1982 World Cup Incident: France's Goal Disallowed After Kuwaiti Official's Intervention

08 January 2026at19:20

A unique and highly controversial incident occurred during a match between France and Kuwait at the 1982 World Cup in Valladolid, Spain. France was leading 3-1, and in the 79th minute, Alain Giresse scored a goal that appeared to extend France's lead to 4-1.

However, Kuwaiti players vehemently protested the goal, claiming they had stopped playing after hearing a whistle from the stands. In an unprecedented move, Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, brother of the Emir of Kuwait and then-president of the Kuwait Football Association, descended onto the pitch to confront Soviet referee Miroslav Stupar.

Recalling the incident, French player Manuel Amoros stated, “The referee stopped the match, and we saw the Sheikh of Kuwait come onto the pitch, accompanied by civil guards. A red carpet was rolled out for him to go and speak with the referee.”

Despite Giresse's assertion that, “There was noise from the stands, whistles, horns. I, in the game, heard nothing, at least I didn't hear the referee's whistle,” Stupar disallowed the goal.

Amoros sarcastically commented on the referee's decision, saying he acted “as if he were the president of FIFA.” This incident ultimately led to FIFA banning referee Miroslav Stupar for life due to his unprecedented intervention.

Q&A

Why was Alain Giresse's goal disallowed in the 1982 World Cup match between France and Kuwait?

France's Alain Giresse had a goal disallowed after a Kuwaiti official, Sheikh Fahad, intervened on the pitch, claiming players stopped due to a whistle from the stands, influencing referee Miroslav Stupar's decision.

What was the consequence for the referee in the 1982 France vs. Kuwait World Cup match?

Referee Miroslav Stupar was banned for life by FIFA following his unprecedented decision to disallow Alain Giresse's goal for France against Kuwait after a direct intervention from a Kuwaiti official on the pitch.