The most controversial moments in football history

This goal remains one of the most debated in World Cup history, as images have never confirmed whether the ball fully crossed the line. Its controversy endures, affecting the perception of England's only world title.

Considered the most notorious refereeing scandal in the history of Spanish football, this incident led to a huge brawl and the expulsion of a player. Referee Guruceta's decision to award a penalty outside the box remains a benchmark of refereeing controversy.

This match raised strong suspicions of match-fixing or political pressure due to the significant goal difference Argentina needed to qualify for the final. The country's political situation at the time added an extra layer of controversy to the victory.

This goal, scored with his hand by Diego Maradona, is one of the most iconic and controversial moments in football history. Maradona's later admission and the significance of the match keep it a landmark of sports controversy.

This incident is an example of extreme simulation and deception in football, resulting in severe sanctions for the goalkeeper and the Chilean national team. Roberto Rojas's farce and the subsequent FIFA investigation make it a moment of great controversy.

This tragic event is one of the darkest and most regrettable moments in football history, directly related to the pressure and extreme consequences of the sport. Escobar's own goal and his subsequent murder shocked the world.

These matches are remembered as examples of extremely biased refereeing that favored the host team, generating a major debate about the integrity of the tournament. The refereeing decisions directly affected the outcome for two major national teams.

It was the last match in Zinedine Zidane's career and a shocking moment in a World Cup final, with it being revealed years later that Materazzi had insulted Zidane's sister. This incident encapsulates the tension and extreme emotions of elite football.

Despite being a clear and blatant action, the referee did not see it, sparking a global ethical debate and a request to replay the match. This incident is an example of how an erroneous refereeing decision can change the destiny of a nation in football.

The non-existent penalty that eliminated Mexico in the 2014 World Cup generated a 'collective trauma' among Mexican fans that persists to this day. Robben's later admission about exaggerating added more fuel to the fire of the controversy.

This incident sparked a debate about the award's credibility and the perception of 'persecution' against certain players, especially in the context of the racism suffered by Vinicius Jr. Real Madrid's boycott called the impartiality of the award into question.

This 'strange' and controversial event, which occurred in a high-tension match, generated a brief verbal confrontation and is a recent example of psychological warfare and lack of sportsmanship in key moments. Donnarumma's action was widely commented on for its lack of sporting ethics.