Tofik Bakhramov (Azeri: Tofiq Bəhramov, Russian: Тофик Бахрамов; 29 November 1926, Baku – 12 October 1993, Baku), known in England as "The Russian Linesman", was a noted football referee from Azerbaijan, a part of the Soviet Union until his final years. Bakhramov is most famous for being a linesman who helped to award a goal for England in the 1966 World Cup Final between England and West Germany. He was later rumoured to have been presented with...
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Tofik Bakhramov (Azeri: Tofiq Bəhramov, Russian: Тофик Бахрамов; 29 November 1926, Baku – 12 October 1993, Baku), known in England as "The Russian Linesman", was a noted football referee from Azerbaijan, a part of the Soviet Union until his final years. Bakhramov is most famous for being a linesman who helped to award a goal for England in the 1966 World Cup Final between England and West Germany. He was later rumoured to have been presented with a golden whistle by Queen Elizabeth II for his "services to England". As a referee earlier in the tournament, he drew attention for denying a Swiss goal in a first round game between Switzerland and Spain.
Bakhramov was originally a footballer, but a serious leg injury prevented him from continuing his playing career and he became a referee. He was elected onto the FIFA panel of referees in 1964. After retiring as a referee, he subsequently served for some years as general secretary of the Football Federation of Azerbaijan.
In the 1966 World...
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