Why do footballers spit on the pitch and why do they spit water out after drinking?

THE World Cup is making great strides in Qatar.

The tournament was watched by billions around the world every day as we now move towards the grand final between Argentina and France.

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But you may have picked up a few trends that footballers seem to do in every game… spit on the field and also spit out their drinks on the sidelines.

Although there is a very scientific reason for this.

Why do footballers spit?

Players must spit during practice as excess saliva develops.

Also, players often spit their drinks onto the field after taking a small sip from the bottle.

This is due to a tactic called carb rinsing, which reportedly can improve performance.

According to a New York Times article about England players at the 2018 World Cup: “Carb rinsing refers to the practice of rinsing with sports drink for five to ten seconds during the exertion, but then spitting it out rather than swallowing it.”

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The European Journal of Sport Science published a report in 2017 that found that carb rinsing increased performance in a range of activities.

Running Magazine added that during a workout, “Flushing down with a high-carb beverage is refreshing and lets you avoid the bloating or cramping sensation that can come with gulping liquids.”

Spitting is not an offense in football, so it does not justify a disciplinary card.

However, spitting by another player or official is a red card.

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