Champions League referee Slavko Vincic found himself embroiled in a police operation back in May 2020, when law enforcement intervened during a business lunch he was attending in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The operation was aimed at tackling an unrelated prostitution and drug ring. Although Vincic was not involved in any illicit activities, his presence at the lunch raised questions, and police consequently detained him as part of their inquiry.

During the incident, Vincic clarified that he was simply attending a business meeting and had innocently accepted a lunch invitation at a location that happened to be under police surveillance. After being questioned, he was quickly released and cleared of any wrongdoing. In subsequent interviews, Vincic reassured the media that he had no connections to the criminal activities being investigated and emphasized his innocence.

This incident highlights the challenges that public figures, like referees officiating high-profile sporting events, can face due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It also underscores the extensive efforts police take in fighting organized crime, even as it inadvertently draws high-profile individuals into the spotlight during investigations. As a result, such cases can impact the reputations of those involved, despite their innocence, simply by association with the chaotic circumstances.