I was discussing funny football moments the other day and decided just for a laugh to capture my thoughts in writing and compile a blog, counting down the funniest moments that I remember. So here goes!…
In at number 10…
…Ever the cheeky chappy, Gazza got booked by the ref whilst he was playing for Glasgow Rangers for pretending to show a yellow card to him after the ref had dropped the card on the floor. It was very harsh by the ref, who obviously didn’t have a sense of humour! After all Gazza was only joking and was actually doing him a favour by returning the card! Watch the incident here.
Number 9…
…Serial prankster Karl Power gets in on the act again. This time pictured alongside the Manchester United team prior to the Champions League Quarter Final clash in Munich against Bayern in 2001, despite not being part of the team whatsoever! He evaded security by pretending to be with a TV crew, then casually strolled out onto the pitch and stood next to Andy Cole in order to be in shot for the photos before he made his way into the stand to watch the game… It wasn’t until after the game when the photographers were looking through the night’s photos, that they realised they didn’t recognise one of the players!!!
Number 8…
…Paulo Di Canio gets sent off by ref Paul Alcock whilst playing for Sheffield Wednesday against Arsenal, but instead of accepting it gets angry and pushes poor Alcock to the floor. He tries to stay on his feet, but stumbles over comically! Now you shouldn’t laugh and condone such an incident, but I challenge you not to when you view the video here!
Number 7…
…Despite his extraordinary footballing abilities, Rivaldo made a show of himself in the 2002 World Cup in the Far East for all the wrong reasons. Rivaldo was waiting for the ball in order to be able to take a corner, when the Turkish player Hakan Unsal kicked the ball towards him. Instead of controlling or catching the ball, he let it hit him on the thigh and then reacted by remarkably going down clutching his face. His actions got Unsal sent off, but he also earned himself a large fine after officials later reviewed the incident and decided that his actions were uncalled for too. Rivaldo was a great player, but his actions here were shocking to say the least, although extremely funny to see at the same time. View the incident here.
Number 6…
…It was during the opening of USA ‘94 that Diana Ross made her indelible, comical mark on the game we love so much. She was singing during the ceremony and at the end of her performance had the simplest of tasks of kicking a ball into a net from all of six yards out. The keeper was to dive out of the way, allowing Ross to ripple the net easily, which would in turn cause the goal to break into two halves as part of the act. Sorted!… Well that was the plan, but it didn’t quite work out like that… Step forward Diana Ross; singer, superstar, ’soccer’ extraordinaire!!! View what happened here.
Number 5…
…I give you Ronnie Rosenthal; the creator of the original missed sitter!!! Quite simply a work of footballing artistry! View it in all of its glory here.
Number 4…
…David Dunn tries to go all ‘Copacabana’ on us. Unfortunately for David… he failed. Miserably. In a Birmingham Derby of all places. Just what must have he been thinking?!! Watch him end up on his backside here.
Number 3…
…We’re moving towards the business end of proceedings now as we enter into the top 3. Steven Taylor provides the entertainment here. He saves the ball on the line with his hand (even though he’s a defender!), but then goes down like he’s been shot in order to make the ref think he’s been struck legitimately by the ball on the body. The ref’s having none of it and sends him off! Watch it here.
Number 2…
…My favourite funny own goal of all time. Scored by Bury’s Chris Brass against Darlington. Genius! See it here.
*Drum roll please!*
As the countdown draws to an end…
I present to you my all time number 1 funny football moment.
A worthy winner I’m sure you’ll agree!
(Hope you like it!!!)
…I give to you Ilunga Mwepu, comic mastermind! Enhanced by the fine workings of Skinner and Baddiel’s legendary ‘Fantasy Football’ programme… Enjoy it in all of its glory here!
By Ben Charlton