Controversial transfers
Tags:
3. Ashley Cole
The English left-back was caught in the middle of bitter fight between Arsenal and Chelsea in the summer of 2005 following the debacle where he was fined £100,000 by the Premier League after he arranged a meeting with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at a hotel. In July 2005, Ashley Cole later signed a one-year contract extension with Arsenal, despite the "tapping up" controversy that had flared up due to his actions. A year later, Cole's future once again found itself under acrimonious scrutiny.
The England international was reportedly “trembling with anger” when he found out that Arsenal were only prepared to offer him a contract of £55,000 a week to stay at the club, compared to the £90,000 Chelsea were willing to pay him.
Cole then made comments that he had been used as a scapegoat throughout the entire affair which resulted in Arsenal leaving him out of their official 2006-07 team photograph.
2. Roberto Baggio
Roberto Baggio’s record transfer (at the time) to Juventus triggered riots in the city of Florence which resulted in injuries to 50 protestors.
The ‘Divine Ponytail’ was the driving force behind Fiorentina’s team in the late 1980s and quickly became a fan favourite.
The adoration of Fiorentina fans, however, was not enough to prevent Baggio from leaving for Juventus in 1990.
In his first match against Fiorentina, Baggio refused to take a penalty and was subsequently substituted, despite stating that he was “compelled to accept the transfer.”
When he was substituted, a Fiorentina scarf was thrown at Baggio, which he picked up and kissed. He claimed that deep in his heart he is always purple — the colours of Fiorentina.
1. Luis Figo
The El Classico between Real Madrid and Barcelona is probably the biggest rivalry in world football.
There have been players who have played for both teams, however, they have usually found more circumventive routes.
Luis Figo, however, jumped directly from Barcelona to Madrid where he became the first of the ‘Galacticos’.
The legendary Portuguese playmaker had the adoration and cheers of the Barcelona fans for five years, winning every major honour at the club except the Champions League.
Despite such success, Figo willingly agreed to a £36.2 million transfer to arch rivals Real Madrid in what became the most acrimonious transfer in football history.
Becoming the most expensive football player of all time was not enough to neutralise the angry Barca fans who immediately targeted him with a bombardment of criticism, hatred and personal abuse.
In many ways, the transfer was the ultimate betrayal. The controversy reached its peak when Figo had a pig’s head thrown at him whilst attempting to take a corner in the 24th minute of the El Classico clash at the Camp Nou. Play was stopped briefly due to the abuse Figo received from angry Barcelona fans.
Post new comment