5 footballers who have been sent to prison over match-related incidents

Footballers who commit violent acts on the pitch can face more than sporting sanctions, with some prosecuted and sentenced to prison for assaults on fellow players and match officials.
While football governing bodies routinely punish players for violent conduct through suspensions and fines, some incidents have attracted the attention of criminal courts, with players handed custodial sentences for assaults on opponents and match officials.

Here are five footballers who have faced prison sentences over violent incidents during or around football matches.

1. Duncan Ferguson

Offence: Headbutting an opponent.
Sentence: Three months in prison.
Year: 1995.

Former Scotland ...