Professional footballers are often viewed as role models and heroes to the millions who love the beautiful game. However, it’s sometimes easy to forget that they are human.
Over the years, some of the finest stars to grace the pitch have fallen foul to the long arm of the law. No matter how powerful and influential they may seem, they are not immune from prosecution.
Some unfortunate and often crazy decision making has seen a number of pros banged up for their actions. Here at SportsLens, we take a look at 10 footballers who have served prison sentences.
Joey Barton Prison
A menace on and off the pitch, Joey Barton was sentenced to six months in prison in 2008. He drove his car into a pedestrian in Liverpool city centre but served just 77 days.
Whilst serving this charge, Barton was also convicted of ABH and given a four month suspended sentence after admitting to assaulting former teammate Ousmane Dabo.
In 2004, Barton famously stubbed out a cigar in Jamie Tandy’s eye after a series of pranks went OTT. However, Barton never felt the wrath of the law for this incident.
Ronaldinho Passport
In one of the more bizarre cases of a footballer going to prison, Brazilian legend Ronaldinho did so in 2020 for forging passports.
The former Barcelona and Samba star spent five months in Asuncion prison, Paraguay. It has been widely regarded as one of the most dangerous prisons in the world.
Ronaldinho was initially given five years alongside his brother but were offered a plea deal of around £200k. He played football with the guards, according to various sources.
Ian Wright Conviction
Before he became a Premier League star and a TV and radio personality, Ian Wright done bird for two weeks when he was 19.
The reason Wright was convicted was due to non-payment for driving fines and failure to pay taxes and insurance on his cars.
Although the sentence itself was short, Wright has credited his time inside as a hugely valuable lesson. He also claims it set him on the straight and narrow.
Duncan Ferguson Headbutt
Duncan Ferguson is probably one of the hardest players ever to play professional football. You’d have to be very brave to mess with ‘Big Dunc.’
With that in mind, the former Everton and Scotland star was sentenced to three months in Barlinnie prison after he was convicted for an on-the-field incident in 1994.
Ferguson headbutted Raith Rovers defender John McStay mid-game whilst playing for Rangers. He would go on to serve just 44 days.
Tony Adams Alcoholism
Tony Adams had a glittering 19-year career at Arsenal where he won 13 major honours, including four league titles. However, he had a very well-publicised battle with alcohol as well.
In December 1990, Adams was convicted of drink-driving after crashing his car into a wall. When breathalysed, he was deemed to be four-times the drink drive limit.
Adams was given four months but served just half of his sentence. In 1998, his autobiography Addicted was released to critical acclaim.
Lee Hughes Crash
West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City fans will be very familiar with the talents of former striker Lee Hughes. However, an incident in 2003 completely derailed his career.
Whilst driving his 100k Mercedes, Hughes was involved in a car crash which saw the passenger of another vehicle tragically killed. He also fled the scene.
In 2004, Hughes was given six years for causing death by dangerous driving. The ‘Ginja Ninja’ served jut three years and went on to continue his career in the EFL.
Marlon King Arrest
Marlon King is one of football’s genuine bad-boys who has a string of arrests and convictions to his name. His most notable incident occurred in 2008.
Whilst on a night out in Soho, King punched a 20-year-old female university student. She suffered a cut lip and broken nose.
King was given 18 months for the incident and his club at the time – Wigan Athletic – quickly went about cancelling his contract.
Rene Higuita Kidnapping
Famed for his unorthodox ‘Scorpion Kick’ saves, former Colombia goalkeeper Rene Higuita was caught up in a kidnapping plot involving drug lord Pablo Escobar.
In 1993, Higuita was responsible for delivering ransom money involving the release of the daughter of an acquaintance of Escobar.
Higuita received a payment of £64k and spent seven months banged up. However, he was later released without being charged.
Rene Higuita scorpion kick pic.twitter.com/EG3GjnH55L
— 90s Footballers (@90sPlayers) February 6, 2024
George Best Drink Driving
George Best is one of the most naturally gifted footballers to have ever graced the planet. He also had a very exuberant and publicised career which contained a lot of controversies and naughtiness.
The Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend actually spent 12 weeks locked up in 1984 for drink driving. He also assaulted a police officer and skipped bail.
Best would actually spend Christmas behind bars that year. Sadly, Best lost his life in 2005 due to alcoholism. He was just 59.
Bruno Fernandes de Souza Murder
The most shocking case of a footballer going to prison is that of former Brazilian goalkeeper, Bruno Fernandes de Souza.
The former Flamengo star was convicted of the murder, assault, torture and kidnap of his ex girlfriend. She was also the mother of his youngest child.
De Souza was given a huge 22-year sentence in March 2013. However, he was released in 2019 to serve in a ‘semi-open’ programme which allowed him to work/train but would be under house arrest at night.
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