Farewell to Heinz Aldinger: Referee legend died in football

Farewell to Heinz Aldinger: Referee legend died in football

Waiblingen, Deutschland - A profound loss shakes the football world: Heinz Aldinger, the first “DFB referee of the year”, died at the impressive age of 91. On October 18, 2024, the German Football Association announced the sad news about the death of the legendary referee.

born in Waiblingen, Aldinger left a lasting impression in football history. From 1968 to 1981 he headed 136 Bundesliga games and was known for his extraordinary ability to steer the game and respect the players - a quality that made him one of the best referees of his time. His sovereign appearance during the DFB Cup final in 1972, when Schalke 04 defeated the 1. FC Kaiserslautern with 5: 0, and the exciting final 1980, the Fortuna Düsseldorf won 2-1 against 1. FC Köln.

The legacy of a referee star

Aldinger was also very active on international parquet. Under his leadership, 18 European Cup games took place, including the significant final in the European Cup winner in 1978 when RSC And Anderlecht triumphed 4-0 against Austria Vienna. His career at FIFA between 1973 and 1981 brought him to the 1980 Championship in 1980 and the 1974 World Cup - all the files of sporting excellence for which he was awarded.

also remains unforgettable with Wolfgang Overath: When the Cologne native complained about a controversial decision, Aldinger counterattacked and broke the ice with a smile. His legendary saying: "And you, overathle, have been playing shit for 70 minutes!" will be remembered as an example of his humorous nature and sharp intelligence. The DFB now recognizes Aldinger as one of the most important referees in German football history. A loss for sport, the legacy of which will continue for a long time.