Who Is Francois Letexier?

Francois Letexier is one of the most respected football referees in Europe. Born on April 23, 1989, in Bédée, France, he has become a FIFA-listed referee and a member of UEFA’s elite referee group. His consistent performances in Ligue 1, the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Euro 2024, and the FIFA World Cup have made him one of football’s best-known officials.

Recently, Letexier attracted worldwide attention after officiating the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt, where several VAR decisions sparked intense debate among fans.

Is Francois Letexier Banned?

No. Francois Letexier has not been banned by FIFA, UEFA, or the French Football Federation.

Following criticism after the Argentina vs. Egypt World Cup match, social media was filled with rumors claiming he had been suspended or banned. However, there has been no official announcement confirming any disciplinary action against him. The reports circulating online are false.

Like many top referees, Letexier has faced criticism after controversial decisions, but criticism alone does not result in a ban.

Why Did Francois Letexier Trend Online?

Letexier became one of the most searched referees after several controversial decisions during Argentina’s victory over Egypt.

Many supporters questioned:

• VAR reviews
• A disallowed Egyptian goal
• Penalty decisions
• Match control

The controversy led to widespread discussion across social media platforms worldwide.

What Happened to Francois Letexier’s Instagram?

After receiving heavy online criticism and abusive messages following the World Cup match, Francois Letexier reportedly deactivated or closed his Instagram account.

The move appears to have been made to avoid harassment rather than for any official reason. There is no indication that Instagram suspended or banned his account.

Nationality

Francois Letexier is French.

He was born in Bédée, Brittany, France, and represents the French Football Federation in international competitions. Since joining FIFA’s referee list in 2017, he has officiated matches involving clubs and national teams across Europe and around the world.

Wife

Francois Letexier is married.

However, he keeps his personal life private. Publicly available information confirms that he has a wife and a son, but he has not revealed their names or shared many details about his family.

His focus in interviews generally remains on refereeing rather than his private life.

Religion

There is no verified public information about Francois Letexier’s religion.

The referee has never publicly discussed his religious beliefs, and no official source confirms his faith. Therefore, any claims circulating online regarding his religion remain speculative.

Career Highlights

Letexier has built an impressive refereeing career.

His achievements include:

• FIFA referee since 2017
• UEFA Elite Referee
• UEFA Euro 2024 Final referee
• UEFA Super Cup referee
• UEFA Champions League knockout matches
• FIFA World Cup official
• One of Ligue 1’s youngest referees

These appointments reflect UEFA and FIFA’s confidence in his abilities despite occasional controversies.

Playing Style as a Referee

He is known for:

• Strong communication
• Calm decision-making
• Consistent disciplinary control
• Effective use of VAR
• Good positioning during matches

Although some decisions divide opinion, football experts generally regard him as one of Europe’s top officials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Francois Letexier banned?

No. There is no official ban from FIFA, UEFA, or any football authority.

Why did Francois Letexier close Instagram?

Reports indicate he deactivated his Instagram account after receiving abuse following the Argentina vs. Egypt World Cup match.

What nationality is Francois Letexier?

He is French.

Is Francois Letexier married?

Yes. He is married and has a child, although he keeps family details private.

What religion is Francois Letexier?

His religion has never been publicly confirmed.

Conclusion

Francois Letexier remains one of the world’s leading football referees. While recent World Cup controversies fueled online rumors about a ban and led him to reportedly close his Instagram account, there is no official evidence that he has been suspended. A French referee with years of elite-level experience, Letexier continues to be trusted with some of football’s biggest matches. His private life, including details about his wife and religion, remains largely out of the public eye.