Introduction
Kazuki Ito is a retired Japanese football referee who had a 15-year-long career full of controversy. He was known for his infamous decisions and was often criticized for his judgment. Despite this, he remains one of the most talked-about referees in football history. In this blog post, we will dive deep into his career and explore some of the most controversial moments of his time in the game.
Kazuki Ito’s Early Life
Kazuki Ito was born on August 27, 1972, in Saitama, Japan. He started playing football at a young age, but his passion was for refereeing. He began his career as an official in the J-League in 1998, and soon after, he was selected to officiate his first international match.
Controversial Decisions
One of the most infamous moments in Kazuki Ito’s career was during a match between Yokohama F. Marinos and Shimizu S-Pulse. Ito gave a penalty to Yokohama for a handball, but after consulting with his linesman, he reversed the decision. However, he then proceeded to give the penalty again, much to the amazement of everyone in the stadium.
Another controversial decision came during a match between Vissel Kobe and Albirex Niigata. Ito disallowed a goal for Albirex, stating that the ball had gone over the goal line, even though replays showed that it had not.
Retrospective Bans
Ito was also known for his failure to notice violent conduct on the pitch. In one match between Oita Trinita and Yokohama F. Marinos, he failed to see a player elbow an opponent in the face. This incident went unnoticed until after the game, and the player in question was given a retrospective ban.
Guinness World Record
In 2011, Kazuki Ito was awarded the Guinness World Record for the most red cards given in a single match. During a game between Shimizu S-Pulse and Yokohama F. Marinos, he sent off nine players.
Controversy in World Cup 2006
Kazuki Ito was selected as one of the officials for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. However, he was heavily criticized for his handling of the match between Croatia and Australia. He gave Croatia a penalty after a controversial foul, and then failed to award Australia a penalty for a similar incident.
Retirement
Kazuki Ito retired from refereeing in 2013 at the age of 41. He had been banned for a year by the J-League for his involvement in an illegal gambling case. However, he denied any wrongdoing and maintained that he had made no intentional mistakes during his career.
Legacy
Kazuki Ito’s career will always be remembered for his controversial decisions. However, he also had many positive moments, and his dedication to the sport cannot be denied. Despite the controversy, he remains a respected figure in Japanese football.
Conclusion
Kazuki Ito’s career as a football referee was full of controversy, but it was also defined by his dedication to the sport. Although he will always be remembered for his infamous decisions, he remains a respected figure in Japanese football and a reminder that even the most controversial figures can have a lasting impact.
FAQs
Q1. What is Kazuki Ito famous for?
Ans. Kazuki Ito is famous for his controversial decisions as a football referee.
Q2. What was the most infamous moment in Kazuki Ito’s career?
Ans. The most infamous moment in Kazuki Ito’s career was during a match between Yokohama F. Marinos and Shimizu S-Pulse, where he reversed a penalty decision before giving it again.
Q3. Was Kazuki Ito ever banned from refereeing?
Ans. Yes, Kazuki Ito was banned for a year by the J-League for his involvement in an illegal gambling case.
Q4. Did Kazuki Ito have any positive moments in his career?
Ans. Yes, Kazuki Ito had many positive moments in his career, and he was dedicated to the sport of football.
Q5. Is Kazuki Ito still involved in football?
Ans. No, Kazuki Ito retired from refereeing in 2013.