Rangers fans are split over Michael Beale’s incredible act of sportsmanship against Partick Thistle, with many believing Malik Tillman did nothing wrong in chasing down the ball to score a controversial goal in a chaotic Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox.
Tillman had been down injured when the ball was put out and the Jags were planning on gifting possession back to their hosts. Beale said it was a misunderstanding and that his player was unaware of what had gone on as he lay on the turf following a challenge.
And, in order to protect the on-loan Bayern Munich man, he let Partick Thistle score. That put Beale in the same bracket as Marcelo Bielsa who did the same thing for Leeds United against Aston Villa, Arsene Wenger who offered to replay an FA Cup tie against Sheffield United (there wasn’t enough time to give the Blades a ‘free’ goal after Kanu’s controversial strike) and Gary Johnson who allowed former Scotland striker Stevie Crawford to score a walk through goal for Plymouth against Yeovil. But teams aren’t always so ethical when it comes to doing the right thing. Here, Record Sport looks at some examples where ‘unsporting’ goals were scored.
Celtic v Motherwell
Although we didn’t know at the time, this was to be the last game Brendan Rodgers took charge of the Hoops and the furore conveniently took over from speculation that he would be moving to Leicester City with this match taking place on the day news of Foxes interest broke. Rodgers slammed then Steelmen boss Stephen Robinson and James Scott – just 18 at the time – who failed to return the ball after it had been put out to allow Ryan Christie to receive treatment with Scott crossing for Gboly Arlybi to score. Rodgers said: “Motherwell had an opportunity to do something in the spirit of the game, but chose not to and went on to press for an equaliser.”
Arsenal v Watford
Hornets boss Claudio Ranieri was left furious when Emile Smith Rowe netted the only goal after Mikel Arteta’s Gunners refused to return the ball despite it being kicked out of play for a Watford injury. Danny Rose kicked the ball into touch due to an injury to team-mate Ozan Tufan but Arsenal didn’t possession after their throw in. Alexandre Lacazette threw the ball to Takehiro Tomiyasu – who continued to play on despite Ismaila Sarr also going down – and Smith Rowe scored. The usually laid back Ranieri said: “Everybody expected Arsenal to give the ball back to us because there was an injured player. But after this it was very strange and I said to Arteta at the end that there was no respect in this action.”
Arsenal v Spurs
The north London derby rarely needs any extra spice but the last ever meeting of the great rivals at Highbury certainly had it. The controversial incident in question came after 66 minutes when Gunners pair Emmanuel Eboue and Gilberto Silva ran into each other in midfield. Referee Steve Bennett, having checked neither were seriously injured, allowed play to continue. Michael Carrick then released Edgar Davids into the area usually occupied by Eboue with the Dutchman crossing for Robbie Keane to tap in. All hell broke loose. Thierry Henry netted a late leveller and said: “Carrick told me he didn't see Emmanuel on the ground and I've known Edgar Davids for a very long time and he's an honest guy. They both told me that they didn't see it and I want to believe them.”
Celtic v Raith Rovers
The Fifers were defending the League Cup they won against the Hoops the previous season in one of the biggest shocks in the history of the tournament. And their fifth round tie at Parkhead was heading for penalty kicks until Simon Donnelly netted a controversial winner.
Raith put the ball out for Peter Grant to receive treatment and Rudi Vata took a throw and the ball was worked to Donnelly who scored. Raith boss Jimmy Nicholl said at the time: “We lost because of bad sportsmanship.”
Yeovil v Birmingham
Former Kilmarnock gaffer Lee Clark was in charge of Brum when they faced the Glovers in the Capital One Cup. The Blues held their nerve to win a penalty shoot out but the flashpoint came in injury time of normal time of a pulsating 3-3 draw. Yeovil defender Byron Webster lashed the ball into an empty net after Birmingham goalkeeper Colin Doyle - who later joined Hearts - had kicked the ball out of play following an injury Dan Burn. Clark was incensed that Yeovil did not give the ball back and said: “I might be wrong but my parents made me grow up to be a good sportsman, win lose or draw.”
Nordsjælland v Shakhtar Donetsk
This was slightly different circumstances, but unethical all the same in the eyes of the Danes – and UEFA. Luiz Adriano scored a hat-trick for the Ukraine outfit in a 5-2 Champions League victory but his first goal was hugely controversial. Willian had attempted to sportingly return the ball back to Nordsjælland after a break in the game for an injury but Adriano picked up the loose ball and rounded the goalkeeper and rolled it into the back of the net. The home side were furious and demanded that Shakhtar let them score and while some players appeared willing to let that happen, not all of them were on board. Former AC Milan striker Adriano was later suspended for one match by UEFA for “violation of the principles of conduct".
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