After the glory of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year it is now time to focus on 2012's villains, when the darker side of sport had just as great a voice as those of its counterparts.
Compiled below is an eight-man list of individuals you could talk about all day for all the wrong reasons.
LANCE ARMSRTONG
Perhaps the favourite to top the poll, the 'triumph in the face of adversity' factor Armstrong took God-like pride in standing for was finally shattered this year. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said the Texan used banned substances, including the blood-booster EPO and steroids, as well as blood transfusions dating back to 1996. Stripped of the seven Tour de France titles he won between 1999 and 2005, his sponsors then began to desert him like rats on a sinking ship and he lost his Tufts University honorary degree. Even his Livestrong cancer charity have dropped his name.
But is Armstrong penitent? No. Rather than finally come (ahem) clean, he posted a picture of himself on Twitter laying on a sofa surrounded by his seven yellow jerseys. The delusion.
JOEY BARTON
You can masquerade as a pseudo-intellect by quoting Nietszche, toning down your thick Scouse accent and love The Smiths all you like, Joey, but a leopard never changes its spots. Barton, indulged by The Guardian to such a preposterously pretentious degree on one occasion this year, was captain of QPR when he elbowed Carlos Tévez and kneed Sergio Agüero before making a beeline for Mario Balotelli as his club bid to avoid relegation. His stupidity and thuggishness - two traits he is synonymous with - ensured QPR eventually lost 3-2 while Barton lost his place in English football. He has since absconded to Marseille, where the cracks of his facade have widened again with that press conference.
JOHN TERRY
So toxic he cost an England manager his job, an England defender a Euro 2012 squad berth and still had the temerity to claim his position in the international set-up was "untenable". Why? Because the Football Association had charged him, and would subsequently find him guilty, of calling Anton Ferdinand a "f****** black c***". And we've not even mentioned him changing into a full kit - shinpads included - to celebrate Chelsea's Champions League final win, a game he was of course suspended for.
SEPP BLATTER
An annual inclusion by default, the clownish bureaucrat has succeeded again this year in undermining racism in football, brushing incidents under an already bloated carpet. Although not quite as odious as sporting forefather Jean-Marie Balestre, he continues to give French-speaking sport executives a bad name.
Sports Villain Of The Year
Queens Park Rangers' English midfielder (01 of71)
Queens Park Rangers' English midfielder Joey Barton (2nd L) clashes with Manchester City's Belgian defender Vincent Kompany (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on May 13, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
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Queen's Park Rangers player Joey Barton, right, argues with Manchester City's Carlo Tevez, before Barton is sent off during the English Premier League soccer match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England, Sunday May 13, 2012. Manchester City won the match 3-2 and the English Premier League title. (AP Photo/PA, Peter Byrne) UNITED KINGDOM OUT NO SALES NO ARCHIVE (credit:AP)
Soccer - Joey Barton File Photo(03 of71)
File photo dated 13/05/2012 of QPR's Joey Barton after being sent off during the Barclays Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium. (credit:PA)
Queens Park Rangers' English midfielder (04 of71)
Queens Park Rangers' English midfielder Joey Barton (2nd R) is helped off the field by Manchester City substitute Micah Richards (R) after being sent off by referee Mike Dean (not pictured) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on May 13, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Etihad Stadium(05 of71)
Tempers flare after Queens Park Rangers' Joey Barton clashes with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Etihad Stadium(06 of71)
Manchester City's Carlos Tevez and Queens Park Rangers' Joey Barton clash (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Etihad Stadium(07 of71)
Queens Park Rangers Joey Barton is sent off during the Barclays Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Etihad Stadium(08 of71)
QPR's Joey Barton argues with Manchester City's Carlo Tevez before being sent off during the Barclays Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Denmark Soccer Champions League(11 of71)
FC Nordsjaelland's Michael Parkhurst of the USA and Shaktar Donetsk's Luiz Adriano of Brazil after the controversial goal after an injury stop during their Group E Champions League soccer match at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Polfoto/Lars Poulsen) DENMARK OUT (credit:AP)
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FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2012 file photo, FC Nordsjælland's captain Nikolai Stokholm, right, talks with Shaktar Donetsk's Luiz Adriano and Fernandinho of Brazil, after Adriano scored a controversial goal after an injury stop during their Group E Champions League soccer match at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark. (AP Photo/Polfoto/Lars Poulsen, File) DENMARK OUT (credit:AP)
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FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2012 file photo, referee Antony Gautier, left, FC Nordsjaelland's goalkeeper Jesper Hansen, in yellow, looks on with Ivan Runje of Croatia, at far right, as Shaktar Donetsk's Luiz Adriano of Brazil scores a controversial goal after an injury stop during their Group E Champions League soccer match at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark. (AP Photo/Polfoto/Lars Poulsen, File) DENMARK OUT (credit:AP)
