Think you’re a soccer fan? It’s time to see if you’re aware of the biggest soccer scandals ever.
Soccer, known globally as football, dominates the world of sports. Along with its popularity comes a history packed with scandals. Major incidents have hit leagues like the Premier League and global events like the FIFA World Cup.
From match-fixing to shocking crimes, these scandals shook the sport worldwide.
Key Soccer Scandals Quick Run-through
Here’s a quick bullet-point summary of each scandal, highlighting soccer-specific events:
- FIFA Corruption (2015): FIFA officials took $100M in bribes to influence World Cup hosting.
- Calciopoli (2006): Italian clubs, led by Juventus, rigged referee selections for favorable results.
- Andrés Escobar Murder (1994): Colombian defender killed after scoring an own goal in the World Cup.
- Nigerian Age Fraud (2009): Nigeria used over-age players in the Under-17 World Cup.
- Brazilian Spending (2014): Billions misused for World Cup projects, diverting public funds.
- Mexican “Chicken-Gate” (2011): Mexican players tested positive for Clenbuterol, blamed on tainted meat.
- Ronaldo Scandal (2008): Ronaldo involved in a scandal with transvestite prostitutes.
- Bruno Fernandes Murder (2010): Brazilian player convicted of ordering his ex-girlfriend’s murder.
- Ryan Giggs Sex Scandal (2011): Giggs was exposed to multiple extramarital affairs, including with his brother’s wife.
- French Race Quota (2011): France limited players of African and Arabic descent in football teams.
- Marseille Match-Fixing (1993): Marseille was found guilty of fixing matches and stripped of titles.
- Carlos “Kukin” Flores Ghost Story: Peruvian player ran naked, blaming ghosts; later admitted he was mugged.
- Richard Keys & Andy Gray (2011): Sky Sports commentators fired for sexist remarks about a female referee.
- Tomas Rosicky & Teammates (2007): Czech players were caught celebrating with prostitutes after losing a game.
The 2015 FIFA Corruption Scandal
In 2015, the global soccer community was shaken when 14 high-ranking FIFA officials were arrested on racketeering charges.
Corruption and bribery, deeply tied to the sport’s commercial success, came to light as investigations revealed officials had accepted over $100 million in bribes. These payments were made by nations competing to host the World Cup and funneled through U.S. bank accounts.
When the soccer governing body fails to maintain integrity, it raises serious questions about the fairness of the game worldwide.
The 2006 Calciopoli Referee Scandal
In 2006, a massive soccer scandal shook Italy. Several Italian clubs, including Juventus, were caught rigging matches by selecting referees who would make favorable calls.
This scandal became one of the most notorious in soccer history.
Juventus was hit the hardest, facing relegation from Serie A to Serie B and losing their league titles as a consequence. The scandal tarnished the integrity of Italian soccer and drew global attention.
The 1994 Andrés Escobar Murder
Soccer is deeply ingrained in global culture, and this was tragically highlighted during the 1994 World Cup. Colombia, a strong team, faced an unexpected defeat to the United States, largely due to defender Andrés Escobar’s own goal.
This mistake led to widespread shock. Speculations arose that the own goal was linked to organized crime betting on the match.
Escobar’s error cost his team and, tragically, his life. He was shot six times shortly after the incident, a shocking event that rocked the soccer world and Colombia itself.
The Nigerian Age Fraud Scandal in Soccer (2009)
Age fraud has been a major issue in soccer, especially in Nigeria. One of the biggest incidents occurred during the 2009 Under-17 World Cup, when half the Nigerian team was discovered to be older than they claimed.
Using older, more experienced players gave the team an unfair advantage. This wasn’t an isolated event.
Nigeria has been accused of age fraud in soccer for years, dating back to the 1998 Olympics. The scandal continues to affect the country’s international reputation in the sport.
The Brazilian Spending Scandal (2014 FIFA World Cup)
Massive financial scandals overshadowed Brazil’s 2014 FIFA World Cup. Billions were spent on stadiums, housing, and infrastructure for the event. While preparing for a World Cup is expensive, the scale of the spending shocked many.
Brazilian politicians funneled public money into the project, which created two major issues: it influenced future government elections and diverted funds away from essential public services.
The scandal left a negative mark on Brazil’s hosting of the World Cup. Worldwide, these scandals reflect the darker side of soccer, where corruption and fraud undermine the integrity of the sport.
