Gottfried Dienst

Who was Gottfried Dienst?

Gottfried Dienst was a Swiss football referee who was born in Basle. He is possibly best known for being the referee in the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final, in which he awarded a controversial goal to England after consulting his Soviet linesman Tofik Bakhramov.

At the time he was considered the best referee in the world. Dienst is one of only four men to have twice refereed a European Cup final, which he did in 1961 and 1965, and one of only two to have refereed both the European Championship final and the World Cup Final. However, his officiating in the 1968 European Championship final was marred by controversy. In that game, a 1–1 draw between Italy and Yugoslavia which was played in Rome, Dienst came to be accused of favouring the home team. The final was replayed later; a game refereed by the Spaniard José Maria Ortiz de Mendibil.