Cough warning in English football

© Johan Nilsson / TT
Cough warning. Sunderland coach Lee Johnson has warned that drizzle has become a problem in English football. Photo gallery.

Snus has become a problem in English football.

At least that’s what Lee Johnson, the former Sunderland senior coach has claimed.

It is so addictive that it controls their thoughts. It would be dangerous, he said, to speak on the sports radio.

Possession and use of snus is permitted in the UK, but as in the European Union – with the exception of Sweden – its sale is prohibited.

According to Lee Johnson, use is now so widespread that it has become a problem.

– I see how many players are using it – maybe about a third or even half of the players in the locker room. “I don’t think they are aware of the extent of the downsides,” says Johnson, who are second in the Premier League for Sunderland.

He has coached Sunderland since 2020, and says that during his football career, he has seen the negative impact of Senus, which according to him affects the performance and mental health of players.

– I have players so addicted that when they are in the hospital for something else, they ask the doctors and nurses to give them a spray. Otherwise, they say, they get out of bed and fix it themselves, although they just had knee surgery.