Is this the most cynical foul in football history? Ukraine Women midfielder sees red for BLATANT block in defeat against Northern Ireland when replays show she could've easily got to the ball – with fans left bemused over 'bats*** crazy' incident

  • Northern Ireland Women made history on Tuesday by reaching Euro 2022
  • Kenny Shiels' side beat Ukraine to qualify for their first major tournament
  • However, a ridiculous red-card challenge sent social media into a frenzy
  • With Northern Ireland leading 1-0, Sarah McFadden was played through on goal
  • Ukraine's Pantsulaya was in control but decided to wipe out McFadden instead

A foul dubbed the 'most cynical in football history' has sent fans into a frenzy online after Ukraine Women's midfielder Natiya Pantsulaya blatantly blocked Northern Ireland's Sarah McFadden with no attempt to play the ball on Tuesday.

It was a momentous occasion for Northern Ireland Women's side after they made history by qualifying for Euro 2022 – the first time they've ever qualified for a major tournament.

However, fans were left dumbfounded in the latter stages of the game when Pantsulaya was shown a straight red for a deliberate block when replays showed she could've avoided the sending off and played the ball.

Ukraine Women's midfielder Natiya Pantsulaya (left) was sent off for a blatant foul on Tuesday

Ukraine Women's midfielder Natiya Pantsulaya (left) was sent off for a blatant foul on Tuesday

Pantsulaya (top, centre left) looked to be in control of the ball but instead fouled Northern Ireland attacker Sarah McFadden (top, centre right)

Pantsulaya (top, centre left) looked to be in control of the ball but instead fouled Northern Ireland attacker Sarah McFadden (top, centre right)

Replays showed Pantsulaya (right) was much closer to the ball in the 86th minute

Replays showed Pantsulaya (right) was much closer to the ball in the 86th minute

However, the Ukrainian midfielder decided to block McFadden from reaching the ball

However, the Ukrainian midfielder decided to block McFadden from reaching the ball

In the 86th minute, Northern Ireland were 1-0 up – thanks to Marissa Callaghan opener – and were pressing for another goal to seal the victory and progression to next year's European showpiece.


With Ukraine split wide open by a Samantha Kelly through-ball, Pantsulaya looked in complete control of the situation and the ball with McFadden looking to apply pressure not far behind.

Instead, Pantsulaya looked over her shoulder at an onrushing McFadden and decided to wipe the Northern Irish attacker out without no intention of playing the ball which was practically in her possession.

The blatant foul left fans bemused, given that Pantsulaya (No 13) could have reached the ball

The blatant foul left fans bemused, given that Pantsulaya (No 13) could have reached the ball

Czech referee Jana Adamkova brandished the red card to send Ukraine Women down to 10

Czech referee Jana Adamkova brandished the red card to send Ukraine Women down to 10

Pantsulaya puffs out her cheeks after being given her marching orders for the bizarre foul

Pantsulaya puffs out her cheeks after being given her marching orders for the bizarre foul

The blatant foul left Czech referee Jana Adamkova with no other option than to show the 29-year-old a straight red.

The ridiculous incident left fans perplexed, with many questioning why Pantsulaya didn't just play the ball.

One fan on Twitter wrote: 'The Northern Ireland vs Ukraine match contained one of the most cynical fouls I have ever seen. It is almost a work of performance art.'

Others agreed while one account labelled the foul as one of the 'top five worst ever moments of defensive decision-making'. 

Fans were left perplexed at the foul, with one dubbing it the 'most cynical in football history'

Fans were left perplexed at the foul, with one dubbing it the 'most cynical in football history'

Another claimed to have watched the incident so many times and is still struggling to understand the midfielder's thought process.

They tweeted: 'I've now watched it 8 million times and it become more ridiculous with each watch. The 'defender'/assaulter practically has the ball. She actually has to go out of her way to foul the NI player. It's bats*** crazy.'

Others tried offering explanations as to why she committed the foul, claiming that Pantsulaya may have been waiting for the goalkeeper to come and collect the ball instead.

Many were confused as to why Pantsulaya didn't clear it, while others offered explanations

Many were confused as to why Pantsulaya didn't clear it, while others offered explanations

One Twitter user said: 'I think the defender went to try and hold off the attacker so the ball would safely go to the keeper and she simply got it all wrong. That's the only logical explanation.'

While fans were left bemused by the situation, Kenny Shiels and his Northern Ireland side were left jumping for joy at the final whistle having qualified for next summer's tournament in England.

Skipper Callaghan's 55th-minute strike gave her side the lead at Seaview in Belfast before substitute Caldwell added a second deep into stoppage time to make it 4-1 on aggregate. 

Marissa Callaghan and Nadene Caldwell (pictured) scored in the crucial 2-0 win over Ukraine

Marissa Callaghan and Nadene Caldwell (pictured) scored in the crucial 2-0 win over Ukraine

Northern Ireland reached the Women's Euro 2022, and their first major finals, as a result

Northern Ireland reached the Women's Euro 2022, and their first major finals, as a result

Shiels' side, who won 2-1 in Kovalivka on Friday, started brightly and threatened from a series of early set-pieces which repeatedly put goalkeeper Kateryna Samson under pressure.  

First Minister Arlene Foster led the tributes, saying the women had cracked a glass ceiling.

'Fantastic for @NorthernIreland another crack in the glass ceiling,' she tweeted.

'So proud of all this team has achieved. Just what the country needs at the moment. Thank you history.'

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