German referee Markus Merk will take charge of the Euro 2004 final on Sunday in Lisbon's Estadio da Luz, UEFA have announced today.
Merk, a 42-year-old dentist, has officiated in two group games at Euro 2004 - France's 2-1 victory against England, and the 2-2 draw between Sweden and Denmark.
Swede Anders Frisk will referee the Portugal versus Holland semi-final encounter on Wednesday, and Italian Pierluigi Collina will retire after taking charge of Thursday's Greece versus Czech Republic semi-final.
Meanwhile, UEFA have defended Swiss referee Urs Meier after he has come in for some scathing criticism following his decision to rule out a Sol Campbell's 'goal' in England's Euro 2004 quarter-final against Portugal.
Meier has suffered at the hands of the British tabloid media since then, who are blaming him for England's exit from the tournament.
However UEFA are backing their man and referee committee president Volker Roth said: "As the German referees boss I am used to handling the press and even the yellow press (tabloid). It's not very nice but in the case of the English press to blame Urs Meier after a good decision is not acceptable."
"To go into his private life, to show his wife, his car and even to put an England flag on his house this is really unacceptable - we are really unhappy. If the press reacts in this way we must reconsider and say clearly and openly this is not a good way."
Filed by Rob Wright
