Ben Sigmund has company

Let’s start with a clarification.  This blog is not about justifying Ben Sigmund’s stomp in yesterday’s match against the UAE.  But some of the “Is this the worst piece of thuggery?” chat in the aftermath has been a bit odd.

The recipient was not badly injured, partly because the laws of physics say that a foul committed when one of the parties is stationary is not going to have the same impact, and Sigmund rightfully was sent off for it.  But let’s not pretend this kind of foul was unprecedented.

Buckle in for some toe-curling football fouls for perspective.

First of all, here’s the foul in question.

http://youtu.be/kFHZjhyJZ4o

But, as it happens, it may not even have been the worst this week. Nothing like a bit of friendly Balkan rivalry. Enter Croatia’s Josip Šimunić

It’s not even unusual in terms of New Zealand. football Menapi v Van Steeden

It’s not just outfielders either. This challenge is unique in this list in that it went unpunished and the baddie was rewarded on the field for it. Battiston needed oxygen on the pitch to survive.

Kevin Muscat had a bit of a reputation

Nobody has ever served up revenge in a cold dish quite like Roy Keane. Having been taunted for faking an injury in the previous Manchester derby he had his retaliation planned. The end of the road for Alf-Inge Håland

Lee Bowyer of Leeds was actually a pretty good player in his prime, but as his Wiki page says “would often go straight from court to play for Leeds”. And then there’s this tackle and stomp combo

Not sure who’s playing here but that’s quite a head high tackle