Do scandals happen or we scandalize what happens? Whatever! But soccer has not lagged behind in getting associated with one or other kinds of scandals.

Sex as Always

In April 2008, police questioned the Brazilian icon Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima - known as simply Ronaldo in the world of soccer - in Rio after he invited three male, cross-dressing prostitutes to a pay-by-the-hour motel room.

Soccer superstar David Beckham did not perform very well in EURO 2004 Soccer championship. He blamed the scandal surrounding his alleged affair with his former PA for his poor performance. Reportedly, Beckham cheated on his former Spice Girl wife Victoria with his former assistant Rebecca Loos and PR girl Sarah Marbeck. David Beckham admitted that the anxiety of the scandal had adversely affected his game. The tournament came just weeks after the allegations.
Love Boat Scandal

On October 6, 2005 seventeen important members of the Minnesota Vikings football team participated in an alleged sex party on Lake Minnetonka. It included Fred Smoot, Daunte Culpepper, Pat Williams, Bryant McKinnie, Nate Burleson, Mewelde Moore, Ralph Brown, Travis Taylor, Troy Williamson, Kevin Williams, Lance Johnstone, Jermaine Wiggins, Moe Williams, Willie Offord, and. Ken Irvin. According to the news reports, two boats were hired and some of the players performed sexual acts in front of the crew members. Prostitutes hailing from Atlanta and Florida took part in the party, and performed the sex acts. The two boats reportedly had ninety people onboard. This is not the first time that such an incident had happened, claimed an anonymous former player of the Minnesota Vikings. The scandal is also referred to as the Love Boat scandal or as the Smoot Boat Scandal.

Match Fixing

Sex scandals are not the only scandals which keep bringing the game of soccer in the news for the wrong reasons. In May 2006, it was found out that Juventus FC, the most powerful soccer club of the League in Italy, had indulged in match fixing for years, most likely since 1998. Referees were under the direct control of Luciano Moggi, the general manager of the soccer club. On the field, referees always did what Luciano Moggi desired. Italian newspapers published the transcripts of his tapped phone conversations.

The Consequence

It is not only the soccer fans who feel hurt when such scandals break out. These scandals have different impacts on the different segments of the society. Public at large feels anguish over such scandals. Hard core fans of the soccer game even get disturbed in their personal lives. But maximum suffering comes to the business class who are associated with the soccer game such as, sponsors, soccer clubs, advertising agencies, and sports channels having the contracts to broadcast the matches. The only agency which reaps benefit out of such scandals related to soccer game is the media. The sale of newspapers, tabloids, and magazines shoot up. The news channels attract viewers more than ever before. Let us see when the next scandal happens or what we choose to scandalize next.