Football: Top 10 Controversial decisions made by Referees

Football, like any sport, has its fair share of controversial moments, with referees often finding themselves in the spotlight due to their decisions. These decisions can shape the outcome of matches and have a lasting impact on the sport’s history. In this article, we delve into the top 10 most controversial decisions made by football referees, spanning various FIFA World Cups and UEFA Champions League matches.

• Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final

Perhaps one of the most infamous incidents in football history, Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal during Argentina’s quarter-final match against England in the 1986 World Cup shocked the world. Maradona punched the ball into the net, fooling the referee and securing a goal that should have been disallowed.

• Geoff Hurst’s controversial goal in the 1966 FIFA World Cup final

In the 1966 World Cup final between England and West Germany, controversy arose when Geoff Hurst’s shot struck the crossbar and bounced down onto the goal line. The referee deemed it a goal, despite strong protests from the German players, and England went on to win the tournament.

• Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal against Germany in the 2010 FIFA World Cup

During the 2010 World Cup match between England and Germany, Frank Lampard struck a powerful shot that clearly crossed the goal line. However, the referee and his assistants failed to recognize the goal, leaving England at a disadvantage and sparking debates on the introduction of goal-line technology.

• Luis Suarez’s handball against Ghana in the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-final

In a dramatic quarter-final match between Uruguay and Ghana in the 2010 World Cup, Luis Suarez intentionally used his hand to save a goal-bound header in the final seconds of extra time. While Suarez was sent off, Ghana missed the resulting penalty, and Uruguay eventually won in the penalty shootout.

• Thierry Henry’s handball against Ireland in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification play-off

In a crucial play-off match between France and Ireland to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, Thierry Henry handled the ball twice before assisting William Gallas for the winning goal. The incident, missed by the referee, sparked outrage and led to calls for the use of video assistant referees (VAR).

• Graham Poll’s failure to send off Josip Šimunić in the 2006 FIFA World Cup

In a group stage match between Croatia and Australia during the 2006 World Cup, referee Graham Poll mistakenly showed three yellow cards to Croatian defender Josip Šimunić before finally sending him off. The error led to widespread criticism of the referee’s judgment and raised questions about the need for improved officiating.

• Disallowed goal by Pedro Mendes for Tottenham Hotspur against Manchester United in 2005

During a Premier League match in 2005, Tottenham Hotspur’s Pedro Mendes struck a long-range shot that crossed the goal line by a significant margin. However, the referee and his assistants failed to award the goal, resulting in a draw instead of a crucial victory for Tottenham.

• The “Battle of Santiago” match between Chile and Italy in the 1962 FIFA World Cup

The 1962 World Cup match between Chile and Italy, famously known as the “Battle of Santiago,” witnessed violent incidents and lenient refereeing. The referee struggled to maintain control, allowing numerous fouls and unsporting behaviour to go unpunished, tarnishing the tournament’s reputation.

• The 1990 FIFA World Cup semi-final between Germany and England

In the 1990 World Cup semi-final between Germany and England, controversy arose when Gary Lineker had a goal disallowed for offside. Replays showed that Lineker was clearly onside, raising questions about the referee’s decision and denying England a chance to reach the final.

• The 2009 UEFA Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Barcelona

The 2009 Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Barcelona witnessed a series of controversial decisions favouring Barcelona. Chelsea had several penalty appeals turned down, and in the dying minutes of the match, a goal by Chelsea’s Michael Ballack was disallowed, leading to Barcelona’s advancement to the final.

Conclusion

Football history is replete with contentious decisions made by referees that have had a profound impact on matches and tournaments. From Maradona’s “Hand of God” to the controversial incidents in high-stakes World Cup and Champions League matches, these moments continue to be debated among fans, players, and pundits alike. While refereeing technology and advancements like VAR aim to minimize such controversies, the subjective nature of certain decisions will always leave room for debate and disagreement in the beautiful game.

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