BREAKING: A petition demanding that the FIFA World Cup final be replayed has reportedly attracted more than 80,000 signatures from Argentine supporters, with fans alleging that referee Slavko Vinčić favored Spain throughout the match.
BREAKING: A petition demanding that the FIFA World Cup final be replayed has reportedly attracted more than 80,000 signatures from Argentine supporters, with fans alleging that referee Slavko Vinčić favored Spain throughout the match.
The online petition claims there were multiple “irregularities” during the championship clash, arguing that several key decisions unfairly influenced the outcome. One of the biggest talking points came when Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off after receiving two yellow cards, leaving the reigning South American giants to finish the match with 10 men.
Supporters behind the petition insist that the referee’s decisions dramatically changed the course of the final, with some even alleging—without providing evidence—that Vinčić had been “bribed.” Those claims have spread rapidly across social media but have not been substantiated by FIFA or any official investigation.
Despite the growing online movement, football governing bodies rarely overturn or replay completed matches unless there is clear evidence of extraordinary circumstances, such as proven rule violations that directly affected the game. Controversial refereeing decisions alone have historically not been enough to warrant a replay.
As debate continues across the football world, neither FIFA nor referee Slavko Vinčić has publicly responded to the allegations surrounding the petition. For now, the result of the World Cup final remains official, while the online campaign continues to fuel passionate discussion among fans.
Inside the Controversial Past of Slavko Vinčić, the Referee for Spain vs. Argentina
When FIFA appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić to officiate the 2026 World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium, many football fans immediately focused on his impressive résumé. Others, however, remembered a unique episode from 2020 that briefly placed him at the center of international headlines.
Vinčić was caught up in a major police operation involving drugs, weapons, and a prostitution ring. More than six years later, that unusual incident remains the most talked-about chapter of his career away from the pitch.
The Police Raid That Put Vinčić in the Headlines
In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bosnian police carried out Operation Kristal, a large-scale raid on a ranch near Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The operation targeted an alleged international criminal network linked to prostitution, drug trafficking, and illegal weapons. Authorities detained dozens of people, arrested 16 suspects, and seized 14 packets of cocaine, 10 handguns, three bulletproof vests, and more than €10,000 in cash.
Vinčić was one of roughly 35 people detained during the operation, prompting sensational headlines across Europe that falsely suggested he had attended a so-called “sex party.”
The Slovenian official consistently denied any wrongdoing. He explained that he had traveled to Bosnia for a business meeting and accepted an invitation to what he believed would be a business lunch, unaware of the illegal activities taking place at the property.
Police questioned him as a witness before releasing him without charge the same day. Authorities found no evidence linking him to the criminal organization, while both the Football Association of Slovenia and UEFA accepted his explanation and continued to appoint him to major international matches.
Vinčić’s Controversial Decisions on the Pitch
While the Bosnia incident was ultimately unrelated to any wrongdoing by Vinčić, some of his refereeing decisions have generated heated debate in European football.
One of the most recent came during the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Vinčić showed Eduardo Camavinga a second yellow card, leaving Madrid with 10 men in a decision many supporters believed was harsh. After the match, midfielder Jude Bellingham described the sending-off as “a joke,” fueling criticism from the Spanish club.
Another controversy occurred during the 2022-23 Champions League group stage, when Barcelona felt they had been denied a crucial goal against Inter Milan following a disputed handball decision. The incident led to strong criticism from Barcelona officials and supporters, although UEFA stood by the refereeing team’s interpretation of the Laws of the Game.
Despite those moments, Vinčić has remained one of UEFA’s most trusted officials. He refereed the 2024 UEFA Champions League Final.
