Football Veto: Estudiantes to Go Straight Home
Coverage of the 1968 Intercontinental Cup
Post-match report of the 1968 Intercontinental Cup becomes an opinion piece by Geoffrey Greene about the degree to which sports tensions become national tensions after the President of Argentina stopped Estudiantes from playing some "friendies" in Scotland as scheduled. Greene points back to the 1966 World Cup and the "animals" remark by Alf Ramsey towards the Argentines, the violence on display between Racing and Celtic a year prior at the 1967 Intercontinetal Cup, as well as other incidents in both the Cold War period and the 1930s that led to boycotts and tense sporting events. He also points out how the day before, Black U.S. athletes raised their fists in Mexico City to protest racial tensions back home.
Geoffrey Greene
Page 18
The Times (of London)
18-Oct-1968
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Hungry Manchester Kept at Arm's Length
Coverage of the second leg of the 1968 Intercontinental Cup
Coverage of the second leg of the 1968 Intercontinental Cup. This report from Geoffrey Greene captures the tense atmosphere inside of Old Trafford. According to Greene, both sides played rather resèctfully for the first 80 minutes, with the Argentines taking a quick lead thanks to a goal by Verón. But Greene suggests that the Argentines took advantage of the referee's movements to get away with dirty tricks behind his back ("hustlers, highly intellegent, markedly skilled, men who knew every wrinkle in the book, men who could look after themselves in the darkest corners"). The game turned more hectic in the waning moments after Manchester United leveld the game at 1-1- (but 2-1 on aggregate for Estudiantes), George Best got sent off for punching his opponent in retaliation, and two Estudiantes players receiving a booking. Greene ends by wondering if this tournament is worth it and diminishing the value of the Intercontental Cup.
Geoffrey Greene
Page 15
The Times (of London)
17-Oct-1968
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Inter-Continental Cup: Football on Trial at Old Trafford
Coverage of the second leg of the 1968 Intercontinental Cup
Pre-game coverage on the day of Manchester United's highly-publicized encounter against Estudiantes de La Plata in the second leg of the 1968 Intercontinental Cup. The article focuses on the aggrieved sense of national pride by Estudiantes at how the British press continue to label them as violent and "animals," the effort at establishing goodwill by both teams, and what Estudiantes must do to avoid the "traps" the Argentines want to set. If the series goes to a third game, it will be held in the neutral site of Amsterdam.
Geoffrey Greene
Page 14
The Times (of London)
16-Oct-1968
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Uneasy Football Peace: Olive Branches in Manchester
Coverage of the 1968 Intercontinental Cup, second leg
Coverage begins of Manchester United's highly-publicized encounter against Estudiantes de La Plata in the second leg of the 1968 Intercontinental Cup. The article focuses on the efforts by Estudiantes to be cordial and respectful during their stay in Manchester, including laying a wreath at the memorial of the victims of the 1958 crash that killed many players and staff of the Mancheste club. Some of the Estudiantes delegation bristled at the way they were portrayed by the English press, especially how some reporters recycled the "animal" label they used to describe the Argentine national team at the 1966 World Cup. Madero and Bilardo, in particular, questioned this label considering they were medical doctors. The coach, Osvaldo Zubeldia, remarked that he saw a more vicious game between Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester United the previous week. The authors also hope that the Stretford end of the stands will not resort to some of the violence of recent months (one of the earliest mentions of hooligan groups or supporters).
(Unnamed) Special Correspondent
Page 14
The Times (of London)
15-Oct-1968
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Fears for World Football: Argentines Perfect the Tactical Foul
Coverage of the 1968 Intercontinental Cup
Coverage of Manchester United's encounter against Estudiantes de La Plata in the first leg of the 1968 Intercontinental Cup. This report from Brian Glanville recounts the events of the first game played at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires and won by Estudiantes 1-0. Glanville's critical tone of Argentine soccer and its fans does not change, nor does his observation that the Argentine game was far different in the mid-1960s to what it had been known for in the past (skillful, entertatining, pyrotechnical).
Brian Glanville
Page 17
The Times (of London)
27-Sep-1968
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Still Hard Feelings a Year Later
Coverage of the 1968 Intercontinental Cup
Coverage begins of Manchester United's highly-publicized encounter against Estudiantes de La Plata in the first leg of the 1968 Intercontinental Cup. This report from Brian Glanville captures the tense atmosphere ahead of the first-leg match to be played in Buenos Aires at Boca Juniors' La Bombonera stadium. But Glanville also resports to some nationalist pride, arguing that the Intercontinental Cup is certainly not the world championship the Argentines make it out to be, nor is the poor reputation of Man U player Nobby Stiles warranted ("the small, studious figure in large, horn-rimmed glasses seen emerging from a church to sign autographs"). The author concludes that Estudiantes reflects not what Argentine football was once known for (aesthetically pleasing, the "artists of South America") but rather what it has become ("the hard men," deliberate provocations, feigned injuries) -- a generation of "gladiators." His fear is that Manchester's own fiery players might succumb to the style of play of Estudiantes.
