Paolo Di Canio PUSHED a referee. In the middle of a Premier League match. On live television. The Italian striker shoved referee Paul Alcock so hard that Alcock stumbled backwards and fell to the ground in the most dramatic way possible. And if that wasn't enough, Di Canio then gave a fascist salute to Lazio fans. Twice!
Country: Italy Position: Striker Career: 1985-2004 Clubs: Lazio, Juventus, Napoli, AC Milan, Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham, Charlton Athletic
The Rap Sheet
- Pushed referee Paul Alcock to the ground during Sheffield Wednesday vs Arsenal in 1998
- Received an 11-match ban and £10,000 fine — one of the harshest punishments in PL history
- Performed a fascist salute to Lazio fans on multiple occasions — caused international outrage
- Was fined by Lazio but defended the gesture, calling it a 'Roman salute'
- Also scored one of the greatest goals ever — a scissors kick for West Ham vs Wimbledon
The Verdict
Di Canio was a genius and a madman in equal measure. One minute he's pushing referees, the next he's scoring goals that make you cry with joy. The most talented villain on this list? Possibly. The most controversial? Absolutely!
Tomorrow: #18 — Stay tuned for the next villain!
