Mr. Szymon Marciniak’s final will remain etched in the memories of the supporters of the France team for a very long time. Appointed by FIFA to referee the final of the 2022 World Cup, who will have seen the Argentina of a great Lionel Messi triumph over the French team of Kylian Mbappé (3-3 ap, 4 TAB to 2)the 41-year-old Polish official certainly did not deliver the best performance of his career.
M. Marciniak trop laxiste ?
The least we can say is that the Pole, who was refereeing for the 551st time in his career (his 33rd international match), was faithful to his line of conduct during this Qatari World Cup. While he had distributed “only” 5 yellow cards since the start of the tournament in the emirate, in two controlled matches (France-Denmark in hens and Argentina-Australia in 8th), Szymon Marciniak had trouble getting out crackers, especially for the Albiceleste in the game. Lionel Scaloni’s players, true to their reputation, multiplied the faults, sometimes intelligent, but above all anti-game, preventing the Blues from moving forward when a great counter opportunity was offered to them.
It was not until the additional time of the first period (45th + 7th) to see him get the first yellow of the game. The fact that Cristian Romero finished this final without having received the slightest warning is also very strange, as he has accumulated sometimes gross fouls, such as that on Hugo Lloris in the first period. Just like Nicolas Otamendi, yet in the position of last defender when he causes the penalty on Randal Kolo Muani (80th).
A story of penalties that challenges
Beyond that, it is also the stories of penalties during this grand final that questions. On the first whistle, for a foul by Ousmane Dembélé on Angel Di Maria (21st), the contact seems very light and even not very obvious depending on the camera angles. On the contrary, Marcus Thuram is warned for simulation in the Argentine area (87th) when the contact seemed light, but real with Enzo Fernandez. Again, the checking by the VAR was not carried out, to the great regret of the Blues.
Overall, the Polish referee often seemed overwhelmed by the event, like the first 80 minutes of the French team this Sunday, at Lusail Stadium. This does not necessarily call into question the coronation of the Albiceleste, as Argentina has long been the best (if not the only) team on the green rectangle in this World Cup final. But the debate has the merit of being put on the table, even if it obviously won’t change anything in the end.
