On This Day – 25th May
Bobby Moore was arrested in Colombia on this day 50 years ago in the build-up to the World Cup in Mexico.
The England captain was accused of stealing a bracelet in a jewellery shop called ‘Fuego Verde’; situated inside the lobby of the hotel where the England team were staying.
Both Moore and Bobby Charlton walked into the jewellery shop and were the only two people inside. Charlton asked the shop assistant to have a look at a ring that was on display as he wanted to buy it for his wife. It was at this point that Moore was alleged to have taken the bracelet.
Moore was quickly detained and questioned by Police. He was held for four days until Harold Wilson (the Prime Minister at the time) personally intervened. Moore then flew on to Mexico to join the rest of the squad for their World Cup opener against Brazil.
In the game against Brazil, the West Ham defender made a fantastic tackle against Jairzinho before calmly laying the ball off to a team-mate. It was as if nothing had happened in the buildup to the game!
In the end, the whole case was dropped after it was revealed that the tracksuit that Moore was wearing at the time had no pockets!
England went on to reach the Quarter Finals, where they threw away a two-goal lead against West Germany, losing 3-2 after extra-time.
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