Four of the Most Shocking Moments in Football

‘The beautiful game’ is arguably the most popular sport in the UK, as well as many other countries around the world. Fans go through extreme highs and lows of emotion as they support their local or national teams through tournaments including the World Cup, Premier League or Champions League, to name just a few.

Most football games come with their fair share of drama and suspense, but there are some moments which have stood the test of time due to their shocking or unlikely nature. With this in mind, see our list below for four of the most shocking moments in football.

David Beckham’s red card

David Beckham found himself at the mercy of England fan’s wrath after he received a red card during a 1998 World Cup match between England and Argentina. Beckham’s right foot tripped/kicked Argentinian player Diego Simeone, resulting in Beckham being sent off and England losing the match on penalties - something that Beckham was heavily blamed for.

Eric Cantana’s drop kick

Eric Cantona was known among football circles for his temper, but it reached new heights during a 1995 match between Cantona’s team Manchester United and opponents Crystal Palace. In response to some alleged racial abuse from fans, Cantona aimed a fly kick at a fan in the crowd which cost him some heavy penalties. He was fined £20,000, banned from play for nine months and sentenced to two weeks in prison (reduced to 120 hours of community service).

Leicester winning the Premier League

This more lighthearted - but no less shocking - moment in football saw underdog team Leicester win the Premier League in 2016. With odds starting at a whopping 5,000-1 at the start of the league, it’s a win that no one saw coming. Bookies paid out a massive £25 million in winnings - the biggest loss in British history on a single sporting market.

Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’

It’s another controversial Argentia vs England match, this time from the 1986 World Cup. Argentinian player Diego Maradona is regarded as one of the best football players of all time, but his first goal during this match has been a point of controversy to this day. Six minutes into the second half, Maradona scored a handball goal when the ball bounced off his left hand. This is of course against the rules, but the referee allowed the goal, resulting in a 2-1 victory over England overall.

As you can see, football doesn’t always go smoothly, but if you’ve been accused of starting a fight or breaching the peace due to a football game, get in touch with Lefevre Litigation. We have extensive experience and expertise in the laws surrounding football disorder and contesting Football Banning Orders. If you need professional advice or representation, give us a call today or visit our website to arrange an appointment.