Young football enthusiasts on these islands may not know who JOE CASSAR NAUDI is. But to those who still remember any of the period between
the mid-1940s and the mid-1970s, he must rank as the best known and most respected of football referees. His first official appointment was in
May 1947 – a Valletta-Hamrun FA Trophy semi-final – but from then on he never looked back, experiencing some glorious moments in a
career which must have been the envy of all his colleagues at that time. In fact, he travelled extensively – not just to control football
matches, but also to attend conferences and other important meetings. Here he tells his story to Henry Brincat
Joseph Cassar Naudi was one of the greatest football personalities on this island between the 1940s and the mid-1970s. He was one of the best known and most respected of football referees, not only in Malta but also in several other countries where he officiated.
His career began with assignments at the Mriehel ground and subsequently at the Schreiber Sports Ground.
He made an immediate impact in his field. He said: “I was promoted to Class II after just one year (that is in 1947) and in 1948 I was appointed a Class I referee. I had been given some excellent technical reports.” But he also had his own assets of quickness of movement and decision, besides a firm grasp of the laws of the game.
Cassar Naudi started his first division career with a top match between Valletta and Hamrun Spartans. “I received a telephone call from Major V. Castillo, who was in charge of referees’ appointments then. He told me he had chosen me to control the FA Trophy semi-final. It was a sort of a shock – my first big match. But I am proud I did not let anyone down. From then on I never looked back. During my career, I controlled the FA Trophy final five times and the Cassar Cup final on three occasions, apart from other domestic finals and important league matches,” he said.
The big crowds that used to fill the Gzira Stadium almost to capacity every time big matches were held soon took him to their hearts.
“I was given several top matches to control,” he said, “and, thank God, I always came out with my head held high.”
As to his obtaining the prestigious FIFA Badge, Cassar Naudi said: “The MFA nominated me, together with Arthur Lentini and Paul Bonett, in 1961. I had been recommended to the FIFA panel in August of the previous year and was awarded the FIFA Badge in 1965 after having controlled various international matches in Europe and North Africa.”
Cassar Naudi ended his refereeing career in Taranto, Italy, on 27 February 1974, when he controlled the Under-23 clash between Italy and East Germany. “During my career, I also controlled some internationals among which were Albania-Denmark, Libya-Morocco and Libya-Kuwait. I also controlled some European Cup matches, including Panathinaikos-Polonia Bytom (my baptism of fire in Europe in Athens, Greece), Benfica-Valur Reykjavik, Trakia-Coventry, Milan-Nicosia, Torino-Las Palmas and Lazio-Sion. All these matches form part of the most memorable moments in my career on the field of play,” he added.
Among the famous players who were under his control in the above matches were Milan’s Giovanni Trapattoni, Gianni Rivera, Karl Heinz Schnellinger and Benetti, Benfica’s Eusebio and Torres and many others.
One interesting moment in his career was when he was instrumental in introducing the oval goalposts which he had seen for himself in London in 1959. His suggestion to the MFA and the then Gzira Stadium Management was eventually taken up.
Apart from being a personality on the field of play, he was also a well-respected man, first as secretary and later as president of the Malta Football Referees Association. He was elected to the post of president in 1955. “The association was formed after the former Malta Referees Association had fallen foul of the MFA following a strike. Its first president was Billy Mock. I had been responsible for the recruitment of Maltese referees and also served for several years as a member of the MFA’s Technical Board. I also remember that I represented the Maltese referees at a Referees’ Association annual conference in Worcestershire, England. In 1958, I became a member of the Birmingham Country Football Association and controlled matches in the Warwickshire Football Combination. I also attended a referees instructors course organised by the British FA at Bisham Abbey where I had the opportunity of addressing those present,” he said.
After concluding his career as a referee, Joseph took up several posts as a sports administrator.
“I have always been an all-round sportsman, although football was my number one sport,” he said. “But I have given my services to the Malta Amateur Athletics Association, which I served as a council member and vice-president. I was also secretary of St Joseph Football Club and was the founder president of the Malta Table-Tennis Association between 1951 and 1957.
“In addition, I was president of the Malta Youth Football League between 1963 and 1964 and I also served the Amateur Swimming Association as a council member for two years.
“Moreover, I have been president of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Football Association since 1975, a post I still hold. I am also a member of the Malta Football Association’s executive committee and, of course, a council member of the same association,” he added.