Eduardo Iturralde González Explained

Eduardo Iturralde González
Fullname:Eduardo Iturralde González
Birth Date:20 February 1967
Birth Place:Arrankudiaga, Biscay, Basque, Spain
Otheroccupation:Prosthodontist
Years1:1995–2012
League1:La Liga
Role1:Referee
Internationalyears1:1998–2012
Confederation1:FIFA listed
Internationalrole1:Referee

Eduardo Iturralde González (born 20 February 1967 in Arrankudiaga) is a retired Spanish football referee.

He frequently served as a referee for European matches in the Europa League and Champions League. Iturralde notably refereed the El Clásico on three occasions, in 1999, 2005[1] and most recently in November 2010, in which he was praised by Barcelona for his performance.[2]

Iturralde González was the referee of the Republic of Ireland's 2 - 1 win over Armenia in the last Euro 2012 qualifying match. Early in the game, he sent off Armenian goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky for a handball, although video replays indicated that the ball hit his chest.[3] Two days after the match, the Football Federation of Armenia officially filed a protest to UEFA over the goalkeeper's dismissal.[3]

On 23 March 2012 he announced his retirement from refereeing due to disagreements with the Spanish Technical Committee, although it was already time for him to retire at the end of the 2011–12 season. His last game was Real Betis vs Real Madrid (2–3) on 10 March 2012. He could not finish this game due to a muscle injury, being substituted by the fourth referee, Gorka Sagués Oscoz, during half time.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mourinho: Barcelona happier with choice of referee . Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez has refereed two games between the teams, with Barcelona winning both times, in 1999 and 2005. . www.thejakartapost.com . 29 November 2010 . 30 November 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101201222531/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/11/29/mourinho-barcelona-happier-with-choice-referee.html . 1 December 2010 .
  2. Web site: Referee Watch: Eduardo Iturralde González In The Clasico Between Barcelona And Real Madrid . goal.com . 30 November 2010 . 30 November 2010.
  3. News: Armenia file protest to Uefa over goalkeeper's red card . 14 October 2011 . . 14 October 2011 . 14 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111014155140/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/1014/1224305756276.html . dead .