Fifteen Years On, Yoav Ziv's Infamous Shoe Kick Incident Still Memorable
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Fifteen years after an infamous incident, Israeli footballer Yoav Ziv's shoe-kicking red card against Stoke City in 2011 remains a memorable moment. Ziv accidentally struck a linesman with his shoe after losing it during a challenge, leading to his dismissal. The bizarre event garnered international media attention and resulted in a three-match UEFA ban, a one-match domestic suspension, and a $7,500 fine for Ziv.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yoav Ziv received a red card for accidentally kicking his shoe at a linesman during a 2011 match.
- The incident occurred during a Europa League game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Stoke City.
- International media widely covered the bizarre event, calling it comical and ridiculous.
- Ziv was suspended for three European games and one domestic match, and fined $7,500.
- The shoe-kicking incident became a lasting, memorable moment in Israeli football history.
Fifteen years ago, on October 20, 2011, Israeli footballer Yoav Ziv provided one of the most bizarre moments in Israeli football history. During a Europa League away match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Stoke City in England, Ziv was sent off after kicking his shoe and hitting a linesman. The incident, which occurred in the 55th minute at Britannia Stadium, overshadowed Maccabi Tel Aviv's 3-0 loss to Stoke City.
Ziv lost his shoe during a challenge with Ryan Shotton near the sideline. Frustrated by a missed foul call, Ziv attempted to put his shoe back on but accidentally kicked it with considerable force. The shoe flew directly at Greek linesman Christos Akrivos, striking him. Referee Anastasios Kakos immediately showed Ziv a red card, adding to Stoke City's advantage as they had already seen Cameron Jerome sent off in the first half.
The incident garnered significant attention from international media. The Guardian's Stuart James described it as potentially the "most ridiculous dismissal of the season," while The Independent's John Calley called it a "moment of classic comedy." In the United States, Bleacher Report featured the event, with writer Andrew Cole humorously noting Ziv's kick was "pretty good" and "hit the target." French outlet Maxifoot noted Ziv "completely lost his temper," and Belgian site Voetbal highlighted Ziv's repeated apologies.
Stoke City's manager at the time, Tony Pulis, commented that while he didn't see the incident live, he found it "quite funny" on television. He acknowledged the referee had no choice but to send Ziv off, but described Ziv as a "great guy" with "respect." Ziv himself recognized the incident's viral potential, stating, "The second the shoe flew, I understood it would be a big story. If I could have, I would have caught it in the air." He explained the kick was out of frustration and anger, calling it "one of the funniest moments." He later admitted to becoming an "unwilling YouTube star" due to the widespread sharing of the clip.
UEFA suspended Ziv for an additional three European competition matches, and Maccabi Tel Aviv suspended him for one domestic game. The club also fined him $7,500 approximately three weeks after the incident. These sanctions turned the initially amusing event into a costly one for the player. While the match's scoreline has largely faded into history, Yoav Ziv's shoe incident remains an unforgettable moment in Israeli football's European journey, noted for its absurdity by media worldwide.
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