In the high-stakes world of sports, a single decision from a referee, umpire, or official can change the course of history. While athletes train for years to be perfect, officials are also human, and a moment of missed judgment can become a legendary point of contention. These are the plays that are debated endlessly in sports bars, analyzed for decades in documentaries, and forever burned into the memory of fans.
The following list is a tribute to those moments of controversy, when the officials’ call became the main story, a moment that forever shaped the outcome of a game, a championship, or a dynasty.
Our countdown goes beyond simple bad calls to highlight those pivotal, high-stakes decisions that carried immense weight. We’ll revisit a “phantom foul,” a “fifth down,” and a “hand of God” that will forever define the games they took place in. This is a collection of the moments that left a lasting mark on sports history and continue to be a source of frustration and fascination for fans everywhere. This is a look back at the Top 10 Controversial Calls that changed a game forever.
This definitive list of the Top 10 Controversial Calls reminds us that even with instant replay and advanced technology, the human element of sports officiating remains a powerful, and sometimes infuriating, force. We present the Top 10 Controversial Calls that shaped some of the biggest moments in sports.
10. The “Hand of God” (1986 FIFA World Cup)
In one of the most famous and brazen moments in soccer history, Argentine legend Diego Maradona scored a goal against England in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup that was anything but legal. With the game tied 0-0, Maradona leaped for a ball in the penalty box and, with his hand, punched the ball into the back of the net.
The referee, assuming the goal was scored with his head, allowed it to stand. England players protested vehemently, but to no avail. Maradona would go on to score a second, legitimate goal just minutes later, and Argentina won the game 2-1 before eventually winning the tournament. Maradona’s cheeky explanation after the game, that the goal was scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God,” cemented its infamous status. This decision to let the goal stand makes it a clear example of the Top 10 Controversial Calls.
| Common Stat | The match was played on June 22, 1986, with Argentina defeating England 2-1. |
9. The “Phantom Foul” on Kobe Bryant (2002 NBA Western Conference Finals)
Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings is widely considered one of the most poorly officiated playoff games in NBA history. Late in the fourth quarter, with the game tied, Kings center Vlade Divac was called for a “phantom foul” against Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, sending Bryant to the free-throw line where he hit a crucial shot.
The call was questionable, as replays showed no contact. In the same game, the Kings’ star players fouled out on several highly suspect calls, giving the Lakers a significant advantage. The Lakers would go on to win the game and the series, eventually sweeping the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals. The controversial officiating in this game, which included the “phantom foul,” sparked investigations and led to a public outcry over biased refereeing. This officiating scandal remains a key part of any discussion about the Top 10 Controversial Calls.
| Common Stat | The Kings had three of their starters foul out in the final minutes of Game 6. |
8. The Don Denkinger Missed Call (1985 World Series)
In a moment of pure agony for St. Louis Cardinals fans, umpire Don Denkinger’s missed call in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series became the defining moment of the series. With the Cardinals leading the Kansas City Royals 1-0 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Denkinger incorrectly called Jorge Orta safe at first base on a ground ball. The call should have been the first out of the inning. The Royals, with new life, capitalized on the call, scoring two runs to win the game and force a decisive Game 7.
The Cardinals never recovered from the demoralizing loss and were blown out in the final game. Denkinger’s error is still considered one of the worst calls in World Series history and a legendary example of an officiating mistake changing a championship outcome. It’s an undisputed entry on the list of Top 10 Controversial Calls.
| Common Stat | Umpire Don Denkinger’s incorrect call came with no outs in the ninth inning |
7. The “Tuck Rule” (2002 AFC Divisional Playoff)
The “Tuck Rule” is a name that still sends shivers down the spine of Oakland Raiders fans. In a snowy playoff game against the New England Patriots, Raiders star defensive back Charles Woodson hit quarterback Tom Brady, causing what appeared to be a fumble. The Raiders recovered the ball, and it looked like they had sealed the victory. However, after a review, officials determined that Brady’s arm was moving forward in a “tucking” motion, making the play an incomplete pass rather than a fumble.
The Patriots retained possession and went on to kick a game–tying field goal before winning the game in overtime. The Patriots would eventually go on to win their first Super Bowl, all thanks to a very specific, and widely debated, interpretation of a rule. This moment stands out as one of the Top 10 Controversial Calls for its direct influence on a team’s championship dynasty.
| Common Stat | The “Tuck Rule” was in effect from 1999 until 2013, when it was officially repealed. |
6. The “Fifth Down” Play (1990 NCAA Football)
In a moment of unbelievable officiating error, the University of Colorado was awarded a “fifth down” against the University of Missouri that directly led to their victory. Late in the game, with the score tied and Colorado driving for a game-winning score, the officials failed to track the downs correctly. After a fourth-down incompletion, the officials mistakenly awarded Colorado a fifth down.
Colorado’s quarterback, with the extra play, scored a touchdown to win the game. The mistake was not noticed until after the game, and despite the uproar, the result stood. The infamous “fifth down” remains a stain on college football history and is a constant reminder of how a simple error can change the outcome of a game. This unforgettable blunder is a lock for any list of the Top 10 Controversial Calls.
| Common Stat | The game-winning touchdown was scored on the fifth down with no time remaining on the clock. |
See More :
5. The Tim Donaghy Scandal (2007 NBA Referee Scandal)
While not a single call, the actions of NBA referee Tim Donaghy in the mid-2000s represent one of the biggest controversies in sports officiating. In 2007, Donaghy was found to have been betting on NBA games he officiated, often making calls to influence the outcome. The scandal cast a dark shadow over the integrity of the league and led to questions about the legitimacy of past playoff games, including the infamous 2002 Western Conference Finals.
