United News of Bangladesh

The Jules Rimet Trophy is an iconic symbol of international football. It was the original prize for winning the FIFA World Cup and was first awarded in 1930. The trophy is named after Jules Rimet, the FIFA President who passed a vote to initiate the competition. The trophy was designed by French sculptor Abel Lafleur and made of gold-plated sterling silver on a lapis lazuli base. However, the base was replaced in 1954 to accommodate more winner’s detail and made it taller. The trophy stands 35 centimeters (14 in) high and weighs 3.8 kilograms (8.4 lb). The Jules Rimet comprised a decagonal cup, which was supported by a winged figure representing Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory. The Trophy got stolen in March 1966 prior to the FIFA World Cup 1966, which was recovered eventually. Read More: Which Countries have Won FIFA Football World Cup Trophy? Theft of the Jules Rimet Trophy? On Sunday, March 20, 1966, the Jules Rimet Trophy disappeared from its display cabinet while a Sunday church service was being conducted in another part of the building. However, the thief never touched rare stamps estimated to have been worth over three million Pounds at that time and fled with just the trophy which had been valued at £ 30,0000 (around 3.5 crores in BDT). On Monday, March 21, Joe Mears, the Chairman of the Football Association, received a ransom note from a person who claimed himself as ‘Jackson.’ Jackson was not about to let this prized possession get away. He demanded 15,000 pounds  (more than 17.5 lacs in BDT) for its return and even provided photos as proof of the trophy’s possession in case there were any questions that might arise if he really had it. The handover was scheduled to take place in front of Stamford Bridge which isis Chelsea’s home stadium. Read More: Is the FIFA Football World Cup Trophy Made of Solid Gold? How was the Jules Rimet Football World Cup Trophy Recovered? An undercover detective posing as ‘Mears’ lured Jackson using scraps of paper and fake money and tried to catch him to lead the detectives to the stolen trophy. However, Jackson fled realizing something was wrong. Jackson was finally caught after a dramatic pursuit and revealed to be Edward Betchley, the petty thief with prior records. However, he claimed he did not steal it himself but only acted as a middleman for £500 (Nearly 60 thousand in BDT) for a vague individual who referred him to ‘The Pole.’ However, the trophy was not recovered right away. Later Jackson had two years of jail, but the police could never track ‘The Pole.’ The search for the trophy continued. David Corbett, a Thames lighterman (barge operator), went out for a walk with his dog Pickles on March 27, exactly one week after the original theft. The Jules Rimet trophy was discovered when Pickles began to sniff something (a parcel wrapped with old newspaper and tied with string) under the hedge of Corbett’s house. Corbett then opened the parcel and recognized it. After that, he handed it to Gipsy Hill police station. Read More: Technologies set to amaze at Qatar Football World Cup 2022 Theft of Jules Rimet World Cup Trophy in Brazil In 1983 the Jules Rimet trophy was again stolen in Brazil. Sérgio Pereira Ayres, a football club agent, and banker was the mastermind of the theft. Additionally, other people were involved. Although the thieves were caught, the Jules Rimet trophy has never been recovered.