I watched the disgusting exhibition of dirty play and bad sportsmanship in the World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina.

Most of the dirty play and bad sportsmanship came from the disgraceful Argentinian team. They shamed themselves and their country.

Between 1959 and 1962, I attended a Catholic secondary school that played soccer. I was centre forward in the school team. Playing fairly and with sportsmanship was as important as your skills. A dirty player, one routinely penalised for ‘in the back’, tackling off the ball, and other such misdemeanours, simply wasn’t chosen. To persist in dirty play on the field would have you sent off.

Tripping, kicking the opponent, grabbing him or his clothes, pushing during a corner kick, and holding, as the Argentinians did, were not tolerated. Whenever Spain looked like making a break, the Argentinians committed a foul. I have never seen a disgusting display of cowardly sportsmanship.

I wasn’t the only one disgusted. Some want Argentina out of the World Cup: ‘Kick Argentina out of the World Cup’ petition nearly breaks Guinness World Record