Eduardo Iturralde González
Encyclopedia
Eduardo Iturralde González (born 20 February 1967 in Arrankudiaga
) is a Spanish
football referee.
He frequently referees European matches in the Europa League and Champions League
. Iturralde notably refereed the El Clasico
on three occasions, in 1999, 2005 and most recently in November 2010, in which he was praised for his solid and free-flowing performance.
Iturralde González was the referee of the Republic of Ireland
's 2–1 win over Armenia
in the last Euro 2012 qualifying match. Early in the game, he sent off Armenian goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky
for a handball, although video replays clearly show that the ball hit his chest rather than his arm. The red card decision was criticised by some reporters, who believe it may have cost Armenia qualification. Two days after the match, the Football Federation of Armenia
officially filed a protest to UEFA over the goalkeeper's dismissal.
Arrankudiaga
Arrankudiaga is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain.-External links:* *...
) is a Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
football referee.
He frequently referees European matches in the Europa League and Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. Iturralde notably refereed the El Clasico
El Clásico
El Clásico , also known as El derbi Español, is the name given in football to a match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. It is contested twice a year in the Spanish La Liga competition, and more often if the clubs meet in other competitions...
on three occasions, in 1999, 2005 and most recently in November 2010, in which he was praised for his solid and free-flowing performance.
Iturralde González was the referee of the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
's 2–1 win over Armenia
Armenia national football team
The Armenia national football team represents Armenia in association football and is controlled by the Football Federation of Armenia, the governing body for football in Armenia...
in the last Euro 2012 qualifying match. Early in the game, he sent off Armenian goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky
Roman Berezovsky
Roman Anatoliy Berezovsky is an Armenian football goalkeeper, currently with Russian First Division club FC Khimki and is a member of Armenia national team. He is of Russian origin...
for a handball, although video replays clearly show that the ball hit his chest rather than his arm. The red card decision was criticised by some reporters, who believe it may have cost Armenia qualification. Two days after the match, the Football Federation of Armenia
Football Federation of Armenia
The Football Federation of Armenia is the governing body of football in Armenia. It organizes the football league, Armenian Premier League, Armenian national football team, and the Armenia women's national football team. It is based in Yerevan....
officially filed a protest to UEFA over the goalkeeper's dismissal.