Gottfried Dienst

Gottfried Dienst, born on September ninth, nineteen nineteen, was a distinguished Swiss association football referee and player. He is best remembered for his pivotal role as the referee in the 1966 FIFA World Cup final, a match that has become a significant part of football history.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dienst achieved remarkable milestones, including being one of only four referees to officiate two European Cup finals, which he did in nineteen sixty-one and nineteen sixty-five. His expertise and authority on the field earned him the honor of refereeing both the European Championship and World Cup finals, a feat shared with only one other referee, the Italian Sergio Gonella.

In addition to his World Cup final, Dienst also officiated the original European Championship final in nineteen sixty-eight, which ended in a one-one draw between Italy and Yugoslavia. This match was notable not only for its competitive spirit but also for the subsequent replay, where Italy triumphed with a two-zero victory, officiated by José María Ortiz de Mendíbil.