Arnaldo David Cézar Coelho (born 15 January 1943) is a former football referee. He was the first Brazilian, indeed the first non-European, to take charge of the FIFA World Cup final when he officiated in the 1982 final between Italy and West Germany. Along with compatriot Romualdo Arppi Filho, he is one of only two referees to have officiated both Copa América and FIFA World Cup final matches.
Career Coelho's career began as a beach soccer referee; he became professional in 1965 (at one time, famously, telling reporters that he was the highest paid match official in the world) and was appointed to the international list in 1968. He was selected for both the 1978 and 1982 FIFA World Cups, in Argentina and Spain respectively. In total, he officiated in seven matches during the World Cup finals, three as a referee (including the aforementioned final from the 1982 edition of the tournament, in which Italy defeated West Germany 3–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid).
Throughout his career he also officiated the 1979 Copa América final play-off between Chile and Paraguay, as well as the second leg of the 1988 Copa Libertadores finals between Nacional and Newell's Old Boys. as well as
After retirement After the end of his refereeing career, he became a football TV commentator for Rede Globo until 2018.
Legacy In 2009, The Times listed Coelho in seventh place in its list of "top ten football referees".
Personal life Coelho's brother is Ronaldo Cezar Coelho, a representative and founder of the Social Democratic Party in Brazil (PSDB); his mother is from a Moroccan Jewish family.
Major matches refereed +DateMatchTournamentVenueResultRef11 December 1979Chile vs. Paraguay1979 Copa América final (play-off)José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires0–0 (a.e.t.) (2–2 on points; a play-off on neutral ground was required to determine the winner. After the play-off finished tied 0–0, Paraguay won 3–1 on aggregate goals, having won the first leg 3–0, and having lost the second leg 1–0.)11 July 1982Italy vs. West Germany1982 FIFA World Cup finalSantiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid3–126 October 1988Nacional vs. Newell's Old Boys1988 Copa Libertadores finals (second leg)Estadio Centenario, Montevideo3–0 (3–1 on aggregate)
See also List of Jews in sports (non-players)
References
External links
Arnaldo Cézar Coelho