Ivan Eklind

Ivan Henning Hjalmar Eklind (October 15, 1905 – July 23, 1981) was a football referee from Sweden known for refereeing the 1934 FIFA World Cup Final between Italy and Czechoslovakia in Rome. He is the youngest referee, to this day, to officiate a FIFA World Cup final at the age of 29.

Ivan Eklind
Ivan Eklind (center) during 1934 FIFA World Cup Final game in Rome between Italy and Czechoslovakia.

Career

Eklind officiated the 1934 FIFA World Cup semi-final Italy–Austria (1–0), as well as the final which Italy won 2–1 over Czechoslovakia.[1] Afterwards he was heavily criticised for having favoured the Italian team with his decisions.[2] According to John Molinaro, Referee Ivan Eklind was said to have met with the Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini prior to officiating Italy's semifinal and final games.[3]

Eklind officiated in 6 World Cup finals matches over 3 tournaments (1934–1950) (one as Assistant Referee to Baert in June 1938), including Brazil's triumph against Poland in Strasbourg in which 11 goals were scored, and a Group A match at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. Baert also went to enjoy an incredibly lengthy international career.

References
  1. "Yahoo". FIFA.com. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  2. Jack Dennison (20 January 2013). "Football and Fascism: The 1934 World Cup". goldengenerations.wordpress.com.
  3. Molinaro, John F. (24 November 2009). "1934 World Cup: Italy wins for Il Duce". CBC Sports. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
Preceded by
Jean Langenus		 FIFA World Cup final match referees
1934
Ivan Eklind		 Succeeded by
Georges Capdeville
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