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The referee appointment for Real Madrid's Club World Cup round of 16 clash has become a major talking point in relation to an online video featuring him.
The pair of European giants meet in a mouthwatering knockout fixture on Tuesday evening at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with the winner taking on Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey in the quarter-finals.
And it is already been confirmed ahead of time that Polish referee Szymon Marciniak will take charge, with compatriots Tomasz Listkiewicz and Adam Kupsik flanking him as linesmen and Norway's Espen Eskas brought in as fourth official.
Marciniak is considered to be one of the strongest officials in the world and has taken charge of one Champions League final and one World Cup final in 2022.
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The 44-year-old was also at the helm of the last Club World Cup final won by Manchester City but one particular display earlier in the season caused an almighty stir.
Barcelona were incensed by Marciniak's performance in their Champions League semi-final second leg defeat to Inter, with midfielder Pedri not holding back as he called for an investigation.
"It's not the first time this has happened with this referee and I believe UEFA should have a look at it," Pedri said in the mixed zone.
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"I think there are things I don't understand and they are very hard to explain."
The Blaugrana were not happy with the penalty they conceded for a foul called on a Lautaro Martinez, two spot-kick incidents in Inter's box which were not awarded and an alleged foul on Gerard Martin in the build-up to the last-gasp leveller in the 4-3 defeat at the San Siro.
No investigation ensued as UEFA backed Marciniak despite Catalan outlet SPORT insinuating that the referee has an association to their rivals Real and having a “favourable history” with them.
They also highlighted that he was the ref for Julian Alvarez's controversial "double touch" penalty which led to Real beating Atletico on spot-kicks.
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Mundo Deportivo also took the same approach and branded Marciniak a "Madridista", which is a name given to someone who supports Los Blancos.
The claim is in reference to a video from around two years ago, with Marciniak seen in a dressing room and speaking while situated near a Real wash bag.
Contrary to some reports which were quickly rubbished, Marciniak has never addressed the controversy and remains a key official for FIFA under Pierluigi Collina.
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His only other appearance in this year's Club World Cup was Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with Palmeiras.
Topics: Real Madrid, Juventus, FIFA Club World Cup
Josh Lawless