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50 Events That Shocked Football:
Below is a selection of the most scandalous and tragic events of the past 50 years. I have only pasted the ones involving the World Cup.
1962: Battle of Santiago
England's Ken Aston was the referee for this unsavoury encounter between World Cup hosts Chile and Italy. The first foul, and subsequent booking, came after just 12 seconds. Eight minutes later the culprit, Giorgio Ferrini of Italy, had been sent off. Chile's Leonel Sanchez then produced a left hook to floor Italy's Humberto Maschio, but amazingly he stayed on the pitch. However, he got his come-uppance a few minutes later when his neck met Mario David's studs. The Italian was instantly dismissed and so it went on, until Chile eventually won 2-0 against nine-man Italy.
1966: Pele Kicked Out of World Cup
Pele went into the 1966 competition far from fit and the opposition took advantage. In the first game, against Bulgaria, he was on the receiving end of some coarse challenges. Despite scoring and helping Brazil to a 2-0 win, Pele missed the second match due to injury. He returned for the final group game against Portugal but had not fully recovered and his opponents targeted him, virtually kicking him and Brazil, out of the tournament.
1966: Ramsey Rants at Argentina
England won their World Cup quarter-final thanks to a Geoff Hurst goal, but it was manager Alf Ramsey who made the headlines when he labelled the Argentina team, who had captain Antonio Rattin sent off, as "animals" in a post-match press conference. At the end of the game Ramsey prevented his players from swapping shirts with their opponents.
1969: The Soccer War
A four day war, known as the "Soccer War", was fought between central American neighbours El Salvador and Honduras following a World Cup qualifier. Both countries were already in dispute over political matters and this coincided with crowd riots during the game in San Salvador. On July14th, 1969, the Salvadoran army launched military attacks on their neighbours, forcing the Organisation of American States to negotiate a cease fire five days later. The dispute was eventually settled in 1980.
1970: Bobby Moore Arrested
Just prior to England's defence of the World Cup in Mexico, captain Bobby Moore was arrested and accused of stealing a bracelet from a hotel shop on a pre-tournament trip to Colombia. Moore and Bobby Charlton had gone to buy a present for Charlton's wife and as they left, the shop owner and his assistant called the police who took statements from both players and placed the England captain under house arrest. Moore was later released to play in the tournament but wasn't officially cleared until 1975, despite charges being dropped in 1972.
1974: Italy Offer Bribe
With Italy needing a point from their last group game of the World Cup finals against Poland, their opponents, who had already qualified for the next round, accused them of offering money to lose the match. The Poles were having none of it and won the game 2-1, eliminating the 1970 finalists.
1978: Argentina Beat Peru
World Cup hosts Argentina went into their final second phase group game against Peru needing to win by four clear goals to progress to the final at the expense of Brazil. Despite Peru's Juan Munante hitting a post early on, the home side took the lead after 21 minutes through Mario Kempes and by half-time Alberto Tarantini had added a second. After the interval Argentina scored four more. Rumours were rife that Peru, whose keeper Ramon Quiroga was born in Argentina, had been bribed but these accusations cound not be proved.
1982: West Germany v Austria
Having lost their opening game to Algeria, West Germany were in danger of an early exit from the 1982 World Cup. A 1-0 win in their last group match against Austria would see both nations tied with Algeria (who had played their last game the previous day) on four points each. The North Africans, however, would go out due to an inferior goal difference. Horst Hrubesch scored after just 10 minutes and the remaining 80 were tedious in the extreme as both sides played out what was probably the most negative game in World Cup history.
1982: Schumacher Fouls Battiston
In the 65th minute of the World Cup semi final in Seville, with the score at 1-1, West Germany goalkeeper Harald Schumacher charged off his line and, making no attempt to play the ball, clattered into France full back Patrick Battiston. Amazingly, Schumacher didn't receive a yellow card, let alone a red. Battiston, meanwhile, was helped from the pitch and needed oxygen in the dressing room before going to hospital. The game finished 3-3 and Schumacher, who shouldn't have been on the pitch, saved France's last penalty in the shoot out before Horst Hrubesch sealed a place in the Final.
