This document discusses the use of football/soccer during Argentina's 1976-1983 military dictatorship. It notes that the 1978 World Cup hosted in Argentina was seen by many as a propaganda effort by the dictatorship to hide the human rights abuses occurring in the country at the time. While the official film of the World Cup portrayed the Argentine team as heroes, other perspectives saw it as ignoring the torture and killings happening concurrently. There is debate around whether the event actually concealed the horrible reality under the military regime.

1. FOOTBALL
 A general and critical
review of football as a
sport and its influence
as social
phenomenon.
Jerónimo Scarselletta
Jerónimo Scarselletta

2. AS A SPORT
 It can be considered
the most popular
sport nowadays,
gathering thousand
and maybe millions
of supporter around
the world  It represents also a
great activity for
keeping healthy and
fit

3. CULTURAL ASPECT
 Nowadays, football
seems to be a sign of
pride and respect
 world cups could
mean an occasion in
which national team
can even change their
country image.

4. DICTATORSHIP AND FOOTBALL
 In 1976,María Estela
Martinez de Peron
served as president after
his husband had died.
 Due to economical
issues,militry forces
claimed power and
began the so-called
“Proceso de
Reorganiación
Nacional”.
Jorge Rafael Videla assuming
as president.

5. THEWORLD CUP IN 1978
 In that year, the World
Cup was held in
Argentina. Many
people claim that it was
just a propaganda to
hide the atrocities that
military forces were
doing.
 Lots of people were
tortured and murdered
even when matches
were being played.
A leaflet made by a human
rights organization in
France against Argentina’s
situation.

6. TWO DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
“Mundial de fútbol ‘78. La película oficial.
 Gives a complete
description of the
matches,
 Extra information
about players,
 Shows team
members as heroes,
Make a comment on
underestimated
African team’s
performance

7. TWO DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
“El mundial ‘78 – La historia paralela.”
 Shows how football
was used as a
propaganda,
 Criticise how the
citizens ignored what
was happening
because of the
successful national
team’s performance,
 Prove some matches'
results were fixed
(Peru),
 Footballers’ sense of
shame and guiltiness,
 The victory harmed
those who were
captured.

8. DID WE ACTUALLY SHOW OUR REAL SITUATION?
OR, WERE WE HIDING A HORRIBLE AND BLOODY
ACTIVITY?

9. LINKS TO EXTRA INFORMATION
 El Mundial 78: cuando la dictadura puso al fútbol al servicio del
terror:
http://www.clarin.com/deportes/MUNDIAL_0_920908213.ht
ml
 Boicot al Mundial 1978: cuando el mundo miró hacia Argentina:
http://www.infobae.com/2014/05/24/1567033-boicot-al-mundial-
1978-cuando-el-mundo-miro-argentina
o Mundial ’78, un tabú de la conciencia argentina:
http://www.perfil.com/columnistas/Mundial-78-un-tabu-de-la-conciencia-
argentina-20140608-0008.html
 Mundial Argentina '78: una pantalla para maquillar el terror de la
dictadura militar: http://www.lacapital.com.ar/politica/Mundial-
Argentina-78-una-pantalla-para-maquillar-el-terror-de-la-dictadura-
militar-20130518-0036.html