‘FIFA World Cup - Mexico 1986 : Horst Cerni

Because of my work with FIFA for the UNICEF benefit matches, we flew to Mexico City in June of 1986. FIFA had organized a major press conference, at which Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, and I announced the next World All-Star Match for the benefit of UNICEF to take place at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles the following month. Some 200 journalists attended.

FIFA gave us complimentary passes to see two matches of the World Cup. The first one was the historic Quarter Final match between Argentina and England in the giant Azteca stadium with over 114,000 spectators .The atmosphere was tense, with armed police and military all over.  

Above us to the left was the Argentine fan section, and they not only made a lot of noise, but also burnt the Union Jack..They wanted revenge for losing the war over “Las Malvinas” - the Falklands - four years ago. The match itself was even at 1:1, until Argentina’s superstar Diego Armando Maradona used his “magical” hand to direct the ball into England’s net. It became known as “the hand of God”. Everybody, especially the media, had noticed it, but not the referee, and there was no video to verify the fault. So, Argentina won 2:1.

Fans riot after 'the hand of God' puts the ball in England's net

After the match, the military marched off in formation considering that their work was a “mission accomplished”, but once the troops were out of sight, a clash occurred between the Argentine and British “fans” (probably hooligans). Stones and other items were thrown and we were caught in the middle. Fortunately, we were able to slide down a slope and hide behind a food vendor’s cart, until police arrived and separated the gangs. This was on 22 June 1986, - our daughter Anneliese’s “Sweet 16th” birthday. Of course, we celebrated afterwards.

Then we had to drive to Puebla for the match for third place. It was getting dark and we passed a road construction site when all of a sudden a policeman on a motorbike appeared, wearing sunglasses (!) and demanded my passport, claiming I had ignored a stop sign. He said I could pick up the passport tomorrow at the police station. I pleaded, saying I had a FIFA appointment, so he finally agreed to take my money - whatever I had in the wallet - and gave me back my passport. We were shocked, of course, but had a nice time in Puebla and saw a relaxed match. France beat Belgium 4:2.

On the 29th of June, Argentina beat West Germany 3:2 and won the World Cup

A month later, on the 27th of July, the All-Star Match for the benefit of UNICEF took place in the Rosebowl in Los Angeles, and Jim Grant appointed Diego Maradona as UNICEF Sports Ambassador.

Naturally, we also traveled a little in Mexico. visiting colorful towns and ancient ruins, like Chichen Itza in the Yucatan peninsula.

We especially loved the beautiful city of Guanajuato, where we visited the Mummy Museum. Outside, vendors were selling chocolate mummies…We ignored them and went on our way.