In the world of football, controversy is inevitable. One area where this can be particularly evident is in the decisions made by referees during matches. These decisions can have a significant impact on the outcome of games and can even lead to debates and discussions about the fairness of the decision.
One example of a controversial referee decision that has had a major impact on the outcome of a match was the incident at the 2015 FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Chelsea. In the final minutes of the game, with Manchester United leading 2-0, Chelsea's John Terry appeared to handle the ball as he went to challenge for a header. Referee Mark Clattenburg gave him a red card, sending him off and effectively ending the match.
The decision sparked outrage from both fans and players alike, with many arguing that it was a clear case of bias against Manchester United. The incident led to widespread criticism of the referee's decision and led to calls for a review of the law surrounding handling in football.
Another example of a controversial referee decision that had a significant impact on the outcome of a match was the incident at the 2018 World Cup semi-final between France and Croatia. During the second half of the match, Croatia's Ivan Perisic appeared to handle the ball as he went to tackle France's Benjamin Pavard. However, the referee did not give him a yellow card, instead giving a penalty kick to France. This decision was met with anger and protests from Croatia fans, who argued that the penalty should have been given to their player.
These examples demonstrate how controversial referee decisions can have a significant impact on the outcome of a match and can even lead to debates and discussions about the fairness of the decision. It highlights the importance of having a fair and impartial system of refereeing in order to ensure that all teams are treated equally and that the outcome of the match is based on merit rather than favoritism or bias.