Denmark Soccer Champions League(14 of71)
Referee Antony Gautier, left, FC Nordsjaelland's goalkeeper Jesper Hansen, in yellow, looks on with Ivan Runje of Croatia, at far right, as Shaktar Donetsk's Luiz Adriano of Brazil scores a controversial goal after an injury stop during their Group E Champions League soccer match at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Polfoto/Lars Poulsen) DENMARK OUT (credit:AP)
Denmark Soccer Champions League(15 of71)
FC Nordsjaelland's goalkeeper Jesper Hansen looks on as Shaktar Donetsk's Luiz Adriano of Brazil scores a controversial goal after an injury stop during their Group E Champions League soccer match at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Polfoto/Lars Poulsen) DENMARK OUT (credit:AP)
Denmark Soccer Champions League(16 of71)
Referee Antony Gautier presents a yellow card to Shaktar Donetsk's Luiz Adriano of Brazil, during their Group E Champions League soccer match against FC Nordsjaelland at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Polfoto/Lars Poulsen) DENMARK OUT (credit:AP)
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FC Nordsjælland's captain Nikolai Stokholm, right, talks with Shaktar Donetsk's Luiz Adriano and Fernandinho of Brazil, after Adriano scored a controversial goal after an injury stop during their Group E Champions League soccer match at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Polfoto/Lars Poulsen) DENMARK OUT (credit:AP)
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Supporters celebrate as Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano (R) leaves the pitch during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match FC Nordsjaelland vs FC Shakhtar Donetsk in Copenhagen, Denmark, on November 20, 2012. Shakhtar Donetsk won the match 2-5. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS HILLERGREN (Photo credit should read ANDREAS HILLERGREN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano celebrates after scoring the 1-1 during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match FC Nordsjaelland vs FC Shakhtar Donetsk in Copenhagen, Denmark, on November 20, 2012. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS HILLERGREN (Photo credit should read ANDREAS HILLERGREN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano (C) discusses with Nordsjaelland's US defender Michael Parkhurst (L) during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match FC Nordsjaelland vs FC Shakhtar Donetsk in Copenhagen, Denmark, on November 20, 2012. Shakhtar Donetsk won the match 2-5. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS HILLERGREN (Photo credit should read ANDREAS HILLERGREN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Final - Bayern Munich v Chelsea - Allianz Arena(21 of71)
Chelsea's John Terry (left) alongside team mate Henrique Hilario in the stands before the game (credit:PA)
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Chelsea's John Terry holds the trophy at the end of the Champions League final soccer match between Bayern Munich and Chelsea in Munich, Germany Saturday May 19, 2012. Chelsea's Didier Drogba scored the decisive penalty in the shootout as Chelsea beat Bayern Munich to win the Champions League final after a dramatic 1-1 draw on Saturday. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
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Chelsea's British defender John Terry celebrates after the UEFA Champions League final football match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Chelsea FC on May 19, 2012 at the Fussball Arena stadium in Munich. Chelsea won 4-3 in the penalty phase. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Final - Bayern Munich v Chelsea - Allianz Arena(24 of71)
Chelsea's John Terry celebrates with his UEFA Champions League winners medal after the game (credit:PA)
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Chelsea's British defender John Terry holds the trophy after the UEFA Champions League final football match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Chelsea FC on May 19, 2012 at the Fussball Arena stadium in Munich. Chelsea won 4-3 in the penalty phase. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
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File photo dated 23/10/11 of Chelsea captain John Terry (right) speaking with QPR's Anton Ferdinand during the Barclays Premier League match at Loftus Road, London. (credit:PA)
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Previously un-issued photo dated 23/10/2011 of Chelsea captain John Terry (centre right) covering his mouth after speaking with QPR's Anton Ferdinand (centre left) during the Barclays Premier League match at Loftus Road, London (credit:PA)
John Terry race charge(28 of71)
Chelsea captain John Terry leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, where he is on trial accused of racially abusing fellow footballer Anton Ferdinand. (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Queens Park Rangers v Chelsea - Loftus Road(29 of71)
Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand and Chelsea's John Terry prior to during the Barclays Premier League match at Loftus Road, London. (credit:PA)
Anton Ferdinand, John Terry(30 of71)
Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand ignores the hand of Chelsea's John Terry, third left, during a pre-match handshakes before the start of their English Premier League soccer match at Loftus Road stadium, London, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. Chelsea's captain John Terry was acquitted in July of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand in last year's corresponding match. (AP Photo/Sang Tan) (credit:AP)
Lance Armstrong(31 of71)
