Legendary referees: Collina and the men in black who defined an era
From Jack Taylor, who awarded two penalties in the 1974 final, to Pierluigi Collina's stare: referees are part of World Cup history too.
At every World Cup there is an essential and often thankless figure: the referee. The so-called «men in black» make split-second decisions that can change the history of a tournament, and some have earned their place in posterity in their own right.
The most famous is Italy's Pierluigi Collina. With his piercing, unmistakable stare, he was named the world's best referee for six consecutive years and took charge of the 2002 final between Brazil and Germany. His natural authority made him a star, something unusual for an official; today he chairs FIFA's refereeing committee.
History also remembers decisive moments. In the 1974 final, England's Jack Taylor had the courage to award a penalty to the Netherlands after two minutes —the first ever in a final— and, shortly after, another to Germany. Refereeing a final demands nerves that can withstand any pressure.
Refereeing has evolved non-stop: from the introduction of cards in 1970 to assistant referees and, by 2018, the video assistant referee (VAR), which changed forever the way contentious plays are judged.
And a social milestone arrived: in 2022, France's Stéphanie Frappart became the first woman to referee a match at a men's World Cup, opening a door that will not close again. Referees, silent protagonists, will keep setting the rhythm of the World Cup in 2026.
Source: Wikipedia (Pierluigi Collina; Jack Taylor (referee); Stéphanie Frappart; Video assistant referee).