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The Premier League is one of the world's most popular domestic leagues and has given fans many memorable moments. Scattered amongst them are many shocking and controversial incidents that have become part of the folklore of the game.
Ranging from violence to absurdity and comical brilliance, we rank the 5 most controversial moments in Premier League history.
#5 The beach ball incident
Before Steven Gerrard's slip, the most famous act of self-sabotage Liverpool engaged in was when an inflatable beach ball was responsible for a 1-0 loss to Sunderland in 2009.
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As per the referee's discretion, a game may be stopped at any time once a foreign object enters the field of play, failing which the object is considered a part of the field. Mike Jones, the referee on the day, was unaware that a red beach ball belonging to the Liverpool supporters had found its way in front of Pepe Reina's goal.
As Darren Bent struck a soft effort from some distance, Reina was left helpless as the ball took a wicked deflection off the red beach ball before creeping into the Liverpool goal. The goal would go on to give the team from Merseyside a humiliating 1-0 Premier League loss to Sunderland.
#4 Keiron Dyer vs. Lee Bowyer
In 2005, a Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa saw tensions boil over as teammates Keiron Dyer and Lee Bowyer came to shocking blows for a worldwide audience to see.
Arguments between teammates usually end with a harsh few words or a tough shove. However, on this day, the emotions got the better of the two teammates. After Newcastle shipped in three goals down and had a man sent off, the two teammates descended into fisticuffs over a misplaced pass. Bowyer had his shirt ripped before Gareth Barry, who was playing for the opposition, intervened.
Both players were sent off for their violent conduct, reducing Newcastle to eight men and embarrassing Newcastle manager Graeme Souness, who forced a public apology from the pair.
#3 Luis Suarez biting Branislav Ivanovic
When Chelsea played Liverpool in April of 2013, mercurial talent Luis Suarez made headlines for all the wrong reasons in a 2-2 draw. As the pair seemingly wrestled each other over a corner kick, Ivanovic went to the floor wildly gesticulating.
Television replays showed Luis Suarez shockingly taking a bite on his opponent's arm and neck, leaving incriminating bite marks for the world to see. In a the-VAR era, the referee Kevin Freind let Suarez stay on the pitch long enough for the Uruguayan talisman to bundle home a stoppage-time equaliser.
The FA later punished Suarez with a 10-match ban, which saw him miss the remainder of the 2012-13 season and the start of the 2013-14 campaign.
Shockingly this wasn't the first time Suarez was caught using his teeth during a game. He had previously been banned for seven games for biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal’s shoulder in 2010. Even more remarkably, Suarez managed to get away with a third bite after he bit Giorgio Chiellini during a 2014 World Cup game against Italy. Cue the Jaws theme.
#2 Pizzagate
Manchester United vs Arsenal was one of the fiercest and most engaging rivalries of the 2000s in Premier League football. The two teams fought with pride over titles both on the pitch and off it.
In what has now been also dubbed "The Battle of the Buffet", Manchester United had ended Arsenal's 49-match unbeaten streak with a 2-0 victory, with goals from Wayne Rooney and Van Nistelrooy in October of 2004.
The penalty awarded to Ruud Van Nistelrooy was a painful blow to Arsenal. The last time the two teams clashed, the Dutch Striker missed a penalty and was physically harassed by Martin Keown and the rest of the Arsenal defence.
With tempers flaring at the end of the game, the teams made their way back down the Old Trafford tunnel to their dressing rooms. Managers Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson were engaged in a furious verbal spat when food from the neighbouring buffet room was hurled all over the players and staff.
A slice of pizza was also thrown at Sir Alex Ferguson, by an unknown culprit who has since been identified as Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas. The FA dished out severe warnings to both teams for un-sportsmanlike behaviour and both sets of players were reprimanded for crossing the line of competitiveness.
#1 Eric Cantona’s fung fu Kick
Easily the most shocking act of violence from a professional footballer was by one of the Premier League's greatest players, Eric Cantona. The Manchester United legend will always be remembered for his 'kung-fu' style kick on Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons.
Having already been sent off, Cantona was subject to verbal abuse from the Palace fan in question. Instead of retorting or walking away, Cantona responded with a shockingly agile studs-up kick that would make any martial arts expert proud. He followed it up with a wild punch.
Facing serious criminal assault charges, Cantona was fined around 30,000 pounds. He was also dropped from the French national team and banned from playing professional football for eight months.
The enigmatic Frenchman made the moment all the more memorable during a press conference. While accepting 120 hours of community service for his actions Cantona said, "When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown in the sea." Make of this what you will!
