Walter Eschweiler: The humorous referee legend turns 90!

Walter Eschweiler: The humorous referee legend turns 90!

On September 22, 2025, former referee Walter Eschweiler will celebrate a remarkable milestone: his 90th birthday. Born on September 20, 1935 in Bonn, Eschweiler can look back on a long career that made him one of the most famous referees in Germany. With a touch of humor, he described himself as the “pipe of the nation” and upset many a football star with his humorous sayings.

Eschweiler's refereeing career began after he was no longer able to stand on the pitch due to an injury. Between 1965 and 1986 he refereed a total of 183 Bundesliga games and was involved in three World Cups. A memorable situation occurred during the 1982 World Cup when he was run over by a Peruvian player. Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher asked about his well-being during the game.

A master of communication

Walter Eschweiler was particularly valued for his ability to resolve conflicts verbally instead of immediately reaching for a card. His personal relationship with the players, including Willi “Ente” Lippens, made him a popular referee. The use of his humorous sayings, such as asking Bruno Conti to stand up “because the Holy Father is watching,” are just as legendary as his “sinner file” for players with bad behavior, which was not well received.

Eschweiler was a Bundesliga referee from 1966 and even a FIFA referee from 1971. During this time he also refereed several European Cup finals and was known not only in Germany but internationally. His career highlights include the 1979 UEFA Super Cup game between FC Barcelona and Nottingham Forest and the 1981/82 European Cup Winners' Cup final.

A life for sport

After his active time as a referee, Eschweiler was not idle. He worked as a civil servant in the foreign service and eventually retired as a senior official. From 1986 he dedicated himself to looking after athletes and associations in the Department for International Sports Relations. He was a sympathizer of Bayer 04 Leverkusen and was repeatedly invited as a guest on various television shows to share his anecdotes and experiences.

Previous studies of referees, as described by sports psychologists, show that in football these athletes run as much as the players and have to make, on average, about 200 decisions per game, although up to 20% of these decisions can be incorrect. Real factual decisions are based on perception and the respective game situation, which further underlines Eschweiler's stylish and often humorous manner.

With his special ability to clarify situations and humor, Walter Eschweiler is valued as a true football referee legend. He celebrates his 90th birthday not only as a nostalgic memory, but also as a role model for many who aspire to become a referee. He remains a personality who shaped football not only through his decisions, but also through his charming interaction with players and fans.

You can read more about Walter Eschweiler's impressive career and his importance for football in the following articles: n-tv, Wikimedia, and the sports psychologists.