Kidnappers made Cruyff miss World Cup

[pete 2,499]

Johann Cruyff's decision to miss the 1978 World Cup has long been attributed to his reluctance to give a propaganda coup to the military junta that controlled Argentina at the time, but the Dutch master has now revealed that there was another reason for his refusal to travel: a kidnap attempt during which he and his family were threatened with a rifle.

 

Cruyff told Radio Cataluyna that the attempt occurred in Barcelona in 1977. "I had a rifle at my head, I was tied up, my wife tied up, the children were in the apartment in Barcelona," he said.

 

The former player did not explain how the ordeal ended, but said his house was placed under police protection for the next four months and that guards thereafter accompanied his children to and from school. He said concern for his family meant he did not feel able to help Holland at the World Cup.

 

"To play a World Cup you have to be 200%," said Cruyff. "There are moments when there are other values in life."

 

Cruyff, widely acclaimed as the finest player of his generation, led Holland to the 1974 World Cup final, where they lost to hosts West Germany. He retired from international football in 1977 after helping the country qualify for the 1978 torunament where, without him, Holland again reached the final - and again lost to the hosts.

 

I am sure with Cruijff Holland would have beaten Argentina and even to this day some of the Dutch players playing in the final, feared if they won that they may not have left Argentina alive.

 

I suppose Holland are getting there own back now as Crown prince Alexander is shagging the Argentine Maxima Zorreguieta.

[ian1964 10,761]

Cruyff.........what a player,for me the best of his era

[juffery 0]

That's an old story Pete. You need new sources!!