When The Beautiful Game Gets Ugly... Footballs Best Fights

Well most managers like their teams to have spirit and a bit of fight in them. But I think its time to reflect on the times when teams and players have taken this concept a bit too far.

Inter Vs Valencia (Rumble in the Mestalla)

We all know that Spaniards and Italians don't see eye to eye. But this was a practically an international incident. It started at the the end of a 0-0 draw in a quarter final of the Champions League when Inter defender Nicolas Burdisso hit the prince of darkness Carlos Marchena. In retaliation to this substitute David Navarro broke Burdisso's nose but was attacked by Ivan Cordoba, Julio Cruz and Maicon. It ended up with stadium security and the Spanish Civil Guard getting things under control... 



Ljungberg Vs Mellberg (If Sweden Did Handbags...)

Well during a World Cup training session two swedes decided to have at it over a girly slide tackle. Now we all know where Audley Harrison learn to fight. I still cant figure out what started the scrap...




Edmundo "The Animal" Gets Put Down

Former Brazil international Edmundo had a reputation of being one of footballs' loose cannons. On this occasion the player he was up against decided to take some pre-emptive action against the wild man.



Maradona's Revenge...

Diego Maradona, the best player of the modern era... But like with most geniuses he had a darker side. Almost like a script from a Bruce Lee film this epic tale was about injustice and vengeance. It was Barcelona Vs Athletic Bilbao with El Diego in his pomp he came into the crosshairs of Andoni "The Butcher of Bilbao" Goikoetxea. The butcher broke his ankle in a hideous tackle...Roughly a year later Maradona came back from the broken ankle to exact violent revenge on his foe...



Would You Attack The Colombian Police?

Colombia, one of the most violent countries in the world, known for its violent drug lords and sometimes equally violent police force... This brawl was triggered during a Copa Libetadores (South American Champions League) match between Argentine side River Plate and Colombian outfit America De Cali. It started off as an innocuous push from a player warming up on the side lines and ended up with a player attacking riot police.



How Zidane Lost His Head And Materazzi Found it...

Its the World Cup Final with Italy facing France. In the previous rounds Zinedine Zidane widely recognised as the worlds top player carried France through, this was his last game ever for France and establish himself as undisputedly the best French footballer of all time. But on this night he became the best French anti-hero of all time head butting Italian defender and angel Marco Materazzi. I would also like people to know due to the way Materazzi fell many feel there may have been a second gunman...



Well I think that's enough violence for a life time. Remember guys football is the beautiful game but it can be as equally ugly...