A 1950 Football World Cup Final whistle used by referee George Reader, the Acme & Thunderer silvered whistle inscribed ARBITRO GEORGE READER INGIATERR
£1,400 - £1,600
A 1950 Football World Cup Final whistle used by referee George Reader, the Acme & Thunderer silvered whistle inscribed ARBITRO GEORGE READER INGIATERRA COPA JULES RIMET BRAZIL 1950. 1950 FIFA World Cup Final between Uruguay v Brazil, played at Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro on 16th July 1950, with Uruguay winning 2-1. George Reader (1896 - 1978) was the fourth man to referee a FIFA World Cup Fina and the first Englishman to do so, also being the oldest match official at any World Cup in history at the age of 53 years. During the Final an incident in the 47th minute occurred when Obdulio Varela took the ball out of the Uruguayan net after Friaca's goal put Brazil 1-0 up. Varela strode up to the referee arguing in Spanish to the mono lingual George Reader and when play started again Varela issued a rousing cry ''Now, it's time to win!''