INDIA GET THE BOOT-THEY HAD TO!

In the 1950 World Cup Finals, after last minute complications, FIFA was in a position that as organisers, nations were "begging"  to join the tournament, to fill the last THREE places on the fixture card. Keen to involve British nations that had been absent since the 1920s (that's another story), FIFA offered places to the winners and runners-up of the Home Championship......that is (was) the annual competition played by the "Home" nations.

England (team left) and Scotland qualified but the Scottish FA decided not to take part because they did not WIN the British tournament! 

Scotland's captain, George Young and England captain, Billy Wright (back row in photo, second from right as you face it) pleaded with the Scottish FA to change its mind but this remarkable show of British solidarity did not have its effect. As it was England went to the Finals, lost to the USA  0-1(very much a "minnow" at the time) and wished perhaps that they had stayed at home as well!! 

Spot any other England players? Alf Ramsey? Tom Finney, Gill Merrick..goalie!

FIFA had other problems, with Argentina pulling out due to the problems they were having with matches against neighbours, Brazil, in the 1940s. Czechoslovakia decline an invitation too and the French noted that their tournament matches were 2,000 miles apart and Brazil refused to help, so were "out" too.                  

Post-war Germany was banned and only 13 teams competed, creating a problematic "draw" for the organisers. There were two groups of 4 and one of 3 and one of 2!! Curious? This annoyed India, who having qualified for the tournament Finals for the first time, showed their prowess with a competent 1-2 defeat by France in the 1948 Olympics. 

Several Asian nations had "dropped out" also, but the India squad had its bags packed and were ready to travel. However, FIFA dropped a bombshell stating that the Indians were not allowed to be involved because their players didn't wear boots but played bare foot! (sort of fair enough??)

Indian midfielder, Venkatesh Shanmugham (try saying that in commentary!) said " Sadly, we did not know then that barefoot was not allowed in the World Cup. We got to know this very late and had been to Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and played a Chinese team, in Hong Kong, as part of our preparation." There was disappointment but they played eventually. 

The 1948 London Olympics marked the first time an Indian football team participated in the Olympics after India's independence. Led by captain, Talimeren Ao, and coached by Balaidas Chatterjee, the team made its debut against France at the Cricklefield Stadium. Though they lost to France, the match was significant as it was the first time the Indian tricolor was represented in an international football

competition. 8 players were bare footed!!

India did invest in boots eventually and played and won the first Asian Games in 1951 and finished fourth in the 1956 Olympics.