A
new addition about social and Political events’ impact on the sport
1- The
Falklands War and Osvaldo Ardiles
Argentina’s
Osvaldo Ardiles was an idol for the fans at England’s Tottenham Hotspur fro
many seasons. He had transfered there along with compatriot Ricardo Villa
following the 1978 World Cup. He had been one of the rare foreign-born players
to adapt to the British game.
The
outbreak of the Falklands War in 1982 between his Nation and the United Kingdom
forced him to leave England on patriotic grounds.
He
was loaned to France’s Paris St. Germain at the start of the 1982/83 season.
In
the middle of the season, with the political situation stable, he returned to
Tottenham.
Photo
From: Onze, Issue 81, September 1982
(Osvaldo
Ardiles at Paris St. Germain, 1982/83)
2- Vittorio
Pozzo at the 1938 World Cup
Pre-War
Italy Manager Vittorio Pozzo used the politics of the day to his advantage to
motivate his squad.
During
the 1938 World Cup in France, he was well aware that many Italians that had
fled Mussolini’s fascism had settled there.
Before
Italy’s Opening match at Marseille vs. Norway on June 5, 1938 (Italy2 –Norway
1), he knew that some of the expatriate Italians in the Stadium would jeer the
Italian national Anthem, specially the customary fascist salute.
He
instructed his players to maintain their salute (their arms held up) until all
the jeering and heckling had subsided. This way he believed he instilled in
them patriotic fervor for the match.
It
is unclear if he himself was a fascist, many observers do not believe so,
though his methods and training regimen seemed dictatorial.
Photo
From: La Nazionale Italiana, 1978
(Italy
and Norway squads prior to the kick-off: June 5, 1938, World Cup, Italy
2-Norway 1)
Photo
From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo,
1910-1983
(Vittorio
Pozzo with the World Cup trophy, June
19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)
3- El
Salvador and Honduras, Futbol War of 1969
It
would be simplistic to say a Football match led to an all out war between two
neighboring nations. One would have to extensively study the history of the
nations and all the social and political events that led to it.
Following
two World Cup qualifiers that each home nation won, a play-off in neutral Mexico
City, on June 26, 1969, was to decide
who would qualify for the World Cup.
El
Salvador won the match (3-2) and on the same day cut off all diplomatic ties
with Honduras.
On
July 14, 1969, the El Salvador Air Force started bombing Honduras. On July 18th, the Organization of
American States negotiated a cease-fire to end the conflict.
4- USSR
and Chile, World Cup Qualifier, 1973
On
November 21, 1973, Chile were to host USSR in a World Cup Qualifying playoff in
Santiago’s Estadio Nacional.
The
first leg in Moscow on September 26th had resulted in a scoreless
tie.
On
August 11, 1973, General Augusto Pinochet had assumed control of Chile
following a Military Coup.
The
Soviets refused to play Chile in that Stadium. They claimed that Pinochet’s
regime had tortured and executed left leaning political prisoners in that same
stadium following the Coup.
The
match was forfeited and Chile qualified for the World Cup.
Chile
was present at the field on matchday and scored after a mock kick-off.
Incidentally
right after the farce ‘match’, Chile played a Friendly vs. Brazil’s Santos and
lost 0-5.
Photo
From: World Soccer, March 1974
(Chilean
players during the mock kick-off, November 21, 1973)
5- Billy
Bingham
Following
the 1986 World Cup, Northern Ireland Manager was employed as a Manager in Saudi
Arabia with Al Nassr.
He
was still the Northern Ireland National Team manager, in addition to his
management duties with Al Nassr.
On
February 18, 1987, Northern Ireland were due to play a Friendly vs. Israel at
Tel Aviv (1-1 tie.)
Due
to obvious political reasons, he diplomatically did not manage Northern Ireland
for that match. James Archibald Platt stood in for him.
Paris
St. Germain and Watesrchei were paired in the Quarterfinals of the 1982/83 Cup
Winners Cup.
