Players get swine flu spit warning
HEALTH experts have warned players not to spit following the surge in swine flu cases among Premier League teams.
Bolton manager Gary Megson yesterday admitted his club had seen five cases, just 24 hours after three Blackburn players were revealed to be suffering from the virus.
And the Health Protection Agency said that cases could multiply if players continued to spit on the pitch.
“Spitting is disgusting at all times,” said a spokesman. “It’s unhygienic and unhealthy, particularly if you spit close to other people. If they are spitting near other people it could certainly increase the risk of passing on infections.”
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce said on Monday that he expected Chelsea players to contract swine flu, having faced his side last weekend. To maximise their exposure, the Blues meet Bolton tonight in the Carling Cup and again in the league on Saturday.
But Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti yesterday laughed off concerns, saying he would prescribe his grandmother’s remedy of “hot milk” and “red wine”. “We are not worried about this problem because we’ve taken all the precautions,” he added.