The (de)politicization of football in the narratives about the World Cup in Argentina in 1978

Abstract

Considering the intellectual, political and sportive environment of the 70's, this article analyzes some narratives around the realisation of the Football World Cup in Argentina, in 1978. The narratives found in the media and in left-wing political parties are those prioritized in the analysis. Based on the relation between football, history and politics, the article problematizes the tension between a rational and objective vision of political discourses and the passion imposed by football.The environments are the intellectual and political confrontations in Argentina and in France, where an international movement of boycott to the World Cup spread from.