World cup footballs 2014

Chelsea forward Kai Havertz has seemingly developed a love affair with the post.

As is the case when he is in his day job, Havertz was given penalty duties in Germany’s 2-0 friendly victory over Peru. While both Graham Potter and Hansi Flick trust him with the most nerve-wracking kick of a football in the beautiful game, Havertz’s record from the penalty spot is not the greatest.

He looked cool, confident, and ready to wheel off in celebration when he picked up the ball against the South Americans. As he did against Borussia Dortmund, his stuttered penalty struck the bottom of the post . However, what happened next left many in the football world baffled.

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As the ball struck the woodwork, it bounced straight back to a very grateful Havertz. With the keeper on the floor, he stroked it home on the rebound. But without hesitation, the referee blew the whistle and signalled for a freekick to Peru.

This is because the rules read, “the kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player”. Because the ball had hit the post before it touched another player, Havertz was not allowed to touch the ball again.

Was this the first time you had learned about this rule? Let us know in the comments section below

Had his penalty been tipped onto the post by the goalkeeper, Havertz would have been free to convert the rebound, as it had touched another player on the pitch. In short, the former Bayer Leverkusen star was deemed to have kicked the ball twice when a penalty kick only allows one kick of the ball.

“I’ve been watching football for over 40 years and this is the first time I’ve seen this happen,” claimed one fan. “We learn every day” said another.

“After one other fan in the comments section explained the rule, a very grateful fan said, “oh thanks for this. I learnt something new”. Fortunately for Havertz and Germany, they were already comfortably leading Peru courtesy of a brace from Niclas Fullkrug.

As the hosts of Euro 2024, the 2014 World Cup winners do not need to go through the qualifying stages to book their place.

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On Saturday evening, Armenia and Turkey will square off with one another in their Euro 2024 qualifier in a clash that goes beyond the confines of football.

The sides have only played each twice since Armenia’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 – during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. “This is only a football game, it is not a war. We cannot carry the weight of history on our shoulders,” Fatih Terim told press ahead of the game.

However, the two countries have no diplomatic relationship, and their 193-mile land border is closed. Their rivalry stems from the refusal of Turkey to acknowledge a genocide against the Armenians predating the foundation of each country, and yet UEFA allows them to play each other.

Some countries, however, are deemed too dangerous to face each other.

Russia vs Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine have been separated by UEFA since 2014 – when skirmishes of conflict broke out in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

However, the two sides did clash in the 2021 Futsal European Champions, just weeks before Vladimir Putin’s troops crossed the border and started their siege on Kyiv. On that evening Ukrainian fans chanted: “Putin is a d***head.”

That was met with a reaction over the PA system: “Please stop singing political songs. If it continues the referee will stop the game.” In 11-a-side clashes, Russia and Ukraine haven’t played each other since 2007.

Armenia vs Azerbaijan

Europe’s ‘forgotten war’ still sees flourishes of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh – also known as Artsakh.

Internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan it’s ethnically Armenian – causing the two sides to clash in the bitter conflict. Interestingly, FK Qarabag – who have played in the Champions League in recent seasons – are technically from the region.

Qarabag, who play in Azerbaijan, escaped the conflict in 1993, relocating to Baku: Azerbaijan’s capital, where they have been heavily funded by the government. In Azerbaijan, their viewed as a wonderful fairytale, while in Armenia it’s scoffed at as a PR exercise to aid their claim.

Kosovo vs Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Russia

When Kosovo was granted status from FIFA and UEFA, they were almost instantly banned from facing Serbia – who also claim the region.

Kosovo declared independence 15 years ago, following the Yugoslavian Civil War. However, they have faced numerous challenges with some countries not recognising the new state: alongside Serbia, these include Russia, China and Spain.

Due to tensions remaining in the Balkans, Kosovo can’t face Bosnia – while Russia can’t face Kosovo, with UEFA citing security risks.

Spain vs Gibraltar

Another disputed territory means that two UEFA sides have to be kept apart in qualification and – should Gibraltar pull off a miracle and qualify – tournaments.

Gibraltar is an overseas region of the United Kingdom, which was ceded to the UK under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. However, Spain still maintains a claim over the region – and to play them in an international match would recognise their independence.

It’s the same reason why Spain doesn’t recognise Kosovo, because of their stance towards Gibraltar.

Palestine vs Israel

In a similar situation to the previous entry, both Palestine and Israel lay claim to the same area. And their bitter conflict is often on the front pages of the news.

Due to Israel’s treatment of Palestine, the Arab world refused to play them, which led to Israel qualifying for the 1958 World Cup without playing a single game. In the 1980s Israel left the AFC, which meant they entered Oceania’s qualification for two World Cups.

Israeli clubs began taking part in European club competitions in 1991 and its football association became full UEFA members in 1994.

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