"Please Call The Game Off": Scotland vs Belarus in the 1998 World Cup Qualifiers
Description
Scotland’s qualifying campaign for World Cup 98 was ticking along nicely (absent Estonians notwithstanding). As the campaign reached a climax, Scotland were top of their group and in a good position to reach their first World Cup since 1990. Off the field, change was coming to Scotland. The election of Tony Blair’s New Labour government in May 1997 meant that Scottish voters had been offered a referendum on devolution and were set to overwhelmingly endorse new devolved institutions. As a crucial home match with Belarus approached, the only worry for Craig Brown’s team was a few injuries in the squad. However, the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in the early hours of 31st August 1997, led to an almighty uproar, which seriously damaged the credibility of Scottish international football, provoked interventions from the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland, and nearly derailed Scotland’s World Cup bid.
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