5 of the Darkest moments in World cup history

#1 Maradona failed drug test (1994)

The 1994 world cup turned out to be Maradona's last international action

Love him or hate him, no one could simply ignore the phenomenon named Diego Maradona, such was his stature. By the time the 1994 World cup arrived, Maradona was 33 and had returned to his homeland with Newell’s Old Boys for his final hurrah.

Despite barely playing during the 1993/94 season, Maradona remained captain for Argentina’s 1994 World cup campaign. After a goal and an assist in the opening two games, Maradona was sent home after being tested positive for ephedrine, a stimulant banned by FIFA.

FIFA found five banned substances from Maradona’s blood as doctor Michel d’Hooghe claimed that the five identified substances could not be not found in a single medicine. It is believed that consumption of ephedrine in larger concentrations can act as an adrenaline-like stimulant to increase energy or to lose weight.

Having lost 26 pounds just prior to the World cup, suspicions about Maradona’s drug intakes were already high. After scoring against Greece, Maradona celebrated by running up to a camera and screaming wildly. In retrospect, his celebration against Greece was popularly seen as “evidence” that he was on drugs.

In the aftermath of that game, FIFA conducted a drug test which he failed and subsequently he was expelled from the tournament bringing down the curtains on a glorious International career.