Thierry Henry's admission that he handled the ball in the build-up to the goal that took France to the 2010 World Cup finals is the latest in a saga of football's dark arts.

AFP Sports looks at some of the best of the worst World Cup moments.

Diego Maradona
Argentina beat England 2-1 in the 1986 quarter-finals in Mexico City with Maradona scoring twice, but despite the brilliance of his second strike, it's his first, the infamous 'Hand of God', which is still remembered. As Maradona leapt to challenge English goalkeeper Peter Shilton in the 51st minute, he raised his hand and punched the ball into the goal. Argentina went on to win the World Cup.

Toni Schumacher
In the 1982 World Cup semi-finals, Germany goalkeeper Schumacher was involved in an ugly collision with French defender Patrick Battiston. Schumacher ran to the edge of his area and jumped into the Frenchman as he raced onto a through-ball, leaving him pole-axed on the pitch. He had two front teeth knocked out, damaged vertebrae and received oxygen on the pitch. Michel Platini later said that he thought that Battiston was dead, because "he had no pulse and looked pale". The Dutch referee Charles Corver awarded a goal kick.

Slaven Bilic
Croatian defender Bilic was pilloried for his role in the red-carding of French defender Laurent Blanc in the 1998 semi-final. With Croatia behind, a free-kick was awarded and when the two players clashed, Bilic fell clutching his forehead despite Blanc having shoved him in the chest. Blanc was red-carded and missed the World Cup final. Bilic, now the Croatia coach, admitted that he was play-acting.

Rivaldo
The player was key to Brazil's 2002 World Cup victory but the early part of his tournament was overshadowed by play-acting in the group match against Turkey. Turkish defender Hakan Unsal kicked the ball towards the Brazilian and hit his thigh, but Rivaldo fell to the ground clutching his face. The referee sent the Turkish player off with a second yellow card. After a video review, Rivaldo was fined 11,670 Swiss Francs by FIFA.

Torsten Frings
Germany's defensive midfielder Frings appeared to use his arm to block a goalbound shot by the USA's Gregg Berhalter in their quarter-final match in 2002. Scottish referee Hugh Dallas turned down the Americans' ardent penalty appeals after deeming that Frings had not moved his hand towards the ball. Germany won 1-0 and made it to the final, where they lost to Brazil.

AFP

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