The Most Controversial Decisions in World Championship Finals

17 August 2025

Let’s get one thing straight: when millions of eyes are glued to the screen, and the stakes are sky-high, you better believe people won’t forget a bad call. World Championship Finals are supposed to be the pinnacle of fair play and sportsmanship. Key word: supposed. The truth? Some of the most iconic moments in sports history are remembered not for the glory but for the absolute mess they created.

We're diving headfirst into the juiciest, sassiest, yell-at-your-TV kind of controversial decisions that rocked World Championship Finals across various sports. Buckle up, sports fam—this is about to get heated.

⚽ Football: The "Hand of God" That Still Haunts England

If you're not foaming at the mouth just thinking about this one, are you even a football fan?

🕊️ The Infamous 1986 FIFA World Cup Final (Well, Technically the Quarter-Final... But Stick With Me)

Okay, okay—it's not the final, but no list is legit without Diego Maradona’s not-so-divine intervention against England in the 1986 World Cup. The whole world saw him punch the ball into the net—except, apparently, the referees. Maradona called it the "Hand of God"; England fans called it something I can't type here.

Why It Was Controversial: It was blatant cheating that led to Argentina's eventual World Cup win. The final result? Argentina 2, England 1. One goal with God’s hand, the other a genius solo effort. England packed their bags, and Maradona became either a saint or a sinner, depending on your postcode.

🏀 Basketball: 1972 Olympic Final—USA vs USSR (AKA The Clock That Wouldn't Die)

If you ever want to see an entire country rage at a stopwatch, look no further.

⏱️ Triple Reset Drama

The 1972 Men's Olympic Basketball Final between the USA and the USSR was decided in the most bizarre fashion. Three seconds were replayed three times until the USSR finally scored the game-winning basket. The referees just kept rewinding the clock like they were searching for a lost episode of their favorite show.

Why It Was Controversial: The U.S. team refused to accept their silver medals. Yep, to this very day, they’re still locked up in a vault in Switzerland. Truly peak level pettiness—and justified, if you ask me.

🥊 Boxing: Roy Jones Jr. Robbed Blind at the 1988 Olympics

Let’s talk about a knockout-worthy injustice.

🧑‍⚖️ The Judges Were Clearly Watching A Different Fight

At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Roy Jones Jr. absolutely dominated South Korea’s Park Si-Hun. We’re talking 86 punches landed to Park’s 32. But guess what? The judges gave the gold medal to Park. Even he looked embarrassed by the decision—awkward!

Why It Was Controversial: The outrage was global. It was later revealed that several judges had been bribed. Roy Jones Jr. didn’t get his gold, but he damn sure got our respect—and a legend was born.

🏎️ Formula 1: Abu Dhabi 2021 – When the Rules Took a Coffee Break

Now this one? Chef’s kiss — if you're into chaos.

🚥 Race Control Gone Wild

The 2021 F1 World Championship finale between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen was as thrilling as it was controversial. Hamilton was cruising toward his 8th world title until—BAM!—a late safety car followed by a highly questionable decision by the race director to selectively un-lap certain cars.

What happened next? Verstappen pounced on fresh tires and snatched the title in the very last lap.

Why It Was Controversial: Hamilton fans called it sabotage, Red Bull fans called it sweet justice, and everyone else just stared in stunned silence. It was so messy, the FIA had to conduct an internal investigation.

⛳ Golf: 1958 Masters – The Sneaky Drop Heard ‘Round the World

Golf? Controversial? Oh honey, don’t let the polos and whispering commentators fool you.

🏌️‍♂️ Arnold Palmer’s 12th Hole Drama

During the 1958 Masters, Arnold Palmer hit his ball into a plugged lie on the 12th hole. He argued that he deserved a free drop. The official said no. Palmer ignored him, played two balls (no, not like that), and finished both shots. Later, the committee awarded him a par based on the second ball – the one he wasn’t originally supposed to play.

Why It Was Controversial: Palmer went on to win the Masters by a single stroke. Rules? Interpretations? Politics? You decide. But let’s not pretend that golf is free from scandal.