The
French Club Paris St. Germain, managed by the Georges Peyroche , were playing
their first season ever of European Football after having won their first ever
trophy the previous season, the French Cup.
They
had acquired foreign stars like Safet Susic and Kees Kist in a squad containing
former Saint Etienne greats Dominique Bathenay and Dominique Rcoheteau as well
as the rising star of French Football Luis Fernandez
They
had qualified from their opening Rounds by defeating Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv Sofia
(0-1, 5-1) and Wales’ Swanseas (1-0 away, 2-0 home).
Belgium’s
Watesrchei were a resilient side managed by West German Ernst Kunnecke and led
by the Janssen brothers and included Internationals such as Leo Clijsters, Eddy
Voordeckers (nicknamed Tintin) and former PSV Eindhoven star Adri van Kraay.
They
had qualified from their opening Rounds by defeating Luxembourg’s Red Boys
Differdange (7-1, 1-0) and Denmark’s BK 1903 Copenhagen (2-0 away, 4-1 Home)
The
first leg, on March 2nd, was played at Paris’ Parc des Princes Stadium This was PSG’s first ever match in Europe
where they played the first leg at home.
PSG started in a 4-4-2 formation with
Pilorget given the task of marking Voordeckers.
Waterschei
manager Kunnecke wanted strict marking on all of PSG’s attacking players
(Rocheteau, Kist, Susic and Dahleb), with sometimes up to 7 players guarding
them. This allowed PSG’s defensive
midfielders Lemoult and Fernandez with more room to operate.
As
the home PSG was expected to dominate and they did.
Photo From: Le Livre D’Or Du Football,
1983
(Martos, Susic and Lemoult)
Photo From:
L’Annee du Football 1983
(A scene from the first leg)
Safet
Susic had a goal disallowed in the 24th minute, after Rocheteau was
judged to have pushed a defender.
Photo From: Le Livre D’Or Du Football,
1983
(Team captains Pierre Janssen and Bathenay)
Just
before halftime, Fernandez scored after a move started by himself near the
right side of the field. He passed it to Susic who passed to Dahleb near the
edge of the box, Dahleb immediately backheeled to the onrushing Fernandez who
scored.
Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue
37, April 1983
(The
First goal by Fernandez)
For
the second goal in the 58th minute, Susic passed to Fernandez at edge
of the box, who with his back to the goal turned and took a hard shot.
Watesrchei’s
goalkeeper Pudelko could only parry and Pilorget knocked in the rebound.
Despite
the two goal cushion there was a feeling that Paris should have done more to
increase their advantage.
Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue
37, April 1983
(The second goal by Pilorget)
Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue
37, April 1983
(Martos, Susic and Pierre Jansssen)
Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue
37, April 1983
(Fernandez and Pierre Janssen)
Peyroche
even said that most teams would have cracked under the constant pressure and
let in a third but Watesrchei held on to their credit.
Many
were surprised that given the space provided, PSG’s outside backs Guillochon
and Bacconier rarely ventured up to give numerical advantage to Paris’s
attacks.
The
tie still seemd up for grabs at this point.
Photo From: Le Livre D’Or Du Football,
1983
(Pilorget and Voordeckers)
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1926,
March 8, 1983
(Martos, Bathenay and Susic)
Photo From: Le Livre D’Or Du Football,
1983
(Pudelko and Rocheteau)
March 2, 1983
Paris
Saint-Germain Football Club (France) 2-Koninklijke Waterschei
Sportvereniging Thor Genk (Belgium) 0
Cup
Winners Cup- Quarterfinals, First Leg
Venue: Paris-Parc Des Princes
Attendance: 49,407
Referee: Bogdan Dochev (Bulgaria)
Goalscorers: (Paris St. Germain): Luis
Fernandez 43rd,
Uniform
Colors: White Shirts with a vertical Red and Blue line on the left side, White Shorts, White Socks
Waterschei:
1-Klaus
Pudelko (West Germany), 2-Gyozo Martos (Hungary), Pierre Plessers, 8-Leo
Clijsters, 4-Danny David, 5-Adri van Kraay (Holland), 6-Aime Coenen
(13-Jean-Paul Massignani 66th), 7-Pierre Janssen, 11-Roland
Jansssen, 9-Eddy Voordeckers, 10-Karl Berger
Coach:
Ernst Kunnecke (West Germany)
Booked:
Roland Janssen 76th
Team
Captain: Pierre Jansssen
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas
Shirt
Sponsor: Hermans
Uniform
Colors: Yellow Shirts, Black Shorts, Yellow Socks
The
second leg, on March 16th , was played at Genk’s Andre
Dumontstadion.
