01
Luis Suárez and Patrice Evra race row (2011)
Liverpool vs Manchester United · October 2011 · 8-match ban
Luis Suárez was found guilty by an FA independent commission of racially abusing Patrice Evra during Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Anfield on 15 October 2011. Suárez received an eight-match ban and a £40,000 fine — at the time the longest racism-related Premier League suspension. Liverpool's response, including manager Kenny Dalglish wearing a Suárez t-shirt in support, drew significant criticism and prompted FA-wide reforms on disciplinary handling.
→ Liverpool tickets
02
John Terry and Anton Ferdinand racism case (2012)
Chelsea vs QPR · October 2011 fixture · 2012 verdict
Chelsea captain John Terry was charged by the FA with racially abusing Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's 1-0 away defeat to QPR in October 2011. Terry was acquitted in a criminal trial (July 2012) but found guilty by an FA independent commission (September 2012), receiving a four-match ban and a £220,000 fine. Terry was stripped of the England captaincy as a direct result. The case ran for almost a year and reshaped FA disciplinary protocols.
→ Chelsea tickets
03
Eric Cantona's kung-fu kick (1995)
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United · 25 January 1995 · 9-month ban
Manchester United striker Eric Cantona was sent off during a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park on 25 January 1995. While walking off, he launched a flying kick at Crystal Palace supporter Matthew Simmons after being verbally abused. The FA banned Cantona for eight months and fined him £20,000. He was also sentenced to 120 hours of community service by Croydon Crown Court. The incident remains the most infamous on-camera assault by a Premier League player on a supporter.
→ Manchester United tickets
04
West Ham, Tevez and Mascherano third-party ownership (2007)
MSI / Just Sports Inc · 2006-07 season · £5.5 million fine
West Ham United were fined a Premier League record £5.5 million in April 2007 for breaching league rules by allowing third-party ownership of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. The players were registered to West Ham but ultimately controlled by investment vehicles linked to Kia Joorabchian. Tevez's goals kept West Ham in the Premier League at the expense of relegated Sheffield United, prompting a long-running legal dispute and a record settlement. The case led directly to Premier League and FIFA bans on third-party ownership.
→ Sheffield United tickets→ West Ham United tickets
05
Diego Costa, Gabriel and the Arsenal-Chelsea flashpoint (2015)
Arsenal vs Chelsea · 19 September 2015 · Mass FA charges
Chelsea striker Diego Costa was at the centre of a touchline melee with Arsenal defenders Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista during Chelsea's 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge on 19 September 2015. Gabriel was sent off; Costa was not. The FA later overturned Gabriel's red card and retrospectively banned Costa for three matches. The incident is remembered as one of the most contentious refereeing flashpoints of the modern era and prompted Premier League VAR-precursor discussions.
→ Arsenal tickets→ Chelsea tickets