Last Friday marked the 30th anniversary of John Aldridge’s famous row with officials at the 1994 World Cup finals
Aldo let rip at the official in a scorching Orlando
I can’t believe 30 years have passed since I lost it with the touchline officials during Ireland’s World Cup game against Mexico at USA’94.
The goal I scored in that game may have been one of the most important of my international career, as it was crucial to ensuring we got through to the second round.
Yet no one talks to me about the goal – the questions are always about my touchline rant!
Famously, we had beaten the Italians in the first game in New York, but then we went to Orlando and the heat was just too much for us.
The humidity was unreal and the high-intensity pressing game that was key to our success just couldn’t be done in those conditions.
We couldn’t catch our breath as we tried to close them down. The Mexicans were so used to that kind of heat and thrived in it.
I was coming on just as we went 2-0 down and everyone was deflated and downbeat as it looked like the game was getting away from us, but I was desperate to get on and make an impact.
The officials on the touchline made a mess of the substitutions, so our lads came off and didn’t get their house in order so the game restarted with us having ten men on the pitch.
I went ballistic and so did Jack Charlton – we both lost the plot.
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It was all captured by the cameraman and as I always swear too much, the language was pretty colourful!
Jack and I ended up getting a fine, which the FAI paid by the way, and I think the people back home liked the way I showed a bit of spirit.
You have to stand up for yourself in adversity and that’s what I did for my country in that situation.
When I eventually got onto the pitch, my little rant might have rubbed off on the team because we got fired up, I got the goal with a header and we had opportunities to scramble a draw.
It wasn’t to be in that game against Mexico, but my goal meant we only needed to draw the last game against Norway, which was crucial.
Sadly, we came up short against the Dutch in the knockout round, but they are special memories for all Ireland fans.