Brazil’s Opening Match Referee Against Morocco: Who Is the Europe-Based Official Detained in a Prostitution Bust?

Slavko Vinčić, the referee appointed to officiate Brazil vs. Morocco, was detained in 2020 along with 26 men and nine women on suspicion of involvement in prostitution, weapons trafficking and drug offenses. Police said the group was found at a rural property, where officers seized cocaine, 10 pistols, medication and about 10,000 euros in cash. Vinčić was taken to a police station for questioning as a witness and later released. He was not formally charged and was cleared after the investigation, according to reports cited by the Portuguese newspaper A Bola.

Vinčić later said he had been in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a business meeting and accepted what he believed was only an invitation to lunch. He described the incident as a mistake and said he regretted being there, insisting he had ended up at the ranch by chance while traveling on business.

The Slovenian official has also been at the center of controversy more recently in the Champions League. He was assigned to officiate the second leg of the quarterfinal between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, where a late red card to midfielder Eduardo Camavinga drew attention and sparked criticism. Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa strongly questioned the decision after his team’s elimination, saying the dismissal was unfair and changed the match. He said the result was painful and expressed pride in his players and supporters, while lamenting the loss of a chance to win a 16th title that year.

Vinčić’s past arrest and his recent high-profile decisions have put renewed focus on his career ahead of the Brazil-Morocco match.