The Theft of the Jules Rimet Trophy

The theft of the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1966 is one of the most unusual stories in the long history of football. The full story of what really happened has never been told before, and those parts of the story that have been reported have contained and perpetuated a number of inaccuracies over the years. This volume sets out to put the record straight, by telling the complete story for the first time.

The book is based on official FIFA and FA files, information drawn from the archives of the German and Brazilian football authorities, police records, contemporary newspaper reports, and most importantly evidence gathered from people involved with the case at the time. It presents a factual account of not only the parts of the story that have become public knowledge, but also the activities that went on away from the glare of publicity and which have never been told in detail before.

Martin Atherton has been a member of the International Football Institute and its predecessor, the Institute for Football Studies, since the former's inception in 1996.

He has published works on the social and cultural history of football in the British deaf community and holds a PhD in Sports History. He works as a Senior Lecturer in Deaf Studies at the University of Central Lancashire, as well as holding honorary positions with both the National Football Museum and Preston North End FC.