Bosnia-Italy, referee Turpin's draw evokes nightmare for Azzurri

For Bosnia-Inter, Uefa chose to rely on the best referee available. Only three months ago, in fact, Clément Turpin was awarded by the Iffhs as the best match director in the world. However, for those who tend to give weight to certain signals, the Frenchman’s designation may not be entirely reassuring. It was he, in 2022, who directed Italy-Northern Macedonia, a match that went down in history for the Azzurri’s resounding exclusion from the World Cup. The Azzurra’s hope, of course, is that Tuesday in Zenica against Bosnia will not see the same script again.

Turpin has long been a sort of “problem solver” for Roberto Rosetti, the man to whom he entrusts the most delicate matches. It is no surprise, then, that he has often been designated for European derbies with Italian teams: from Inter-Milan in the Champions League in 2023 to Milan-Roma in the Europa League the following year. More recently, he also refereed the national team against Israel in Udine. As is always the case when it comes to referees, however, there has been no shortage of controversy.

Two episodes, in particular, have seen him play a negative role with Italian clubs involved: the first in Porto-Milan of Champions 2021-22, marked by an unsanctioned foul on Bennacer that led to the Portuguese’s goal, with the Var system remaining inexplicably silent; the second dates back to a year ago, in the return leg of the round of 16 between Athletic and Roma, when Hummels was sent off for an alleged clear goal opportunity more than 40 meters from the goal, a decision that immediately appeared questionable.

Once considered an enfant prodige, Turpin has burned through the ranks: at only 27 he was already an international referee, the youngest Frenchman to reach that milestone. Today, at almost 44, he represents one of the most solid and reliable profiles on the European scene. His resume includes the 2021 Europa League final between Villarreal and Manchester United and the 2022 Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid.