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Ten more obscene football facts you won’t believe are true

Photo of Nicky Nicky25/06/2025 - 07:10 am
Football Legend: Lionel Messi of Argentina in action during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium on December 13, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Photo by Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Football is a sport that thrives on the unexpected. Beyond the goals, the rivalries, and the trophies lies a treasure trove of stories so bizarre they sound like they were scripted by a madcap novelist. From a coin toss deciding a European Championship semi-final to a stadium named after a pile of manure, the beautiful game has a knack for producing moments that are equal parts absurd and unforgettable. Grab your scarf and settle in as we unearth ten obscene football facts that will make you laugh, gasp, and question everything you thought you knew about the world’s favorite sport.

The World Cup Star Who Skipped Qualifiers

Giuseppe Bergomi’s career is a masterclass in being in the right place at the right time. The Italian defender played in four World Cups, 1982, 1986, 1990, and 1998, without ever setting foot in a qualifying match. At 18, he was a late call-up for 1982, playing the final three games as Italy lifted the trophy. Automatic qualifications as defending champions in 1986 and hosts in 1990 kept him clear of the grind, and in 1998, another last-minute selection sealed his bizarre record. Bergomi’s 82 caps and World Cup medal prove talent trumps the usual path, but skipping qualifiers entirely? That’s pure football sorcery.

The Manager Who Played for the Enemy

Sir Matt Busby is Manchester United royalty, leading them to their first European Cup in 1968. But before he was a Red Devils legend, he was a rival. Busby racked up over 300 appearances for Manchester City and Liverpool, United’s fiercest foes. Imagine a modern manager pulling that off without fans rioting. His journey from enemy colors to Old Trafford icon is a twist that could fuel a Hollywood biopic. Busby’s legacy proves football’s rivalries are fierce but not unforgiving, especially when you deliver silverware.

The FA Cup That Stayed Put for Seven Years

In 1939, Portsmouth FC won the FA Cup, beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-1. Then World War II hit, halting professional football in England. The result? Pompey held the trophy for seven years, until 1946, when the competition resumed. It’s a record no one planned, echoing Italy’s 16-year World Cup hold from 1934 to 1950 due to similar wartime disruptions. Portsmouth’s extended reign wasn’t earned on the pitch, but it’s a quirky footnote that shows how global chaos can rewrite sporting history.

The Teen Who Played for Country Before Club

Javier Mascherano’s career is a tale of grit and versatility, but his start was downright bizarre. The Argentine midfielder debuted for the national team before ever playing a senior match for his club, River Plate. Spotted as a teenage prodigy, Mascherano was fast-tracked into Argentina’s senior side, showcasing his tenacity in international colors while still waiting for his club breakthrough. This rare feat highlights football’s global scouting frenzy, where a kid can become a national hero before his club kit is even ironed.

The Coin Toss That Decided a Euro Semi-Final

In 1968, during the European Championship semi-final between Italy and the Soviet Union, extra time solved nothing. So, in a move that sounds like it belongs in a pub league, the match was decided by a coin toss. Italy’s captain called it right, sending his team to the final, where they beat Yugoslavia to claim the title. In an era before penalty shootouts, this was standard practice, but today it feels like settling a title fight with rock-paper-scissors. The coin toss victory remains a wild relic of football’s past.

The Legend Buried Under the Penalty Spot

Peter Osgood, Chelsea’s swaggering striker, was a hero of their 1971 European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph. After his death in 2006, his ashes were buried under the penalty spot at Stamford Bridge’s Shed End, a hallowed spot for Blues fans. It’s a hauntingly poetic tribute, ensuring Osgood’s spirit lingers where he once thrilled crowds. Every penalty taken there now carries a ghostly weight, a reminder of a player whose love for Chelsea transcends life itself.

The Goalkeeper Who Became a Pop Icon

Before Julio Iglesias crooned his way to global stardom, he was diving for saves as a goalkeeper for Real Madrid’s reserve team, Castilla. His football dreams were cut short in 1963 when a car accident left him unable to walk for two years. While recovering, Iglesias picked up a guitar, and the rest is music history. His son, Enrique, followed in his musical footsteps, but Julio’s brief stint between the posts adds a surreal layer to his legend. Imagine a world where he’s saving penalties instead of selling out stadiums.

The Transfer Records That Broke the Mold

The world transfer record is usually a tug-of-war between England, Italy, and Spain’s giants. But three times, outsiders crashed the party. In 1922, Falkirk paid £5,000 for Sydney Puddlefoot. In 1932, River Plate splashed £32,000 on Bernabé Ferreyra. And in 2017, Paris Saint-Germain shattered records with €222 million for Neymar. These deals, spanning nearly a century, show how football’s financial epicenter shifts, with rare moments when clubs outside the usual suspects steal the headlines.

Football history: Brazilian superstar Neymar poses with his new jersey during his official presentation at the Parc des Princes stadium on August 4, 2017 in Paris after agreeing a five-year contract following his world record 222 million euro ($260 million) transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint Germain's (PSG). Paris Saint-Germain have signed Brazilian forward Neymar from Barcelona for a world-record transfer fee of 222 million euros (around $264 million), more than doubling the previous record. Neymar said he came to Paris Saint-Germain for a "bigger challenge" in his first public comments since arriving in the French capital. / AFP PHOTO / Lionel BONAVENTURE (
(LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images)

The Vegetable Ban That Shocked Stamford Bridge

Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge is a fortress of passion, but don’t try bringing celery. Since the 2000s, the vegetable has been banned, with potential lifetime bans for offenders. It started with fans tossing celery onto the pitch during a cheeky chant about, well, let’s just say unprintable activities. The club cracked down, turning a quirky tradition into a forbidden act. Imagine explaining to a steward why you’re smuggling a stalk in your jacket. It’s a bizarre rule that proves fan culture can turn anything into a saga.

FOOTBALL: General view inside the stadium as players and officials observe a minutes silence for those who have passed away in the Ukraine conflict prior to the Game4Ukraine charity match at Stamford Bridge at Stamford Bridge on August 05, 2023 in London, England. Legend Andriy Shevchenko, Arsenal player and Ukraine captain Oleksandr Zinchenko, with the support of President Zelenskyy's UNITED24 initiative, will be joined by leading players and icons from the world of TV, sport, film and music in aid of Ukraine.
(Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

The Stadium Named After a Dung Heap

Aberdeen’s Pittodrie Stadium is a historic venue, hosting European finals and thrilling Scottish football moments. Its name, though? Pure comedy. In Gaelic, Pittodrie translates to “place of manure” or, less politely, “shitheap.” Legend says it was named for a nearby midden in medieval times. Fans embrace the irony, chanting about their beloved dung heap while watching their team battle. It’s a reminder that even the grandest stages can have the humblest, and funniest, origins.

By Nicky Helfgott – NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter)

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Photo of Nicky Nicky25/06/2025 - 07:10 am