Polish referee Szymon Marciniak has become the talk of the town after his strange pre-match routine was revealed in a behind-the-scene footage.
The video footage was prior to the UEFA Champions League final where Manchester City came out victorious over Inter Milan.
Pep Guardiola’s City defeated Inter Milan in Istanbul to win their first Champions League title in history.
Rodri’s strike in the 68th minute of the encounter turned out to be the decider in a very evenly contested affair.
It ultimately led to Manchster City capping up an impressive season with a treble triumph.
Referee Szymon Marciniak was the man with the whistle for the massive showdown at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul.
The 42-year-old officiated eight games in the UEFA Champions League last season, with City’s semi-final clash against Real Madrid amongst the games he called.
Marciniak was the center-referee for the 2022 FIFA World Cup final and that might have had an influence in him being chosen for the 2022/23 Champions League grande finale.
A strange video which was shared online showed the Polish referee practicing showing his yellow card in the changing room before the final.
During the video, which was initially shared by Manchester City spotlighting the final, Szymon Marciniak is seen approaching what looks like a mirror and hoisting a yellow card high into the air.
That was possibly his own way of practicing how he will dish out yellow cards for challenges that needed such.
Marciniak gave out six yellow cards during the encounter
The Polish referee brandished six yellow cards during the 2023 UEFA Champions League final as the encounter got into heated moments across different spells.
Referee Marciniak also handed a yellow card to Inter Milan’s manager Simone Inzaghi in the 6th minute of additional time for improper remonstration.
Inzaghi was discontent with a decision made by the Polish referee to halt play when Inter were mounting a late onslaught on Manchester City.
The man who officiated the 2022 FIFA World Cup final was seen in the footage looking keenly into his reflection in a mirror. That might probably be his way of charging himself up for a final as big as the UEFA Champions League.
Over 450 million people across the globe were expected to see at least one moment of action in the encounter.
Szymon Marciniak was also seen in the video, clapping his hands before changing his stance to examine his earpiece.
It was a predominantly Polish affair in terms of those saddled with officiating duties in the clash.
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak was assisted by two of his fellow countrymen
Fellow countryman Pawel Paweł Sokolnicki and Tomasz Listkiewicz assisted Marciniak in the Champions League final.
Istvan Kovacs from Romania was the fourth official for the encounter which was played on the 10th of June 2023.
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak was lastly seen charging his colleagues up in the dressing room ahead of the final.
He said: “Are you ready guys? Enjoy.
“We have all this time with the decisions guys. If it’s needed take five seconds.”
The 42-year-old afterwards turned around and hits his hand on the wall, saying: “Let’s go!”
Referee Szymon Marciniak appeared to be in some hot water days before the final after he was accused of speaking at event planned by a far-right leader in his home country.
UEFA proceeded to evaluate the claims and afterwards decided to stick with him for the final of the Champions League, Marciniak also apologized for his involvement in the event.
