The Heysel Stadium disaster takes place in Brussels at the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus , leading to English clubs being banned from European club competition for five years . Juventus becomes the first club in the history of European football to have won all three major UEFA competitions after defeating Liverpool 1 – 0 in the European Cup final , and thus far , the only in association football history , to have won all possible confederation competitions after defeating Argentinos Juniors 6 – 4 ( 2 – 2 a.e.t. ) in the Intercontinental Cup final at Tokyo 's National Stadium . The Bradford City stadium fire occurs at Valley Parade , taking the lives of 56 people and injuring another 200 during Bradford City 's fixture with Lincoln City . For the first time , an African squad wins a FIFA tournament , the World Championship Under 16 , as Nigeria surprisingly defeat favourites West Germany 2 – 0 in China . The Artemio Franchi Trophy is organized for the first time , won and hosted by France . Michel Platini wins for the third consecutive time the Ballon d'Or , a record then
Bradford City stadium fire
Bradford City stadium fire
Timeline of association football