Widely identified as the “beautiful game”, football is usually associated with amazing skill, brilliant touches, finesse and fine athleticism that adoring spectators and viewers alike can only marvel at and envy. But this isn’t always the case; sometimes, moments of madness and silliness occur on a football field that can genuinely be classified as funny moments.
Check out some of the funniest moments to occur on a football pitch:
Paolo Di Canio v Fabien Barthez
Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez wasn’t just renowned for his immense talent and fantastic saves, he was also renowned for his eccentric personality and sometimes silly ways. He perhaps took the silliness too far on this occasion, as he thought that keeping his hand up for long enough could fool Paulo di Canio into missing. Even when Di Canio was a few metres away he kept his hand up, but it could not deter Di Canio. Wath it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=677RvTR6zJ8
Matt Le Tissier v Massimo Taibi
Filling the boots of the great Peter Schmeichel can be quite a daunting task. But instead of filling those rather large boots, Massimo Taibi was instead more renowned for an incredibly embarrassing moment where he let the ball through his legs after the easiest of saves against Matt Le Tissier. Let’s just say that he didn’t quite live up to Schmeichel’s legacy at Manchester United. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHMU-61Ky9M
Phil Babb’s Post Mishap
At least we can give kudos to Phil Babb for never giving up in his attempt to prevent Chelsea's Casiragh from putting the ball in the net. Unfortunately, he met the post instead and hit a ball the wrong side of the post. Ouch! Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7AqO5P1BNw
Lee Bowyer v Kieron Dyer
The odd fight can sometimes occur on a football pitch, but usually, the fight occurs between players from the opposing teams. On this occasion though, the gith entertainment value was ramped up as Newcastle teammates Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer got into a fight. Bowyer wanted the ball and Dyer refused to give it to him, leading to fisticuffs. Both got red cards, leaving Newcastle with nine men. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_iOnG1dH94
While one shouldn’t find any injury misfortune to be funny, you can’t help laughing at the inept antics of the medics on this occasion. During a match between AEL Larissa and Ergotelis , the Greek medics dropped player Leonardo Koutris numerous times on their way off the pitch after he was injured. it almost looked like a pre-rehearsed comedy sketch, but this was no farce. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqBDyz3fth0
Worst Keeper Own Goal Ever
Even outstanding players know the embarrassment and pain of conceding an own goal. But we doubt that any other player has had a moment that was as spectacularly inept and embarrassing as this one. Japan’s Minami goalkeeper tried to throw the ball to one of his own players but ended up instead throwing it straight into his own goal. While you’re not allowed to score directly from a throw, this goal counted for the unfortunate keeper. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYW5KfIfzCM
Rene Higuita's Scorpion Kick
This moment was more spectacular than hilarious, but it was so outrageous that it could be considered to be funny as well. As the ball came towards the goal from Jamie Redknapp and required saving, Colombian goalkeeper Rene Higuita shake things up a bit, and completed the now famous "Scorpion Kick". Fans and players all over the world have subsequently tried to replicate this crazy moment from a crazy keeper. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRj3dKKp9tI
Chris Brass Own Goal
This goal could probably qualify as one of the funniest own goals ever conceded. Attempting to clear the ball over his own head, Chris Brass messed up completely and ended up smashing the ball into his own face, and the ball then ricocheted into the net. Adding injury to insult, Brass broke his own nose in the process. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vliNfbguZu0
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