World Cup final referee caught in past prostitution ring bust

Slavko Vinčić, a seasoned referee from Slovenia, will take charge of the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, marking a historic moment as the first Slovenian to officiate the tournament's ultimate match. This appointment, however, brings renewed attention to a past incident where Vinčić was caught in a police raid targeting a prostitution ring in Bosnia in May 2020.

“

That choice was the biggest mistake of my life. I deeply regret it to this day.

During the raid in Bijeljina, police apprehended 26 men and 9 women, seizing drugs, weapons, and cash. Vinčić, who stated he was attending a business meeting and a lunch invitation, was questioned by authorities but cleared of any criminal association. He was released after being identified as a witness.

Following the incident, Vinčić addressed the controversy in Slovenian media, calling his presence at the gathering "the biggest mistake of my life" and expressing deep regret. He emphasized that he had no connection to the individuals arrested and was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time. The head of the Slovenian refereeing committee at the time, Vlado Sain, also defended Vinčić, stating he was not a suspect and had been invited to a large gathering where he did not know most attendees.

“

I was just visiting Bosnia for a business meeting and accepted a lunch invitation.

Despite the past controversy, Vinčić's career has continued to flourish on the international stage. He has since officiated major tournaments including the UEFA Euro 2020, the 2022 Europa League final, and the 2024 Champions League final. His selection for the World Cup final underscores FIFA's continued confidence in his abilities.

“

He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.