10 Most Shocking World Cup Moments Ever
4. Frank Rijkaard And Rudi Völler
The Netherlands and Germany have always had one of the biggest international rivalries and when the two sides met in the round of 16 at the 1990 World Cup, fans expected fireworks. What they got instead was one of the world’s most talented players of the time demonstrating some truly shocking behaviour.
Frank Rijkaard tackled Rudi Völler and picked up a yellow card for the incident. Moments later, cameras caught Rijkaard spitting at the back of Völler’s head. The German protested, but the referee was having none of it and gave him a yellow card too. Rijkaard had clearly got some kind of vendetta against Völler and the pair started tussling again a short while later, with the referee deciding to send them both off.
Not content with having spat at the German once already, Rijkaard was seen launching another ball of saliva into Völler’s mullet as the pair left the pitch. Rijkaard was roundly criticised for his disgusting display and did eventually apologise for his actions. West Germany won the game 2-1 and went to lift the trophy.