Welcome to our countdown of the top 15 most controversial football bans in history! From shocking on-field incidents to off-field scandals, these moments have left a lasting impact on the beautiful game.

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Number 15, Aleksandar Mitrovic. Mitrovic received an eight-game ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh during an FA Cup match against Manchester United. He returned on May 13 and scored in Fulham’s win against Southampton.

Number 14, Luis Suarez. Suarez was banned for eight games and fined £40,000 for racially abusing Patrice Evra in 2011. He refused to shake Evra’s hand upon his return, causing further controversy.

Number 13, Luis Suarez. Suarez was suspended for 10 games in 2013 for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic. He repeated this behavior in the 2014 World Cup, biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini, leading to a four-month ban and a £66,000 fine.

Number 12, David Prutton. Prutton received a 10-game ban and a £6,000 fine in 2005 for pushing referee Alan Wiley after being sent off in a match against Arsenal.

Number 11, Paolo Di Canio. Di Canio was banned for 11 games and fined £10,000 in 1998 for pushing referee Paul Alcock after receiving a red card.

Number 10, Joey Barton. Barton received a 12-game ban and a £75,000 fine for violent conduct during a match at the Etihad Stadium, involving multiple incidents with opposing players.

Number 9, Kolo Toure. Toure was banned for six months in 2011 after testing positive for a banned substance, which he claimed was from his wife’s water tablets.

Number 8, Adrian Mutu. Mutu was banned for seven months in 2004 after testing positive for cocaine. Chelsea terminated his contract and sought compensation, leading to a £16 million fine from FIFA.

Number 7, Ivan Toney. Toney received an eight-month ban and a £50,000 fine for 232 breaches of the FA’s betting laws. He returned in 2024, scoring four goals in 17 appearances for Brentford.

Number 6, Rio Ferdinand. Ferdinand was banned for eight months and fined £50,000 in 2003 for missing a scheduled drugs test, despite passing a later test.

Number 5, Eric Cantona. Cantona received a nine-month ban and a £30,000 fine in 1995 for kung-fu kicking a Crystal Palace supporter. He also completed 120 hours of community service.

Number 4, Mark Bosnich. Bosnich was banned for nine months in 2002 after testing positive for cocaine. Despite appealing, he couldn’t overturn the decision and his career never fully recovered.

Number 3, Sandro Tonali. Tonali was banned for 10 months in 2023 for breaching betting rules, ruling him out of Italy’s Euro 2024 campaign. He also received a suspended two-month sentence.

Number 2, Abel Xavier. Xavier received an 18-month ban in 2005 for testing positive for the anabolic steroid Dianabol. The ban was later reduced to 12 months.

Number 1, Joey Barton. Barton received an 18-month ban for betting on 1,260 matches while at Burnley. The ban was later reduced by five months, but it effectively ended his career.

Join us as we delve into the details of each incident, the repercussions faced by the players, and the lasting impact on their careers. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more football content!

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