The theft of the Jules Rimet Trophy: the hidden history of the 1966 World Cup in England

Abstract

The theft of the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1966 is one of the most unusual stories in the long history of football. The full story of what really happened has never been told before, and those parts of the story that have been reported have contained and perpetuated a number of inaccuracies over the years. This volume sets out to put the record straight, by telling the complete story for the first time.

The book is based on official FIFA and FA files, information drawn from the archives of the German and Brazilian football authorities, police records, contemporary newspaper reports, and most importantly evidence gathered from people involved with the case at the time. It presents a factual account of not only the parts of the story that have become public knowledge, but also the activities that went on away from the glare of publicity and which have never been told in detail before.