10 Unknown football facts that will shock you!
1. Sir Alex Ferguson has been fired only once in his entire life. The sack came in 1978 when he was fired by St. Mirren Chairman Willie Todd. The major reason for his firing – swearing at an Old Lady during a match. After firing Sir Alex, Willie Todd claimed “he was doing what was good for the Club”.
2. In the 1938 World Cup, Giuseppe Meazza stood up to take a penalty against Brazil. As he started his run up, his shorts fell down due to the tearing up of the elastic in it. Meazza didn’t mind that and went on to score the penalty holding his shorts in one hand. It was his last ever Italian goal.
3. Arsenal’s rivalry started with Tottenham Hotspur way back in 1919. The 1914-15 season was the last competitive football season played in England before the World War. After that, the English League expanded to 22 teams. At first, it was stated that teams that finished 19th and 20th in the League, Chelsea and Tottenham wouldn’t be relegated. But, due to some controversial situations, 20th placed Tottenham were replaced by Arsenal, who finished only fifth in the second division. The FA claimed that Arsenal were promoted due to their long service to the game!
4. In the 1954 World Cup qualification, Turkey had to face off against Spain in a three match series. The series ended in a draw and to pick the winner, a blindfolded Italian boy drew straws from a lot to pick the winner. Turkey progressed.
5. Sir Stanley Matthews, regarded as the greatest English player of all time, was knighted during his playing days itself. He has also never been booked or sent off in his entire life.
6. Herbert Chapman allegedly changed Arsenal’s name from “The Arsenal” to “Arsenal” so that his team could appear on top of the Alphabetical list of Division One. This story has never been confirmed. 
7. The first two official presidents of Real Madrid were Catalans.
8. In 1907, Manchester United swapped 19 players who were banned by Manchester City. With that team, United went on to win their first FA Cup in 1910.
9. In 1945, Arsenal played Moscow under thick fog. A Russian player was supposedly sent off and snuck back into the field because nobody could see him getting in. Arsenal complain that at one time, Dynamo Moscow had 15 players on the pitch. It was also claimed that a spectator came onto the pitch and played the entire match.
10. AC Milan was originally formed as a Cricket Club by two English Men.
Credits:indexfootball
