Football History's Darkest

Football, often referred to as the most well-loved sport in the world, has been marred with controversies over the years, many of which continue to make headlines even today. From highly publicized scandals to on-field violence, football has witnessed its fair share of contentious moments. Here are ten of the most infamous moments in football history that have left fans divided.

10 Notorious Incident: The 2006 World Cup "Hand of God"
In one of the most momentous and infamous incidents in football history, Diego Maradona intentionally handballed the ball into the net during a World Cup match against England in 1986, sparking debate across the globe. The decision to disallow the goal, despite Maradona's subsequent goal in the same match, stands out as one of the most contentious moments in World Cup history.

9 Bribery Scandal: The 1988 World Cup Qualifier Controversy
A bribery scandal involving a match between Peru and Argentina in 1985 highlights another contentious moment in football. One of the judges ruled that a Peruvian player who received bribes in exchange for a role in determining the outcome of the match was guilty of match-fixing, but no one else on the team was held accountable.

8 Infamous Referee Corruption: 2015 Greek Football League Match
Another high-profile match in 2015 Greek super league has shed light on the deep-rooted corruption in the country. It was reported that the referee had accepted a bribe of 70,000 Euros to influence the outcome of the game.  حاشیه های فوتبال ایران  between Veria and PAS Giannina resulted in a 1-1 tie.

7 Brazilian and English Teams Abandon the 1970 Field Day: A Football Match Cancellation
Brazilian and English teams scheduled to play each other at the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Brazil were forced to cancel the match. Fans were eager to wish to see, but despite the match still being a pre-emerged encounter that year, both the British Prime Minister and his Brazilian counterpart said they feared riots for fans.

6 George Best Denies Match-fixing Allegations in 2005
George Best, a beloved player for both Manchester United and Northern Ireland, was questioned by the gambling commission over match-fixing rumors as he placed multiple bets on other clubs and teams he supported. George ultimately admitted his wrongdoings, and confessed he wasn't naive about match-fixing because there was a need for the government and the game to protect everyone within it.

5 FFA Scandal in Spain: A Corruption Controversy
FFA has caught the attention of football law for corruption after ex-FIFA World Cup player, Josep Ansa, passed 900,000 euros to 18 others. He also made hundreds of thousands of euros in gains by betting on the teams that these individuals had match-fixing arrangements between.

4 England's James Tillman Falls the Ball off the Head in 2006: A Contentious Incident
In an incident that took place during a friendly between England and Sweden in 2006, England's James Tillman failed to register James of Sweden's ball in the 36th minute and handballed the ball to send England down to its big disadvantage. However, the English referee declared that Tillman had no ill intention after being provided video replays to justify the referees decision. As this could serve a purpose to justify a player's intentional action with the intent of improving team ties.

3 The Controversy of Hugo Sanchez's Free Kick Against Yugoslavia in 1986: A Regrettable Moment
One of the most iconic moments in football history was also laced with controversy when Diego Armando Maradona headed a free-kick taken by a teammate in extra time in 1986. In many eyes, a decision that should be taken as questionable.

2 Referee Handouts in 1914 World War: A Football Disaster
In 1914, the fateful season saw World War I break out after an incident between England and Germany national teams at the Westminster football club in England.

1 Argentine Disputes Soccer Player Status – A Bribery Scandal Exposed: The Salary Cap Debate
At a 2005 FIFA Congress, Argentina and European football clubs held differing views on introducing the 'Salary Cap' idea that led to allegations of bribery and bribery by South American clubs. It finally went ahead after FIFA deemed the talks necessary as matters came to light and so forced both groups to resign.

In conclusion, football history is replete with countless moments of controversy that have shaken the very foundations of this beautiful game. These incidents not only marred the reputation of football but also harmed the spectators who adore it. We can only hope that in the future, football authorities will work hard to rid the sport of such scandalous moments and ensure fairness in the game.