World
Cup 1970
There were many problems for FIFA in the lead-up to the 1970 World Cup . There was a war between two qualifying nations. There were riots in Mexico City, And there was a strange incident involving England captain, Bobby Moore.
Stolen Necklace
Colombian police arrested Moore
at his team hotel in Bogota. The hotel managers accused him
of stealing a diamond necklace. The police held Moore in
Bogota for three days until the British Consulate secured
his release.
The England team was not popular with local Mexicans. They
brought their own food from the UK but this was illegal.
The Mexicans burned it at the airport.
Then the England team had problems with their hotel. On the
nights before matches, Mexican and Brazilian supporters
then drove their cars around the hotel.
Problems for
Brazil
As usual, Brazil also had
problems before the tournament. Their centre forward,
Tostao, had a serious eye injury and had not played for
nearly a year. There were also arguments in the dressing
room. A few days before the first match they changed
manager.
Despite these difficulties, Brazil quickly showed that they
once again had a great team. In the first game, they beat
Czechoslovakia 4-1, with two goals by Jairzinho, one by
Pelé, and one by Rivelino. Brazil's second victory, 1-0 was
a wonderful match, won by a goal by Jairzinho.-
Brazil beat Peru in the Quarter Final. In another Quarter
Final England played West Germany in a repeat of the 1966
Final. The night before the game the England goalkeeper,
Gordon Banks, became ill. Chelsea goalkeeper, Peter Bonetti
was brought in to replace Banks. Unfortunately for England,
Bonetti had not played for more than six weeks.