Eight of the most controversial footballers around the world

Football is easily the most watched sport in the world. It is followed by all manners of personalities and a majority of the players fit the cliché clean-cut and courteous image, mostly to appease corporate sponsors. However, not everyone fits this bill and some players’ conduct could easily earn them a red card in the field of public opinion.

LUIS SUAREZ The Uruguay native has enjoyed huge success from his heydays at Liverpool Football Club and his score card went up after joining Spanish giants Barcelona. Suarez is also known for those moments that he brings a bit more of character to the pitch.

His recent controversy hit the public, when he threw tantrums for not being allowed to play in the game against Venezuela during the Copa America 2016 match that saw his home team edged out of the competition after suffering a 1-0 defeat.

The former highest top scorer in La-Liga lost his temper and threw one of his boots on to the pitch. This after he was told by coach Oscar Tabarez he would not play a part in the game. Suarez is also known for two of his biggest controversies; racist claims and biting opponents. During the last World Cup, Suarez had to be sent of the pitch after biting a player and was the subject of hilarious online memes afterwards.

The biggest controversy of Suarez’s career, though, is the racist exchange with then Manchester United left-back, Patrice Evra. Suarez was found guilty of abusing the Frenchman and banned for eight games. During the 2010 World Cup, he openly handled the ball to stop it from going in and was sent off. The move saved his team from elimination by Ghana.

MARIO BALOTELLI Four years ago ‘Super Mario’ scored at will and propelled Italy to the European Championship in 2012. This explains why many were disappointed after Italy coach Antonio Conte omitted the Liverpool star from this year’s line-up. From having bananas thrown at him on the pitch to owning a camouflage Bentley, Mario sure knows how to keep the crowd entertained.

During his three years at Manchester City, Balotelli set his house alight with fireworks, was found carrying £5000 (an equivalent of Sh743,000) cash in his pocket and drove into an Italian women’s prison to have a look around. His most iconic stunt came about when he revealed an undershirt which read, “Why always me?” after scoring in the Manchester derby.

He also physically fought then Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, which led to not only his falling out with the manager but a majority of managers in the league.

CHRISTIANO RONALDO The fact that he is the highest paid sports personality does not seem to be reason enough for him to not be controversial. His most recent controversy, before the Euros, was where he demeaned his Real Madrid team mates by claiming that they were not of the same standards as he was.

With Gareth Bale, Pepe and Marcelo absent through injury and Karim Benzema forced off Ronaldo hit out at his teammates, according to Sky Sports, stating: “If we were all at my level, maybe we would be leaders.” He later claimed he was referring to his fitness levels. CR7 has picked up nine red cards, arguably, with the most controversial coming during the 2014-15 season against Cordoba.

Evidently frustrated at their opponent’s dogged display, Ronaldo was dismissed for kicking out at defender in an incident that saw the Portuguese star receive a two-match ban.

DAVID DE GEA With the start of the Euro 2016, many were happy and De Gea was too, until he learned he was being the target of a sex scandal pitting him as a witness in a party at which two women were forced to have sex with two footballers.

His name and Athletic Bilbao’s Iker Muniain appeared in the testimony of a “protected witness” as part of an investigation into Ignacio Allende, a porn producer in Spain who was detained in April for alleged sexual abuse of minors and spreading child pornography. The witness reportedly said she -- along with another woman -- was forced against her will to participate in a party in 2012 organised by De Gea, in which they both had sex with footballers.

DIEGO MARADONA One of the best players to grace the beautiful sport also has the accolade ‘King of controversy’ appended to his name.

At the World Cup in 1986, in Mexico, during the game against England, his famous “Hand of God” goal became a big controversy. Moreover, in 1994 this midfielder was sent home from the tournament as it was revealed that he failed to pass the drug test. The stimulant ephedrine was found in his blood sample.

Also, he has had a public fight with cocaine when he was playing for Napoli. Adding to his controversies, Maradona received a jail sentence for shooting at journalists with an air rifle.

FRANK RIBERY The Bayern Munich star never leaves us dry outside on the pitch, or off it. Back in 2015, Ribery and Benzema were being investigated for allegedly having sex with an underage prostitute. While prostitution is legal in France, Ribery was accused of not only underpaying the girls he hired, but also of hiring an underage prostitute.

Apparently, Ribéry supplemented an anonymous former footballer pal with a budget of €15,000 (Sh1.71m) to spend on a dozen escort girls to come to Munich for a weekend. This friend, it is said, underpaid the girls, only offering them €500 (Sh57,000) each and pocketing the rest. Back in 2010 the player had also been charged of paying an underage girl for sex.

SERGIO RAMOS The Real Madrid defender has grossed a total of 21 red cards.

JOEY BARTON The 31 year old midfielder once broke the leg of a pedestrian while driving his car in Liverpool City Centre. He has also got a six-month prison sentence after getting into a fight.