The likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have previously been found guilty of tax fraud, but neither superstar has done time behind bars. Here are 10 former players who have had to serve jail time for incidents such as assault and even murder.
Click through the gallery to see 10 football players who have had to serve time in jail, according to various sources.
We often forget that footballers are just people too, but that does not excuse some of the crimes committed by the players in our story. From assault, to drunk and reckless driving, to crimes that have even involved death and murder, here are some infamous cases.
In July 2010, Brazilian goalkeeper Bruno Fernandes de Souza was formally charged with the murder and kidnapping of his ex-girlfriend Eliza Samudio. Three years later, Bruno, who was playing for Flamengo at the time of his arrest, was sentenced to 22 years in jail.
After serving just six and a half years behind bars, he was released due to complications with his trial. Following his shock release, Bruno returned to professional football with Boa Esporte Clube, but was re-arrested in 2017.
Arsenal legend Tony Adams also had his fair share of troubles with the law, as he went through almost his entire career battling with alcoholism.
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In 1990, the former England and Gunners centre-back was found to be 27 ties over the legal limit after crashing his car into a wall near his home. As a result, Adams was sentenced to four months in prison, but ended up serving just two months behind bars.
While his accident resulted in serious consequences, Patrick Kluivert, recognised as one of the best strikers in Dutch history, caused worse damage in 1995 when he convicted of death by dangerous driving. Kluivert, who was said to speeding in a borrowed BWM, crashed into another car, killing the driver.
After his arrest, the former Ajax Amsterdam and FC Barcelona forward had to perform just 240 hours of community service, a ruling that many found unjust.
Legendary Colombia goalkeeper Rene Higuita served a prison sentence for being involved in a kidnapping, which was believed involve famous drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. Higuita was said to be the person who had to deliver random money, which he reportedly illegally profited from.
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A few other high-profile names appear in the gallery, including Manchester United icon Eric Cantona and former Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton.
Can you name any other footballers who have been arrested? Let us know in the comments section below.
