Football

French referee François Letexier, a rising star in the officiating world, has been entrusted with the prestigious task of handling the highly anticipated European Championship final between Spain and England. At just 35 years of age, Letexier is one of the youngest referees to take charge of a major final.Letexier's appointment is a testament to his impressive track record. In the three Euro 2024 games he has officiated, including Spain's 4-1 victory over Georgia in the round of 16, he has maintained a clean sheet without awarding a penalty or sending off any players. His judicious use of yellow cards, with only 10 issued, demonstrates his ability to control the game without resorting to excessive discipline.Notably, Letexier's games have been free of video review controversies, including the tense 2-2 draw between Albania and Croatia. This suggests his ability to make accurate decisions in real-time, a crucial skill for a referee at the highest level.Assisting Letexier in the final will be fellow Frenchman Jérôme Brisard as the VAR specialist. Letexier's calm and composed demeanor, coupled with his consistent performances, has earned him the respect of players and coaches alike.In the past season, Letexier has officiated high-profile matches in the Champions League and Europa League, including the thrilling 3-3 draw between Real Madrid and Manchester City in the Champions League quarterfinals. His ability to handle intense matches with composure and fairness has made him a trusted choice for UEFA.Letexier's appointment as the referee for the Euro 2024 final is a significant milestone in his career. It is a testament to his talent, dedication, and the confidence that UEFA has in his abilities. As the two top teams in Europe clash for the coveted trophy, Letexier will have the opportunity to showcase his skills on the grandest stage.

Sunny Singh Gill, a 39-year-old referee of Indian descent, is set to make history as the first British South Asian to officiate an English Premier League match on Saturday. This milestone follows in the footsteps of his father, Jarnail Singh Gill, who became the first English league football referee to wear a turban.Gill's appointment to referee Crystal Palace's game against Luton at Selhurst Park is a testament to his dedication and hard work. He has been following in the footsteps of his father and brother, Bhupinder, who is also a referee and became the first Sikh-Punjabi to serve as a Premier League assistant referee in January 2023.Growing up in a family passionate about football, Gill and his brother developed a love for the game at a young age. Gill's first Sunday League match as a referee came at the age of 17. In 2021, he and Bhupinder became the first people of Indian descent to officiate in the same Championship match.Gill's appointment to the Premier League is a significant moment for representation and diversity in the sport. It sends a message that anyone with passion and determination can achieve their dreams, regardless of their background.Meanwhile, Paul Tierney has been removed from refereeing duties in the next round of Premier League matches following his controversial decision in the Nottingham Forest-Liverpool game. Tierney will instead serve as a video assistant referee for Arsenal's home game against Brentford on Saturday.Tierney's mistake occurred when he stopped play after Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate sustained a knock to the head at a Forest corner just before Liverpool's stoppage-time goal. Despite Konate's quick recovery, Tierney dropped the ball to Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, even though Forest had possession at the time.Forest's players and coaching staff were furious with the decision, and club owner Evangelos Marinakis expressed his unhappiness to Tierney after the match.