A new Colombian podcast is shining a light on a bizarre and largely forgotten incident involving English football legend Bobby Moore and a missing emerald bracelet in Bogotá. The podcast, titled "El Capitán y el Brazalete de Esmeraldas" ("The Captain and the Emerald Bracelet"), delves into the story of Moore's arrest in Colombia in 1970, just before the World Cup in Mexico.
In May 1970, the England team, as reigning World Cup champions, were in Bogotá for a friendly match as part of their preparation for the upcoming World Cup. The team visited the Fuego Verde jewelry store in the Hotel Tequendama, and shortly after, a bracelet reportedly went missing. Bobby Moore, the captain of the England team and a national hero, was accused of stealing an 18-carat gold bracelet studded with 12 diamonds and 12 emeralds.
The allegations led to Moore's arrest and detention in Bogotá. The incident caused an international uproar, with the British Prime Minister Harold Wilson reportedly getting involved to try and secure Moore's release. The situation was particularly sensitive given Moore's status as a sporting icon and the proximity to the World Cup.
The journalist Félix de Bedout created the podcast to explore the details of this controversial event and reveal previously unknown information. According to De Bedout, the podcast examines the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft, the investigation, and the impact on Moore's life and career. The podcast aims to answer the lingering questions about what really happened in the jewelry store that day.
While Moore was eventually cleared of the charges and allowed to join his team in Mexico, the "bracelet of Bogotá" incident has remained a mysterious footnote in his career. The incident cast a shadow over Moore, and the English press demanded answers from Colombia. The podcast will explore the perspectives of various individuals involved, potentially shedding new light on the truth.
Carl Worswick, a Bogotá-based football journalist, wrote about the incident for The Guardian and discussed the case's enduring mystery. He noted that even 50 years later, the full story remains unknown, fueling continued interest in the case. Some claim that Moore stole the bracelet, while others suggest it was a setup or a misunderstanding.
The podcast "El Capitán y el Brazalete de Esmeraldas" promises to be a deep dive into this intriguing episode in football history. By revisiting the events and offering new insights, the podcast hopes to finally unravel the truth behind the "bracelet of Bogotá" and its impact on the legendary Bobby Moore.