Top 5 Football Scandals

 Welcome back to our sports law blog. There has been plenty of controversies involving football, and for a sport attracting plenty of attention and generating plenty of money, it is likely to have its fair share of controversies as well.

Although, most footballers do have excellent virtues and can be a role model on and off the pitch, there are many who are involved in affairs and the like, and when they do get caught, it is devastating for the footballer and those around them.

There have been many scandals in world football ranging from match-fixing to drugs, and many footballers have been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. This is a list of the top 5 of these scandals, brought to you by the Chris Farnell lawyer blog. 

1. The Calciopoli Scandal 

Calciopoli Scandal in 2006 rocked world football when it emerged that many top clubs in Italy had been involved in influencing the appointment of referees for their games among various other allegations.

Juventus who had won the 2005 and 2006 league were stripped of their titles and were relegated to Serie B where they stayed for one season before returning to top flight immediately. Though Juventus were punished seriously for their involvement, AC Milan and some other clubs could consider themselves fortunate not to endure such serious consequences.

It had a major impact on Italian and world football, and since then, extra precautions have been enforced in football in this regard. Juventus have since not won a single league title and have not been the same force in the last few seasons though under the diligent Antonio Conte, they have shown that they can be serious contenders for the title this season.

2. John Terry's Affair with Wayne Bridge's Wife 

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge was devastated after it emerged that John Terry could be involved in an affair with his wife Vanessa Perroncel. Bridge and Terry have played together for both Chelsea and England in the past and were considered to be good friends before this incident. It is no surprise that Bridge reacted in this manner and even refused to play for England if he is to play alongside Terry.

In the games against Chelsea that he has taken part since details of the alleged affair emerged, he has refused to shake hands with Terry. The Chelsea defender also had a tough time following the affair, considering that he was stripped of his captaincy before the world cup by Fabio Capello and had to endure plenty of criticism.

3. Robert Hoyzer's Fixing Scandal

German referee Robert Hoyzer was under the scanner after the German football federation suspected him of rigging a Cup game involving Hamburg. He had initially denied the charge but later accepted that he was to be blamed and promised to cooperate completely for the investigation. In the game between Hamburg and Paderborn that was investigated by the DFB, he awarded two penalties against Hamburg and also sent off a Hamburg game.

4. Adrian Mutu Drug Scandal 

Adrian Mutu was signed by Chelsea FC in August 2003 from Parma for big money and then, just over a year of his stay at Stamford Bridge, he was embroiled in plenty of controversy when he was sacked after he was found using cocaine.

This led to his suspension, and he was subsequently moved on by the club. Mutu was ordered to pay a bill in excess of £14.6 million after he was moved on under forced circumstances by the Blues. 

5. The Murder of Andres Escobar

Colombian defender Andres Escobar was murdered in July 1994 just after the team was eliminated from the World Cup due to his own goal, and it is widely believed that it was why he was killed.

It could be some drug traffickers who lost money betting on the team that they targeted the respectable defender. In the above video, it is quite clear that it was an unfortunate error which could happen at times even to the best defenders of the game, and it is a tragedy that he was murdered.

To read more football news and sports law updates, check back soon our blog. You can also read the Chris Farnell lawyer blog here.