Soccer Sorrow

Posted on February 24, 2008
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With the upcoming European Championships and the World Cup looming just behind that, a tragedy has occurred in the soccer world. Emmanuel Sanon, probably the most celebrated soccer player for Haiti has died. Sanon to date, is the only player to score a World Cup goal in Haitian history and it was the goal that gave Haiti the lead against the soccer power Italy in 1974. Sanon’s goal also broke Italian goal tender Zoff’s record of 1,142 minutes-over two years without being scored on.

Sanon later described his goal and snapping Zoff’s record and how it was perceived by Italy, stating..”Imagine you went to a bar or restaurant, and you walked straight to Mike Tyson and slapped him in the face in front of everybody, and you got him mad.” It certainly got Italy mad as they responded by scoring 3 goals and closing out the match. Sanon’s contribution to Haitian soccer did not end with Italy as Sanon subsequently scored against powerhouse Argentina before being eliminated. Sanon also briefly coached the Haitian national team in the 1990’s.

The prime minister of Haiti Jacques-Edouard Alexis called for a moment of silence on Friday to remember Sanon. Sanon died of pancreatic cancer, he was 56. He is survived by his wife and four children.

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