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Ronaldinho -

On August 25, 2020, Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldinho was released from house arrest in Paraguay—ending a five-month ordeal that began when he tried to enter the country with a forged passport. The former player and his brother Roberto Assis were initially held in jail before posting bail. Appearing in court in Asunción (pictured), a judge ordered the pair to pay a US$200,000 fine between them, reports the BBC. Ronaldinho is now free to return to Brazil.

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Ronaldinho -

But it's not the first time Ronaldinho has become embroiled in controversy: in July 2019, the player had his Brazilian and Spanish passports confiscated, reportedly over unpaid taxes and the non-payment of fines for illegally building on a nature reserve in Brazil.

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Harry Maguire -

Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire allegedly brawled with Greek police after his sister was hurt during a confrontation with drinkers. The Premier League player spent two nights in a police cell after the incident, which took place on August 20, 2020 on the Greek island of Mykonos. He is pictured emerging from the court after pleading not guilty to charges of aggravated assault and attempted bribery of an official.

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Harry Maguire -

Despite the allegations, England head coach Gareth Southgate had initially included Maguire in September's squad for the Nations League games. However, Maguire was given a suspended prison sentence after being found guilty of assaulting a police officer, swearing, resisting arrest, and attempted bribery by a court on the island of Syros on August 25. 

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O.J. Simpson -

In 1994, O.J. Simpson was arrested and charged with the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman. Acquitted of the murders in criminal court, but eventually found responsible for both deaths in a civil trial, the former NFLer and actor was later charged with armed robbery and kidnapping in 2007. He served nine years in jail before being released on October 1, 2017.

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Duncan Ferguson -

Scottish former professional soccer player Duncan Ferguson was convicted of assault for the 1994 on-the-field headbutting of Raith Rovers defender John McStay while playing for the Glasgow Rangers. He received a three-month jail term. He's pictured in 2004 with Everton, and is now that club's first team assistant manager.

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Mike Tyson -

World heavyweight champion boxer Mike Tyson was sentenced to six years in prison in 1992 for the sexual assault of 18-year-old Desiree Washington in an Indianapolis hotel room. He served less than three years of the sentence.

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Tonya Harding -

In 1994, former figure skater Tonya Harding became embroiled in controversy when her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, orchestrated an assault on her fellow US skating rival Nancy Kerrigan. Harding later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to hinder prosecution and was eventually sentenced to three years' probation, 500 hours of community service, and given a US$100,000 fine.

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Eric Cantona -

Eric Cantona's infamous kung-fu kick aimed at an abusive fan after the Manchester United forward was sent off during a match against Crystal Palace made headlines worldwide. The Frenchman received a lengthy ban and was sentenced to two weeks' in prison, although this was overturned on appeal. Instead, he carried out 120 hours of community service.

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Lester Piggott -

English professional jockey Lester Piggott's glittering career was tarnished after he was convicted of tax fraud and jailed in 1987. He served 366 days in prison, and was stripped of his OBE (Order of the British Empire).

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Ray Rice -

The career of American football running back Ray Rice effectively ended after a grand jury indicted him on third-degree aggravated assault relating to an incident involving his fiancée (now wife), Janay Palmer. The criminal charges were later dropped but the adverse publicity surrounding the case was enough to see Rice kicked out of the NFL.

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Oscar Pistorius -

In a case that made headline news around the world, South African professional sprinter Oscar Pistorius was found guilty in 2015 for the 2013 murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He was eventually sentenced to 13 years and five months.

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Black Sox Scandal -

The Black Sox Scandal centered around eight members of the Chicago White Sox who were accused of throwing the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for money from a gambling syndicate. Despite acquittals in a 1921 trial, all eight were permanently banned from professional baseball, including the alleged ringleader, Charles "Chick" Gandil (pictured).

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Chris Lewis -

English cricketer Chris Lewis was set for a bight international future. A decline in form, however, saw him leave professional cricket in his early thirties. In 2009, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison for smuggling narcotics. He was released in June 2015 after serving six years of his sentence.

