5 footballers with the worst disciplinary record

Modified Feb 25, 2017 06:11 GMT

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal is tackled by Lee Cattermole of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on April 24, 2016 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) — Cattermole has the lowest ratio of games per card in PL history

#2 Patrick Vieira

22 Aug 1999: Roy Keane of Manchester United clashes with Patrick Vieira of Arsenal during the FA Carling Premiership match against Arsenal played at Highbury in London, England. The match finished in a 2-1 win to Manchester United. \ Mandatory Credit:Clive Brunskill /Allsport — Vieira’s fierce competitiveness saw him collect quite a few red cards in his career

When Roy Keane is on the list, it is assured that Patrick Vieira would make an appearance as well. The Frenchman had a phenomenally successful playing career, turning out for the likes of Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, Internazionale and Manchester City, winning seven League titles, five FA Cups and two Supercopa Italianas. He also won both the FIFA World Cup and European Championships with France’s golden generation, collecting many other individual honours along the way.

While Vieira was never one to go in for leg-breaking tackles like his rival Keane, he was still a hard tackler and had a penchant for losing his cool during games, often getting into arguments with officials.

This saw him collect eight red cards during the course of his Premier League career with Arsenal, the joint-highest ever along with Richard Dunne and Duncan Ferguson. His ratio for games per card is also the 3^rd highest among all players; with his 3.7 games per card behind only Lee Cattermole and Joey Barton.

While he did calm down in the later stages of his career, he still managed to rack up another four reds, taking his total to 12 and definitely earning his place on this list.

Edited by Staff Editor