Michel Vautrot

Michel Jean Maurice Vautrot (born 23 October 1945) is a French former football referee. He is mostly known for officiating five matches in the FIFA World Cup: two in 1982 and three in 1990.

Career Vautrot refereed the Intercontinental Cup final (the predecessor of the FIFA Club World Cup) in 1983 at National Stadium Tokyo between Hamburg S.V. (West Germany) and Grêmio F.B.P.A. (Brazil). In addition to officiating five World Cup matches across two tournaments between 1982 and 1990, he also refereed three matches in the European Championship, one in 1984 and two in 1988, including the final between the Soviet Union and the Netherlands.

Additionally, Vautrot refereed the 1986 European Cup Final between Steaua Bucharest and Barcelona.

In 1986, Roma president Dino Viola was banned by UEFA for attempting to bribe referee Vautrot with £50,000 prior to the European Cup semi-final 2nd leg between Roma and Dundee United in 1984. Roma later lost the final at their home ground, the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, on penalties to Liverpool.

In the 1990 FIFA World Cup semi-final between hosts Italy and reigning champions Argentina, Vautrot mistakenly played 8 extra minutes in the first period of extra time. He later explained that he had forgotten to check his watch. Argentina won the match on penalties following a 1–1 draw.

Major matches refereed + Date Match Tournament Venue Result Ref 11 December 1983 Hamburger SV vs. Grêmio FBPA 1983 Intercontinental Cup final National Stadium, Tokyo 1–2 (a.e.t.) Orders Knight of the National Order of Merit: 1983 Officer of the National Order of Merit: 1996 Knight of the Legion of Honour: 2006