There are few more disgusting things to see on a football pitch than one player spitting on another.
As Manchester United defender Jonny Evans and Newcastle forward Papiss Cisse wait to see if thay’ll be charged after appearing to spit at each other last night, we look back at some other famous examples…
1. Frank Rijkaard
Holland defender Rijkaard was guilty of more than one spitting offence against West Germany’s Rudi Voller when the two sides met at the World Cup in 1990.
Having been booked for a tough challenge, Rijkaard spat into Voller’s hair – with the future Germany manager shown a yellow card – before the resulting free-kick was floated in and collected by Dutch goalkeeper Hans van Breuckelen.
Voller challenged Van Breuckelen and, whilst on the floor, was dragged to his feet by Rijkaard with both players sent off after a scuffle. To add to the unsavoury event, the Dutchman aimed another spray of saliva at Voller as the pair departed.
2. Francesco Totti
Another example of spitting on one of the biggest stages came courtesy of Italy talisman Totti at Euro 2004.
The Roma forward was hit with a three-match ban for spitting at Denmark’s Christian Poulsen in the opening game of Group C after an appeal was lodged with UEFA following the goalless draw in Guimaraes.
It turned out to be Totti’s only appearance at the tournament as, without one of their key men, Italy could only finish third behind Denmark and Sweden with Giovanni Trapattoni’s side crashing out at the group stages.
3. Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira spits at Neil Ruddock after being sent off in 1999. He received a six-match ban and £30,000 fine. pic.twitter.com/ce18ejHYu7
— 90s Football (@90sfootball) December 28, 2014
France and Arsenal midfielder Vieira was no stranger to collecting red cards during his lengthy spell in north London.
The captain of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’, Vieira also had a number of incidents he would rather not be reminded of – including his reaction when sent off during a 2-1 defeat at West Ham in 1999.
Having been shown a second yellow card, the midfield enforcer seemed to react to comments from Neil Ruddock and spat furiously at the Hammers’ defender, picking up a fine and a six-game ban for his misdemeanour.
4. El Hadji Diouf
A frequent courter of controversy, former Liverpool, Bolton and Blackburn forward Diouf has a spitting rap sheet longer than most.
But the most memorable of the Senegal international’s offences came when he aimed saliva at Celtic fans during Liverpool’s 1-1 UEFA Cup tie at Celtic Park.
Diouf was banned for two games, fined two weeks wages by Liverpool and a further £5,000 by Glasgow’s sheriff court – and he would later antagonise Celtic fans further when he turned out for rivals Rangers during a short loan spell at Ibrox.
5. Fabien Barthez
A less familiar spitting controversy surrounded former Manchester United and France goalkeeper Barthez in 2005.
Having returned to Marseille, the 1998 World Cup winner was handed a six-month ban after spitting at the referee following an on-field brawl between the French side and Wydad Casablanca during a friendly fixture.
Source: SNAPPA
