Alves, Ronaldinho, Mendy…Football stars jailed by court

A number of football players have recently been charged with crimes including assault and rape, which has damaged the image of the round leather game and landed them in prison or huge fines.

Some of them were released from prison before serving their full sentences for various reasons.

Following the sentencing of former Barcelona star, Dani Alves to prison on Thursday and Former Everton player, Li Tie on Friday(today), Crispng explores some footballers court cases that made headlines around the world.

George Best

George Best was one of the best players Manchester United has ever had. He had served a 12-week sentence at Ford Open Prison in 1984 for drunk driving, assaulting a police officer, and neglecting to appear for bail.

Diego Maradona

The legendary Argentine player is thought to be among the greatest of all time. He is known for his quick reflexes, pace, agility, and accurate dribbling, Maradona shot air pellets at a few photographers and journalists in 1994 at his house outside of Buenos Aires. Four people were hurt as a result.

After years of protracted legal proceedings, Maradona was finally sentenced to two years and ten months in prison in 1998.

Joey Barton

Barton have been convicted twice for assault. The first occurred at 2 a.m. when he crashed into a pedestrian in Liverpool’s City Centre.

Barton was found guilty of assault and sentenced to 77 days in prison; he was released on July 28, 2008. On July 1, 2008, Barton was given a four-month suspended sentence after he admitted to assaulting his former Manchester City teammate Ousame Dobo, causing real bodily harm.

Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho and his brother Roberto de Assis became embroiled in a fake passport scandal following their trip to Paraguay.

They entered a guilty plea in 2020, which resulted in a reduction of their sentence from five years to five months and a joint fine of $200,000 (£167,000). Ronaldinho celebrated his 40th birthday while detained in Asuncion.

Adam Johnson

Johnson belongs to the group of football players who were arrested for child molestation. In 2016, the ex Manchester City and Sunderland player was found guilty.

He was fired by Sunderland for having an affair with a girl, 15, whose name was kept secret for legal purposes. Adam Johnson served half of his six-year sentence before being released from HM Prison Leeds and HM Prison Moorland in 2019.

Duncan Ferguson

Ferguson not only had a successful football career but also a lot of problems, including four charges of assault. Two of those charges involved taxi drivers and one with a fisherman, the charges resulted in straightforward penalties.

But the most famous incident occurred when Ferguson, then a Rangers player, headbutted Raith Rovers defender John McStay in 1994. Ferguson was sentenced to three months in prison for the headbutt, even though it happened on the pitch.

Tony Adams

Ex Arsenal defender was one of those that suffered from alcoholic addiction during their playing days. In May 1990 while drunk driving, Adam smashed his car near his residence. He was found to be 27 times over the legal limit after testing.

The former Arsenal captain was given a four-month sentence in December; however, he was freed early in February.

Benjamin Mendy

After the details of his relationships with women came to light, Benjamin Mendy saw his career and reputation crumble.

In addition to one count of sexual assault, the left-back was accused of raping seven different women. He spent 134 days in custody before being released on bail. Manchester City has since placed him under suspension.

Dani Alves 

Alves’ case is that of assault on a lady in a night club in Barcelona on December 31st, 2022. The full-back was charged after being taken into custody by the authorities. His sentencing was for four years and six months in prison after the highest court in Catalonia found him guilty of the charges on February 22, 2024.

After serving his time in prison, Alves will additionally be subject to five years of supervised surveillance. Along with paying her additional €150,000 in compensation, he will also pay the victim’s legal fees.

Li Tie

The Chinese public prosecutor accused former Everton star, Li Tie of “accepting and offering bribes” during their crackdown on corruption in football.

Li pleaded guilty of paying £330,000 in bribes to become manager of the Chinese national team and also playing a role in a match-fixing scandal to win promotions while in charge of Hebei China Fortuna and Wuhan Zall and was sentenced to life in prison.

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