adminTHE English Premier League has certainly seen its fair share of colourful characters over the years. There are hero and villains and there are still plenty of players that always seem to be on the wrong side of the law.
With plenty of pressure and temptations being thrown at them every week and with an almost endless supply of disposable cash at their side it’s not too surprising to see some of the younger, and even on occasions more experienced, footballers finding themselves in trouble from time to time.
With the recent furor surrounding Diego Costa, we’ve been inspired to look back at some of the Premier League’s baddest bad boys.
John Terry
We kick off with England international and Chelsea captain John Terry who often lets his mouth and hot-headed temperament get the better of him both on and off the pitch.
Back in 2001, he along with some fellow Chelsea teammates were involved in an incident were there were accused of drunkenly mocking some American tourists the day after the September 11th attacks.
As if that wasn’t bad enough just a few months later he was charged with assault on a nightclub bouncer, although eventually cleared during trial.
And the less said about the allegations of having an affair with ex-teammate Wayne Bridge’s then girlfriend the better.
Joey Barton
He may have been involved in some of sports funniest moments but he also has a reputation as a bad boy.
Joey Barton current plays for Burnley but the ex-Manchester City midfielder has had quite a colourful career off the pitch which has led to a number of disciplinary issues.
In 2008, he spent 77 days in prison for a six month sentence following an assault and affray incident in Liverpool.
And in the very same year he received a four month suspended sentence for assaulting Man City teammate Ousmane Dabo in training for which he was given 200 hours of community service.
Eric Cantona
French former footballing star Eric Cantona certainly made his mark at Old Trafford during his Manchester United playing days.
He was enigmatic and always exciting to watch but it was back in 1995 that the then 28-year-old achieved his biggest bout of notoriety when he got so wound up after being sent off during a game against Crystal Palace he launched a flying kung-fu kick towards a Palace fan.
Cantona was set to spend some time behind bars which was eventually turned around leaving him with 120 hours of community service and also being handed a nine-month ban by the FA—Online
Online Reporter