The incident forced the NBA to overhaul its officiating procedures and implement new transparency measures. Donaghy’s actions were a betrayal of the game and a shocking reminder that the integrity of the officiating process is paramount to the credibility of any sport. This is a very different entry on our list of Top 10 Controversial Calls, as it involves systematic corruption rather than a single moment of error.
| Common Stat | Tim Donaghy officiated a total of 772 regular season games and 20 playoff games before his suspension. |
4. The “Phantom Pass Interference” (2019 NFC Championship)
The 2019 NFC Championship Game between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams featured a non-call so blatant and game-changing that it led to a significant rule change, cementing its place among the Top 10 Controversial Calls. In the final minutes of the fourth quarter, with the game tied, Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw a pass to wide receiver Tommylee Lewis.
Before the ball arrived, Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman delivered a helmet-to-helmet hit on Lewis, a clear and obvious pass interference. However, no flag was thrown. The Saints, who would have had a first down inside the ten-yard line, were forced to settle for a field goal. The Rams went on to win the game in overtime. The public outcry was so intense that the NFL implemented a rule for the following season that allowed pass interference to be reviewable, a direct response to this infamous non-call.
This modern example of the Top 10 Controversial Calls still infuriates a fan base and serves as a prime reason why this specific non-call is a key part of any conversation about the Top 10 Controversial Calls
| Common Stat | The non-call took place with 1:49 remaining in the fourth quarter. |
3. The Disputed Figure Skating Gold (2002 Winter Olympics)
In one of the biggest scandals in Winter Olympic history, the 2002 pairs figure skating competition ended in a controversial gold medal for the Russian team. This judging controversy stands out among the Top 10 Controversial Calls for its systemic corruption. The Canadian pair, Jamie Salé and David Pelletier, had a flawless performance and were widely expected to win.
However, the Russian pair was awarded the gold medal after a seemingly inferior skate. The public outcry was immediate and intense. After an investigation, a French judge admitted to being pressured to vote for the Russian team, a revelation that exposed widespread corruption. In a highly unusual move, the International Skating Union decided to award a second gold medal to the Canadian pair.
The scandal rocked the world of figure skating and highlighted the need for transparency in judging. This is a prime example of why this particular moment is one of the Top 10 Controversial Calls. The scandal remains a defining point in the history of figure skating and a key reason it is included in our list of the Top 10 Controversial Calls.
| Common Stat | The judging scandal led to a rule change that saw the International Skating Union move to the “Code of Points” system. |
2. Maradona’s Controversial Goal (Hand of God Part 2) (1986 World Cup)
In one of the most memorable and intense moments in a World Cup Final, French striker Zinedine Zidane was sent off after headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the final minutes of the game. The referee’s decision to issue a red card based on a replay, while ignoring the taunts that provoked Zidane, makes this one of the Top 10 Controversial Calls.
The French team, without their best player, went on to lose the game in a penalty shootout. The controversy, however, stemmed from the fact that the headbutt was a reaction to Materazzi’s verbal taunts, which were widely considered to be a form of baiting. Many felt that Materazzi should have also been penalized, but the referee’s decision to only punish Zidane changed the outcome of the final and ended Zidane’s legendary career on a sour note.
This call is a fitting inclusion in any list of the Top 10 Controversial Calls, as it highlights the emotional and psychological pressure that can lead to a controversial decision, making it one of the most debated of the Top 10 Controversial Calls.
| Common Stat | The goal was scored in the 51st minute of the match, just minutes before Maradona’s second goal |
1. The “Phantom Foul” in the 2006 World Cup Final
While the “Hand of God” is a famous moment, it is the referee’s decision to allow the goal to stand that makes it number one on our list of the Top 10 Controversial Calls. The fact that a non-call of a clear foul was allowed is what made the moment so legendary and a point of constant debate. The referee, Ali Bin Nasser, was under immense pressure and had a poor angle to see the foul.
However, his decision to not consult with the linesman and to allow the goal to stand is what made the moment a controversy. Had he disallowed the goal, the game would have played out very differently. This is why it is at the top of our Top 10 Controversial Calls: the decision of one man, at the biggest stage in the world, changed the course of a World Cup.
The referee’s choice to allow a clear foul to stand makes this the undisputed number one on our list of the Top 10 Controversial Calls, as its impact on the game and on history is truly immense.
| Common Stat | The red card was issued in the 110th minute of the World Cup Final. |
FAQs
Q1: Why are officiating controversies so memorable in sports?
Controversial calls, which often make up any list of the Top 10 Controversial Calls, are memorable because they involve a clear moment of human error that directly impacts the outcome of a high-stakes game, creating a sense of injustice and “what if.” These moments, which are the essence of the Top 10 Controversial Calls, are the ones that fans remember for a lifetime
Q2: Have any of these controversial calls led to rule changes?
Yes, several of these moments have directly led to rule changes, proving the impact of the Top 10 Controversial Calls. The “Phantom Pass Interference” led to a reviewable pass interference rule in the NFL, and the “Tuck Rule,” one of the most famous of the Top 10 Controversial Calls, was eventually eliminated from the NFL rulebook
Q3: What role does technology play in preventing these kinds of calls today?
Modern sports use a variety of technologies, such as VAR in soccer and instant replay in the NFL and NBA, to review calls and reduce human error. While technology helps, it doesn’t eliminate all controversy, as the interpretation of a rule can still be a point of debate.
Read More :
