Events and Consequences, Part Seventeen

1- Event:

Zinedine Zidane being sent off twice in the Champions League in the Fall of 2000

Consequence:

Juventus’ Zinedine Zidane had led France to triumph in the UEFA European Championships in the summer of 2000. Many predicted that he would be elected as France Football’s Ballon d’Or at the end of the year.

However, he was sent off twice within weeks in the Champions League in the new season (On September 26, 2000 (Juventus 0-Deportivo La Coruna 0) and on October 24, 2000 (Juventus 1-SV Hamburg 3)).

In the match vs. SV Hamburg, he was sent off for head butting Jochen Kientz.

When the time for the balloting came, many of the Journalists admitted that they gave him a lower placing precisely for the double sending offs.

As a result Luis Figo was elected as the Ballon d’Or.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 36 Suppplement, November-December 2000

(Zinedine Zidane headbutting Jochen Kientz)

2- Event:

Ubaldo Fillol refusing to wear Adidas kit in 1983

Consequence:

In the summer of 1983, River Plate annulled goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol’s contract because he refused to wear Adidas equipment like the rest of the squad as club contract had stipulated.

He had to be transferred to Argentinos Juniors in order to avoid a players' strike.

Shortly afterwards, he signed for Brazil’s Flamengo. Argentina were playing Brazil in Rio for the Copa America, he stayed behind and negotiated a transfer to Flamengo.

Photo From: EL GRAFICO Nº 3356 (31-1-1984)

(Ubaldo Fillol with Junior at Flamnego)

3- Event:

Jim Beglin’s injury after a tackle by Gary Stevens

Consequence:

Liverpool and Republic of Ireland International defender Jim Beglin seemed headed for a long career for club and country.

On January 21, 1987, Everton defender Gary M. Stevens’ tackle injured him severely during their League Cup encounter (Everton 0-Liverpool 1).

His Liverpool career was effectively over and joined Leeds United in the Second Division in 1989. He made few appearances and was loaned twice.

By the summer of 1991, he was forced to retire at age 27 due to the recurrence of his injury.

Photo From: Shoot, June 15, 1991

(Jim Beglin at Liverpool)

4- Event:

A linesman was hit by an orange thrown from the stands from Spanish fans at Valencia in a UEFA European Championship Qualifier (October 10, 1979, EC Qualifier, Spain 0-Yugoslavia 1).

Consequence:

Valencia’s Estadio Luis Casanova was banned 22 months from hosting any International Matches.

5- Event:

French goalkeeper Lionel Letizi’s error in a Friendly.

Consequence:

French and FC Metz goalkeeper Lionel Letizi had an outside chance to make it as France’s number three goalkeeper for the 1998 World Cup behind Fabien Barthez and Bernard Lama.

On March 25, 1998, he was given a chance to start in a Friendly vs. Russia at Moscow.

His error led to Russia scoring their only goal. Many feel he was overlooked for the number three position (Lionel Charbonnier was chosen instead) because of his error.

After transferring to Paris St. Germain in 2000, he earned two more caps, but his career is always remembered mostly for this one error in an International.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 28, June 1998

(Lionel Letizi)