10 Footballers Who Refused To Play

5. Sébastien Squillaci

William Gallas Arsenal
Nigel French/EMPICS Sport

Gunners fans should probably have prepared for the worst when Arsenal's new signee Sébastian Squillaci took up the same number as previous backline flops Mikaël Silvestre and Pascal Cygan in 2010. However, such was the Frenchman's frankly unprofessional determination to link up with Arsène Wenger that many hoped that same passion would be transduced into performances (spoiler: it was not).

Having turned 30, the Sevilla defender knew his career was about to pass its peak. So when a lucrative offer from Arsenal came in, there was absolutely no question about his intentions. Determined to force the move to the Emirates at any cost, Squillaci flatly refused to play in his club's Champions League qualifier against Braga, lest he be cup-tied for the rest of the season. The Frenchman left his sabotage until the very last second, only telling coach Antonio Alvarez he was sitting out after he delivered his team talk.

Sevilla lost 1-0, but Squillaci didn't care. "If a French player receives an offer from Arsène Wenger, it's practically impossible to turn down," he said. "It was a sensational offer for me and I was happy Sevilla let me go."

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.