Boca Juniors has announced the death of Antonio Rattin, a legendary Argentine midfielder, at the age of 89. Rattin spent his entire professional career with the Buenos Aires club, playing 382 matches, scoring 28 goals, and securing four league titles between 1956 and 1970.
Internationally, Rattin is perhaps best known for his participation in the 1962 and 1966 World Cups. His dismissal during a 1966 quarter-final match against England proved historic. After being sent off by German referee Rudolf Kreitlein, Rattin protested the decision by refusing to leave the field, sitting on a red carpet designated for Queen Elizabeth II, and damaging an England corner flag. Because he did not speak German and the referee did not speak Spanish, the communication breakdown sparked the eventual introduction of the red and yellow card system in the 1970 World Cup.
Following his playing career, which included a run to the 1963 Copa Libertadores final, Rattin briefly served as a coach for Boca Juniors before transitioning into a career in politics.
