FIFA World Cup 2006: Controversies and Problems Caused

As a sport that attracts a lot of interest and is rich, football will have its fair share of controversies. There have been many scandals in world football, ranging from match-fixing to drug use, and countless football players have been in the public eye for the wrong reasons. The 2006 FIFA World Cup was marred by numerous scandals, including on-field altercations, criticisms of official rulings, and difficulties with squad salaries.

Many of the world’s media said that the officials were ruining the World Cup, as most incidents centred on specific officiating judgments. Graham Poll’s three-card error and Valentin Ivanov’s record number of cards in a single match resulted from controversial refereeing decisions at the World Cup. Here are the controversial football incidents of 2006.

Three Yellow Card

Josip Simunic, who plays defence for Croatia, is not known as one of the sport’s tough guys. But he made World Cup history in 2006 by getting sent off three times for yellow cards.

For a foul on Harry Kewell in the 61st minute, English official Graham Poll booked Simunic during Croatia’s game against Australia in their group stage match. Another foul on Kewell in the final minute earned him a yellow card, but the referee refrained from going to the red card.

In the 93rd minute, Poll showed Simunic a red card after receiving his third yellow.

Italy-Australia Penalty Fabio Grosso

Marco Materazzi’s red card in the 50th minute reduced Italy to 10 men. However, Fabio Grosso entered the penalty box with the ball, and Lucas Neill failed a tackle to give Italy a late penalty. Francesco Totti scored the penalty as Italy advanced to their fourth World Cup.

Le Headbutt 

Zinedine Zidane, a French football legend, was set for a fairytale ending when he decided to lead a disorganized French team to World Cup victory in 2006. And things were swimmingly until a critical second in the final minute of overtime.

While jogging together with the score knotted at 1, Zidane and Italian defender Marco Materazzi chatted. Then, Materazzi snatched Zidane’s jersey, setting off the Frenchman’s hysteria. He wheeled around and delivered a solid headbutt to Materazzi’s chest, knocking him to the floor. France lost the championship game on penalty kicks after Zidane was sent off.

The final game of Zidane’s illustrious professional career.

Portugal v Netherlands: Nuremberg

The 2006 World Cup’s Round of 16 matches was out of control. It was remarkable that Portugal and the Netherlands, two relatively peaceful nations, were participating. However, Russian referee Valentin Ivanov was obliged to issue a FIFA tournament record for four red and 16 yellow cards.

Marco van Basten was booked in the second minute, and Luis Figo was just booked for a headbutt. Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA, said that Ivanov should have been given a yellow card because he played so poorly during the game.

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