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Jorge LarriondaUruguayan football referee
Date of Birth: 09.03.1968
Country:  Uruguay |
Content:
Biography of Jorge Larrionda
Jorge Luis Larrionda Pitrafesa was born on March 9, 1968, in Montevideo, Uruguay. He began his career as a football referee in 1998 and has since become one of the best referees in the world.
Early Career
Before his involvement in the FIFA World Cup in 2006, Jorge officiated 34 international matches, including the 2001 Copa America, the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the 2003 Confederations Cup, the 2004 Olympic Games, the 2004 Copa Libertadores, the FIFA Youth World Cup, and the U-17 World Cup in 2005.
Jorge was initially selected as a referee for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but he was suspended by the Uruguayan Football Association just two days after his selection. However, he made a comeback for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and officiated several matches, including the semifinal between Portugal and France.
'Red Card Larrionda'
Jorge earned the nickname 'Red Card Larrionda' due to his strict refereeing style, which often involved handing out red cards. He became well-known for his controversial decisions during matches involving the United States, which led to criticism from American fans.
His most significant career highlight came during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he officiated four matches, including the semifinal between Portugal and France. However, his performance in the game between Italy and the United States received heavy criticism from American and British commentators.
Later Career
Jorge's refereeing career continued after the World Cup. He participated in various tournaments, including the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009, where he officiated the semifinal between the United States and Spain. He also served as a referee in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, officiating the match between Australia and Serbia.
One of the most controversial moments of his career occurred during the round of 16 match between England and Germany, where a goal by Frank Lampard was not recognized by Jorge and his assistant referee. This incident once again sparked debates about the implementation of goal-line technology in football.
Despite the controversies surrounding his career, Jorge Larrionda's skills and experience have earned him a place among the top referees in the world.
