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By definition, football is a sport that is primarily played using the feet. In the course of history, players have found innovative ways to play the sport especially when it comes to scoring goals.
The game has evolved greatly with some players making a name for themselves for their creativity. For instance, Olivier Giroud made headlines in 2017 for scoring a 'scorpion kick' goal. Peter Crouch, on the other hand, is 6 ft 7 in tall and is popular for using his towering height to score headed goals.
Crouch has proven over the years to be a defender's nightmare when inside the penalty area to score a record 52 headed goals. Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini is known to be the best at bringing down the ball on his chest. These are examples of players who have used body parts other than the feet when on the field of play. In football, outfield players are forbidden to use their hands.
A penalty for the handling the ball varies from one situation to the other. We have seen players given a light warning by referees while others sent off for handling the ball. However, there are also moments when none of the match officials spotted handball situations. These five top-flight players have been guilty of handling the ball with some paying the ultimate price.
#5 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
The Liverpool midfielder made a spectacular handball save that would have easily passed as a solid piece of goalkeeping during Arsenal's 6-0 loss to Chelsea in 2014. This one-sided Premier League match had all the elements of a proper London derby. There was a penalty given, red card involved and some goals.
Chamberlain deliberately dived to tip Eden Hazard's shot wide off the left post. Although the ball was not going on target, referee Andre Marriner felt like Chamberlain illegally prevented a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Bizarrely, Marriner sent off Kieran Gibbs instead of Chamberlain for the incident. Indeed the two Arsenal players shared the same complexion but the two other officials surely could've helped Marriner in this decision?
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo
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
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.
#2 Luis Suarez
The Uruguayan striker became an instant hero back home for what he pulled off during the 2010 World Cup against Ghana. He was no stranger to attracting controversy through multiple player-biting incidences. In June 2010, the South Americans battled Ghana in the quarter-final stage. As the tournament was held in South Africa, the Black Stars enjoyed the lion's share of the support.
Suarez instinctively handled the ball to keep out Dominic Adiyiah's point-blank header deep into extra time. The two sides drew 1-1 after 90 minutes with this incident being one the last pieces of normal action.
For his part, Suarez was shown a straight red card as he took a gamble that paid off. Asamoah Gyan missed the resultant penalty as Uruguay won the shootout 4-3 to advance to the semi-final.
#1 Diego Maradona
Argentina played England in the quarter-final of the 1986 World Cup. It was a battle between the maestro that was Maradona and clinical English striker Gary Lineker. However, it was Maradona who carried the day with one moment of brilliance and another of uttermost controversy.
He scored a contentious opening goal in the 50th minute when he won an aerial duel against goalkeeper Peter Shilton by simply punching the ball into the net. Despite wild protests by the English players, the goal stood as the referee did not spot the handball.
He went on to score a sumptuous second goal five minutes later when he danced his way past five English players including Shilton. The goal went on to be dubbed as 'hand of god' which is one of the most popular in world football.
