Funny football: Top 10 bloopers of 2014

Kieran Gibbs was wrongly red-carded by the referee instead of Oxlade-ChamberlainThe beauty of football is that amidst all the serious sagas and professional activity, the sport has a habit of throwing up some true gems that makes one go crazy with laughter. From the most inept defending to fans getting in on the act – there are endless reels from the football world that will make you laugh like a baby.With the year coming to an end, we have compiled the funniest, craziest and most hilarious clips of football to spread the joy of the holiday season. Here is the list:

#10 Referee red cards Kieran Gibbs instead of Oxlade-Chamberlain

We start our list with one of the most comical incidents of the year.

In a match between Chelsea and Arsenal in March 2014, the Gunners were on the wrong end of a 6-0 mauling by the Blues. To make matters worse and add insult to injury, the Gunners also had a player wrongly sent off, in the sense that the WRONG PLAYER WAS SENT OFF!

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain deflected a shot on goal by Eden Hazard using his hands, and since he had stopped a goalscoring opportunity, a red card was the only solution for the referee. But referee Andre Marriner showed a red card to left back Kieran Gibbs, to the horror of both Gibbs and Chamberlain. Gibbs’s reaction in the video says it all.

A case of mistaken identity on a football field? That is simply hilarious.

#9 Jan Vertonghen pulling down Nicklas Helenius\'s shorts

In a 2014 Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, Jan Vertonghen was faced with Villa player Nicklas Helenius running at and past him. Vertonghen improvised to halt Helenius’s progress.

Instead of a late tackle from behind that could get him booked, Vertonghen decided to go old school, literally, and proceeded to pull down Helenius’ shorts to distract him. Presumably, Vertonghen had plans of pointing and laughing at an embarrassed Helenius.

But his plan was foiled as Helenius did not let a little wardrobe malfunction get in the way of taking a shot on goal, and Vertonghen’s evil plans were thwarted.

#8 Bloopers from the A-League

The Australian league, also known as the A-League, has a long-standing tradition of providing enough material for an extensive blooper reel at the end of the year. All those funny moments and comical escapades are captured in one glorious video for the world to see.

And this year is no different. Presenting the annual A-league bloopers. From players knocking over opposition managers to the worst dives ever, from clearances hitting small children to a player kicking another in his gentleman’s area – there is just so much to admire about this league.

#7 The Kolo Toure train waits for nobody

Kolo Toure is legendary, there I said it. Don’t believe me, check out this video here. Notice how the Kolo Toure train waits for no man, not even the referee.

CHOO CHOO! POW! And down goes Phil Dowd, knocked out. Also, it’s a freekick and no one has a clue why Toure is running full steam ahead.

BONUS

Here’s another epic Kolo Toure moment. The randomest of touches.

#6 An own goal with a special touch

Own goals are hilarious on their own, but Nautico player Izaldo added a special touch to his own goal to ensure that it isn’t forgotten in the annals of bad defending.

Izaldo first cleared the ball and hit the crossbar as the mortified goalkeeper watched on. Not content with his efforts, Izaldo tried heading the ball out of trouble, only to put it into his own net past a clearly angry and suspicious goalkeeper.

Legend.

#5 Marcelo Bielsa loses against a cup of coffee

Marseille manager Marcelo Bielsa is many things – dictatorial, pioneer, innovator, tactician and football-crazy. But even great men have their Achilles’ heel. In Bielsa’s case, it was a cup of coffee.

Whether this is a prank or simply a case of a mishap in the heat of action, Marcelo Bielsa went on to sit on a steamy hot cup of coffee, which was kept on the ice-box. His reaction is just priceless.

#4 Fulham fan mocks the Assistant Referee

In a Premier League match between Everton and Fulham in March 2014, back when Fulham were two months away from being relegated to the Championship, a Fulham fan made his displeasure towards the assistant referee known in a peculiar, yet hilarious manner.

The Fulham fan, who was sitting next to a visually impaired person, picked up the person’s cane and waved at the referee, suggesting the referee could use the stick given the decisions he was making in the match.

To his credit, the linesman appreciated the comic timing and the use of the prop, and laughed along with the crowd.

#3 When bird poo met Ashley Young

The saying goes, you are what you eat. For Young’s sake, it better not be true!

Of all the funny things to happen in the world of football, this one is simply bizarre. Ashley Young was remonstrating with his teammates and a bird decided to relieve itself at exactly the same time.

You cannot script this. For this to happen, for the poo to find its way perfectly into Young’s mouth, a lot of stars had to align.

#2 Hilarious Liverpool fan doesn\'t miss photo-op

Opportunity never knocks twice is definitely the motto for this Liverpool fan. In a match between Liverpool and Aston Villa, Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor lost his balance and fellover behind the hoarding in front of sitting Liverpool fans.

The Liverpool fan’s reactions are legendary. Poise, mild surprise and then out came the camera to capture the unfortunate player lying on the ground. Truly hilarious. The best part is his nonchalant mannerism. “Oh, look, a player fell down, better take a photo...”

#1 Comical piece of play from the Argentinian League

And finally, the moment from the world of football in 2014 that saw the most hilarity ensue was this piece of play from the Argentinian League. Both sides managed to conjure up truly remarkable school-ground clownishness and hilarious ineptitude to provide us with a gif(t) that keeps on giving.

Notice how both the attackers and the defenders are equally well-matched in their commitment to slapstick comedy.