Previous lengthy bans in English football

The Wednesday Three

Football was rocked in the early 1960s when the Sunday People claimed three Sheffield Wednesday players had bet on their team to lose, pocketing £100 in the process. The investigation uncovered a betting ring which concluded with the imprisonment of 10 former and present players. David Layne, Peter Swan and Tony Kay were all banned from the game for life – but had their bans lifted after seven years.

Eric Cantona

Banned for nine months from football worldwide and ordered to do 120 hours community service as a result of his Kung-Fu kick at Selhurst Park on Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons in 1995. Manchester United’s Cantona was sent off and launched himself over the advertising hoardings at a taunting Simmons as he made his way off the pitch.

Mark Bosnich

Suspended for nine months in April 2003 after failing a drugs test for cocaine. Had his contract terminated by Chelsea and subsequently lost his appeal against the ban.

Rio Ferdinand

Banned for eight months in December 2003 after failing to take a drugs test in September of the same year.

Vinnie Jones

Given a six-month ban suspended for three years in November 1992 – and fined a then record £20,000 by the FA – for his commentary in a video glorifying football violence and dirty tricks.

Paolo Di Canio

The fiery Italian received an 11-game ban and £10,000 fine for pushing referee Paul Alcock while playing for Sheffield Wednesday against Arsenal in a Premier League match in September 1998.

David Prutton

The Southampton midfielder was hit with a 10-game ban and fined £6,000 by the FA after shoving referee Alan Wiley following his red card in a 2005 game against Arsenal.

Paul Davis

The Arsenal midfielder was banned for nine matches and fined £3,000 after punching Southampton’s Glenn Cockerill in a match in October 1988.

Roy Keane

Handed a five-week ban and a £150,000 fine in 2002 for comments made about Alfie Haaland in his controversial autobiography – Keane: The Autobiography.