10 Disrespectful Soccer Moments Caught on Camera

Top 10 Disrespectful Soccer Moments Caught on Camera

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Disrespectful Soccer Moments Caught on Camera.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the worst incidents of terrible sportsmanship and behavior in professional football seen on screens.

Overall, who’s the most disrespectful footballer of all time? Let us know below!

#10: Luis Suárez

(2012)
In recent years, Luis Suárez has been one of the most controversial players. Not only did he take a chomp out of three players, but at Liverpool, he was also punished for racist behavior against Manchester United’s Patrice Evra in 2011. When the two teams faced off in 2012 in the Premier League for the first time since the grim incident, the Uruguayan purposely skipped the French international during the handshake at the start, provoking Evra to erupt in anger. But the legendary left-back got some revenge by celebrating United’s 2-1 win right in front of Suárez, which caused officials to get involved. Afterward, players and managers were unhappy with Suárez’s snub. As such, the striker apologized for his sketchy behavior.

#9: Paolo Di Canio

(1998)
For West Ham United fans, Paolo Di Canio is an icon. For other football fans, he’s problematic. After all, he famously did a fascist salute when playing for Lazio and has spoken about supporting that ideology. In September 1998, the Italian forward was playing for Sheffield Wednesday in the Premier League against Arsenal. After a little skirmish, Di Canio grabbed at the face of Martin Keown. Unsurprisingly, referee Paul Alcock lifted up a red card at the striker. Instead of accepting his rash reaction and learning from it, Di Canio pushed the ref, who lost his balance and fell over clumsily. The Football Association issued a massive 11-game ban and a fine of £10,000 against Di Canio.

#8: Lee Bowyer & Kieron Dyer

(2005)
Teammates are meant to support and encourage each other and strive to act in the best interests of their club. But in April 2005, that definitely wasn’t the case for Newcastle United duo Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer. Near the end of the match, with the side down 3-nil against Aston Villa in the Premier League, Bowyer and Dyer began fighting on the pitch and needed to be pulled apart. Due to the shameful behavior, both players were sent off. Reportedly, Bowyer was livid at Dyer for not passing to him, sparking the brawl. On top of fines and suspensions handed out by the FA, Bowyer was also fined by the police for using threatening behavior against his teammate.

#7: Eden Hazard

(2013)
In January 2013, Chelsea was losing two-nil on aggregate to Swansea City in the second leg of the League Cup. With final time approaching, winger Eden Hazard took out his frustration in the worst way possible. As he went to grab the ball to speed up the game, the ball boy, Charlie Morgan, did his best to waste time as Hazard tried to wrestle the football off him. The Belgium player then kicked the teenager in the ribs. Yikes. Hazard was understandably sent-off for the attack. Morgan and the footballer apologized for their respective actions afterward. By the way, Morgan eventually co-founded Au Vodka, a company worth £40 million in 2023.

#6: David Abraham

(2019)
Team captains are usually expected to be level-headed, inspirational, and rational. Well, none of these matched then Eintracht Frankfurt’s captain, David Abraham, when the side took on SC Freiburg in the German Bundesliga in November 2019. In the dying seconds of the game, with Frankfurt losing 1-nil and trying to get an equalizer, the ball went out of play. Freiburg manager Christian Streich let the ball pass him and said something to the center back. Abraham didn’t like that. He shoulder-barged Streich to the floor, causing the Freiburg bench to intervene. On top of getting a red card for his stupid actions, the Argentinian defender was suspended for seven weeks and fined €25,000.

#5: Emiliano Martínez

(2022)
Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martínez had an outstanding 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Not only did his nation win the tournament, but he played a pivotal role in securing the Golden Glove by amassing the most clean sheets. But as the ‘keeper received his handy award, things got weird during his celebration. Martínez, with a goofy expression, placed the trophy near his crotch and pretended it was a golden extension of himself. The famous image of an official looking less than amused was perfection. Even though the moment was a bit funny, it wasn’t the time or place. It got worse for Martínez when his Aston Villa manager Unai Emery announced he would speak to his Number One about his behavior. Uh-oh.

#4: Pepe

(2012)
Legendary Portugal, Real Madrid, and Porto defender Pepe is probably one of the dirtiest players to grace the beautiful game. After all, look at the time he booted Javier Casquero repeatedly! In January 2012, during the El Clásico in the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg, Pepe let his frustrations out on Barcelona’s iconic forward Lionel Messi. With the score 1-all, the Argentine was darting through Real Madrid until José Callejón brought him down, earning himself a yellow card. As Pepe walked over to the ref, he bumped into Messi disrespectfully, then seemingly stamped on his hand. As the referee didn’t see the incident, the defender escaped punishment. Afterward, Pepe apologized and claimed it was unintentional, which the Spanish Federation strangely agreed with.

#3: Select Chelsea Fans

(2012)
In April 1989, the Hillsborough disaster forever shadowed English football when a game between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest caused a crush, resulting in the loss of 97 lives. Liverpool spent years clearing the fans of wrongdoing and trying to get justice for the families. In April 2012, Chelsea faced Tottenham Hotspurs in the FA Cup semi-final. A moment’s silence was held before kick-off on the disaster’s anniversary. Instead of respectfully staying quiet, a portion of the Chelsea fans jeered and booed. Some reportedly chanted “murderers.” The segment was cut short as a result. This sparked other Chelsea supporters to boo those responsible. In April 2023, history sadly repeated itself when some fans chanted similar insults when Chelsea took on Liverpool in the Premier League.

#2: Luis Moreno

(2011)
In February 2011, Panama defender Luis Moreno was playing for Colombian side Deportivo Pereira against Junior de Barranquilla in the league. At the time, Junior had an unofficial mascot in the form of an owl who lived in the stadium. Unfortunately, it was hit by the ball during the match and was lying on the grass, stunned and likely injured. Instead of helping the creature, Moreno aggressively kicked it off the pitch. Fans, players, and staff were livid at the disgusting attack. While the beloved bird was taken to a vet, the owl sadly passed away from shock. Moreno was fined 1,070,200 Colombian pesos plus veterinary costs, banned for two games, and had to do community service at a zoo.

#1: Frank Rijkaard

(1990)
Since it’s the most prestigious tournament in football, you’d expect players to be on their best behavior during the World Cup. But then there’s Frank Rijkaard. In Round of 16 at the 1990 edition, the Netherlands faced West Germany. Around twenty minutes into the first half, Rijkaard hacked down Rudi Völler, was booked, then appeared to spit at the German forward. When Völler protested this, he, too, was shown a yellow card. Moments later, the duo got in another scuffle in the penalty box. This time, both were sent off. As they left the pitch, Rijkaard grossly spat in Völler’s glorious perm before jogging away. Due to this, Rijkaard was hilariously nicknamed “llama” by the media.