Football has seen its fair share of talented but controversial figures. These "bad boys" of the game are as famous for their antics off the pitch as they are for their skills on it. From aggressive tackles to bizarre behaviour, these players left their mark in football’s history.

Mario Balotelli: "Why Always Me?"

Mario Balotelli’s career has been punctuated by moments of brilliance and controversy. From his infamous “Why always me?” shirt celebration to his erratic off-field antics, Balotelli constantly found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

He once threw darts at youth team players and was notorious for training ground bust-ups. His most infamous moment came when he stamped on Tottenham's Scott Parker during a Premier League match, resulting in a four-match ban. Despite his undeniable talent, his unpredictable nature made him a divisive figure.

Diego Maradona: The "Hand of God" and More

Diego Maradona’s "Hand of God" goal in the 1986 World Cup is one of the most controversial moments in football history. However, his on-field brilliance was often overshadowed by his off-field scandals.

From partying with the Italian mafia to testing positive for cocaine and indulging in wild orgies, Maradona's life was a whirlwind of excess. Even after a drug-induced heart attack, he remained beloved by Argentina, where his imperfections made him more human in the eyes of many.

Joey Barton: Violence On and Off the Pitch

Joey Barton’s career was marked by violence, both on and off the field. He punched teammate Ousmane Dabo during training and attacked three opponents in one game, even after receiving a red card. His troubles extended beyond the pitch when he served 77 days in prison for assault.

Barton’s notorious two-minute outburst in a match against Manchester City, where he punched Carlos Tevez, kicked Sergio Agüero and tried to confront Balotelli, cemented his reputation as one of football’s most volatile characters.

Luis Suarez: The Biter

Luis Suarez made headlines for his biting incidents, with the most infamous being his bite on Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup, earning him a four-month ban. This was the third time Suarez had bitten an opponent.

Known for diving and unsportsmanlike behaviour, Suarez's darker moments often outshone his incredible goal-scoring ability. His intentional handball during the 2010 World Cup quarterfinal against Ghana and a racial slur towards Patrice Evra further stained his reputation.

Vinnie Jones: From Football's "Hard Man" to Hollywood

Vinnie Jones, known for his aggressive style on the field, became a Hollywood icon for playing tough guys in films. As part of Wimbledon’s "Crazy Gang," Jones terrorized opponents and hosted a video titled “Soccer’s Hard Men,” which earned him a fine and suspension.

His legacy as one of football's toughest players followed him to the silver screen, where he continued to embrace his "bad boy" persona.

Gennaro Gattuso: The Italian Enforcer

Gennaro Gattuso was renowned for his fiery temperament and aggressive tackles. His short fuse frequently led to altercations on the pitch, and his ruthless style made him both feared and loved. Gattuso’s hard-nosed approach epitomized the grit and toughness of old-school Italian football.

Sergio Ramos & Pepe: The Calculated Avengers

The famous centre-back pair for Spanish giants, Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos and Pepe were infamous for their fouling and ability to exact revenge with precision. Whether breaking up plays or injuring key players, Ramos and Pepe had become masters of the dark arts of football.

Their reputation as a no-nonsense defender is matched by their ability to influence the course of games, even at the cost of others' careers.

Sulley Muntari: The Slapper

The fact that the Ghanaian midfielder played for both Inter Milan and AC Milan should say a lot about his credentials as a hot-tempered player, however, the Ghanaian has not showcased his angered side as much for his Italian clubs as he did when he was on national team duty.

Muntari was reportedly sacked from his national team camp in Brazil during the 2014 FIFA World Cup after he allegedly slapped one of the members of the team’s technical staff after a misunderstanding. Long Before this incident, however, Muntari had already made the “bad boy” name.

These footballers pushed boundaries and defined the darker side of the sport. Whether through violence, scandal, or sheer defiance, they remain some of football’s most hard-core and stubborn figures.

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Thanks to former manager Mauricio Pochettino, now in charge of the USA men’s national team, Chelsea finished 6th in the EPL last season, which earned them a spot in the newly reformed UEFA Conference League.

Under new manager Enzo Maresca, the Blues took this opportunity and turned it into reality by winning a two-legged play-off against another European club that had just lost in the Europa League third-round qualifiers.