The Mexican “Chicken-Gate” Scandal of 2011
One of the most shocking soccer scandals worldwide, “Chicken-Gate” shook the sport in 2011. Before the Gold Cup, five Mexican players failed drug tests, testing positive for clenbuterol.
This drug, used for performance enhancement, turns calories into muscle instead of fat. The players claimed the contamination came from eating tainted meat, a common issue with cattle treated with the drug.
Later, more players in the Under-17 World Cup tested positive for the same substance, raising questions about whether this was a doping scandal or a serious public health issue. The controversy spread beyond Mexico, impacting soccer on a global scale.
Ronaldo’s 2008 Scandal
In 2008, Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo was involved in a scandal that went beyond the field. He was found in a hotel room with three transvestite prostitutes, which led to an extortion attempt.
Ronaldo claimed he was unaware of their identity until they arrived at the hotel. The situation turned into a media storm, affecting his reputation worldwide.
No arrests were made, but this incident remains a blemish on the career of one of Brazil’s most famous players.
Bruno Fernandes’ Murder Conviction
Brazilian goalkeeper Bruno Fernandes became infamous not for his skills but for a crime that horrified soccer fans globally.
In 2010, he ordered the kidnapping, torture, and murder of his girlfriend, Eliza Samudio, over a child support dispute. Her remains were never found, as they were reportedly fed to his dogs.
Fernandes was sentenced to 22 years in prison but was briefly released during an appeal, allowing him to rejoin professional soccer. Worldwide outrage followed his release. His return to jail was widely seen as justice for the heinous crime.
2011 Ryan Giggs Scandal
Ryan Giggs’ scandal shook soccer in 2011, as big in the UK as the Tiger Woods scandal was in 2009.
Giggs, a soccer legend, was publicly outed by John Hemming, a British MP, for being involved in multiple affairs, including a long-term affair with his sister-in-law.
While these relationships weren’t criminal, they rocked the soccer world globally. Headlines branded Giggs as the “love rat,” and his reputation in the sport never recovered.
France’s Race Quota Scandal (2011)
France’s soccer scene faced massive backlash in 2011.
Key figures in the French Football Federation were exposed for suggesting that players of African or Arabic descent should make up no more than 30% of the national team.
Though not an official policy, it revealed deep-rooted biases within soccer. Even years later, this issue remains a stain on the sport in France and draws global attention.
Marseille Match-Fixing Scandal (1993)
Marseille’s involvement in match-fixing in 1993 stands as one of soccer’s most infamous moments.
Players from other teams were allegedly approached, and Bernard Tapie, Marseille’s president, was later found guilty.
Arsène Wenger, Monaco’s manager during this period, pointed out how his team lost titles due to Marseille’s corrupt methods. Marseille was stripped of its title and relegated, a scandal that still echoes worldwide.
Carlos “Kukin” Flores’ Ghost Scandal
Carlos “Kukin” Flores, a Peruvian soccer player for Inti Gas Deportes, made headlines for bizarre behavior in December.
He was caught running naked through the streets of Huamanga. When stopped by the police, Flores claimed ghosts were chasing him. The real story came out later—he had been robbed while involved with women he didn’t want his wife to know about.
His excuse? A ghost story. This scandal added to the list of soccer controversies that grabbed attention worldwide.
Sexist Remarks on Female Linesman in the Premier League
Former Sky Sports commentators Richard Keys and Andy Gray faced massive backlash for sexist comments aimed at female linesman Sian Massey during a Liverpool vs. Wolves match.
Despite Massey making the correct call on a crucial offside decision, Keys and Gray ridiculed her, suggesting women don’t understand the offside rule.
Their remarks sparked outrage, leading to their dismissal from Sky Sports. This incident highlighted sexism in soccer, causing waves worldwide.
Tomas Rosicky’s Late-Night Scandal
Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky found himself in the middle of a scandal when he and several teammates were caught partying with prostitutes after a European qualifier loss to Germany.
An undercover female reporter exposed the players, tarnishing their reputations.
Rosicky claimed the gathering was to celebrate teammate Tomas Ujfalusi’s birthday, but the damage to their image was already done, adding another dark chapter to soccer’s list of scandals.
Conclusion
Soccer’s global popularity isn’t without its darker moments. Scandals involving corruption, crime, and misconduct have shaken the sport, revealing the flaws that come with its massive reach.
These incidents have impacted soccer’s reputation, from match-fixing in Italy to off-field controversies in Brazil and beyond.
As the game continues to evolve, these scandals serve as reminders of the challenges that come with the world’s most beloved sport.