FILE - This May 21, 2006, file photo shows Lance Armstrong showing his Tufts University cycling jersey while he delivered the commencement address at Tufts University 150th commencement in Somerville, Mass. Tufts University has rescinded Armstrong's honorary degree. A university spokeswoman says the school's trustees voted unanimously at their meeting this month to rescind the doctor of humane letters bestowed upon Armstrong in 2006. (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki, File) (credit:AP)
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FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2011 file photo,Lance Armstrong sits during a news conference at the Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. The IOC formally opened an investigation Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, that could result in Lance Armstrong losing his Olympic bronze medal for doping. Cycling's governing body, the UCI, last week formally stripped Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles from 1999-2005. Armstrong could also lose the bronze medal he won in the road time trial at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) (credit:AP)
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Lance Armstrong speaks at the Livestrong Challenge Austin bike ride Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Austin, Texas. Lance Armstrong greeted about 4,300 cyclists at his Livestrong charity's fund-raising bike ride, then retreated into privacy as cycling officials get set to announce if they will appeal his lifetime ban and loss of seven Tour de France titles ordered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas) (credit:AP)
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A picture taken on October 23, 2012 during a show in Le Bourget, north of Paris, shows the tweeter website of US cyclist Lance Armstrong. The phrase '7-time Tour de France winner' evaporated from his @lancearmstrong profile, along with a reference to triathlon, in which he is also now banned from elite competition as a drug cheat. Armstrong's epic fall concluded on October 22 with the loss of seven Tour de France titles, leaving cycling with a gaping hole in its record book and grasping for a way to move past a drug-tainted era. AFP PHOTO JOEL SAGET (Photo credit should read JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A picture taken on November 11, 2012 in Paris shows a computer screen featuring an web page with a picture posted by disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong on which he poses provocatively with his framed seven Tour de France winners jerseys in his Austin home. Armstrong was banned on October 22, 2012 by the International Cycling Union (UCI) as the world cycling body upheld an earlier doping sanction handed to the seven-times Tour de France champion. AFP PHOTO KENZO TRIBOUILLARD (Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Lance Armstrong(36 of71)
Lance Armstrong speaks at the Livestrong Challenge Austin bike ride Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Austin, Texas. Lance Armstrong greeted about 4,300 cyclists at his Livestrong charity's fund-raising bike ride, then retreated into privacy as cycling officials prepare to announce if they will appeal his lifetime ban and loss of seven Tour de France titles ordered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.(AP Photo/Michael Thomas) (credit:AP)
Lance Armstrong Speaks At The LIVESTRONG Challenge Ride(37 of71)
AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 21: Lance Armstrong speaks before the LIVESTRONG Challenge Ride at Palmer Events Center on October 21, 2012 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Lance Armstrong Speaks At The LIVESTRONG Challenge Ride(38 of71)
AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 21: Lance Armstrong speaks before the LIVESTRONG Challenge Ride at Palmer Events Center on October 21, 2012 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Lance Armstrong Speaks At The LIVESTRONG Challenge Ride(39 of71)
AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 21: Cyclist Lance Armstrong (L) addresses participants at The LIVESTRONG Challenge Ride as Doug Ulman (R), Livestrong President and CEO, looks on at Palmer Events Center on October 21, 2012 in Austin, Texas. More than 4,000 cyclists participated in the charity ride supporting cancer survivors. Armstrong has recently been accused of leading 'the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen' according to USADA officials. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Lance Armstrong Speaks At The LIVESTRONG Challenge Ride(40 of71)
AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 21: Lance Armstrong speaks before the LIVESTRONG Challenge Ride at Palmer Events Center on October 21, 2012 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Haye and Dereck Chisora Press Conference(41 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Dereck Chisora during a head to head press conference on July 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Vitali Klitschko v Dereck Chisora - WBC Heavyweight World Championship(42 of71)
MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 19: Dereck Chisora (C) talks with a bloodied David Haye's manager Adam Booth (R) after a brawl had taken place between Chisora and Haye at the press conference following the WBC Heavyweight World Championship fight between Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine and Dereck Chisora of Great Britain at Olympia Halle in the early hours of February 19, 2012 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Dmitry Abramov/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chisora arrives at Heathrow Airport(43 of71)
British boxer Dereck Chisora arrives back at Heathrow Airport in London following his WBC Heavyweight Title fight with Vitali Klitschko. (credit:PA)
