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Squeaky clean

The top five footballers to have never been shown a red card for their club, including Man United ever-present Ryan Giggs

Welsh wizard played 672 Premier League games for the Old Trafford outfit in 24-year career, but was never sent off

IN this day and age, with footballers' careers hitting - and in some cases exceeding - 20 years, it's hard to fathom not having at least one rush of blood to the head.

Everyone, whether an office worker or a professional sportsman loses their rag at some stage.

Ryan Giggs is one of very few players to go their entire club career without seeing red
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Ryan Giggs is one of very few players to go their entire club career without seeing redCredit: PA:Press Association

Footballers particularly have to contend with massive amounts of adrenaline, monster crowds, controversial referees and antagonising opposition.

So the thought that any player could go through their ENTIRE career without being sent for an early bath is baffling.

That said, there are five pretty big names who have managed it... SunSport brings you that squeaky clean quintet.

GARY LINEKER

Gary Lineker was incredibly never even booked during his whole career
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Gary Lineker was incredibly never even booked during his whole careerCredit: Getty Images

FIRST of all there is former England goal-machine Gary Lineker.

The former Leicester, Everton, Tottenham and Barcelona man played 567 matches throughout his career, netting 281 goals.

Even more amazingly though is his disciplinary record...

Not only was he never sent off - in any type of game - he was never even handed a yellow card.

DAMIEN DUFF

Damien Duff was never sent for an early bath during his long career
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Damien Duff was never sent for an early bath during his long careerCredit: PA:Press Association

IRISH winger Damien Duff enjoyed a long career in the Premier League, turning out of Blackburn, Chelsea, Newcastle and Fulham before his move to Melbourne in the A-League.

Despite playing an incredible 632 games - netting 83 times across 18 years - he was never sent off.

The 100-cap Republic of Ireland was never even sent for an early bath on the international scene.

RAUL

Spanish legend Raul was never given his marching orders during lengthy career
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Spanish legend Raul was never given his marching orders during lengthy careerCredit: Getty Images

SPAIN legend Raul earned almost everything during his incredible career at Real Madrid - and for his nation.

He won the La Liga title, the Champions League, the European Championships and the World Cup to name a few.

But one thing we never received was his marching orders.

All the more amazing is the sheer number of games he played during his career, turning out 932 times at club level, while adding a further 102 games for Spain.

RYAN GIGGS

Ryan Giggs was sent off once for Wales, but never for Man United through 24 years
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Ryan Giggs was sent off once for Wales, but never for Man United through 24 yearsCredit: PA:Press Association

WELSH hero Ryan Giggs played an outrageous 963 games for Manchester United, including 672 in the Premier League and 157 in Europe.

Yet the Red Devil never allowed the red mist to descend, and despite his 24-year career, was never ordered off the pitch.

The one tiny blemish on his otherwise spotless record is that he was sent off once during his 64-cap Wales career.

He was shown a second yellow in the 86th minute of his country's World Cup qualifier against Norway, but we won't let that tarnish his unblemished club record.

PHILIPP LAHM

Bayern Munich star Philipp Lahm has never been sent off in his career
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Bayern Munich star Philipp Lahm has never been sent off in his careerCredit: Getty Images

GERMAN star Philipp Lahm is arguably the most impressive name on this list, in terms of not receiving the dreaded early bath, that is.

And why, well, the Bayern Munich legend has played his entire career as a defender - occasionally deployed in a deep-lying midfield role.

Clearly his job for the team is to get stuck in, but through 613 club appearances thus far - plus 113 international caps before his 2014 retirement - he has admirably never seen red.

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