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5 biggest crimes at the SWC

Cape Town - While the world continues to debate what length of ban, if any, FIFA should impose on vampire-turned footballer Luis Suarez, here is a look back the biggest SWC crimes and the punishments that were handed out to the offenders.

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez could be suspended for as many as 24 matches or two years after he appeared to bite Italy's Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder during his team's 1-0 win on Tuesday.

The FIVEworst offences before Luis Suarez came along:

Roberto Rojas, 1989 qualifier

Chilean goalkeeper achieved infamy during a qualifier against Brazil when he deliberately injured himself to prevent his side from being beaten. A firework had been thrown and Rojas cut himself with a blade hidden in his glove. He was carried off the pitch and the match was abandoned but video evidence revealed the real story. He was given a life ban, lifted in 2001, and Chile were barred from the 1994 World Cup.

Frank Rijkaard 1990

The Dutchman was sent off in a second-round match against West Germany at the World Cup in Italy after twice spitting in Rudi Voeller's hair. The first time was after he was booked for a tackle on the German and the second after a further confrontation in which he and Voeller were both shown red cards. The German media subsequently nicknamed Rijkaard 'The Llama'.

Mauro Tassotti 1994

Italy defender played in only one World Cup, in the United States in 1994, but he left an indelible mark on it. Tassotti elbowed Luis Enrique in the face during their quarterfinal, breaking the Spaniard's nose. No penalty was given at the time and Italy won 2-1 but Tassotti was banned for eight matches after the incident was reviewed.

Rivaldo 2002

Brazilian forward Rivaldo was fined for a notorious piece of play-acting at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan. Struck on the thigh by a ball kicked at him by Turkey's Hakan Unsal, Rivaldo went down clutching his face. Unsal was then sent off for a second yellow card. A video review revealed the truth and the Brazilian was fined the equivalent of about $13 000.

Zinedine Zidane 2006

French World Cup winner Zidane was sent off for head-butting Italian defender Marco Materazzi during the 2006 final, which Italy went on to win in a penalty shootout. Zidane, who claimed he had been verbally provoked, was handed a three-match suspension for the red card.

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