France v Spain ref saw Flamengo win, used ‘Vinicius Jr protocol’ in cup | OneFootball

World Cup semifinal to feature Salvadoran referee

France and Spain face off this Tuesday (14) at 4 p.m. (Brasília time) in Dallas, fighting for a place in the grand final of the World Cup. Appointed to referee the classic showdown, Iván Barton has built up notable achievements, such as overseeing Flamengo’s victory over Chelsea (ENG) in the 2025 Club World Cup and strictly enforcing the ‘Vinicius Jr Protocol’ in the current edition of the global tournament.

WHO IS REFEREE IVÁN BARTON?

Born in Santa Ana, El Salvador, Iván Barton is only 35 years old. His academic background is in Chemical Sciences, a degree he completed at the University of El Salvador.

His football career gained momentum during his university years. The definitive move to the pitch required full-time dedication, leading him to put his work as a chemist on hold to keep up with the intense schedule of international travel.

HOW DID THE OFFICIAL GAIN GLOBAL RECOGNITION?

He joined FIFA’s referee roster in 2018. Since then, appearances in global tournaments have become routine. His work includes matches involving the Brazilian national team, such as the game against Germany at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the match against Switzerland at the 2022 World Cup. In addition, his résumé includes spells in the Saudi Pro League.

His participation in the 2025 Club World Cup is also worth highlighting. The referee oversaw Flamengo’s historic victory over Chelsea in the group stage. The match ended 3–1 for the Rubro-Negro, with goals scored by Bruno Henrique, Danilo, and Wallace Yan.

WHAT IS IVÁN BARTON’S CONNECTION TO FIFA’S NEW RULE?

Iván Barton’s name gained attention in the current World Cup for his strict enforcement of the so-called ‘Vinicius Jr Protocol’. The sending-off of Paraguay attacking midfielder Almirón in the match against Turkey illustrates the referee’s stance.

The Paraguayan player was shown a red card after covering his mouth during an argument with an opponent, an action spotted by the referee after a video review. This rule was introduced as a tool to combat discriminatory behavior.

The International Football Association Board approved the guideline, allowing players who hide their mouths while speaking to opponents to be sent off. As a result, the informal term emerged following episodes of racism in football.

In a recent case at the Club World Cup, Vini Junior and Kylian Mbappé accused Argentine player Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica (ENG) of racist abuse, which resulted in the player being suspended for six matches.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE FRANCE VS. SPAIN CLASH?

Expectations are for an intense match. Spain, champions of the 2010 edition, are chasing only the second final in the tournament’s history. France, meanwhile, are seeking a fifth World Cup final as they aim for a third trophy.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.