Johannes Mutters
Encyclopedia
D. Johannes Mutters (b. ? - d. ?) was a Dutch international football referee during the 1920s and early 1930s.
Mutters came to international prominence during the 1920s alongside Willem Eymers. Both men represented the Netherlands in the 1920 Olympic Games football tournament. Mutters took charge of three matches during the medal tournament, including one of the semi-finals (that involving Czechoslovakia
). The 1920 final was the subject of some controversy on account of the refereeing of John Lewis
, who had refereed the second semi-final involving Belgium
.
Mutters took charge of a further semi-final in the 1924 edition of the series; Switzerland
defeated Sweden
to play against Uruguay
in the final. He was selected to referee the final, but in the second semi-final Holland had been defeated by Uruguay due to a controversial penalty decision. The Uruguayans disputed the involvement of a Dutch referee, and, consequently, Marcel Slawick
was drawn from a hat.
Finally, Mutters was awarded the final of the 1928 tournament, a precursor to the 1930 World Cup final, in which Argentina
played Uruguay
. Mutters was referee in both games.
In addition Mutters took charge of five internationals played by England
between 1921 and 1930, including both matches versus Germany
and Austria
during the 1930 tour. He had no involvement in the 1930 FIFA World Cup
because the Netherlands did not participate.
Mutters came to international prominence during the 1920s alongside Willem Eymers. Both men represented the Netherlands in the 1920 Olympic Games football tournament. Mutters took charge of three matches during the medal tournament, including one of the semi-finals (that involving Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
). The 1920 final was the subject of some controversy on account of the refereeing of John Lewis
John Lewis (referee)
John Lewis was an English football player, administrator and referee. He was born at Market Drayton, Shropshire, but lived most of his life in Lancashire and was primarily associated with Blackburn Rovers F.C...
, who had refereed the second semi-final involving Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
.
Mutters took charge of a further semi-final in the 1924 edition of the series; Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
defeated Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
to play against Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
in the final. He was selected to referee the final, but in the second semi-final Holland had been defeated by Uruguay due to a controversial penalty decision. The Uruguayans disputed the involvement of a Dutch referee, and, consequently, Marcel Slawick
Marcel Slawick
Marcel Slawick was a French football referee during the 1920s; born in Paris France on February 13, 1877.Slawick twice refereed the French Cup Final , but is perhaps most well-known for being the referee at the 1924 Olympic Football final between Switzerland and the eventual winners...
was drawn from a hat.
Finally, Mutters was awarded the final of the 1928 tournament, a precursor to the 1930 World Cup final, in which Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
played Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
. Mutters was referee in both games.
In addition Mutters took charge of five internationals played by England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
between 1921 and 1930, including both matches versus Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
during the 1930 tour. He had no involvement in the 1930 FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
because the Netherlands did not participate.