The FIFA World Cup has witnessed many controversial moments that divided footballing nations into rival camps and created ill-will to the most popular spectator sport in the globe. Onmanorama scours through seven biggest controversies in the history of the tournament.
7. The Battle of Nuremberg

'The Battle of Nuremberg' is the nickname of an ill-tempered round-of-16 match played between Portugal and Netherlands at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Russian referee Valentin Ivanov issued four red cards and 16 yellow cards, setting a new record for cards shown at any FIFA-administered international tournament. Though Portugal won 1-0, the match was a highly forgettable one.
6. Suarez’s handball against Ghana

Uruguayan footballer Luis Suarez’s hands caused outrage when he denied Ghana a place in the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Deep into extra time with the score at 1-1, Ghana sent a free-kick into the Uruguay box and Dominic Adiyiah’s goal-bound header was palmed off the line by Suarez. The referee awarded Ghana a penalty and sent off the striker. Asamoah Gyan hit the crossbar from the spot and then Uruguay went on to win 4-2 on penalties.
Speaking about the incident after the match, Suarez boasted he had made the 'save of the tournament' and that he would do it again to help his team win.
5. The unsolved mystery of Ronaldo

It was touted as the clash of the titans with hosts France up against tournament favourites Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final. In a squad full of stars, Ronaldo was Brazil’s brightest and the striker had his eye on the Golden Boot. Shockingly, his name was absent from the team sheet!
Then all of a sudden, a new team sheet appeared with Ronaldo’s name in Edmundo’s place, but eventually France went on to win the final 3-0.
After many years, Ronaldo confessed that he suffered a convulsive fit in the hours before the showpiece occasion, forcing the Brazilian coaching staff to omit him from the original starting line-up. But, after a hospital examination, he was given a last-minute clearance to play at the Stade de France in Paris.
4. Rijkaard spits at Voller

In the round of 16 match of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Holland's Frank Rijkaard was booked for a tackle on Germany's Rudi Voller. Rijkaard reacted by spitting at Voller's curly hair. But when Voller complained to the referee, the German got a yellow card, rather than sympathy.
Moments later, Voller fell to the ground in the Dutch penalty area but Rijkaard and his teammates claimed he had dived. Tempers flared, resulting in Rijkaard twisting Voller’s ear and stamping on his foot. Both players were sent off and Rijkaard once again spat at Voller’s hair as they left the pitch.
3. Schumacher's foul lands Battiston in coma

West Germany goalkeeper Harald Schumacher was guilty of one of the most notorious fouls in football during the semifinal against France in the 1982 World Cup in Spain. When Schumacher raced from his goal, he knocked out French defender Patrick Battiston who was charging in to head the ball in.
The sheer velocity of the impact left Battiston unconscious on the ground. He later slipped into a coma. Rubbing salt into the wounds, Dutch referee Charles Corver didn’t even award a free-kick for the offense after Battiston was taken off in a stretcher. West Germany went on to win the match on penalties.
Battison returned to play five months later for his club Saint-Etienne and was also part of 1984 Euro-winning French squad.
2. Zidane's headbutt on Materazzi

French legend Zinedine Zidane will forever be remembered for headbutting Italy's Marco Materazzi in the chest during the 2006 final in Germany. Zidane was sent off after the fourth official alerted referee Horacio Elizondo.
The incident triggered further controversy as Zidane had already announced his retirement and that the match would be his last one. France held out for a draw after Zidane’s expulsion but Italy won the World Cup on penalties.
According to unconfirmed reports, Materazzi insulted Zidane's sister, provoking the mercurial Frenchman.
1. Maradona's Hand of God

Argentine legend Diego Maradona caused outrage among England players and fans when he punched the ball into the net while jumping for the ball against goalkeeper Peter Shilton during the 1986 quarterfinal in Mexico City. Officials failed to spot the offence and the goal was awarded helping Argentina win the match 2-1.
Later, Maradona told reporters that he was aided by the 'Hand of God'.