Many players have been reported to leave the world cup earlier even before their teams are knocked out for many reasons. Last week, Croatian striker, Nikola Kalinic was sent home after claiming to have a back injury.
Before him, there are several other players who have been sent home from the world cup for various reasons. Here are five players who got sent home earlier:
1. Willie Johnston (Scotland)Willie Johnston failed a drugs test by the Scottish Football Association. He had taken some hayfever tablets before being hammered by Peru 3-1 in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. Being the last minute replacement for Archie Gemmill, he failed to pass the Fifa’s doping procedures and got sent home.
2. Roy Keane (Republic of Ireland)Roy Keane, the former Manchester United midfielder expelled himself from his Republic of Ireland squad after witnessing poor preparations by his squad in the 2002 World Cup.
This poor standards of preparation for his team Ireland fueled arguments with his coach Mick McCarthy something that led to his departure from his team.
3. Diego Maradona (Argentina)Diego Maradona failed a drug test in the 1994 World Cup in USA. This was before their final group game against Bulgaria. Maradona had scored in their 4 nil against Greece.
He later failed a drug test before facing Bulgaria in their final group game, something that signaled the end of his international football career.
4. Nicolas Anelka (France)After disagreeing with head coach Raymond Domenech, the France striker Nicolas Anelka got sent home in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
He broke out an argument with the coach at halftime during their 2-0 defeat by Mexico. French Football Federation sent him home and even banned him 18 games.
5. Zlatko Zahovic (Slovenia)This was the second player to be sent home in the 2002 World Cup after Roy Keane. He fell out with the coach, Srecko Katanec after being substituted in their match against Spain. They lost 3-1 and the Slovenia Football Federation ordered him home.
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