Football
10y

Rizzoli to referee World Cup final

RIO DE JANEIRO -- FIFA officials say Nicola Rizzoli of Italy will referee the World Cup final between Germany and Argentina.

- Marcotti: Final referee sets FIFA example

With a European and South American team playing, many had expected FIFA to appoint an Asian referee for Sunday's game.

However, Jim Boyce, the chairman of the FIFA's refereeing committee, says "we choose the best referees for the best matches, and the Italian will referee the final."

Massimo Busacca, head of refereeing for FIFA, confirmed that Rizzoli will be in charge of the match. FIFA had not yet made an official announcement.

Rizzoli has already worked three matches at this year's World Cup, including two played by Argentina: A quarterfinal victory over Belgium and a group win over Nigeria.

Rizzoli also handled the high-profile match between the Netherlands and Spain on the second day of the tournament.

Rizzoli was the referee for the all-German Champions League final in 2013, when Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in London.

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