An incredible match – Chile-Italy -, heavily influenced by the refereeing and the unsportsmanlike conduct of the Chilean hosts on the field.

In June 1962, all eyes of the world are focused on Chile, where the seventh edition of the World Championship is taking place. In the South American nation, the Italian expedition, led by Paolo Mazza and Giovanni Ferrari, started with the best predictions, being able to count on top players.

The tricolor journey

Our national team debuts on May 31 against West Germany. After a balanced match, they manage to bring home a goalless draw. A decent result, but not great considering the result of the other group match. The Chilean hosts and the next opponents of the Italians beat Switzerland 3-1.

The situation around our expedition changes radically. Hordes of enraged Chileans assault the aviation barracks where the Italian players were in retreat, filling them with insults and throwing objects of all kinds. The reason is soon discovered: Antonio Ghirelli and Corrado Pizzinelli, respectively in the columns of the Corriere della Sera and La Nazione, have put on paper the real situation of the hosting country of the World Cup. The two described Chile as “the sad symbol of one of the underdeveloped countries in the world and afflicted by all possible evils: malnutrition, prostitution, illiteracy, alcoholism, poverty.”

The situation becomes tough, dangerous, and almost unbearable for the team. The local media and press exacerbate the situation, even calling for the expulsion of the two Italian journalists from the country.

With all this context, Mazza and Ferrari begin to think about a large turnover. This is to avoid risking the strongest players in what is shaping up to be a very tough match.

Choice that to this day remains inexplicable given the importance of the match, which is knockout. Many moons later, some shadow is dispelled thanks to the accounts of Sivori and Cesare Maldini. The two claim to have clearly heard the two technical commissioners discussing the lineup with some journalists. Of the starting team, Losi, Sivori, Rivera, and Maldini are rested. Practically the backbone of the team.

Chile-Italy: The Battle of Santiago

The day of Chile-Italy arrives. The Nacional in Santiago is a madhouse: 66,000 Chileans shout and insult the Italians. We are about to witness one of the darkest pages of our soccer.

To oversee the match is the English referee Ken Aston, one of the best in the role. Despite this, he proves to be absolutely inadequate in refereeing the game. From the very first moments, it is perceived that the match has little to do with soccer.

Just five minutes pass and David, Sanchez, and Toro start hitting each other, before Maschio intervenes, unseen by Aston, and punches Sanchez in the face.

Two minutes later, Ferrini receives a kick from behind from Landa and kicks back in reaction: the Italian does not hit the opponent, but the English referee expels him, leaving Italy with 10 men. Aston’s decision would be impeccable in itself if it were not for the fact that the British referee will deliberately ignore all the most serious interventions committed by the hosts from that moment on.

The first occurs during the brawl due to Ferrini’s expulsion, with Sanchez deciding to retaliate for the blow he received a few minutes earlier by punching Maschio in the face, breaking his nose. The Italian number eight will be forced to remain on the field clearly dazed, in a game where there were no substitutions.

The match continues following this trend. More hits to the person than to the ball. One of the most active on the field is Sanchez, who towards the end of the first half engages in a rough duel with David. He is fouled and delivers another punch, this time to the defender. For Aston, everything is okay. Obviously furious, David intervenes in the next action, very roughly, with a high tackle against the Chilean winger.

In this case, Aston regains his sight and expels the Italian player. Italy with nine men. Those who remain on the field try to resist. And until 17 minutes from the end, they succeed. Chile goes ahead thanks to Ramirez. The second goal comes towards the end of the match, scored by Toro. Chile-Italy ends 2-0.

The torments of young Ken

Italy’s adventure at the 1962 World Cup ends like this, at the end of an absurd match. Years later, the English referee will admit to not having offered a decent refereeing performance. However, he will justify himself by saying that he was not called to referee a football match, but a sort of military conflict.

He also said he thought about interrupting the match but did not do so for fear of triggering a real popular revolution.

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