DFB honorary captain Uwe Seeler recalls the legendary Wembley goal from July 30th 1966 at the World Cup final in England and talks about technical aids used in modern football in this interview.
Question: Mr. Seeler, let's begin this journey through time and start on 30th July 1966. Can you still remember how you felt that day?
Uwe Seeler: It was the day we wanted to be crowned World Champions in England. The tension was very high and playing against England in England is never easy. During the game we always had a good feeling that we would be able to prevail. And if we wouldn't be able to do it, we thought we would get it done on Tuesday. Back then you still played a re-match in case of a draw. Unfortunately however, due to certain circumstances, it never got to that though.
Question: You mentioned "certain circumstances". What was your view of the deciding moment in the 101st minute, when the legendary Wembley goal occurred?
Seeler: No goal, no goal, no goal. We were all very upset. At first we didn't even know what was going on. None of us understood why they allowed the goal. I still don’t understand it today 50 years later. Mr. Dienst was an excellent referee but I can't say what got into him then. At first he awarded a corner kick, which was the right decision. Then suddenly he picks up the ball and said goal. It remains a mystery until today and will likely always stay that way. It wasn't a goal. We all know that today, even the English.
Question: Did you even have a clear view of the ball when it happened?
Seeler: Yes of course, otherwise I wouldn't be so certain. I stood at the back of the penalty area and clearly saw that the ball didn't cross the line, but instead rather bounced in front of the line. It was a clear decision in my eyes and that's why I was so startled about the call. Afterwards we tried to get an explanation and also issued our complaints, but the referee remained stubborn. We didn't want to make a scene, so we then showed a fair reaction. Unfortunately we lost the game, but that happens in football.
Question: The Wembley goal was always a big topic of discussion Germany, while in England it didn't receive as much attention. Do you have an explanation for that?
DFB honorary captain Uwe Seeler recalls the legendary Wembley goal from July 30th 1966 at the World Cup final in England and talks about technical aids used in modern football in this interview.
Question: Mr. Seeler, let's begin this journey through time and start on 30th July 1966. Can you still remember how you felt that day?
Uwe Seeler: It was the day we wanted to be crowned World Champions in England. The tension was very high and playing against England in England is never easy. During the game we always had a good feeling that we would be able to prevail. And if we wouldn't be able to do it, we thought we would get it done on Tuesday. Back then you still played a re-match in case of a draw. Unfortunately however, due to certain circumstances, it never got to that though.
Question: You mentioned "certain circumstances". What was your view of the deciding moment in the 101st minute, when the legendary Wembley goal occurred?
Seeler: No goal, no goal, no goal. We were all very upset. At first we didn't even know what was going on. None of us understood why they allowed the goal. I still don’t understand it today 50 years later. Mr. Dienst was an excellent referee but I can't say what got into him then. At first he awarded a corner kick, which was the right decision. Then suddenly he picks up the ball and said goal. It remains a mystery until today and will likely always stay that way. It wasn't a goal. We all know that today, even the English.
Question: Did you even have a clear view of the ball when it happened?
Seeler: Yes of course, otherwise I wouldn't be so certain. I stood at the back of the penalty area and clearly saw that the ball didn't cross the line, but instead rather bounced in front of the line. It was a clear decision in my eyes and that's why I was so startled about the call. Afterwards we tried to get an explanation and also issued our complaints, but the referee remained stubborn. We didn't want to make a scene, so we then showed a fair reaction. Unfortunately we lost the game, but that happens in football.
Question: The Wembley goal was always a big topic of discussion Germany, while in England it didn't receive as much attention. Do you have an explanation for that?
Seeler: Yes, that's true. But when Geoff or Bobby or Jackie come over here for a visit, we all have a bit of a laugh together. They know exactly that the ball didn't go in. They saw it themselves as well. In all fairness however, if the referee had given us a goal like that, we wouldn't have declined it either.
Question: What is your take on the new goal-line technology and are you upset that these aids didn't exist back when you were playing?
Seeler: Football has turned into a business. It's necessary that certain measures are taken in order to prevent decisions like this. I actually like it. Many goals have not been given, despite the ball clearly crossing the line. That has to be avoided. We shouldn't forget one thing: Contrary to my time as a player, there is a lot of money at stake in football today. Apart from that however, we should keep the sport as it is in the interest of football. Once there are constantly interruptions during a game, it isn't football for me anymore. Naturally there are always going to be wrong decisions made on the pitch, but that's part of the game.
