‘Absolute Boll*cks’ – Football’s Potty Mouths

After a newspaper reports emerged that Gary Lineker has been spoken to regarding his language on Twitter (he hadn’t) following Leicester City’s incredible 5-3 win against Manchester United, we’ve decided to put together some of the best foul-mouthed footballing rants.

Wayne Rooney v West Ham, 2011:
After a bit of a rough patch in front of goal for United, the knives were out for Rooney as fans and the media alike dished out some serious abuse. Against West Ham at Upton Park – in front of the Sky cameras, no less – the England striker answered those critics with a hat-trick and the following ferocious outburst of swearing that seen him handed a two-match ban by the FA.

Harry Redknapp, ‘Wheeler Dealer’:
Harry Redknapp is fond of a bargain transfer, isn’t he? If there was a competition to see who could sign the most players in a single window, the former West Ham manager would probably be quoted odds of 1/7 to win – he loves it. He doesn’t love the reputation it brings, though.

In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, the then Spurs manager took umbrage with the interviewer’s assertion that he was quite the ‘wheeler dealer’; it didn’t go down well.

Didier Drogba, ‘A f*cking Disgrace’:
There’s nothing like seeing a footballer lose it on the field, is there? We’ve all been there at some level or another. The ref has done you over on a number of decisions; you feel cheated, ridiculed – you want a word!
Didier Drogba took that to another level after Chelsea’s Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona and an extra-time wonder strike from Andres Iniesta. The Ivorian went absolutely mental at the final whistle, plaguing the referee and screaming obscenities into the watching TV cameras.

Sir Alex Ferguson, ‘Absolute Bollocks’:
A list of swearing in football wouldn’t quite be complete without a bit of a zinger from Sir Alex Ferguson, would it? The legendary former Manchester United manager was infamous for his use of, erm, ‘industrial language’ no matter who he was speaking to.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Geoff Shreeves had the temerity to question whether Fergie had felt more pressure at this stage of his career than any other due to their poor run of form. The response was as blunt as it was magnificent.

Roy Keane, Patrick Viera Tunnel Bust-Up:
Still one of the most infamous and played bust-ups in football, Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira going head-to-head in the Highbury tunnel before a huge clash is spine-tingling.

An argument between Arsenal captain, Vieira and Gary Neville breaks out at the back of the line-up before Keane erupts in defence of his team mate, swearing at and threatening the French midfielder before all and sundry on the Sky Sports cameras.