This Day in History: 2023-03-20

Nr. 428

JACK CHARLTON’S SURPRISE BOOKING (1966)

The 1996 World Cup quarter-final between England and Argentina was the footballing equivalent of the Falklands War conducted in the Tower of Babel. Neither side understood what the other was saying and with little or no command of either language German referee Rudolf Kretlein was no better off. He did his best to maintain control, but such was the fast and furious engagement that confusion reigned. Jack Charlton was astonished to read in the next morning’s newspapers that he had been booked during the game and had to phone the tournament press office to find out whether it was true or not. It was.

Charlton was as surprised as anyone to find out that he had received a booking during the grudge match between England and Argentina.