Before diving into Chelsea’s journey to the UEFA Conference League, let’s look at the history of this competition and what changes mean for the London-based club.

UEFA Conference League: Tournament History:

The UEFA Europa Conference League was introduced in 2021/22 as the third UEFA men’s football club competition. It aims to make continental football more inclusive by involving a wider range of associations.

The tournament runs on Thursday nights alongside the UEFA Europa League, featuring over 170 teams throughout the season, including at least one from each UEFA association.

Previous winners include Roma (2022), West Ham United (2023), and Olympiacos (2024). This season, the competition has been renamed the UEFA Conference League.

What is the New Format?

The 2024/25 season brings significant changes to the Conference League. The group stage has been replaced by a single 36-team league, where each side faces six different teams (three at home, three away).

The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while those finishing ninth to 24th enter a knockout play-off round for a spot among the final 16. All knockout ties are played over two legs.

How Did Chelsea Qualify for the UECL Draw?

Chelsea's entry into the UEFA Conference League marks a new chapter in their European journey. After missing out on the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, they had to win a play-off round against Swiss side Servette, who had lost to Braga in a Europa League play-off.

Chelsea secured their spot in the league phase with a narrow 3-2 aggregate victory. Christopher Nkunku's penalties in both legs and Noni Madueke’s goal at Stamford Bridge sealed their qualification. As the highest-ranked team in the competition, Chelsea was placed in Pot 1 for the league phase draw.

Analysis of the Draw:

Chelsea will face six different teams in their first Conference League campaign. The Blues were drawn against Gent (Belgium) at home, Heidenheim (Germany) away, Astana (Kazakhstan) away, Shamrock Rovers (Republic of Ireland) at home, Panathinaikos (Greece) away, and Noah (Armenia) at home.

While Chelsea has faced teams from Belgium, Germany, and Greece before, this will be their first competitive meeting with clubs from Kazakhstan, the Republic of Ireland, and Armenia.

Gent and Panathinaikos could present a tougher challenge, whereas matches against Shamrock Rovers and Noah might offer opportunities for squad rotation.

The draw for the group stage took place yesterday and pitted Chelsea at home to Gent, Shamrock Rovers and FC Noah. Our away matches take place against Heidenheim, FC Astana and Panathinaikos.

Chelsea’s Confirmed UEFA Conference League Fixtures:

UEFA have since confirmed the dates and UK kick-off times for each fixture, which are as follows...

Thursday, 3 October

Chelsea vs Gent

Kick-off: 8pm

 

Thursday, 24 October

Panathinaikos vs Chelsea

Kick-off: 5.45pm

 

Thursday, 7 November

Chelsea vs FC Noah

Kick-off: 8pm

Thursday, 28 November

Heidenheim vs Chelsea

Kick-off: 5.45pm

 

Thursday, 12 December

FC Astana vs Chelsea

Kick-off: 3.30pm

 

Thursday, 19 December

Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers

Kick-off: 8pm.

Chelsea's Chances of Progression:

Chelsea’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages appear promising. As the top-most-ranked team with substantial European experience and a deep squad, the Blues are favourites to progress from the league phase.

Key players like Cole Palmer and Nicholas Jackson, both of whom saw their Chelsea contracts extended recently, and Noni Madueke, have already shown their importance with their stellar performances for Chelsea already this season.

However, with the news of Cole Palmer being dropped from Chelsea’s squad for the UEFA Conference League, manager Enzo Maresca, will have to find a way to not only field a strong team without the English star but settle on a tactical approach that will Chelsea handle the diverse styles they will encounter in these away grounds.

However, complacency could be dangerous. Away fixtures, especially against teams like Astana and Heidenheim, could pose challenges due to unfamiliar environments and local conditions.

Conclusion:

Chelsea's journey in the UEFA Conference League promises excitement and opportunity. With a favourable draw and a strong squad, they have a good chance to progress and possibly win the competition.

Success in the Conference League would add a European trophy to Chelsea’s collection and set a strong foundation under Enzo Maresca’s leadership. The upcoming matches will be crucial in defining the season, and fans are eager to see how the team performs on this new stage.

 

You can check out and bet on Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League games here on MSport.