1986: Maradona's "Hand of God"
The little Argentina captain Diego Maradona virtually led his country to World Cup glory single handedly in Mexico, but not before his side won the most controversial of quarter finals, against England. The game turned in the 51st minute when Maradona embarked on one of his famous dribbles. Looking to play a quick one-two on the edge of the penalty area, the ball ricocheted off the foot of defender Terry Fenwick and looped into the air. Maradona had continued his run and out-jumped goalkeeper Peter Shilton to flick the ball into the net with his hand, conning Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser in the process. He later described the goal as "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God."
1989: Rojas Feigns Injury
With 20 minutes to go, Chile were losing 1-0 away to Brazil in a World Cup qualifier and defeat would see them eliminated. In a hostile atmosphere, a firework was thrown from the crowd towards Chile keeper Roberto Rojas. Despite it landing a metre away, he fell to the floor with blood streaming from his head. He was carried off the pitch and the match was abandoned. Video evidence later proved Rojas had inflicted a wound himself, on orders from the touchline. FIFA awarded the game to Brazil and Rojas, Aravena and the team doctor Daniel Rodriguez, were banned for life.
1993: Zambia Plane Crash
A military aircraft carrying the Zambia national team to Senegal for a World Cup qualifier crashed shortly after taking off, following a refuelling stop in Gabon, killing all 30 people on board. It is thought that the pilot, who had detected engine problems earlier in the flight, accidentally shut down the wrong engine causing the aircraft to lose all power.
1994: Maradona's World Cup Exit
Three years after he had fled Italy after failing a dope test, Diego Maradona played for Argentina at the World Cup, where he famously screamed into TV cameras after scoring against Greece and creating the winner against Nigeria. But on the eve of the game against Bulgaria, he tested positive for ephedrine and was sent home, never played for Argentina again - though he did return to watch the remainder of the tournament from the press box.
1994: Escobar Murdered
Colombia defender Andres Escobar was shot dead in Medellin on his return from the 1994 World Cup in the USA. His crime was scoring the own goal that gave the host nation a 2-1 win and eliminated the Colombians from the tournament. It is thought that drug barons and gangs were behind the killing.
1998: Ronaldo World Cup Final Saga
One of the biggest mysteries in football history occurred an hour before the 1998 World Cup Final when the Brazil team sheet was handed to the match referee without the name of Ronaldo on it. However, just before the teams came out for the kick off, his name had reappeared on the team sheet. Rumours included the other Brazilian players had refused to take to the pitch without him, his sponsors Nike had insisted he play despite an alleged injury, and there were even whispers that he had been poisoned amid revelations of his love life. Eventually it was revealed that he had been rushed to hospital suffering convulsions and sickness. Although he made it back in time and was cleared to play, Brazil lost 3-0.
2006: Zidane Uses His Head
Having put France ahead against Italy in the World Cup final, Zinedine Zidane head-butted Marco Materazzi after the Italian allegedly said something about Zidane's family. The incident seemed to be missed and it was only when fourth official, Luis Medina Cantalejo, notified referee Horacio Elizondo that Zidane was shown the red card.
2009: Ivory Coast Stadium Disaster
The Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan had passed a FIFA safety test prior to the World Cup qualifiers, but that did not prevent 22 people dying at the game between Ivory Coast and Malawi. People trying to get in without tickets were blamed as fans were crushed against a wall. Unbelievably, the match was still played, with Ivory Coast winning 5-0.
2009: Henry's Hand Denies Irish
With the aggregate scores level at 1-1, and in the 13th minute of extra time in their 2010 World Cup qualifying play-off with the Republic of Ireland, France captain Thierry Henry used his arm and his hand to control the ball before passing for William Gallas, who scored to win a place in South Africa.
2009: North African Turmoil
A World Cup qualifier between hosts Egypt and bitter rivals Algeria, which was followed by a play-off between the two in Sudan, saw team buses being attacked, players injured, and clashes between fans - not just in Cairo and Khartoum, but also in Marseille, Paris and London.
2010: Togo Bus Attack
Prior to the opening match at the African Nations Cup in Angola, the Togo team came under fire from gunmen in the Angolan enclave of Cabinda. Assistant coach Amelete Abalo and Togan press officer Stanislas Ocloo were both killed. Togo withdrew from the tournament.