Vitali Klitschko v Dereck Chisora - Weigh-In(44 of71)
MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 17: Heavyweight boxer Dereck Chisora of the UK loos on during the weigh in for the upcoming WBC heavyweight title fight between Chisora and Vitali Klitschko of the Ukraine at Karstadt Sports shopping center on February 17, 2012 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexandra Beier/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian WBC World Champion Vitali Klit(45 of71)
Ukrainian WBC World Champion Vitali Klitschko (L) is slapped in the face by British boxer Dereck Chisora (R) during the official weigh in Munich, southern Germany, on February 17, 2012. WBC World Champion Vitali Klitschko and his challenger Dereck Chisora will fight during the WBC World Heavyweight Championship in the Olympic hall in Munich on Saturday, February 18, 2012. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOF STACHE (Photo credit should read CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
British boxer Dereck Chisora poses durin(46 of71)
British boxer Dereck Chisora poses during the official weigh in Munich, southern Germany, on February 17, 2012. WBC World Champion Vitali Klitschko and his challenger Dereck Chisora will fight during the WBC World Heavyweight Championship in the Olympic hall in Munich on Saturday, February 18, 2012. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOF STACHE (Photo credit should read CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Boxer Chisora held after Haye brawl(47 of71)
Video grab of David Haye (right) swinging a large camera tripod over his head, as police in Germany have arrested British boxer Dereck Chisora following a bloody brawl with rival UK fighter David Haye. (credit:PA)
Frank Warren Announces Haye Vs Chisora Fight At West Ham United FC(48 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 8: Dereck Chisora looks on during a press conference to announce a fight between David Haye Vs Dereck Chisora, to be held on the 14th July at West Ham United's Boleyn Ground, on May 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
British boxer Derek Chisora poses for ph(49 of71)
British boxer Derek Chisora poses for photographers as he attends the WBA Heavyweight World Championship fight between German Marco Huck and Russian Alexander Povetkin in Stuttgart, southwestern Germany, on February 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/THOMAS KIENZLE (Photo credit should read THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
British boxer Dereck Chisora sits in his(50 of71)
British boxer Dereck Chisora sits in his corner during his fight against Ukrainian WBC World Champion Vitali Klitschko in the WBC World Heavyweight Championship in the Olympic hall in Munich on Saturday, February 18, 2012. Chisora was arrested on Sunday by Munich police in the wake of a brawl with ex-champion David Haye at a post-fight press conference after Chisora lost the title fight to Klitschko. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOF STACHE (Photo credit should read CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Joseph Sepp Blatter(51 of71)
FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter speaks during a news conference in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012. Two stadiums in Moscow will host some 2018 World Cup games, among the dozen arenas finalized by FIFA on Saturday for the first cup in Russia. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev) (credit:AP)
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FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter speaks during a press conference after a meeting of the FIFA Executive Committee at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Blatter has told the governing body's anti-corruption advisers to stop publicly criticizing the ruling board members of soccer's governing body. (AP Photo/Keystone, Alessandro Della Bella) (credit:AP)
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FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter smiles during a press conference after a meeting of the FIFA Executive Committee at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Blatter has told the governing body's anti-corruption advisers to stop publicly criticizing the ruling board members of soccer's governing body. (AP Photo/Keystone, Alessandro Della Bella) (credit:AP)
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FIFA President, Swiss Joseph Sepp Blatter looks on during the 15th edition of the "Sepp Blatter Soccer Tournament', in Ulrichen, Switzerland, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Keystone/Jean-Christophe Bott) (credit:AP)
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FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter speaks during a press conference after the extraordinary meeting of the FIFA Executive Committee, at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, Tuesday, July 17, 2012. FIFA executives discussed the approval of the new FIFA Code of Ethics, among other topics. (AP Photo/Keystone/Alessandro Della Bella) (credit:AP)
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FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter looks at a document during a press conference after the extraordinary meeting of the FIFA Executive Committee, at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, Tuesday, July 17, 2012. FIFA executives discussed the approval of the new FIFA Code of Ethics, among other topics. (AP Photo/Keystone/Alessandro Della Bella) (credit:AP)
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FIFA President Sepp Blatter gestures behind a football during a press conference on September 28, 2012 after a FIFA Executive Committee at the headquarters of the Football's world governing body in Zurich. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
