The most ridiculous fines footballers have been forced to pay

In the world of football, where passion and skill collide, fines are a necessary evil to maintain discipline and uphold the integrity of the sport. However, some fines levied by football governing bodies around the globe have raised eyebrows and sparked incredulous reactions from fans and players alike.

Today, we shine a spotlight on the most outlandish fines in football, showcasing instances where the punishment seems to outweigh the crime. From bizarre celebrations to seemingly innocuous gestures, these fines have left the football community scratching their heads.

1. Coming in at number one is the Kenny Burns saga at Nottingham Forest, where he was hit with a £50 fine for his audacious act of passing the ball across his 18-yard box. Brian Clough’s uncompromising management stance on team tactics left no room for such manoeuvres, resulting in an instant fine for the player. Adding a twist to the tale, Brian Clough chose to deliver the fine at halftime, defying the conventional post-match timing for such disciplinary actions.

Kenny Burns has said: “One time he hit me with an instant fine for a bad pass. Liam O’Kane was sent to the office to type out the punishment, official paper with the wee Forest tree, and Cloughie handed me it at half-time – 50 bloody quid!”

2. Moving on, we have Kingsley Coman who incurred a fine for driving his personal Mercedes to training instead of the club-endorsed Audi in 2020. Given Audi’s 8.3% ownership stake in Bayern Munich, players are mandated to use these vehicles for training, matches, and sponsored events as per the deal agreed between Bayern Munich and Audi until 2029. Despite reporting a broken side mirror on his Audi, this breach of protocol led to a substantial £43,000 fine for the player.

3. Securing the third spot on the list of most ridiculous football fines is Robbie Savage, renowned for winding up opponents during his playing career, often leading to occasional cards and fines for his combative style. Yet, the pinnacle of hilarity was reached in 2002 when Savage received an “improper conduct” fine. The incident that triggered this penalty was his utilisation of the referee’s toilet while playing at Leicester City.

Explaining the unconventional choice, Savage shared: “I had a bad case of diarrhoea on the day of the game, so had to go there and then, and the nearest place was the referee’s toilet.” This unforeseen necessity resulted in a fine equivalent to two weeks’ wages for the player.

4. Securing the fourth position is the fine policy Steven Gerrard implemented during his managerial tenure from November 2021 to October 2022 at Aston Villa. One notable regulation issued a £50 fine to footballers who forgot to bring a birthday cake for their teammates and staff. Steven Gerrard took this disciplinary approach to an unconventional level by introducing a rule that obliged any player who received a red card to treat the entire team to a meal within four weeks of the expulsion.

5. Concluding the list, Frank Lampard’s many fines left football fans astonished at the cumulative amounts he imposed on the players during his managerial stint at Chelsea starting on the 4th of July 2021 and lasting till the 25th of January 2021. Particularly noteworthy fines amounted to £25,000 for being late to training and a staggering £500 per minute for being late to team meetings.

As football enthusiasts around the world shake their heads at these peculiar fines, it prompts a larger conversation about the balance between maintaining discipline and allowing players to express themselves.