July 14 - The Football War

Football may be a game, but it is taken very seriously in some parts of the world, and sometimes the emotions of the game can carry over from the pitch or the stadium.

It was on this day in 1969 that the so called ‘football war’ began between central American countries Honduras and El Salvador as the two nations battled for a place at the 1970 world cup.

Both national teams had beaten the other at home - Honduras beat El Salvador 1-0, with the second leg a 3-0 win for El Salvador. Goal difference was not used so a play off match on June 27 in Mexico was held to decide who would progress to the world cup finals.

Honduras led the match 2-1 at half time, but El Salvador eventually won the match 3-2 after extra time to earn a place at the finals in Mexico.

It was on July 14 1969 that the Salvadorian army attacked Honduras, kicking off hostilities that went on for six days when a ceasefire was negotiated.

Land disputes, rather than football were the real cause of the war, but given the rioting that occurred at the world cup qualifying matches, the conflict became known as ‘the football war’ and the name stuck.

Despite the ceasefire, the dispute was not entirely resolved until 1992 when the International Court of Justice awarded the disputed land to Honduras.

Meanwhile El Salvador went to the world cup and went out at the group stage after losing all their matches without scoring a single goal. Worth it then.

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