Referee designations FWC 2018 Match 64: #FRA🆚#CRO (15 July) FINAL
Referee: Nestor PITANA (ARG)
ASR 1: Hernan MAIDANA (ARG)
ASR 2: Juan P. BELATTI (ARG)
4th Off. Bjorn KUIPERS (NED)
Res.Ass.Erwin ZEINSTRA (NED)@FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/iqJmgyxZPk— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) July 12, 2018
FIFA have named Argentinian Nestor Pitana as the referee for Sunday’s World Cup final between France and Croatia.
The 43-year-old officiated the tournament’s opening game between Russia and Saudi Arabia and was in charge for France’s quarter-final victory over Uruguay, as well as Croatia’s last-16 clash with Denmark.
He is joined by assistant referees Hernan Maidana and Juan Belatti, as well as fourth official Bjorn Kuipers.
Curiously, an Argentine was also in charge of officiating duties the last time that France made the World Cup final.
In 2006, Horacio Elizondo was chosen alongside compatriots Dario Garcia and Rodolfo Otero to oversee Les Bleus’ clash with Italy.
Without their star, France fell to a penalty shoot-out defeat, handing Marcello Lippi’s Azzurri their fourth World Cup title.