Top 10 Dumbest Football Mistakes Ever

In their final game of the season in 2022, F.C Tsarsko Selo Sofia needed a win in order to stay in Bulgaria’s top league. So, when they were given a penalty in added time with the score at one-all, Yusupha Yaffa was ready to save his club. However, captain Martin Kavdanski, who usually takes the pens, wasn’t happy. He was backed up by the owner, Stoyne Manolov, when he stormed onto the pitch and fought with Yaffa. Both Yaffa and Manolov were removed. Kavdanski then took the penalty kick, and it was easily saved, ultimately meaning the relegation of the club. The club was dissolved by Manolov the following day.

With Chile down one-nil to Brazil in a qualifying match for the “1990 FIFA World Cup” in 1989, their goalkeeper Roberto Rojas suddenly collapsed with a lit flare next to him. The object had seemingly struck the keeper. We quickly see the extent of the injury as Rojas is lifted by his teammates, and they all leave the pitch, deeming the match too dangerous to continue. However, Rojas forgot that the cameras were there. He wasn’t hit by the flare, and his injuries came from a razor blade hidden in his glove. Chile, on the orders of their manager, Orlando Aravena, wanted to win the match on a technicality. Rojas was banned from playing for life. The ban was later lifted in 2001.

At the “2006 FIFA World Cup” in Germany, English referee Graham Poll was regularly seen getting out his red and yellow cards during group games. But it got worse when he was in charge of officiating a match between Croatia and Australia. He sent one player off from each side, but it was Josip Šimunić who inadvertently caused Poll controversy. After being booked twice, which should’ve resulted in him being sent off, Poll forgot all about it. It took a third yellow card near the end of the match for Poll to whip out the red card for Šimunić. Afterward, FIFA sent Poll home from officiating any other games at the competition.

In the early 2000s, Real Madrid was throwing a load of money behind their club in order to recruit star players. One star after another was signing with the team and putting on the iconic white shirt. Fresh off his heroics at the “2002 FIFA World Cup”, Ronaldinho was a player in demand. However, the president of Real, Florentino Pérez, wasn’t too keen. Why? Because of the Brazilian’s looks. Yep, it’s been reported that Pérez rejected the quality of a player just based on a marketing decision and his appearance. Instead, the club bought David Beckham from Manchester United, who did help in selling shirts, to be fair. Meanwhile, Ronaldinho joined Real’s El Clásico rivals, Barcelona, and helped turn them into a dominant force in La Liga and Europe.

When fans hear the name of René Higuita, they immediately think of his magical scorpion kick he hit for Colombia against England in 1995. But this sweeper-keeper will probably hope you don’t look back at his performance during the “1990 FIFA World Cup” playing against Cameroon. With the game in extra time, Cameroon’s legendary forward, Roger Milla, had already put the African nation ahead. For reasons only known to Higuita, he was near the halfway line as he received a pass. With Milla closing him down, Higuita tried to drag the ball back. But he was dispossessed, leaving Milla to score an open goal, knocking Colombia out.

When people talk about the best player to ever grace the beautiful game, Diego Maradona’s name is always brought up. On top of his famous skills, he also had a storied feud with former Argentina football president Julio Grondona. In an interview in 2011, Maradona mentioned he and his teammates were given “speedy coffee” before their qualification match against Australia for the “1994 FIFA World Cup”. He explained that’s why they were able to run more. But Maradona specified that he didn’t know what was added to the coffee to make it “speedy”. But he blamed it all on Grondona. So, Maradona admitted to potentially doping as a professional just to get one over his nemesis.

For the “1950 FIFA World Cup”, England was drawn in a group with the United States. At the time, England was so dominant. After winning their first game, England arrogantly decided to go easy on the team formed of part-timers. So, star player Stanley Matthews was rested -- for some reason. The U.S were overwhelming underdogs for this bout. Yet, amazingly, against all odds, they managed to win the game with a goal from Joe Gaetjens! England was later knocked out of the World Cup alongside the States. Perhaps England should have thought twice about resting Matthews…

#3: The Saga of Ali Dia

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In November 1996, Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier was injured during a game against Leeds United. Thankfully, they had Ali Dia on the bench who came on for him. After all, he was signed by Southampton manager Graeme Souness after George Weah, the famous Liberian striker, called Souness and told him that Dia was his cousin and he had played for Senegal. Well, as soon as Dia came on for the Premier League match, it was obvious something was up. He wasn’t good…at all. Souness subbed him off near the end. Turned out it was all a con, and Souness took the bait. It wasn’t Weah that called, but someone pretending to be him. Dia was released by Southampton not long after.

If you ask Nottingham Forest fans, Brian Clough is undoubtedly one of the best managers England has ever produced. But if you ask Leeds fans, no, definitely not. Clough took over the Leeds top job in 1974. And it all went downhill from there. During the first training session, he marched in and told the players to throw away the medals they'd won under Don Revie as they only won them by cheating. Yikes. Clough immediately alienated himself from the players. Just 44 days after joining the club and only winning four points from a possible twelve in the First Division, Clough was fired. His disastrous Leeds run was later turned into the 2009 film, “The Damned United”. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few dishonorable mentions. Given Mistake, Coventry City vs. Newcastle (1997) Shay Given Not Quite Checking His Surroundings Bad Goal Theft, Portugal vs. Spain (2010) Cristiano Ronaldo Did All the Work, Only for Nani to Cost Him the Goal Carry On Karius, Liverpool vs. Real Madrid (2018) A Concussed Loris Karius Unfortunately Cost Liverpool the Champion’s League With His Mistakes

When the time finally comes, and a player is ready to hang up their boots, they all want to play their final match with dignity and enjoy the moment. But that didn't happen for Zinedine Zidane. In 2006, his last game was captaining France in the final of the World Cup. With the score at one-all with ten minutes left of extra time, Zidane turned around and headbutted Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the chest, causing the defender to fall to the ground. Allegedly, Materazzi said something to rile up the Real Madrid icon. Regardless, Zidane was sent off for his loss of control, and Italy ended up winning the World Cup on penalties. Not a good end for a stunning career.