A list of tragedies in World Cup History

DBasia.news – This time, the World Cup has entered its 22nd edition. The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December.

Throughout the World Cup, there have been interesting events on and off the field. Both events that gave birth to laughter and smiles, to heartbreaking tragedies.

There were at least three heartbreaking tragedies throughout the World Cup, which was first held in 1930 in Uruguay. This tragedy will always be remembered as the historical value of the existence of the biggest football tournament in the world.

BolaSkor.com has presented three of the most heartbreaking tragedies in the history of the World Cup. Whatever it is, here’s a review:

1. Fight between Players in the 1962 Chile World Cup

Fights between players on the field happened at the 1962 Chile World Cup. At that time, the host Chile met Italy, in the Group 2 match, June 2, 1962.

The match turned out to be a battlefield for players. Punches and kicks came from both teams. In fact, the police were forced to enter the field to calm the fight.

The match was known as the “Battle of Santiago”, as the match was held in the Chilean capital, Santiago.

BBC commentator Agus Coleman called the match the stupidest, horrific, disgusting and humiliating match in the history of football. The referee who officiated the match, Ken Ashton, described the match as being terrible.

“At that time, I didn’t seem to be a referee in football matches, but I acted as a judge in battles filled with military maneuvers,” said the British referee.

However, the incident made controversy. Where Ashton only issued two red cards. Everything for Italian players. Italy also lost 0-2 to Chile.

2. Patrick Battiston Almost Died in the 1982 World Cup France vs West Germany

The 1982 World Cup was held in Spain. There were 24 teams that qualified for the 1982 World Cup finals. However, there was one match that is always remembered for almost causing one fatality.

The match brought together West Germany against France, in the 1982 World Cup semifinal match at the Roman Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, Seville, 8 July. The competition was fierce.

The tragedy in question began with the position of the two teams who were equally strong at 1-1. The captain and star of the French national team at the time, Michel Platini, sent the ball with a long kick for Patrick Battiston.

Battiston prepared to meet Platini’s cross but West Germany goalkeeper Toni Schumacher came out of the net. The clash of the two was unavoidable.

Schumacher was seen lifting his hips to knock out Battiston. Battiston who received the impact collapsed in the middle of the field. He was unconscious.

Luckily, his life was saved by the medical team. He was carried off the pitch with the help of a neck brace. He received treatment with broken teeth, ribs, and spine. Battiston was also in coma. However, his life was saved again.

In that match, Schumacher did not receive any cards from the referee. The match was resumed. As a result, West Germany won over France on penalties with a score of 5-4, after a 3-3 draw.

3. The death of Andres Escobar in the 1994 World Cup

One of the most heartbreaking and memorable tragedies in the history of the World Cup is the death of the Colombian national team defender, Andres Escobar. He was killed while the 1994 World Cup was still in progress.

The reason was because Escobar created an own goal when Colombia lost 1-2 to the United States, in the second match of Group A at the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, June 22, 1994. Escobar affected a drug lord while gambling.

The story began on July 2, 1994, the world football were shocked by the news of Andres Escobar’s murder . The player who plays as a central defender was killed in a Colombian nightclub. He was shot by an unknown person.

As reported by the BBC, a witness said the incident occurred at 03.30 am WIB. There was a group of people shouting Escobar’s name in a form of contempt. Escobar did not accept and defended himself, but a man suddenly pulled out a 38 mm caliber pistol and shot Escobar 12 times.

The man who shot Escobar shouted “Thanks for the own-goal, hijueputa!” which means thank you for your own goal, son of a bit**.” The man’s friends chanted “Goal”, like a football commentator welcoming a goal.

The perpetrator fled the scene in his private car, 45 minutes later Escobar was declared dead at the age of 27, after being rushed to the hospital. Escobar’s body was then interred at the Montesacro cemetery, Medellin.

The Colombian Police finally arrested Humberto Castro Munoz the night after the incident. He is the perpetrator for Andres Escobar’s death.

He was ordered by his employer, Santiago Gallon, to kill Escobar to avenge the huge loss due to losing a bet. Castro Munoz himself is an accomplice to a drug cartel in Colombia.

Colombian police have finally released evidence that Escobar’s murder was motivated by his own goal against the United States. If that didn’t happen, Colombia would have successfully advanced to the next round at the 1994 World Cup.

The court sentenced Castro Munoz to 43 years in prison. But over time, Castro Munoz served only 11 years of his sentence. He received 26 years remission for good behavior while in prison. He was released in 2005.