10 Most Bizarre Arrests in World Football History

In addition to their exploits on the field, one thing professional footballers never seem to be short of are their exploits off it.

Beyond the tragic yet not illegal incidents—like starting your own house on fire with fireworks or shooting your own teammates with an air rifle brought to the training ground—are the more serious incidents that require the authorities to intervene.

Here are ten of the most bizarre arrests in the history of world football.

Joey Barton: Assault

Joey Barton’s career has been so full of antics, it’s no surprise he’s on this list. In his career, he has been convicted of assaulting his own teammate during a training ground row, was banned for three matches for punching Blackburn’s Morten Pedersen on the pitch and in one of his most bizarre incidents, attacked three Manchester City players in last season’s EPL finale possibly costing Manchester United the title.

But his worst incident has to be this attack on two men outside the Liverpool City Centre in 2008. Barton was sentenced to six months imprisonment for the attack. Warning—the attached video is graphic.

Vinnie Jones: Air Rage

Vinnie Jones’ career as a footballer was filled with controversy, whether it was his record three-second red card, his career-ending tackle on Tottenham’s Gary Stevens or this incident (pictured) with England legend Paul Gascoigne.

In 2003, Jones was convicted of “air rage.” In the incident, Jones allegedly slapped one passenger 10 times with an open hand and told the crew "I can get you murdered. I can get the whole crew murdered for £3,000." He also apparently told them, “Go and do what you are paid to do and make the coffee."

Eric Cantona: Assault

Eric Cantona, a Manchester United legend, received one of the longest bans in the history of professional football for his assault on a Crystal Palace fan in 1995.

Shortly after being sent off, Cantona launched himself into the stands “kung-fu” kicking the Crystal Palace fan.

He was eventually banned for eight months, sentenced to 120 hours of community service and his actions were called a “stain” upon the game.

After being sentenced, Cantona famously said, “When seagulls follow the trawler it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.”

Marlon King: Handling Stolen Cars

During his playing career, Marlon King has had appearances with Gillingham, Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Watford, Wigan, Hull City, Middlesbrough, Conventry and Birmingham.

During his career, he has also accumulated 14 convictions for offenses such as assault—including several against women—drunk driving, fraud and theft.

Perhaps King’s most bizarre arrest was his 18-month conviction for “handling stolen cars” which came after he was caught at the wheel of a stolen £32,000 BMW.

Peter Storey: Running a Brothel

Peter Storey, the former Arsenal and England defender, had a long career in English football. However, after football, his life took a serious turn for the worse as he racked up arrests for counterfeiting, stealing cars and, perhaps most famously, running a brothel.

John Terry: Assault

John Terry has numerous incidents to be ashamed of throughout his career, from his extramarital affairs to his harassment of grieving American tourists at Heathrow Airport shortly after the September 11 attacks.

In 2002, Terry was arrested and charged with assault for an incident in which he and two other footballers left a doorman hospitalized following a drunken brawl.

Giuseppe Signori: Italy’s Betting Scandal

Last summer, Giuseppe Signori, the former Lazio and Italian striker, who Americans may remember for his 1994 World Cup performance in the United States, was arrested as part of Italy’s latest football betting scandal.

Signore was banned from football for five years for his involvement.

Juan Pablo Pino: Public Display of a Tattoo

Columbian winger Juan Pablo Pino was arrested in 2011 for the crime of displaying his Jesus tattoo in public.

In Saudi Arabia, it is required by law to cover up tattoos.

Carli Shultis: Theft

Earlier this year, in one of the most bizarre arrests of a soccer player ever, University of Georgia sophomore Carli Shultis was arrested for attempting to steal $1.06 worth of hash browns from a campus eatery by sticking them down her pants.

She was banned from campus eateries for one year for the incident.

Franck Ribery: Soliciting a Child Prostitute

In 2010, following the debacle of the French national team in South Africa at the World Cup, French midfielder Franck Ribery was arrested for engaging an underage prostitute.

Ribery is also married and has three children.

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