Arppi, at the peak of his career, directed the 1986 World Cup final in Mexico. Photo: Getty.
Former soccer referee Romualdo Arppi Filho died this Sunday in the city of Santos, located on the coast of Sao Paulo. The judge was 84 years old and was admitted to the Ana Costa Hospital several days ago where he was undergoing kidney treatment and, according to his family, he did not resist.
Arppi, at the peak of his career, directed the 1986 World Cup final in Mexico in which Argentina became world champion for the second time in its history by beating Germany 3-2.
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On that occasion the goals for the Albiceleste were the work of José Luis Brown, Jorge Burruchaga and Jorge Valdano.
One of Arppi Filho’s sons, Ricardo de Oliveira, told local media G1 that his father was one of the most important figures in the history of national football.. “My father was and will always be a reference. May he be remembered for his excellence in the sport and as an incredible human being,” he stated.
With a professional peak in the 80s, the Brazilian Football Confederation dedicated a few words to the referee: “Through President Ednaldo Rodrigues, we express our solidarity with the family and friends of Romualdo Arppi Filho in this moment of immense sadness.”
Romualdo was born in Santos on January 7, 1939. In the 1986 World Cup, he became the second Brazilian referee to referee a World Cup final match, preceded by Arnaldo Cézar Coelho.
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During said tournament, he also directed the duels between France 1-1 Soviet Union and Mexico 2-0 Bulgaria. In the duel that defined the title at the Azteca stadium, one of the plaques that went down in history is when he admonished Diego Armando Maradona 17 minutes into the first half.
Arppi began his career at the age of 14, and professionally, at the age of 20. At an early age he delivered justice in the 1984 and 1985 Brazilian Championship, a Interclub World Championship final in 1984 in which Independiente defeated Liverpool 1-0, the 1987 Copa América final and participated in three Olympic Games: Mexico City 1968, Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984.
In recent years, he moved to Sao Vicente, also on the coast of Sao Paulo, where tHe worked as a real estate agent. He was the father of three children and grandfather of three grandchildren. and, to this day, he is considered by colleagues and former players one of the best referees in the history of Brazilian soccer.
