​Referee Ivan Barton will take charge of the World Cup semi-final between Spain and France in Dallas.The Salvadoran official has earned a prestige appointment for the mouthwatering meeting of European heavyweights as the first place in the final is settled.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBorn in Santa Ana, El Salvador’s second largest city, Barton has previously worked as a professor of organic chemistry after earning a degree in chemical sciences at university.The 35-year-old is a regular in Concacaf’s biggest tournaments and made his World Cup debut with the whistle at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.France v Spain LIVE: Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal face off in spectacular World Cup semi-finalEarlier at this edition, 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 was also in charge for the round of 16 clash between Colombia and Switzerland.Barton was the referee who halted a 2023 Concacaf Nations League encounter between the United States and Mexico early in stoppage time due to homophobic chants from fans.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementReferee: Ivan Barton (El Salvador)Assistant Referee 1: David Moran (El Salvador)Assistant Referee 2: Antonio Pupiro (El Salvador)4th Official: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)Reserve Assistant Referee: Mahbod Begi (Sweden)