Berlin, Germany (My Sportsbook) - Horacio Elizondo was appointed Thursday to ref the World Cup Final which will take place on Sunday between France and Italy. The 42-year-old Elizondo drew attention by sending off England striker Wayne Rooney for stepping on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho in the quarterfinals. Elizondo, who speaks Spanish and English, also ran the middle in the tournament's first match between Germany and Costa Rica. Elizondo, an Argentine, is a physical education teacher. He has been a professional referee since 1994, and he stepped onto the international scene in 1996. Markus Merk of Germany and Slovakian Lubos Michel were also rumored to be getting the whistle for Sunday's match before the final decision was made to hand it to Elizondo. Elizondo's countrymates, Dario Garcia and Rodolfo Otero, were also appointed to run the lines for the final. |
