The Sun: Tofiq Bahramov holds a special place in all English hearts

Britain's The Sun has published an extensive article about Azerbaijani football referee Tofiq Bahramov ahead of the UEFA Europa League match due in Baku.

Report informs that the author called on the Arsenal and Chelsea fans to make a quick pilgrimage across the city: "If they do so, they can pay tribute to one of the most influential figures in English football history."

Tofiq Bahramov was notable for being the linesman who helped to award a contentious goal for England in the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final against West Germany. 

The article notes that English fans recall Bahramov with a great admiration:

"Wembley has its statue of Bobby Moore, England’s 1966 World Cup-winning captain. Old Trafford has statues of Manchester United greats Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Matt Busby and the United Trinity of George Best, Dennis Law and Bobby Charlton. But in the Azerbaijani capital, the locals have immortalised in bronze the former referee Tofiq Bahramov. Now Bahramov holds a special place in all English hearts – he was the linesman during the 1966 World Cup final victory over West Germany at Wembley. More pertinently he was the man who gave the contentious Geoff Hurst goal for the Three Lions during that 4-2 triumph. The score was locked at 2-2 but then, after 11 minutes of extra-time, Alan Ball’s cross found Hurst and the West Ham striker turned and fired the ball off the underside of the crossbar. At first glance, nobody was 100 per cent sure if the ball had gone in. The Swiss referee Gottfried Dienst conferred with Bahramov, seeking confirmation about whether the ball had crossed the line. And though it has generated debate for more than 50 years about whether it was over the line or not, Bahramov felt confident enough at the time to nod his head vigorously in spite of the language barrier to indicate it had been a goal."

The article notes that Bahramov, along with being a referee, was also a footballer, a coach and a manager, who officiated for more than 20 years, refereeing in the 1966 and 1970 World Cups, the European championships and the first leg of the 1972 Uefa Cup final between Tottenham and Wolves at Molineux.

The article also gives a place to the words of Bahramov's son Bahram who said: "“My father always maintained that he had made the correct decision. Of course, it was a very controversial goal, but he just kept his head and ruled it was a goal. People like Tofiq Bahramov are only born once in a hundred years."

Notably, the Europa League final will start at the Baku Olympic Stadium at 23.00 on May 29.