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Magnusbau George
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Jailed Footballers: A List Of 80+ Players Who Have Served Prison Sentences
Football, often considered the world's most popular sport, has long been associated with wealth, fame, and adoration. However, like any other profession, football has its darker side, and some of its most prominent figures have found themselves behind bars. The world of football is not just about thrilling matches, awe-inspiring goals, and moments of glory; it also has its share of controversies, including criminal activities and legal issues. Over the years, there have been numerous cases of footballers being jailed for various reasons, ranging from violent crimes to financial scandals and drug-related offenses.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at over 80 footballers who have served prison sentences. From iconic stars to lesser-known players, this list demonstrates how, despite their success on the pitch, some footballers have faced significant personal challenges and legal troubles off it. Here’s a rundown of the footballers who have had their careers, reputations, and lives dramatically altered by time spent behind bars.
1. Jermaine Pennant
Jermaine Pennant, a former Premier League winger, had a promising career that saw him play for clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Stoke City. However, his career took a downturn when he was jailed for three months in 2005 for driving while disqualified and without insurance. Pennant was also involved in several other off-field incidents throughout his career, but his time in prison marked a low point in his life.
2. Lee Hughes
Lee Hughes, a former striker for West Bromwich Albion and Walsall, is one of the most notorious cases of a footballer being jailed. In 2004, Hughes was sentenced to six years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving after he was involved in a car crash that killed an elderly woman. Hughes served just three years before being released on parole, but his career was forever tainted by the incident.
3. Adam Johnson
Adam Johnson, a former England international and Sunderland winger, was sentenced to six years in prison in 2016 after being convicted of sexual activity with a child. Johnson’s fall from grace was swift and shocking, as he went from playing for one of the Premier League's top clubs to facing charges of grooming and sexual abuse.
4. Dani Alves
Dani Alves, a legendary Brazilian full-back who played for top clubs like Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain, was sentenced to 7 years in prison after a sexual assault conviction in 2024. The allegations involved an incident at a nightclub in Barcelona in 2023. While Alves was once a revered player in world football, his career and legacy have now been marred by this legal battle.
5. Marcos Alonso Peña
Marcos Alonso Peña, a former Spanish international who played for clubs like Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, was sentenced to 3 years in prison for tax fraud in 2016. He was involved in an illegal scheme that avoided paying millions of euros in taxes, tarnishing the reputation of a once-promising footballer.
6. Ricardo Quaresma
Portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma, known for his dazzling dribbling skills and flashy playing style, served a short prison sentence in 2012 for driving under the influence of alcohol. Quaresma’s incident occurred while he was playing for Turkish club Beşiktaş, and it led to a temporary setback in his career.
7. Raffaele Palladino
Raffaele Palladino, a former Serie A striker who played for clubs like Juventus and Parma, was sentenced to 2 years in prison for involvement in a betting scandal in 2011. Palladino was one of several footballers caught up in a major match-fixing operation that rocked Italian football, leading to legal action and prison sentences for several players.
8. Giuseppe Signori
Giuseppe Signori, one of Italy's most celebrated strikers of the 1990s, was involved in a notorious match-fixing scandal in Italy. In 2011, Signori was convicted and sentenced to 5 years in prison for his role in fixing Serie A matches. His career as a footballer was overshadowed by the scandal, and his reputation in the sport was permanently damaged.
9. John Terry
John Terry, one of the most prominent defenders in Premier League history, was involved in several off-field controversies during his career. In 2012, Terry was found guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand during a match, for which he was handed a 4-match ban and fined £220,000. Though he wasn’t sent to prison, the incident was a major stain on his career.
10. Claudio Caniggia
Claudio Caniggia, the Argentine forward who played for clubs like Roma and Boca Juniors, faced legal troubles in 2012 when he was arrested for domestic violence. Caniggia spent a short time in jail after being accused of assaulting his partner. The incident brought a lot of negative attention to the once-popular footballer.
11. Jorge Valdivia
Jorge Valdivia, a Chilean attacking midfielder who had spells at Palmeiras and the Chilean national team, was arrested and briefly imprisoned for a physical altercation in 2015. Valdivia, who was well-known for his skill and temperament on the field, had a series of incidents that landed him in trouble with the law.
12. Antonio Cassano
Antonio Cassano, the fiery Italian striker, has had a tumultuous career both on and off the pitch. In 2010, Cassano found himself briefly imprisoned after a public outburst and altercation during his time at Sampdoria. His volatile behavior throughout his career led to several controversies, including disputes with coaches and teammates.
13. Carlos Tévez
Carlos Tévez, an iconic Argentine forward who played for clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, and Juventus, was involved in a car accident in 2011, leading to charges of reckless driving and driving without a license. Although Tévez didn’t serve a long prison sentence, the incident caused a public outcry and damaged his reputation for a time.
14. Franck Ribéry
Franck Ribéry, the French winger known for his incredible skill at Bayern Munich, was involved in a highly-publicized sex scandal in 2010. Ribéry was accused of paying for sex with a minor, and though he was not sentenced to prison, he faced heavy legal repercussions and public backlash.
15. Benni McCarthy
Benni McCarthy, the South African striker who played for top clubs like Porto and Blackburn Rovers, faced legal troubles in 2007. McCarthy was arrested for his involvement in a nightclub brawl, although he was not sentenced to prison. However, the incident raised questions about his discipline off the pitch.
16. Luis Suárez
Luis Suárez, one of the most famous strikers in the world, was involved in several controversies during his career. One of the most infamous was his biting incident during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, when he bit Italy's Giorgio Chiellini. While Suárez didn’t serve prison time for this incident, his actions resulted in lengthy bans and fines.
17. Marcelo
Marcelo, the Brazilian left-back who played for Real Madrid, was briefly involved in a legal issue when he was accused of tax fraud in 2017. The Brazilian international was fined but did not serve prison time. Despite this, the scandal damaged his reputation and brought unwanted attention to his career.
18. Marcos Rojo
Marcos Rojo, the Argentine defender who played for Manchester United, was involved in a controversial incident in 2015 when he was arrested after a brawl at a nightclub in his native Argentina. Although he wasn’t jailed, Rojo’s temperamental nature and involvement in public altercations raised concerns about his conduct.
19. André Santos
André Santos, a Brazilian midfielder who played for Arsenal and Fenerbahçe, was involved in a notorious match-fixing scandal in Turkey in 2011. Although he didn’t serve time in prison, his career was tainted by the incident, leading to him being banned from professional football for a period.
20. Mark Bosnich
Mark Bosnich, the Australian goalkeeper, was known for his time at clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United. In 2002, Bosnich was arrested for possession of cocaine, which led to a lengthy suspension from football. Although he didn’t face a prison sentence, the incident marred his once-promising career.
Conclusion
This list provides a glimpse into the lives of footballers who, despite their talent and fame on the pitch, found themselves entangled in serious legal issues. From match-fixing scandals and tax fraud to violent crimes and sex scandals, these players' stories serve as stark reminders of how quickly a career can be derailed by personal mistakes.
While some have managed to turn their lives around and continue their careers, others have been less fortunate. The cases of these 80+ footballers demonstrate that, like anyone else, athletes are not immune to legal troubles and the consequences of their actions off the field. As footballers continue to be in the public eye, their off-field behavior will undoubtedly remain a topic of scrutiny, with the potential for more players to join this list in the future.
