World Cup 2010: Top 10 shameful moments
Luis Suarez's handball which cruelly denied Ghana a place in the semi-finals takes its place among the World Cup’s most infamous moments. Here are ten other occasions when football has been shamed on the world's biggest stage.
1. Diego Maradona’s handball goal: Argentina v England, quarter-finals - 1986
In the World Cup quarter-finals Maradona and Peter Shilton, the England goalkeeper, both challenged for the ball in the penalty area. The Argentinian beat Shilton to the ball and punched it into the net. He has never shown any remorse, claiming it to be the “hand of God”.
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2. Thierry Henry's handball - France v Ireland, qualifier - 2009
Deep into extra-time and Ireland were on course to qualify for the World Cup finals thanks to the away goal rule. However, Henry handled the ball twice in the penalty area before setting up William Gallas for a header from two yards out to give France the victory.
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3. Harald Schumacher's assault: West Germany v France semi-finals - 1982
When Patrick Battiston was played through the West Germany goalkeeper rushed out and smashed his forearm into the Frenchman’s mouth. Battiston was left sprawled out on the ground, unconscious. Schumacher was not shown a card, the French were not even awarded a free kick and all Battiston had to show for it were some broken teeth and a sore head. The game finished 3-3 at the end of extra-time and West Germany won 5-4 on penalties.
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4. Zinédine Zidane’s head-butt: France v Italy final - 2006
Italy defender Marco Materazzi verbally insulted the France playmaker and Zidane responded by head-butting his opponent in the chest, which sent him flying. Zizou was subsequently sent off, a terrible way for one of the sport's greatest players to end his career. Italy won 5-3 on penalties after it had finished 1-1 at the end of extra-time.
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5. Andres Escobar’s own goal: USA v Colombia, group game - 1994
The defender diverted a cross into his own net which helped USA to a 2-1 win and eliminated Colombia from the tournament. When he returned home Escobar was shot dead by someone who lost money on a bet because of the own goal.
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6. Rivaldo feigning injury: Brazil v Turkey, group game - 2002
It is a shame that such a talented footballer will be remembered for something so pathetic. Turkey's Hakan Unsal passed the ball to Rivaldo who was about to take a corner. The pass was a little over hit and struck Rivaldo in the knee but the Brazilian hit the deck holding his face. Rivaldo stayed on the ground long enough to convince the referee to show Unsal a red card. Brazil won the game 2-1.
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7. Kuwaiti protests: France v Kuwait, group game - 1982
France scored a goal after the Kuwait players hesitated having mistaken a whistle from the crowd to be that of the referee, Miroslav Stupar. Sheikh Fahd Al-Sabah, the Kuwait general manager, called his players off the pitch and the referee wrongly disallowed the goal in order to get the game playing again. In the end disallowed goal made no difference as France won 4-1.
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8. Diego Maradona’s drugs shame: Argentina v Greece, group game - 1994
The diminutive Argentinian's second appearance on this list is for when he inspired the victory and celebrated his goal by shouting wildly into a TV camera. Argentina won 4-0 and soon after the match Maradona was made to do a random drugs test. A few days later he was thrown out of the World Cup when it was discovered his urine samples contained five banned substances.
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9. Best result for both teams: West Germany v Austria, group game - 1982
Both sides knew before the match that if West Germany won by a goal it would see both sides go through to the next round at the expense of Algeria. Lo and behold after Horst Hrubesch scored an early goal to give West Germany the lead the sides tamely passed the ball around to the anger of the African side.
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10. Antonio Rattin’s defiance: England v Argentina, quarter-final - 1966
The Argentina captain refused to leave the pitch when he was sent off for foul language. A full eight minutes later, after team-mates have raised the possibility of leaving with him, he finally made his way towards the Wembley changing rooms. England went on to win the match 1-0 thanks to a Geoff Hurst goal.
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