The downfall of Byron Moreno – one of the worst referees of all time

Most football fans probably don't recognise the name Byron Moreno, but ask around in Italy and you'll likely get a firey, unpublishable response. Why? It all comes down to his handling of a World Cup match almost 21 years ago – often regarded as the worst display of refereeing in the history of sports. 

In 2002, the Squadra Azzurra faced South Korea in the round of 16 of the World Cup. Though going in as favorites, the Italians went in with a healthy respect for their opponents – the Koreans, hosts of the competition, had just beaten Portugal.

Officiating this match-up is Byron Moreno, the Ecuadorian referee who picked up the nickname “The Justiciar” in large part to his short temper and his inflexibility.

The Ecuadorian presenter Carlos Victor Morales even qualifies him as a “Sheriff” on the pitch: “His refereeing has always been controversial. In the field, he was a sheriff. Like a policeman who needs to use the truncheon to feel powerful."

The round of 16 match started well for the Koreans, who obtained a penalty in the fourth minute for a shirt pulling in the box. Korea looked set to open the scoring early... 

Except that the Italian cages are guarded by the great Gianluigi Buffon. The goalkeeper managed to save the penalty and put his team back in the game. The Italians looked to take control of the ball but faced sloppy and aggressive tackles from the Koreans. Despite the clear fouls, players from the host country do not receive yellow cards.

Regrouped in defense, the Koreans were surprised in the 18th minute on a corner. Christian Vieri offered a well-placed header to open the scoring for the Italians. For a moment, it looks like the Italians have too much class on the pitch to be held back. 

But the tide turns quickly in the sloppy affair and Korea then put the Italians through hell. Tackles from behind, high feet, and deliberate clashes… The Italians don't really get a chance to play their natural style of football, and Korea is playing a different game entirely. Despite all the clear violations, Byron Moreno remains silent and the cards remain in his pocket.

In a duel with an opposing player, Alessandro Del Piero was kicked in the head. Feeling the force of the kick, the Italian player remained on the ground but, against all expectations, the Korean wasn't sanctioned for his gesture. A violent action that should have earned him a red card on any other day.

The second half is a mess. Italy didn't create an opportunity but did not concede either. However, at the very end of the second period, the Koreans equalized after a strong attacking display. The match goes to extra time. 

At the 104th minute, Francesco Totti is hampered in the box by an opponent and falls over. It looks like a penalty to most but apparently not to Moreno who opted to send Totti off with a red card for diving, despite the clear contact with the opposition. This marked the turning point of the game.

In the second half of extra time, the Italians continue to dominate and work up a golden opportunity. Two players come up against the Korean goalkeeper but Moreno whistles for offside, incorrectly it must be said. 

At the very end of the match, what had to happen happened. In the 117th minute, Ahn won his duel against Paolo Maldini and sealed the Italians' fate. The stadium explodes, Korea has qualified.

The next day, journalists flock to Byron Moreno. Under the fire of criticism, he was asked how he slept after this match, he replied quietly: “Perfectly well. I am very satisfied with my refereeing and I think it will help me to be selected for the next World Cup in Germany.”

The Ecuadorian even allows himself to taunt the Italians: “You know that I have very good eyesight? In FIFA tests, I got 20/20 in my right eye, and 15/20 in my left. It is well above average. And I run the 50 meters in 7 seconds.” But what he does not know is that this will ultimately be his undoing. 

On August 12, he declared on Ecuadorian television: “When Mussolini was in power, he had warned his players: if they did not win the 1938 World Cup, they would not be able to return home. The truth is that Italians don't know how to lose.”

Two months later, in an Ecuadorian league match between La Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito and Barcelona Sporting Club, Byron Moreno would add 13 minutes of extra time as Sporting led 3-2.

With ten extra minutes, Quito planted two goals and won this very important meeting for the title. The referee is booed and must leave under police escort, the public, and the commentators not understanding the reasons behind the arbitrary additional time.

A few weeks later, the federation discovers that Byron Moreno is a candidate in the municipal elections of Quito and decides to exclude the referee for 20 months. Two scandals in a few months for the Ecuadorian, who is accused of corruption on all sides. In 2003, he resigned from the Ecuadorian federation.

In September 2010, he was found at a New York airport with six kilos of heroin, with a street value of around half a million dollars, divided into ten small transparent bags taped to his stomach, his back, and his legs. He is arrested and remanded in custody.

The international referee will be sentenced to two and a half years in prison. In December 2012, he was released for good behavior, and since then kept quiet. A complicated career ending for the most hated referee in all of Italy, who will forever be a blemish on the 2002 World Cup.