'Mislead and Unaware': Szymon Marciniak to Officiate UEFA Champions League Final After Apologizing for Speech at Event Tied to Far-right Politician

Polish football referee Szymon Marciniak apologized Friday for speaking at a business event tied to a far-right politician and was confirmed by UEFA to officiate next week’s Champions League final. UEFA said Friday it accepted Marciniak’s “profound apologies and clarification” and that the anti-racism group Never Again had also then asked for the referee to be retained. “I am committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that such lapses in judgment do not occur in the future.” UEFA noted Never Again’s acceptance of the Marciniak apology and by “firmly asserting that removing him would undermine the promotion of anti-discrimination.” “Based on the information provided, UEFA confirms that Mr. Marciniak will fulfil his role as the referee for the 2023 UEFA Champions League final,” the European football body said. UEFA said in a statement Thursday “the whole football community abhor the ‘values’ that are promoted by the group in question and takes these allegations very seriously.” In a concerted effort Friday in Poland, Bortniczuk wrote to UEFA that Marciniak gave a 45-minute speech of a “strictly business, motivational, and inspirational character,” and did not have contact with Mentzen.