Federici sorry for Arsenal goal: seven keepers who got less sympathy

Unfortunate Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici has apologised for his blunder that gifted Arsenal victory in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday and has thanked fans for their support.

The Australian let a straightforward shot from Alexis Sanchez slip through his fingers and trickle over the line during extra time of the clash at Wembley, and despite making several outstanding saves in the game, which kept his side in the tie, Federici was inconsolable after the match and left the field in tears.

Reaction to his mistake was largely sympathetic, and he took to Twitter on Monday to thank the fans who have rallied round him. But Federici is by no means the first keeper to make a gaffe in a big game. Here are seven other goalkeepers who were left with egg on their faces and were afforded far less sympathy.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Rob Green, England 2010

England were touted as potential winners of the 2010 World Cup and things started well as they took the lead against the USA in their first group game, but after half an hour keeper Green made a dire error as he fielded Clint Dempsey's weak shot, allowing the ball to slip through his hands and over the line. His error was similar to Federici's but Green got a far less sympathetic reaction from the fans than the Reading keeper.

Tim Flowers, Blackburn Rovers 1996

Can you really blame Blackburn keeper Flowers for the freaky bounce that sent Stan Collymore's weak shot looping over his head as he stooped to collect it? It depends on whether you subscribe to the view that it was Flowers who created the divot in the penalty area in a bid to orientate himself – a common tactic of keepers. Either way he and Collymore both looked equally confused when the ball ended up in the net.

David Seaman, Arsenal 1995

The former Arsenal keeper sent a tweet in support of Federici after the match, and he will know just how the unfortunate Reading keeper feels. Seaman had a glittering career but, like many keepers, is best remembered for his errors. There was the Ronaldinho goal for Brazil that sailed over his head and knocked England out of the 2002 World Cup, but before that there was the disastrous moment when he was chipped by ex-Spurs midfielder Nayim from 40 yards in the final moments of the 1995 Cup Winners Cup. He was given a far less generous reception by the fans afterwards.

Packie Bonner, Ireland 1994

In 1990 the Irish keeper was the hero, saving a crucial penalty against Romania, as Jack Charlton's men made it to the quarter finals of the World Cup in Italy. But most fans outside the Emerald Isle will associate him with a howler against the Netherlands four years later in the USA. With the Dutch 1-0 up and half time approaching, Wim Jonk shot from distance. The looping shot appeared a routine save for Bonner, but the ball slipped between his hands and dribbled over the line. The game finished 2-0 to the Dutch.

Andy Dibble, Manchester City 1990

Quick thinking on the part of a winger, or a fatal lapse of concentration by the keeper? Either way Gary Crosby's famous goal for Nottingham Forest against Man City in 1990 left the gloveman looking pretty foolish. Having dealt with a Forest cross Dibble failed to spot the opposition winger Crosby behind him and was flabbergasted when he headed the ball out of his palm and knocked it into the net. It couldn't happen today, and for that the keeper's union should be grateful.

Moacyr Barbosa, Brazil 1950

Prior to Brazil's 7-1 humilition in the 2014 World Cup, the nation's lowest point had come in the 1950 World Cup when they lost to Uruguay in what was essentially the final. Goalkeeper Barbosa was made the scapegoat for allowing Alcides Ghiggia's winning goal to creep in at the near post. In his book on goalkeepers, The Outsider, Jonathan Wilson writes that Barbosa never escaped the trauma. "In Brazil," said Barbosa before his death in 2000, "the maximum sentence is 30 years, but my imprisonment has been for 50."

Dan Lewis, Arsenal 1927

Another Gunners goalkeeping mishap led to the FA Cup leaving England for the first and only time in its history. Arsenal were playing Cardiff in the 1927 final when Hughie Ferguson managed a weak shot towards Arsenal keeper Lewis. Just like Federici, Lewis thought he had it covered, but the ball slipped from his grasp and in his desperation to reclaim it he knocked it over the line. Lewis reportedly never recovered from the error, which he blamed on a greasy new jersey.