Tofiq Bahramov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tofiq Bəhramov
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Bahramov in 1967
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| Born |
Tofiq Bəhram oğlu Bəhramov
29 January 1925 |
| Died | 26 March 1993 (aged 68) |
| Nationality | USSR Azerbaijan |
| Occupation | Football player and referee |
Tofiq Bahramov (Azerbaijani: Tofiq Bəhramov; Russian: Тофик Бахрамов; born January 29, 1925 – died March 26, 1993) was a famous football referee from Azerbaijan. At the time, Azerbaijan was part of the Soviet Union.
He became very well known for a big decision he made during the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final. He was an assistant referee (also called a linesman) in that match. He helped to award a goal for England against West Germany. This goal was quite controversial, meaning people argued about it.
Because of his decision and his Soviet citizenship, many people in England mistakenly called him "the Russian linesman." However, Tofiq Bahramov was not Russian; he was from Azerbaijan.
After he passed away in 1993, Azerbaijan's main football stadium was renamed the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. This was done to honor his memory and his important role in football history.
His Football Journey
Tofiq Bahramov first played football for a team called Neftçi PFK. But a serious leg injury stopped him from playing professionally. After his injury, he decided to become a football referee instead.
In 1964, he was chosen to be part of the FIFA panel of referees. This meant he could referee international matches.
- In the 1966 FIFA World Cup, he was an assistant referee for the very first match and for the Final. He also refereed one match in the first round.
- In the 1970 FIFA World Cup, he worked at three matches, including a semi-final game.
- In 1972, he refereed the first part of the 1972 UEFA Cup Final. This was a big European club competition.
After he stopped being a referee, he worked as the general secretary for the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan. This shows how much he loved football.
The Famous "Wembley Goal"
The most famous moment of Tofiq Bahramov's career happened in the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final. The score was 2-2 between England and West Germany. It was during extra time, which is extra playing time when a game is tied.
England's player, Geoff Hurst, took a powerful shot. The ball hit the crossbar (the top part of the goal) and bounced down. It landed near the goal line and then spun back out. The main referee, Gottfried Dienst, wasn't sure if it was a goal. He looked at Bahramov, who was the assistant referee closest to the goal.
Bahramov signaled that it was a goal. After a moment, the referee agreed and awarded the goal to England. England then went on to win the game 4-2.
Was it a Goal?
Even today, people still argue about whether this goal should have counted. In Germany, many people believe Bahramov made a mistake. They even have a special name for similar situations: a "Wembley-Tor" (Wembley Goal). This is when a ball hits the crossbar and bounces down near the goal line.
The rules of football say that the whole ball must cross the goal line for it to be a goal. German players said they saw chalk dust, which would mean the ball landed on the line, not over it. But England's Roger Hunt said he saw the ball bounce behind the line.
When Tofiq Bahramov wrote his memories, he said he believed the ball bounced off the net, not the crossbar. If it hit the net, it would definitely be a goal. He loved refereeing and football. He once said that football matches are "duels... full of unforeseen turns and even real miracles." He felt like a magician for 90 minutes!
His Lasting Memory
The main football stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan, is named the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. It was renamed in his honor in 1993, soon after Azerbaijan became an independent country. Before that, it was named after a Soviet leader.
In 2004, England played Azerbaijan in a qualifying match for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Before the game, a special ceremony was held at the stadium to remember Tofiq Bahramov. Famous football figures like Geoff Hurst (the player who scored the goal), Michel Platini, and Sepp Blatter were there.
A statue of Tofiq Bahramov was also revealed at this ceremony. He was the first referee in the world to have a stadium named after him! During this visit, his son, Bahram Bahramov, met with English fans. He was happy that his father was finally remembered as an Azerbaijani hero, not just "the Russian linesman." He said, "People like Tofiq Bahramov are only born once in a hundred years."
See also
In Spanish: Tofiq Bəhramov para niños
- Ghost goal
- 1966 FIFA World Cup Final
- Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium
