"Play to the whistle" is what we are taught as football players. But "to whose whistle?" is never mentioned. In the 1982 FIFA World Cup, debutant Kuwait was trailing 3-1 against France when the players heard a whistle. The Kuwait defence slowed down while the French team carried on and finished their move with a goal. Later, it was found that it was not the Soviet referee, Miroslav Stupar, who blew the whistle but someone else from the crowd. Infuriated by an unfair goal, Kuwaiti FA President Prince Fahad invaded the pitch in protest and threatened to pull his team out of the tournament. The referee gave up and dismissed the goal in a shocking decision. France did score another goal to restore the score and win the match 4-1 in the end. As an aftermath, Stupar was banned for life from officiating. The Prince invited French captain Michel Platini to Kuwait eight years later to apologise for his embarrassing act. Nevertheless, Kuwait's inappropriate behaviour still haunts them, as the Asian side has never returned to the World Cup Finals since their maiden appearance.
Sources: Forbes India and First Post
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