If an event is held 21 times across 84 years, there is bound to be at least one controversy every time that event is held. We are, of course, talking about the FIFA World Cup. When the ball is kicked for the first time in Qatar, it will be more than nine decades since the first World Cup in 1930. It has been an incredible journey for the tournament, which has gone from strength to strength, becoming among the top-viewed tournaments in the world.
However, that incredible journey has also seen tough times that have left the game of football in a negative light. Some of these controversies have stood the test of time and are still vividly remembered by fans today, while others have been largely forgotten or don’t attract the same emotion they did when they occurred.
So, today, we dive into the top 10 controversies of the FIFA World Cup.
1982 World Cup France vs Kuwait, The disallowed goal
The 1982 World Cup was filled with so many controversies that this incident only got the third rank, with the top two controversies coming later in this article. Kuwait were playing in their second-ever FIFA World Cup and were handed a tough group which included Czechoslovakia, France and England. However, they started brilliantly with a 1-1 draw against Czechoslovakia and faced France in Estadio Jose Zorrilla, Valladolid.
The French showed their superior skills and raced to a 3-1 win. However, what came next became a part of World Cup history. France scored its fourth goal through Alain Giresse, but the goal was vehemently protested by Kuwaiti players who had stopped after hearing a whistle which they thought came from the Soviet referee Miroslav Stupar. However, the whistle had been blown by a fan in the stands. Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s prince and the President of the nation’s football association, ran on the pitch and forced Stupar to change his decision. France won the match 4-1 eventually. Kuwait lost their next game 1-0 in the final match, and Kuwait were sent home.
Kuwait vs France (82 World Cup) pic.twitter.com/Z8dlr4szBK
— Football Pics (@Footbal22315649) June 5, 2021
2006 World Cup Croatia vs Australia, The three yellow cards
Australia qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup after 32 years which was an excellent achievement for the nation. The Socceroos were drawn in Group F alongside five-team champions Brazil, Croatia and Japan. However, Croatia vs…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at FootTheBall…