A number of Premier League stars have been accused of being deliberately booked. (Image: Getty)
Football players usually don’t have the luxury of choosing when they receive their suspensions, but some have been accused of deliberately earning them to enjoy the holidays. For example, if a team has already secured a spot in the Champions League knockout stages and their star player is at risk of suspension with one game remaining, they may choose to book him.
Similarly, a player who is nursing an injury while receiving four cautions may choose to commit a foul during the recovery period, earn a yellow card, and serve a suspension. Perhaps the most appropriate time for a suspension would be during the Christmas season, when players can spend quality time with their loved ones. If you get a yellow card before Christmas, you could end up enjoying the holidays without working.
Now, Express Sport is investigating four players who allegedly intentionally missed the Boxing Day match. However, it is important to emphasize that these are just claims and there is little or no evidence to substantiate these claims.
ray parlor
The Arsenal legend will probably be relaxing this Christmas with his signature Cobra Bomb, a mix of Cobra lager and Jagermeister.
The parlor also experienced a memorable festive atmosphere during its active years 24 years ago. Former teammate Martin Keown accused the Gunner of being deliberately booked for a Premier League game against Newcastle in December 2001.
Ray Parler was accused of intentional suspension. (Image: Getty)
Parlor was in trouble after receiving four bookings and knew that another yellow card would mean he would miss the next game against Liverpool. However, his strategy backfired spectacularly as he received two yellow cards and was sent off, with Arsenal losing 3-1 at home to Newcastle.
In an interview with the Daily Mail in 2016, Keown said: “I remember Ray Parlor had four yellow cards and he was trying to get himself over the yellow card limit against Newcastle in December 2001.”
“In the end he got two yellow cards and was sent off, but that’s not what he meant.”
Despite this setback, Arsenal eventually turned things around and went undefeated in the domestic league that season, winning their second title under manager Arsene Wenger.
Bowyer was known for his ferocious personality on the pitch. (Image: Getty)
lee bowyer
Lee Bowyer, known for his aggressive style of play, missed eight games from 2002 to 2008 due to suspension. Despite this, the midfielder always maintained his innocence and claimed that the suspension was simply a reflection of his passion for the game.
Bowyer racked up 99 yellow cards in the Premier League, a record bettered only by Wayne Rooney (102) and Gareth Barry (123).
In a 2018 Copa 90 interview, Bowyer told Jermaine Jenas: “According to the law of averages, I’m going to miss some games!
Bowyer said his style of play is a result of his booking. (Image: Getty)
“It wasn’t like I deliberately thought, ‘I’m going to miss Boxing Day, so let’s get rid of this bastard right now.’ I couldn’t get out of the tackle. That was the way I played. I was always nervous.”
He added: “Maybe that’s when he was in perfect shape.”
kevin nolan
The West Ham star faced charges of deliberately serving a suspension after it emerged he had been suspended five times in a row in December 2013. Notably, all but one of these suspensions were handed down to Nolan at the end of the month.
Nolan is also suspected of being intentionally suspended. (Image: Getty)
The former midfielder has strongly denied these allegations and even canceled a celebration event in 2013. Speaking at a West Ham supporters’ forum, Nolan said:
“Of course I can’t escape this problem. I’ll be working on Wednesday while the other players are off.”
Coach Andwar Uddin praised then-coach Nolan’s decision to cancel the celebrations. “He’s the captain of the club and he’ll do whatever he thinks is appropriate and I think that’s the smart thing to do because, like anything, when you’re in a precarious situation and you’re looking like you’re having the time of your life in Dublin, that’s probably not the best message to send to the fans.”
“I think that says a lot about him. It says a lot about the club that they know that and understand that the fans are actually watching them and have a certain perception of them.”
Razor was a serious character in the Premier League. (Image: Getty)
Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock
One of the Premier League’s most colorful figures has been suspended six times over the Christmas period during his career. Mr Ruddock even ended up being arrested after West Ham’s celebratory rally.
As above, Lazer has consistently maintained his innocence regarding both his arrest and subsequent disbarment. In an interview with the Mirror in 2018, Ruddock reflected on his past, saying: “Looking back, it was crazy. It used to always be two days. No wonder it doesn’t happen now.”
He added: “When you come to training, you’re put on your feet for an hour, then everyone goes and you get dressed up, and then you’re in a pub about 10:30. It’s getting out of control. All the lads are coming.”
