{"id":102654,"date":"2026-07-13T11:07:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T11:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/102654\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T11:07:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T11:07:15","slug":"why-did-argentina-wear-black-armbands-vs-switzerland-antonio-rattin-the-man-who-inspired-soccers-red-and-yellow-cards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/102654\/","title":{"rendered":"Why did Argentina wear black armbands vs. Switzerland: Antonio Ratt\u00edn, the man who inspired soccer’s red and yellow cards"},"content":{"rendered":"

KANSAS CITY \u2014 During Argentina\u2019s 3-1 tense victory over Switzerland<\/a> in the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> quarterfinals at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday night, one detail stood out against the Albiceleste\u2019s iconic white-and-and-sky-blue jerseys: black armbands wrapped around every player\u2019s and coaches\u2019 sleeve.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re wondering why Lionel Messi and his teammates wore this all black armband, it was reserved as a tribute for Antonio Rattin<\/a>, the former Argentina captain and Boca Juniors legend who died at 89 years old after a suspected stroke on Saturday.<\/p>\n

At the request of the Argentine Football Association, FIFA granted permission for the team to wear the black armbands in his honor.<\/p>\n

Argentina\u2019s Lionel Messi wears a black armband on his right arm in memory of former Argentina player Antonio Ratt\u00edn during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match against Switzerland in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo\/Charlie Riedel) AP Photo\/Charlie Riedel<\/p>\n

Rattin, a legendary midfielder, captained Argentina\u2019s fiery 1966 World Cup quarterfinal against England\u2014a rivalry which ironically will be renewed again on Wednesday in Atlanta<\/a> 60 years later\u2014and was famously sent off in that match by German referee Rudolf Kreitlein<\/a> after a heated exchange neither man fully understood. Rattin refused to leave the pitch until an interpreter was provided.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur manager had told me that if the referee was calling things poorly, I would ask for an interpreter because I was the captain and the rules would back me up,\u201d Ratt\u00edn recalled years later. \u201cI asked for one because the son of a b**** referee was calling everything for them, and the guy threw me out.\u201d<\/p>\n

(FILES) CONMEBOL president Nicolas Leoz (L) speaks with former Argentine footballer Antonio Ubaldo Rattin during a meeting at Leoz\u2019s country residence, El Arriero, in Ypacarai, 40 km from Asuncion, on January 28, 2009. Former midfielder Antonio Ubaldo Rattin, regarded as one of the greatest idols in Boca Juniors\u2019 history, died on July 11, 2026, at the age of 89, according to the club. (Photo by NORBERTO DUARTE \/ AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

His dramatic protest, which included him not leaving the field of play for 10 minutes until he had to be escorted off by police amid a shower of abuse by English supporters who threw full cans of beer at him, exposed a glaring flaw in soccer\u2019s officiating: there was no universal way to communicate disciplinary decisions across multiple languages.<\/p>\n

Reading about the match the next day, Ken Aston, who served as the Chairman of the FIFA Referees\u2019 Committee and the supervisor in charge of all match officials during the 1966 World Cup, created a yellow and red card system<\/a> with the help of his wife after being inspired by a traffic light.<\/p>\n

FIFA responded by creating the yellow and red card system, which was first introduced in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Over a half a century later, Rattin getting sent off in what is now commonly referred to as \u201cthe theft of century\u201d is considered the genesis of the current yellow and red card system still used today.<\/p>\n

Argentina players line up before the match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters\/Denny Medley IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters<\/p>\n

Rattin later served his country in politics before retiring, but on Saturday night in Kansas City, his legacy was honored by his former team. The black armbands were not just a symbol of grief, they were a reminder to his place in World Cup history and a salute to a man whose defiance forever changed the sport of soccer.<\/p>\n

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