Premier league advised to ban spitting players, in order to avoid spread of COVID-19

– Told to give players yellow card if caught

The Premier League has been advised to ban spitting during matches in order to stop the threat of coronavirus and give players who ignore the rule a yellow card.

The English top flight is aiming to return on June 8 and discussions will continue this week to determine how the league can be concluded safely and in accordance with Government guidelines should lockdown and social distancing measures remain in place.

Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham and Brighton have allowed players to return to the training ground this week as clubs begin initial prepations to resume the halted season.

However, FIFA’s Medical Committee chairman, Michel D’Hooghe, believes spitting, which is commonplace in football across the world, should be outlawed as it poses more of a health risk to players following the coronavirus outbreak.

Players caught spitting should be punished with a yellow card, says Fifa’s top medic.

Spitting has the potential to spread coronavirus on the football pitch

‘‘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”