Football stars are used to getting booed by rivals fans for their exploits on the pitch – but some unlucky players have found themselves jeered for the behaviour of their own parents.
From John Terry and Neymar to Harry Maguire, some of the world’s biggest superstars have been forced to share the limelight with their own families.
This week it was revealed Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden‘s mother was kicked out of a nightclub and put in handcuffs after knocking a hat from a fellow partygoer’s head.
Claire Rowlands, 44, was put in cuffs after she was thrown out of Bentley’s nightclub in Towyn, Wales, on September 9, hours after her son came off the bench to play for England in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
This week it was revealed Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden’s mother Claire Rowlands was kicked out of a nightclub and put in handcuffs after knocking a hat from a fellow partygoer’s head (pictured the pair together)
Phil Foden with his mother Claire (right) and girlfriend Rebecca Cooke (in red) at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022
Claire Rowlands in a still from the video that was played in court. She admitted drunk and disorderly conduct at an earlier hearing
Stay-at-home mother Rowlands was removed from the bar and told police to ‘f*** off’ – earning her a night in the cells
A 52-second clip, shown in court, shows Rowlands aggressively confronting police officers who were called to the scene.
Rowlands was cleared of assault and but fined for her behaviour after she admitted to police: ‘I do not drink often but when I do, I make up for time. I am like an animal.’
The footballer’s mum had been enjoying a night out with friends and ended up downing shots of vodka and tequila before showing off her ‘party trick’ of flicking a man’s hat off, Llandudno magistrates’ court was told.
But she is not the only footie parent to hit the headlines.
Former Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles had a equally embarrassing experience with his mother when she was arrested by Hertfordshire Police after going on a tirade at his training ground in 2015.
During a meeting to discuss her son’s future she allegedly lost control and began hurling abuse at staff members, before refusing to leave the premises when the police then had to be called.
She was later released by officers and a decision was taken not to press charges.
Neymar’s mother posted this photo to Instagram with her toyboy lover
Although the doting son gave his seal of approval by commenting under a photo of the couple on social media: ‘Be happy mom. Love you.’ Neymar with Tiago Ramos, the now ex-boyfriend
Brazil superstar Neymar, now a Al Hilal Saudi Pro league player, experienced a different kind of embarrassment when he had to watch his then 52-year-old mother Nadine date a 23-year-old man, six years younger than himself.
Although the doting son gave his seal of approval by commenting under a photo of the couple on social media: ‘Be happy mom. Love you.’
It was not before the internet discovered that her toyboy Tiago Ramos had messaged her son in 2017, before their relationship started: ‘Neymar you are fantastic, I don’t know how to explain the emotion of being a fan of a guy like you.
‘I see you playing and I’m very motivated, one day I hope to read this message with you, be your brother and play together.
‘I know that one day I will meet you, because I am a dreamy boy where I do not give up on my goals!
‘Stay with God, very successful and happy.’
The couple have since broken up after Nadine discovered her beau had dated a string of men.
Manchester United and England star Harry Maguire with mum Zoe and dad Alan
Harry Maguire’s mother Zoe (right) hit back at criticisms over her son’s performances
While Manchester United star Harry Maguire endured his mum standing up for him on social media after fans booed his performance for England.
Maguire’s mum Zoe took to Instagram in 2023 to write a heartfelt message defending her son and rebuking those who had booed during an England v Scotland friendly at Hampden Park.
She wrote: ‘I was there in the stand [at Hampden] as usual. It’s not acceptable what’s been created, over nothing. I understand that in the football world there are ups and downs, positives and negatives but what Harry receives has gone far beyond ‘football’.
She added: ‘Harry has a massive heart and it’s a good job he’s mentally strong and can handle it as others may not be able to. I wish this sort of abuse on nobody.’
During the match in question Harry did score an own goal in the 67th minute, but what are mums for, if not to defend their 30-year-old sons on social media?
One can only assume that Harry will have appreciated his mother’s kind words.
Sue Terry, mother of John Terry of Chelsea, looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on May 21, 2017
John Terry with wife at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2024
Former England Captain, John Terry also experienced a brush with public embarrassment in 2009 when both his mother and mother-in-law were arrested for shoplifting £800 worth of goods from Tesco and M&S.
The women were arrested on suspicion of theft and taken to nearby Staines police station where they accepted an official caution.
Terry, who was then on a comfortable salary of £135,000 a week, had to spare his blushes twice as Tesco at that time was also the official England supermarket.
In 2017, Terry also had to break the news to his mother that there was a viral 2-minute clip of a sex worker claiming to be Sue Terry making its way through the internet.
It sparked a series of cruel memes on Twitter, with films emerging of football fans singing chants about it at matches.