In football, the players, managers, and fans always hog the limelight. However, there are many times that referees take centre stage in a game. For a referee, the best compliment is if he manages to stay away from the spotlight. But unfortunately, referees sometimes make decisions that defy logic in such a game of acceptable margins.
These decisions are so controversial that many have etched their name in the history of football. And while the introduction of technology such as the Visual Assistant Referee (VAR) has reduced the number of controversial calls, the mistakes remain.
FIFA has now announced the introduction of the Semi-Automated offside technology, which will further increase the role of technology in the game.
However, the game still is controlled by a human referee who can still make mistakes. So, we look at football’s top 10 worst refereeing decisions.
10. Pique’s handball against Chelsea- 2008/09 Champions League
The entire game was controversial, leading to the famous “It’s a disgrace. It’s a fu**ing disgrace” moment from Didier Drogba. However, the most contentious mistake was when the referee didn’t award a clear penalty for the second time after a clear handball.
Michael Ballack was so frustrated that he chased the referee for 30 yards pleading with him to award the penalty. Reflecting on his performance, referee Tom Henning Ovrebo said, “It was not my best day”. Some days you are not at the level you should be. No, I can’t be proud of that performance.”
9. Josip Simunic gets three yellow cards in a single game- 2006 FIFA World Cup
Football is simple. If you get yellow-carded twice, you get sent off. Unless you’re Josip Simunic. At the 2006 World Cup, Australia faced Croatia in a Group F match. The Croatian defender got his first caution in the 61st minute of the game. Then, in the 89th minute, Simunic received his second yellow card but was amazingly not sent off by referee Graham Poll.
Four minutes later, he would receive his marching orders after receiving a third yellow card. The referee Graham Poll was the favourite referee for the World Cup Final. However, he was suspended in the middle of the World Cup.
Graham Poll’s infamous 3 yellow cards to Croatia’s Josip Simunic vs Australia 2006. pic.twitter.com/WvwX4lUAmL
— Planet World Cup (@PlanetWorldCup) March 18, 2015
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