The announcement that French referee Francois Letexier will officiate the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain has sparked outrage among fans.

This weekend, the Euro 2024 final will be held at the Berlin Olympic Stadium, where England will face Spain. However, UEFA’s decision to appoint Letexier as the referee for the crucial match has led to a wave of dissatisfaction from supporters.

The 35-year-old French referee has been selected to oversee the final. Letexier, who has been an international referee since 2017, has already officiated three matches in this tournament: a 2-2 draw between Croatia and Albania, a 0-0 draw between Denmark and Serbia, and Spain’s 4-1 victory over Georgia in the Round of 16. He also served as the fourth official in the opening match between Germany and Scotland.

The choice of a French referee for the final has left fans from both England and Spain displeased. England fans are concerned about fairness, fearing that a French referee might be biased against their team given the historical rivalry. Meanwhile, Spanish supporters question Letexier’s impartiality, as France was eliminated by Spain in the previous round.

One fan expressed frustration on social media: “A French referee? You know he’ll be out to punish Spain for beating France.” Another added: “I wonder if a French referee will have a bias against Spain after his own national team was knocked out.”

Amidst the fan controversy, former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has supported UEFA’s decision. He praised Letexier as “one of the best referees” and believes that this is “a great choice.” Hackett is confident that Letexier has the capability to officiate the final fairly.

The Euro 2024 final between England and Spain promises to be an exciting and dramatic encounter. Despite the controversy surrounding the referee decision, there is hope that Letexier will perform his duties well, delivering a fair and memorable match for fans around the world.

This final is not only a clash between two strong teams but also a significant test of Letexier’s refereeing skills under the intense scrutiny of fans and media.