What Are The Longest Bans In Football History?

We know footballers get up to some mental things both on and off the pitch, some of these can result in players being handed some rather lengthy bans, here are some of the worst…

10. Paul Pogba (4 Years in 2024)

In February 2024, Paul Pogba was handed a 4 year ban for various doping offences leading to Juventus terminating his contract. Elements of a substance that increased his testosterone levels were found in his system, Pogba tried to justify the situation by saying he was unknowingly given the substance by a doctor in the US.

Graeme Souness hearing that Paul Pogba's been banned for 4 years pic.twitter.com/BzuBmP4tex

— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) February 29, 2024

9. René Higuaita (7 Months in 1993)

The Columbian known for his signature scorpion kick save, was banned from football following his involvement in a kidnapping and ransom case which landed him in prison and therefore unable to play football for 7 months.

8. Joey Barton (18 Months in 2017)

Footballer turned controversial figure, Joey Barton's career was essentially ended after he was handed a hefty ban due to his betting activity having placed 1,260 bets on football matches across a span of 10 years, later claiming "I think if they found out everyone who has been betting and cracked down on it, you'd have half the league out.” in an interview with BBC Radio 4. Barton had been banned before this after he previously served 74 days in prison in 2008 for assault charges shortly after joining Newcastle United.

7. Adrian Mutu (7 Months in 2004, later extended to life)

Mutu was banned for 7 months when playing for Chelsea after testing positive for cocaine use, the Romanian was later handed a lifetime ban from all football by FIFA in 2018 after he breached transfer regulations.

6. Mark Bosnich (9 Months, 2002-03)

The Aussie was handed a 9 month ban in December of 2002 after failing a drugs test, cocaine being the reason. Following this ban he was released by Chelsea, more or less ending his career, going from playing for top Premier League teams to being a back-up in the A-league.

5. Eric Cantona (9 Months, 1995)

One of the most well known incidents that resulted in a ban, the Man United star was handed a 9 month ban following his infamous Kung-Fu kick on a Crystal Palace fan, Cantona was initially sent off during the game and then banned for 9 months following a hearing.

4. Diego Maradonna (15 Months, 1991-92, World Cup 1994)

Maradonna famously liked to party, however this habit caught up with him in 1991 after he was handed a 15 month ban after he tested positive for cocaine use. He was then handed a second ban by FIFA upon his return, banning him from competing at the next World Cup which was being held in the USA, this was after he tested positive for a different drug, ephedrine.

3. Paolo Rossi (2 Years, 1980-82)

The Italian striker was banned for his alleged involvement in a match-fixing scandal (Totonero). However, his ban was reduced, allowing him to return just in time to lead Italy to victory in the 1982 World Cup. Rossi was amongst a large array of players who received punishment however his was the most notable.

2. Jean-Marc Bosman (Lifetime Ban, later overturned)

Bosman was informally blacklisted from football after taking UEFA to court in the famous Bosman ruling, which changed transfer rules in football. Though not an official ban, no club would sign him after the legal battle essentially continuing his lifetime ban even though it had been overturned.

1. Enoch West (30 years, 1915–1945)

The Manchester United player was banned for life for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal during World War I. His ban lasted 30 years before it was finally lifted in 1945. Whilst the ban was placed over 100 years ago, West still holds the record for the longest ban in the history of the sport.