Top 10 Athletes Who Got Caught Cheating: Sports Scandals That Shook the World

By Jayson Panganiban June 04, 2025 09:42

Cheating scandals have long cast shadows over the world of sports, shaking fans’ trust and tarnishing legacies. From deliberate game-fixing to doping and illicit tactics, these controversies have sparked outrage and led to significant reforms. Here are the top 10 athletes caught cheating, whose scandals rocked the sports world and left lasting impacts.

1. Lance Armstrong – Cycling

Perhaps the most infamous doping scandal in sports history, Lance Armstrong’s fall from grace stunned the world. Armstrong won seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005, only to be stripped of all titles after a US Anti-Doping Agency investigation revealed systematic doping involving teammates, doctors, and coaches. Armstrong’s elaborate cover-up involved secret blood transfusions and banned substances. He admitted to doping in a 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey, saying, “I made mistakes, but I’m proud of what I accomplished.” His lifetime ban underscored the need for stricter anti-doping measures.

2. Diego Maradona – Soccer

Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal during the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals against England remains one of the most controversial moments in sports. The Argentine legend used his hand to score, a blatant foul missed by officials. Maradona later admitted, “It was the hand of Diego!” The goal helped Argentina win the match and eventually the tournament, but it sparked decades of debate about fairness and sportsmanship.

3. The Chicago White Sox – Baseball

The 1919 Black Sox scandal involved eight Chicago White Sox players accused of intentionally losing the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for bribes from gamblers. Though acquitted in court, the players were banned for life, fundamentally altering baseball’s approach to gambling and integrity. The scandal remains a cautionary tale about corruption’s impact on sports.

4. Ben Johnson – Track and Field

Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson shocked the world by winning the 100 meters at the 1988 Seoul Olympics in a world record time of 9.79 seconds. However, he tested positive for steroids shortly after, leading to disqualification and a lifetime ban. Johnson’s case highlighted the growing problem of doping in athletics.

5. Tom Brady – NFL

The “Deflategate” scandal in 2015 centered on allegations that Tom Brady and the New England Patriots deliberately underinflated footballs during the AFC Championship Game. Brady was suspended four games after a lengthy investigation, though he denied wrongdoing. The controversy remains one of the NFL’s most talked-about cheating episodes.

6. Hansie Cronje – Cricket

South African captain Hansie Cronje was implicated in a 2000 match-fixing scandal, accepting money from bookmakers to influence match outcomes. His confession shocked the cricket world and led to a lifetime ban. Cronje’s downfall exposed vulnerabilities in cricket’s governance and integrity.

7. New England Patriots – Spygate

In 2007, the Patriots were caught videotaping opposing coaches’ signals, violating NFL rules. Head coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000, and the team lost a first-round draft pick. The scandal intensified scrutiny on the Patriots’ dominance and raised questions about fair play.

8. Marion Jones – Track and Field

Jones won five medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics but later admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs. She was stripped of her medals and sentenced to six months in prison for lying to federal investigators. Her case underscored the consequences of doping and dishonesty.

9. Tonya Harding – Figure Skating

Harding’s scandal involved orchestrating an attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan before the 1994 Winter Olympics. The assault was meant to eliminate Kerrigan from competition. Harding pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was banned from competitive skating, marking one of the most bizarre cheating cases in sports.

10. The Houston Astros – MLB

In 2017, the Astros were found guilty of using technology to steal opposing teams’ signs during games, giving them an unfair advantage. The scandal led to suspensions of the general manager and manager and a significant stain on the team’s World Series title.

These scandals reveal the dark side of competitive sports, where the pressure to win sometimes leads to unethical decisions. As sports historian Bill Simmons noted, “Cheating is the ultimate betrayal of the fans’ trust.” While these athletes and teams faced penalties, their stories serve as reminders of the ongoing battle to preserve integrity in sports.