Top sporting villains of 2014

New Zealand publication Stuff.co.nz has compiled their top five sports villains list for 2014:

1. Aaron Cruden – missed his flight hungover
All Blacks Aaron Cruden had a string of impressive performances throughout the year, including a star turn in the 51-20 thrashing of the Wallabies at Eden Park. But the 25-year-old’s world came crashing down in September when a boozy night out in Auckland caused him to miss a flight to Argentina for a Rugby Championship clash in La Plata.

2. Luis Suarez – bit more off than he could chew
Controversial Uruguyan striker Luis Suarez wrote his name into World Cup infamy when he sunk his teeth into Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during a crucial Group D clash in Natal.

3. Lou Vincent – confesses to cricket match-fixing
The world of cricket was rocked to its foundations in July when former Black Cap batsman Lou Vincent confessed to match-fixing. The 35-year-old, who played in 23 tests for the Black Caps and more than 100 one-day internationals, was subsequently banned for life by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Champions League Twenty20 Governing Council.

4. Jimmy Spithill – for being himself
Australia sailor James Spithill was again a thorn in New Zealand sailors’ sides in 2014. In November he won the World Sailor of the Year award, beating New Zealanders Blair Tuke and Peter Burling to the prestigious title. The Oracle Team USA skipper first caused problems in 2013 when he led the America’s Cup defenders to an embarrassing victory over Team New Zealand in San Francisco, coming back from 8-1 down to win 9-8.

5. Rory McIlroy – world’s No 1 golfer, heartbreaker
World No 1 golfer Rory McIlroy caused a storm in May when days after sending out wedding invitations he broke off his engagement to Danish tennis beauty Caroline Wozniacki. The Northern Irishman had been dating Wozniacki since 2011 and the couple got engaged on New Year’s Eve in Australia.

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