5 famous footballers who attacked fans

In a game of high stakes, winning or losing matters a lot. Players and fans get irate when decisions go against them. Most of them take it lightly while others don't. We have frequently seen players show their frustration against not just other players, but also against referees. This is acceptable to some extent, but there is a limit.

But, things get ugly sometimes when players show their anger towards the fans. Attacking a fan is completely unacceptable in any form of professional sport and football is no different. Severe punishment awaits the offender and their career is at stake.

Let's take a look at 5 famous footballers who attacked the fans in the stadium:

---

#1 Craig Bellamy (Manchester City)

Bellamy attacking a United fan during Manchester Derby

Sparks always fly whenever Manchester United play their arch-rivals - Manchester City. This incident happened during the Manchester derby in 2009. In a heated game at Old Trafford, it was all square at 3-3 after 90 minutes. But Michael Owen had other thoughts as he scored the injury-time winner to seal the contest 4-3 in United's favour.

As a celebratory run, a male Manchester United fan invaded the pitch from United's home section. Stewards had the situation under control, but Craig Bellamy lost his cool. He went straight to the fan and slapped him in the face.

No complaints were filed against him, but Craig Bellamy was investigated by the Manchester Police and the Football Association (FA) launched an investigation on him. They later decided against charging the player with improper conduct, as the match referee Martin Atkinson gave his vote to Craig Bellamy.

Here's a video of the incident:

#4 Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)

Jamie Carragher arguing with the referee Mike Riley during the incident

The Anfield legend, Jamie Carragher, has a history of bad conducts during his playing days at Liverpool, but none was worse than this. In an away fourth round FA cup game against Arsenal at Highbury in the 2001-02 season, the 24-year-old was stamped on by Dennis Bergkamp, who was subsequently sent off.

Frustrated Arsenal fans turned against Carragher after Bergkamp was sent off, and one irate Arsenal fan threw a coin at Jamie Carragher. Angered by the incident, Jamie Carragher threw the coin immediately back at the fan who threw it at him, and was sent off by the referee Mike Riley for violent conduct. Two of the fans got hurt during the incident.

Carragher was fined £40,000 by Liverpool and was banned for three games. He later apologized for his poor behavior, but was very lucky to escape without any legal charges. A police complaint was filed against Carragher, but was later withdrawn.

You can watch the entire incident here:

#3 Alan Smith (Leeds United)

Alan Smith remained a controversial player throughout his playing career

Former England international and Manchester United player Alan Smith was known for poor conducts throughout his career. By the age of 23, Alan Smith had already received 8 red cards.

While playing for Leeds United in 2003, he got into big trouble in a League Cup game against Manchester United at Elland Road. A Leeds United supporter pelted a bottle onto the field, towards Manchester United player Chris Eagles. Frustrated by the incident, Alan Smith picked up the bottle and threw it back into the crowd.

It missed the mischievous fan who threw it, and instead, fell on another Leeds United supporter. He was injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. Alan Smith was forced to make an apology to the fan and his family, and was even arrested for it.

#2 Eric Cantona (Manchester United)

Eric Cantona KUNG-FU kicked a fan

This is still considered as one of the worst moments in football history. It has been 22 years since the incident, but it still lives in the memory of many players and fans. Chasing their third successive title, Manchester United travelled to Selhurst Park (in January 1995), and a win would lift Manchester United to the top of Premier League table.

During the second half of the game, Eric Cantona and Crystal Palace's Richard Shaw got involved in an ugly tussle, which resulted in Cantona kicking the Crystal Palace player. Cantona was rightly sent off by the referee and then came the drama.

Cantona halfheartedly turned back and walked towards the tunnel when a Palace fan, named Matthew Simmons, raced towards him and spoke out some harsh words. Still angry with his sending off, Cantona launched himself onto the Crystal Palace supporter with a shocking kung-fu style kick.

Later came the suspension and Cantona was found guilty of assault and sentenced to 2 weeks in prison. On further appeal, It was later reduced to 120 hours of community service. This incident shocked the footballing world and tarnished Cantona's reputation forever.

Here is the incident that left the world gasping:

#1 Patrice Evra (Marseille)

Former United man lost his cool and aimed a kick at his own fan

In a Europa League tie this season (2017-18), against Vitoria SC, Marseille's Patrice Evra was sent off even before kick-off as he attempted to kick a fan on the sidelines during the pre-match warm-up.

Patrice Evra had a poor season so far with Marseille and the fans were not happy with his performances. Before kick-off, near the sidelines, travelling fans were aiming negative chants at the former Manchester United defender. Then they broke past the stadium barriers to confront Patrice Evra.

They were drawn into a really heated argument and all of a sudden, Patrice Evra aimed a high kick over the advertising boards towards a fan on the sidelines. He was rightly sent off by the referee for his violent misconduct.

Evra was fined €10,000 by UEFA and was banned from playing in European competitions until next summer. It was not the end of it. Patrice Evra was also fired by Marseille, and his contract was immediately terminated.

BREAKING: #Marseille defender Patrice #Evra has been banned for 7 months for kicking one of his own supporters before a #EuropaLeague match. pic.twitter.com/5flmxZRQAv

— SportStats.com (@SportStats_com) November 10, 2017