Football’s Quarrels and Feuds, Part Eighteen

1- Jacques Santini and Emmanuel Petit

Jacques Santini was appointed as the National Team Manager of France in the summer of 2002. He had many differences with French midfielder Emmanuel Petit that eventually led to Petit’s departure from the set-up in early 2003.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 103, August 1997

(Emmanuel Petit)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 163, August 2002

(Jacques Santini)

2- Helmut Schoen and three West Germn reporters, 1971

During West Germany’s 1971 Scandinavian tour, the West Germany Manager Helmut Schoen had a row and verbally attacked 3 journalists. The press corps stood in solidarity with the three journalists and eventually Schoen made peace.

Photo From: World Cup 78, by Phil Soar

(Helmut Schoen)

3- Piet Keizer and Hans Kraay, 1974

Ajax star Piet Keizer suddenly retired from football in October 1974, shortly after a dispute over tactics with Ajax manager, Hans Kraay.

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1972

(Ajax’s Piet Keizer)

Photo From: Panini, Holland 8283

(Hans Kraay)

4- Sadurni and Rinus Michels, 1973

It was reported that Barcelona goalkeeper Salvador ‘Sadurni’ Urpi once struck club Manager, the Dutchman Rinus Michels, at a nightclub in 1973.

Afterwards, him and his teammates refused to pay a fine and even threatened a lawsuit.

Photo From: Todo Sobre La Seleccion Espanola, Felix Martialay, 2006

(Sadurni, May 8, 1968, European Championships, Spain 1-England 2)

Photo From: World Soccer, April 2005

(Rinus Michels)

5- Gianluca Vialli and Carlo Weis/Hubert Meunier 1988

On April 27^th, 1988, Italy defeated Luxembourg (3-0) in a friendly. Italy striker Gianluca Vialli had an altercation with a number of Luxembourg players.

At final whistle Vialli and Hubert Meunier had to be pulled apart.

After the match, fighting broke out in the players tunnel. Vialli grabbed Carlo Weis by the throat and pushed him to the ground.

On the following day, it was reported that Weis actually considered seeking legal advice after Vialli’s assault.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 1, February 1989

(Gianluca Vialli)

Photo From: Panini, Belgium 81/82

(Carlo Weis at Winterslag)