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Riddick Bowe -

World heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe was convicted of the February 1998 kidnapping of his estranged wife, Judy, and their five children. He served 17 months behind bars.

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Sonny Liston -

Legendary boxer Sonny Liston was once the most feared fighter in the ring. But before fame found him, Liston served two years in the Missouri State Penitentiary for robbery before being released in 1952. He was still a world-ranked boxer when he died under mysterious circumstances in 1970.

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Dennis Rodman -

There were plenty of incidents involving Dennis Rodman both on and off the basketball court during his career. And even after retirement, the athlete has had numerous run-ins with the law, including arrest for public drunkenness and domestic violence.

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Ugueth Urbina -

Venezuelan-born baseball star Uguetha Urbina's career was cut short in 2005 after he was arrested by Venezuelan authorities for attempted murder, for which he served just over seven years in prison.

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Don King -

Boxing promoter Don King has been charged with killing two people in incidents 13 years apart. In 1954, he shot a man in the back after spotting him trying to rob one of his gambling houses; this incident was ruled a justifiable homicide. In 1967, King was convicted of voluntary manslaughter for stomping one of his employees to death, an assault that earned him three years and 11 months behind bars.

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Joachim Löw -

Head coach of the German national men's soccer team, Joachim Löw has lost his driver's license on two occasions: once in 2006 (for one month) and once in 2014 (for six months) because of his reckless behavior behind the wheel (excessive speed and phoning).

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Lee Hughes -

In August 2004, English professional soccer player Lee Hughes was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, and was sentenced to six years imprisonment. He served three years and later resumed his career, a move that surprised many.

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Vinnie Jones -

Known today for his appearance on the big screen in films that include 'Snatch' (2000) and 'Gone in 60 Seconds' (2000), former professional soccer player Vinnie Jones was convicted in June 1998 of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage against a neighbor. In addition, Jones was convicted in December 2003 of assault and threatening behavior on an aircraft for an air rage incident. He was fined a modest sum, and ordered to perform 80 hours of community service.

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Ben Cousins -

One of the most celebrated names in Australian rules football, Ben Cousins lost his direction after retiring from the game and ended up in prison in 2017 after being convicted of offenses related to narcotics, violence, and stalking. He was released in January 2018.

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Craig Titus -

American former professional bodybuilder Craig Titus is currently serving a prison sentence for second-degree murder, kidnapping, and arson. He is eligible for parole release in 2026. Wis wife, Kelly Ryan, was implicated in the homicide and was also jailed.

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Geoffrey Boycott -

In 1996, respected English former cricketer Geoffrey Boycott was accused of assault by his lover, Margaret Moore. Appearing in a court in France, Boycott was convicted of domestic violence, handed down a three-month suspended sentence, and fined a modest sum.

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Mike Danton -

Canadian former professional ice hockey player Mike Danton was arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder, in this case his agent, in 2004. He served five years of a seven-and-a-half sentence.

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Jos Verstappen -

Dutch Formula One driver Jos Verstappen was given a five-year suspended sentence after being found guilty in court of assault. It followed an incident at a karting track in which a man suffered a fractured skull.

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Philippe Jeantot -

Yachtsman Philippe Jeantot, who in 1989 founded the prestigious Vendée Globe, a single-handed, round-the-world, non-stop yacht race, was given a suspended two-year sentence and fined a hefty sum for tax evasion after a 2003 trial. 

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Boris Becker -

In 2002, German tennis ace Boris Becker narrowly avoided jail after being found guilty in a Munich court of tax evasion. He was sentenced to two years' probation and handed down a considerable fine.

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Lionel Messi -

In July 2016, a Spanish court sentenced Lionel Messi to 21 months in prison for tax fraud. The Argentina and Barcelona soccer star was also fined around €2.1 million (US$2.5 million). Messi ultimately avoided jail. Fellow soccer greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar have faced similar charges.

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