When peace and harmony deserts European Championship squads
1. Edgar Davids (Holland)
It is hard to believe, but mild-mannered Davids was sent home from Euro 96 after a bust-up with Guus Hiddink. Apparently the coach was not best pleased with Davids’ matter-of-fact observation on radio that: “Hiddink must take his head out of players’ asses, so he can see better.”
2. Tugay (Turkey)
You don’t moan to Mustafa Denizli when he substitutes you and then expect to stay in a hotel with him for three weeks. Tugay threw his shin pads at the Turkey coach at Euro 2000. “As long as I am coach of the Turkish national team, I cannot accept this type of behavior,” said Denizli as he packed Tugay off to Isanbul.
3. Sergei Kiryakov (Russia)
The then Karlsruhe man was sent home from Euro 96 by Russia coach Oleg Romantsev amid claims that he was undermining team morale. Kiryakov played in Russia’s opening game against Italy, but was soon on a flight out of England.
4. Alexander Mostovoi (Russia)
With startling similarities to the Kiryakov incident, Russia’s star player was sent home from Euro 2004 after defeat to Spain in their opening match. Mostovoi had given an interview to the media saying that coach Georgi Yartsev had overworked the players in training and that they were tired in the match. Yartsev obviously didn’t agree and shipped Mostovoi home.
5. Thierry Henry and Robert Pires (France)
Then France coach Jacques Santini claimed he was forced to intervene to break-up training ground clashes between Henry and Pires in the build-up to Euro 2004. He said: “There were clashes between players, some from the same club. Arsenal? Yes. Thierry Henry and Robert Pires? You know that. There were some training sessions that were electric. We tried to control our players after that.”
6. Antonio Cassano and Giorgio Chiellini (Italy)
Surprise, surprise. This one is from just a couple of days ago. Cassano (if you do insist on picking him, Mr Donadoni…) reacted angrily to a have challenge from Chiellini. While Cassano’s tantrums are legendary, he might have had a point on this occasion as Chiellini’s challenge had put Fabio Cannavaro out of Euro 2008 a few days earlier. Cassano responded in the best possible way: a lunge on Andrea Barzagli. Donadoni stepped in at this stage!