Luke Davies
63 players have been banned for life by FIFA – and some of the reasons are bizarre, to say the least.
Suspensions and bans are commonplace in the footballing world, with players and coaches often forced to sit out for several games as a result of their actions during matches.
Take Liverpool boss Arne Slot as a recent example, he was handed a two-match touchline ban after he was dismissed by referee Michael Oliver following the Reds’ 2-2 draw against Everton in the Merseyside derby on February 12.
Of course, there are more extreme reasons for punishments, which have been handed out in the past. The most serious breaches of rules have resulted in lifetime bans for some players.
According to GiveMeSport, 63 players have been given lifetime bans by FIFA, the international governing body of association football.
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Among the 63 players is Mursyid Effendi, who was banned for arguably the strangest reason of all.
Several players on the list have been banned because of match-fixing, aggression towards referees and doping but what Effendi did was blatant.
Back in 1998, the Indonesian was given a life ban from international football by FIFA after he deliberately scored an own for Indonesia in their group stage match of the Tiger Cup against Thailand.
Effendi, who was a defender, saved the ball, turned around and smashed it into his own goal, making the score 3-2 to Thailand.
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It was thought that part of the motivation for his actions, was the fact the group winners would face hosts Vietnam - a 'strong' side - while the runners-up would play against Singapore - a 'weaker' team - in the semi-final.
As it turned out, Indonesia lost in the final four and Singapore went on to win the tournament.
Dominique Taboga and Sanel Kuljic - Match fixing (both) and blackmail (Kuljic)
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Danijel Madaric Match - Match fixing
Jonathan Bachini - Doping
Seidath Tchomogo, Ibrahim Kargbo and Hellings Mwakasungula - "Match manipulation"
Ahmad Al Saleh - Aggression shown to an official
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Ramez Dayoub and Mahmoud El Ali - Match fixing
Vathana Keodouangdeth, Odien Syharlad, Sitthideth Khanthavong, Anousay Noyvong, Thenthong Phonsettha, Vongdalasene Sayoulasouk, Paseuthsack Souliyavong, Xaisongkham Champathong, Khouanta Sivongthong, Maitee, Dao Khotsaya, Soubandit Thammavong, Phoutthakone Keovongsa, Hang Sukonthea, Peas Sothy, Saynakhonevieng Phommapanya, Chintana Souksavath, Moukda Souksavath and MPhatthana Syvilay - "Involvement in the manipulation of matches"
Ou Kyoung-Jun, Park Jung-Hae, Kwon Jip, Lee Jung-Won, Yang Jung-Min, Kwak Chang-Hee, Sin Jun-Bae, Kim Ba-Woo, Park Sang-Wook and Kang Gu-Nam - Match fixing
Mursyid Effendi - Deliberately scoring an own goal
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Iu Wai - Attempted to bribe fellow players
Salvador Carmona - Doping
Luis Anaya, Osael Romero, Ramon Sanchez, Christian Castillo, Miguel Granada, Miguel Montes, Dagoberto Portillo, Dennis Alas, Darwin Bonilla, Ramon Flores, Alfredo Pacheco, Mordecai Henriquez, Marvin Gonzalez and Reynaldo Hernandez - Match fixing
Guillermo Ramirez, Yony Flores and Gustavo Cabrera - Match fixing
Romario, Gabriel Tota, Matheus Gomes, Ygor Catatau - Match fixing