Battiston still troubled by Schumacher incident at 1982 World Cup finals

Frenchman believes the incident ultimately decided the semi-final in favour of West Germany.

Frenchman Patrick Battiston, left, is about to be taken out by West Germany goalkeeper Harald Schumacher in the 1982 World Cup semi-final.

BORDEAUX // Frenchman Patrick Battiston's place in World Cup folklore was not cast by a goal or piece of skill, but for being knocked unconscious by German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher in the 1982 World Cup semi-final.
Schumacher's brutal shoulder charge on Battiston became known in France as the "Tragedy of Seville".
Battiston, now 57 and in charge of Ligue 1 side Bordeaux's youth academy, kept his own counsel for a long time over the incident, which happened seven minutes after he entered the game as a substitute. He suffered a couple of lost teeth, bruised ribs and damaged vertebrae.
With France facing Germany in the World Cup quarter-finals tonight – the first meeting at the finals between the two since Germany claimed a 2-0 win in the 1986 semi-final – interest has once again been re-ignited in the 1982 encounter.
Many remember the game for what happened to Battison. His injuries not only carried a personal cost, but with only two substitutes allowed in those days, Michel Hidalgo was forced to send on his final reserve.
The importance of fresh legs was brought home when, despite leading 3-1 in extra-time, the French wilted, while the German substitutes engineered a comeback. The Germans fought back to 3-3 and won on penalties.
"Entrenched in our memories is this charge by Schumacher who flattened the little Frenchman," Battiston said. "That's how things are. People talk to me about 1982 often. But it wasn't only about me."
Battiston, capped 56 times, said he had noticed before he replaced Bruno Genghini five minutes into the second half that Schumacher was very pumped up.
"I remember his attitude even when I was sitting on the substitutes bench," said Battiston, who sticks to the belief that Schumacher's action was not intentional.
"I thought he was very hyped up, very excitable. I remarked on this to the other players on the bench."
Schumacher's only regret is that he did not realise how seriously injured Battiston was.
The Dutch referee Charles Corver claimed he failed to see the incident because he was "following the ball".
However, Battiston was less impressed by Schumacher's remark that "I will pay for the crowns" afterward when he learned of the extent of the Frenchman's injuries.
"That was not a very wise remark. It was pretty gauche," Battiston said. "Still, to this day, I have a cracked vertebra and broken teeth."
Battiston, little by little, regained some of the memories of that night.
A line was finally drawn under the incident, at least on a personal front, when Schumacher, shocked by the negative reaction in Germany, called a press conference after the finals, even though Battiston had already forgiven him.
"Maybe he did feel guilty – one can draw all sorts of conclusions as to what he did feel," Battison said. "All I know is that Schumacher was someone who wanted to win at all costs and he went way over the top that evening."