Show yellow card to spitting footballers, urges Fifa boss

Mike Mcgrath Jamie Johnson FOOTBALLERS should be booked if they spit during games because it could increase the spread of coronavirus, a Fifa council member has said.

Michel D’hooghe, the medical committee chairman at football’s world governing body, said he is concerned about clubs rushing back to play following the crisis, and that the game throws up serious health issues.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph from Belgium, he said: “When we return to action, teams changing and showering together will be an issue, along with players spitting on the ground, which has become an accepted part of the game. This is a common practice in football, and is not very hygienic. So when we start football again I think we should have to avoid that. Perhaps they can give a yellow card. It is a good way to spread the virus.”

Dr Ian Brierley, a virologist at the University of Cambridge, explained how the virus could be transmitted between players during a game.

“If the person is infected but asymptomatic, or infected and symptomatic, the virus is present in the throat, and can be ejected into the environment by spitting,” he said. “The globules of saliva carrying the virus could remain on the playing surface for hours until it dries. There is also the risk that it becomes aerosolised, where the lighter spray can float around in the air for a while and potentially come into contact with people close by.”

He also highlighted other issues. “For the season to start up, some things would have to change,” he added.

“I can’t see how you could have the pre-match handshakes, for example. It is also worth considering the image which is projected back to the public.”

Mr D’hooghe added: “I’m very happy to hear from [Fifa president] Gianni Infantino say health is put before everything, I think this is only the right attitude. I support that.”

With Arsenal and Brighton taking tentative steps towards getting players back into training, and German sides already back at work, there is pressure growing to restart the football season.

The Premier League has calculated it needs at least 300 people for a match to take place behind closed doors.