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When Jack Charlton wasn’t becoming the 1994 USA World Cup’s most unlikely style icon, ditching his trademark flat cap to pair Adidas tracksuits with an assortment of different hats, he was making all the right enemies.
FIFA general secretary Sepp Blatter was first on his list. The Republic of Ireland famously opened their tournament by beating the Italy of Baresi, Maldini, and Baggio, 1-0 in the Giants Stadium. In the sweltering heat, Charlton was prevented from throwing water bottles onto the pitch for his dehydrated players. If he couldn’t throw the bottles, he could throw the water, so he took to soaking his players from the touchline whenever they wandered close.
After the win, Jack said he would file a letter of complaint with FIFA asking for more opportunities for players “to swill a bit down”. Blatter responded: “It was no coincidence that the only manager to complain was the one from Ireland. He does not have a problem with water, he has a problem with officials at most stadiums and that is not FIFA’s fault.”
Blatter might have thought it wasn’t his fault, but it was now his problem. FIFA ruled bags of water, but not bottles, would be allowed onto the pitch. Charlton was vindicated. “[The players] trust me to do what is right for them and I will continue to do it,” he said. “We have been right in pursuing this matter and FIFA’s change of heart proves that.”
Ireland’s next fixture, against Mexico, was played in even higher temperatures, kicking off at midday in Orlando. Fans in the stadium were fainting due to the heat, which favoured a Mexican side that went 2-0 up as Ireland were trying to bring on striker John Aldridge.
Owen Coyne left the pitch, but an unknown official had taken the paperwork for the substitution away from the fourth official. Aldridge was prevented from coming on, leaving Ireland down to ten players. Cameras captured Aldridge screaming at the stranger in a blue suit and yellow baseball cap, who has reached such a level of infamy his outfit has become a fancy dress staple in Ireland: “Fuck off, you! You twat! You dickhead! You fucking cheat!”
Sleeves rolled up, Charlton was next to argue with the FIFA jobsworth, showing an admirable level of restraint when he was pushed back towards his dugout. Again, he was vindicated. Aldridge headed in a consolation goal seven minutes after eventually being allowed on. The goal was decisive; it was the only group in World Cup history in which all four teams finished on the same points and with the same goal difference, Ireland qualifying in second having scored a single goal more than Norway. Charlton was still up for a fight, calling out an entire nation: “Next time, we’ll play the Mexicans in winter and we’ll see what happens.”
His ruck with the official earned him a $15,000 fine and a one-match touchline ban. In Ireland, fans raised almost a hundred grand to pay his fine. The FAI paid the bill, and the money was donated to charity. After Ireland drew 0-0 with Norway to qualify for the knockout stages, Big Jack poked his head out of a box high up in the stands from where he had been forced to watch, waved to the world, and lit a cigar. ⬢
Originally published in The Square Ball’s mini World Cup special in 2022. Get one of the last remaining copies here.
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