The FIFA World Cup is the biggest footballing event in the Universe, well maybe the world. Over the years, it has produced some of the biggest moments in the lives of the players and the Nations. People have fought and even killed for things that took place on a footballing ground.Football unites the world into one but also produces some of the most undesirable actions from players who are under pressure from a whole nation to produce winning football. Here, we look into some of the most controversial and famous Red cards in the World Cup history.
#5 Wayne Rooney Vs Portugal, 2006
Wayne Rooney’s poor World Cup in 2006 was made worse by his sending off against Portugal. What made it so famous was the role played by Cristiano Ronaldo, one of his Manchester United teammates and buddy.
Wayne Rooney stamped Ricardo Carvalho, and this deed might have won him the red card or probably a yellow. Cristiano Ronaldo however made sure that it was a red. Later, Cristiano Ronaldo winked at the camara as if he was planing the whole thing. In one moment, Ronaldo became one of the most hated people in England and was booed for many months to come.
#4 Josip Simunic Vs Australia, 2006
This young man from Croatia was made famous for receiving a whopping three yellow cards to finally receive a Red . The Croatian defender was given his first yellow card in the 61st minute, received a second in the 90th minute, and a third after the game ended.
As reported by BBC here is the referee Graham Poll’s explanation,
“In explaining his actions to the committee, Poll said he incorrectly noted down the name of the Australia number three Craig Moore when booking Simunic for the second time and failed to realise his error."
#3 Luis Suarez Vs Ghana, 2010
Luis Suarez’s infamous act cost Ghana a place in the semi finals of the 2010 World Cup. In the final moments of extra time, the match was still tied at 1-1 when Suarez denied a certain goal by handling the ball in the penalty box to deny Ghana a near certain 2-1 victory. Asamoah Gyan stepped up for the resulting penalty but failed to convert. The rest as they say “is history” as Ghana went on to lose the match in the penalty shootout.
A very unsportsmanlike act by this famous footballer. His celebrations and lack of remorse left him a very hated man in Ghana. For a few, it also raised an ill feeling towards him in the whole footballing world.
#2 David Beckham Vs Argentina, 1998
One of the biggest moments in David Beckham’s career came in the pre-quarterfinal match night against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup. After being fouled by the current Athletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, the hot headed young Beckham went onto swipe Simeone with his leg and earned him his Red Card. An idiotic act at the world’s biggest stage.
England was kicked out of the World Cup that night and Beckham became the nation’s biggest villain. It brought about a sizeable backlash in England, with effigies of Beckham being burned in outrage. The young Beckham also received death threats for his actions.
#1 Zinedine Zidane Vs Italy, World Cup Final 2006
Undoubtedly, the most famous and most dramatic of all sending offs happened in the final of the 2006 World Cup. Zinedine Zidane had almost single-handedly taken France to the final of the World Cup only to head-butt Marco Materazzi to the ground and earn a red Card. France went on to lose the match. Truly dramatic moments.
The stunned audience later came to know that Materazzi had provoked Zidane with offensive comments about his sister. The Frenchman was praised for his performances in France despite this incident and his reputation has also remained unscathed.
