World Cup matches halted, from 1966 to 2018 and France v Iraq | OneFootball

Monday's France v Iraq was stopped for two hours 12 minutes. Le Progres highlights past World Cup matches that were halted mid-game.

On the day France won their second World Cup against Croatia, four members of Pussy Riot, three women and one man, ran onto the Luzhniki Stadium pitch in the 2018 final at the 53rd minute, dressed as police. Stewards intercepted them within seconds.

Their aim was to draw attention to human rights abuses in Russia. They received 15 days in jail for serious breaches of spectator conduct and were banned from sports events for three years.

On 21 June 1982, France faced Kuwait in the group stage in Spain. Michel Hidalgo's side led 3-1 with 10 minutes left when Alain Giresse, teed up by Michel Platini, scored a fourth that was initially awarded.

Kuwait's players protested after hearing a whistle from the stands in Valladolid and had stopped, thinking offside. Sheikh Fahad al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, the emir's younger brother, came down to try to overturn the decision. Soviet referee Myroslav Stupar cancelled the goal and restarted play, before Maxime Bossis added a fourth without dispute.

The 1966 quarter-final between England and Argentina was also put on hold. Cards were not yet used at the World Cup, they arrived in 1970, so referees warned then expelled verbally.

Around the half-hour, German referee Rudolf Kreitlein dismissed Argentina captain Antonio Rattín for persistent dissent. Argentina requested a stoppage and Rattín sat on the royal red carpet reserved for Queen Elizabeth in protest. After eight minutes he finally left, tearing the corner flag in England's colours on his way off as England won 1-0.

Source: Le Progres