Although Tofig Bahramov worn our jersey for a short time, whole the world know him very well. He was well-known as referee than a player.

Tofig Bahramov was born on January 29, 1925 and started playing football at the time when the war was still in its hot period in 1943. At that time few people thought of football. Everybody was waiting for news from frontlines. However, like other his fellow, Tofig was not able to be apart from football. He made his debut with the game against Burevestnik in Baku championship after six months trainings in Spartak community. A year later after that, Bahramov went to Dinamo Baku, which were competing in B Group of USSR championship. And of course like every young footballer he was also willing to play for Neftchi. Finally, he reached his aim. However, Tofig played for "Flagman” during a very short time. He finished his football career just when he was 25 due to his injury he received in the training held in Bilgah while he was struggling for a ball with his teammate Valentin Khlistov. Them everybody was criticizing Khlistov injuring his teammate. But at that time nobody could imagine that Khlistov did a good deed. After failure of his football career, Tofig Bahramov became world’s well-known referee. It is interesting that he became a referee by chance. In 1952, a referee did not appear at the game of teams Dinamo vs. İnshaatchi, held in Baku Chamionship. As the result, 26 year-old Tofig Bahramov was offered to officiate that game. Now few people can believe that his first game was ended with a scandal. He did not do well in his first game, however after six months he made his debut in Azerbaijan Championship. He was awarded with the title of Azerbaijani referee and two years later officiated in Tbilisi and Dashkand clubs’ games in USSR Championship lower league. Time by time he justified the trust on him and at that year he officiated friendly games between Neftchi and national teams of Ethiopia. It should be noted that our team often held such kind of international friendly games during that period. Bahramov, who became known in the whole union, also officiated a control game held between Pakhtakor and Nacional, a famous club from Uruguay.

He made his debut in USSR top division when he was 34 years old. A referee, who always differed with his integrity and objectivity, became one of the best referees of the Soviet Union during a short period. İt was not a vain that he appeared in 146 games of USSR championship that was considered to be the strongest competition of Europe. Our compatriot starting from 1963 was selected as one of the top 10 referees of Soviet Union systematically during 13 years. With this result he just conceded to Kazakov (15 years) from Moscow, but however he was leading for consecutiveness.

Bahramov received International referee title in 1965. He appeared as a match referee in one (Switzerland vs. Spain) game, and as a linesman in two games (Argentine vs. Switzerland; England vs. Uruguay) games held before the final round of the 8th Mundial, held in England in 1966.

Tofig Bahramov’s name was written for ever to the world’s football history on 30 July, 1966. He appeared as a linesman in the match England vs. Germany before 83 thousand spectators at Wembley Stadium. After the final whistle, nobody spoke about the match referee, but only about Tofig Bahramov. The full time ended in 2:2 draw, it is very easy to understand the tension of the game. In 100th minute of the game, the first period of extra-time, ball made a cross across the near post to Hurst, who struck a strong shot towards goal with his right foot, falling backwards as he did so. The ball beat the goalkeeper, hit the crossbar and bounced down before Weber headed it out for a corner. Wembley Stadium was so silent and everybody was waiting for referee’s decision. England's players claimed a goal whilst the Germans were adamant that the ball had not fully crossed the line. Referee Gottfried Dienst consulted his linesman on the right flank, Tofig Bahramov, who without any hesitation signaled that the ball had crossed the line and with this he put an end to the silence which lasted for about 18 seconds. In that game England beat Germany in the score 4:2 and won the World Championship title for the first time.

Despite the fact that Bahramov became the hero of British people, he became also an enemy in the eyes of German people. After final whistle "Bundesteam” players who were ready to tear Bahramov into pieces. Even Uwe Seeler insulted Tofig Bahramov. But later after that Seeler apologized to our referee for his mistake. And the match referee Gottfried Dienst shook Bahramov’s hand warmly and said hoarsely: "Mr Bahramov, you saved my reputation. Thank you”.

Bahramov’s name was written to the Soviet football history as the second and last referee (after Nikolay Gavrilovich Latyshev), who appeared in world championship final round. FIFA awarded our compatriot with the "Gold whistle” after the Mundial, held in England. Queen of Great Britain Elizabeth II herself presented Bahramov with "Golden Nike” award.

Four years later, Bahramov appeared as a referee in three games of world Championship, held in Mexico. Besides, he officiated in 1968 and 1972 European championships, as well as the Intercontinental Cup (Estiduantes vs. Manchester United as a linesman and the match referee of game between Independiente vs. Ains). And in 1972 he receives an assignment to UEFA Cup final game (Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. vs. Tottenham Hotspur F.C.).

World famous referee was finished his referee career in 1975 and returned to Neftchi and work as a second coach for 3 years. Our best referee of all time Tofig Bahramov worked as a director of Neftchi too. He also engaged with academic activity. He was head of department at Azerbaijan State İnstitute of Physical Culture and Sport and so-called Slavic University. Bahramov also worked as Secretary General of AFFA.

The deceased referee left moral wealth for the future generation. Tofig Bahramov is the author of four books: Village Football, 1001 Matches, Love Football and The Referee is Pointing at the Centre Spot – these books with a great interest are read by football fans.

Tofig Bahramov, known as Mr. Fair Play in the footballing world, died on 26 March 1993 at the age of 68 after the third heart attack. Three years later, The Republican Stadium in Baku, the country’s biggest sports arena, is named after Tofig Bahramov. And in 2004, Tofig Bahramov’s statue was unveiled in front of Republic Stadium on 13 October 2004.