Top 10 controversies of 2017

#6 USA's World Cup woes

USA failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986

The 2018 World Cup qualifiers stunned the world with its shocking results as regular contestants Italy and Netherlands failed to make it to the final 32 list. The United States of America was also one of those nations, who failed to qualify for the first time since 1986. But it seems like the States fell prey to bad luck than to a lack of quality football.

After 9 matches played, the USA were placed third with 12 points and were in contention to qualify, while Panama sat fourth with 10 points under their belt. However, the latter's controversial ghost-goal against Costa Rica in the final group stage game became the reason for USA's exit.

Costa Rica were 1-0 up, but Gaby Torres' effort to force the ball through after levelling with the ground saw Panama being granted the goal. They scored a winner in the 87th minute to book a seat in the World Cup.

Their equalizer, however, became the centrepiece of controversy after further investigation revealed that the ball hadn't crossed the line and the decision was another mistake of the naked eye. Had the goal been denied, USA would have qualified, but they had lost 2-1 to Trinidad and Tobago in their final group stage fixture. With the win, Panama moved ahead with 13 points to USA's 12-point haul.

The controversial decision indirectly affected USA's World Cup chances and also became one of the staunch reasons why the football world needs the goal-line technology in all the competitions as soon as possible.