Vincic Issues Red Card to Fernández Amidst World Cup Final Controversy
Official's past controversies and a vanishing spray malfunction mark a contentious final between Spain and Argentina.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
Referee Slavko Vincic issued a red card to Argentina's Enzo Fernández in stoppage time during the World Cup final in New Jersey, an incident compounded by a vanishing spray malfunction.
Slavko Vincic, officiating his fourth game at the World Cup 2026, issued the red card in the match's final moments.
During critical stoppage time, Vincic's vanishing spray malfunctioned, commanding immediate attention.
Posts on social media platform X quickly asserted the spray malfunction represented a nefarious plot to benefit Team Argentina.
Ref trying to blind Alex so Argentinians have a chance.
One post on X stated, "Ref trying to blind Alex so Argentinians have a chance," referencing Alex Baena.
The spray incident did not force Baena from the game; he had been replaced in the 75th minute.
The officiating team for the final included Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic as Vincic's assistants.
This final marks another high-profile assignment for Vincic, who previously officiated the Europa League final between Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Vincic received the news of his selection for the final with a visible reaction.
This appointment carries historical context; it aligns with a belief among some that it could serve as a lucky charm for Spain.
Spain secured their place in the final after beating France 2-0 in the semi-final match.
Both managers, Luis de la Fuente for Spain and Lionel Scaloni for Argentina, lack top-division club management experience.
The two nations possess a history on the pitch, having met twice before in September 2010, with Spain securing victories of 4-1 and 6-1.
Beyond the pitch, Vincic's past includes a detention by police in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Authorities questioned Vincic as a witness after he attended what he believed was a lunch invitation, where police held 35 people and seized drugs, weapons, and money.
Authorities questioned Vincic as a witness after he attended what he believed was a lunch invitation, where police held 35 people and seized drugs, weapons, and money.
He faced no charges in connection with the incident.
Argentina's participation in the final also highlights a specific political detail.
No Argentinian president has attended a national team World Cup match for 36 years.
The current president, Javier Milei, maintained this tradition, opting not to attend due to a superstition dating back to 1990.
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