The appointment of Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić to referee the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium has brought back into focus not only his career on the pitch, but also a sensational episode that shocked public opinion in 2020.
Although today he is considered one of the most respected referees in Europe, Vinčić's name was rumored six years ago, when he was among those detained during a police operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina against a network suspected of prostitution, drug trafficking and illegal possession of weapons.
The operation took place in May 2020 on a farm near Bijeljina, where police arrested 35 people. During the search, four packages of cocaine, 10 pistols, three bulletproof vests and over 10,000 euros in cash were seized.
Among those detained was Vinčić, who was questioned and then released after authorities found no evidence linking him to criminal activity. The referee himself stated that he had accepted an invitation to a “working lunch” without knowing what kind of environment he was going to, later describing it as “the biggest mistake of his life.”
The Slovenian Football Federation publicly supported the referee, stressing that he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
However, with Vinčić now selected to referee the most important match in world football, the 2020 episode has once again returned to the center of debate, making the Slovenian one of the most talked-about names on the eve of the grand final.
