The biggest global sporting event starts in less than a week – the World Cup. The month-long tournament is watched by millions around the world and is eagerly anticipated every four years by fans of the beautiful game. Past World Cups have thrown up some unbelievable moments of magic, memorable matches, sublime goals, individual brilliance, inspirational teams and world-class talent. However, the World Cup wouldn’t be the same without a controversial incident or two. There have been plenty of controversies over the years but here’s ten of the most controversial World Cup moments.
1. Geoff Hurst’s World Cup Final Goal (1966)
Did it cross the line of not? Debate still rages on to this day over Geoff Hurst’s second goal in the extra-time of the 1966 World Cup final. England ran out 4-2 winners over West Germany in what has become their one and only World Cup trophy vitory. The controversial goal definitely inspired the team (and the fans’ support) in scoring the fourth goal which sealed the win.
2. Kuwait vs France (1982)
Alain Giresse was played through to score the fourth goal against Kuwait to make the score 4-1 to France. However, a whistle from the crowd confused the Kuwaiti players who thought the referee had blown for offside. He hadn’t. Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, president of the Kuwait Football Association, was so incensed he ordered the Kuwaiti players off the pitch. He then left the stands, followed by his entourage and the press, where he confronted the overwhelmed Ukrainian ref Miroslav Stupar. So belittled was the match official in front of the shouting Arab, the cameras and the millions of fans who watched in stunned silence that he buckled under pressure and disallowed the goal. Play continued, France added a fourth anyway and still ended up winning 4-1.
3. West Germany vs Austria (1982)
The rule book was changed after the 1982 tournament simply because of what happened in this match. Back then, the final group games were not played at the same time. Therefore the Algerians looked set to qualify for the next round having surprised everyone by shockingly beating the Germans 2-1. Knowing that a 1-0 win against Austria would be enough to send both teams through (Algeria had played their final match the day before), West Germany scored in the first ten minutes and then proceeded to knock the ball around for the rest of the game. Only one more tame shot on goal was had by West Germany; Austria had none in the whole game. So angry were West Germany’s own fans at the shambolic way their team had connivingly squirmed their way through to next round, many burnt the national flag in protest. History was made and the rules were changed.
4. Hand of God (1986)
The infamous incident of the “Hand of God”. England versus Argentina in the 1986 World Cup. Regarded as a grudge match after the Falklands War, the little footballing maestro that is Diego Maradona scored one of the best goals ever seen in a World Cup in this game. However, his sublime talent in scoring that solo goal was overshadowed by his other goal in this match; the one which saw him leap up and punch the ball past Peter Shilton into the back of the net. Although Maradona (the cheat!) wheeled away in jubilant celebration everyone else knew he used his hand. Everyone except the Tunisian referee who let it stand. Later he blamed his error on a haemorrhoid treatment he was taking that affected his sight.
5. Maradona’s Goal Celebration (1994)
They say your eyes are the windows to your soul. Well, in Maradona’s case they were the windows to his use of ephedrine. Having scored a sensational goal in Argentina’s opening game in the 1994 tournament he raced towards the nearest video camera with a psychotic look upon his face. People grew suspicious and a urine sample was asked for. The results showed that he had taken a banned substance in ephedrine and as a result he was kicked out of the tournament and sent home in disgrace.
6. Andrés Escobar Own Goal (1994)
Colombia lost 2-1 to the USA in the 1994 World Cup which saw them get knocked out of the tournament. Colombian defender Escobar unfortunately deflected the ball into his own net sealing his country’s exit. In doing so though he sealed his own fate because back in Colombia. The own goal he scored was on 22 June; on 2 July Escobar was shot 12 times outside the El Indio bar in Medellin. The killer apparently shouted “Goal” as he gunned the player down, making many believe that his death was a contract killing.
7. David Beckham Red Card (1998)
England were knocked out by Argentina on penalties in the ’98 World Cup and blame back in England was instantly put on David Beckham. Fouled by Diego Simeone, who earned a yellow card, Beckham reacted stupidly and kicked out at the Argentinian midfielder getting himself sent off as a result. Beckham received death threats by angry fans, effigies of him were burnt in the streets, the media humiliated him for weeks – he basically became the nation’s pariah. It didn’t last though because four years later he was England’s captain and single-handedly got them through to the 2002 World Cup, becoming the nation’s hero in the process. He further buried old memories during the tournament when he scored a penalty against Argentina.
8. South Korea’s Run (2002)
Hosting the 2002 World Cup jointly with Japan, South Korea defied all expectations by reaching the semi-finals of the tournament. Their phenomenal run was highly controversial though and many people still claim their games in the knockout stages against Italy and Spain were fixed. Against Italy a lot of decisions seemed to go their way: fouls committed were not given, Italy had a man sent off even though replays showed he was clearly fouled, and a clear scoring opportunity was denied the Italians when the offside flag was raised (replays again showed the decision was incorrect). Then in the quarter-finals even more decisions went their way, most notably the disallowed goal that Spain scored. The match officials stated that the player crossing the ball into the box had taken the ball over the line and a goal kick was given instead. The goal was perfectly legit though and should have stood. Lucky Koreans or cheating Koreans? The jury’s still out on this one.
9. Ronaldo’s Wink (2006)
Another England exit, another red card, another load of controversy. Wayne Rooney retailiated to the physical pressure he was being put under by the Portuguese defence by stamping on the gonads of Ricardo Carvalho. Straight red, no arguments. However, his Manchester Utd colleague Cristiano Ronaldo did himself no favours by playing a helping hand in getting the England striker sent off. He rushed over to the referee, waved the imaginary card, which the ref showed Rooney, and then Ronaldo winked at staff on the touchline as if to say “job done.” Cheeky little winker!
10. Zidane’s Headbutt (2006)
Zinedine Zidane bowed out of football in the most shameful manner when getting himself sent off in the final of the 2006 tournament. Playing his last game of football he was manhandled by tattooed Italian gobshite Marco Materazzi. It is not exactly clear what was said by apparently Zidane said to him “if you want my shirt, you’ll have to wait till after the game.” To which, for reasons only Materazzi knows, he replied “I’d prefer your whore of a sister.” Now, you have to feel for Zidane because he was clearly antagonised but he should have been more professional about it. Headbutting Materazzi square in the chest like a raging bull he bid farewell to the beautiful game in the ugliest way.