For
PSG, Boubacar and Toko were fielded instead of Guillochon and Rocheteau.
Boubacar was fielded as a midfielder as Peyroche sacrificed a defender for a
3-4-3 formation.
For
Waterschei, Icelandic striker Gudmundsson and Yvo Plessers came in for Coenen
and Berger.
PSG
expected Watesrchei to press from the start and they did. They completely
dominated the match and took the game to PSG.
As
early as the 5th minute, they had an appeal for a penalty kick after
a foul on Voordeckers, which was denied.
During
the match Waterschei struck the post twice and on one occasion forced Paris’
captain Bathenay to clear off his line.
Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue
37, April 1983
(Voordeckers lobbing the ball over Baratelli
with Pilorget helpless, Bathenay saved this attempt on the goalline)
Waterschei
scored in the 30th minute, after a free kick from the right taken
into the goalmouth led to Gudmundsson scoring from close range.
Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue
37, April 1983
(Gudmundsson between Pilorget, Fernandez and
Bathenay)
The
second goal in the 61st minute was very controversial. The Welsh
Referee Clive Thomas invoked Law XII concerning goalkeepers by awarding an
indirect free kick inside the box, after PSG goalkeeper Baratelli was adjudged
for this infraction. He pushed a shot aside with both hands, took it with his
feet, picked it up again and kicked upfield. According to the law after
controlling the ball, after 4 steps the goalkeeper should give the ball to
another before receiving it back and kicking. The Belgians protested and Roland
Janssen scored from the ensuing indirect free kick.
Baratelli
claimed that he had not controlled the ball, just pushed it wide, as a result
should not have been penalized.
France
Football, Issue 1928, March 22, 1983
(van Kraay and Rocheteau)
France
Football, Issue 1928, March 22, 1983
(Pierre Janssen, Bacconier and Bathenay)
The
match went into extra time and with seven minutes left, the third goal was
scored after a cross from left side into the goal area that Voordeckers missed,
but it reached Pierre Janssen who scored.
France
Football, Issue 1928, March 22, 1983
(A
scene from the return leg )
France
Football, Issue 1928, March 22, 1983
(Clijsters
and Kist )
This
demoralized PSG and a minute later the already booked Lemoult was sent off
after striking a fan. A few minutes later Boubacar was sent off after a brutal
foul on Clijsters.
In
the last minute of Overtime, Rocheteau had a chance that went high and all of
PSG’s hopes were dashed.
Naturally
after the match many of the Paris Delegation were unhappy with the referee.
Despite acknowledging Waterschei’s domination, they felt the decision for the
second goal was unfair.
Peyroche
noted the side’s inexperience in Europe and errors in marking (specially for
the third goal) as reason for defeat, specially the fact they were playing in
an away leg as their return leg for the first time ever.
He
also lamnented how his strikers did not score on any of their opportunities
If
he had to do over, he would have aligned Boubacar as a 5th
midfielder instead of outside back since Watesrchei only played with two
strikers.
