HORROR SHOWS ON HALLOWEEN

I might have used this piece of history before; after all it is Halloween and strange things happen! On this day in 2002 there was a Halloween horror show when Madagascan (now known as Malagasy) club, Stade Olympique L'Emryne (who had won the League title the previous season) lost to AS Adema in a league game, by a world record shattering 149-0. The match was played at the Barikadimy Stadium, Toamasina, where these two teams played in the Madagascan top flight match- the THB Champions League.

Arbroath’s huge victory of 36-0 against Bon Accord would be the record for the most goals scored in a match for a total of 117 years, until the record was eventually beaten by Antananarivo rivals AS Adema and SO l’Emyrne in 2002. SO Emyrne had won the THB Champions League in 2001. However, 2002 was to be AS Adema’s year. In fact, by the time this match was played, AS Adema had already wrapped up the title, after a draw for SO Emyrne in their penultimate match saw them concede defeat in the title race. The club saw a late penalty given against them in that game, which was undeniably a debatable call by the referee. Of course, given the ramifications, the club weren’t so happy with the decision and decided to stage a protest in their final game against champions AS Adema. The SO Emyrne players kicked off and immediately passed the ball into their own net. They kicked off against and repeated the skill!! Unsurprisingly, by the time the referee blew the final whistle, the game had smashed the record for most goals in a match by a country mile, ending 149-0 to the home side. The silly stunt cost the SO Emyrne coach, as well as four club players (including the Madagascan national team captain) their jobs, with the Football Association handing out three year bans to each of them. 

Yet, despite the punishment, the thrown game earned them an otherwise unlikely place in the Guinness Book of Records. win would hold on to the record for the most goals scored in a match for a total of 117 years, until the record was eventually beaten by Antananarivo rivals AS Adema and SO l’Emyrne in 2002. 

Clocking in at the rate of two goals per minute, SOL'E fired the ball into their own net(s), second after second (straight from their kick off!!) in a protest against the referee's decision that saw their match coach, Ratsimandresy Ratsarazaka (yes, try saying that after a couple of Whitbreads), lose his composure on the pitch side. 

The record score ended an eventful week for Adema, whose had just won the Malagasy League title! With opponents AS Adema (below), having already been crowned champions, due to Emryne drawing their penultimate match, Emryne proceeded to sabotage the contest.

From kick-off, Emryne repeatedly kicked the ball into their own goal as their opponents looked on in bewilderment, until the match ended with Emryne (below) having scored 149 own goals. 

This broke Arbroath's record of most goals scored in a senior football match, with their tally of 36 against Bon Accord having stood since 1885. Emryne, who hail from Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, had been the defending champions following their maiden league title the season before. However, their title defence ended in disgrace as the football federation handed out strict punishments to those involved in the 149-0 loss. 

Head coach Zaka Ratsarazaka was reportedly banned from football for three years, whilst four players were suspended from playing or attending matches for the rest of 2002. These included national team captain Mamisoa Razafindrakoto and club captain Manitranirina Andrianiaina. At the time, federation president Jacques Benony told the press that "the sanctions have been put in place," with the federation itself dissolved shortly after before being reconstituted. 

All other players from both sides were handed a warning about their future conduct and told that more serious sanctions could be handed out for similar offences in the future. The referee was not punished, although it was understood that he had been involved in a heated argument with Ratsarazaka. 

SO, Emryne have been unable to add to their 2001 league title in the two decades since their record loss and are no longer members of the Malagasy top flight. The Pro League Championnat de Football National Division 1 (known as Orange Pro League Madagascar, for sponsorship reasons) is the premier football league in Madagascar. Prior to 2019, it was known as the Three Horses Beer-sponsored the THB Champions' League.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqK3SSLkmJ0&t=48s

Dont forget these:

36-0: Arbroath v Bon Accord-yes, it's the Scots! Arbroath goalkeeper Jim Milne Sr, the easiest match in his career, as he failed to register a single touch of the ball. 

79-0: Plateau United Founders vs Akurba FC In Nigeria, in 2013, the Plateau Utd feeder team were one of four clubs suspended, pending an investigation into their 79–0 victory over Akurba FC. The four clubs were accused of match-fixing in order to advance into the professional league.