Former World Cup referee George Smith dies aged 75
Edinburgh-based former grade one football referee George Smith has died aged 75.
Smith took charge of three Scottish Cup finals and two League Cup finals.
He was the man in the middle at the notorious 1980 Scottish Cup final when a riot took place between fans at Hampden Park after Celtic had beaten Rangers in extra-time.
Smith also represented Scotland at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, taking charge of a group match between Austria and Czechoslovakia where he handed out seven yellow cards.
He retired as a referee observer due to ill health in October last year and was then appointed honorary president of the Edinburgh and District Referees Association. League 2 side Edinburgh City were among the clubs to pay tribute to Smith.
A statement read: “The club would like to pass on our condolences to the family and friends of the late George Smith.
“George was a giant of Scottish refereeing and was a frequent visitor to both Meadow bank and Ainslie Park in his role as a Scottish FA referee observer. He will be sadly missed.”
Low land League outfit Spartans tweeted: “We would like to pass our sincerest condolences to the Smith family. George was a great man and a very well respected figure in Scottish football.”