Szymon Marciniak WILL Referee Champions League Final After Apologizing For Speaking At Event Organized By Far-Right Politician

UEFA has confirmed that referee Szymon Marciniak will be in charge of the 2023 Champions League final.

The 42-year-old was last month selected to officiate the game between Manchester City and Inter Milan on June 10.

But his appointment was thrown into doubt earlier this week after it emerged that he had been a guest speaker at a networking event organized by far-right politician Slawomir Mentzen on Monday.

Mentzen has previously said that he and his Confederation party "stand against Jews, gays, abortion, taxation and the European Union".

After learning that Marciniak had been involved in an event set up by Mentzen, UEFA said in a statement that "we unequivocally reject the values promoted by a group linked to this conference".

UEFA launched an investigation on Thursday, sparking suggestions that referee Marciniak could be stood down from his Champions League final role.

But UEFA has since accepted an apology from Marciniak for speaking at the event.

Marciniak claimed that he was "gravely misled and completely unaware of the true nature and affiliations of the event in question."

Szymon Marciniak will be the referee in charge of this season's UEFA Champions League final

IMAGO/Daniel/phcimages/Cover Images

A UEFA statement responded: "Based on the information provided, UEFA confirms that Marciniak will fulfil his role as the referee for the Champions League final."

Marciniak's statement in full had read: "Upon reflection and further investigation, it has become evident that I was gravely misled and completely unaware of the true nature and affiliations of the event in question. I had no knowledge that it was associated with a Polish extreme-right movement.

"Had I been aware of this fact, I would have categorically declined the invitation. It is important to understand that the values promoted by this movement are entirely contrary to my personal beliefs and the principles I strive to uphold in my life. I am deeply remorseful for any perception that my participation may have contradicted them.

"I wholeheartedly condemn any form of hate, discrimination, or intolerance, as they have no place within the sport or society as a whole.

"Moving forward, I pledge to be more vigilant in scrutinizing the events and organizations with which I associate myself. I am committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that such lapses in judgment do not occur in the future.

"Lastly, I extend my sincere apologies to the clubs, players, fans, colleagues, officials and organizations who place their trust in me. I fully comprehend that my actions have had repercussions beyond personal disappointment, and I am fully prepared to accept any consequences resulting from my ill-advised participation."