Rafael Benitez and the stormiest receptions in sport

The Chelsea interim manager is set to face a barrage of abuse this weekend

Rafael Benitez is bracing himself for an even more stormy reception than usual at Stamford Bridge tomorrow with Chelsea fans expected to vent their feelings towards their interim manager over his furious midweek broadside.

Here we take a look back at 10 more hostile sporting receptions.

1 JUST ONE COCHINILLO

Luis Figo was a Barcelona hero until he controversially left the Nou Camp to join hated rivals Real Madrid in a £37million move in 2000. On his first return with his new club two years later, Figo was greeted by taunts and smoke bombs as well as a shower of missiles at every set-piece. The situation reached its head - its pig's head, to be precise - when the pork product was launched towards the star from the stands.

2 WELCOME TO HELL

Nothing could prepare Manchester United for the reception that awaited them in Istanbul in November 1993 as they prepared for the second leg of their Champions League clash with Galatasaray. Banners pronounced "Welcome To Hell" and "RIP Manchester", while even United players were not spared, Eric Cantona swatted on the back of his head by a police truncheon, and Bryan Robson gashed by a stray riot shield.

3 MARIO IN MILAN

Former Inter star Mario Balotelli's return to the Milan derby - only this time in the colours of rivals AC Milan - was hardly likely to pass without incident. Inter fans hurled racist abuse at the star, as well as displaying discriminatory banners for which the club was fined 50,000 euros. For his part Balotelli, who had left Inter to join Manchester City in 2010, was also fined for making an "insulting gesture" in the direction of his tormentors.

4 "JUDAS" SOL

Sol Campbell signed for Tottenham at the age of 18 and seemed to be a Spurs boy to the core. That is, until he crossed north London and signed for bitter rivals Arsenal in 2001. Campbell was predictably greeted with fury on his first return to White Hart Lane in the Gunners' red and white. The Arsenal team bus was attacked, Campbell was pelted with bottles and coins, and banners proclaimed him a "Judas" for his decision.

5 THE WAR ON THE SHORE

The infamous Ryder Cup clash at Kiawah Island in 1991 came against the backdrop of a surge in US patriotism following the first Iraq War. A boisterous crowd and a gee-up from President Bush helped the US team - some clad in camouflage caps - to a controversial victory. Paul Azinger said afterwards: "American pride is back. We went over there and thumped the Iraqis. Now we've taken the Cup back. I'm proud to be an American."

6 ROTTEN LUCK

Italy appeared to have nothing to fear ahead of the 1966 World Cup in England as they found themselves in a weak-looking Group 4. After winning their opener against Chile they were narrowly beaten by the Soviet Union before suffering a humiliating 1-0 defeat to North Korea at Ayresome Park in Middlesbrough which knocked them out of the competition. Upon arrival back in Italy, the players were pelted with rotten fruit at the airport by enraged fans.

7 BODY BLOW

Presumably England captain Douglas Jardine did not expect a cosy reception after ordering his bowlers to adopt the notorious 'Bodyline' bowling tactics during the 1932-33 Ashes tour. He didn't get it. In the third Test, mounted police were employed around the ground's perimeter amid fears of a riot. When Jardine subsequently came out to bat, he was continually booed by the crowd. Wisden called it "possibly the most unpleasant match ever".

8 MEXICAN WAVE

What do you do when you're preparing to fight an unbeaten Mexican legend in front of 130,000 fans at the Azteca Stadium? Incite the crowd, that's what. American Greg Haugen derided Julio Cesar Chavez's 87 vanquished opponents as "Tijuana taxi drivers" and entered the ring to the tune of 'Born In The USA'. Chavez's wild fans bayed for blood, and Chavez duly provided it, inflicting terrible punishment on Haugen before the fight was stopped in the fifth round.

9 HERO TO ZERO

David Beckham's silly sending-off against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup was widely credited with ending England's hopes and rival fans were not going to let him forget it. The fury vented upon Beckham the following season reached its nadir at West Ham's Upton Park, where United's team bus was smashed with stones and an effigy of Beckham was seen dangling from a hangman's noose.

10 DAVIS CUP DISTURBANCE

When the USA went to Bucharest in 1972 for a Davis Cup final against a Romanian team featuring the likes of Ion Tiriac and Ilie Nastase, it was never likely to be plain sailing. Stan Smith had to overcome a howling crowd, a series of highly-debatable line-calls by local officials, and no fewer than six overrules by the umpire before edging a five-set decider over Tiriac. Smith told Tiriac at the net: "I really lost a lot of respect for you."

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

iBet: A tight game between Northampton and Bradford

A tight game could be in prospect here. Northampton have been keeping things very tight of late and ...

by Gareth Purnell

On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: Feeling ill and racing in the rain must be pretty grim

I can’t ever watch games of football or rugby without wistfully wondering what it must be like to be...

by Martin Ayres

PSG and the French league must be more proactive in dealing with hooliganism

Since PSG’s exit to Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League quarter-final in April, PSG have been sur...

by Matthew Riding

       

Day In a Page

The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in
The real thing? Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'

The real thing?

Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'
Gordon Ramsey's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

The pugnacious chef finally met a shambolic restaurant he couldn't save. John Walsh on when TV makover refuseniks fight back
Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Glamorous myth of the flight attendant lifestyle undermined by angry employee's claims of 'exploitation'
Braising saddles: Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it!

Braising saddles: How to cook horse meat

Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it! Will Coldwell hoofs it to the kitchen.
Why bitters are back on the bar: A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails

Why bitters are back on the bar

A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails. No wonder we're learning to love them again...
The 10 Best barbecues

The 10 Best barbecues

Whether you're cooking on gas or are a convert to charcoal we've got the perfect way to cook when the sun is out.
Style icon David Beckham calls time on his long retirement

Style icon calls time on his long retirement

David Beckham never disgraced himself but former England captain ceased to be a major player years ago. Remember him at his United peak
Steve Harper: My darkest times

Steve Harper: My darkest times

As the popular Newcastle goalkeeper bows out after 20 years at the club, he tells Martin Hardy about the private battle with depression that threatened his career
Sir Torquil Norman has designed a flat-pack OX truck for the developing world

The flat-pack truck with big ambitions

After making a fortune from Polly Pocket and a doll's house shaped like a teapot, the entrepreneur has turned his creativity to a transporter truck for the developing world. Simon Usborne meets him.