  | Soccer's most controversial plays : you make the call! (Sports Illustrated Kids. You Make The Call!) Author: Schwartz, Heather E. | |
| Price: $25.33 | ||
Summary:
The refs said English player Frank Lampard's goal didn't count during the 2010 World Cup round against Germany. They said Argentinian player Diego Maradona didn't touch the ball with his hand when he scored a goal during the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal match against England. And they said Swedish player Lina Hurtig's penalty shot crossed the line during the 2023 Women's World Cup round against the United States. Take a closer look at these controversial calls. Do you agree with the refs?
Reviews:
School Library Journal (05/01/26)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 05/01/2026 Gr 4–8—In this book, readers learn the rules of the game and how (and why) officials and referees are often the most essential members of the sport. The rules, the calls, and the equipment are introduced and explained. Next, the most controversial calls in the sport's history are mentioned and analyzed. Even now, fans around the world talk about the controversial call from the 1986 World Cup Final. Plentiful photos demonstrate the numerous ways an official's role can alter the outcome of a match. Tween soccer fans will recognize the calls made and the technology used on the pitch to make accurate decisions. Orange-and-green "Time Out" boxes offer fun facts, and "You Make the Call" prompts at the end of each chapter invite readers to put themselves in the shoes of a referee. Bolded words in the text are defined in a glossary at the end of the book; other back matter includes an index, a list of websites, and a "Read More" section. VERDICT A useful text to educate children on what all the calls mean in soccer and to understand why many fans and players have a complicated relationship with the officials; recommended for juvenile nonfiction collections. - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
