Ranking The 5 Footballers With the Most Scandals in History

Renowned for their remarkable skills, football stars like Diego Maradona, Eric Cantona, Paul Gascoigne, Luis Suarez, and Mario Balotelli stand out as some of the most eccentric figures in the beautiful game.

While they have achieved fame and success on the pitch, they have also been notorious for their on-field and off-field antics.

Their behaviour has included biting opponents, assaulting referees, and engaging in altercations with teammates, coaches, and even fans.

Regrettably, some of them have even been embroiled in illegal activities, leading to imprisonment at certain points in their careers.

Sports Brief delves into the top five football stars with the most scandals in football history.

5. Paul Gascoigne

Popularly known as Gazza, Gascoigne was a remarkable player known for his astute awareness and is hailed as one of the most gifted midfielders of his generation.

The England legend's on-pitch performances are forever etched in people's memories, particularly his exceptional technical skills and swift ball control.

However, Gascoigne's journey has been marred by issues unrelated to football. Following his retirement, he faced a challenging battle with alcohol and drug addiction, according to the BBC.

Gazza has been arrested multiple times for driving under the influence and for drug possession. Despite several attempts at rehabilitation, he struggled to overcome his addictions.

In 2005, Gascoigne's addiction issues also affected his coaching role at Kettering Town Club, resulting in his dismissal from the team.

4. Eric Cantona

Cantona enjoyed a magnificent career at Manchester United, but he was also known for his unyielding and impulsive nature, often disregarding the potential consequences.

One of his most infamous incidents occurred in 1995 when, after receiving a red card, he delivered a 'Kung fu kick' to a Crystal Palace fan while leaving the pitch.

According to Fox Sports, this shocking act led to a two-week prison sentence, but Cantona successfully appealed and was instead given 120 hours of community service.

Despite the legal victory, he faced an eight-month ban from the Football Association and had to pay a fine equivalent to two weeks' salary for the club.

During the early stages of his career at Auxerre, he also got into trouble for punching a teammate in the face, leading to his suspension and a financial penalty.

Furthermore, Cantona's list of scandals extended to throwing a ball at a referee, which earned him a three-month ban from the game.

3. Mario Balotelli

Balotelli has faced numerous repercussions due to his frequent courting of controversy, often displaying bizarre behaviour and unpredictable temperament. He often seems to act without any concern for the consequences.

In 2010, he had a heated argument with the then-coach, Jose Mourinho. The Italian further added to his notoriety by wearing the shirt of rival club, AC Milan, during a live television show during his time playing for Inter Milan.

Upon joining Manchester City, Balotelli's disruptive behaviour continued as he infamously threw darts at a teammate during his first season in England.

In general, his time at City was marked by a lack of respect for authority, leading to conflicts with coach, Roberto Mancini, and altercations with fellow players during training sessions.

In October 2010, Balotelli and his brother were questioned by the police for driving into a female prison. Balotelli claimed he was trying to understand life on the inside but the incident raised eyebrows.

During a derby match against Manchester United, Balotelli scored a goal and celebrated by removing his shirt, revealing the words 'Why always me?' The next day, he set off fireworks in a bathroom as celebrations continued.

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2. Diego Maradona

Maradona is renowned for his unsportsmanlike conduct and controversial actions. One of his most notorious incidents occurred during the 1986 World Cup, where he infamously used his left hand to punch the ball into the net, resulting in the infamous goal known as 'The Hand of God'.

This goal secured Argentina's 2-1 victory over England in the quarter-finals but also sparked outrage. After the match, he made a statement that is remembered to this day: "I scored with my head and God’s hand."

In 1994, Maradona and Argentina participated in the World Cup held in the United States. However, he faced allegations of doping after failing a drug test, leading to his exclusion from the tournament and a 15-month suspension.

Throughout his stints with Barcelona and Napoli, the legend was also said to have struggled with a 'white powder' addiction. His retirement in 1997 was followed by numerous health issues resulting from his alleged drug abuse.

1. Luis Suarez

Suarez is known for his goal-scoring prowess and controversial incidents. One notable scandal was a racial incident with Manchester United's Patrice Evra in 2011, resulting in the Uruguayan being suspended for eight matches and a £40,000 fine.

Prior to this incident, the striker's history of misconduct saw him involved in a physical altercation with his teammate, Albert Luque, during his time at Ajax Amsterdam in 2009.

In the 2010 World Cup quarter-final, Suarez intentionally used his hand to prevent Black Stars striker, Asamoah Gyan, from scoring for Ghana in the final minute of added extra time.

However, Suarez is most notorious for his repeated instances of biting his opponents - not just once but thrice. The first incident took place in October 2010 when he bit PSV defender, Otman Bakkal.

As a consequence of this, the Uruguayan received a seven-match suspension. Three years later, while playing for Liverpool, he bit Branislav Ivanovic during a match against Chelsea, resulting in a 10-match suspension.

Suarez's third victim was Italian defender, Giorgio Chiellini, during the group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

This time, he left visible bite marks on his marker's shoulder and was subsequently banned from participating in international matches for four months.