René Mercet

René Mercet (December 1, 1898 – June 13, 1961) was a Swiss international referee in the 1920s and 1930s who became infamous for his performance in the Italy v Spain replayed quarter-final in the 1934 FIFA World Cup.^[1]

Mercet had been a highly rated referee, being selected to semi-finals and the Swiss Cup final in the 1930s. Following this Mercet had been selected to referee various internationals but it is his performance during the 1934 World Cup that derailed his career; the Swiss FA, allegedly, suspending him from further international appointments after his performance appeared to openly favour the Italians in the World Cup quarter-final. Of Mercet's performance the German football magazine 'Fussball' reported: “Mercet had lost his courage. Just as he overlooked Monzeglio’s foul against Bosch previously, when he stood directly next to it, he remained dependent on the cheap propaganda of the Italian crowd.” The Swiss newspaper “Basler Nationalzeitung” reported: “Mercet favored the Italians in a most shameful manner.” During the game Mercet disallowed two Spanish goals; one for a foul, only to reward Spain with a free-kick. The winning goal, by Giuseppe Meazza, was scored with the assistance of a foul on the reserve Spanish goalkeeper (Ricardo Zamora having been injured in the first, drawn match between the two sides).

Throughout the tournament and afterwards there had been accusations that Italian officials, cohorts of the Government, had been bribing and influencing referees, not least Louis Baert and Ivan Eklind.

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