4. Rio Ferdinand - Eight Months
Chris Ison/PA Wire/Press Association ImagesIt isn't just actions on the field that can cause footballers to receive hefty and lengthy bans - just ask Rio Ferdinand. Arguably one of the finest central defenders England has ever produced, the elder Ferdinand brother and nephew of Sir Les fell foul of the FA's stringent rules surrounding drug testing. In 2003, not long after joining Manchester United, Ferdinand failed to attend a routine drug test at United's training ground. He said he had simply forgotten - and even passed the test the following day - but the FA deemed that it was too late and the crime had already been committed. They accused Ferdinand of "failure or refusal" to attend a drugs test, and were quick to impose a huge ban on the defender to make their point. He was banned for eight months, meaning he not only missed the remainder of United's season, but he was cruelly forced out of the Euro 2004 tournament with England.