Maradona, Luis Suárez, Cantona... the longest bans in history
1. Roberto Rojas. Life ban
In 1989, Chile keeper Roberto Rojas feigned injury when a flare was thrown onto the pitch during a World Cup qualifying match against Brazil. Television replays showed that the flare had not made contact with Rojas and the keeper subsequently admitted he
Foto:PLACAR
1. Roberto Rojas. Life ban
In 1989, Chile keeper Roberto Rojas feigned injury when a flare was thrown onto the pitch during a World Cup qualifying match against Brazil. Television replays showed that the flare had not made contact with Rojas and the keeper subsequently admitted he
Foto:PLACAR
1. Roberto Rojas. Life ban
In 1989, Chile keeper Roberto Rojas feigned injury when a flare was thrown onto the pitch during a World Cup qualifying match against Brazil. Television replays showed that the flare had not made contact with Rojas and the keeper subsequently admitted he
Foto:PLACAR
2. Héctor Robles. One year
Héctor Robles took part in a 1993 friendly between his club, Paslestino, and Honduras. The Chilean defender attacked the referee and received a one-year ban from FIFA.
2. Héctor Robles. One year
Héctor Robles took part in a 1993 friendly between his club, Paslestino, and Honduras. The Chilean defender attacked the referee and received a one-year ban from FIFA.
3. João Pinto. Six months
João Pinto physically attacked referee Ángel Sánchez during a game between Portugal and South Korea at the 2022 World Cup. FIFA's disciplinary committee subsequently banned Pinto for six months based on the official's report, which stated that the Portuga
3. João Pinto. Six months
João Pinto physically attacked referee Ángel Sánchez during a game between Portugal and South Korea at the 2022 World Cup. FIFA's disciplinary committee subsequently banned Pinto for six months based on the official's report, which stated that the Portuga
3. João Pinto. Six months
João Pinto physically attacked referee Ángel Sánchez during a game between Portugal and South Korea at the 2022 World Cup. FIFA's disciplinary committee subsequently banned Pinto for six months based on the official's report, which stated that the Portuga
Foto:KYODO
4. David Navarro. Seven months
In a Champions League game between Valencia and Inter in 2007, defender David Navarro came off the bench to take part in a mass brawl that ended with both sides laying into each other. Navarro broke Inter player Nicolás Burdisso's nose with a punch and wa
Foto:SERGIO PEREZREUTERS
4. David Navarro. Seven months
In a Champions League game between Valencia and Inter in 2007, defender David Navarro came off the bench to take part in a mass brawl that ended with both sides laying into each other. Navarro broke Inter player Nicolás Burdisso's nose with a punch and wa
Foto:DANI CARDONAREUTERS
4. David Navarro. Seven months
In a Champions League game between Valencia and Inter in 2007, defender David Navarro came off the bench to take part in a mass brawl that ended with both sides laying into each other. Navarro broke Inter player Nicolás Burdisso's nose with a punch and wa
Foto:DANI CARDONAREUTERS
4. David Navarro. Seven months
In a Champions League game between Valencia and Inter in 2007, defender David Navarro came off the bench to take part in a mass brawl that ended with both sides laying into each other. Navarro broke Inter player Nicolás Burdisso's nose with a punch and wa
Foto:HEINO KALISREUTERS
5. Diego Maradona. Two months
Maradona was Argentina coach in 2009 and after sealing qualification for the 2010 World Cup invited the assembled reporters in his press conference to "suck me, and to keep on sucking me." FIFA banned Maradona from all football-related activity for two mo
Foto:ANDRES STAPFFREUTERS
5. Diego Maradona. Two months
Maradona was Argentina coach in 2009 and after sealing qualification for the 2010 World Cup invited the assembled reporters in his press conference to "suck me, and to keep on sucking me." FIFA banned Maradona from all football-related activity for two mo
Foto:ANDRES STAPFFREUTERS
5. Diego Maradona. Two months
Maradona was Argentina coach in 2009 and after sealing qualification for the 2010 World Cup invited the assembled reporters in his press conference to "suck me, and to keep on sucking me." FIFA banned Maradona from all football-related activity for two mo
Foto:PABLO PORCIUNCULAAFP
6. Luisão. Two months
Luisão physically attacked a referee during a friendly in 2012 when playing for Benfica and was handed a two-month ban by the Portuguese Football Federation. This was later extended by FIFA to include international games.
Foto:Dennis GrombkowskiGetty Images
6. Luisão. Two months
Luisão physically attacked a referee during a friendly in 2012 when playing for Benfica and was handed a two-month ban by the Portuguese Football Federation. This was later extended by FIFA to include international games.
Foto:Dennis GrombkowskiBongarts/Getty Images
7. Luis Suárez. Nine games and four months
Luis Suárez's now infamous bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup cost the Uruguay international a FIFA ban of nine games for his country and a further sanction of four months without being able to take part in any football-related activity. The
7. Luis Suárez. Nine games and four months
Luis Suárez's now infamous bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup cost the Uruguay international a FIFA ban of nine games for his country and a further sanction of four months without being able to take part in any football-related activity. The
Foto:JAVIER SORIANOAFP
7. Luis Suárez. Nine games and four months
Luis Suárez's now infamous bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup cost the Uruguay international a FIFA ban of nine games for his country and a further sanction of four months without being able to take part in any football-related activity. The
Foto:TONY GENTILEREUTERS
7. Luis Suárez. Nine games and four months
Luis Suárez's now infamous bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup cost the Uruguay international a FIFA ban of nine games for his country and a further sanction of four months without being able to take part in any football-related activity. The
Foto:TONY GENTILEREUTERS
8. Eric Cantona. Eight months
Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons claimed he had merely invited Cantona to "take an early bath" as he incurred the kung-fu wrath of the combustible Manchester United star. Other reports of the incident from people in the crowd said Matthews had actually