The Thierry Henry handball vs Ireland which led to France qualifying for the 2010 World Cup is just the latest of a string of high profile refereeing errors that have plagued the game and led to some huge injustices. Below is a list of football’s biggest injustices.
Geoff Hurst 1966 Cup Final
The second of Geoff Hurst’s 1966 Cup Final hat-trick which bounced off the crossbar is perhaps the most controversial goal of all time. The right footed strike put England 3-2 ahead in extra time but it is still argued to this day whether the whole of the ball crossed the line. Hurst secured England the World Cup by completing his hat-trick as West Germany poured men forward in search of an equaliser. To this day, he is the only player to score three goals in a World Cup Final.
Maradona Hand Of God Goal
Maradona chased onto a looping miscued clearance from England midfielder Stephen Hodge and punched the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton into the net. The Tunisian referee failed to spot the blatant handball and Argentina eventually won the game 2-1. Maradona later described the goal as “The Hand Of God.” Argentina went on to win the trophy beating West Germany 3-2 in the final.
Ronald Koeman Winner Vs England
David Platt was clean through on goal until he was unashamedly pulled down by Dutch defender Ronald Koeman in what was arguably one of the most blatant professional fouls in international football history. Koeman unexplainably avoided a red card and went on to score the winner that all but destroyed England’s chances of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup.
Chelsea Barcelona Champions League Semi Final
Chelsea appeared to be robbed of at least three blatant penalties as they took on Barcelona in the second leg of the 2009 Champions League Semi-Final. Firstly, despite replays showing Florent Malouda was hauled down inside the penalty area, the Blues were only awarded a free-kick outside the box. Didier Drogba was pulled down in the box moments later but his penalty claims were ignored. Referee Tom Overbo also failed to spot an obvious handball by Gerard Pique as he jumped for a header in the area.
Andres Iniesta equalised deep into stoppage time with Barcelona’s first shot on target sending them to the final on the away goals rule.
Thierry Henry Handball Vs Ireland
France’s World Cup Qualifying play-off match against The Republic Of Ireland appeared to be heading to a penalty shootout until a controversial winner four minutes from the end of extra time. The Irish failed to deal with a long ball into the box which Henry could only control with his hand before crossing for William Gallas to nod in the winner. Replays show that Henry handled the ball TWICE in order to keep the ball in play.
