Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has called for the Professional Football Association to impose a ban on players drinking alcohol throughout the course of the season in light of recent events off the pitch.
Allardyce says that he will have no hesitation in using the rule on his players should the powers that be impose such a rule in the future. Recently stars such as Birmingham City winger Jermaine Pennant, David Unsworth of Ipswich Town and Chelsea's Eidur Gudjohnsen have all been stopped for drink-driving offences.
Pennant is now serving a jail sentence for his crime, Unsworth's case is waiting to be heard whilst ex-Bolton man Gudjohnsen was aquitted late last week of any wrong doing.
Whilst Bolton have not had any problems with player alcohol recently, Allardyce says it will benefit the players to stay off the booze amd to keep in the best possible condition.
"Our players are not encouraged to drink at all during the season because of the detrimental effect it has on the body for training and playing. But you have got to understand that not all players will adhere to that because you can't put it in your rule book.
"If you could put it in your rule book and the PFA (Professional Footballers' Association) pass it, then we would put it in. If you caught anyone taking alcohol then could you could fine them accordingly."
The Bolton boss is of the opinion that a couple of alcoholic drinks is okay in moderation.
"What you ask them to be is sensible at the right times...the odd couple of glasses of wine, here and there, a couple of beers here and there, rather than a full night out. Alcohol has a huge detrimental effect on a player."
In January 2002 the Trotters sacked an on-loan player for breaking numerous club rules, one of which was the amount of alcohol he was consuming during his time at the club.
Allardyce says that he will have no hesitation in using the rule on his players should the powers that be impose such a rule in the future. Recently stars such as Birmingham City winger Jermaine Pennant, David Unsworth of Ipswich Town and Chelsea's Eidur Gudjohnsen have all been stopped for drink-driving offences.
Pennant is now serving a jail sentence for his crime, Unsworth's case is waiting to be heard whilst ex-Bolton man Gudjohnsen was aquitted late last week of any wrong doing.
Whilst Bolton have not had any problems with player alcohol recently, Allardyce says it will benefit the players to stay off the booze amd to keep in the best possible condition.
"Our players are not encouraged to drink at all during the season because of the detrimental effect it has on the body for training and playing. But you have got to understand that not all players will adhere to that because you can't put it in your rule book.
"If you could put it in your rule book and the PFA (Professional Footballers' Association) pass it, then we would put it in. If you caught anyone taking alcohol then could you could fine them accordingly."
The Bolton boss is of the opinion that a couple of alcoholic drinks is okay in moderation.
"What you ask them to be is sensible at the right times...the odd couple of glasses of wine, here and there, a couple of beers here and there, rather than a full night out. Alcohol has a huge detrimental effect on a player."
In January 2002 the Trotters sacked an on-loan player for breaking numerous club rules, one of which was the amount of alcohol he was consuming during his time at the club.
 |