Ken Aston
Encyclopedia
Kenneth George "Ken" Aston, MBE
(1 September 1915–23 October 2001) was an English
teacher, soldier, and football referee, who was responsible for many important developments in football refereeing.
(in which George Reader
had been taught just after the First World War). But still qualified as a referee in 1936, working his way through the leagues becoming a Football League linesman in the 1949-50
season, and becoming a League referee. In the Second World War he was rejected by the Royal Air Force
because of an injured ankle, and subsequently joined the Royal Artillery
before transferring to the British Indian Army
where he finished the war with the rank of lieutenant-colonel and served on the Changi War Crimes Tribunal.
, and progressed to refereeing senior League matches.
, the match between Chile
and Italy
in the 1962 World Cup. The atmosphere of this match had been inflamed by Italian
journalists' derogatory descriptions of the beauty and morals of Chile
an womanhood, of the condition of the Chilean capital, and by the Chileans' dislike of the Italian practice of using South America
n players with Italian passports.
The match got off to a vigorous start, with the first player cautioned within seconds of the game beginning. After 12 minutes Italy's Giorgio Ferrini had to be escorted off the field by Aston and armed policemen, who were required twice more later in the match, for hacking down the Chilean centre-forward, Landa. Later, Aston sent off David for a retaliatory kick at the head of the Chilean outside-left, Leonel Sánchez
, although Sánchez himself was allowed to stay on the pitch despite breaking the nose of the Argentine
-born Italian inside-right, Humberto Maschio
, with a left hook.
), nor in further World Cups. He was, however, appointed to the FIFA
Referees' Committee for 8 years, chairing it for 4 years. He was in charge of all referees for the 1966, 1970, and 1974 World Cups.
vs Argentina
match in the 1966 World Cup, it came to Aston's knowledge that Jack Charlton
had been booked by the German referee, Rudolf Kreitlein
. Charlton called the press office
, where Aston was ensconced (as Head of World Cup Referees), in order to confirm the information that he had read within the newspaper that Kreitlin had booked him. Aston, driving from Wembley Stadium to Lancaster Gate
that same evening, had Charlton's confusion in mind during the journey.
On the trip, as he stopped at a traffic light juncture at Kensington High Street
, Aston realised that a colour coding scheme based on the same amber (steady) - red (stop) principle as used on traffic lights would traverse language barriers and clarify to players and spectators that they had been cautioned or sent off. Thus was devised the system whereby referees show a yellow card for a caution and a red card for an expulsion, which was first used in the 1970 World Cup. In 1966 Aston also introduced the practice of naming a substitute referee who could take over in the case of the referee being unable to continue for any reason (this eventually evolved into the practice of having a designated fourth official). He also successfully proposed that the pressure of the ball should be specified in the Laws of the Game. In 1974 he introduced the number board for substitutes, so that players could easily understand who was being substituted.
Referees' Panel and chief instructor for the American Youth Soccer Organisation. In 1997, he was awarded the MBE
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1 September 1915–23 October 2001) was an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
teacher, soldier, and football referee, who was responsible for many important developments in football refereeing.
Early life and career
Born in Colchester, Essex, he graduated from St Luke's College, ExeterExeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
(in which George Reader
George Reader
George Reader was the fourth man to referee a FIFA World Cup Final, the first Englishman to do so, and the oldest match official at any World Cup in history...
had been taught just after the First World War). But still qualified as a referee in 1936, working his way through the leagues becoming a Football League linesman in the 1949-50
1949-50 in English football
The 1949–50 season was the 70th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Portsmouth retained the First Division title by one of the narrowest margins in history ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C....
season, and becoming a League referee. In the Second World War he was rejected by the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
because of an injured ankle, and subsequently joined the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
before transferring to the British Indian Army
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
where he finished the war with the rank of lieutenant-colonel and served on the Changi War Crimes Tribunal.
Refereeing
On his return from military service in 1946, Aston became the first League referee to wear the black uniform with white trim which became the standard for referees. The following year he introduced bright yellow linesmen's flags in place of the pennants in the colours of the home team which had been used before. In 1953 he became head teacher at Newbury Park School, LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and progressed to refereeing senior League matches.
