Fans voice anger as UEFA confirm referee for Euro 2024 final between England and Spain

England face Spain in the final in Berlin on Sunday.

UEFA has confirmed the officials for Sunday’s Euro 2024 final and predictably not all fans are happy with the choice of referee.

England will take on Spain in the showpiece event at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.

The Three Lions booked their place in the final with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands on Wednesday evening; Ollie Watkins’ last-minute goal securing a dramatic win for Gareth Southgate’s side.

Spain have been the most impressive team at the tournament in Germany and reached the final with a 2-1 win over France on Tuesday night.

UEFA has now confirmed the officials for this weekend’s final, with France’s Francois Letexier tasked with refereeing one of the biggest games in the football calendar.

The 35-year-old has refereed three games so far at this European Championship.

He oversaw Croatia’s 2-2 draw with Albania in the group stage before refereeing the goalless stalemate between Denmark and Serbia.

Letexier was the man in charge for Spain’s 4-1 win over Georgia in the round of 16, while he was also the fourth official at the opening match between Germany and Scotland.

UEFA has announced that Letexier will be joined at Sunday’s final by French assistants Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni, while Szymon Marciniak (Poland) will be fourth official.

The video assistant referee (VAR) role has been assigned to Jerome Brisard (France), and he will be assisted by Willy Delajod (France) and supported by Massimiliano Irrati (Italy).

Letexier’s selection has raised eyebrows among both sets of supporters.

Some English fans have questioned why a French referee has been place in charge of such an important game for one of their historical rivals.

Meanwhile, some Spain fans have questioned why the Frenchman has been selected, given France’s elimination at the hands of the Spanish in the previous round.

“French referee? You just know he’s going to punish Spain for knocking out France,” posted one unhappy supporter on X.

Another added: “I wonder if a French referee will be biased against Spain, after only knocking his country out.”

However, former Premier League referee Keith Hackett was fully supportive of UEFA’s appointment.

“One of the most outstanding referees appointed to the Euro 24 Final,” he posted on X.

“Francois Letexier of France will oversee the EURO final between Spain and England. Congratulations a terrific choice.”