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Football, or soccer as it is commonly known in some parts of the world, is a beautiful game that has captured the hearts of millions of people worldwide. But as with any sport, there are bound to be controversial moments that leave fans and players alike scratching their heads in disbelief.
One of the most controversial aspects of football is refereeing and the decisions made by them. Refereeing errors can have a major impact on the outcome of a game, and in some cases, even on the fate of a team’s season.
In this article, we will explore some of the most controversial refereeing decisions in football history, the impact they had on the game, and the aftermath that followed.
1. The Hand of God
The infamous “Hand of God” incident occurred during the 1986 World Cup quarter-final between England and Argentina. With the score tied at 0-0, Argentine legend Diego Maradona punched the ball into the net with his left hand, which was missed by referee Ali Bin Nasser. Maradona later claimed that the goal was scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” The controversial goal was enough to knock England out of the tournament, and Argentina went on to win the World Cup.
2. The Battle of Santiago
The 1962 World Cup match between Chile and Italy is often referred to as the “Battle of Santiago” due to the violent nature of the game. Referee Ken Aston struggled to keep control of the match, with both teams committing numerous fouls and engaging in physical altercations. Italian player Giorgio Ferrini was sent off after just 12 minutes for kicking Chilean player Honorino Landa in the face. The match ended in a 2-0 win for Chile, but it was marred by the violence on the pitch.
3. The Handball Showdown
In the 2009 Champions League semi-final between Barcelona and Chelsea, Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo made a controversial decision not to award Chelsea any penalties, despite claims of handball by several Barcelona players. Chelsea fans and players were left fuming, as it was widely believed that the referee’s decisions had cost them a place in the final. The controversy led to accusations of bias against the referee and calls for the introduction of video technology to help officials make more accurate decisions.
4. The Ghost Goal
The 2005 Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan is remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in football history. However, it was also marred by a controversial incident, when Milan’s Andriy Shevchenko had a goal disallowed, despite the ball appearing to cross the line. The incident led to calls for the introduction of goal-line technology to help referees make more accurate decisions. Liverpool went on to win the match 3-2 on penalties, after a 3-3 draw.
5. The Handball Penalty
In the 2006 World Cup quarter-final between Portugal and England, Portuguese player Ricardo Carvalho appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area, leading to calls for a penalty kick. However, the referee waved play on, much to the frustration of the England players and fans. Portugal went on to win the match 3-1, with England’s dreams of World Cup glory dashed once again.
6. The Disallowed Goal
In the 1978 World Cup Final between Argentina and the Netherlands, Dutch player Rob Rensenbrink had a goal disallowed in extra time, with the match tied at 1-1. The controversial decision denied the Netherlands a chance to lift the World Cup trophy, as Argentina went on to score twice in extra time to win the match 3-1. The incident sparked outrage amongst the Dutch players and fans, with many claiming that the referee’s decision had cost them the game.
7. The Goal Line Fiasco
The 2010 World Cup saw another controversial incident involving goal-line technology, or the lack thereof. In the second round match between Germany and England, England’s Frank Lampard appeared to score a goal, only for the ball to bounce off the underside of the crossbar and cross the goal line before bouncing out. However, the goal was not given, as the referee and his assistants did not see the ball cross the line. The incident once again led to calls for the introduction of goal-line technology, which was eventually implemented in future tournaments.
8. The Handball Redemption
In the 2010 World Cup quarter-final between Uruguay and Ghana, Uruguayan player Luis Suarez was sent off for handling the ball on the goal line, denying Ghana a certain goal. As a result, Ghana was awarded a penalty kick, which was missed by Asamoah Gyan, sending the match into extra time. Uruguay went on to win the match on penalties, with Suarez hailed as a hero by his teammates and vilified by Ghanaian fans and players alike.
9. The Offside Controversy
The 2018 Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich saw another controversial refereeing decision. With the score tied at 2-2 on aggregate, Bayern Munich thought they had taken the lead when Corentin Tolisso scored. However, the goal was disallowed for offside, despite TV replays suggesting that the decision was incorrect. Real Madrid went on to win the match 4-3 on aggregate, and eventually lifted the Champions League trophy for the third year in a row.
10. The VAR Drama
The introduction of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) was meant to reduce controversy in football, but it has also created its fair share of drama. One of the most controversial VAR incidents occurred during the 2018 World Cup final between France and Croatia. France was leading 2-1 in the second half when Croatian player Ivan Perisic handled the ball in the penalty area. After consulting VAR, referee Nestor Pitana awarded a penalty kick, which was converted by Antoine Griezmann. The decision proved decisive, as France went on to win the match 4-2 and lift their second World Cup trophy.
In conclusion, refereeing decisions have always been a contentious issue in football, with fans and players alike demanding greater accuracy and transparency from officials. From the Hand of God to the introduction of VAR, there have been many incidents that have shaken the world of football and sparked heated debate amongst fans and commentators. Whether it’s the introduction of new technology or a change in the rules, it is clear that the debate will continue for many years to come.
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