Gary Lineker suffered ‘seven hours of absolute torture’, vomiting the night before he was presenting Euro 2020 on the BBC, after taking footballers’ favourite Snus tobacco pouches
- The use of smokeless tobacco snus is increasing among football players
- A study is being conducted by the PFA into its use among professional players
- Can Liverpool challenge for the title? Listen to the debate about It all starts
Gary Lineker has revealed he threw up on the bathroom floor after being convinced to use snus for the first time.
The use of snus is reportedly on the rise among professional footballers, with the nicotine product used by placing a small bag between the upper lip and the gum line.
The smokeless tobacco is not a banned substance, but it is illegal to bribe in Britain.
Speaking about the Rest is football podcastLineker admitted he was convinced to try snus ahead of the 2020 European Championships.
The Match of the Day presenter said he initially refused to try snus but was convinced after a few drinks, with the 62-year-old choosing a ‘weak’ rather than strong option.
Gary Lineker has revealed that snus made him vomit on the floor of his hotel bathroom
The smokeless tobacco product, originating in Sweden, is placed under the upper lip
Lineker endured seven hours of ‘absolute hell’ ahead of hosting the opening match of Euro 2020
Lineker told Micah Richards that he started feeling ‘really dizzy’ after returning to his bedroom, leading to ‘seven hours of absolute hell’ ahead of the presentation of the BBC’s coverage of the opening match of the tournament between Italy and Turkey.
“I’m sitting on the bed and I’m stark naked, and I just knocked this thing right out of my mouth and threw it in the trash, thinking, what the hell is this,” Lineker said.
‘I’m starting to sweat, but I’m freezing. I’m sweating and I’m sweating and there’s a puddle on the floor and I can’t move. I think: what on earth did they do to me.
‘I’m starting to feel very nauseous, but I can’t get up because I feel very dizzy. I ended up lying on the floor and crawling like a snake to the toilet, just sliding, that was the only way I could get there.
‘And just before I got to the toilet I threw up everywhere, it’s on the shower screens, it’s all over.
‘I feel terrible, it’s terrible. I hate you as much as you can imagine.
‘Eventually things came to an end and I got into my bed and thought I’d check the time. It was 7 o’clock in the morning. I had endured seven hours of absolute torture. Thank you very much for that, Micah.’
Lineker’s comments come as snus use is increasing among footballers, despite stars being repeatedly warned against its use.
Snus use is reportedly increasing among professional football players, despite health risks
Snus use has been linked to heart disease, oral disease and decreased physical performance.
The PFA launched a 12-month project in September in collaboration with academics from Loughborough University.
The study seeks to determine how many professional players use snus, while raising awareness of its negative health effects.
Initial findings from the study are expected to be released this winter, with the PFA stating that the project will contribute to their established welfare and conservation programs.
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy revealed in 2018 that he had stopped using snus due to negative publicity after he was pictured with a box at Euro 2016.