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The beautiful game is not always just. For every moment of pure brilliance, there is a shadow of controversy—a decision so baffling it eclipses the match itself.
These are the infamous "robberies," where officiating errors have written their own bitter legacy in football folklore. Let's count down from the contentious to the utterly scandalous.
10. 🇮🇹 Italy vs South Korea 🇰🇷 (2002 World Cup) 🥊
Italy's 2002 World Cup exit was shrouded in controversy. A golden goal was disallowed, and Francesco Totti received a debatable second yellow card for a dive, reducing Italy to ten men. Co-hosts South Korea capitalized, winning 2-1 and sending the Azzurri home fuming.
9. 🔥Liverpool v Chelsea — Champions League 2005 (Luis García’s controversial winner) 🏆
Fan violence, a bus attack and a relocated replay left a tainted final. The off-field assaults and the decision to move the match magnified a sense that South American football had been robbed of a proper ending.
8. 👻 Frank Lampard's 'Ghost Goal' ⚽
In a 2010 World Cup clash, Frank Lampard's shot clearly crossed the German goal line but was not awarded. England was robbed of an equalizer and lost 4-1. The incident became the ultimate catalyst for introducing goal-line technology.
7. 😵PSG v Barcelona 💫— Champions League Round of 16, 2017 ⚪(The 6–1 comeback) 🔁
Barça’s historic comeback produced shock and celebration — but PSG complained about several contentious decisions. The referee in that game faced scrutiny and was omitted from further elite appointments that season, making the match both legendary and controversial.
6. 🔴Robin van Persie's Red Card vs Barcelona🚨
Arsenal's Robin van Persie was shown a second yellow card for shooting after the offside whistle. He argued the crowd noise drowned it out. The harsh dismissal forced Arsenal to play most of the second half with ten men, turning the tie in Barcelona's favour.
5. 🚫The End of Arsenal's 49-Game Run 🔴
Arsenal's historic unbeaten run was ended by Manchester United in a match filled with contentious decisions. Strong challenges went unpunished, and a penalty was awarded after a dive, leaving Arsenal fans feeling their achievement was stolen, not fairly ended.
4. ✋Thierry Henry's Handball vs Ireland 🍀
France secured their 2010 World Cup place with a goal set up by a blatant Thierry Henry handball. The officials missed it, sparking a global outcry over fair play and dramatically accelerating the call for video assistance in the game.
3. 🏆South Korea vs Spain (2002 World Cup) 🇪🇸
South Korea's dream run continued after a controversial win over Spain. La Roja had two legitimate goals disallowed for baffling reasons, sending the hosts through via a penalty shootout in one of the most disputed matches in World Cup history.
2. 👻Liverpool vs Chelsea 'Ghost Goal' 🎭
Luis García's "ghost goal" in the 2005 Champions League semi-final is forever debated. The ball was scrambled away, but the referee awarded the goal, deciding it had crossed the line. Chelsea fans to this day insist it never did, feeling robbed of a final spot.
1. 😡Chelsea vs Barcelona (2009 UCL Semi-Final) 🔵
The king of all robberies. Chelsea was denied multiple, seemingly clear, penalties against Barcelona. The referee, Tom Henning Ovrebo, waved away every appeal.
A late Andrés Iniesta goal sent Barcelona through, prompting Didier Drogba's iconic, furious rant into the cameras: "It's a disgrace!" This match remains the ultimate symbol of footballing injustice.
From heartbreak to outright fury, these moments are a stark reminder that football's drama is not always glorious. While technology now seeks to ensure fairness, the scars from these matches remain forever etched in the hearts of fans.
🔗You can check out today’s games on MSport.
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