Football players are some of the most followed and admired people on the planet. Some of them achieve the status of god long before their careers come to an end. But situations take a turn for the worse at times, especially when fans come face to face with opposition players.
Pent up frustrations are bound to surface and boil over.
Here are the five times players and fans fought on the football pitch.
#1 Eran Zahavi (November 2014)
With the Tel Aviv derby all tied at 1-1 in Hapoel Tel Aviv's home stadium, Maccabi star Eran Zahavi was attacked by a fan who broke onto the pitch. The Israeli player was already hot topic, having played for both Hapoel and Maccabi. The midfielder had slotted home a penalty, which riled up the aggressive crowd even further.
The shirtless supporter first kicked the ball away, and then charged at the player. They both proceeded to exchange weak blows and a kick. Before things could escalate further, the guards stepped in along with other players present on the field. Things got further out of hand after the referee showed Zahavi the red card, leading to a huge uproar from the Maccabi players and coaching staff.
The players threatened to leave the pitch in retaliation to the unjust sending off. The game went on to last just ten more minutes, as more pitch invaders went on to disrupt the game. The referee was forced to call off the match.
The fan, later identified as Elroy Yadi, also caused an altercation with rival fans in court where he was brought up on charges. He has since been banned by the club.
#2 Chris Kirkland (October 2012)
Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper, Chris Kirkland, was attacked by a Leeds fan during a heated Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough. The atmosphere was toxic with fans in the crowd also ripping up seats and directing abusive chants at the players.
Neil Warnock, the manager of Leeds at the time was embarrassed by the behaviour of his own fans.
The 21-year-old fan Aaron Cawley pleaded guilty to assault and invading the pitch. He was ordered to pay £85 costs and given a six-year banning order. Cawley apparently told officers he had drunk a number of cans of lager, followed by three-quarters of a litre of vodka and topped it off with seven to ten pints of cider. He said he only realised what he had done when he saw himself on TV.
(Video Courtesy: mattijn11)
“I felt embarrassed to be a manager when I saw that. It was an absolute disgrace. They should get the guy and prosecute him and put him in prison. He (Kirkland) went down like a ton of bricks but that doesn’t make a difference. Nobody should be on the pitch doing that. That moron has spoiled everything for everyone. I am not proud of being Leeds manager when I see that. I am absolutely embarrassed. They had enough security, but if a person like him with a five-year-old mentality wants to get on, they can’t stop him.”
#3 Bella Vista and Tiro Federal fans (June 2016)
Bell Vista beat Tiro Federal 3-2 and the Argentinian side clinched the league title. However, instead of celebrating their club's success, their fans had other ideas. They decided to attack the Tiro players instead, as a mass brawl broke out on the pitch.
The Tiro players, however, stood their ground and fought. As punches and kicks flew in from everywhere, footage showed one fan being kicked right on the head by a Tiro player. However things grew out of control, and the Tiro players were forced to escape from the pitch through a hole in the wire fence surrounding the pitch made by their own fans.
Argentinian footballing fans are known to be some of the most passionate supporters on this planet. However, even the best go over the board sometimes.
#4 George Galamaz
(Video Courtesy: ODN)
Steaua Bucharest were leading their league match against Petrolul 1-0 and were awarded a penalty. As the Steaua player got ready to take it, incensed Petrolul fans ran onto the pitch. One of them evaded the stewards and ran straight towards George Galamaz, and punched him squarely on the side of his head. The attack left the player temporarily deaf in one ear while also picking up a cheekbone fracture.
The fan identified as Stefan Dragos Enache continued running towards other players, until he was taken down rather brutally by Steaua defender Novak Martinovic. Goalkeeper Razcan Stanca joined in as well, till security managed tolead the fan away. Both Martinovic and Stanca were issued red cards and sent off.
Matters turned worse when Steaua managed to convert the penalty and increase their lead by two goals to nothing. The Petrolul fans now took their anger out on the new Steaua goalkeeper and threw a flare right at him. Cirprian Tatarasanu was struck on his back, suffering burns and fell to the ground, writhing in pain.
The game was initially called off for 10 minutes but then after consultation with other match officials, the game was completely abandoned.
#5 Eric Cantona
Manchester United travelled to Selhurst Park in 1995 on a Wednesday night, as they played catch up to Blackburn who were nestled quite comfortably on the top of the league. Crystal Palace meanwhile were in their own relegation battle and were in a desperate need of points. Richard Shaw was given the dubious job of making sure that Eric Cantona didn't have a large impact on the game that was to follow.
The two had a number of altercations on the pitch, most of which were quite rough. So rough that even Cantona was taken aback. "No yellow cards, then?," asked the Frenchman to referee Alan Wilkie. Cantona eventually decided that it was time to take matters into his own hands. In Crystal Palace midfielder John Salako's own words, "It was all Shawsy's fault as well. Richard is the best man-marker ever. He had a job to do on Eric and he did it so well. Eric got so frustrated he literally booted Shawsy up the arse. Eric lost the plot."
Cantona was shown a direct red card, his fifth for United overall. As the Frenchman walked towards the tunnel, Palace fan Simmons taunted him. According to him, all he said was, "Off, off, off! It's an early bath for you, Cantona." Others around him though, have a different version of the events and the fan apparently shouted, "You dirty French bastard. F--- off back to France."
(Video Courtesy: Ryan C YouTube Channel)
The words, however, triggered Cantona who threw himself at the fan, in what the internet describes as a ‘Kung Fu kick’. The Frenchman had to be led away by stewards. He was banned for nine months and given 120 hours of community service. Almost two decades after the incident, Cantona has no regrets. “I didn’t punch him strong enough. I should have punched him harder."
