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Top 10 Worst Referee Decisions in History
The worst referee decisions in history all share one thing: they changed a championship on a single blown call. From Maradona's Hand of God to the 2019 NFC Championship no-call, here are the 10 most unforgivable missed handballs, phantom flags, and ghost goals in sports history. Be the first to vote on the worst call of all time — and tell us what we missed in the comments.
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Frequently asked questions
What is considered the worst referee decision in sports history?
The 'Hand of God' goal by Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup is often cited as the worst, where the referee allowed a goal scored with Maradona's hand.
How do bad referee decisions impact the outcome of games?
Bad calls can directly decide the winner, as seen in boxing's 'Phantom Punch' or the 1972 Olympic basketball final where controversial officiating changed medal standings.
Are there any examples of referee decisions that were later overturned?
Yes, in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, a referee's failure to award a try was later acknowledged as an error, but the result stood because no instant replay was used at the time.
Which sports have the most notorious referee mistakes?
Soccer, boxing, and basketball have the most high-profile errors, such as missed offside calls, phantom punches, and incorrect foul assignments in crucial playoff games.
What causes referees to make such bad decisions?
Factors include blind spots, lack of instant replay in some eras, human error under pressure, and angle limitations where the referee's view is obstructed.
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