Brian Glanville
Page 14
The Times (of London)
25-Sep-1968
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Football Discipline Facing Big Test in Argentina
Coverage of the 1968 Intercontinental Cup
Coverage begins of Manchester United's highly-publicized encounter against Estudiantes de La Plata in the first leg of the 1968 Intercontinental Cup. This opinion piece includes negative remarks about the "Latin" temperament, and the violence witnessed at IC games played in South America, but the author tries to soften his critique by stating "We must not sit in pre-judgment over 6,000 miles away. We cannot be the final arbiters in absentia. Nor are we, the British, necessarily in the right." The article, then, is a call for Manchester United to lead by example with "no arguments, no retaliations, no provocation."
Geoffrey Greene
Page 12
The Times (of London)
23-Sep-1968
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Images of Argentine national team vs. FC Barcelona in August of 1928
Exhibition matches (international friendlies)
FC Barcelona club players; two images of players colliding for the ball
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Viejos Estadios
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FIFA Must Guide World Club Cup: Rous Call for Inquiry; Victory Without Honour for the Argentines
Coverage of the 1967 Intercontinental Cup
The first article offers an interview between journalist Geoffrey Greene and Stanley Rous, then FIFA President. It discusses the state of the Intercontinental Cup and solutions moving forward to ensure greater sportsmanship and wider participation by other soccer confederations besides UEFA and CONMEBOL. The second article delves into what Greene characterizes as an "ugly, bitter playoff" by continuing to use disparaging comments about Racing players to contrast with the stoic Celtic side that ultimately "had enough of the ruthlessness of the Argentines and matched them in their own type of warfare." The third game and title went to Racing. Afterwards, manager Jock Stein told the British press: "What can I say? We got caught up in a brawl." The article delegitimizes Racing's triumph, calling it "ilicit," "without honour," and a "disgraceful proceeding."
Geoffrey Green
Page 11
The Times (of London)
6-Nov-1967
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Celtic Beaten But Earn Play-Off: Simpson Hit by Bottle
Coverage of the 1967 Intercontinental Cup
The Scottish press' coverage of Racing's 2-1 victory in the second game of a two-leg series continues to offer dismissive comments about Racing and stereotypes of the Argentine players. The author juxtaposes the "vicious kicking and hacking" by Racing players with Celtic, who he writes "astonished the neutrals present by their discipline and self-control. Not once, in spote of terrible provocation, did they show dissent or annoyance. They accepted all the cold-blooded punishment a Uruguayan referee allowed Racing to administer with a dignity that was almost beyond belief." The article also notes how the goalkeeper, Ronnie Sampson, suffered a head injury after a local spectator threw a projectile at the Scottish keeper, and wondered if Celtic players would recover from their injuries on time for the decisive tie-breaking third match in Montevideo. [The article quotes both the Celtic chairman and manager Jock Stein about their hesitancy to play a third game in Uruguay based on the physicality on display]
Scottish Football Correspondent
Page 17
The Times (of London)
2-Nov-1967
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English Press Hails Chile Win
A view of the Argentina-England match from the British press
Notice the language used by the British press to describe Argentine players ("bumped and battered," "henchmen," "rough tactics"). They singled out Navarro. Sam Leach, writing in the Sunday Pictorial, said that "England came out of this tough, testing World Cup tie. They stood up to an Argentine side that dished it out with their chins held high from the word go." The language here perpetuated the idea of the savage Latin American, as opposed to the more civilized English player.
Page 4
Buenos Aires Herald
4-Jun-1962
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3-1 Win for England - but World Cup matches are again marred by riots and injuries
Summary of Argentina-England at the 1962 World Cup
Reports indicate a airly spirited but fair match between Argentina and England in Chile, which differed from the volatile matches that marred group play in the tournament. The paper notes that Argentina did not field its ideal starting XI due to a rash of injuries.
Page 4
Buenos Aires Herald
3-Jun-1962
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En Santiago
Toll of physical play on members of various national teams
More fallout from the Chile-Italy match, including the serious injuries sustained by Humberto Maschio (and injuries to other stars like Pele and Di Stefano) during Italy's matych against Chile.
Page 12
La Nación
5-Jun-1962
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Mala intención, violencia y justo triunfo chileno; Con mucho de batalla
Violence erupts between Italian and Chilean players
Two articles on the violent (and still notorious) match between Chile and Italy that became symbolic of the ills of "modern" and "anti"'fútbol. Another note explains how two Italian players, Ferrini and David, were expelled from the match against Chile for violent play (although one Chilean player, Sanchez, punched David in the face after he made a saving tackle). It also mentions how the English referee had to separate players in the second half. Both squads, and a number of press outlets, blamed the violence in this match on the "weak" English referee.
Humberto Bisi
Page 18
La Nación
3-Jun-1962
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Argentina enfrentará hoy a Inglaterra
Preview of the anticipated match between Argentina and England
The article actually previews all the matches of the group stage, with specific attention to the England vs. Argentina game. It laments the violence on the field, particularly the Italy vs. West Germany game, which has led to a string of injuries characterized by the paper as "fútbol combate."
Page 12
La Nación
2-Jun-1962
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La actividad de Roma y el conjunto B; Lesionados
Press coverage of the national team at the 1962 World Cup
Article reports on injuries and recuperation after Argentina's physical match against Bulgaria in the first match of the 1962 World Cup. There's a brief note about the players all receiving a haircut (coach's policy?) and a brief interview with striker José Sanfilippo, who received some blame in the press for not playing enough defense but acknowledged that his coach (Lorenzo) instructed him to stay up the field to keep several Bulgarian defenders from pushing too far upfield.
Ernesto Muñiz
Page 11
La Nación
1-Jun-1962
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