🏉 Rugby: 2007 World Cup – The Try That Wasn’t

Rugby fans may be tough, but even they were left screaming at the screen for this one.

🕵️‍♂️ The Invisible Try

In the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final, England faced South Africa. England’s Mark Cueto looked to have scored a game-changing try. Emphasis on “looked.” The TMO (Television Match Official) disallowed it, saying Cueto’s toe brushed the touchline.

Why It Was Controversial: The video footage was far from clear. Many believed it was a try, and the decision arguably shifted the momentum. South Africa won 15-6, and England fans were left Googling "how to curse in Afrikaans."

🏒 Ice Hockey: 2002 Winter Olympics – Canada's Gold… or Was It?

Oh yes, even the icy surface of hockey rinks can't cool off hot controversy.

🧊 Figure Skating Scandal (Yes, We’re Going There)

Okay, technically not ice hockey, but how could we ignore the figure skating judging scandal between Canada and Russia in the Pairs event?

The Canadian team, Sale and Pelletier, skated flawlessly. The Russian team? Not so much. Yet somehow, they won the gold. The backlash was so intense, the IOC had to step in and award a second gold medal.

Why It Was Controversial: Corruption, behind-the-scenes deals, national bias—you name it, it was in that judging room. This moment led to a complete overhaul of the figure skating scoring system.

🏏 Cricket: 2019 ICC World Cup – The Overthrow Rule That No One Knew Existed

Yes, we’re digging deep into the rulebook because apparently, the umpires didn’t.

⚖️ England vs. New Zealand—A Drama for the Ages

In the final over of an already nerve-racking match, England’s Ben Stokes accidentally deflected a throw to the boundary while diving for his crease. The umpires awarded England six runs—two for the run and four for the overthrow. However, according to the rules, they should’ve only received five.

Why It Was Controversial: That one run tied the match and pushed it to a Super Over, where England won. New Zealand? They lost... despite not technically being outplayed. You know it’s messy when the rulebook itself becomes the villain.

🏈 American Football: Super Bowl XL – Steelers vs. Seahawks and Some Seriously Suspect Calls

No, we haven’t forgotten about the NFL.

🧢 The Flags That Changed Everything

Super Bowl XL in 2006 saw the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Seattle Seahawks. But it wasn’t just the players on the field making moves—the refs were allegedly doing the most.

From a questionable offensive pass interference call to a sketchy touchdown ruling, Seahawks fans have a laundry list of grievances longer than your offseason to-do list.

Why It Was Controversial: Even neutral analysts agreed the officiating was, at best, wildly inconsistent and, at worst, game-altering. The NFL maintains it was legit—just like your uncle swears Bigfoot is real.

🎾 Tennis: 2004 US Open – Serena Williams and the Phantom Calls

Oh yes, even the queen of the court wasn’t spared.

🎯 Outrage at Flushing Meadows

Serena Williams faced Jennifer Capriati, and the line judges might as well have been wearing blindfolds. Multiple incorrect calls went against Serena—blatantly so—and cost her the match.

Why It Was Controversial: This fiasco was one of the triggers for the introduction of electronic line calling in tennis (hello, Hawk-Eye). So, thanks Serena. You changed the game by getting totally screwed.

Why These Controversies Still Matter

Here’s the kicker—sports aren’t just about talent and performance. They’re about emotion, passion, and, yes, heartbreak.

These controversial decisions remind us why we love (and love to hate) the game. They’re the moments that start pub arguments, ignite Twitter wars, and ensure no one ever forgets “that one time when...”

They may be controversial, but they’re unforgettable.

Final Whistle: Are These The Worst or Just the Most Famous?

Let’s be real—there are hundreds of eyebrow-raising moments in world championship finals. Some get buried, others become legend. But these? These are the hot messes that lit a fire under every fan base.

So, which one still makes your blood boil? Or do you secretly love the drama like it’s a reality TV finale?

Because one thing’s for sure—sports without controversy? That’s just cardio with jerseys.