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Nov 14. 2022

We worked with a panel of experts including former professional referee and VAR analyst Dermot Gallagher, and Sky Sports News presenter Melissa Reddy to compile the ultimate list of controversial World Cup decisions. These moments were then put to a public vote with 2,000 football fans across the country having their say

 

The research identified that Maradona’s infamous 'Hand of God' goal, against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter finals, has been voted the worst referee decision of all time. 

 

Frank Lampard’s ruled out goal vs Germany in 2010 came in second and Henry’s handball against Ireland in 2009 also featured on the list of the top 10 referee blunders.

 

Renowned sports journalist and news presenter Hayley McQueen teamed up with our expert panel to highlight the most controversial decisions of all time within football’s biggest games.

 

With a naturally bright and colourful picture powered by Quantum Dot paired with Dolby Atmos powered 3D Surround Sound and anti-reflection technology*, Neo QLED are the ultimate TVs for football fans.

 

Illustrator Luke Carpenter captured the iconic moments through a series of original illustrations.

Why not check out how to create the ultimate TV viewing set up here ahead of the next big game?

The top 10 controversial World Cup decisions as voted by Brits are:

Most controversial World Cup decisions ranked

Outcome had VAR been in place

1

Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ for Argentina against England – 1986 (37%)

Goal disallowed and game drawn at 1-1 leading to a penalty shoot out

2

England's Frank Lampard’s ruled out goal vs Germany – 2010 (33%)

VAR clearly spots the ball is over the line and awards an England goal. Although trailing 2-1 going into half time, England would ride the momentum and push on for a win against the Germans

3

Thierry Henry’s handball for France vs Ireland – 2010 World Cup Qualifier (28%)

The handball is spotted, and goal disallowed keeping both sides level at 1-1 in extra time. The game goes to penalties with the luck of the Irish getting them the final spot in the 2010 tournament

4

West Germany goalkeeper Harald Schumacher’s unpunished, incredible foul against France’s Patrick Battiston – 1982 (21%)

The German goalkeeper’s horrendous foul on Battison would have been deemed a straight red card reducing the Germans to 10-men 

5

Holland’s Nigel de Jong not being sent off for a studs-up foul into Spain’s Xabi Alonso’s chest in the opening minutes of the World Cup Final – 2010 (21%)

VAR would deem the Dutch man’s flying karate-kick style tackle a straight red, reducing Holland to 10-men against the tournament favourites, Spain

6

West Germany’s Jurgen Klinsmann’s iconic dive in the 1990 Final resulting in Argentina’s Monzón being sent off – 1990 (21%)

The blatant dive is caught, and the sides remain level. Argentina’s flair and drive sees them push on for the win

7

Portugal’s Luis Figo not getting sent off for a headbutt against Netherland’s Van Bommel – 2006 (20%)

Having caught the foul, Figo would have been given

his marching orders bringing Holland back into the game and pushing on for a draw and possible win

8

Brazil’s Neymar escaping a red card for elbowing Croatia's Modric – 2014 (20%)

VAR would have deemed the foul a red card offence, reducing Brazil to 10-men just 27 mins into the game and giving the technically gifted Croatians a clear advantage

9

Spain having two goals wrongly disallowed for being offside against South Korea. South Korea won the game on penalties – 2002 (19%)

Spain’s first goal from their set piece in normal time would stand, giving the Spanish enough to progress to the semi-finals

10

 

Spain beating Yugoslavia 2-1 after being awarded a penalty for a foul outside the box – 1982 (19%)

The foul would have been correctly deemed a free kick outside the box with trailing Spain unlikely to score and ultimately not qualifying for the knockout stages

*Anti-reflection applicable to QN90B and above.

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