7. Chelsea (2008-2009)
Chelsea have always been associated with rather unsavoury characters – from the days of Dennis Wise and Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris to more recent teams that have included the ignominious likes of John Terry, Ashley Cole and Didier Drogba. They epitomise a new type of footballer who dives at every available opportunity, cheats on their wife and baulks at £80,000-a-week contract offers.
Most hated team member: Michael Ballack – for reacting like a baby when Chelsea were denied a penalty against Barcelona.
View the video here.
6. Ferrari (2000-2004)
During the Michael Schumacher era, Formula One became the most boring sport imaginable, with Ferrari’s main man winning successive titles from 2000 to 2004. The German’s arrogance during interviews and tendency to drive dangerously – coming into conflict with several other drivers in the process – didn’t exactly endear him to fans either.
Most hated team member: Michael Schumacher – for winning all the time.
5. The Kilkenny hurling team (2006-2009)
The GAA equivalent of Michael Schumacher in that they made the sport almost unwatchable due to their dominance, most neutrals were delighted when they were denied an illustrious five All-Irelands in a row last year by Tipperary, when they lost 4-17 to 1-18. There was talk of an end of an era, however that talk proved premature, as Brian Cody’s men won the Leinster Championship for the umpteenth time this year.
Most hated team member: Henry Shefflin – for being one of those annoyingly talented people.
4. The Portuguese soccer team (1966)
Although they had one of the greatest players ever in Eusebio, the Portuguese team in the 1966 World Cup committed the two unforgivable crimes. They fouled Brazil and in particular, Pele, into submission. In addition, they also knocked out the ever-lovable North Korean team, who had won the hearts of neutrals after they secured a shock upset over Italy.
Most hated team member: Impossible to pick out one member of the Portuguese team that shamelessly hacked Pele out of the game.
3. The English rugby team (2003)
While generally Irish fans’ innate dislike of English international teams seems a little unreasonable, on this occasion it was entirely merited. England refused to stand on the left side of the red carpet and as a result of their antics, they caused Mary McAleese to have to walk on the grass while she greeted them. The fact that England left Lansdowne Road having secured the Grand Slam didn’t help Irish fans’ bitterness either.
Most hated member: Martin Johnson – for instigating the aforementioned act.
2. The Greek soccer team (2004)
As John Giles put it after Greece were crowned European champions, it “wasn’t their fault that they won it”. Still though, it kind of was. Their main tactic seemed to be based around boring the opposition to death by sticking their entire team behind the ball, in the hopes that they would score from a set piece or win on penalties.
Most hated team member: Otto Rehhagel – for his soul-destroying tactics that distressed opposition players and TV viewers alike.
1. Chicago White Sox (1919)
Say what you want about the above teams, they had at least a vestige of dignity. The Chicago White Sox, on the other hand, threw the World Series. And the entire team was in on the scheme. While teams occasionally damage a sport’s reputation owing to their poor behaviour, none have come as close as the Chicago White Sox to destroying it completely. Eight players were banned for life as a result of these revelations and baseball was never the same thereafter.
Most hated team member: Charley Comiskey, the owner of the team – for orchestrating proceedings.
Poll: Who is your most hated team of all-time?
