Events and Consequences, Part Nineteen

1- Event:

Mexico using four over-age players in the 1988 CONCACAF U-20 Tournament in April 1988.

Consequence:

In June 1988, it was determined that Mexico had used four over-age players, Initially Mexico were barred from participating in the 1989 U-20 World Cup and a number of Officials were banned.

Mexican Officials initially appealed to FIFA, but upon appeal FIFA increased the sanctions to include all International competitions until 1990.

As a result Mexico were banned from the 1990 World Cup qualifiers and missed the chance to participate in the 1990 World Cup.

2- Event:

Colombian goalkeeper Rene Higuita acting as a go-between to obtain the release of a hostage in a kidnapping in 1993.

Consequence:

Higuita delivered the ransom money to obtain the release of Colombian Drug Lord Carlos Molina’s daughter. He received payment for his services which was illegal under Colombian Law. He was therefore arrested and spent seven months in prison. He was also unable to participate in the 1994 World Cup.

Photo From:  Onze-Mondial, Issue 15, April 1990

(Rene Higuita)

3- Event:

Peter Taylor signing Nottingham Forest’s John Robertson in May 1983.

Consequence:

Brian Clough’s former Assistant Peter Taylor was at the time managing Derby County. His signature of Scottish striker John Robertson from Nottingham Forest angered Clough to the point that the pair were not on speaking terms until Taylor passed away in 1990.

Apparently Clough had not been informed of the Robertson deal as he was on holiday.

Photo From:  World Soccer, December 1978

(Peter Taylor and Brian Clough)

Photo From:  Official Match Programme,  Scotland v Sweden, 1981

(John Robertosn)

4- Event:

Paulao central defender of Cruzeiro breaking the foot of Nivaldo of Nautico in Brazilian League play in April 1991.

Consequence:

Paulao missed the chance of being selected for Brazil as Brazil Manager Paulo Roberto Falcao chose not to select him for his action.

Falcao instead called up Ricardo Rocha as his replacement.

Photo From:  Onze-Mondial, Issue 23, December 1990

(Paulo Roberto Falcao)

Photo From:  91 - Campeonato Brasileiro, Abril-Panini

(Paulao of Cruzeiro)

Photo From:  91 - Campeonato Brasileiro, Abril-Panini

(Nivaldo of Nautico)

5- Event:

Spain Manager Ladislau Kubala calling up Atletico Madrid’s Jose Capon for the U-23 squad in 1969.

Consequence:

Capon still had not played for Atletico Madrid’s first team. The publicity from this call up forced them to revise their decision to transfer him to a Third division club.

Photo From:  Don Balon, Issue 192, June 12-18, 1979

(Jose Luis Capon)

Photo From:  Don Balon, Issue 1, October 7, 1975

(Ladislau Kubala)