It’s good when the battle for the ball takes place only on grass and only according to the rules.
But in life, anything can happen – everyone is too in love with football not to weave their own intrigues into it. FIFA’s history has everything: political excesses, interference in the game by officials, absurd decisions by the authorities… Some of this is a reason to laugh, and some – to think seriously. We will tell you about the most scandalous matches of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Referee Whistle Under Fire: Why FIFA Faces Fairness Accusations
Refereeing scandals in FIFA have persisted for years. The main reasons include controversial penalties, inconsistent decisions, and suspicions of corruption. Referees sometimes make calls that directly impact match outcomes, causing frustration among fans and teams. The issues become even more heated when there’s a lack of transparency and clear criteria.
However, some people benefit from unusual situations on the field. These are bettors whose income directly depends on the processes taking place on the field. What happens when everything goes wrong? Well, it is difficult to predict, but in such cases, payments are made on markets with high odds, bringing a huge jackpot to the bettor. A large abundance of markets and good odds can be recommended to look for on MelBet Mongolia – one of the world’s largest bookmaker platforms. No matter how incredible the situation on the field is, a competent bettor can benefit from any confusion.
Mussolini’s Political Influence on the 1934
World CupThe 1934 World Cup was held in Italy, and for the country’s government, the tournament was an opportunity to demonstrate the power of the regime. It was the first time that the hosts had to qualify, but the main questions arose around this. The referees working at Italy’s matches were under a lot of pressure. In the quarter-final against Spain, the main referee did not call numerous violations against the opposing goalkeeper, which led to his injury. The match ended in a draw, and the next day, there was a replay in which the Italians won. Before the final against Czechoslovakia, there were rumors that a note had been sent to the referee saying, “You know what to do.”
The original letter was never found, but the match itself was marked by a number of controversial decisions in favor of the hosts. The Italian team played in black, a symbol of the regime. The victory in the tournament was presented as an achievement for the country, not just a player’s success. Several referees retired after the tournament. However, no documents directly confirming the pressure on them have survived.
Argentina 1978: A Suspicious Victory Under a Military Dictatorship
The 1978 World Cup was held in Argentina under a military junta. The tournament was organized with rumors of state interference in the matches. The biggest questions arose in the second group stage match against Peru. Argentina needed to win by 4 goals to reach the final. In the end, the team scored 6 unanswered goals. Several details later became known:
- Shortly before the match, Argentina sent Peru a large shipment of grain, which some linked to a deal.
- Peru goalkeeper Ramon Quiroga was born in Argentina, which raised additional questions about his motivation in the game.
- The Peruvian team looked unnaturally weak in defense, and the Argentines scored 4 goals in just 15 minutes in the second half.
- Later, one of the Argentine generals claimed that the match was fixed. However, official evidence was never presented.
Times, however, were difficult then – you can’t take a photo, you can’t say too much. It’s a different story now – the era of open information. And having information is the most important thing in the work of a bettor. If you want to be the first to know all the main news from the world of sports, discuss it with like-minded people, and not miss good odds – subscribe to the Melbet Mongolia FB community. There you will find information on all current promo codes and bonuses for betting, the schedule of top matches, and much more.
1998 Final: The Ronaldo Mystery
An unexpected event occurred before the 1998 World Cup final between Brazil and France: Brazil’s leading player, Ronaldo, was initially excluded from the starting lineup but was included again a few minutes before the game. On the day of the final, his name was not on the official starting lineup list. It later emerged that he had suffered an attack similar to a convulsive one the night before.
Before the match, he underwent an urgent medical examination, after which he was cleared to play. The team’s doctors admitted that they were pressured not to disclose the details of the incident. Brazil lost 0:3, showing an unconvincing performance. Later, there were versions that the team was pressured by sponsors or that Ronaldo played despite feeling unwell. The footballer himself only said that he felt unwell on the day of the final but did not talk about other circumstances.
World Cup 2010: When Hearing Is Too Sharp, and Vision Is Too Weak
In 2010, Vuvuzelas were used for the first time in South Africa. They were plastic tubes whose sound was heard at every match. However, the most controversial episode of the tournament was the “ghost” goal in the match between England and Germany. In the 1/8 finals, Frank Lampard took a shot. The ball hit the crossbar and bounced over the goal line, but the referees did not count the goal. At that time, the technology for recording goals did not yet exist, so the decision was left to the referees. After this incident, FIFA introduced a goal-determining system to avoid such mistakes in the future. As for vuvuzelas, they caused complaints from players and TV operators. Their sound interfered with communication on the field and reduced the quality of broadcasts. After 2010, vuvuzelas were banned from most major tournaments.
2022 World Cup: Qatar and Human Rights Concerns
The decision to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup raised eyebrows even at the time of the vote. Allegations of bribery later emerged, leading to a number of top FIFA officials facing corruption investigations. Qatar has also been criticized for its treatment of migrant workers tasked with building the stadiums. Reports not only cited poor safety standards but also delays in wages and extreme heat that made construction nearly impossible.
The tournament had to be rescheduled for November-December, which became another “bone of contention” due to the sweltering summer heat. It also disrupted the first time the European club calendar had to be changed, causing further discomfort among fans. Many international organizations have expressed concerns about the treatment of foreign fans. Despite this, Qatar has managed to build modern stadiums, many of which are said to have been designed so that they could be dismantled or repurposed after the event. The event was held at Lusail Stadium, which was built specifically for the occasion.
