10 Most Embarrassing Moments in Football History [Ranked]

Everyone has their fair share of embarrassing moments, but imagine yours being broadcast to the entire world. Even the greatest footballers aren’t immune to humiliation, whether on the grand stage of the World Cup or in a Champions League final.

While their massive paychecks might cushion the blow in some ways, no amount of money can shield a player from the public ridicule that follows. Some mistakes haunt careers, with fans and media ensuring they’re never forgotten.

And it's not just the players—officials have had their fair share of blunders, making baffling decisions that leave the footballing world in disbelief. With that in mind, Betimate takes a look at the 10 most embarrassing moments in football history.

10. Andre Marriner Mix-Up

2014

A fiery London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal was always bound to produce drama, but in 2014, it was referee Andre Marriner who made the biggest blunder of the match. In the heat of the moment, as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain blatantly handled Eden Hazard’s goal-bound shot, Marriner reached for his red card amid the chaos.

However, to the shock of everyone inside Stamford Bridge, he sent off the wrong player—mistakenly dismissing Kieran Gibbs instead. The mix-up left Arsenal players furious, Chelsea fans bewildered, and Marriner at the center of one of the Premier League’s most infamous officiating errors.

9. David Beckham Red Card vs Argentina

1998

From one infamous England-Argentina clash to another, David Beckham's reckless mistake in the 1998 World Cup cost him both his place on the pitch and his reputation back home. England fans are among the most passionate in football, and an early exit from the tournament was never going to sit well—especially when a single moment of madness played a key role in their downfall.

With the round of 16 match locked at 2-2, Beckham lashed out at Diego Simeone and was shown a red card, leaving his team to battle on with 10 men. England ultimately crashed out on penalties, and furious supporters pointed the finger at the Manchester United star, blaming him for their elimination. His name was splashed across tabloids alongside the brutal headline: "10 Heroic Lions, One Stupid Boy."

Reflecting on that dark period, Beckham admitted, "I wish there was a pill you could take which could erase certain memories. I made a stupid mistake. It changed my life."

8. Steven Gerrard Slip vs Chelsea

2014

Steven Gerrard’s legacy is often overshadowed by the one trophy that eluded him—the Premier League title. Despite his Champions League heroics, many argue that it's not enough to settle the eternal debate between him, Frank Lampard, and Paul Scholes. The 2013/14 season appeared to be his golden opportunity to finally lead Liverpool to their first league title in 24 years, but one costly misstep saw it all unravel.

With Manchester City breathing down their necks, Liverpool needed to keep winning. But in a crucial clash against Chelsea at Anfield, Gerrard’s infamous slip on the halfway line gifted Demba Ba a clear run on goal, setting the Blues on their way to a 2-0 victory. If the moment itself wasn’t humiliating enough, it came just two weeks after the Liverpool captain had passionately declared to his teammates: “This does not f***** slip now!”

"We do not let this slip" 

Steven Gerrard's famous speech after beating Manchester City in 2014 pic.twitter.com/T0FSmeToab

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) June 15, 2020

7. Kevin Keegan Rant

1996

"I would love it!"—the iconic words of Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan, who let his emotions spill over in a fiery rant about Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United during the 1995/96 Premier League title race. With a 12-point lead at the top of the table, Keegan’s side seemed destined for glory, but the pressure of the run-in took its toll.

What should have been a comfortable cushion turned into a nightmare for the Magpies. Their form collapsed, while United, as they so often did under Ferguson, mounted a relentless comeback to snatch the title. Keegan’s impassioned outburst on live TV became symbolic of Newcastle’s capitulation—a moment that has gone down in Premier League history as the ultimate example of cracking under pressure.

6. Graham Poll Three Yellow Cards

2006

The rulebook for officiating is extensive, and while referees face constant scrutiny, their job is undeniably challenging. However, one fundamental law should be second nature—two yellow cards equal a red. Shockingly, that concept seemed to escape Graham Poll during the 2006 World Cup.

In a chaotic group-stage clash between Australia and Croatia, Josip Šimunić was astonishingly shown three yellow cards before finally being sent off. Poll later admitted he had mistakenly recorded the Croatian defender’s second booking under the wrong team in his notebook.

