The Premier League has been viewed by many as the best league in the world for at least 20 years so its only natural that the top stars let their competitive edge get the better of them. What comes with being a top player is media scrutiny, decisions not going your way and controversy.
It becomes likely that they're going to voice their opinion or get frustrated. Take, for example, Lisandro Martinez who called out Manchester United's hierarchy for a lack of recruitment during the 2026 summer transfer window.
With that said, we rank the 10 biggest public outbursts by players in Premier League history. These include angry interviews and heated incidents before and after a match.
10. Raheem Sterling’s Pre-Match Statement (2024)
Exactly one hour before Chelsea's opening match of the 2024/25 season against Manchester City, Raheem Sterling’s camp dropped a bombshell public statement.
Having been entirely frozen out by new manager Enzo Maresca and excluded from the matchday squad, Sterling’s representatives publicly demanded "clarity" on his future right as his teammates were walking out to warm up. The statement led to the point of no return and his Chelsea career was over.
9. Danny Rose Demands Googleable Signings (2017)
If you've watched the Tottenham Hotspur series of All or Nothing on Amazon then you'll know all about the tension that had grown between Danny Rose back in 2017.
Furious with Spurs' strict wage structure and lack of ambition in the transfer market, Rose demanded the club sign "players you don't have to Google" and publicly threatened to move north for better pay. The left-back watched his career in North London slowly fizzle out and this was no help to his cause.
8. William Gallas Destroys the Dressing Room (2008)
Arsenal endured one of the biggest title fumbles of all time in 2008 and the team fell apart from the inside.
Captain William Gallas gave a shocking interview where he essentially accused his younger teammates of lacking bravery, claiming that players in the dressing room were actively insulting each other. Arsène Wenger was absolutely furious with the public airing of dirty laundry; he immediately stripped Gallas of the captaincy and dropped him from the squad.
7. Jadon Sancho Calls Out Erik ten Hag (2023)
This incident probably sums up the state of Manchester United post-Sir Alex Ferguson as player and manager relationships have been a massive issue.
After Erik ten Hag told the media that Jadon Sancho had been dropped for poor training performances, the winger immediately took to X to publicly call his manager a liar. Claiming he was being made a "scapegoat," Sancho pinned the post to his profile. The massive public feud led to his United career being dead in the water.
6. Eden Hazard Kicks a Swansea Ballboy (2013)
Outbursts aren't always from words sometimes doing something on the pitch can get you the same headlines. During a tense League Cup semi-final against Swansea, Chelsea were crashing out and desperately needed a goal.
When the ball went out of play for a goal kick, a Swansea ballboy fell on top of it, deliberately wasting time. Eden Hazard tried to kick the ball out from under him, but instead kicked the teenager in the ribs. Hazard was immediately shown a straight red card in one of the most strange sending offs ever.
5. Kepa Arrizabalaga Refuses to be Substituted (2019)
During the dying minutes of the 2019 League Cup final against Manchester City, Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri attempted to substitute his goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, for penalty specialist Willy Caballero.
Kepa, in front of 80,000 fans at Wembley and millions watching at home, furiously wagged his finger, and refused to leave the pitch. Sarri was raging on the bench and the blues ended up losing the penalty shootout so lose lose for both player and manager.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo Smashes a Fan’s Phone (2022)
The famous player on the planet is going to get fans wanting a picture or watching his every move. So lashing out a teenager definitely didn't help the Manchester United hero's image.
Following United’s dismal 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park, a visibly furious Cristiano Ronaldo limped down the tunnel. As a 14-year-old Everton fan leaned over to film him, the Portuguese superstar violently slapped the phone out of the boy's hand, smashing it to the ground. The outburst led to a police caution, a £50,000 fine from the FA, and a two-match ban.
3. Didier Drogba: "It's a Disgrace!" (2009)
The most controversial refereeing performance of any Champions League game. Chelsea were looking to set up a rematch with Manchester United in the final but just had to get through Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.
After at least three clear penalties weren't given, Andres Iniesta scored a last minute equaliser to send the blues home on away goals. As the final whistle blew, the Chelsea players lost their minds. Chasing the referee down the tunnel while being held back by stewards, Didier Drogba turned directly to a live television camera and screamed: "It's a f***ing disgrace!".
2. Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer Fight Each Other (2005)
It's not often you see two players from the same team in the last minutes of game decide to throw hands in the middle of the pitch.
During a miserable 3-0 home defeat to Aston Villa, Newcastle United midfielders Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer got into a argument over a misplaced pass. They then went from face to head to then instantly escalated into a full-blown fistfight in the middle of St. James' Park, resulting in both players having their shirts ripped and receiving straight red cards, leaving Newcastle with eight men.
1. Eric Cantona's Kung-Fu Kick (1995)
The only thing that can top two players fighting is a player fighting a fan. After being sent off for Manchester United against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, Eric Cantona walked down the touchline when a Palace fan, Matthew Simmons, ran down to hurl abuse at him.
Cantona snapped, launching himself over the advertising hoardings with a flying, studs-up kung-fu kick aimed squarely at the fan's chest, followed by a some punches. The fight ended up in a nine-month global ban from football and 120 hours of community service.
