World Cup referees have a difficult job to do under the toughest of circumstances. If they have a great match nobody notices them. If they get a decision wrong that affects the outcome of the game it is remembered forever, particularly by the fans of the country that lost. Here we present our choice of the 10 worst decisions made by referees during previous World Cups. We all hope that World Cup 2014 is remembered for great football rather than controversy.
England v Argentina, 1986
One of the most infamous incidents in World Cup history. England were just about holding their own in the quarter-final in Mexico City when Diego Maradona's aerial challenge on Peter Shilton saw the Argentina legend palm the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net. Despite furious protests from the English defence, the 'Hand of God' goal stood.
England v West Germany, 1966
Probably the most controversial World Cup goal of all time. With the Wembley final level at 2-2, Geoff Hurst hammered a shot against the underside of the crossbar which bounced down, seemingly over the line, and out. England celebrated and, after consultation with Azerbaijani linesman Tofik Bakhramov, the referee awarded the goal. Subsequent scientific tests have suggested the ball probably did not cross the line but the debate still continues today.
Croatia v Australia, 2006
Croatia's Josip Simunic was booked three times before he was finally shown a red card by English referee Graham Poll in a crucial group game. Having already been booked, the defender received a second yellow card in the 90th minute following a foul but was not dismissed by Poll. Simunic then pushed Poll after the full-time whistle was blown and was shown another yellow card before the red card was brandished at last.
West Germany v France, 1982
Goalkeeper Harald Schumacher ensured his World Cup infamy with one of the crudest challenges ever seen. With the semi-final level at 1-1, Patrick Battiston was put clean through but Schumacher charged out of his goal and threw himself into the path of the Frenchman. Battiston, with a broken jaw, left the pitch on a stretcher but not even a free-kick was awarded against Schumacher and he went on to be the hero in a penalty shoot-out.
Brazil v Sweden, 1978
Welsh referee Clive Thomas caused uproar when he blew the whistle for full-time between a corner being taken and Brazil's Zico scoring directly from it with a header, meaning the match ended 1-1.
South Korea v Italy, 2002
All the attention was on Ecuadorian referee Byron Moreno after the match amid claims he was affected by the vociferous home support. After awarding a debatable fourth-minute penalty to Korea - which was saved - he then sent off Francesco Totti after showing him a second yellow card for diving despite the Italy playmaker appearing to have been tripped. Damiano Tomassi had a golden-goal winner ruled out and the hosts snatched victory late on.
South Korea v Spain, 2002
Once again the co-hosts benefited from a large slice of luck after two Spain goals were disallowed and the Koreans went on to win their quarter-final on penalties. Just after half-time Kim Tae-young appeared to knock the ball into his own net from a Spanish free-kick, only for the effort to be ruled out because of an 'offside' Fernando Morientes. Then in the second minute of extra time Morientes had a header cancelled out when the assistant referee wrongly ruled the ball had crossed the line before Joaquin put in the cross.
Argentina v France, 1930
France lost 1-0 to their South American opponents but the match in Uruguay had a controversial finish as the referee somehow managed to blow the final whistle six minutes early. After some fierce protests from the French he recalled the players - some of whom were already in the bath - to the field to complete the match.
Argentina v Mexico, 2010
Carlos Tevez was not just offside when he scored the opening goal in the 3-1 win against Mexico but he was the nearest player to the goal when the ball was played to him. The striker even admitted afterwards that he knew the goal should not have stood, saying: "I know I was offside, I know it was selfish but as long as they say it was a goal it's OK for me and the team."
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