George McCabe

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George McCabe
Born March 13, 1922
Sheffield, Yorkshire
England
Died ?
Occupation Association football referee
Known for 1966 FIFA World Cup

George McCabe (born March 13, 1922,[1] Sheffield, Yorkshire; died ?[2]) was an English association football referee, who officiated at the 1966 World Cup and in an FA Cup Final.

[edit] Career

McCabe, though awarded the 1969 FA Cup Final in the domestic game in England, is perhaps more well-known for his handling of the Brazil versus Portugal World Cup match played at Goodison Park, Liverpool, on July 19, 1966, in which he was assisted by Wales' Leo Callaghan and England's Ken Dagnall.[3]

During that game he failed to send João Morais from the field of play after a double foul on Pelé. Although McCabe had appeared on the line in Brazil's victory over Bulgaria a week earlier,[4] he played no further part in the competition following this incident.[5]

Brian Glanville, writing of the match, stated: "Pelé would say that it was only when he saw the incident on film that he realised how bad it was. He would swear, then, never to play in a World Cup again. The indulgent, flaccid English referee, George McCabe, allowed Morais to stay on the field, so that now Portugal were playing against ten men".[6]

The official Sheffield United website mentions his passing when crediting him with being co-founder (along with Derek Dooley) of the "Senior Blades Club", for over-60 supporters. No year of demise is specified.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Birthdate: zerozero.eu website. Retrieved on March 26, 2008.
  2. ^ a b "The late George McCabe": Sheffield United official website. Retrieved on March 26, 2008.
  3. ^ Brazil v. Portugal, Group C, 1966 World Cup: PlanetWorldCup.com website. Retrieved on March 26, 2008.
  4. ^ Brazil v. Bulgaria (linesman), Group C, 1966 World Cup: PlanetWorldCup.com website. Retrieved on March 26, 2008.
  5. ^ "All hail the King of Football for all times - King Pele - Edson Arantes do Nascimento", Allan La Rose: Guyana Chronicle website. Retrieved on March 26, 2008.
  6. ^ The Story of the World Cup, Brian Glanville, Faber and Faber, 2006 (p. 145), ISBN 0571190812.
Preceded by
Leo Callaghan
FA Cup Final Referee
1969
Succeeded by
Eric Jennings