Sports

Most Unusual Disallowed Penalties in Football History

Explore the strangest and most controversial refereeing decisions that led to disallowed penalties in football history. This ranking delves into unusual moments where VAR or the main referee intervened to revoke a spot-kick, sparking debate and frustration among fans and players. Discover the most bizarre incidents and the rule interpretations that altered the course of significant matches. Ideal for football enthusiasts who enjoy controversies and refereeing errors.

149100% verified
  1. 1

    Diego Maradona's Hand of God

    147 Global Votes
    • A story of vindication for the Argentine nation

      (+3)

    Diego Maradona's goal, known as 'The Hand of God', is an iconic example of a goal scored with the hand that, although initially allowed, generated massive debate and became one of football's most controversial and remembered moments. Its controversial nature and subsequent controversy make it stand out among unusual events related to refereeing decisions and the manipulation of the game.

  2. 2

    Julián Álvarez's Double-Touch Penalty

    2 Global Votes
    • Unusual double-touch play

      (+3)

    Julián Álvarez's double-touch penalty is unusual because, while the rule is known, it is rarely attempted and even less frequently penalized. His execution, by striking the ball twice consecutively, directly infringed the regulations, leading to its annulment and making it a peculiar example of a technical infraction at a crucial moment of the game.

  3. 3

    Frank Lampard's 'Ghost Goal'

    0 Global Votes
    • Clear goal

    Frank Lampard's 'Ghost Goal' is an iconic example of a goal that, despite clearly crossing the line, was disallowed by the referees. This incident stands out due to the significance of the match and the controversy it generated, making it one of the most unusual and memorable disallowed goals in football history.

  4. 4

    Luis Suárez's Handball vs Ghana

    0 Global Votes
    • Iconic moment of the 2010 World Cup

      (+1)

    Luis Suárez's handball against Ghana is an iconic example of a play that, while not directly resulting in an overturned penalty, did lead to a crucial refereeing decision and a moment of great controversy. His deliberate action to stop a goal with his hand in the dying moments of extra time, which resulted in a red card and a penalty (which was subsequently missed by the opponent), is an act of tactical desperation that drastically altered the course of the match and is remembered for its audacity and ethical implications.

  5. 5

    Thierry Henry's Handball

    0 Global Votes
    • Masterfully executed indirect penalty

      (+4)

    Henry's 'Hand of God' moment, while not a penalty, stands as an iconic instance of deliberate, controversial handball that significantly impacted a crucial match's outcome, making it unusual within the context of refereeing decisions and sportsmanship.