The Uruguayan Civic-Military Dictatorship and Football: Authoritarianism, Resistance and Mediations (1973-1980)

Analyzing the place of sport in authoritarian political processes is one of the contributions that this work intends to make. In Uruguay's case it is studied at the level of the senior football team, which presents some differences with other experiences in the region. The Uruguayan case is closer to resistance than to domination and manipulation. Based on theoretical-conceptual contributions from authors such as Stuart Hall, the period between 1973-1980 is approached, taking into reference two key episodes: initially the moment when the coup occurred in 1973 and Uruguay was contesting the qualifiers for the 1974 World Cup in Germany. The second is located in 1980 when the Mundialito was organized. The analysis of these episodes highlights the relationships between football, politics and society, taking mainly period press as historical sources.