Since then, every cup-winning skipper has made the same gesture. The trophy was stolen on March 20, 1966, four months before the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England, during a public exhibition at Westminster Central Hall. The gold trophy, which stands over two feet high and weighs nearly six pounds, was taken by thieves who forced their way into the exhibition after it closed for the night.
The thieves made off with the cup while the British players were having their dinner. They only found out about its disappearance the next morning when they arrived for training. The trophy has never been found. It is estimated that the theft cost up to $500,000 in today's money.
After losing his job because of this incident, the president of Argentina at the time, Juan Carlos Goyena, was refused entry to Britain. As a result, Britain withdrew its support from President Goyena, causing him to be removed from office.
In 2003, former Chelsea footballer Peter Osgood was arrested on suspicion of stealing the cup but he was later released without charge. In a statement, police said there was no evidence to suggest that he had anything to do with the crime.
Police investigations have so far proved unsuccessful, and no one has ever been charged with the crime.
Ahead of the 1966 World Cup, which was contested in England, the Jules Rimet trophy was displayed as the centerpiece of a stamp exhibition in Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. On March 20, a criminal managed to elude six security officers, remove a padlock, pry open the cabinet, and steal the cup in broad daylight.
In September 2018, a plaque was installed at the location where Pickles discovered the World Cup Trophy on Beulah Hill in Upper Norwood. Pickles' Plaque on Beulah Hill in Upper Norwood The World Cup in football is stolen in 1966. On This Day in History, BBC Alastair Reid (10 September 1966). The New Yorker, p. 3, "The World Cup." The date was February 2, 2007.
When the World Cup was stolen and later recovered by Pickles the dog. The English will always remember 1966 as the year we won the World Cup. What's frequently forgotten is that the trophy was stolen in the days leading up to the competition... and then found in a thicket by a dog named Pickles.
The English will always remember 1966 as the year we won the World Cup. What's frequently forgotten is that the trophy was stolen in the days leading up to the competition... and then found in a thicket by a dog named Pickles.
Ahead of the 1966 World Cup, which was contested in England, the Jules Rimet trophy was displayed as the centerpiece of a stamp exhibition in Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. On March 20, a criminal managed to elude six security officers, remove a padlock, pry open the cabinet, and steal the cup in broad daylight.
The Jules Rimet Trophy, which is presented to the victor of the World Cup in football, was stolen in 1966, just before the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England. The trophy was eventually retrieved by a dog named Pickles, who was afterwards praised and earned a cult following for his bravery. The trophy was finally won by England, the host nation.
There have been many claims as to what has happened to the cup over the years, but no evidence has ever emerged to prove any of them. It is believed that the cup may be in the hands of some Russian mafia boss, who is probably using it as a coffee table.
In 2009, an artist called Mark Wallinger bought the trophy at an auction in London for £150,000 ($240,000). He planned to sell it again, this time with a genuine chance of getting back its value as more people became interested in it. However, nothing came of this plan and Wallinger later burned it in a public execution scene at the Venice Biennale.
The original Jules Rimet trophy is now on display at the National Football Museum in Manchester.
When the World Cup was stolen and later recovered by Pickles the dog. The English will always remember 1966 as the year we won the World Cup. What's frequently forgotten is that the trophy was stolen in the days leading up to the competition... and then found in a thicket by a dog named Pickles.
In fact, the theft of the cup is what brought England and Germany together for a series of matches known today as the European Championship of Soccer or Euro 96. These were not official games between England and Germany but rather exhibitions featuring both countries' professional teams. The Germans hired Johan Cruyff's team to play in their country while England hired Bobby Moore's team. The matches were so popular that they had to be played over two seasons (with the second taking place three years after the first ended).
The first game of the trilogy was held at Wembley Stadium on June 9, 1996. England won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Tony Adams. It was his last game for his country because he died a few months later at the age of 37.
The next match took place eight days later at Old Trafford with Germany as the home team. They made it to the final minute of the game without scoring when Karl-Heinz Riedle scored an amazing free kick to give Germany a 1-0 win and take the trophy back to Germany.
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