10 Footballing Scandals That Shocked The World

Sadly, sitting at the top of this list and to highlight just how serious things can get, is the death of Colombian defender Andres Escobar.

After heartbreakingly scoring an own-goal in a 2-1 defeat to the USA at World Cup '94, which saw his country eliminated from the competition, Escobar did the right thing and simply returned to his homeland to get over the result and mistake.

However, Escobar was the target of a move by Colombian cartel hitman Humberto Munoz, who had apparently lost a hefty sum of money thanks to Escobar's own-goal.

In tragic circumstances, Escobar was confronted in a car park in Medellin after enjoying a night out with friends and was shot six times by Munoz, who left him for dead.

It was a deplorable act from a man who clearly had just one thing in mind on the night.

While footballing controversies can often be looked back on and, at times, taken with a pinch of salt, this is one which sits firmly in the memory bank for all the wrong reasons.

Escobar is at least celebrated in his homeland to this day, with fans paying homage to the tragic star every year.