Cocaine & guns: How FIFA's World Cup final referee was caught up in a police raid

Referee Slavko Vincic of Slovenia (AP Photo)

FIFA has appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic to officiate Sunday's FIFA World Cup 2026 final between defending champions Argentina and Spain, handing one of football's most prestigious assignments to an official whose career once survived a bizarre off-field controversy after he was caught up in a police raid on a suspected prostitution ring.The world governing body confirmed on Wednesday that Vincic will referee the title clash at MetLife Stadium, assisted by fellow Slovenians Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic. Jordan's Adham Makhadmeh will serve as the fourth official, while Mohammad Alkalaf has been named reserve assistant referee.

The appointment places Vincic at the center of football's biggest match just six years after he made global headlines for reasons far removed from the sport.

Police raid, cocaine and guns: The controversy that nearly overshadowed his career

As per a Daily Mail report, in May 2020, Vincic was among dozens of people rounded up during a major police operation at a ranch near Bijeljina in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Authorities raided what investigators described as a gathering linked to an alleged international prostitution ring.According to reports at the time, police detained 26 men and nine women, including Tijana Maksimovic, who investigators identified as the alleged organiser of the prostitution network.

Officers also seized four packets of cocaine, 10 pistols, three protective vests and more than €10,000 in various currencies during the operation.

Maksimovic later pleaded guilty to charges relating to international enticement to prostitution, with a one-year prison sentence proposed.Vincic, however, was never accused of any criminal wrongdoing. Police questioned him solely as a witness before releasing him after determining he had no connection to the alleged criminal operation.The Slovenian referee consistently maintained that he had been invited to what he believed was a legitimate business lunch."I accepted an invitation to lunch, which turned out to be my biggest mistake," Vincic told Slovenian outlet Vecer after the incident. "I have nothing to do with the group that was arrested and detained, nor do my business partners. We were questioned as witnesses and when it turned out that we didn't even know them, we were able to go."The president of the Association of Football Referees of Slovenia, Vlado Sajn, also publicly defended the official, insisting that no proceedings had been initiated against him and describing the episode as "a web of unfortunate circumstances."Despite the controversy, Vincic's refereeing career continued to flourish, culminating in his appointment to the 2024 UEFA Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.

A familiar face for Argentina

Sunday's World Cup final will not be Vincic's first experience officiating an Argentina match at football's biggest tournament.His only previous World Cup game involving Lionel Messi's side came during the 2022 edition, when Argentina suffered one of the greatest upsets in tournament history, losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in their opening group-stage fixture before recovering to lift the trophy.At the ongoing World Cup, Vincic has overseen three matches, including Mexico's last-32 victory over Ecuador, Brazil's draw against Morocco and Algeria's win over Jordan.His appointment also comes as Argentina prepare for another shot at history after staging a dramatic semifinal comeback against England. Spain, meanwhile, booked their place in the final with a composed 2-0 win over France, setting up a blockbuster showdown with the defending champions.