Michel Kitabdjian (7 May 1930 – 17 March 2020) was aFrench referee. He officiated at the1975 European Cup final betweenLeeds United andBayern Munich, disallowing a goal by Leeds United'sPeter Lorimer for offside and denying Leeds two penalty appeals asFranz Beckenbauer first handled the ball in the box and then brought downAllan Clarke in a tackle. Leeds fans became angry at the referee, and one fan managed to access the playing field after the final whistle. After gendarmes removed him, other Leeds fans began rioting in the stands as a result of feeling robbed by the result. Kitabdjian was rated incredibly poorly by FIFA officials observing the game but was never formally investigated.
Kitabdjian also served as aFIFA referee. He officiated at the1968 Olympic tournament in Mexico City,[1] as well as qualifiers for the1966,[2]1970,[3]1974,[4] and1978 World Cups,[5] and the1968,[6]1972,[7] and1976[8] European Championships.
Kitabdjian had Armenian roots. He died on 17 March 2020 at the age of 89.[9]
| Preceded by | European Cup Final referee 1975 | Succeeded by |
