Longest Premier League Bans: Rodrigo Bentancur Joins the List with a Seven-Game Suspension

Rodrigo Bentancur has found himself on the receiving end of a seven-game suspension for controversial comments made about teammate Son Heung-min. However, this is far from the longest suspension the Premier League has ever witnessed.

The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was penalised after remarks made during an interview for the Uruguayan TV show Por La Camiseta. Bentancur, 27, was reported to have said that South Korean people “all look the same” when asked a question in Spanish.

Despite apologising on Instagram, calling it “a very bad joke,” the FA handed him an aggravated breach charge under its rules. While he and Son appeared to resolve matters privately, the midfielder will now miss critical games, including clashes against Manchester City and Chelsea.

Though Bentancur’s punishment is significant, it pales in comparison to some of the longest bans in Premier League history. Here’s a look at the most infamous suspensions ever handed out in England’s top flight.

Paolo Di Canio – 11 Games

In 1998, Sheffield Wednesday’s Paolo Di Canio became infamous for pushing referee Paul Alcock to the ground after being shown a red card during a heated match against Arsenal. This moment earned the fiery Italian an 11-game ban and a £10,000 fine. Reflecting on the incident, Di Canio later expressed deep regret, stating, “I am very, very sorry for what happened.”

Luis Suarez – Multiple Lengthy Bans

Luis Suarez’s time in English football was riddled with controversies, leading to several extended bans. In 2011, the Uruguayan forward was suspended for eight games after being found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra. Two years later, Suarez faced a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic. His most infamous incident came during the 2014 World Cup when he bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini, resulting in a four-month global football ban.

Kolo Toure – Six Months

Kolo Toure, a former Liverpool and Manchester City defender, served a six-month suspension in 2011 after admitting to taking a banned substance found in water tablets given to him by his wife. While his legal team sought a reduced ban, Toure’s suspension was backdated, allowing him to rejoin Manchester City in time for the start of the 2011/12 season.

Adrian Mutu – Seven Months

Chelsea’s Adrian Mutu had his career at Stamford Bridge cut short after testing positive for cocaine in 2004. The Romanian forward admitted to his misconduct and faced a seven-month ban. His actions led to a lengthy legal battle, with FIFA later ordering Mutu to pay £15.2 million in damages to Chelsea, the largest financial penalty in football history.

Rio Ferdinand – Eight Months

In 2003, Rio Ferdinand missed a routine drugs test, resulting in an eight-month suspension and a £50,000 fine. The Manchester United defender’s absence ruled him out of Euro 2004 and contributed to United’s inability to stop Arsenal’s Invincibles that season. The independent tribunal deemed Ferdinand guilty of misconduct, making his suspension one of the most notable in Premier League history.

Ivan Toney – Eight Months

Ivan Toney’s gambling violations led to an eight-month suspension in 2023. Initially facing a potential 15-month ban, the Brentford striker’s cooperation resulted in a reduced sentence. Despite his talent, Toney’s ban hampered his career, forcing him to move to Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League instead of a Premier League giant.

Eric Cantona – Nine Months

Eric Cantona’s infamous “kung-fu” kick on a Crystal Palace fan in 1995 resulted in the longest ban in Premier League history—nine months. The Manchester United star was provoked by verbal abuse after being sent off at Selhurst Park, but his retaliation became one of football’s most infamous moments. Cantona later returned to make headlines with his iconic chip against Sunderland.

Mark Bosnich – Nine Months

Mark Bosnich, another Chelsea player, tested positive for cocaine in 2002, leading to a nine-month suspension. The goalkeeper claimed he was unwittingly exposed to the drug, but his ban effectively ended his top-flight career. Speaking years later, Bosnich expressed no regrets, stating, “I owe football absolutely nothing.”

Sandro Tonali – 10 Months

Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali faced a 10-month suspension in 2023 for betting offences uncovered during his time in Italy. Initially at risk of a three-year ban, Tonali’s cooperation helped reduce the penalty. His agent later revealed that the midfielder was battling a gambling addiction, describing him as “shocked, shaken, and sad” by the scandal.

Abel Xavier – 12 Months

Abel Xavier became the first Premier League player to test positive for a performance-enhancing drug during a UEFA Cup match in 2005. The Middlesbrough defender was initially banned for 18 months, though this was later reduced to 12. Xavier’s career never fully recovered from the fallout.

Joey Barton – 18 Months

Joey Barton holds the record for the longest ban in Premier League history due to betting violations. The midfielder admitted to over 1,000 breaches of gambling regulations between 2006 and 2016, resulting in an 18-month suspension, later reduced to 13 months. Barton’s playing career effectively ended as a result.

Conclusion

From violent altercations to drug use and gambling scandals, the Premier League’s longest bans showcase the serious repercussions players face when breaching the rules. Rodrigo Bentancur’s seven-game suspension is a stark reminder of the league’s strict disciplinary measures, but his case remains modest compared to the lengthy punishments handed to players like Eric Cantona and Joey Barton.