Ivan Eklind

Ivan Henning Hjalmar Eklind (* October 15, 1905, † 23 July 1981) was a Swedish football referee who particularly through his work at the World Championships in Italy in 1934, its first became known to the public of three World Cup participations.

World Cup 1934

With the Football World Cup 1934 Eklind whistled first, the second round between Switzerland and the Netherlands, which ended 3-2. In the semifinals, it was used in the game against Italy, Austria, together with the line judges Louis Baert (Belgium) and W. Zenisek (Czechoslovakia). The game in Milan's San Siro ended 1-0 for the World Cup hosts. The decisive goal came Enrique Guaita; However, the winner is one of Eklind not geahndetes Foul by Giuseppe Meazza preceded by goalkeeper Peter Platzer: he steered the goalie along with the already captive ball with a body shock over the goal line. A scoring chance of the Austrians prevented Eklind by wegköpfte the ball itself.

Eklind allowed despite - whistle between Italy and Czechoslovakia, this power also the final in Rome - or because. Again, the Belgians Baert was on one of the lines; on the other side stood the Hungarian Mihály Ivanicsics. Also in this final Eklind should have taken some questionable decisions; so the Czechoslovaks were not given penalty after Eraldo Monzeglio Antonín Puč had fouled in the area; Italy won 2-1 after extra time and was the first world champion.

After the 1934 World Cup, there were allegations Eklind had been bribed by the Italian hosts. Before the semi-final against Austria, he had been a guest of the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. However, the allegations not only met Eklind but also other World Cup referees as the Belgian Louis Baert and Swiss René Mercet.

More career

Also in 1938 Eklind was at the World Cup in France in use. Here he led in the first round encounter against Brazil Poland ( 6:5 after extra time ) and the 4-2 victory of Switzerland in the replay against the team from the German Reich. In the quarter- final of the reigning world champion and later successful title defense against Italy hosts France (3:1), he was a linesman assistant to Louis Baert.

In Brazil in 1950, he headed the group match between Switzerland and Mexico, Switzerland, 2-1 decision for themselves.