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Sports is seen as a field where individuals come from various backgrounds and united to play the game they love. Football is no exception to this and the beautiful game we love provides a getaway from numerous issues.
Politics is one such issue and football transcends political barriers more often than not. However, on certain occasions, politics have interfered with the game and some matches have taken a different shade altogether.
Recently two Swiss players Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri were fined for political gestures. Both of them made a double-headed eagle with their hands, a symbol which is seen on an Albanian flag against opponents Serbia who doesn't recognize the independence of Kosovo. The vast majority of Kosovo is inhabited by people of Albanian heritage.
Both the players were fined by FIFA, which were attended to by the ethnic Albanians from Kosovo. However, this incident diverted attention from the football to the politics, creating controversy.
On that note here are 5 politically influenced matches in World Cup history.
#5 East Germany vs. West Germany, 1974
After the second World War, Germany was a fractured nation, divided into east and west fractions. West Germany was the superior football team compared to its neighbours, and East Germany did not even qualify for the tournament until 1974 when it was held in - you guessed it - West Germany.
They were drawn into the same group and both of them had qualified before their head to head clash. East Germany pulled out an improbable 1-0 victory, topping the group in the process.
West Germany would go on to have the last laugh though, as they beat Holland to clinch the trophy. The Berlin Wall was felled in 1989 and the two sides finally united in 1990, after West Germany clinched yet another title.
This time neither part of the country has reason to celebrate after the defending champions were prematurely knocked out.
#4 Angola vs. Portugal, 2006
Angola gained independence in 1975 freeing themselves from Portuguese rule. The Portuguese had ruled over Angola for more than 500 years, which ended after a long freedom struggle.
Both these nations met in a friendly in 2001, but the match was nowhere near friendly. Angola took their rage out and the match had to be abandoned in the 67th minute after the minnows received their fourth red card.
They were drawn in the same group at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and many expected their clash to be just as heated. However, the match was kind of dull, as Portugal won with the solitary goal coming from Pedro Pauleta.
#3 USA vs. Iran, 1998
This match is often touted as the 'most politically charged game in World Cup history.' The Iranian revolution took place in 1979 which ousted Mohammad Reza Shah, who had the tremendous backing of the USA.
Since then the relations between the nations were quite hostile, and they were ominously drawn in Group F in the 1998 World Cup.
The first of many problems was that Iran was Team B and the USA were team A. This meant that the Iranians would have had to walk to shake hands before kickoff. However Iranian leader Khamenei ordered that his players should not walk, instead, their opponents should. Eventually, the Americans agreed to comply.
A bigger problem was in the stands however as an Iraqi terrorist organization had bought 7,000 tickets to stage a protest. Orders had to be given to the cameramen to avoid the banners and offensive messages.
The match kicked off and Iran ran out 2-1 winners, eliminating the USA from the tournament to spark wild celebrations. But the match was a boon for their relations, as Iran gave each USA player a white flower as a sign of friendship.
"We did more in 90 minutes than the politicians did in 20 years," quipped USA defender Jeff Agoos after the match.
#2 England vs. Argentina, 1986
This quarter-final match is famous for the two goals which Diego Maradona scored to knock out England. The first was the infamous 'Hand of God' goal and the second was a result of an astounding mazy dribble which is often dubbed as the 'Goal of the Century'. However, the match also had another story, one of political hue.
These two nations had fought the Falkland war just four years prior to 1986. British troops had seized control of the Falkland Islands after an invasion by Argentina. The war lasted for more than two months, and it took more than 900 lives in the process.
Four years on, the war was a distant memory but the wounds still lingered, especially with the South American nation. The feelings have not dissipated even now, as Argentina unfurled a banner showing their right to the Islands in a warm-up game in 2014.
The victory in 1986 was a small revenge for Argentina after their losses in 1982, and Maradona saw to it that it won't be forgotten.
#1 Italy vs. France, 1938
The 1938 tournament in France was the last one to be played before a 12 year-long break due to the World War.
Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini pledged his support to General Franco in the Spanish Civil War, which in turn angered the French. The Italian side faced a greatly hostile reception in France, greeted by an anti-Fascist environment.
The players wore black armbands and did Fascist salutes before each match, greeted by a crescendo of hate and abuse each time. Italy faced France in the quarter-finals, and the tension was sky-high.
The uniforms of both sides were blue, so a draw was made to decide who would wear white. Italy lost it, but they wore black instead, an order rumoured to be sent by Mussolini.
On the pitch, Italy eventually ran out 3-1 winners, on their way to a consecutive World Cup crown.
Coach Vittorio Pozzo's words perfectly demonstrated the Italian attitude in 1938. "At the salute, we predictably met with a solemn and deafening barrage of whistles, insults, and remarks. We had just put our hands down and the violent demonstration started again. Straight away: “Team, be ready. Salute.” And we raised our hands again, to confirm we had no fear … Having won the battle of intimidation, we played."
