June 2nd 1962, witnessed an international match, a World Cup Group Two tie, which eventually became known as the "Battle of Santiago". Played at the "home team's" Estadio Nacional in Chile, just over 66,000 witnessed possibly the "Blackest" Day in World Cup history. It was given World wide coverage, a large crowd that saw the ugliest side of football. What I witnessed last night between Sevilla and Roma, with Jose and mates, misbehaving, gets nowhere near what happened at Santiago.
Both teams were of "Latin" temperament and Italian journalists had written about the "life" in Chile and particularly in Santiago, the capital. The home fans jeered every move the visitors made from the first whistle.Chile's cntre-forward, Landa, kicked Ferrini from behind after only 8 minutes and that was that! It was the English referee, Ken Aston, a man of some stature and presence, who had to deal with this and Landa was "dismissed" but he refused to leave the field. After ten minutes, FIFA officials and police eventually sorted that out!
Italy went into defensive mode and the Chileans resorted to some challenging tackles. The Italians were quite capable of looking after themselves and five minutes before half time the Chilean, Sanchez, had his nose broken following a coming together with Humberto Machio. This took place in front of a linesmen, so it was remarkable that nobody was sent off. 0-0 at half time...and that was goals recorded not "sendings off"!!
In the second half, it wasn't long before Italy's Mario David tackled Sanchez "around his neck" and was given his marching orders; Italy down to nine men.
By now, the Chileans were facing nine men but it took 74 minutes before they scored. following a free kick and Ramirez's header. Two minutes from time, Toro scored a second, to ensure the hosts victory and Ken Aston soon blew for full time, signalling an escort of local policemen to led him and the players from the pitch.
Following the game, FIFA watched the television coverage of the match and subsequently suspended Ferrini for one game and reprimanded Sanchez and David for their involvement and violence!
Ken said the match was "uncontrollable" and he had considered abandoning the match, for his and the players safety. But who knows what would have happened if he had taken that route! It was Ken's last World Cup appointment, but who could accuse him of causing this debacle.
David Coleman said on the BBC's TV coverage: "Good evening the game you are about to see is the most stupid, appalling, disgusting, disgraceful exhibition of football, possibly in the history of the game".
Chile came second in their group, then beat the Soviet Union 2-1, losing to Brazil (eventual winners) 4-2 in the semis. Chile beat Yugoslavia 1-0 in a play off, to win Third Place. Italy was third in the group.
Do you remember what happened to our chaps?
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