Which Premier League players have received the longest bans?

With the news of Ivan Toney’s eight-month ban on Wednesday, we take a look at the longest bans in the Premier League.

Kolo Touré – six months

The former Arsenal defender was handed a six-month ban in 2011 after testing positive for a banned substance. Touré had admitted taking an unspecified substance contained in some water tablets he obtained through his wife.

Adrian Mutu - seven months

Chelsea forward Mutu was banned from football for seven months when he tested positive for cocaine use in 2004. The Premier League club sacked him and slammed the FA’s action as “far too lenient”.

Ivan Toney - eight months

The FA have banned Brentford striker Toney from all football-related activity for breaching the FA’s betting rules. He was fined £50,000 ($62,400) and is not set to return to action with the Premier League club in January 2024.

Manchester United players receive bans

Rio Ferdinand - eight months

Ferdinand missed a drug test in 2003. The Manchester United defender was subsequently given an eight-month ban and handed a £50,000 fine. An independent tribunal found Ferdinand guilty after he failed to take a test despite being selected to give a sample to UK Sport doping officials at the club’s training ground.

Mark Bosnich - nine months

Australian goalkeeper Bosnich was banned and sacked by Chelsea after testing positive for cocaine in 2002.

Eric Cantona - nine months

Legendary Manchester United forward Cantona received his ban for kung-fu kicking a Crystal Palace fan at Selhurst Park in 1995. As well as a nine-month ban, the Frenchman also got 120 hours of community service.