Football, the world’s most popular sport, has always been about skill, passion, and unpredictability. Yet, some matches are remembered more for the controversial moments and “robberies” that left players, coaches, and fans in disbelief.
These incidents, often involving referee decisions, handballs, and even large-scale scandals, have altered the course of football history.
Below, we dive into the 6 biggest robberies in football.
1. Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ (1986 World Cup)
The 1986 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and England remains one of football’s most infamous matches.
This game produced Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal, a controversial incident that would define his career and influence football history.
During the match, Maradona attempted to head the ball but, realizing he couldn’t reach it, he used his hand to punch it into the net.
The English players protested, but the referee and his assistants failed to notice the handball.
The goal stood, putting Argentina ahead in a match they would eventually win 2-1, sending England home and pushing Argentina toward their eventual World Cup victory.
Maradona himself described the moment as
“a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God,” a line that quickly became iconic.
The incident still sparks debate and has fueled a longstanding rivalry between Argentina and England.
Despite the controversy, Maradona’s status as a football legend remains intact, but his “Hand of God” continues to be remembered as one of the sport’s biggest robberies.
2. The Ghost Goal – Chelsea vs. Liverpool (2005 Champions League)
The 2004-2005 UEFA Champions League semi-final clash between Chelsea and Liverpool brought about one of football’s most infamous “ghost goals.”
In the second leg at Anfield, Liverpool’s Luis Garcia struck a shot that appeared to be cleared off the line by Chelsea’s defenders. However, the referee awarded the goal, a decision that Chelsea vehemently disputed.
This “ghost goal” gave Liverpool the lead they needed to progress to the final, where they famously won the Champions League in an unforgettable comeback against AC Milan.
While Chelsea fans maintain the ball didn’t fully cross the line, the decision went down in history as a controversial turning point.
The incident has led to ongoing discussions about goal-line technology, which eventually became a fixture in top-level football to prevent such contentious calls.
3. Thierry Henry’s Handball – France vs. Ireland (2009 World Cup Qualifier)
In 2009, France faced Ireland in a playoff match to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The game was tied, and during extra time, Thierry Henry, France’s star forward, used his hand to control the ball before setting up William Gallas for the goal that would send France to the World Cup.
Despite clear evidence of a handball, the referee allowed the goal, leaving Irish players and fans in disbelief.
The outcry from this incident was immense, with Ireland’s Football Association even appealing to FIFA for a replay, a request that was denied.
Henry himself admitted to handling the ball but argued that it was the referee’s job to make the call.
The scandal fueled discussions about fair play and accelerated FIFA’s adoption of VAR technology, which allows referees to review potential infractions on video.
Also Check: Future Of Football: Impact Of Virtual Reality And Esports On The Game
4. Chelsea vs. Barcelona (2009 Champions League Semi-Final)
Another unforgettable Champions League controversy occurred during the 2008-2009 semi-final between Chelsea and Barcelona.
The second leg of the semi-final saw Chelsea make multiple appeals for penalties, with handball and fouls in the box going unpunished by the referee.
In particular, Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack were visibly furious after the match as they felt the referee had ignored blatant fouls.
Despite Chelsea’s dominance in the game, a last-minute goal from Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta sent the Spanish club through to the final on away goals, eliminating Chelsea.
The match ended in uproar, with Drogba famously confronting the referee on camera, yelling, “It’s a disgrace!”
This match left a lasting impact on how officials approached big games, and it sparked renewed calls for fair officiating standards in crucial matches.
Many Chelsea fans and players still regard this match as one of football’s biggest robberies.
5. The Refereeing Scandal – South Korea vs. Italy and Spain (2002 World Cup)
The 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan remains one of the most controversial tournaments, especially for the teams that faced host nation South Korea.
In the Round of 16, South Korea faced Italy in a match filled with controversial decisions.
Italian goals were disallowed, and key players received questionable red cards. South Korea eventually won the match, eliminating Italy in a major shock.
The controversy didn’t end there, as Spain also faced South Korea in the quarter-finals. In that game, two Spanish goals were disallowed for unclear reasons, leading to South Korea advancing on penalties.
The refereeing decisions led to accusations of bias in favor of the host nation, and FIFA faced heavy criticism.
The matches against Italy and Spain are still regarded as some of the most controversial games in World Cup history, with many fans and pundits labeling the tournament as tainted.
6. Juventus and the Calciopoli Scandal (2006)
In 2006, Italian football was shaken to its core by the Calciopoli scandal, one of the most significant match-fixing scandals in football history.
It was discovered that Juventus and several other top Serie A clubs had influenced referees to ensure favorable decisions in their matches.
This scandal came to light just before the 2006 World Cup, casting a shadow over Italian football.
Juventus, the most heavily implicated club, faced severe punishment: they were stripped of their recent Serie A titles and relegated to Serie B, Italy’s second division.
Several other clubs and individuals faced penalties, and the scandal caused a ripple effect throughout Italian football.
Calciopoli highlighted the impact of corruption on the sport and led to stricter monitoring of match officiating.
The scandal, a “robbery” in its own way, revealed how manipulation could taint the legitimacy of football competitions and emphasized the need for transparency and integrity.
The biggest robberies in football history have been about more than just controversial calls; they’ve changed the way the game is played and officiated.
From Maradona’s “Hand of God” to the Calciopoli scandal, these moments have had lasting effects on football, prompting changes like VAR technology, goal-line technology, and improved referee training.
Fans, players, and clubs may forever remember these “robberies” with frustration or outrage, but they’ve also shaped modern football, pushing for greater accuracy and fairness in the game.
