FIFA have confirmed that Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli will be the referee for the 2014 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina.
Rizzoli started his international career in 2007 has officiated the final on two occasions in Europe’s two most important competitions at domestic level, with one of them coming in 2010 in the Europa League final involving Atletico Madrid and Fulham while the other came in 2013 in the UEFA Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
FIFA refereeing committee chairman Jim Boyce announced in a press conference that the 42 year old man from Bologna will be officiating the final between Germany and Argentina.
“We choose the best referees for the best matches,” said Boyce. “Rizzoli from Italy will be officiating the final of this World Cup.”
Rizzoli has already referred three games at this summer’s tournament: Spain-Netherlands, Nigeria-Argentina and the quarter-final between Argentina and Belgium which resulted in criticism from Belgium boss Marc Wilmots.
Massimo Busacca, head of refereeing for FIFA, said in a press conference that he paid no attention to Wilmots’ claims and that quality was the reason for choosing Rizzoli.
“I think the neutrality of the referees has been there in every game,“ said Busacca. ”If we pay attention on every single complaint the coaches make we will not select any more referees.
“If you have the best quality, then you should be given the best matches.”
Rizzoli will be the third Italian referee to take charge of a World Cup final after Sergio Gonella and Pierluigi Collina.
