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Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ named most notorious moment in football history

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The Argentinian legend’s controversial goal against England at the 1986 World Cup has been named the most notorious moment in footballing history, according to a poll of fans

Argentina's Diego Maradona scores his "Hand of God" goal against England goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
Argentina’s Diego Maradona scores his “Hand of God” goal against England goalkeeper Peter Shilton(Image: Press Association Images)

Diego Maradona’s notorious ‘Hand of God’ has been voted the most infamous incident to ever occur on a football pitch, according to a survey of fans. The Argentinian legend shattered English dreams in 1986 when he outjumped Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net. This was closely followed by Luis Suarez of Uruguay biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup.

The list of also spotlighted Thierry Henry’s handball against Ireland in the 2009 World Cup qualifiers, often pointed to as a key factor in the introduction of VAR. Meanwhile Carlos Tevez’s refusal to come off the bench as a substitute for Manchester City in a Champions League match against Bayern Munich in 2011 also made the list.

France''s Thierry Henry (left) after scoring his sides second goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup Qualifying Play Off at the Stade de France, Paris, France
Thierry Henry (left) scored France’s second goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup Qualifying Play Off in 2009(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

But it isn’t just professionals who have faced controversial moments on the pitch.

The study also found that many amateur players had experienced their own nightmares on the pitch, with one in four admitting to a Ronnie Rosenthal-style open goal mishap.

The research, commissioned by Specsavers as part of its Best Worst Team series, was inspired by such football blunders – from missed goals to failing to hear the referee’s whistle – and is now searching for a new team in need of assistance to participate.

Harry Redknapp, former football manager and player with Duncan Fear, Manager, Tunley Athletic FC in the changing room with the new branded stip
Tunley Athletic were chosen as Specsavers’ ‘Best Worst Team’(Image: Anthony Upton/PA Wire)

For amateur players across the nation, 22 per cent have experienced the embarrassment of celebrating a goal, only to discover it had been disallowed. Yet, three quarters of fans agree that these unforgettable incidents are what contribute to football’s iconic status, even when they seem unjust.

More than a third of enthusiasts favour the ‘unpredictable and chaotic’ nature of football over the quarter who prefer a ‘fair and structured’ game.

Tunley Athletic, a team notorious for losing all 26 matches and conceding 137 more goals than they scored, featured in the Best Worst Team series.

Their luck changed thanks to Specsavers, with assistance from Ella Toone, Gary Neville, and Luke Littler.

Tunley Athletic received a surprise visit from teenage sensation and poster boy of darts, Luke Littler
Tunley Athletic received a surprise visit from teenage sensation and poster boy of darts, Luke Littler(Image: Specsavers)

Chairman Craig Doughty remarked: “Sometimes being rubbish at football really pays off.”

He added: “While it sounds funny to say it, being crowned the Best Worst Team is honestly the best thing that ever happened to us.”

“We were struggling to get a team together last season, on a 17-0 losing run – team morale was at an all-time low, and we were close to folding the club.”

“This money-can’t buy experiences surpassed all our expectations,” Craig said, “It’s given everyone such a boost, and we actually started seeing better performances on the pitch.

“The whole community is still buzzing, and we’ve got loads of new players joined for the new season.”

THE 20 MOST NOTORIOUSLY UNJUST FOOTBALL MOMENTS EVER:

  1. Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal vs England (1986)
  2. Luis Suárez biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup (2014)
  3. David Beckham’s red card for kicking Diego Simeone (1998)
  4. Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal vs Germany – despite the ball clearly crossing the line (2010)
  5. Brazil’s 7–1 World Cup semi-final defeat at home to Germany (2014)
  6. Thierry Henry’s handball vs Ireland in World Cup qualifying (2009)
  7. Rivaldo’s fake injury theatrics against Turkey – getting a player sent off by feigning a face injury (2002)
  8. Carlos Tevez refusing to come on as a substitute for Manchester City (2011)
  9. The Battle of Nuremberg – Portugal vs Netherlands World Cup clash featuring 4 red cards and 16 yellows (2006)
  10. The beach ball goal – Darren Bent’s strike for Sunderland deflecting off an inflatable (2009)
  11. Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer sent off for fighting each other as Newcastle teammates (2005)
  12. Gazza’s dentist chair celebration (1996)
  13. The phantom goal scored by Reading against Watford that went through the side netting (2008)
  14. Jimmy Glass, a goalkeeper, saves Carlisle from relegation with a 94th minute goal (1999)
  15. Rene Higuita’s scorpion kick (1995)
  16. Ronnie Rosenthal’s open goal miss for Liverpool (1992)
  17. Graham Poll issuing three yellow cards to Josip Šimunić before sending him off (2006)
  18. Loris Karius’ double howler in the Champions League final (2018)
  19. Robert Green’s goalkeeping howler gifting the USA a goal in the World Cup (2010)
  20. Graeme Souness plants a Galatasaray flag on Fenerbahçe’s pitch (1996)
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