07/11/26 05:32:00
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07/11 16:26 CDT Argentine Antonio Rattn, whose dismissal in the 1966 World Cup
prompted a rules change, dies at 89
Argentine Antonio Rattn, whose dismissal in the 1966 World Cup prompted a
rules change, dies at 89
By RAMIRO BARREIRO
Associated Press
Argentine Antonio Rattn, a former Boca Juniors player whose act of defiance
while representing Argentina at the 1966 World Cup helped lead to the
introduction of yellow and red cards, has died, the country's football
federation said Saturday. He was 89.
Rattn died in Buenos Aires, according to the Argentine Football Association,
or AFA, which expressed its "deepest sorrow at the passing of a historic symbol
of Boca Juniors and the national team," with whom he played in two World Cups.
A defensive midfielder known for his physical, hard-tackling style, Rattn won
six Argentine league titles with Boca Juniors and was a Copa Libertadores
runner-up in 1963.
"Rattn was one of us and loved these colours so much that they were the only
ones he chose to defend throughout his 14-year career. A leader, an Argentine
and forever a Bostero," the club said.
With Argentina, Rattn played at the 1962 World Cup in Chile and the 1966
tournament in England, and also finished runner-up in the Copa Amrica twice.
In the quarterfinals of the 1966 World Cup, Argentina faced England at Wembley
Stadium. In the 36th minute, Rattn protested a foul and was sent off for
"verbal dissent." At the time, referees did not use cards but instead verbally
informed players that they had been dismissed.
As he left the pitch, Rattn crumpled one of the corner flags, which featured
the design of the English flag. He then sat down on the red carpet reserved for
the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The two acts of protest sparked a barrage of objects thrown at him by fans from
the stands.
In the wake of the confusing incident, and amid growing concern over the
increasingly violent nature of the game, FIFA's refereeing authorities
concluded that a practical, universally understood system was needed to
communicate cautions and dismissals.
Kenneth George Aston, who headed FIFA's refereeing committee, took inspiration
from traffic lights and, in 1967, introduced the yellow and red cards that are
still used today.
Rattn's defiant gesture at Wembley also marked the beginning of the football
rivalry between Argentina and England. It reached its most iconic chapter in
the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, when Argentina won thanks to
Diego Maradona's unforgettable goals --- one scored with his hand, unnoticed by
the referee, and the other after a brilliant solo run.
Argentina plays Switzerland in another World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
Many supporters are hoping for a semifinal meeting with England, who will face
Norway in another quarter-final also on Saturday.
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