World football governing body, FIFA on Sunday revealed the identity of the centre referee in Tuesday’s make-or-mar encounter between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Albiceleste of Argentina in the ongoing 2018 World Cup.
The game, which will be played at the St Petersburg Stadium by 7 pm Nigerian time, is the last group D match as Croatia vs Iceland will also hold simultaneously.
The Herald brings you six quick facts about the referee:
- He is a 41-year-old Turkish national called Cuneyt Çakır.
- He officiated Argentina’s semi-final clash against the Netherlands at the 2014 World Cup which Argentina won 4-2 on penalties.
- On 24 April 2012, he officiated the Champions League semifinal between FC Barcelona and Chelsea at Camp Nou, Barcelona. Çakır sent off John Terry in the first half. Chelsea won 3-2 on aggregate, although the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
- Çakır officiated the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final match between Juventus vs. Barcelona which the Catalans won.
- Argentina captain, Lionel Messi has never lost a game refereed by Cakir, and there have been eight of such games.
- Çakır has refereed more than 250 games in the Turkish Super Liga.