Iconic Moments in Football No.41
This week’s iconic moment comes from the 1982 World Cup in a group game between France and Kuwait.
France were already 3-1 up when Alain Giresse was played through on goal by Michel Platini. A whistle was blown from somewhere in the crowd and several of the players from both sides thought that it came from the referee and stopped playing.
Giresse carried on and hit the ball into the top corner of the net. Several Kuwaiti defenders and goalkeeper stopped.
The referee gave the goal and anarchy ensued. The Kuwaiti players surrounded the referee and linesmen and even Prince Fahid of Kuwait who was in the crowd began to protest the referee’s decision.
From his vantage point in the stands, Fahid waved the Kuwaiti players off the pitch, trying to get the game postponed.
When he wasn’t listened to, he got out of his seat and went down and walked on to the pitch to remonstrate with FIFA officials.
Unbelievably, referee from the Soviet Union went back on his original decision and disallowed the goal. This infuriated the French manager and players and the game resumed several minutes later.
The goal had no bearing on the score at full-time as France won 4-1.
France finished second in the group behind England and qualified for the knockout stage. They would eventually reach the Semi Final before losing to West Germany on penalties.
Kuwait lost their final game 1-0 to England and finished bottom of the group. This was their last World Cup game as they haven’t qualified for another World Cup since.
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