This week, the leading French referee, François Letexier, will be the central man of two major meetings. He will start his programme in the Champions League, where he will be an officer during the match between Real Madrid and Arsenal, an event that promises an intense show. He then continued on Sunday, leading the derby between Saint-Étienne and Olympique Lyonnais, a confrontation always filled with passion and stakes. Recognized on the European stage alongside Clement Turpin, Letexier has already demonstrated his calibre by arbitrating high-fly matches, including the Euro Final between Spain and England, which demonstrates his reputation and expertise.

The match at Santiago Bernabéu looks particularly interesting, given the result of the trip where Real Madrid suffered a significant defeat (3-0). The hope of a Madrid “remontada” feeds the wait, and the referee will be at the heart of this crucial moment. After this European meeting, Mr Letexier will have to turn to Ligue 1, where he will lead the derby between Saint-Étienne and Olympique Lyonnais. He has already served twice in confrontations between these two teams, consolidating his experience in this type of encounter, notably during the Lyon success of 2020 and the draw of 2021.

To accompany him in his missions, François Letexier will benefit from the support of his assistants, Cyril Mugnier and Medhi Rahmouni, as well as the video team, composed of Willy Delajod and Ludovic Rémy. The fourth arbitrator, Pierre Gaillouste, will ensure a reassuring presence and can intervene if necessary. This careful organization underscores the importance of these meetings and the commitment of the entire arbitration team to ensure fair and consistent conduct.