Rudolf Kreitlein
Encyclopedia
Rudolf Kreitlein is a former German
international football referee from the 1960s.
quarter-final match between England
and Argentina
in which he dismissed Antonio Rattín
from the field of play in the 35th minute of the game for dissent. Rattín initially refused to leave the pitch, arguing furiously with Kreitlein (even though neither man understood each other's native language) and the game was held up for several minutes until Rattín reluctantly departed. It was also during that game that Jack Charlton
was cautioned, only to discover the fact the next day from the newspaper report. As a result of this incident Ken Aston
developed the idea of yellow cards and red cards
to aid on-field communication in football. Kreitlein, who had never seen the match, requested a copy of the game from the Football Association
in 2006. Kreitlein retired from international competition following the game.
, refereeing the final between England
and Northern Ireland
at Wembley (his assistants were the Hungarian orchestral conductor and referee Istvan Zsolt
and the Belgian Mark Raemaekers).
Kreitlein had been a Bundesliga
referee from 1963 (the first season of that national league) but had only refereed 36 matches at national level before being appointed referee (in May 1966) to the European Cup Final
, where he took charge of the game between Real Madrid
and Partizan Belgrade
in Brussels
.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
international football referee from the 1960s.
England v Argentina, 1966 World Cup
Kreitlein is, perhaps, most well-known for his refereeing of the 1966 World Cup1966 FIFA World Cup
The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from 11 July to 30 July. England beat West Germany 4–2 in the final, winning the World Cup for the first time, so becoming the first host to win the tournament since Italy in 1934.-Host selection:England was chosen as...
quarter-final match between England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
and Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
in which he dismissed Antonio Rattín
Antonio Rattín
Antonio Ubaldo Rattín is a former Argentine football player, best known as a Boca Juniors midfielder, and because of an incident in a match at the 1966 FIFA World Cup...
from the field of play in the 35th minute of the game for dissent. Rattín initially refused to leave the pitch, arguing furiously with Kreitlein (even though neither man understood each other's native language) and the game was held up for several minutes until Rattín reluctantly departed. It was also during that game that Jack Charlton
Jack Charlton
John "Jack" Charlton, OBE, DL is a former footballer and manager who played for Leeds United in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and was part of the England team who won the 1966 World Cup...
was cautioned, only to discover the fact the next day from the newspaper report. As a result of this incident Ken Aston
Ken Aston
Kenneth George "Ken" Aston, MBE was an English teacher, soldier, and football referee, who was responsible for many important developments in football refereeing.- Early life and career :...
developed the idea of yellow cards and red cards
Penalty card
A penalty card is used in many sports as a means of warning, reprimanding or penalising a player, coach or team official. Penalty cards are most commonly used by referees or umpires to indicate that a player has committed an offense. The referee will hold the card above his or her head while...
to aid on-field communication in football. Kreitlein, who had never seen the match, requested a copy of the game from the Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
in 2006. Kreitlein retired from international competition following the game.
Career
Kreitlein rise to prominence within the European game was evident prior to the World Cup. He had been appointed as one of the German representatives for the 1963 UEFA Youth Championship in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, refereeing the final between England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
at Wembley (his assistants were the Hungarian orchestral conductor and referee Istvan Zsolt
István Zsolt
Istvan Zsolt was a Hungarian international football referee. He officiated at the 1954, 1958 and 1966 World Cup tournaments and the Olympic Games of 1952, 1960, 1964 and 1968.-References:*****...
and the Belgian Mark Raemaekers).
Kreitlein had been a Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
referee from 1963 (the first season of that national league) but had only refereed 36 matches at national level before being appointed referee (in May 1966) to the European Cup Final
1966 European Cup Final
The 1966 European Cup Final was a football match held at Heysel Stadium, Brussels, on 11 May 1966 that saw Real Madrid of Spain defeat Partizan of Yugoslavia 2–1.-Match summary:...
, where he took charge of the game between Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
and Partizan Belgrade
FK Partizan
Fudbalski klub Partizan is a professional football club based in Belgrade, Serbia. In its long history, FK Partizan won as many as 37 trophies. The club is the holder of 23 national championships, 12 national cups and 1 national supercup, and has also won the Mitropa Cup in 1978...
in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
.