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[SPORTS] · Poland · 7 sources

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Part of situation: Siemieniec referee scandal triggers PZPN leadership crisis (10 clusters)

Adrian Siemieniec faces scrutiny over referee contact scandal

Adrian Siemieniec Ekstraklasa scandal PZPN referee controversy Polish football

A controversy has erupted in Polish football following revelations that Jagiellonia Białystok coach Adrian Siemieniec contacted referee Arkadiusz Kamil Wójcik via SMS. The messages, sent in May, were an attempt to influence referee Paweł Raczkowski regarding potential yellow cards that could have led to player suspensions during the final matchday of the previous season.

Siemieniec has since admitted that the communication was unnecessary. The incident has sparked intense debate within the Ekstraklasa. Alex Haditaghi, owner of Pogoń Szczecin, has publicly criticized the Polish Football Association (PZPN), alleging double standards in how such infractions are handled and calling for a full investigation into the contact history between coaches and referees.

Legia Warszawa coach Marek Papszun also commented on the scandal, noting that while professional courtesy is normal, he has never engaged in digital contact with referees before a match in his career of over 600 games.

Entities

Adrian Siemieniec · Alex Haditaghi · Arkadiusz Kamil Wójcik · Cezary Kulesza · PZPN · Paweł Raczkowski

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [● 6 SOURCES] Jagiellonia Białystok coach Adrian Siemieniec sent SMS messages to referee Arkadiusz Kamil Wójcik in May to inquire about contacting referee Paweł Raczkowski. sport1.pl · www.rmf24.pl · transfery.info
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Arkadiusz Kamil Wójcik claims PZPN President Cezary Kulesza and Adam Gilarski threatened him with disciplinary action if he reported the matter to the prosecutor.
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Referee Arkadiusz Kamil Wójcik transferred the correspondence with Siemieniec exclusively to referee Paweł Raczkowski.
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Arkadiusz Kamil Wójcik reported the situation to FIFA and UEFA disciplinary and legal bodies in July 2026.
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Former referee Rafał Rostkowski described the situation as a reputational catastrophe revealing systemic flaws and irregularities within the PZPN Referee College.
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Arkadiusz Kamil Wójcik filed a notification with the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw regarding alleged mobbing, threats, and defamation.
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Legia Warszawa coach Marek Papszun stated he has never contacted referees digitally before a match in his 600-match career. www.rmf24.pl
  • [● 3 SOURCES] Pogoń Szczecin owner Alex Haditaghi accused football authorities of applying double standards regarding the scandal. transfery.info
  • [● 6 SOURCES] Adrian Siemieniec attempted to influence the refereeing of a match against GKS Katowice to prevent players from receiving yellow cards and subsequent suspensions. sport1.pl · www.rmf24.pl · transfery.info
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Adrian Siemieniec admitted that sending messages regarding player suspensions at the end of the previous season was unnecessary.

Sources

Papszun podjął decyzję. Kibice Legii Warszawa byli temu przeciwni [sport1.pl]
Adrian Siemieniec wydał oświadczenie. Dziewięć razy pada "przepraszam" [przegladsportowy.onet.pl]
Siemieniec wydał oświadczenie ws. afery. Jedno słowo powtórzył dziewięć razy [www.sport.pl]
Siemieniec nagle wydał oświadczenie [sportowefakty.wp.pl]
Papszun wskazał kluczową postać – PiłkaNożna. pl [pilkanozna.pl]
„Nigdy się nie zdarzyło”. Papszun komentuje aferę z Siemieńcem [www.rmf24.pl]
„Gdyby to był Gonçalo Feio. . . ” . Alex Haditaghi zabrał głos na temat sytuacji Adriana Siemieńca [transfery.info]