Slavko Vinčić will officiate Sunday's World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at New York's New Jersey Stadium. The 46-year-old Slovenian referee was arrested six years earlier in Bosnia and Herzegovina during a police raid on a property where cocaine, weapons, and bulletproof vests were discovered. He was quickly released without charge after being questioned as a witness.
A police operation targeting a prostitution ring
The events date back to May 2020, at a property near Bijeljina, in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Police raided the premises as part of an investigation into a suspected prostitution, drug trafficking, and illegal weapons network. Nine women and 26 men were present at the time of the raid. Officers discovered several packages of cocaine, 10 pistols, cash, and bulletproof vests. The party was described in several media outlets as a libertine gathering of individuals suspected of criminal activity. Slavko Vinčić was taken to the police station along with the other attendees. However, investigators quickly determined that he was not involved in the network targeted by the operation. The referee was questioned as a witness before being released. No charges were brought against him, and no legal proceedings were initiated.
“Accepting that invitation was my biggest mistake.”
Slavko Vinčić explained that he was in Bosnia-Herzegovina for a business meeting and that he had accepted an invitation to lunch without knowing the other people gathered at the property.
"I ended up at this ranch by chance. I have my own business and I was in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a business meeting. I accepted an invitation to lunch, which turned out to be my biggest mistake. I regret it ," he said.
He recounted that he had been sitting at a table with his partners when the police burst in. "I have nothing to do with the group that was arrested. They took us to the police station, questioned us as witnesses, and when they realized we didn't know these people, we were able to leave ," he added.
The Slovenian Football Federation defended the referee, stating that he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The head of Slovenian referees confirmed that Vinčić was not suspected of any wrongdoing and that no proceedings had been initiated against him.
From the controversial evening to the biggest European finals
This episode did not interrupt Slavko Vinčić's international career. The Slovenian referee went on to officiate at Euro 2020, before taking charge of the 2022 Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers. In 2024, UEFA entrusted him with the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. A few weeks later, he also officiated the Euro semi-final between France and Spain. He then participated in the 2025 Club World Cup held in the United States.
Three matches managed during the World Cup
Slavko Vinčić has already refereed three matches since the start of the 2026 World Cup. He officiated the group stage match between Brazil and Morocco, the match between Jordan and Algeria, and then the round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador. Pierluigi Collina personally informed him of his appointment for the final. Visibly moved, the Slovenian referee explained that he had trembled upon hearing the news.
“At first, it was a shock. Then happiness. I was shaking. It’s an incredible honor to get a World Cup final. It’s the dream of every young referee when they start their career ,” he said.
The first Slovenian to referee a world final
Slavko Vinčić will become the first Slovenian referee to officiate a World Cup final and the 23rd man to be given this responsibility since the competition's inception. He will be joined by his compatriots Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič as assistant referees. Jordanian Adham Makhadmeh will serve as the fourth official. German Bastian Dankert will be in charge of video assistance, with Colombian Nicolás Gallo and Qatari Khamis Al Marri. Six years after being taken to a police station in a dramatic police operation before being released without charge, Slavko Vinčić will be at the center of the pitch for the final between Lionel Messi's Argentina and Lamine Yamal's Spain.
