Footballers Spitting – Bodily Necessity or Obsessive Habit?

In April 2020, FIFA’s medical committee chairman Michel D’Hooghe threatened to sanction players who spit during matches. The reasoning wasn’t only linked to the coronavirus outbreak at the time — spitting is unhygienic and far from a refined cultural gesture.

According to various estimates, players spit roughly once per minute on average, which means over 90 minutes they can easily cover about 0.01% of the pitch. But what exactly triggers this behavior?

Physiological Reasons

Intense physical activity affects how the body works, especially saliva production. Excessive salivation is a natural reaction to stress and exertion. Dust, grass, or other particles can also get into the mouth during a match, and spitting becomes an instinctive way to clear them out.

Psychological Factors

Football is played under the weight of responsibility and the gaze of thousands of spectators, creating immense stress. For some players, spitting serves as a way to release tension. Researchers even associate it with aggression, dominance, or masculinity — while others view it as a ritualistic habit tied to the game itself.

What Players Say

Former Nigeria goalkeeper Joseph Dosu once explained that players spit to “clear their throats.” German midfielder Mario Basler, when asked by Bild, famously responded:

“We can’t carry packs of tissues with us! I spat, I spit, and I will continue to spit! And my teammates support me in that. This is football, not a tea party!”

Conclusion

Spitting on the pitch is more likely a mix of physiological and psychological factors rather than a sign of mental disorder. To outright ban it — or worse, fine players for it — would be nothing short of overkill.

Published by Patrick Jane
12.09.2025