Soccer, or football as it’s known outside North America, is the world’s most popular sport, with a history rich in drama, passion, and—believe it or not—some truly bizarre moments. While most fans know about legendary players, iconic goals, and famous rivalries, there are plenty of weird and wonderful facts that fly under the radar.
Here are seven strange but true soccer facts that might just blow your mind.
1. A Referee Once Scored a Goal
Referees are supposed to be impartial, but in 2012, a match in Argentina took an unexpected turn when the ball deflected off the referee and into the net. The goal was allowed to stand because the referee was considered part of the field of play. The unlucky team lost 1-0—all thanks to an accidental strike from the man in black.
2. A Player Was Once Sent Off Before the Game Even Started
In 2017, Brazilian defender Vítor received a red card before his match against Fluminense had even kicked off. Why? Because while warming up, he kicked the ball toward the referee in frustration—and the official deemed it an act of aggression. His team had to play the entire game with 10 men.
3. A Goalkeeper Once Scored From His Own Box… Twice in One Game
In 2013, Stoke City’s Asmir Begović made history by scoring a goal just 13 seconds into a match against Southampton—from his own penalty box! A powerful wind carried his long kick all the way into the opponent’s net. Even crazier? He nearly did it again later in the same game, but the ball bounced just wide.
4. A Team Once Won a Match 149-0… Because the Opponents Scored All the Goals
In 2002, Madagascar’s AS Adema faced SO l’Emyrne in a league match. Angry over a refereeing decision in a previous game, l’Emyrne’s players deliberately scored 149 own goals in protest. The final score? 149-0—the most lopsided result in soccer history.
5. A Dog Once Saved a Goal in a Professional Match
In 1981, during a match in Brazil, a stray dog ran onto the pitch and blocked a certain goal by intercepting the ball on the line. The crowd went wild, and the dog—later named Bi—became an instant celebrity. The referee had no choice but to call a drop ball.
6. A Player Was Once Banned for Using a Hidden Flip-Flop
In 2015, a player in Indonesia was caught wearing a flip-flop inside his sock during a match. Why? To protect his injured foot. The referee spotted it, deemed it illegal equipment, and sent him off.
7. A Match Once Lasted 3 Hours… Because the Ball Was Stuck in a Tree
In 2015, a lower-league game in England was delayed for three hours when the match ball got lodged in a tree. With no spare balls available, players and officials tried everything—throwing shoes, climbing the tree—before finally dislodging it. The game resumed, but the bizarre delay became legendary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Has a referee ever awarded a goal by mistake? A: Yes! In 2013, a referee in South Africa mistakenly awarded a goal when the ball actually went wide. The error was so obvious that the league later overturned the result.
Q: What’s the fastest red card in soccer history? A: Just two seconds! In 2000, a player in England was sent off for a brutal foul right after kickoff.
Q: Has an animal ever influenced a major soccer match? A: Absolutely! Besides the goal-saving dog, a cat once interrupted a Euro 2012 qualifier, and a seagull famously stole a player’s snack mid-game.
Soccer is full of surprises, and these weird facts prove that no matter how much you think you know about the game, there’s always something new—and bizarre—to discover. From own-goal protests to flip-flop scandals, the beautiful game never fails to entertain in the strangest ways.
So next time you’re watching a match, keep an eye out—you never know when history (or a rogue dog) might intervene.