François Letexier’s 2024 looked like it would end with a bloody low, but instead, he’s received an impressive award.
The Frenchman garnered some unwanted attention in PSG‘s final game of the year when he missed a horrific Wilfried Singo boot to the face of Gigi Donnarumma.
Singo wasn’t even booked for the 22nd-minute challenge which left the Italian requiring 10 staples to hold his face together.
However, just a few days later, the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History and Statistics) has named Letexier their referee of the year.
Explaining their reasoning, they said: “At 35 years old, François Letexier has become IFFHS World’s Best Referee 2024 due to his leading figure in World refereeing, entrusted with officiating prestigious matches at both national and European level.
“He was appointed by UEFA to referee the EURO 2024 final Spain – England in July and the most important games in Champions League Liverpool – Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund – FC Barcelona, where he well controlled high intensity games with outstanding performances.
“He won the 2024 award ahead of Slovenian Slavko Vincic, who was chosen for the UEFA Champions League final, and Italian Daniele Orsato, who was the winner of the IFFHS Award in 2021.
“The other French referee Clement Turpin (third last year) took fourth place ahead of Michael Oliver and Felix Zwayer.
“IFFHS Awards Winner in 2022 and 2023, Szymon Marciniak, was ranked at place seventh ahead of Anthony Taylor, the second English referee.
“Brazilian referees Raphael Claus and Wilton Sampaio completed the World’s Top 10.”
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