Diego Maradona's Hand of God (1986)

Diego Maradona's Hand of God in 1986 is the most brazenly unsporting act in World Cup history. Punching the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, Maradona directed it into the net and celebrated as if the goal were legitimate. The referee allowed the goal, which decided a 2-1 quarterfinal victory. This deliberate handball, captured on film, exposed the limitations of officiating at the highest level. Compared to Draymond Green Kicks Steven Adams Below the Belt (2016)'s kick, Maradona's act was more calculated: it required deception and a celebration that mocked the spirit of fair play. The goal remains a 1.0 on the scale of football controversies, with no comparable incident born from such premeditation. Maradona himself later claimed it was 'a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God,' a remark that cemented his infamy.