Below is a selection of the most scandalous and tragic events of the past 50 years. I have only pasted the ones involving the World Cup.
1962: Battle of Santiago
England's Ken Aston was the referee for this unsavoury encounter between World Cup hosts Chile and Italy. The first foul, and subsequent booking, came after just 12 seconds. Eight minutes later the culprit, Giorgio Ferrini of Italy, had been sent off. Chile's Leonel Sanchez then produced a left hook to floor Italy's Humberto Maschio, but amazingly he stayed on the pitch. However, he got his come-uppance a few minutes later when his neck met Mario David's studs. The Italian was instantly dismissed and so it went on, until Chile eventually won 2-0 against nine-man Italy.
1966: Pele Kicked Out of World Cup
Pele went into the 1966 competition far from fit and the opposition took advantage. In the first game, against Bulgaria, he was on the receiving end of some coarse challenges. Despite scoring and helping Brazil to a 2-0 win, Pele missed the second match due to injury. He returned for the final group game against Portugal but had not fully recovered and his opponents targeted him, virtually kicking him and Brazil, out of the tournament.
1966: Ramsey Rants at Argentina
England won their World Cup quarter-final thanks to a Geoff Hurst goal, but it was manager Alf Ramsey who made the headlines when he labelled the Argentina team, who had captain Antonio Rattin sent off, as "animals" in a post-match press conference. At the end of the game Ramsey prevented his players from swapping shirts with their opponents.
1969: The Soccer War
A four day war, known as the "Soccer War", was fought between central American neighbours El Salvador and Honduras following a World Cup qualifier. Both countries were already in dispute over political matters and this coincided with crowd riots during the game in San Salvador. On July14th, 1969, the Salvadoran army launched military attacks on their neighbours, forcing the Organisation of American States to negotiate a cease fire five days later. The dispute was eventually settled in 1980.
1970: Bobby Moore Arrested
Just prior to England's defence of the World Cup in Mexico, captain Bobby Moore was arrested and accused of stealing a bracelet from a hotel shop on a pre-tournament trip to Colombia. Moore and Bobby Charlton had gone to buy a present for Charlton's wife and as they left, the shop owner and his assistant called the police who took statements from both players and placed the England captain under house arrest. Moore was later released to play in the tournament but wasn't officially cleared until 1975, despite charges being dropped in 1972.
1974: Italy Offer Bribe
With Italy needing a point from their last group game of the World Cup finals against Poland, their opponents, who had already qualified for the next round, accused them of offering money to lose the match. The Poles were having none of it and won the game 2-1, eliminating the 1970 finalists.
1978: Argentina Beat Peru
World Cup hosts Argentina went into their final second phase group game against Peru needing to win by four clear goals to progress to the final at the expense of Brazil. Despite Peru's Juan Munante hitting a post early on, the home side took the lead after 21 minutes through Mario Kempes and by half-time Alberto Tarantini had added a second. After the interval Argentina scored four more. Rumours were rife that Peru, whose keeper Ramon Quiroga was born in Argentina, had been bribed but these accusations cound not be proved.
1982: West Germany v Austria
Having lost their opening game to Algeria, West Germany were in danger of an early exit from the 1982 World Cup. A 1-0 win in their last group match against Austria would see both nations tied with Algeria (who had played their last game the previous day) on four points each. The North Africans, however, would go out due to an inferior goal difference. Horst Hrubesch scored after just 10 minutes and the remaining 80 were tedious in the extreme as both sides played out what was probably the most negative game in World Cup history.
1982: Schumacher Fouls Battiston
In the 65th minute of the World Cup semi final in Seville, with the score at 1-1, West Germany goalkeeper Harald Schumacher charged off his line and, making no attempt to play the ball, clattered into France full back Patrick Battiston. Amazingly, Schumacher didn't receive a yellow card, let alone a red. Battiston, meanwhile, was helped from the pitch and needed oxygen in the dressing room before going to hospital. The game finished 3-3 and Schumacher, who shouldn't have been on the pitch, saved France's last penalty in the shoot out before Horst Hrubesch sealed a place in the Final.
