Clement Turpin gets England v Croatia after Tuchel's Grade E criticism

Clement Turpin will referee England's opening World Cup match against Croatia on Wednesday, a appointment that brings one of Europe’s most recognisable officials back into an England game. The decision revives attention on his sharp exchange with Thomas Tuchel in April 2023 and on the tight control he brought to Bayern Munich’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City.

Tuchel and Turpin in April 2023

That match in the Allianz Arena is the reference point that will follow him into England’s opener. Turpin showed Tuchel two yellow cards and sent him to the stands, then produced five yellow cards in the first half as Bayern tried to chase a 4-1 aggregate loss.

Dayot Upamecano also felt the whistle. Turpin showed the Bayern defender a straight red for a last-man challenge on Erling Haaland before VAR reversed the decision for offside, and Tuchel later called the official “Grade E.”

“I'd give him a one out of 10. He was absolutely terrible. It's unbelievable at this level,” Tuchel said after the loss. He added: “He was whistling for everything and anything. Everything was against us.”

Bellingham has seen him too

England midfielder Jude Bellingham has his own reason to recognise Turpin’s style. While playing for Real Madrid, Bellingham was pushed away from the penalty spot by the referee while trying to put Bayern’s Harry Kane off taking a penalty.

Those clashes sit alongside Turpin’s record on the biggest stages. He handled the 2021 Europa League final, the 2022 Champions League final and matches at Euro 2024, where he took charge of England’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia.

England and Croatia on Wednesday

For England, the appointment means the same official who has already overseen one of their Euro 2024 matches will now take charge of the tournament opener against Croatia. For Tuchel, the assignment reopens a file that began with his Bayern exit and the three-man complaint he made after that April 2023 evening.