1973 European Cup Winners' Cup final

1973 European Cup Winners' Cup final
Match programme cover
Event1972–73 European Cup Winners' Cup
Date16 May 1973
VenueKaftanzoglio Stadium, Thessaloniki
RefereeChristos Michas (Greece)
Attendance40,154

The 1973 European Cup Winners' Cup Final was the final football match of the 1972–73 European Cup Winners' Cup and the 13th European Cup Winners' Cup final. It was contested between Leeds United of England and Milan of Italy, and was held at Kaftanzoglio Stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece. Milan won the match 1–0.

The Greek crowd at the final reacted to perceived bias towards Milan by referee Christos Michas by throwing missiles during the victors' lap of honour, but despite protests, the result was not overturned.[1] UEFA later banned Michas for life due to match fixing, although his role in this match was not investigated.[2]

Leeds, who perceived referee Christos Michas to have made a number of unfair decisions, attempted to gain a replay but UEFA denied the request.[3] Decades later Richard Corbett, then MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, petitioned UEFA for a revocation of the Milan title.[4]

Route to the final

England Leeds United Italy Milan
Opponent Agg. 1st leg 2nd leg Opponent Agg. 1st leg 2nd leg
Turkey Ankaragücü 2–1 1–1 (A) 1–0 (H) First round Luxembourg Red Boys Differdange 7–1 4–1 (A) 3–0 (H)
East Germany Carl Zeiss Jena 2–0 0–0 (A) 2–0 (H) Second round Poland Legia Warsaw 3–2 1–1 (A) 2–1 (a.e.t.) (H)
Romania Rapid București 8–1 5–0 (H) 3–1 (A) Quarter-finals Soviet Union Spartak Moscow 2–1 1–0 (A) 1–1 (H)
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Hajduk Split 1–0 1–0 (H) 0–0 (A) Semi-finals Czechoslovakia Sparta Prague 2–0 1–0 (H) 1–0 (A)

Match details

Leeds United England0–1Italy Milan
Report Chiarugi 5'
Leeds United
Milan
GK1Scotland David Harvey
RB2England Paul Reaney (c)
CB11Wales Terry Yorath
CB6England Norman Hunter Red card 90'
LB3England Trevor Cherry
RM7Scotland Peter Lorimer
CM4England Mick Bates
CM5England Paul Madeley
LM10Scotland Frank Graydownward-facing red arrow 54'
CF8Scotland Joe Jordan
CF9England Mick Jones
Substitutes:
CB12Scotland Gordon McQueenupward-facing green arrow 54'
FW14 England Chris Galvin
Manager:
England Don Revie
GK1Italy Villiam Vecchi
SW5Italy Maurizio Turone
RB2Italy Giuseppe Sabadini
CB4Italy Angelo Anquilletti
CB6Italy Roberto Rosatodownward-facing red arrow 59'
LB3Italy Giulio Zignoli
RM7Italy Riccardo Sogliano Red card 90'
CM8Italy Romeo Benetti
LM10Italy Gianni Rivera (c)
CF9Italy Alberto Bigon
SS11Italy Luciano Chiarugi
Substitutes:
CB14Italy Dario Dolciupward-facing green arrow 59'
Manager:
Italy Nereo Rocco

See also

References

  1. ↑ Uefa asked to probe Leeds United's 1973 Cup Winners' Cup defeat to AC Milan Daily Telegraph, 15 April 2009, retrieved on 28 May 2009
  2. ↑ "UEFA asked to probe United's final defeat". Yorkshire Evening Post. 3 April 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  3. ↑ "MEP calls for inquiry into Milan-Leeds Euro final". Richard Corbett MEP. 10 August 2006. Archived from the original on 26 October 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2006.
  4. ↑ "MEP wants Leeds result reversed". BBC Sport. 31 March 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2023.