Superstition has always found its niche in football, where the underperformance of football clubs or players is frequently attributed to curses and mystical forces. Such is the tale that will be recounted in the paragraphs to follow, originating from Argentina in 1967, where it is alleged that Racing Club fell victim to a curse cast by their formidable local rival, Independiente, known as the “seven dead cats.”
To delve into this story, we must journey back to 1967 in Argentina. Racing Club, historically one of the nation’s most successful football clubs, experienced its pinnacle during the 1960s.
On August 29, 1967, Racing clinched the Copa Libertadores for the first time in its history by defeating Nacional (2-1). This historic triumph also granted them entry into the Intercontinental Cup, where Racing Club squared off against Scotland’s Celtic, then reigning European champions. After a 2-2 draw, the teams engaged in tense playoffs, with Racing eventually emerging victorious in the third decisive playoff. While Racing fans reveled in celebration, their counterparts from Club Atlético Independiente were less enthused.
As Racing fans basked in their title victory, Independiente supporters stormed Racing’s stadium and purportedly buried seven dead cats. This peculiar ritual, though seemingly absurd, purportedly cast a malevolent spell upon Racing Club, a spell that, bizarrely enough, proved effective.
From that moment onward, Racing Club seemed to lose its former prowess, with each passing year witnessing a decline in performance. This downward trajectory persisted until 1976 when Racing Club teetered on the brink of relegation, marking just the beginning of their woes.
Events escalated swiftly, culminating in Racing’s relegation to the second division a mere seven years later. Following their Intercontinental Cup triumph, Racing endured a trophy drought, save for their Supercopa Sudamericana victory in 1988. However, misfortune continued to plague the club, with financial troubles leading to its eventual bankruptcy declaration that same year. Racing’s fortunes spiraled downward, prompting fans to suspect foul play. It became widely known that Independiente supporters had enacted a ritual aimed at hexing Racing Club. While this notion was initially dismissed, Racing’s string of ill luck prompted action.
In a bid to break the curse, over 100,000 Racing Club faithful mobilized to search for the seven feline corpses. Despite their concerted efforts, only six of the seven bodies were unearthed, leaving the final one buried somewhere on the field.
Fast forward to 2001, Racing Club appointed a new coach, Reynaldo Merlo, who pledged not to rest until the final cat body was located. His determination led to the extensive excavation, demolition, and renovation of the entire field. This exhaustive effort ultimately bore fruit as the elusive seventh cat body was discovered, heralding a change in fortunes.
That same year, Racing Club clinched the Argentine title for the first time since 1966, marking a 35-year journey back to the summit.
From their zenith as world beaters to their sudden decline, financial woes, and relegation, Racing Club’s saga following the “Cat Curse” appears to transcend mere coincidence. For some, it’s merely another addition to football’s catalogue of curses, akin to the infamous curse of Bela Guttmann.
