The World Cup’s Worst Non-Foul
Schumacher-Battiston 1982
The World Cup has produced its fair share of controversial moments over the years. But few have caused as much outrage as Harald ‘Toni’ Schumacher’s brutal challenge on Patrick Battiston during a 1982 semi-final.
The game between France and West Germany was finely poised when Michel Platini’s ball sent teammate Patrick Battiston through on goal. Battiston, a modern defender with an eye for goal, had come off the bench minutes earlier. As he reached the ball, West Germany’s goalkeeper, Harald Schumacher, rushed out.
He launched himself into the onrushing Battiston, making no obvious attempt to play the ball. The German’s hip crashed into the Frenchman’s skull, sending him straight down to the turf. The impact was sickening. Battiston lay motionless, with Platini later admitting he feared his friend was dead.
Medical staff rushed across the pitch as the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán watched in stunned silence. Battiston had lost two teeth, sustained a concussion and cracked vertebrae in his neck. He was stretchered away as Schumacher turned his back on the scene and prepared to take a goal kick.
As if the collision wasn’t shocking enough, the referee took no action. No red card, no yellow, no foul. Dutchman Charles Corver even appeared reluctant to allow the defender to receive treatment at first. The game was restarted by West Germany as though nothing had happened.
In the aftermath of the semi-final, French supporters and neutrals were appalled by Schumacher’s conduct. The German keeper did nothing to endear himself to the public by dismissing the incident. When interviewed after the game, he quipped that he would ‘pay for his dentures.’
This displayed an astonishing lack of remorse, and it made Schumacher a national enemy in the French republic. The country’s famously ruthless newspaper, L’Équipe, ran a poll to determine the most hated man in France. Of course, Schumacher beat Adolf Hitler to the top spot.
While Schumacher and West Germany marched on to face Italy in the final, Battiston faced a long period of recovery. His injuries were very serious, but there was also psychological damage. He had little memory of the incident itself but admitted to harbouring anxieties about returning to the pitch. Fortunately, he did play top-level football again and went on to earn more caps representing his country.
Platini, his captain, was deeply upset by the events of that night in Seville. Years later, he recalled how Battiston, in his hospital bed, had asked whether his shot ended up in the back of the net.
The Schumacher-Battiston collision became the defining moment of the former's career. He was an impressive keeper, winning a European Championship two years prior to España ‘82 and playing in two World Cup finals, but he was never able to shake his negative reputation.
With time, Schumacher attempted to make amends. He later expressed regret over his reaction and eventually met Battiston to apologise. The Frenchman forgave him, rubbishing claims that he held a grudge.
Even now, more than 40 years later, the incident is remembered as one of football’s worst ever fouls. The facts that it went unpunished and occurred in a World Cup semi-final only add to the shock factor. In truth, Schumacher’s actions were an assault disguised as a tackle.