John Walter Carpenter (22 August 1936 – 30 May 2021) was an Irish professional football referee who officiated primarily in the League of Ireland from 1964 to 1984, as well as for FIFA as a FIFA international referee from 1969 to 1984.
[1] Carpenter took up refereeing in the early 1960s when his playing career with St Patrick's Athletic was cut short by a broken leg.
Carpenter also had a distinguished career in European club competitions, refereeing 37 matches and culminating in the 1982 UEFA Cup Final.
When the North American Soccer League was launched, Carpenter was one of a small number of European referees who were invited to officiate.
[2] Carpenter was born in Donnycarney, Dublin and originally worked as a butcher with Olhausen's in Talbot Street.