Champions League final referee ‘spoke at event with far-right leader’

Uefa is investigating claims the referee due to officiate the Champions League final next week was a keynote speaker at an event organised by a far-right politician.

Szymon Marciniak, who also refereed the World Cup final, spoke at an event in Poland on Monday which was organised by Sławomir Mentzen.

Mentzen, the leader of the Confederation party, is known for launching the political slogan “We stand against Jews, gays, abortion, taxation and the European Union”. In 2021 he made international headlines as the producer of a beer named White IPA Matters, which mocked the Black Lives Matter movement.

Marciniak, 42, is due to referee the Uefa Champions League final between Manchester City and Internazionale on 10 June at Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul.

But on 29 May he attended a gathering, under the title “Everest”, which was billed as a networking event complete with a beer drinking session. Anti-racist activists said the event was in reality an attempt to gain political support.

Approached by the Guardian about Marciniak’s involvement, a Uefa statement said: “Uefa is aware of the allegations surrounding Szymon Marciniak and is seeking urgent clarification.

“Uefa and the whole football community abhor the ‘values’ that are promoted by the group in question and takes these allegations very seriously.

“A further announcement will be made tomorrow, after reviewing all the evidence.”

His attendance at the event was first disclosed by the anti-racist organisation Never Again. Rafał Pankowski, the organisation’s co-founder, said: “We are shocked and appalled by Marciniak’s public association with Mentzen and his brand of toxic far-right politics.

“It is incompatible with the basic values of fair play such as equality and