10 Craziest World Cup Red Cards

During a group stage game at the 2002 World Cup between Turkey and Brazil, Turkish player Hakan Ünsal was sent off for the most ridiculous of reasons. Brazil were winning the game 2-1 and the clock was counting down. The South Americans had won a corner and were trying to waste as much time as possible to preserve their victory.

Rivaldo was waiting to take the corner and refused to walk over and get the ball, waiting around for someone to pass it to him. Ünsal ran over and kicked the ball at Rivaldo with some force. The ball struck the Brazilian on the hip, but he famously fell to the floor, writhing in faux agony and clutching his face.

Cameras even captured Rivaldo sneakily looking out between his fingers to see what the ref was going to do, and Brazilians cheered when Ünsal was issued with a red card. Brazil held out for the win and beat Turkey again later in the tournament, but Rivaldo was roundly criticised for his play acting.