Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSalvadoran referee Ivan Barton has been appointed to officiate the World Cup semi-final match between Spain and France in Dallas. Barton, 35, previously worked as an organic chemistry professor and made his World Cup debut at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. He is a regular official in Concacaf tournaments.Earlier at this World Cup, Barton made history as the first referee to send a player off for covering their mouth during a confrontation, dismissing Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron during their game against Turkey.He also previously halted a 2023 Concacaf Nations League match between the United States and Mexico due to homophobic chants from fans. In fullWho is Ivan Barton? France v Spain referee for World Cup semi-finalMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in