Syzmon Marciniak will stay on as the Champions League final referee after UEFA received its “profound apology and clarification” over his conduct at an event with a far-right leader in Poland.
Marciniak was appointed to referee the match between Manchester City and Inter Milan in Istanbul last month, but calls were made to replace him after news of his involvement in the ‘Everest’ event emerged.
The Polish anti-racism group Never Again alleged that Marciniak promoted and participated in the conference organized by one of the leaders of the far-right alliance Confederation Slawomir Mentzen in Katowice.
The Polish referee was one of ‘Everest’ keynote speakers and Marciniak’s performance played a major part in material promoting the event.
Although billed as a conference for entrepreneurs, detractors argue that the event – which took place Monday – instead provided a platform for Mentzen’s political agenda.
Szymon Marciniak remains in his role as referee of the Champions League final following a UEFA review
Marciniak, left, was photographed at an event organized by far-right politician Slawomir Mentzen
Marciniak was listed as a keynote speaker on the website for the conference in Katowice
Never Again claimed that Mentzen’s political slogan reads, “We stand against Jews, gays, abortion, taxes and the European Union.”
But UEFA announced on Friday that they were pleased with Marciniak’s apology, as well as further clarification from the referee about his involvement in the event.
Never Again agreed and backtracked on their earlier calls for his removal by requesting that the official remain in his position.
Marciniak shared his “deepest apologies” following UEFA’s decision, stressing that he had “no knowledge” of the event’s connection to Poland’s far right.
“I hope this statement will find its way to all concerned, especially those individuals who were rightly alarmed and disappointed by my participation in the ‘Everest’ event hosted in Katowice on May 29, 2023,” the apology began. “I would like to sincerely apologize for my involvement and for any distress or damage it may have caused.
“On reflection and further investigation, it has become clear that I had been seriously misled and completely unaware of the true nature and affinities of the event in question.
“I didn’t know it was related to a Polish far-right movement. Had I been aware of this, I would have categorically declined the invitation.
“It is important to understand that the values promoted by this movement are completely at odds with my personal beliefs and the principles I try to uphold in my life. I am deeply sorry for any perception that my participation would have contradicted them.
The referee reiterated his commitment to UEFA’s values, including inclusiveness and respect for all.
“These principles are at the core of the spirit of football and fit seamlessly with my personal beliefs,” continued Marciniak. “Furthermore, I strongly condemn any form of hatred, discrimination or intolerance as they have no place within sport or society as a whole.
“I also want to emphasize that I am committed to combating discrimination in football. I was one of the first referees in the world, and certainly the first in my country, to apply the “three-step procedure” following a serious discriminatory incident during a match in Poland.
“In the future, I promise to be more vigilant in scrutinizing the events and organizations I associate with. I am determined to learn from this experience and ensure that such errors of judgment do not occur in the future.
Finally, I offer my sincerest apologies to the clubs, players, fans, colleagues, officials and organizations who place their trust in me. I fully understand that my actions have had consequences beyond personal disappointment, and I am fully prepared to accept any consequences that arise from my unwise participation.”
Prior to UEFA’s decision, Marciniak made his first public statement to the Polish News Center Przegląd Sportowy Onetclaiming he was for “fair play and respect.”
“As an international football referee, I have always put fair play and respect for other people first and want to pass on these highest values to others,” Marciniak wrote.
Marciniak was previously responsible for the Champions League match between Manchester City and Real Madrid
“I always shut myself off against racism, anti-Semitism and intolerance, which I show in the matches where I referee. I always say stop hating and I will promote that the most important thing is to be a good person.”
Radal Pankowski, co-founder of Never Again, had previously called on the referee to apologize, stating that his presence felt “incompatible” with UEFA’s values.
“We are shocked and appalled by Marciniak’s public association with Mentzen and his brand of toxic far-right politics,” Pankowski said.
“It is incompatible with the basic values of fair play, such as equality and respect.”
The final on June 10 marks Marciniak’s first career refereeing, having made eight Champions League appearances this season.