected with play, and is the match official with the authority to start and stop play and impose disciplinary action against players and coaches during a match.
Malang Diedhiou refereeing during a 2018 World Cup match
Szymon Marciniak
Stéphanie Frappart
John Langenus refereeing the first World Cup final in 1930