Francois Letexier Named Best Referee of 2024

Francois Letexier, the 35-year-old French referee, has been named the best referee in the world for 2024 by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS). Despite ongoing criticism of French officiating, Letexier has demonstrated exceptional control over high-pressure matches, earning this prestigious accolade.

The award recognizes referees excelling in national and international scenes over the past twelve months. Letexier officiated prominent fixtures like the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England, as well as Champions League encounters such as Liverpool vs. Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund vs. Barcelona.

Letexier outperformed Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic and Italian referee Daniele Orsato. The IFFHS noted his ability to manage intense matches with remarkable expertise, stating, "He controlled high-pressure games with exceptional performance." Meanwhile, Poland's Simon Marciniak, who held the title for two consecutive years, ranked seventh this time.

Despite his recognition, Letexier faced controversy during the Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain match on December 18. He refrained from issuing a red card to Wilfried Singo for a dangerous tackle on Gianluigi Donnarumma, which resulted in the goalkeeper requiring stitches. Experts later deemed his decision incorrect.