Scandal! The World Cup's biggest controversies in history

When we talk about 'The Beautiful Game' and its most coveted prize, we think of glory and trophies; football heroes and community. But during the World Cup's existence, there has been a darker side. Controversy, allegations, and strange decisions: This is the history of World Cup scandals.

Ever since FIFA awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar in 2010, the tournament was surrounded by a mountain of scandals. It included everything from allegations of corruption and bribery during the bidding process; to accusations that Qatar was using the event to 'whitewash' its record of human rights abuses.

Qatar has barely any history of football at all. The fact that it hosted the World Cup caused the organization to get accusations of massive corruption.

Of course, there have been many decisions throughout the course of the history of the World Cup that raised eyebrows and many controversial moments we all remember... We take a look.

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil sparked international outrage due to the forced removal of tens of thousands of poor and working-class Brazilians in order to make way for new tournament-related infrastructure.

Sadly, this was easy for Brazil to do as the communities living in the area could be evicted with no real compensation, despite them having lived in these neighborhoods for years. Questions arose as to the future of building stadiums for a three-week sports event. Critics also claimed that FIFA should consider awarding the bid to a country that can put these stadiums up without human displacement.

You can usually rely on the French to bring some drama to the competition, but South Africa 2010 was something else. It’s hard to believe the current world champions would ever be in such a situation but in 2010 France finished bottom of their group with just one point.

The whole campaign involved heated arguments between the coaching staff and the players, Anelka was sent home for insulting Raymond Domenech, the players boycotted training, and finally, they saw the resignation of Team Director Jean-Louis Valentin.

Maradona: one of the game’s biggest icons. People started speculating about the pint-sized player following his infamous wide-eyed celebration after scoring a goal against Greece.

He was sensationally ejected from the tournament after testing positive for the banned substance ephedrine. He never played for his country again.

This goal became known as the 'Hand of God' initially by Maradona. The 1.65m Argentinian beat the England goalkeeper who stood at 1.83 meters - escaping the watchful eyes of the ref.

There was no VAR in those days and it somewhat overshadowed his second goal, which was pure magic. These days it would be a meme. But ever since the incident you can buy t-shirts and other memorabilia all over the world that remind us of the incomprehensible moment.

Daniel Nivel, a member of the National Gendarmerie, was assaulted by German football hooligans in the city of Lens. He was trampled on, kicked, and attacked with advertising boards in a disgraceful show of football hooliganism. The German Chancellor requested that his team be expelled from the competition.

Nivel went into a coma and was left with permanent speech and movement disabilities. Now, he is treated with the utmost respect and given a place of high regard at German football matches. The German Football Association started a foundation in his name to prevent hooliganism in football.

The Ronaldo story which preceded the 1998 World Cup final still remains something of a mystery. The Brazilian superstar was left off the team sheet to face France, only to reappear in the nick of time for kick-off. Early rumors hinted towards an ankle injury, then an upset stomach and possibly poison.

It eventually transpired that he had been rushed to the hospital after suffering a convulsion in his sleep. Critics made severe allegations that he had been forced to play regardless of his health issues. Brazil lost the match 3 – 0.

In 2006, English referee Graham Poll famously booked the same player, Josip Simunic, three times in a group-stage match between Croatia and Australia.

In the 61st minute, Simunic was booked for a foul on Harry Kewell, and then in the 90th, he produced another bad foul to get booked again. Poll did not send him off though. In the 93rd minute, Simunic was again booked and finally Poll sent him off in one of the most memorable moments in recent tournaments.

Another tournament was shrouded in controversy after the host nation did a lot better than expected. In 2002, South Korea benefitted from several decisions that were incredibly controversial. In the round of 16 against Italy, the referee disallowed a goal and sent off Francesco Totti for diving. South Korea won 2-1 on a golden goal thanks to Ahn Jung-Hwan.

Then, in the next round against Spain, two legal Spanish goals were disallowed and the Spanish were deemed to be offside almost constantly by the linesman. South Korea won 5-3 on penalties to get into the semi-finals.

It should be acknowledged that both referees were forced to retire shortly after the tournament due to match-fixing and being bribed to help South Korea advance.

During the World Cup semi-final between West Germany and France, substitute Battiston was trying to latch onto the ball as it went toward the German penalty area. What he didn’t see was goalkeeper Schumacher coming at him.

In a horrifically dirty play, Schumacher turned his body and took out the Frenchman - a move that would change his life forever. Damaged vertebrae, two teeth smashed out, and knocked unconscious, Battiston was stretchered off the pitch and nearly lost his life. Schumacher received nothing and a goal kick was given. The Germans won the match and went all the way to the final against Italy.

In the 2010 World Cup, during a quarter-final match between England and Germany, the match was poised at 2-1. Frank Lampard then hit a shot from just outside the box which hit the crossbar and appeared to cross the line substantially. It rebounded back over the line and Manuel Neuer caught the ball and carried on.

Everyone in the stadium knew the ball went in, but the referee did not give the goal. It was this moment that pushed many to start calling for video technology in football. Germany won the game 4-1.

Four months before the tournament was set to take place in England, the trophy was stolen from a public exhibition at Westminster Central Hall.

Despite 24-hour security, the theft caused outrage, and the perpetrators demanded a ransom of £15,000. The entire police force was mobilized but ultimately it was found by Pickles the dog.

Argentina's first World Cup victory (in Argentina) was believed to have been fixed, with the military dictatorship of General Jorge Rafael Videla playing a huge part. For example, during the final match in the second round of the group stages, Argentina needed to beat Peru by four goals to get into the final instead of Brazil. Inexplicably, Argentina won 6-0 in a match widely recognized to have been fixed.

Then, in the final against the Dutch, the men from the Netherlands were forced to arrive on the field ten minutes before the Argentinian side, meaning they had to face the hostility of 70,000 fans during that time. The game itself was brutal, but the majority of 50-50 decisions went the way of the host nation and they emerged 3-1 winners in one of the most controversial tournaments ever.

Despite playing a major role in helping to get France to the final, Zidane then let himself down in front of millions of fans around the world. He head-butted Marco Materazzi in the chest, leaving France a man down for the remainder of the game. Italy went on to win the World Cup on penalties.