French referee Michel Vautrot, 75, has crossed paths with Diego Maradona several times on many stadiums around the world. So, of course, the disappearance of “Pibe de Oro” at the age of 60 brings memories to the surface. “We always only say good things about people who die but, really, and I'm not trying to brighten things up, it was very easy to referee him. He never used his name or his status as a living legend with the public to try to unsettle me. I can look around but he never came to shake me or yell at me."
Searching his memory, Michel Vautrot obviously goes back to the Italian World Cup in 1990, during which he refereed Argentina twice. First in the opening game, which the Albiceleste lost 1-0 to Roger Milla’s Cameroon. “The defeated defending champion was the sensation. But he didn't say a word, he was exemplary", recalls Vautrot, who had just been named twice the best referee in the world (1988 and 1989). The two met again for a historic semi-final between Italy and Argentina in the legendary San Paolo stadium, the scene of Maradona's exploits in the Napoli jersey. “He was the idol of Naples, the God of the Neapolitans. The Italian players were nervous because the home crowd cheered on Maradona. But then again, he never used it". A match won on penalties by Argentina (1-1, 4-3) and remembered because Michel Vautrot had "forgotten" to whistle the half-time of extra time.
Maradona and Vautrot had crossed paths much earlier on the green field. In 1984, for a European Cup quarter-final between Barça and Manchester United, or, in 1989, for another quarter-final, of the UEFA Cup this time between Napoli and Bayern. “He was substituted in the 81st minute. Then I saw him come back onto the pitch and come over to shake my hand before stepping out. This gesture struck me, "says Michel Vautrot. The French referee, who also officiated at Michel Platini's jubilee in Nancy in May 1988, has also not forgotten his trip to Argentina two years ago. “There he was a living legend. It’s crazy. How could a soccer player have such status? He was a living God".
Source: L’Est Republicain