Margaret Thatcher blasted foreign footballers for diving in a speech to England stars, released files reveal
The then Tory PM praised the Italia '90 World Cup team for winning the Fair Play Trophy during a Downing Street reception
MARGARET Thatcher blasted foreign footballers for diving in a speech to England stars, newly released files reveal.
At a Downing Street reception for the Italia ’90 World Cup team, the then Tory PM praised them for winning the Fair Play Trophy.
Mrs T — known for her phrase “The lady’s not for turning” — gave the impassioned speech after the semi-final penalties defeat to West Germany, government papers show.
She said: “We all noticed that when an England player was brought down, unlike other teams, our players did not immediately seek the Oscar for best actor for impersonating the death scene from Richard III.
“You got on calmly with the game and always accepted the referee’s decision without demur.
“We could not have been prouder of you if you had brought back the ‘other’ trophy to accompany the real one that you achieved.”
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Her comments to stars such as Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker, after they were knocked out by a team including notorious “diver” Jurgen Klinsmann, can be revealed for the first time in documents released by the National Archives.
The Iron Lady added: “This is the furthest an England team has ever gone in this tournament on foreign soil.
"You were watched by hundreds of millions, including — to my certain knowledge — one Prime Minister.”
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