Days prior to the beginning of World Cup Qatar 2022, social media users are recalling stories and incidents from past tournaments. One of these stories is what is known as “The Disgrace of Gijón.” According to some sports fans, the Algeria national team was excluded from the first round after the national teams of Austria and Germany colluded in their match during the third round. What is the truth behind the disgrace of Gijón?
Those who followed the World Cup 2018, or any version of the tournament since 1982, will notice that with the group phase approaching its end, the final rounds of each group is played simultaneously. This rule was adopted by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) after the collusion of West Germany and Austria’s national teams against the Algerian national team in one of the most unethical matches in history.
The Disgrace of Gijón
During World Cup Spain 1982, the national teams of West Germany, Austria, Algeria, and Chile were in the same group. At the time, West Germany entered the World Cup Spain 2022 with confidence following its win of European Football Championship 1980.
The group’s first matches included the teams of West Germany and Algeria. Back then, West Germany was expected to easily defeat Algeria, but Algeria had a surprise victory over West Germany with Rabah Madjer and Lakhader Belloumi’s goals. It was the first time that a European team loses to an African team in the history of the World Cup. On the other hand, Austria defeated Chile 1-0.
In the second round of matches, West Germany defeated Chile by four goals to one and Algeria lost to Austria by two goals to zero.
On June 24, 1982, Algeria defeated Chile by three goals to two, securing a place four points behind Austria at the top of the group. Winning at that time required only two points and not three, as it does today. The goal difference was decisive when teams were tied on points. West Germany had its last group game against Austria. The match was held at El Molinón Stadium in the Spanish city of Gijón the following day, June 25.
Algerians waited 24 hours in hope for a draw, a win for Austria, or a win for West Germany by three or more goals. West Germany’s victory would have made Austria rank behind Algeria by goal difference.
Prior to the last match between West Germany and Austria, the group ranking was as follows:
What Is the Story Behind the Disgrace of Gijón?
Both teams of West Germany and Austria knew that a 1-0 or 2-0 victory for West Germany meant that both teams would qualify for the next round.
West Germany started the game by scoring their early opening goal by Horst Hrubesch, only to carry on with passing the ball in the middle of the field, amid an attack from the fans. Fans ended up throwing money at players in objection. Everyone was furious with the performance of the two teams.
Algeria’s Complaint
Algerian fans attending the match tried to storm the stadium before being stopped by the police. Moreover, the Algerian Federation filed a formal complaint to the International Football Federation demanding an investigation into the match. However, the FIFA's meeting to address the problem provided no evidence of manipulation or illegality, and Algeria's complaint was rejected at the time.
As a result of this football scandal, FIFA changed the rules into what they are now. The last match of each group phase is played simultaneously with the hope of preventing any kind of collusion.
West Germany and Austria Match Statistics in World Cup 1982
OPTA Sports, a firm that specializes in collecting and publishing sports statistics, has a detailed archive for each World Cup match since 1966.
In its archives, OPTA Sports provides odd results regarding the match between West Germany and Austria in 1982. The archives show that the second half of the game had only three shots, none of which were on target. The completion rate for both sides was above 90% with West Germany installing 98% of passes in their own half, while Austria completed 99% of its passes before the halfway line.
The last 10 minutes were rather bizarre and produced to the most bewildering World Cup match footage.
Comments on the Match of West Germany and Austria 1982
"We wanted to progress, not play football," said German coach Jupp Derwall. The German player, Lothar Mattaus, commented: "We have gone through, that is all that matters."
According to The Guardian, after the match became too boring, Austrian television commentator Robert Seeger told viewers to turn off their TVs, and nothing was commented on during the final part of the match. The German commentator, Eberhard Stanjek, said: "What happens here is shameful and has nothing to do with football. You can say whatever you want, but not every end justifies every means. "
British television described the match as “notorious”, and as “one of the most shameful international matches ever.” After the match, some German newspapers attacked their team and called it a "team of shame." A popular Spanish newspaper printed the match report in the crime section.
Renowned media outlets condemned the match, explaining that the Algerian team, who did a spectacular performance, had been subjected to severe injustice, leading to their exit from the World Cup by a historic scandal.
The match was then called the "Gijón Non-Aggression Pact," in reference to the Germans and Austrians making a deal to get the match out in this way. It became internationally known as the "the Disgrace of Gijón."
Translated by Jehan Batrawi
Misbar’s Sources