Photo
From: Foot Magazine, Issue 23, April 1983
(Waterschei
squad, March 16, 1983, Cup Winners Cup, Waterschei 3-Paris St. Germain 0)
Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue
37, April 1983
(A
dejected Rocheteau leaving the field)
France
Football, Issue 1928, March 22, 1983
(Waterschei players celebrating)
Watesrchei
went to on to the semifinals but were defeated by eventual competition winners
Aberdeen.
Due
to financial difficulties they were dissolved within five years. They merged
with KFC Winterslag and became KRC Genk.
Paris
St. Germain went on to win the French Cup again at the end of that season.
March 16, 1983
Koninklijke Waterschei Sportvereniging
Thor Genk (Belgium) 3-Paris Saint-Germain Football Club (France) 0
Cup
Winners Cup- Quarterfinals, Second Leg
Venue: Genk- Andre Dumontstadion
(Stade Andre Dumont)
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Clive Thomas (Wales)
Goalscorers: (Watesrchei): Larus
Gudmundsson 30th , Roland Janssen 61st ,
Paris
St. Germain and Real Madrid were paired in the Quarterfinals of the 1992/93
UEFA Cup.
The
French Club Paris St. Germain, managed by the Portuguese Artur Jorge, had been
bankrolled by the private Channel ‘Canal +’ and were making a name for
themselves domestically and abroad.
They
had acquired the much sought after Liberian striker George Weah, along with
internationals such as Alain Roche, Bernard Lama, Jean-Luc Sassus and Vincent
Guerin.
They
had qualified from their opening Rounds by defeating Greece’s PAOK (2-0, 2-0),
Italy’s Napoli (2-0 away, 0-0 home) and Belgium’s Anderlecht (0-0, 1-1, away
goals rule)
Spanish
giants Real Madrid were going through difficult times with the ‘El Quinta del
Buitre’ generation starting to fade.
They
had acquired Chilean striker Ivan Zamorano, former Barcelona defender Nando and
welcomed back in the fold their former star Rafael Martin Vazquez.
They
were managed by the somewhat inexperienced Benito Floro who had worked wonders
at little club Albacete.
They
had qualified from their opening Rounds by defeating Romania’s Poli. Timisoara
(4-0, 1-1), Russia’s Torpedo Moscow (2-3, 5-2) and Holland’s Vitesse Arnhem
(1-0, 1-0)
The
first leg, on March 2nd, was played at Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. This
was Real’s 250th match in European competition.
Prior
to the start of the match Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Paco Buyo received the
Zamora trophy (trophy awarded to the best goalkeeper in La Liga).
Photo From:
France Football, Issue 2448, March 9, 1993
(David Ginola and Manuel Sanchis)
Real
Madrid were missing Robert Prosinecki who was out due to fever.
Also
missing was Brazilian defender Ricardo Rocha and Rafael Martin Vazquez who was
cup tied, having already played for Olympique Marseille in the Champions League
early in the season.
The
first half hour were evenly balanced until Real scored.
Photo From:
Onze-Mondial, Issue 51, April 1993
(David Ginola’s goal)
Real
Madrid scored their first goal in the 30th minute, when Butragueno
headed in a corner quickly taken by Michel that surprised Lama in the PSG’s
goal.
Six
minutes later, Butragueno trapped a cross from Michel and layed it on for
Zamorano to score.
Two
minutes after halftime David Ginola, who played an excellent match, headed in
at the near post, from a corner taken by Valdo to reduce the deficit.
Photo From:
France Football, Issue 2448, March 9, 1993
(Michel , in the smaller Butragueno is heading with
Zamorano next to him)
David
Ginola had a claim for a penalty kick that was waived off in the second half.
With
a minute left, Patrick Colleter missed the chance the even the scores in a one
on one situation with Buyo
Photo From:
France Football, Issue 2448, March 9, 1993
(Patrick Colleter and Paco Buyo)
Moments
later, Zamorano sent Esnaider clear who
was clearly offside. Lama fouled him, but the ball reached Michel who shot and
Alain Roche stopped the goal bound ball with his hand. The referee had no choice but to send him
off.
