World Cup's 10 most controversial moments revealed in new survey

From Maradona's famous 'Hand of God' incident in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico to West Germany’s Jurgen Klinsmann’s 1990 dive, there are loads of FIFA World Cup moments that fans remember.

In a survey undertaken by Samsung UK, 2000 fans were asked about the sporting event's most controversial moments, revealing 10 incidents throughout the decades.

The moments were selected by football experts, including FIFA referee Dermot Gallagher and were then voted on by fans.

The data was collected as part of Samsung's showcase of its new 2022 range of Neo QLED TVs.

Here are the 10 most controversial FIFA World Cup moments according to supporters across the UK.

Matt Alexander/Samsung UK/PA (Image: Matt Alexander/Samsung UK/PA)

10 most controversial FIFA World Cup moments according to UK fans

Ten moments from 1982 to 2014 are featured and are as follows:

10 - Spain beats Yugalslavia 2 - 1 after being awarded a penalty for a foul outside the box (1982) 

19% of fans ranked this Spanish World Cup moment among the event's most controversial.

The incident, which happened during the cup's group stage, saw Spain awarded a penalty after Yugoslavia was penalised for a foul outside the box.

If the team was correctly penalised, a free kick would have occurred rather than a penalty. Spain would have been unlikely to score from this free kick, meaning they may not have qualified for the knockout stages.

9 - Spain having two goals wrongly disallowed for being offside against South Korea (2002)

Fast forwarding to the 21st Century, 19% of fans found the disallowing of two Spanish goals in their 2002 game against South Korea to be one of the FIFA World Cup's most controversial moments.

The disallowing of the goals saw South Korea beat the Spaniards in penalties.

8 - Brazil’s Neymar escaping a red card for elbowing Croatia's Modric (2014)

20% of fans found Neymar's red card escape after elbowing Modric very controversial.

If a red card was given, Brazil would have been down to ten men within the first 27 minutes of the game, giving Croatia a clear advantage.

7 - Portugal’s Luis Figo not getting sent off for a headbutt against Netherland’s Van Bommel (2006)

In 2006, Luis Figo avoided being sent off after headbutting Van Bommel.

If the foul had been caught, Figo would have been sent off, giving Holland a better chance of gaining a win or draw.

6 - West Germany’s Jurgen Klinsmann’s iconic dive in the 1990 Final resulting in Argentina’s Monzón being sent off (1990)

21% of those asked believe Jurgen Klinsmann's dive, which resulted in Argentina's Monzón being sent off, to be extremely contentious.

5 - Holland’s Nigel de Jong not being sent off for a studs-up foul into Spain’s Xabi Alonso’s chest in the opening minutes of the World Cup Final (2010)

Samsung UK - Nigel de Jong's tackle was voted fifth (Image: Samsung UK)

The Dutch player's flying 'karate-kick' style tackle was found highly controversial by 21% of fans.

4 - West Germany goalkeeper Harald Schumacher’s unpunished, incredible foul against France’s Patrick Battiston (1982)

Schumacher's foul against France's Battison was seen as unjust by 28% of fans.

3 - Thierry Henry’s handball for France vs Ireland – 2010 World Cup Qualifier

28% of fans found France's second goal against Ireland after Henry's handball controversial with many believing the Irish had a chance against the French in a penalty shootout.

2 - England's Frank Lampard’s ruled out goal vs Germany (2010)

33% saw England's disallowed goal in 2010 as controversial, believing England could have built up momentum against the Germans and won.

1 - Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ for Argentina against England (1986) 

Samsung UK - Maradona's 'Hand of God' incident voted most controversial (Image: Samsung UK)

37% are still outraged by Argentina's Maradona 'Hand of God' incident, seeing the moment voted the most controversial in the FIFA World Cup by British fans.