Iconic ref Antonio Lahoz breaks down in tears after officiating for final time
Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz broke down in tears after taking charge in the final La Liga match of his career on Sunday.
The iconic official was the man in the middle for Mallorca’s mid-table clash with Rayo Vallecano as both teams brought their 2022/23 seasons to a close. He was then given a guard of honour at full-time with his family present at the game and watching on as both teams and supporters gave him a round of applause.
The emotional scenes proved too much for Lahoz, who broke down in tears as he reached his family, including his two sons, who were waiting for him just off the pitch.
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The 46-year-old has been a professional referee since 1999 and has been overseeing matches in the Spanish top flight since 2008, though is perhaps best known for dishing out a record number of cards in the quarter-final of the Qatar World Cup between Argentina and Netherlands.
(Image: Getty Images)
Lahoz brandished 18 yellow cards during the contest, including to Netherlands’ Denzel Dumfries after the match had been concluded by Argentina winning on penalties. Argentina’s manager and assistant manager were also booked on an evening which descended into chaos on the field.
His style of refereeing has often been considered controversial and unpopular among Spanish football fans, while he also developed a reputation as a showman. That said, he clearly had a talent for the role, as along with officiating at numerous World Cups and international tournaments, he was also selected to referee the 2021 Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
While he eventually gained notoriety for his card-happy approach, Lahoz bucked the trend in his final match, choosing not to show a single card as he bowed out of the Spanish league. He could yet choose to officiate elsewhere, given it was LaLiga’s decision to stand him down for the 2023/24 campaign.
A former P.E teacher, Lahoz has also previously suggested he could return to that form of work once his career as a referee ends.
