Messi Will Not Be Able To Spit Again When La Liga Returns Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic

Lionel Messi (Twitter @FCBarcelonaFI)

JAKARTA - Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is known for his good individual techniques. However, behind it all, he often spits on the field when he is annoyed with his opponent.

La Liga is rumored to return in mid-June after being stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic since last March. Apart from being held without spectators, the competition must also follow health protocols determined by the local government.

Not long ago, AS Roma coach Paulo Fonseca wrote about the loss of a warm hug on the field when doing goal width. Not without reason, physical distancing inevitably continues to be enforced on the green field, although it is still difficult to imagine what if the players tackle each other and fight bodies.

The DFL German Football League has urged Bundesliga players not to make frequent physical contact. They recommend greeting elbows or leg fights, rather than cuddling when celebrating a goal.

Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann says his players have thought of something he calls a social distancing friendly goal celebration. Moreover, they are also still having trouble appearing in shape after the 2 month break, so no one will over-celebrate goals.

Then what about spitting? Football players are known to spit during matches. No exception Lionel Messi.

Launching Give Me Sport, the Chair of the FIFA Medical Committee asked the players to be more clean so they don't spread the disease. Michael D'Hooge asked the authorities to create new rules such as a yellow card or other sanctions for players who spit.

"Saliva can survive in the soil and grass for several hours and become a vector for the spread of the corona virus," said D'Hooge.

As is known, one of the mediums for transmission of the corona virus is through droplets, namely saliva. So in the future, footballers should be able to live more cleanly.

Yes, the icon and legend of Los Blaugrana, including often spitting when annoyed with opponents. In the ninth jornada of La Liga in the 2008/2009 season, Messi spat at Malaga midfielder Duda. Messi was annoyed because he often received tackles from this player. However, they were quite far apart and the referee missed the incident.

In a video reported by Marca, Messi is seen spitting on the Real Madrid bench at the Santiago Bernabeu in the 2013-2013 season. The story begins with the news that El Messiah rebuked Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa in the parking area of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

If the rules regarding spitting on this field are actually enforced, players who are fond of spitting can be penalized. For Messi who spits at his opponent, of course the punishment will be heavier.