Slavko Vinčić: From Champions League Final Referee to Past Legal Scrutiny

Slavko Vinčić, the Slovenian referee selected to officiate the second leg of the Champions League playoff between Real Madrid and Benfica on February 25, 2026, has a distinguished career marked by high-profile appointments, including the 2024 Champions League final. However, his past similarly includes a brief but notable encounter with law enforcement in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Born on November 25, 1979, in Maribor, Slovenia, Slavko Vinčić began his refereeing career in the Slovenian PrvaLiga before being appointed to FIFA’s international list in 2010. Wikipedia He quickly ascended through the ranks, demonstrating his capabilities on the European stage.

Key Appointments and Achievements

Vinčić served as an additional assistant referee at UEFA Euro 2012, supporting Damir Skomina. He has since officiated numerous matches in both the Champions League and Europa League, including 12 Champions League and 19 Europa League games as of July 2021. Wikipedia Notable assignments include the 2020–21 Champions League quarterfinal between Porto and Chelsea, the 2020–21 Europa League semifinal between Arsenal and Villarreal, and the 2022 UEFA Europa League final featuring Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers.

His selection to referee the 2024 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium solidified his reputation as one of Europe’s top officials. Wikipedia More recently, he officiated a Turkish Super League fixture between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray on February 24, 2025, Wikipedia and was chosen to officiate at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Wikipedia

The 2020 Bosnia and Herzegovina Incident

In May 2020, Vinčić was briefly detained by police in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, during a raid on a property where a prostitution and drugs ring was suspected. Wikipedia The operation resulted in the detention of 9 women and 26 men, along with the seizure of drugs, weapons, and cash. Wikipedia

Vinčić maintained that he was at the location by mistake, believing he was attending a business lunch. Wikipedia He was questioned as a witness and subsequently released without being charged with any wrongdoing. Wikipedia

Vlado Sajn, the president of the Slovenian Football Referees Association, publicly supported Vinčić’s account, stating that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was not suspected of any involvement in illegal activities. Wikipedia

Recent Matches Involving Real Madrid

Slavko Vinčić has previously officiated three matches involving Real Madrid in the Champions League: Borussia Dortmund-Real Madrid (0-2) in the 2023/24 final, Real Madrid-Milan (1-3) during the 2024/25 group stage, and Real Madrid-Juventus (1-0) in the 2025/26 group stage. Real Madrid Official Website This upcoming match against Benfica will be his fourth assignment with the Spanish club in the Champions League. Real Madrid Official Website

UEFA appointed Vinčić as the referee for the match between Real Madrid and Benfica, the second leg of the playoff for access to the round of 16 of the Champions League, which will take place at the Bernabéu on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Managing Madrid Real Madrid Official Website