Vincic appointment for Benfica v Real Madrid revives scrutiny of 2020 detention | OneFootball

Slavko Vinčić’s appointment for Benfica v Real Madrid has revived scrutiny of a controversial episode from 2020.

According to Superdeporte, he was detained in May 2020 in Bosnia and Herzegovina during a police operation at a property in Bijeljina investigating alleged offences linked to drugs, weapons and prostitution.

Vinčić was among those identified and taken for questioning. He was freed days later when no evidence linked him to the organisation under investigation. He later said he had gone by invitation and was unaware of what was happening.

He described accepting a lunch invitation while in Bosnia on business as his biggest mistake, and the probe continued against others. He returned to international duty and, an international referee since 2010, has become a regular in UEFA competitions and the later stages of continental tournaments.

The episode often resurfaces whenever he is assigned to a high-profile fixture. Real Madrid will face Vinčić for the fourth time, and he also refereed the 2023/24 Champions League final at Wembley, which Madrid won 2-0 against Borussia Dortmund. His latest assignment points to UEFA’s preference for experienced officials in elite matches.

Source: Superdeporte