Controversy surrounds 1990 World Cup Germany-Netherlands match

The 1990 World Cup round-of-16 match between Germany and the Netherlands at San Siro remains one of football's most controversial encounters due to an incident involving Frank Rijkaard and Frank Völler.

During the match on June 24, Rijkaard received a yellow card for a foul on Völler. Following the incident, Rijkaard spat at Völler's back and subsequently pulled the German striker's hair during a confrontation. Referee Juan Carlos Loustau issued second yellow cards to both players. FIFA later suspended Rijkaard for three matches and Völler for one.

Germany eventually won the match 2-1 with goals from Jürgen Klinsmann and Andreas Brehme, later going on to win the tournament. Rijkaard later issued both public and private apologies to Völler, who accepted them, leading to a reconciliation between the two players.