1986: Maradona's "Hand of God"
The little Argentina captain Diego Maradona virtually led his country to World Cup glory single handedly in Mexico, but not before his side won the most controversial of quarter finals, against England. The game turned in the 51st minute when Maradona embarked on one of his famous dribbles. Looking to play a quick one-two on the edge of the penalty area, the ball ricocheted off the foot of defender Terry Fenwick and looped into the air. Maradona had continued his run and out-jumped goalkeeper Peter Shilton to flick the ball into the net with his hand, conning Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser in the process. He later described the goal as "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God."
1989: Rojas Feigns Injury
With 20 minutes to go, Chile were losing 1-0 away to Brazil in a World Cup qualifier and defeat would see them eliminated. In a hostile atmosphere, a firework was thrown from the crowd towards Chile keeper Roberto Rojas. Despite it landing a metre away, he fell to the floor with blood streaming from his head. He was carried off the pitch and the match was abandoned. Video evidence later proved Rojas had inflicted a wound himself, on orders from the touchline. FIFA awarded the game to Brazil and Rojas, Aravena and the team doctor Daniel Rodriguez, were banned for life.
1993: Zambia Plane Crash
A military aircraft carrying the Zambia national team to Senegal for a World Cup qualifier crashed shortly after taking off, following a refuelling stop in Gabon, killing all 30 people on board. It is thought that the pilot, who had detected engine problems earlier in the flight, accidentally shut down the wrong engine causing the aircraft to lose all power.
1994: Maradona's World Cup Exit
Three years after he had fled Italy after failing a dope test, Diego Maradona played for Argentina at the World Cup, where he famously screamed into TV cameras after scoring against Greece and creating the winner against Nigeria. But on the eve of the game against Bulgaria, he tested positive for ephedrine and was sent home, never played for Argentina again - though he did return to watch the remainder of the tournament from the press box.
1994: Escobar Murdered
Colombia defender Andres Escobar was shot dead in Medellin on his return from the 1994 World Cup in the USA. His crime was scoring the own goal that gave the host nation a 2-1 win and eliminated the Colombians from the tournament. It is thought that drug barons and gangs were behind the killing.
1998: Ronaldo World Cup Final Saga
One of the biggest mysteries in football history occurred an hour before the 1998 World Cup Final when the Brazil team sheet was handed to the match referee without the name of Ronaldo on it. However, just before the teams came out for the kick off, his name had reappeared on the team sheet. Rumours included the other Brazilian players had refused to take to the pitch without him, his sponsors Nike had insisted he play despite an alleged injury, and there were even whispers that he had been poisoned amid revelations of his love life. Eventually it was revealed that he had been rushed to hospital suffering convulsions and sickness. Although he made it back in time and was cleared to play, Brazil lost 3-0.
2006: Zidane Uses His Head
Having put France ahead against Italy in the World Cup final, Zinedine Zidane head-butted Marco Materazzi after the Italian allegedly said something about Zidane's family. The incident seemed to be missed and it was only when fourth official, Luis Medina Cantalejo, notified referee Horacio Elizondo that Zidane was shown the red card.
2009: Ivory Coast Stadium Disaster
The Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan had passed a FIFA safety test prior to the World Cup qualifiers, but that did not prevent 22 people dying at the game between Ivory Coast and Malawi. People trying to get in without tickets were blamed as fans were crushed against a wall. Unbelievably, the match was still played, with Ivory Coast winning 5-0.
2009: Henry's Hand Denies Irish
With the aggregate scores level at 1-1, and in the 13th minute of extra time in their 2010 World Cup qualifying play-off with the Republic of Ireland, France captain Thierry Henry used his arm and his hand to control the ball before passing for William Gallas, who scored to win a place in South Africa.
2009: North African Turmoil
A World Cup qualifier between hosts Egypt and bitter rivals Algeria, which was followed by a play-off between the two in Sudan, saw team buses being attacked, players injured, and clashes between fans - not just in Cairo and Khartoum, but also in Marseille, Paris and London.
2010: Togo Bus Attack
Prior to the opening match at the African Nations Cup in Angola, the Togo team came under fire from gunmen in the Angolan enclave of Cabinda. Assistant coach Amelete Abalo and Togan press officer Stanislas Ocloo were both killed. Togo withdrew from the tournament.
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