World Football: Ranking The Top 5 Dirtiest Teams in Football History

There are certain players who live on in infamy, Roy Keane, 'Chopper' Harris and the like had reputations as no nonsense players by their fans, and reputations as dirty players by everyone else. Sometimes its not one player though, sometimes a whole team will gain this reputation and this is a countdown in tribute to the infamy of the worst.  

5: The 2010 World Cup Final Holland Team

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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 11: Nigel De Jong of the Netherlands tackles Xabi Alonso of Spain with a kick in the chest during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010 in

I had a small moral argument with myself regarding adding the Dutch to this list, after all they are not generally known for their tough play, but their tactics during the last World Cup final were criminal. De Jong, the main offender, offered this karate kick into Xabi Alonso's chest in front of Howard 'doesn't give red cards in cup finals' Webb, alongside several other bad challenges and was only cautioned. Mark Van Bommel, Bayern's midfield warhorse could also have seen red for his violent and dangerous tackles. It is a small miracle/bad officiating that Holland only finished with one man sent off, as every Dutchman on the pitch was swiping at every passing Iberian with intent.  

4: Arsenal Circa 1990

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4 May 2002: Tony Adams of Arsenal consoles Eidur Gudjohnsen of Chelsea after the AXA sponsored FA Cup Final played at the Millennium Stadium, in Cardiff, Wales. Arsenal won the match and cup 2-0. DIGITAL IMAGE. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

It is not easy to have Sam Allardyce accuse you of dirty football, but Wenger's endless crusade against dirty play caused Big Sam to reminisce the Arsenal of old as being one of the dirtiest teams ever. Younger readers will only be familiar with subtle Arsenal sliding the ball around the pitch, and being "bullied". This Arsenal side did not get bullied. The likes of Emmanuel Petit, Patrick Viera and Tony Adams could take it in, and more importantly could dish it out in large amounts.    

3: Wimbledon's 'Crazy Gang'

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16 May 1988: The wimbledon players show off their backsides in Crazy Gang style during a Testimonial match for Alan Cork. \ Mandatory Credit: Pascal Rondeau /Allsport

As the attached photo suggests, the Wimbledon 'Crazy Gang' had a robust sense of humour, indeed their off pitch antics would have been hard to overshadow with anything on-field, but the 'Crazy Gang' managed it. As one might imagine, any teams containing the likes of Dennis Wise and Vinnie Jones would have been a tough one, but the 'Crazy Gang' battled, kicked and fought their way to moderate success, including the FA Cup final where they beat Liverpool, following infamous scenes in the tunnel. As the teams lined up to come onto the pitch, the gang began to howl and screech, beating their chests and mentally subduing the technically superior Liverpool side.  

2: Various Argentine Sides

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CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 03: Lukas Podolski of Germany jumps over the challenge of Martin Demichelis of Argentina during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Quarter Final match between Argentina and Germany at Green Point Stadium on July 3, 2010 i

Before the comments section is inundated with counter arguments to this claim, people should bear in mind that while Argentina produced greats like Maradona and Ardiles, they also produced players like Passarella and Rattin, a player who, upon receiving a red card refused to leave the pitch for over twenty minutes. Tarantini played in England for Birmingham City, and infamously hit Jimmy Greenhof of Manchester United, leaving him sprawled on the turf. Upon being questioned by the referee as to why Greenhof was prone on the floor, Tarantini intimated in broken English that Greenhof had looked tired all game and was probably just resting. Perhaps unsurprisingly his English career ended when he waded into the crowd to hit a heckler in the face.

The 1990 Argentine team has been credited with creating the modern 'Anti-Football', as that team kicked, cheated and dived to the final, only to be beaten by a dubious penalty won by Juergen Klinsmann which many saw as poetic justice.

Its hard to choose just one, but there must certainly be Argentine representation in this list.  

Don Revie's Leeds

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1973: Billy Bremner (left) and Leeds Manager Don Revie (right) chat before the FA Cup final against Sunderland at Wembley Stadium in London. Sunderland won the match 1-0. (Photo by Getty Images)

"Dirty Leeds", the refrain screamed from terraces up and down England during Revie's reign and since. Probably the most hated team in England, indeed when my father saw what I was writing over a shoulder, he immediately said that the list should read "Leeds, Leeds, Leeds, Leeds and Leeds". Undoubtedly some of the dislike comes from their success, but the Leeds team which feature in the novel "The Damned United" were thugs, the likes of Billy Bremner, Norman Hunter (who was followed by a sign in the stands which read "Norman Hunter Bites Your Legs"), Johnny Giles and Jacky Charlton were players who did not suffer fools, except their definition of fools included any opposition with the ball, or anyone not quick enough to get out the way. A dirty team, well suited for the dubious honour of topping this list.