Referee legend Heinz Aldinger died - an era comes to an end

Referee legend Heinz Aldinger died - an era comes to an end

Waiblingen, Deutschland - German football experiences a serious loss with the death of Heinz Aldinger, one of the most renowned referees in the history of the association. The association announced his death on October 18, 2024, with Aldinger dying at the age of 91. Aldinger, originally from Waiblingen, has an impressive career behind him, which found great recognition in both national and international football.

Aldinger's referee career stretched from 1968 to 1981, in which he headed a total of 136 games in the Bundesliga. One of his most remarkable achievements is the management of the DFB Cup final in 1972, in which Schalke defeated 1. FC Kaiserslautern 5-0. The 1980 final, in which Fortuna Düsseldorf won against 1. FC Köln, also falls into its area of ​​responsibility. In addition, Aldinger whistled 18 European Cup games, including the final in the European Cup winner in 1978, which RSC Anderlecht won against Austria Vienna.

a referee with charisma and wit

Heinz Aldinger was not only known for his excellent referee skills, but also for his humorous and respectful way of dealing with the players. In the 1970s, a word battle with the well -known player Wolfgang Overath became legendary. Overath complained about a decision and described Aldinger as not in good shape. This countered with a quick -witted saying: "And you, overathle, have been playing shit for 70 minutes!" This sentence burned into the memory of many football fans and shows Aldinger's quick wit and his sense of humor during the games.

his commitment to fairness and respect on the pitch was not only valued by his colleagues, but also by players of all time. Aldinger underlines his significant role as a FIFA referee from 1973 to 1981, where he represented Germany at the 1980 European Championship and was an assistant at the 1974 World Cup. The award as the first "DFB referee of the year" in 1975 was a direct recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the referee.

a lasting inheritance

The German Football Association (DFB) praised Aldinger posthumously and described him as one of the most important referees in German football history. His legacy continues, not only in the memories of those who experienced him playfully, but also in the principles of fairness and integrity, which he embodied in football. Aldinger's influence on referee and its standards for sporting behavior will continue to be a source of inspiration for new generations of referees in the future.

In the past few days there have also been reports of the death of another football legend, Dieter Burdenski, which further illustrates the loss in German football. The mourning for Aldinger and his inheritance are important topics in the current discussion about the future of football in Germany.

More information about Heinz Aldinger's impressive career and his influence on football can be found in a detailed report on www.fr.de .