Because he couldn’t control himself, he had to be escorted off the field by police officers during the 1966 World Cup—and subsequently changed soccer forever. Now Antonio Rattin has died.
Antonio Rattin, also known as “El Rata” (the Rat), played exclusively for Boca Juniors from 1956 to 1970 (353 games, 26 goals) and was valued for his solid, calm, and composed style of play. The midfielder also made it onto the Argentine national team, making 34 appearances for the Albiceleste (one goal) and participating in the 1962 World Cup in Chile and the 1966 World Cup in England—at the latter, he gained worldwide fame due to a scandal and even forced FIFA to change the rules of soccer and introduce the yellow and red cards.
In the quarterfinal against host England—which the Three Lions ultimately won 1–0 on their way to their only title to date—a dispute arose between Rattin and German referee Rudolf Kreitlein. Rattin, who was Argentina’s captain, repeatedly complained during the game, had already been cautioned twice, and was finally sent off by the Stuttgart-based referee after he once again berated him following a foul called against him.
Rattin, however, refused to leave the field, remaining on the pitch for several minutes and complaining. Ultimately, two English police officers had to intervene and escort the Argentine off the field. As he left the field, he made himself even more unpopular with the home crowd by crumpling up an English flag. As a result of this incident, FIFA, the world soccer governing body, introduced the yellow and red cards for cautions and expulsions.
The idea came from English referee Ken Aston, who wanted to spare players, spectators, and the referee himself from communication problems caused by language barriers and chaotic scenes—such as those seen at the 1966 World Cup—during international matches. This brought an abrupt end to the old practice, in which all warnings and send-offs were issued verbally.
A Life Dedicated to Boca Juniors
At the club level, Rattin played exclusively for Boca Juniors, winning four league championships (1962, 1964, 1965, and 1969) and one national cup (1969) with them. After retiring as a player, the 1.91-meter giant tried his hand at coaching, though with relatively little success—from 1977 to 1979 he coached Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata, and in 1980 he coached Boca Juniors, where he is still revered to this day.
He has now passed away at the age of 89, as announced by his former club. “It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Antonio Ubaldo Rattin, the idol and figurehead of our club,” Boca announced on Saturday via its social media channels. The Argentine Football Association also paid tribute to him: “With his passing, we bid farewell to one of the greatest captains in the history of the Argentine national team.”