Kalinic of Croatia
Nikola Kalinic
Croatia’s Nikola Kalinic has joined the infamous list of players who were sent home from World Cup tournament by their country on account of misconduct. He has been sent home from the 2018 World Cup after refusing to come off the bench in their 2-0 win over Nigeria on Saturday. Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has confirmed Nikola Kalinic has been sent home. The AC Milan striker refused to come on as a substitute. He has now been banished from the Croatia squad with Dalic saying the ex-Blackburn forward blamed a back problem for not wanting to play.
Willie Johnston (Scotland)
The West Brom man was sent home from the 1978 World Cup in Argentina by the Scottish Football Association after failing a drugs test. He fell foul of FIFA’s early doping procedures after taking hay fever tablets before their 3-1 defeat to Peru. He was a last-minute replacement for Archie Gemmill to do a urine test but failed and was quickly sent home.
Roy Keane (Republic of Ireland)
The Manchester United midfielder’s departure from the Republic of Ireland’s pre-tournament training camp was one of the most memorable moments of the 2002 World Cup. He was unhappy with the standard of Ireland’s preparations which boiled over into an expletive-laden bust-up with boss Mick McCarthy in front of the squad at their base on the Pacific island of Saipan. Instead of preparing to play the opener against Cameroon, Keane was kept busy by walking around Cheshire with his dog Triggs.
Diego Maradona (Argentina)
The Argentina star was booted out of USA 94 after failing a drug test before their final group game with Bulgaria. He had previously led Argentina to the title in 1986 and to the 1990 final, where they lost to West Germany. Maradona scored in their 4-0 win over Greece before failing his test which signalled the end of his successful and controversial international career.
Nicolas Anelka (France)
France striker Anelka was axed from his country’s squad in South Africa after falling out with coach Raymond Domenech. The forward, then at Chelsea, reportedly launched a verbal attack on the manager at half-time of their 2-0 defeat to Mexico at the 2010 World Cup. He refused to apologise and, despite a players’ revolt over how Anelka had been treated, was ordered home by the French Football Federation and banned for 18 games, although Anelka retired from international football before the suspension.
Zlatko Zahovic (Slovenia)
Roy Keane was not the only player to leave the 2002 World Cup early with Slovenia playmaker Zahovic following him. The Benfica midfielder had a row with coach Srecko Katanec after being substituted in their 3-1 defeat to Spain and the Slovenia Football Federation decided to send Zahovic home early. Rudi Zavrl, the president of the federation at the time, said: “Zahovic has continued with his attitude which was damaging for the atmosphere surrounding the team.” Credit: Press Association Sport
