Football World Cup: 'Father' of the red card, Antonio Rattín, dies

Antonio Rattín, the Argentine midfielder whose controversial expulsion from the 1966 World Cup quarter-final against host England was a pivotal moment leading to the creation of yellow and red cards, has died at the age of 89. His long-time club, Boca Juniors, announced his passing.

"With great sadness, we bid farewell to Antonio Ubaldo Rattín, the idol and figurehead of our club," Boca Juniors stated on its social media channels. Rattín was a legendary figure for the Buenos Aires club, where he played for many years and became a symbol of the team.

The incident that cemented Rattín's place in football history occurred during the 1966 World Cup quarter-final match between Argentina and England. The game, which England won 1-0, was marked by controversy after German referee Rudolf Kreitlein sent Rattín off for dissent. Rattín famously refused to leave the pitch for several minutes, requiring intervention from English police. During his eventual departure, he crumpled an English flag, further escalating the tension.

This highly publicized event prompted FIFA to introduce the yellow and red card system to better manage player conduct and discipline on the field. The system, conceived to prevent similar chaotic scenes, has since become a universal standard in football worldwide. Rattín's legacy is thus intertwined with a fundamental change in the sport's rules.

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With great sadness, we bid farewell to Antonio Ubaldo Rattín, the idol and figurehead of our club.