DARK S. Iu Di EF Oe Fo THE WORLD CUP

Player boycotts, murder and allegations of match-fixing. Why Argentina 1978 remains the most controversial World Cup in history

This year’s World Cup is shrouded in controversy following rising political tensions between Russia and the West. But it is by no means the tournament’s darkest moment.

New HISTORY documentary Pele, Argentina and The Dictators is re-telling the extraordinary events surrounding the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, and the influence and interference of Brazilian dictator General Medici on the country’s legendary 1970 team.

In 1978, Argentina’s military dictatorship was terrorising the country, kidnapping, torturing and killing dissidents.

The Chairman of the World Cup Organising Committee was murdered, allegedly because he wanted to speak out about escalating costs.

National teams discussed boycotting the tournament, with three-time European Footballer of the Year Johan Cruyff refusing to take part.

It went ahead, but there was more controversy on the field. Needing to win their final second round group game against Peru by at least four goals to reach the final, Argentina secured a 6-0 victory - a result that many still believe was fixed.

Argentina would go on to win the final against the Netherlands, leaving devastated Dutch supporters wondering what might have been had Cruyff travelled to South America.