Louis Baert
Encyclopedia
Louis Andre Baert was an international football referee from Belgium
, particularly active during the 1930s.
Baert first came to international prominence in the 1934 World Cup in Italy. He was selected as the referee for the quarter-final match between Italy
, the hosts, and Spain
. Italy's equaliser involved rough play, with Angelo Schiavo thumping the goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora
, and Baert initially disallowed it. He was subject to shoving and abuse from the Italian team, and changed his decision to allow the goal, prompting Spanish protests. He disallowed a goal by Ramón de la Fuente Leal
for Spain as offside, despite Lafuente beating four Italians to score. It has been suggested that Mussolini's influence may have affected the refereeing.
He was selected to run the line with Ivan Eklind
in both the semi-final and the final, and went on to have a lengthy international career as a referee. Baert was also the referee for the match during the 1938 World Cup in which Italy, playing in their infamous strip, beat France
in Paris. In total he took part in six World Cup matches.
He first refereed internationals on 9 May 1929 and ended on 29 June 1952. After retiring from active football he became a member of the Executive Panel of the Belgian Football Association until his death in 1969.
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...
, particularly active during the 1930s.
Baert first came to international prominence in the 1934 World Cup in Italy. He was selected as the referee for the quarter-final match between 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...
, the hosts, and Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
. Italy's equaliser involved rough play, with Angelo Schiavo thumping the goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora
Ricardo Zamora
Ricard Zamora i Martínez was a Spanish footballer and manager. He played as a goalkeeper for, among others, RCD Espanyol, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. As an international he played for both the Catalan XI and Spain...
, and Baert initially disallowed it. He was subject to shoving and abuse from the Italian team, and changed his decision to allow the goal, prompting Spanish protests. He disallowed a goal by Ramón de la Fuente Leal
Ramón de la Fuente Leal
Ramón de Lafuente Leal, or de la fuente, nicknamed Lafuente was a Spanish association footballer. He was born in Bilbao...
for Spain as offside, despite Lafuente beating four Italians to score. It has been suggested that Mussolini's influence may have affected the refereeing.
He was selected to run the line with Ivan Eklind
Ivan Eklind
Ivan Henning Hjalmar Eklind was a football referee from Sweden famous for refereeing the controversial 1934 FIFA World Cup Final between Italy and Czechoslovakia in Rome.-Rene Mercet:...
in both the semi-final and the final, and went on to have a lengthy international career as a referee. Baert was also the referee for the match during the 1938 World Cup in which Italy, playing in their infamous strip, beat France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
in Paris. In total he took part in six World Cup matches.
He first refereed internationals on 9 May 1929 and ended on 29 June 1952. After retiring from active football he became a member of the Executive Panel of the Belgian Football Association until his death in 1969.