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Soccer Stars Told to Quit Spitting

Health officials fear they'll spread flu, kids will imitate them

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 28, 2009 8:30 AM CDT
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(Newser) – British health officials are scolding Premier League footballers for spitting on the pitch. With swine flu outbreaks already confirmed at Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers, the HPA fears players' rampant habit of spitting could spread the disease. “It's unhygienic and unhealthy,” says an HPA spokesman. “Footballers, like the rest of us, wouldn't spit indoors so they shouldn't do it on the football pitch."

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce caused big waves this week when he said that his club probably passed the flu on to Chelsea, and lambasted the league for making them play. But the HPA isn’t just worried about players’ health. “It’s about setting examples for the young people who idolize them,” says the spokesman. “Spitting is disgusting at all times.”

Chelsea's Didier Drogba scores during their match against Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge, Saturday. Blackburn Manager Sam Allardyce fears Chelsea's players may have gotten swine flu in the game.
Chelsea's Didier Drogba scores during their match against Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge, Saturday. Blackburn Manager Sam Allardyce fears Chelsea's players may have gotten swine flu in the game.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Austria's Andreas Ivanschitz spits water during the friendly soccer match against Nigeria in this file photo.
Austria's Andreas Ivanschitz spits water during the friendly soccer match against Nigeria in this file photo.   (AP Photo/Hans Punz)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
rkossik
Oct 29, 2009 12:25 PM CDT
“Footballers, like the rest of us, wouldn't spit indoors so they shouldn't do it on the football pitch." This comment makes no sense. You can't do something outdoors unless you would do it indoors? They shouldn't play soccer outdoors either, I guess.
passinthru
Oct 29, 2009 1:13 AM CDT
lets reverse it also, quit swallowing too. just hold it to the end. lame.
newsrmandan
Oct 28, 2009 6:05 AM CDT
oh please, some of the things you say to the other players deserves a little mouth washing. Its not spitting.

 
Iraq • soccer • English Premier League • Health Protection Agency • swine flu • H1N1 virus

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