Reflecting on the blunder, Poll confessed: “In stoppage time, I cautioned Šimunić again – but I didn’t realise it was again. He fouled Australia sub Joshua Kennedy, and I showed him the yellow card – but this time, as I now realise, I recorded it wrongly.”

5. Zinedine Zidane Headbutt vs Italy

2006

Despite being one of the greatest footballers of his generation, Zinedine Zidane's illustrious career is often overshadowed by a single moment of madness. The 2006 World Cup final was the grandest stage of them all, and emotions were bound to run high—but few could have predicted what would unfold.

Italy’s Marco Materazzi allegedly made an insulting remark about Zidane’s sister, successfully provoking the Frenchman. Instead of brushing it off, Zidane lost his cool and delivered a thunderous headbutt to Materazzi’s chest, earning himself a straight red card in his final ever professional match.

It was an unceremonious end to an otherwise legendary career, and while Zidane has since admitted he was “not proud” of his actions that day, the infamous incident remains one of football’s most shocking moments.

ZIDANE'S CRAZY ADIEU 

OTD in 2006, Zinedine Zidane was sent off for a headbutt in the World Cup final—his last-ever game—before France lost to Italy. 

This footage of Zizou's final five minutes as a player is haunting & iconic in equal measure.pic.twitter.com/lccrMdORCB

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) July 9, 2024

4. Luis Suarez Bites Branislav Ivanovic

2013

When players try to rattle their opponents, it’s usually through mind games or rough tackles—but Luis Suárez took it to another level. Already infamous for biting an opponent during his time at Ajax, he didn’t stop there, and Branislav Ivanović became the next victim in one of football’s most bizarre moments.

During a heated Premier League clash, the Uruguay international inexplicably sank his teeth into Ivanović’s shoulder, shocking everyone watching. The FA responded with a hefty 10-match ban, but even that wasn’t enough to curb Suárez’s appetite for controversy.

Just a year later, on the biggest stage of them all, he struck again—this time, Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini felt the full impact of his infamous bite at the 2014 World Cup.

3. Gary Lineker On-Pitch Shame

1990

It’s not every day a footballer has to leave the pitch for an emergency bathroom break—Jason Puncheon’s infamous dash for Southampton against Everton comes to mind. But for Gary Lineker, there was no chance to make it off the field in time—it was already too late.

During England’s World Cup clash against Ireland at Italia ‘90, Lineker, suffering from a stomach bug, accidentally defecated on the pitch. In a desperate attempt to cover up the incident, he wiped his shorts along the grass, with most of the world oblivious to what had happened—until he finally admitted the truth years later.

Thankfully, Lineker has since embraced the humor in what remains one of the most humiliating moments in football history.

He said: "I sort of fell to the ground and relaxed for a second, and it just went boom. It was like, 'Oh my god,' but it was everywhere."

2. Fernando Torres Miss vs Manchester United

2011

The rise of xG (expected goals) in modern football has provided a statistical way to judge missed chances. But back in 2011, Chelsea striker Fernando Torres didn't need numbers to tell him he'd produced one of the worst misses in Premier League history—the eye test alone was enough.

Already trailing 3-0 at Old Trafford, Chelsea's miserable afternoon took an even worse turn. Played through on goal by Ramires, Torres brilliantly rounded Edwin van der Sar and found himself staring at an open net. Yet, somehow, with the simplest of finishes at his feet, he sliced his shot wide of the post, leaving Manchester United fans in hysterics behind the goal.

The worst miss I’ve ever seen at Old Trafford was by Torres https://t.co/vxtX2cHVdJ pic.twitter.com/UNTWQD813v

— Jay Motty (@JayMotty) October 16, 2020

1. John Terry Penalty Slip vs Manchester United

2008

When English teams clash in Europe, the rivalry intensifies, with both sides knowing that one strong performance can end the other's dream. But for John Terry, the 2008 Champions League final was more than just another game—it was his chance to etch Chelsea’s name into history.

Stepping up for Chelsea’s fifth penalty in the shootout, Terry had the opportunity to seal the club’s first-ever Champions League triumph. But as he struck the ball, a combination of nerves and the rain-soaked Moscow turf betrayed him—his footing slipped, and the ball flew off target. Moments later, Edwin van der Sar denied Nicolas Anelka, ensuring the biggest prize in club football returned to Old Trafford after a nine-year wait.