5 Most controversial figures to ever play in the Premier League

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Altercations and controversies in the EPL

Over the past few decades, the Premier League has been the greatest advert of entertaining, thrilling football across the globe. Unlike Spain, Italy, Germany and France, the league always has several teams vying for the perch which makes each game as fascinating as the other.

The quality of football has been par excellence with the pace and frenetic nature of the Premier League not being matched by any league on the planet. Despite all the pretty, eye-catching football on the pitch, there have been a few ‘ugly’ incidents which have reared its head over the years.

While these incidents haven’t completely taken the sheen off the Premier League’s great achievements, they have been a blemish on an otherwise spotless past.

Through the course of this article, we would look at five of the most controversial players to have graced the Premier League. Though the players shone with their clubs, they also made the headlines for the wrong reasons.

Here is a look at the most controversial players to have played in the Premier League.


#5 Eric Cantona

Eric Cantona Manchester United FA Charity Shield 1996
Eric Cantona

The Frenchman was one of the most gifted footballers to have graced the Theatre of Dreams. Whenever one talks of Cantona, one is instantly reminded of his delightful chip against Sunderland in 1996. However, a year earlier, Cantona had gotten himself on all the front pages for the wrong reason.

In a game against Crystal Palace in 1995, Cantona infamously ‘kung-fu’ kicked a spectator in the crowd. Cantona had received his marching orders for the day and was continuingly being abused by the said fan. However, Cantona’s reaction was way over the top and it earned him a lengthy ban.

For all his ability on the football field, Cantona had a temper on him. Though Cantona was duely immortalized for his genius on the pitch, this act surely went down as one of the most controversial acts ever.

Thus, he makes it into our list at #5.

#4 Roy Keane

Manchester United v Aston Villa
Roy Keane

The next Manchester United player on the list is none other than the Irishman, Roy Keane. The midfielder enjoyed stellar seasons at Manchester United but it wasn’t without his fair share of controversy.

Keane was a tough-tackling midfielder and accumulated an appalling disciplinary record. Over 366 appearances in the league, he picked up 69 yellow cards in addition to 7 red cards.

Roy once infamously lashed out at his teammates and the fans, thus sending tremors across the club. Though Keane had numerous run-ins with opposition players, one act of vengeance towers above all others.

Keane was involved in an altercation with Alf-Inge Haaland. When the pair met in the Premier League, Keane caused him an injury which would cut short the Norwegian’s career.

Though Keane would go down as a celebrated Manchester United midfielder, he always had controversy on his back, wherever he went. Thus, for his antics, he ranks on our list at #4.

#3 Joey Barton

Queens Park Rangers v Leicester City - Sky Bet Championship
Barton was a controversial figure in the Premier League

Joey Barton, the English journeyman, was embroiled in numerous controversies, some off the field and some on it. An energetic midfielder by trade, Barton would, unfortunately be remembered for his controversies on the pitch rather than his performances with the football.

Barton caused a stir when he was very vocal about the performances of his English peers at the 2006 World Cup. However, this wasn’t the only controversy Barton was a part of.

While at Manchester City, he stubbed a lit cigar into a youth team player’s eye during a Christmas party. In addition to this, in 2007, he was banned and given a hefty fine for assaulting Ousmane Dabo on the training ground.

If this wasn’t enough, he also produced a horrendous kick-out on Sergio Aguero in 2012, getting himself banned for 12 games in the process.

Barton was a talented midfielder but could never harness his potential in a positive manner. More than his footballing ability, people across the globe picture him as one of the most controversial players to have stepped foot on a football pitch.

#2 Luis Suarez

Everton v Liverpool - Premier League
Suarez's exponential footballing ability was marred by his
behaviour

For all of Suarez’s genius with the ball, he was involved in a number of controversies during his time at Anfield.

Suarez is one of the most talented and skillful footballers on the planet but he had an ugly side to him, which reared itself more than he would’ve liked. The Uruguayan managed to get an eight-match ban and a ten-match ban during his spell at Liverpool.

His eight-match ban was for his racial abuse at Patrice Evra. Rather than accepting his mistake and moving on, Suarez sent shockwaves when he famously (or infamously) refused to shake Evra’s hand on their next meeting.

In addition to the Evra incident, he was also guilty of ‘biting’ Branislav Ivanovic of Chelsea. The atrocious act earned him a ten-match ban and a huge fine.

Though Suarez set the Premier League alight with his performances, his behavior left a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, whenever Suarez is discussed, his controversies occupy as much a place in the discussion as his sublime footballing prowess.

Thus, he takes the runner-up spot in our list.

#1 Mario Balotelli

Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League
Balotelli and controversy went hand in hand

The most controversial figure to have ever graced the Premier League, is none other than the enigmatic Mario Balotelli. Bought from Inter Milan, the Italian endured countless controversies during his stint at the Etihad.

The Italian had training ground bust-ups for breakfast and was involved in a fair few. Apart from the bust-ups, he was also guilty of throwing darts on an academy player.

However, the icing on the cake was him setting off fireworks in his house a few days before the Manchester Derby. With his place under scrutiny, he started the game and ended up scoring Manchester City’s first goal in a 6-1 drubbing. After scoring the goal, Balotelli lifted his shirt to display a message which said ‘Why Always Me’.

The Italian provided an enormous amount of entertainment to the neutrals while he was always one to frustrate the Manchester City fans.

For his numerous bust-ups and countless controversies, Balotelli takes the No.1 spot on our list.

Honorable Mentions: Lee Bowyer, El Hadji Diouf and John Terry


Agree with our list? Disagree? Let us know in the comments below!

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Edited by Abhinav Munshi