15 of the most unsportsmanlike moments in football history
Football has given us countless unforgettable memories—but not all for the right reasons. While the sport is celebrated for its flair, teamwork, and drama, there’s also a darker side where tempers flare and sportsmanship is thrown out the window. From wild tackles to full-on brawls, here are 15 moments that belong in football’s hall of shame.
Rivaldo’s shameless 2002 World Cup dive
Brazilian legend Rivaldo gave the world one of football’s most infamous dives during the 2002 World Cup. Struck on the thigh by a ball from Turkey’s Hakan Ünsal, he dropped to the ground clutching his face—and got Ünsal sent off. FIFA later fined Rivaldo, but the damage was already done.
Paolo Di Canio’s referee shove
In 1998, Sheffield Wednesday’s Paolo Di Canio stunned fans by pushing referee Paul Alcock after being shown a red card. Alcock stumbled theatrically before falling to the ground, adding a bizarre twist to an already shocking incident. Di Canio was banned for 11 matches.
Eric Cantona’s flying kick into the stands
Few red cards have ended quite like this. After being sent off in a 1995 match, Manchester United’s Eric Cantona launched a kung-fu-style kick at a Crystal Palace fan. The moment cost him a nine-month ban—and produced one of the most surreal press conferences in football history.
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Suárez’s handball heartbreak for Ghana
In the dying seconds of the 2010 World Cup quarterfinal, Uruguay’s Luis Suárez blocked a certain goal with his hands to deny Ghana a famous win. Sent off immediately, Suárez watched from the tunnel as Ghana missed the penalty and Uruguay advanced. He later called it “the save of the tournament.”
Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal
Diego Maradona’s most infamous moment came in the 1986 World Cup when he used his hand to score against England. The referees didn’t catch it, and Argentina went on to win the game—and the tournament. Maradona’s cheeky “Hand of God” explanation became legend, for better or worse.
Henry’s handball that crushed Ireland
France’s Thierry Henry used his hand twice to control the ball before setting up a decisive goal against Ireland in 2009. The referee missed the blatant foul, and Ireland missed out on a World Cup spot. Global outrage followed, but FIFA refused to replay the match.
Ben Thatcher’s brutal elbow
In a 2006 Premier League match, Manchester City’s Ben Thatcher delivered a flying elbow to Portsmouth’s Pedro Mendes. The impact knocked Mendes out cold and slammed him into the advertising boards. Thatcher received one of the harshest suspensions in Premier League history.
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Zidane’s career-ending headbutt
In the 2006 World Cup final, Zinedine Zidane lost his cool after a comment from Marco Materazzi and headbutted him in the chest. He was sent off in his final match as a professional, and France went on to lose. Zidane later admitted regret—but never apologized.
Zaire’s bizarre 1974 free-kick
Mwepu Ilunga’s strange free-kick clearance for Zaire in the 1974 World Cup left fans baffled. He burst from the wall and kicked the ball away before Brazil even took the kick. Some say it was ignorance of the rules, others believe it was a silent protest.
Newcastle teammates come to blows
In 2005, Newcastle’s Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer shocked fans by fighting each other during a 3–0 loss to Aston Villa. Their brawl unfolded in front of 50,000 fans, with punches thrown before teammates and officials broke it up. Both players were sent off—and fined heavily.
Pepe’s Getafe meltdown
Real Madrid’s Pepe has always played with aggression, but in 2009 he crossed the line. After fouling Getafe’s Javi Casquero, Pepe kicked him multiple times while he lay on the ground. The brutal assault earned him a 10-match ban and lasting notoriety.
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Rijkaard spits at Völler
The 1990 World Cup clash between the Netherlands and Germany turned ugly when Frank Rijkaard spat in Rudi Völler’s hair—twice. Moments later, Rijkaard stomped on his foot, and both players were sent off. But it was Rijkaard’s spitting that dominated headlines.
Navarro’s sucker punch and tunnel escape
Valencia’s David Navarro wasn’t even playing when he punched Inter Milan’s Nicolás Burdisso during a 2007 Champions League brawl. The blow broke Burdisso’s nose, and Navarro sprinted off with Inter players chasing him down the tunnel. UEFA handed him a lengthy ban.
Luis Moreno kicks injured owl
In 2011, Colombian player Luis Moreno shocked fans by kicking an injured owl—the mascot of the opposing team—off the pitch. The bird later died from trauma, and Moreno faced massive backlash and sanctions. His act is remembered as one of football’s lowest moments.
Luiz Adriano ignores fair play
In a 2012 Champions League match, Shakhtar’s Luiz Adriano scored a goal right after play was restarted with a fair-play pass intended for the opposition goalkeeper. The blatant disregard for sportsmanship earned him a one-match UEFA ban and widespread criticism.
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