Players face spitting ban ahead resumption of EPL

Premier League footballers could risk a sanction should they spit during matches when fixtures return.

In a new suggestion from FIFA’s Medical Committee chairman Michel D’Hooghe, measures might have to be taken both on and off the pitch in order to keep those involved as safe as possible.

League bosses remain adamant that football will return despite Eredivisie and Ligue 1 ending their seasons prematurely, with Arsenal the first club to return to training this week.

New health and safety regulations could involve marking from corners and spitting, with the latter questioned by D’Hooghe in a recent interview.

D’Hooge told The Telegraph : “This is a common practice in football and it is not very hygienic.

“So when we start football again I think we should have to avoid that at maximum. The question is whether that will be possible. Perhaps they can give a yellow card.

“It is unhygienic and a good way to spread the virus. This is one of the reasons why we have to be very careful before we start again.

“I am not pessimistic but I am rather sceptical at the moment.”

University of Cambridge virologist Dr Ian Brierley has also given his thoughts on the spread of the virus, and why spitting is a particular risk.

He said: “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.

“Players may have to develop new celebrations so that they are not in close contact with each other.

“Pre-match handshakes, huddles at the start of a game and shirt swapping at the end of the match would also send out a poor message.”

The latest statement from the Premier League stated that games will not return until it is completely safe to do so, although experts think that could be much later on in the year.