The dirty side of football

The beautiful game has its fair share of ugliness which often crops up when one is least expecting it. Often players tend to slip into the blissful world of violent oblivion and end up playing recklessly. Be it men’s football or women’s football there are villains on the pitch. Some of them are deft as ninjas who execute their killer moves when the referee is not looking while there are others who get so carried away with the game that they tend to forget the imaginary line separating the virtual world and real world. As they say ‘ladies first’ let us start with New Mexico football player Elizabeth Lambert

Elizabeth Lambert

Elizabeth Lambert became famous or as they say “burst into prominence” when she steamrolled a bevy of bewildered players with some rather vicious looking challenges. One of them involved yanking a player’s ponytail which sent the poor player crashing to the ground. She later apologized though for here rather physical style of play.

“My actions were uncalled for,” Lambert said . “I let my emotions get the best of me in a heated situation.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UvEobeNfGcc

Gennaro Gattuso

There is no doubt that Gennaro Gattuso is a world class footballer. Often described as “The fighter”, he is nicknamed ‘Ringhio’ for his aggressive style of play. Probably one of the best defensive midfielders during his prime, he also has a terrible short temper. The infamous Joe Jordan brawl being one of them. Currently he is recovering from a nasty eye injury that is threatening to end his career. Hoping he recovers soon. It will take more than an eye injury to knock down the Rino.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=CVcrBaMfptU

Pepe

As of now Pepe is the most hated person in the Barcelona camp. His aggression gets the better of him all the time. In a match against Getafe, he literally demolished a player even after the player had gone down to the ground. It was pretty grisly as aggression had got the better of him in that match and he was subsequently banned. He is often branded as an animal for his on-field antics. Although talented, his sudden rush of adrenaline is a nightmare for the opposition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=11enIeWNJbE

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney is a bomb waiting to explode at the slightest contact. The explosion may result either in a goal fest or in a sending off. In the 2006 World Cup, he got himself sent off after stepping on Carvalho. Also in the recently concluded Euro qualifiers, he kicked an opposition player out of sheer frustration and got sent off. Thankfully his ban was reduced by a match and lets hope he doesn’t repeat the same in the latter stages of the Euro competition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=G1ovfmebnpM

Joey Barton

Joey Barton is dangerous both on and off the field. His tweets always invite trouble. Be it talking ill about his ex-manager Neil Warnock to taking random digs at opposition teams. Lord Barton has done it all. On the field Barton has been involved in several brawls and even off the field he has been jailed for assaults.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wWqCS02OJ4k