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BASLER MOCKS SPITTING BAN

By Philip Seery

BUNDESLIGA professionals have reacted angrily to claims that spitting and clearing their nostrils should be banned due to the bad influence it may have on children.

Former Werder Bremen coach Willi Lemke, who is now education minister in the city, suggested that players should refrain from spitting in games as many schoolchildren were picking up the habit from their idols.

Kaiserslautern star Mario Basler voiced his disapproval of Lemke's idea, adding mockingly: "This is a contact sport not, not a women's coffee morning. If they try to stop us spitting on the pitch we can just give up the game."

'Super Mario' received the support of Bundesliga players and managers alike.

"A ban would be unrealistic and absolute nonsense" declared 1860 Munich coach Werner Lorant, with Bayern Munich star Hasan Salihamidzic describing the concept as "farcical".

The German Football Federation (DFB) has been inundated with letters complaining about the "disgusting conduct" but spokesman Wolfgang Niersbach confirmed: "Neither the DFB or FIFA is going to call for handkerchief control. There will be no appeal to make them stop."

 

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