José Castro was born in Lugo, Spain in 1942 but spent most of his life living in Venezuela where he worked as a football referee. Castro officiated in matches in the Venezuelan football league, the South American club competition the Copa Libertadores, and multiple international fixtures. Late in 1977 he was the referee in a friendly match between the Venezuelan side Portuguesa and the New York Cosmos, with Pelé making one of his last appearances for the Cosmos before his retirement. From 1976 until 1990 Castro refereed in dozens of matches in the Copa Libertadores tournament, along with three matches at the 1980 Moskva Olympics.
Venezuela