Clive Thomas: Brazil vs Sweden 1978 World Cup

Some refereeing decisions are just bizarre. No apparent logic. They don't produce outrage, simply head-scratching as in 'what is that guy on?'

In a 1978 World Cup encounter between Brazil and Sweden, with the score at 1-1, a corner is awarded to Brazil in injury time. From the resulting cross Zico heads it in. Brazil celebrate but ... bizarrely the goal is disallowed; not because of any foul or infringement; but because Welsh referee Clive Thomas deems that full-time had elapsed while the ball was in flight. [Watch it here on YouTube - it has to be seen to be believed in any case.]

So why was the corner awarded in the first place? Nobody understood Thomas' rationale and the incident is still debated to this day. The only thing that might be said in his defence is that the incident is not unique in the annals of bad refereeing decision. Other referees have joined Thomas in Football's Academy of the Punctilious.

According to Soccerphile "recently, a Spanish referee made the same mistake at the expense of Dinamo Bucharest at Marseille in the UEFA Cup." Someone here also has a recollection of a similar incident in an English League fixture - possibly late 80s or early 90s, most likely pre-Premiership - but can't remember the specifics. [Anyone out there with any information? Answers on a postcard, preferably e-mailed to us]

Whatever the case, we would tend to concur with Soccerphile: "Something should be done with referees like that."