Euro 2024 final: Get to know Francois Letexier, the French referee officiating the Spain v England match.

England’s bid for European Championship glory continues as they prepare to face Spain in the final. Gareth Southgate has made history by becoming the first England manager to guide the national side to two major tournament finals. Despite their loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, the Three Lions are determined to avoid a similar fate this time around.

The final will take place in Berlin’s Olympiastadion, with French referee Francois Letexier set to officiate the match. Letexier, who has been a FIFA referee since 2017, is no stranger to high-profile games, having officiated in 65 UEFA matches throughout his career. He was also selected to referee at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

Away from football, Letexier works as a part-time court bailiff, which he reportedly does to maintain a good work-life balance. In 2021, he refereed his first senior cup final between Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France. He also served as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the Europa League final between Manchester United and Villarreal.

Letexier’s involvement in a controversial incident with Erling Haaland during a Champions League match between Manchester City and Real Madrid made headlines. The referee accidentally struck Haaland in the face during an argument with Madrid’s Dani Carvajal.

Letexier has already officiated Spain in the tournament, overseeing their 4-1 victory over Georgia in the last 16. He has also officiated matches involving Croatia, Albania, Denmark, and Serbia.

The full officiating team for the final includes assistant referees Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni, fourth official Szymon Marciniak, and reserve assistant referee Tomasz Listkiewicz. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be Jerome Brisard, with Willy Delajod serving as the VAR assistant and Massimiliano Irrati providing VAR support.

All eyes will be on Letexier as he takes charge of the highly anticipated final between England and Spain. The stage is set for an epic showdown as England aims to secure their first major triumph since 1966.