¡Animales! Civility, Modernity, and Constructions of Identity in Argentine Soccer, 1955-1970 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at George Mason University By Rwany Sibaja Master of Arts University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2005 Director: Matthew Karush, Associate Professor Department of History and Art History Summer Semester 2013 George Mason University Fairfax, VA i Copyright 2013 Rwany Sibaja All Rights Reserved ii DEDICATION For Lisa, Isabella, and Roman iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation, ¡Animales! Civility, Modernity, and Constructions of Identity in Argentine Soccer, 1955-1970, could not be possible without the guidance and support of faculty and colleagues. I would like to thank a wonderful dissertation committee. Matt Karush, Joan Bristol, and John Nauright provided constructive feedback that immeasurably helped shape my thoughts and words. To them, a debt of gratitude is a meager offering in light of all the support they offered. I would like to specifically thank Matt for being a wonderful advisor. Each meeting and conversation with him reminded me that choosing George Mason University (GMU) was the absolute best decision. More than that, he trusted my instincts and encouraged me throughout the years. Faculty in the Department of History and Art History also provided valuable support in the development of this work. The faculty at the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media pushed me in bold, new directions through stimulating discussions about digital humanities and the production of historical scholarship. In particular, Kelly Schrum was always available to suggest new ideas and provide constructive feedback and support. I also want to thank fellow doctoral students at GMU, as well as numerous sports scholars across the U.S., for engaging conversations that enriched this project. A generous support from the Provost’s Office at George Mason University allowed me to focus on writing and complete this work on a timely basis. I would be remiss without recognizing the kindness of colleagues and institutions in Buenos Aires. A sincere appreciation goes to the librarians at the Círculo de Periodistas Deportivos, Asociación de Fútbol Argentino (AFA), and Museo Evita for their assistance and their kindness towards a foreign scholar. I am especially indebted to the generosity of fellow fútbol academics in Argentina. Julio Frydenberg welcomed me to the Centro de Estudios de Deportes at the Universidad de San Martín. Conversations with Mariano Grutchesky pushed me to reconsider assumptions, typically accompanied by tasty asados at his home. Daniel Sazbón and Lía Ferrero offered sound advice at critical junctures, and Rodrigo Daskal selflessly opened his home and entire collection of valuable (and rare) research materials. A final acknowledgement goes to friends and family. This dissertation is a testament to the sacrifice and unending faith that my parents have always provided—gracias mami y papi. Above all, I thank my Father, my wife Lisa, and two wonderful children for their patience, unending love, and needed laughter. They pushed me forward when I felt unable, or unwilling, to press ahead, and they inspired me to do my best each day. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Dedication.......................................................................................................................iii Acknowledgements.........................................................................................................iv Table of Contents.............................................................................................................v List of Tables .................................................................................................................vii List of Figures...............................................................................................................viii Abstract...........................................................................................................................xi Introduction......................................................................................................................1 1. Football Becomes Fútbol, 1912-1945.........................................................................29 British Football Arrives in Argentina, 1884-1912.............................................32 Nationalizing Football .......................................................................................39 Constructing National and Masculine Identity in the Sports Pages...................42 Popularity, Growth, and Professionalization of Fútbol, 1920s-1945.................54 Conclusion .........................................................................................................65 2. Fútbol in the “New Argentina,” 1946-1955................................................................67 Perón: “El Primer Hincha”.................................................................................69 Fútbol, Traditionalism, and Peronist Discourse.................................................77 Fútbol as a Progressive Cultural Activity ..........................................................81 Fútbol and Film in the Peronist State.................................................................94 Critics and the Limits of Peronist Intervention in Fútbol ................................102 Conclusion .......................................................................................................107 3. Panic in the Sports Pages, 1955-1958 .....................................................................111 Proscribing Peronism in Fútbol .......................................................................115 “Las gallinas de huevos dorados”: Rights of Socios and Social Justice as a Moral Issue .....................................................................................................123 Death, Murder, and State Repression in the Stadiums.....................................131 Dante Panzeri and the Moral Crusade at El Gráfico........................................140 The 1957 Campeonato Sudamericano and 1958 World Cup: A Game of Two Halves ..................................................................................................148 Conclusion .......................................................................................................160 4. The Age of Modernism and Scientism in Fútbol, 1958-1966 .................................163 First Half ................................................................................................................168 Transition in Sports Journalism: El Gráfico in the 1960s................................168 “Chantocracia”................................................................................................178 The Age of the Celebrity Coach ......................................................................184 v “Toto” Lorenzo and the 1962 World Cup in Chile..........................................194 Second Half............................................................................................................203 The Crisis Deepens ..........................................................................................203 “Fútbol Espectáculo”.......................................................................................214 “Caudillos” and Changing Notions of Masculinity .........................................233 “Killing It”: Independiente and the Intercontinental Cup of 1963-1964 .........246 Conclusion .......................................................................................................253 5. Nationalism, the Military State, and Fútbol, 1966-1968 .........................................255 The “Moral Champions”..................................................................................259 Racing, World Champions: The 1967 Intercontinental Cup ...........................279 War and Fútbol ................................................................................................288 The Rise of Estudiantes de La Plata ................................................................292 Conclusion .......................................................................................................300 6. “Concluyó la agonía”: The Failure of Fútbol Moderno, 1968-1970.......................303 Intervention at AFA: The Reforms of Valentín Suárez...................................307 The Limits of “Hombría” in Fútbol.................................................................314 “Fútbol Espectáculo” Comes to an End...........................................................328 Argentina’s Absence from Mexico 1970.........................................................334 The Fall of Estudiantes de La Plata .................................................................339 Conclusion .......................................................................................................355 Epilogue .......................................................................................................................357 “Golden Age” coaches and Nostalgia..............................................................359 Menottismo and Bilardismo .............................................................................361 Appendices ..................................................................................................................371 References....................................................................................................................375