World Cup football is not all about heroes. Anti-heroes too play a crucial role in the high-octane drama that makes it the world's most popular spectator sport.
From Nigel de Jong's karate kick to Harald Schumacher's pole-axing of Patrick Battiston, Onmanorama takes a look at baddies who sent shock waves through the World Cup arena.
Harald Schumacher (West Germany)
France's Patrick Battiston lost two teeth, cracked three ribs and was left unconscious after Harald Schumacher’s hip smashed into his face in the semifinal of the 1982 tournament in Spain. The German, who to this day insists he was going for the ball, is still an unpopular name in France. He escaped a booking and showed no remorse as West Germany won the match 5-4 on penalties after the match was tied 3-3 in extra-time.
Diego Maradona (Argentina)
Argentina's 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 in the last eight of the 1986 World Cup. The officials did not notice it and the goal was granted. Maradona later dubbed it the 'Hand of God'.
Moments later, Maradona beat five defenders on a mazy run for his second goal which was later voted by FIFA as the greatest World Cup goal and also the 'Goal of the Century'. Though Gary Linekar pulled one back, Argentina held on for a 2-1 win.
The Albicelestes then went onto beat West Germany in the final to win the title. However, Maradona's World Cup career ended in disgrace after failing a drugs test in the 1994 World Cup group stage match against Nigeria, which Argentina won 2-1.
Slaven Bilic (Croatia)
Hosts France were 2-1 up against Croatia in the semifinal of the 1998 tournament, when Slaven Bilic theatrically went down clutching his head after a scuffle with Laurent Blanc in the box. The Frenchman was sent off, for the first time in his career, but the replays showed Blanc had barely touched Bilic. The Frenchmen held on with 10 men to win, but despite clear evidence, FIFA refused to lift Blanc’s suspension for the World Cup final in Paris which France won 3-0 against Brazil.
David Beckham (England)
David Beckham was sent off for a petulant kick aimed at Argentina captain Diego Simeone, who had just clattered the midfielder, early in the second-half of England's quarterfinal defeat in the 1998 finals. The match was tied 2-2 after extra time. England lost 4-3 on penalties, but for Beckham the ordeal was just the beginning with crowds booing the star when the team returned home.
Rivaldo (Brazil)
In Brazil's group match against Turkey during the 2002 World Cup, the Selecao were awarded a corner kick. Rivaldo stood at the corner flag and demanded the ball from Turkey's Hakan Unsal, who petulantly kicked it, hitting the Brazilian on the leg. Rivaldo saw this opportunity to showcase his 'acting skills' and fell to the ground, covering his face as if he had been hit in the face. The referee fell for it and sent off Unsal for his apparent misdemeanour. Brazil went on to win the match 2-1. Later, Rivaldo was fined by FIFA after the incident had been reviewed.
Nigel De Jong (Netherlands)
Nigel De Jong’s flying karate kick landed on Xabi Alonso’s chest in the 2010 World Cup final between Netherlands and Spain, dubbed the ‘Battle of Johannesburg’. The Dutchman earned an yellow card and warning from referee Howard Webb in a bad-tempered display by the ‘Oranje’. The kick set the tone for a brutal final as the Dutch earned nine yellow cards, including a pair shown to John Heitinga, who was sent off in extra time. The Spaniards, themselves no angels with five yellow cards, took the trophy when Andres Iniesta slammed home the extra-time winner.
Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
Sent off for a deliberate handball in Uruguay's quarterfinal win over Ghana in South Africa 2010, Suarez was banned for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder four years later in Brazil. With the Italians protesting to the referee for not penalising Suarez, Uruguay won a corner and scored to eliminate Italy with a 1-0 victory in the group stages. However, Suarez did not escape punishment as FIFA handed him a nine-match ban two days after the match, ruling him out for the rest of the tournament. A Suarez-less Uruguay then lost 2-0 to Colombia in the Round of 16.
