The Swiss Football Federation established a new record for imposing one of the longest bans in football history, after banning Portuguese Ricardo Ferreira for the next 50 years.
The 28-year old Ferreira, who has a long history of anger management issues against referees, was sanctioned after hitting a referee in the face with the game ball. To make matters worse, the player threw water at the referee and insulted him before leaving the pitch.
Given his long history of abusing referees and players, the Swiss amateur league decided to hand the player with this gargantuan suspension.
"We do not want such a player in our league. Unfortunately we come across cases like these once or twice year-round, and this was just over the limit," a league's lawyer stated.
Ferreira, who previously was suspended for 45 games, revealed he was shocked by the harsh suspension.
"I was expecting one or two years maximum, but 50 years? Football is my life!" Ferreira said.
The Swiss League originally had determined Ferreira to be suspended indefinitely, but since the computers needed an expiration date for the ban, league offiicials determined the player can come back to active duty on June 5, 2064. Ferreira will be 78 years old when he is able to play again.
