Chapter 4 · Flashpoints
Calls Still Argued in Pubs
A disputed decision lasts a second on the pitch and decades at the bar. This chapter logs what the officials could see, what they decided, and which rule changed because of it.
The flashpoint register
The Battle of Santiago
Before: Italian journalists' unflattering articles about Chile had inflamed the host nation.
The moment: English referee Ken Aston sent off Italy's Giorgio Ferrini in the opening minutes and later Mario David. Punches thrown by Chilean players went unpunished, and police entered the pitch more than once.
After: Aston, troubled by the confusion over who had been cautioned, devised yellow and red cards. They were first used at the 1970 World Cup.
Hurst and the crossbar
Before: Wolfgang Weber's last-minute equaliser made it 2–2 and forced extra time.
The moment: In the 101st minute, Geoff Hurst's shot struck the underside of the bar and bounced down. Swiss referee Gottfried Dienst consulted linesman Tofiq Bahramov, who signalled a goal.
After: Hurst completed the first hat-trick in a men's World Cup final. Studies of the film still disagree. Bahramov's home city, Baku, later named its national stadium after him.
Schumacher and Battiston
The moment: Substitute Patrick Battiston raced through; goalkeeper Harald Schumacher jumped into him. Battiston was knocked unconscious and lost teeth. No foul was given.
After: France led 3–1 in extra time before losing the first penalty shootout in World Cup history.
Beckham's kick
The moment: Just after half-time, fouled by Diego Simeone, David Beckham flicked a leg at him from the ground. Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen showed red. Michael Owen's solo goal earlier was overshadowed.
After: England lost the shootout. Beckham was vilified for a season, then rebuilt his reputation as captain.
Henry's hand
The moment: In the 103rd minute of the play-off second leg, Thierry Henry controlled the ball with his hand twice before crossing for William Gallas to score.
After: Ireland's request for a replay was refused. The incident added momentum to calls for extra officials and, later, video review.
Two days in 2010
Bloemfontein: At 2–1, Frank Lampard's shot bounced well over the line and out. Nothing was given. Soccer City: In the last seconds of extra time, Luis Suárez punched Dominic Adiyiah's header off the line. He was sent off; Asamoah Gyan hit the bar with the penalty; Uruguay won the shootout.
After: The IFAB approved goal-line technology in July 2012. VAR followed at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Behind the replay
Has anyone proved the 1966 ball crossed the line?
No. Analyses using the film have reached opposite conclusions. The ledger logs it as unresolved.
Was Schumacher punished for the challenge on Battiston?
Not during the match, which restarted with a goal kick. He later visited Battiston in an attempt at reconciliation.
Did Henry admit the handball?
Yes, after the match, saying he had handled the ball but was not the referee. He later said the fairest outcome would have been a replay.
Would VAR have changed these calls?
Henry's handball and Lampard's goal, almost certainly. Hurst's goal depends on camera angles that did not exist in 1966. The Seville challenge would likely have been reviewed for a penalty and a red card.
Questions about any entry? Try the Ledger Lookups or send a correction.