15 Footballers with the Shortest Tempers

Light a fuse. These guys are gonna blow up.

Footballers with short tempers have forged a long history in world football, from old-timers like Billy Bremner to recently retired legends like Roy Keane. These days, these next 15 guys are carrying the banner deep into the new century.

So, who qualifies? Any current footballers, really, so long as they're clearly not retired (sorry, Kevin Muscat, we knew ye too little).

By all means, leave your suggestions in the comments.

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Pepe

Is Real Madrid's Pepe hot-tempered? Or is he completely unhinged?

You be the judge.

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney is perhaps England's most talented player. He's certainly his country's craziest.

The video at left is from a 2009 game against Fulham. You're probably also very familiar with this clip and this clip.

Joey Barton

Joey Barton doesn't just have a short fuse. He's actually a criminal.

But, yeah, he also has a really short fuse.

Gennaro Gattuso

Italian midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is a man among boys on the pitch.

Or a bulldog with a boiling temper.

El-Hadji Diouf

Senegalese international El-Hadji Diouf is so crazy, the Telegraph built a "wall of shame" just for him.

Highlights from the wall include: spitting at Celtic fans while playing for Liverpool; more spitting, this time at an 11-year-old girl while playing for Bolton; punching the ex-wife of a Senegal teammate; and threatening teammate Anton Ferdinand during a locker-room bust-up.

Lee Bowyer

Yes, Lee Bowyer is still playing—for Ipswich Town.

And, yes, he still holds the record for Premier League bookings.

Also, don't forget about the fight with his own teammate (at left) and the out-of-court settlement following an "incident" with two brothers.

Paul Scholes

Who holds the all-time record for Champions League bookings? Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, that's who.

Rightly lauded for his midfield-bossing abilities, Scholes is also known for his more physical side.

Antonio Cassano

In Italy, Cassanata is used to refer to someone whose temperament hurts his team. It's a derivation of Antonio Cassano's last name.

These days, though, Cassano admittedly has cooled off a bit.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a temper so hot, it led him into a foolish brawl with brawny American defender Oguchi Onyewu.

Smart one, Ibra. From now on, stick to throwing cheap elbows and scoring great goals.

Mario Balotelli

For Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, there's no such thing as a foolish training-ground fight.

Just try him.

Luis Suarez

Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez is a great footballer. But besides being embroiled in a racism controversy, Suarez is also well known for letting his temper get the best of him.

Just watch the video.

Alan Smith

Alan Smith has mellowed with age, somewhat like Antonio Cassano. But he built quite the reputation as a nutcase on the pitch while at Leeds United.

Sergio Ramos

Don't be fooled by the pretty face. Sergio Ramos can mix it up.

Often, El Clasico produces flashpoints created by several trouble makers and Sergio Ramos is merely involved. Other times, Ramos' fuse is much shorter (see the video).

Craig Bellamy

Craig Bellamy holds himself together somewhat while on the pitch. Off it, he's (allegedly) quite the maniac.

The Welsh forward was accused of assault in January 2011, and there have also been a few more alleged incidents.

Every Player in This Game

OK, so that's not one guy—and that makes this list a lot higher than 15. Work with us, though.

Check out this video and this article from the Telegraph. Every player in this game—36 in all, between starters and subs of both teams—was sent off by the referee.

That's 36 red cards in one match! Best. Fight. Ever.