50 years of the rifle throwing scandal: Cheated out of the best game in history

50 years of the rifle throwing scandal
Cheated out of the best game in history

The 7: 1 against Inter Milan is considered to be the best game in Gladbach’s club history. In official statistics, the round of 16 of the European Cup is not listed. The game played 50 years ago today is also for many the greatest fraud in history.

Roberto Boninsegna is still enjoying the role of the innocent lamb 50 years later. “Again and again in Germany I am accused of only playing the injury. That is not true, I did not act. The can hit me in the head and I fell unconscious to the ground,” said the former Italian national soccer player and commented on the incident that marks the 50th anniversary today.

Boninsegna was hit by a Coke can on October 20, 1971 in Borussia’s 7-1 triumph against Inter in the round of 16 of the European Cup and went down. UEFA later canceled what the 1974 world champion Rainer Bonhof, who was on the pitch, described as “Gladbach’s best game of the decade”.

Munich or Gladbach: the main thing is Germany

Boninsegna can only leave the seat on the stretcher.

(Photo: imago images / Horstmüller)

Especially in Gladbach, Boninsegna was accused of fraud. The Gladbachers lost the second leg in Milan in San Siro 2: 4, the canceled duel was repeated in the Berlin Olympic Stadium. A goalless draw was enough for Inter to advance.

But that 7: 1 is still hotly debated among Borussia fans today. Just as an autumn storm disheveled the trees, 50 years ago Borussia flew over Inter’s star ensemble. When booking the flight, the renowned club initially thought Mönchengladbach was a suburb of Munich.

But after the debacle on the Lower Rhine, every Inter-Star Mönchengladbach should have been known. The newspapers rightly indulge the day after. “This is not a result, but a dream,” said the “kicker”.

And “Bild” judged: “The greatest game that there has ever been on German soil.” The “Süddeutsche Zeitung” certified Borussia the “best game in the club’s history”.

Can empty or can full?

The cancellation of the sensational result is still considered a great injustice by Borussia today. Almost 50 years after throwing the rifle, Bonhof has made his peace with the supposed actor Boninsegna. “Of course it still hurts, and both sides stick to their arguments. But I’m at peace with Roberto,” emphasized today’s club vice-president.

He was still of the opinion “that the can was empty. He still claims that he was unconscious and the can was full,” mused Bonhof.

Only 27,500 spectators were allowed to attend this truly historic football spectacle. And the sensational game was not shown on TV either. Borussia’s managing director at the time, Helmut Grashoff, was unable to agree on the license fee with Westdeutscher Rundfunk. The WDR wanted to broadcast the game for 60,000 marks (around 30,000 euros). Grashoff demanded “plus VAT”, which at that time was ten percent.

The WDR insisted on inclusive. The worldwide broadcast therefore failed at 3000 euros. Good for those who can still show an admission ticket today and can claim: “I was there!”

“Shocked” Inter protests

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In the 1970s, officials looked very good even when debating.

(Photo: imago images / WEREK)

In the 28th minute, that ominous scene occurred that led to many contentious discussions. Boninsegna, who had scored the 1: 1 equalizer in the 19th minute, was hit on the head (Inter) or on the shoulder (Borussia) by a Coca-Cola can thrown from the audience. Full (Inter) or empty (Borussia)?

In any case, Boninsegna was taken from the square on a stretcher. How severe the alleged injury to the Inter striker was could not be determined later, because a German doctor was not allowed to enter the Italians’ cabin.

The Italians continued to play on the advice of the UEFA observer, but protested the game standings after the game. The reason: the team was weakened and shocked. In general, safety was not guaranteed on the Bökelberg. So UEFA decided to cancel the result and set a replay in a neutral seat. Perhaps the greatest game in Gladbach was wasted …

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