Battle of Santiago
Aston refereed the 1960 European Nations Cup final and the 1963 FA Cup Final, but he is best known for refereeing the notorious Battle of SantiagoBattle of Santiago
The Battle of Santiago is the name given to a particularly unsavoury and infamous football match during the 1962 FIFA World Cup. It was a game played between hosts Chile and Italy on June 2, 1962 in Santiago...
, the match between Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
and Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
in the 1962 World Cup. The atmosphere of this match had been inflamed by Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
journalists' derogatory descriptions of the beauty and morals of Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an womanhood, of the condition of the Chilean capital, and by the Chileans' dislike of the Italian practice of using South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
n players with Italian passports.
The match got off to a vigorous start, with the first player cautioned within seconds of the game beginning. After 12 minutes Italy's Giorgio Ferrini had to be escorted off the field by Aston and armed policemen, who were required twice more later in the match, for hacking down the Chilean centre-forward, Landa. Later, Aston sent off David for a retaliatory kick at the head of the Chilean outside-left, Leonel Sánchez
Leonel Sánchez
Leonel Guillermo Sánchez Lineros is a former professional football player.Regarded as one of Chile's most important players, Sánchez holds the record for most games played for Chile with 84 games and 23 goals between 1955 and 1968...
, although Sánchez himself was allowed to stay on the pitch despite breaking the nose of the Argentine
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...
-born Italian inside-right, Humberto Maschio
Humberto Maschio
Humberto Dionisio Maschio is an Italian Argentine former football player.Maschio started playing at Arsenal of Lavallol to later move to Quilmes Atlético Club where he proved himself a prolific goal-scorer. He joined Racing Club in 1954, and transferred to Italy in 1957...
, with a left hook.
FIFA Referees' Committee
Aston did not referee any more games neither in the 1962 (having strained his Achilles tendonAchilles tendon
The Achilles tendon , also known as the calcaneal tendon or the tendo calcaneus, is a tendon of the posterior leg. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus bone.- Anatomy :The Achilles is the tendonous extension of 3 muscles in the lower leg:...
), nor in further World Cups. He was, however, appointed to the FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
Referees' Committee for 8 years, chairing it for 4 years. He was in charge of all referees for the 1966, 1970, and 1974 World Cups.
Red and yellow cards
Following an incident in the EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
vs Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
match in the 1966 World Cup, it came to Aston's knowledge that Jack Charlton
Jack Charlton
John "Jack" Charlton, OBE, DL is a former footballer and manager who played for Leeds United in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and was part of the England team who won the 1966 World Cup...
had been booked by the German referee, Rudolf Kreitlein
Rudolf Kreitlein
Rudolf Kreitlein is a former German international football referee from the 1960s.- England v Argentina, 1966 World Cup :...
. Charlton called the press office
Office
An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the...
, where Aston was ensconced (as Head of World Cup Referees), in order to confirm the information that he had read within the newspaper that Kreitlin had booked him. Aston, driving from Wembley Stadium to Lancaster Gate
Lancaster Gate
Lancaster Gate is a mid-19th century development in the Bayswater district of west central London, immediately to the north of Kensington Gardens. It consists of two long terraces of houses overlooking the park, with a wide gap between them opening onto a square containing a church. Further...
that same evening, had Charlton's confusion in mind during the journey.
On the trip, as he stopped at a traffic light juncture at Kensington High Street
Kensington High Street
Kensington High Street is the main shopping street in Kensington, west London. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
, Aston realised that a colour coding scheme based on the same amber (steady) - red (stop) principle as used on traffic lights would traverse language barriers and clarify to players and spectators that they had been cautioned or sent off. Thus was devised the system whereby referees show a yellow card for a caution and a red card for an expulsion, which was first used in the 1970 World Cup. In 1966 Aston also introduced the practice of naming a substitute referee who could take over in the case of the referee being unable to continue for any reason (this eventually evolved into the practice of having a designated fourth official). He also successfully proposed that the pressure of the ball should be specified in the Laws of the Game. In 1974 he introduced the number board for substitutes, so that players could easily understand who was being substituted.
Later career
Aston became senior lecturer of the Football AssociationThe Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
Referees' Panel and chief instructor for the American Youth Soccer Organisation. In 1997, he was awarded the MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
.
External links
- Ken Aston – the inventor of yellow and red cards at FIFA.comFIFAThe Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...