The Referee Who Invented The Red Card Sporting Witness podcast

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The referee who invented the red card

4d ago 9:58

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It was during the 1966 World Cup match between England and Argentina that one of England’s leading professional referees, Ken Aston, had an idea that would revolutionise football.

Aston, who was watching the game from the stands, was concerned over apparent language barriers between players and officials. His solution was to recommend referees be given red and yellow cards, as way of cautioning and if necessary, sending off a player.

Mike Lanchin has been speaking to Ken Aston’s son, Peter, and Ben van Maaren, a Dutch collector of refereeing memorabilia, including some of Aston’s personal papers. A CTVC production.

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(Photo: Ken Ashton on the pitch in 1962. Credit: Alamy)

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