Which Premier League players have received the longest bans in history?

In the Premier League, player conduct is under constant scrutiny. Over the years, several players have faced severe sanctions resulting in lengthy suspensions, sidelining them for extended periods. Join us as we delve into some of the most significant bans in Premier League history, examining the incidents that led to these substantial punishments.

Eric Cantona: The Infamous Kung-Fu Kick

In January 1995, Manchester United's Eric Cantona was sent off during a match against Crystal Palace. As he made his way off the pitch, Cantona launched a kung-fu kick at a spectator who had been taunting him. This act of aggression led to a nine-month suspension from football and a £30,000 fine. The incident remains one of the most notorious in Premier League history.

Joey Barton: Betting Breaches and On-Field Misconduct

Betting Violations

In April 2017, while playing for Burnley, Joey Barton was found guilty of placing bets on 1,260 football matches over a decade. The Football Association handed him an 18-month ban, which was later reduced to 13 months on appeal. This suspension effectively ended his playing career.

On-Field Aggression

Earlier in his career, in May 2012, Barton, then with Queens Park Rangers, was sent off against Manchester City for elbowing Carlos Tevez. Following the red card, he kicked Sergio Agüero and attempted to headbutt Vincent Kompany. These actions resulted in a 12-match ban and a £75,000 fine.

Luis Suarez: Controversial Conduct

Racial Abuse Incident

In December 2011, Liverpool's Luis Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra during a match. The FA imposed an eight-match ban and a £40,000 fine on Suárez.

Biting Incidents

Suárez was involved in multiple biting incidents during his career. In April 2013, he received a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanović. This was the second of three such incidents in his career, highlighting a pattern of misconduct.

Rio Ferdinand: Missed Drug Test

In September 2003, Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand missed a scheduled drug test. Despite later passing a test, he was handed an eight-month ban and a £50,000 fine after a disciplinary hearing. This suspension caused him to miss the remainder of the season and England's Euro 2004 campaign.

Adrian Mutu: Positive Drug Test

Chelsea's Adrian Mutu tested positive for cocaine in 2004. The FA imposed a seven-month ban and a £20,000 fine. Chelsea terminated his contract, and Mutu was later ordered to pay significant compensation to the club for breach of contract.

Abel Xavier: Doping Violation

In November 2005, Middlesbrough's Abel Xavier tested positive for an anabolic steroid after a UEFA Cup match. UEFA initially handed him an 18-month ban, which was later reduced to 12 months on appeal. Xavier returned to play after serving his suspension.

Mark Bosnich: Cocaine Use

Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Bosnich failed a drug test for cocaine in 2002. The FA imposed a nine-month ban, and Chelsea terminated his contract. Bosnich's appeal against the ban was unsuccessful, effectively ending his career at the top level.

Paolo Di Canio: Referee Push

In 1998, Sheffield Wednesday's Paolo Di Canio received an 11-match ban after pushing referee Paul Alcock to the ground following a red card. The incident led to widespread condemnation and highlighted the importance of respecting match officials.

Ben Thatcher: Elbow Incident

In August 2006, Manchester City's Ben Thatcher elbowed Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes, leaving Mendes unconscious. Thatcher received an eight-match ban and a six-week club fine for the assault. The severity of the incident prompted discussions about player conduct and on-field violence.

Aleksandar Mitrović: Referee Confrontation

In March 2023, Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrović was banned for eight matches after pushing referee Chris Kavanagh during an FA Cup match. The incident underscored the strict penalties for physical confrontations with officials.

Rodrigo Bentancur: Offensive Remark

In November 2024, Tottenham Hotspur's Rodrigo Bentancur received a seven-match ban and a £100,000 fine for making an offensive remark about teammate Son Heung-min. The incident highlighted the FA's stance on discriminatory comments.

What You Should Know About Severe Premier League Player Sanctions

• The Premier League has imposed significant bans on players for various forms of misconduct, ranging from on-field violence to breaches of betting regulations.
• Eric Cantona's nine-month suspension in 1995 for assaulting a fan remains one of the most severe punishments in the league's history.
• Joey Barton received a 13-month ban in 2017 for betting offenses, highlighting the strict regulations against gambling-related breaches.