Iconic Moments in Football No.67
This week’s ‘Iconic Moment’ is one of the most controversial and deplorable moments in the history of the spot. It was so bad that a country was disqualified from two World Cups and a player was given a lifetime ban from the game.
Brazil and Chile were playing a crucial World Cup qualifier at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Chile needed to get a result but were trailing 1-0 when midway through the second half a firework exploded on the pitch, right next to Chilean goalkeeper Roberto “Condor” Rojas.
Rojas fell to the floor clutching his face. His team mates came rushing to his aid, crowding around the stricken goalkeeper. One of the Chilean players, Patricio Yanez, made a rude gesture towards the Brazil fans behind the goal which didn’t help matters.
The goalkeeper was carried off the field of play with a bloodied face. He was taken down into the dressing room by his team mates. The Chileans then refused to go back out onto the pitch, for fear of their own safety and remained in the dressing room. Whilst this was happening, the Brazilian players remained out on the pitch, looking a bit bewildered and unsure of what to do next.
Two FIFA delegates walked out onto the field of play to speak to the referee, who was stood in the centre circle with his two linesmen. After a brief discussion, the referee gestured to the fans that the game had been abandoned and the Brazilians players left the pitch with the referee.
It was only discovered the next day that the firework hadn’t hit Rojas, and had in fact landed about a metre away from him. The cut that Rojas had on his face couldn’t have been from the firework. Later investigations revealed that the Chilean goalkeeper had a razor blade secreted inside one of his gloves in the hope of finding an opportunity to sabotage the match. It backfired and Rojas was banned from the game for life. This ban was lifted in 2001.
The game is known throughout Brazil and Chile as ‘The Maracanazo of the Chilean team’, owing to the fact that the game was played at the Maracana Stadium in Rio.
Chile were banned from the 1990 World Cup and Brazil went on to play in the tournament. The Chileans were also banned from qualifying for the 1994 World Cup Finals in America. They were finally allowed to enter the South American qualifiers for the 1998 World Cup and managed to reach the tournament in France.
As for the person who threw the firework, they actually became a celebrity!
It was discovered that a lady called Rosenery Mello do Nascimento (no relation to Pele!) had been responsible and she became well known throughout Brazil. She even appeared on the front cover of ‘Playboy‘ magazine two months later!
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