5 infamous handball incidents by top players

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
Cristiano Ronaldo

#4 Cristiano Ronaldo

Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - City of Manchester Stadium
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - City of Manchester Stadium

Ronaldo is no stranger to controversy. In his United career, he was sent off three times. In some moments, he was guilty of poor judgement. In November 2008, he was sent off in the Manchester derby for the second time in his career. This was after referee Howard Webb showed him a second yellow card of the match.

In the first incident, he brought down the speedy Shawn Wright-Phillips who initiated a counter-attack on the right side of the pitch. Ronaldo stopped him by clipping the winger as he made a tackle.

The defining moment was when Ronaldo jumped to head Wayne Rooney's corner only to bizarrely use both his hands to block the ball. Webb gave him his marching orders although he argued that he was trying to shield his face from the ball.


#3 Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry

The former glorified striker who played for Barcelona and Arsenal had one of the most controversial handball moments in modern football. This was in a highly charged 2010 World Cup playoff match against Ireland. France had a 1-0 advantage heading into this fixture at the Stade de France.

Robbie Keane put Ireland level on aggregate in the 33rd minute to take this match into extra time. From a long ball into the Irish box, Henry used his hand at least twice to control the ball before setting up Willam Gallas for the winner in the 104th minute.

This sparked a bitter reaction from the Irish players and supporters who felt that they were robbed. France advanced to the World Cup as a result of a 2-1 aggregate win.

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