Esse Baharmast - National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2022

Whenever Esse Baharmast’s name is mentioned, many soccer fans and observers might associate him with a controversial penalty kick call he made in a 1998 FIFA World Cup match during a steamy, hot night in Marseille, France. That isn’t such a bad thing. Eventually, the truth and the outcome weighed overwhelmingly in his favor.

But as the world has learned, Baharmast’s career has been defined by more than just one highly publicized referee decision. To generations of soccer referees, he has been an instructor, a mentor, a friend and a prime example of what a game official should be — on and off the field.

Born in Iran on March 11, 1954, Esse Baharmast came to the United States when he was 18 to study English at the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1972. While participating in a staff game at a soccer camp, he broke bones in both legs in a collision with the opposing goalkeeper.

His playing career over, Baharmast pursued officiating.