Real Madrid vs Arsenal referee Francois Letexier verdict already clear amid VAR chaos

Referee Francois Letexier was named the world's best referee in 2024 despite having a difficult night officiating the Real Madrid vs Arsenal Champions League clash at the Bernabeu.

Both sides had reasons to complain with Letexier in the first half in Madrid after a chaotic use of First, the Gunners were given a penalty thanks to UEFA's technology after a foul on Mikel Merino by Raul Asencio was picked up off the ball.

That penalty, taken by Bukayo Saka, was saved and it looked like were going to be punished when Letexier made the controversial decision to penalise Declan Rice for a tug on Kylian Mbappe. While it seemed harsh, it did not seem like it would be overturned due to the margin of error needed for VAR to intervene.

However, after at least five minutes of waiting, Letexier eventually went to his monitor and chose to overrule himself. By this point, the players had sufficiently cooled down and the delay was particularly jarring.

Arsenal may have felt they should have been playing against ten men too when David Alaba piled into but just a yellow was awarded. Despite all this controversy, the Frenchman was awarded with a prestigious accolade last year.

The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) awarded him the World's Best Male Referee of the Year for 2024 award after he was appointed to a number of high profile matches including the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England and the high profile clash between Liverpool and Real.

He was awarded 129 points significantly more than second-place Slavko Vincic who received 86. For context, the highest ranking English referee was Michael Oliver who finished fifth with 42 points.

Letexier is the first French referee to win the award since Michel Vautrot in 1988 and 1989.