The worst refereeing errors in football history

Last update 18 November, 2024 by Alberto Llopis

Which are The worst refereeing errors in football history? Football is a sport full of emotions, passion and unforgettable moments. However, It has also been marked by referee decisions that changed the course of matches and even entire competitions..

Arbitration errors, no matter how involuntary they may be, have generated controversies and endless debates among fans, players and experts. Next, We review some of the worst refereeing errors in the history of football, moments that were recorded as lessons and warnings about the importance of justice in this sport.

1. The hand of God: Diego Maradona in Mexico 1986

In the World Cup 1986, Diego Maradona starred in one of the most remembered moments in the history of football. During the quarterfinals between Argentina and England, scored a goal using his hand, an action that went unnoticed by the Tunisian referee Ali Bennaceur and his assistants.

• Impact: Argentina won 2-1 and advanced to the semifinals, on the way to winning the world title.
• Historical phrase: Maradona described it as “the hand of God”, consolidating the myth around this error.

2. Geoff Hurst's ghost goal in the final 1966

The World Cup final in England 1966 pitted the hosts against West Germany. In the extra time, Geoff Hurst shot on goal, and the ball hit the crossbar before bouncing near the goal line. The Swiss referee Gottfried Service, after consulting with his assistant, conceded the goal, although the images never confirmed that the ball completely crossed the line.

• Final score: England won 4-2, achieving his only world title.
• Eternal debate: This mistake is considered the precursor to the implementation of goal line technology..

3. The scandal of Lampard's goal in South Africa 2010

During the round of 16 of the South Africa World Cup 2010, England faced Germany. with the marker 2-1 in favor of the Germans, Frank Lampard took a shot that clearly crossed the goal line after hitting the crossbar. However, nor the Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda nor did his assistants validate the goal.

• Impact: Germany won 4-1, and the error reopened the debate on technology in football.
• Significant change: This incident was one of the catalysts for the implementation of the automatic goal detection system.

4. South Korea vs. Italia, World 2002

The Korea-Japan World Cup 2002 It was full of arbitration controversies, but the round of 16 match between South Korea and Italy takes center stage. The Ecuadorian referee Byron Moreno disallowed a legitimate goal from Italy, allowed rough play by the South Koreans and unfairly expelled Francesco Totti for alleged simulation.

• Result: South Korea won 2-1 in extra time.
• Consequences: Moreno's actions generated suspicions about favoritism towards the host country.

5. The non-existent penalty in the World Cup final 1978

In the final of the World Cup in Argentina 1978, the hosts faced the Netherlands. In a controversial move, the italian referee Sergio Gonella ignored a clear penalty in favor of the Dutch when the score was tied. Posteriorly, Argentina won 3-1 in extra time, winning his first world title.

• Controversy: This error left a cloud of doubts about the impartiality in the tournament.

6. Thierry Henry's handball goal: Francia vs. Ireland, 2009

In the play-off for the World Cup in South Africa 2010, Thierry Henry controlled the ball with his hand before assisting William Gallas, who scored the goal that qualified France. Not even the Swedish referee Martin Hanson nor did his assistants see the violation.

• Repercussion: Ireland was eliminated and asked for a replay of the match, which was denied.
• Final score: This incident reignited discussions about the use of VAR.

✋🏼| In football from time to time he has taken his hand out for a walk.
🇿🇦| A mythical one was that of Thierry Henry against Ireland so that the Gauls achieved the ticket to South Africa 2010.
📺| Do you remember any hand that the VAR, to exist, would have canceled and therefore changed history? pic.twitter.com/QiXouPkEuS

— Lane Three (@Carrildeltres) September 28, 2023

7. Míchel's ghost goal, Spain vs. Brazil 1986

In the group stage of the World Cup in Mexico 1986, Míchel scored a legitimate goal for Spain against Brazil. The ball clearly crossed the line, but the referee did not validate it.

• Result: Brazil won 1-0.
• Spanish frustration: This error symbolized the lack of justice in the matches of that tournament.

8. The controversial decisions in Chelsea vs. Barcelona, 2009

UEFA Champions League semi-final 2008-09 between Chelsea and Barcelona was plagued by questionable refereeing decisions by Tom Henning Øvrebø. The Norwegian referee ignored several clear penalties in favor of Chelsea, generating a wave of indignation among players and fans.

• Result: Barcelona advanced with a last-minute goal from Andrés Iniesta.
• Reactions: This match is remembered as one of the most controversial in the history of the competition..

9. The robbery of Spain in Korea-Japan 2002

In it Korea and Japan World 2002, The Spanish team suffered one of the most scandalous refereeing in the quarterfinals against South Korea. The Egyptian referee Gamal Al-Ghandour annulled a legitimate goal by Fernando Morientes after a cross from Joaquín, claiming that the ball had gone out of bounds, something that replays proved false.

• Other controversies: Spain saw another goal disallowed due to an alleged non-existent offside, in addition to allowing excessively physical play by the South Koreans.
• Result: South Korea won on penalties after the 0-0 in regulation time, eliminating Spain and advancing to the semifinals.
• Repercussion: This match remained a symbol of suspicions about favoritism towards the hosts in that tournament..

The impact and magnitude of referee errors in football

Arbitration errors have marked key moments in the history of football, evidencing the difficulty of making instant decisions in complex situations. However, These mistakes have also driven technological advances, like him OUR and the goal line, that seek to reduce injustice in sport.

But despite the progress, Football continues and will continue to be a human game, and controversial decisions are part of its essence. Since even with the VAR, many decisions remain interpretable. And despite everything, these moments, although controversial, have fueled the debates that make football the most popular sport in the world.