Events and Consequences, Part Five

1- Event:

Swedish Tomas Brolin breaking his leg when attempting a tackle in Sweden’s UEFA European Championship qualifier vs. Hungary on November 16, 1994 ( 2 to 0 Sweden win).

Consequence:

Tomas Brolin had been in excellent form for his Italian Club Parma for many seasons and had just had an excellent World Cup in USA 1994.

This injury wrecked his career as he was never the same player afterwards.

By the next season he was transferred to Leeds United. After a disappointing spell he was loaned to FC Zurich and ended up at Crystal Palace, but never regaining his old form.

Finally, on August 12, 1998, Tomas Brolin announced his retirement at age 28, due to injuries.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 72, January 1995

(Tomas Brolin at the instant of his injury, November 16, 1994, EC Qualifier, Sweden 2-Hungary 0)

2- Event:

Republic of Ireland veteran Liam Brady being sent off in the 84^th minute of a UEFA European Championship qualifer vs. Bulgaria on October 14, 1987 (2 to 0 Ireland win).

Consequence:

Brady was suspended by UEFA for four official matches.

On November 17, 1987,  Republic of Ireland Manager Jackie Charlton ruled out Liam Brady from the Euro 88 squad unless his 4 match ban was annulled.

This effectively ended Liam Brady’s international career and robbed him of a major Finals appearance.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 98, May 1988

(Liam Brady with West Ham United 1987/88)

3- Event:

Italy’s Giuseppe Signori refusing to play deep left wing in the 1994 World Cup Semifinal match vs. Bulgaria on July 13, 1994 (2 to 1 Italy win).

He wanted to play as a forward.

Consequence:

He effectively ruled himself out of the Final of the World Cup vs. Brazil on July 17^th and also was instrumental in ending his international career.

Despite being Italy’s top goalscorer three times in four seasons, Italy Manager Arrigo Sacchi did not select him for the 1996 Euros and according to observers always held this act of defiance against him.

Photo From: Planete Foot, April 1996

(Giuseppe Signori, June 11, 1994, Italy 1-Costa Rica 0)

4- Event:

Barcelona being paired with Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia in the semifinals of the Cup Winners Cup in April 1989.

Consequence:

Barcelona won both matches (4 to 2) and (2 to 1 away). All three of CSKA’s goals were scored by Hristo Stoichkov who caught the eye of Barcelona Manager Johann Cruyff.

He acquired Stoichkov in Fall of 1990 and the rest is Barcelona History.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 40, May 1992

(Hristo Stoichkov and Carlos Mozer, March 1990 Champions Cup quarterfinals between CSKA Sofia and Olympique Marseille)

5- Event:

Scotland’s Tommy Gemmell being sent off vs. West Germany in a World Cup Qualifier on October 22, 1969 in Hamburg (3 to 2 West Germany win).

Consequence:

Upon his return, his Manager at Celtic Glasgow, Jock Stein dropped him for dishonoring the Celtic and Scotland Jerseys.

He was left off of Celtic’s next match in League Cup Final vs. St Johnstone.

He was only told prior match by a Celtic employee to sit in the stands.

As a result he asked to be transferred and this was the beginning of the end of his Celtic career.

Though he stayed another two years before he was actually transferred to Nottingham Forest.

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1967

(Celtic Glasgow’s Tommy Gemmell)