Photo From:
Onze-Mondial, Issue 51, April 1993
(Michel’s third goal from
penalty kick rebound)
Michel
took the penalty kick, which Lama did well to parry, the deflection hit the
crossbar and Michel dived in to score from the rebound.
This
last catastrophic could have eliminated Paris and many felt it had.
March 2, 1993
Real
Madrid Club de Fútbol (Spain) 3- Paris Saint-Germain
Football Club (France) 1
UEFA
Cup- Quarterfinals, First Leg
Venue: Madrid-Estadio Santiago
Bernabeu
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: David Elleray (England)
Goalscorers: (Real Madrid): Emilio
Butragueno 30th, Ivan Zamorano 36th ,
The
second leg, on March 18th , was played at Paris’ Parc des Princes
Stadium.
Paris
were missing the suspended Laurent Fournier and Alain Roche who had been sent
off in the first leg.
Antoine
Kombouare deputized for Roche and striker Amara Simba came in the lineup for a
more attacking formation.
Photo From:
Onze-Mondial, Issue 51, April 1993
(Paul Le Guen and Robert Prosinecki)
Real
Madrid were missing Captain Manuel Sanchis and Luis Milla through suspension.
Emilio Butragueno assumed captaincy in Sanchis’ absence.
Robert
Prosinecki was now available as was Ricardo Rocha.
Argentine
Juan Esnaider was originally part of the traveling squad, however, in the last
minute Real were forced to strike him of the substitutes list because he would
have been one foreigner too many per UEFA regulations.
Paris
St. Germain scored their first goal in the 33rd minute when George
Weah headed in a corner taken from the left by Valdo.
They
relentlessly attacked and Real were forced to play a more counter attacking
game.
All
the drama was saved for the last 10 minutes.
In
the 81st minute, in a move started by Valdo, Weah crossed for Bravo
to head back for Ginola to volley home from outside of the box.
Photo From:
Onze-Mondial, Issue 51, April 1993
(David Ginola scoring PSG’s second goal)
In
the 89th minute in a counter attacking move started by Valdo, Weah
on the left gave it to Ginola in the center who then gave it back to Valdo to
score Paris’ third and seemingly qualifying goal.
However,
in injury time, Michel took a free kick on the left that was headed across by
Nando to Zamorano to score and level the aggregates.
In
a dramatic finish, a few minutes later, Valdo took a free kick from the right
and perfectly spotted Kombouare who headed in Paris’ winner.
Antoine
Kombouare is forever remembered for this match and his exuberance after the
winning goal.
Photo From:
L’Annee du Football, 1993
(Antoine Kombouare’s winner)
Photo From:
France Football, Issue 2450, March 23, 1993
(Antoine Kombouare after scoring)
Photo From:
Onze-Mondial, Issue 51, April 1993
(Antoine Kombouare’s winner)
Paris
St. Germain went to on to the semifinals but were defeated by eventual
competition winners Juventus.
The
team built up on their European run to mount a League Challenge and won the
title the following season.
They
qualified for the semifinals of European competitions for five successive
seasons and won the Cup Winners Cup in 1996.
Real
Madrid, just like the previous season, lost the League title on the final day
of the season at Tenerife.
Incidentally
the two teams were once again paired the following season in the Quarterfinals
of the Cup Winners Cup and once again Paris St. Germain eliminated Real Madrid.
Photo From:
France Football, Issue 2491, January 4, 1994
(Paris St. Germain players celebrating after the match,
Daniel Bravo is wearing an exchanged Real Madrid jersey on the left)
March 18, 1993
Paris
Saint-Germain Football Club (France) 4-Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (Spain) 1
UEFA
Cup- Quarterfinals, Second Leg
Venue: Paris-Parc Des Princes
Attendance: 46,000
Referee: Sandor Puhl (Hungary)
Goalscorers: (Paris St. Germain): George Weah 33rd, David Ginola 81st,