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TO GO WITH AFP EXCLUSIVE STORY FIFA President Sepp Blatter gestures during an interview with AFP on August 29, 2012 at the Home of FIFA in Zurich. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
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TO GO WITH AFP EXCLUSIVE STORY FIFA President Sepp Blatter gestures during an interview with AFP on August 29, 2012 at the Home of FIFA in Zurich. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
Olympics Day 13 - Women's Football Final - Match 26 - USA v Japan(60 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: FIFA President Sepp Blatter gives high fives to Aya Miyama of Japan after the United States defeats Japan 2-1 to win the gold medal during the Women's Football gold medal match on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 9, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City Sighting - Manchester(61 of71)
Mario Balotelli, Man City, seen at Manchester airport before the team fly out to Dortmund, Germany. (credit:PA)
Manchester City FC v Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League(62 of71)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Mario Balotelli of Manchester City gestures to Roman Weidenfeller of Borussia Dortmund after scoring an equalising penalty kick during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad Stadium on October 3, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Arsenal v Manchester City - Emirates Stadium(63 of71)
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli is shown the red card by referee Martin Atkinson (right) (credit:PA)
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Italy's Mario Balotelli celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Germany and Italy in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, June 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (credit:AP)
Manchester City's Italian striker Mario (65 of71)
Manchester City's Italian striker Mario Balotelli (R) is restrained as Joey Barton (not pictured) leaves the field during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on May 13, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group D - Manchester City v Ajax - Etihad Stadium(66 of71)
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli (left) has to be led away by teammate Vincent Kompany as he complains to referee Peter Rasmussen after the final whistle (credit:PA)
Manchester City FC v Ajax Amsterdam - UEFA Champions League(67 of71)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: Mario Balotelli of Manchester City protests to Referee Peter Rasmussen after he denied him a penalty during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Manchester City FC and Ajax Amsterdam at the Etihad Stadium on November 6, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City FC v Ajax Amsterdam - UEFA Champions League(68 of71)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: Mario Balotelli of Manchester City protests to Referee Peter Rasmussen after he denied him a penalty during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Manchester City FC and Ajax Amsterdam at the Etihad Stadium on November 6, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City FC v Ajax Amsterdam - UEFA Champions League(69 of71)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: Mario Balotelli of Manchester City protests to Referee Peter Rasmussen after he denied him a penalty during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Manchester City FC and Ajax Amsterdam at the Etihad Stadium on November 6, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group D - Manchester City v Ajax - Etihad Stadium(70 of71)
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli appeals to referee Peter Rasmussen (credit:PA)
Peter Herbert/Racial discrimination case(71 of71)
Peter Herbert, Barrister and Vice Chairman of the Society of Black Lawyers, arriving at an Industrial Tribunal in London, where he is alleging racial discrimination by the Bar Council. (credit:PA)
MARIO BALOTELLI
When will the tedium end? Some have suggested Balotelli is the 21st century Cantona, only whereas the Frenchman's mystique and majesty felt organic the Italian's is manufactured and tiring. What's so crazy and lovable about interrupting a press conference? Or flexing your muscles after a goal? His wacky adventures are knowingly in full view of the cameras, much like Alan Pardew and he's hardly popular, is he? As Gary Neville said after his red card at Arsenal, "It’s a circus and every time I’ve been to a circus there’s always been some clowns."
LUIZ ADRIANO
A late but worthy contender, Adriano was suspended for Shakhtar Donetsk's final Champions League group game with Juventus for an act of shameless unsporting behaviour. After his team-mate Willian attempted to give Nordsjaelland possession of the ball following a break for injury, Adriano decided to intercept the pass, round the keeper and stick the ball in the net. It was the first of his trio in Shakhtar's 5-2 win.
PETER HERBERT
He may not be a sportsman, but the chairman of the Society of Black Lawyers threatened to report Tottenham fans to the police for chanting the word 'Yid' when it is opposition fans' songs about Jews which are deserving of greater exposure.
A man whose numberplate is "P LAW", Herbert's organisation complained to the police that Mark Clattenburg had accused him of using "inappropriate language" against John Obi Mikel after Chelsea's claim. Whereas Chelsea were duty-bound to investigate Ramires's claims (albeit poorly) and report to the FA, the Society's intentions were arguably all about publicity and not about the benefit of the game.