Trivia and Facts-Part 7

1-During the 1988 Champions Cup Quarterfinal Series (March 16, 1988 Rangers 2-Steaua 1), between Scotland’s Rangers FC Glasgow and Romania’s Steaua Bucharest, Rangers’ player-manager Graeme Souness kicked Steaua’s Iosif Rotariu near the groin area with his studs.

As a sign of protest all Steaua players boycotted Romania’s national team match vs. Republic of Ireland on March 23, 1988.

2- During 1994/95 season, Real Madrid’s defender Rafael Alkorta started more matches for the Spanish National team than his club.

He started 8 matches for Spain and only 5 matches for Real Madrid the entire season.

He did make 4 substitute appearances for a total of 9 matches.

He had lost favor with new Real Madrid manager Jorge Valdano, however he had, Spain manager, Javier Clemente’s total confidence.

Likewise, Barcelona’s Julio Salinas was a Spain regular under Clemente while being mostly a substitute under Barcelona manager Johann Cruyff.

Photo : from World Soccer, November 1993

(Julio Salinas in action with Spain, Februray 24, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Spain 5-Lithuania 0)

Photo from: Le Livre D'or du Football 1994, Author Gerard Ejnes

(Rafael Alkorta, June 17, 1994 World Cup Spain 2-South Korea 2)

3- During the summer of 1993, AC Milan’s long serving midfielder, Alberigo Evani had requested to transfer to Serie A club Sampdoria.

His reason for leaving was to get more regular playing time as to increase his chances for selection for the upcoming 1994 World Cup (for which he succeeded.)

Due to his long and loyal service, AC Milan owner, Silvio Berlusconi granted his request.

First he made sure that he would be receiving the same salary as he did in Milan and then he fixed the transfer fee at just $125.00.

Alberigo Evani (number 17, front row, second from left)

(Italian Lineup, June 18, 1994 World Cup Republic of Ireland 1-Italy 0)

4-When England played Australia in a friendly in February 2003, England manager, the Swede; Sven-Goran Eriksson substituted the entire 11 players at halftime.

Therefore England played literarily with a different team in each half.

In General Eriksson regularly substituted 7-8 players in friendly matches. As a result FIFA set a limit of 6 substitutes in friendly matches from 2004.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 3014, January 13, 2004

(February 12, 2003, England 1-Australia 3)

5-In spring of 1988, PSV Eindhoven player Ronald Koeman did an interview in which he praised club mate Hans Gillhaus’ foul on Bordeaux midfielder Jean Tigana, during the quarterfinals of Champions Cup in March 1988.

He stated that the foul was “worth gold” as it effectively took out one of the opponent’s key players.

Due to the public outrage of the interview, Koeman was suspended and fined.

Photo from:Onze, Hors Serie 19

(Jean Tigana, May 30, 1984 France 2-Scotland 0)

Photo From: Het Nederlands Elftal, De Histoire van Oranje, 1905-1989

(Ronald Koeman, November 16, 1983 European Championship Qualifier Holland 2-Spain 1)