Urs Meier (born January 22, 1959 in Würenlos, Aargau) is a retired, Swiss football referee, a grocer by trade who owns a brand of household appliances in Würenlos, Switzerland. From 1994 until 2004 he was an international FIFA referee. He was elected by an expert jury to be the second-best referee in 2002 and third-best in 2004.He officiated at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, taking charge of the semi-final between South Korea and Germany in 2002. He also refereed the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final as well that year. He also appeared at Euro 2000 and Euro 2004, refereeing the quarter-final between England and Portugal in 2004.Meier received FIFA appointments and refereed in the Swiss top division until he reached the mandatory retirement age for each. He appears as an expert summariser on the German television channel ZDF during World Cups and European Championships.
In the Euro 2004 quarter final between England and Portugal, he disallowed a goal by Sol Campbell due to a foul by another English player. After England had lost the game, the English media and fans claimed that his decision was not correct. He received 16,000 abusive e-mails and also death threats, so had to be placed under police protection (June 2004).
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Owns a brand of household appliances.
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Longtime companion of Nicole Petignat, one of the few female referees in male soccer.
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Children: Marcia (born 1988) and Cyrill (b. 1990).
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