Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
While it would be wise for South American fútbol to try and emulate the success of Brazil and Argentina, some aspects of their histories need not be replicated. World Cups, Pele, and Maradona - yes. Stomach stapling and transvestite prostitute scandals - no.
Drugging your opponents would also be a no, and although Argentina is alleged to have done so to Branco in the 1990 World Cup, the practice is not something that comes to mind when thinking about fútbol in South America. However, for the next few days, the 1990 World Cup will be back in memories after it's emerged that a Peruvian club may have put sedatives into their opponents' water.
First, let's go back to 1990, when Argentina and Brazil met in the Round of 16. Claudio Caniggia would score the winning goal for the Albiceleste, though the lasting story from the match has been allegations of Argentine trainers giving left back Branco water laced with a tranquilizer. This all allegedly happened while an Argentine player lay injured on the pitch, at which time the trainers ran onto the field to offer player's water. Branco would later report feeling dizzy and weak, with Caniggia's goal coming shortly after play restarted.
Since, then-Argentine coach Carlos Bilardo has hinted at the story's veracity, as has Diego Maradona, who famously joked about the incident on this Argentine television appearance (sorry, Spanish with no subtitles):
Now comes word out of Peru that second division club Sport Áncash has replicated Argentina's trick.
Áncash defeated Hijos de Acosvinchos 0-3 this weekend, securing promotion to the Peruvian Primera. However, four Hijos collapsed during the game after drinking water given to them by Áncash trainers. Post-match tests at a local hospital revealed players' blood had traces of benzodiazepine - a drug used to treat sleeping disorders. While Áncash's president is trying to blame Hijos' prematch meal, it's curious that Áncash's players were prevented from drinking the water, having the bottles taken from them as Hijos players attempted to hand them back.
Footage:
Credit to the Telegraph for passing this along as well as to their reporter, Robin Yapp, for relaying it from São Paulo, but let's also give credit to Áncash for drugging their opponents - allegedly. Giving people prescription-level medication without a doctor's supervision never, ever backfires, especially when you combine that with heat and strenuous physical activity. That certainly seems a reasonable thing to try given the rewards are winning a fútbol match and having your club promoted.
It's really six of one half, a half dozen of let's try not to O.D. our opposition.
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