5 worst fights to have broken out on a football pitch

#5 Manchester United vs. Arsenal, 1990

While they went on to become heated rivals during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, hostilities really began between Manchester United and Arsenal during a game in November 1990 that descended into violence following a late tackle by Arsenal’s Nigel Winterburn on United’s Denis Irwin. Irwin and teammate Brian McClair decided to retaliate against Winterburn and his teammate Anders Limpar, and suddenly the situation exploded.

United midfielder Paul Ince rushed over and shoved Limpar into the advertising hoardings, and within seconds absolute chaos broke out, with all eleven of United’s players and ten of Arsenal’s involved in the fracas. Only Gunners goalkeeper David Seaman – renowned throughout his career for having a cool head – stayed uninvolved.

Somehow the brawl lasted just 20 seconds, after which referee Keith Hackett booked only Limpar and Winterburn for their actions, with all of United’s players getting off scot-free. After the match, however, the FA charged both sides with misconduct and bringing the game into disrepute, and eventually, both were fined and deducted points – Arsenal two and United one.

It would be the precursor for later incidents between the two sides – including the legendary ‘Battle of Old Trafford’ in 2003 that saw Arsenal players attack United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy and the ‘Battle of the Buffet’ that allegedly saw Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas throw a pizza at United boss Alex Ferguson.