Champions League closing: Szymon Marciniak to remain as referee after apologising for attending occasion linked to far-right

A referee who attended an occasion in Poland linked to a far-right motion will stay in command of the Champions League closing later this month.

Szymon Marciniak spoke on the enterprise gathering organised by Polish far-right chief Slawomir Mentzen within the metropolis of Katowice on 29 May.

Mr Marciniak, 42, has apologised for his involvement and “any distress or harm it may have caused”.

He mentioned: “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,” he added.

European soccer’s governing physique, UEFA, has carried out a assessment and mentioned it acknowledged “his profound apologies and clarification”.

The organisation mentioned it “unequivocally” rejected the “values promoted by a group linked to this conference”.

UEFA additionally mentioned it reached out to an anti-racism group referred to as Never Again which had raised issues in regards to the Polish soccer official’s involvement within the occasion on the International Congress Centre.

Never Again “requested” the referee “remain in his role” for the ultimate as eradicating him would “undermine the promotion of anti-discrimination”, UEFA added in a press release.

Manchester City face Inter Milan within the conflict in Istanbul on Saturday 10 June.

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Mr Marciniak refereed the second leg of Man City’s semi-final win towards Real Madrid and has taken cost of seven different Champions League fixtures.

He turned the primary Polish referee to take cost of a World Cup closing in Qatar final December when Argentina beat France on penalties.