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Horacio Elizondo

Topics: Argentine football referees Spanish-Argentines

Horacio Marcelo Elizondo is a former Argentine international football referee best known for his controversial officiation throughout the 2006 World Cup. Having achieved all his goals in refereeing, Elizondo retired after the December 10 match between Boca Juniors and Lanus, 6 years before the compulsory retirement age.

However no whistle was blown that would have signaled halt in the game. The ball was put into the path of Alexander Frei after being hit by Lee Ho's foot. According to some commentators and media, Lee Ho's action was not a mere deflection but an intentional move, what would make the offside void, supporting Elizondo's decision. Korean players and staff protested against the decisions by the referee, and Korea's coach Dick Advocaat was livid to the point that he had to be cautioned twice by the referee. A few days later, though, Advocaat relented and agreed that the decision to allow Switzerland's second goal was correct..

He also refereed in the final matches of the 2002 and 2005 Copa Libertadores de America. In the 2005 tournament the two Brazilian finalist teams Sao Paulo FC and Atletico Paranaense lobbied Conmebol to have Elizondo as the main referee.