NAPOLI were forced to defend their use of rubbish bins as their way of helping treat players.
Pictures emerged on social media of the Serie A stars stood in the tall wheelie bins.
Many blasted the club for lining players up in dirty bins.
But the Naples side denied they were dirty and simply explained that – just like at hundreds of clubs around the world – the bins were used for cryotherapy.
Players stand in the waist-deep icy water to aid muscle recovery and prevent injuries.
In a bizarre social media thread having to explain the use of bins, the club pointed out the outside method was being used as part of their coronavirus precautions meaning they did not use the high-tech chambers.
Napoli said: “It’s embarrassing how some sections of the media have reported the news that Napoli players have been undergoing cryotherapy in garbage bins, without at least verifying the reasons behind this initiative and whether it was [manager Gennaro] Gattuso’s idea or a common practice.
“We will do the work which hasn’t been done, shall we? Question: why are you using bins?
“Because there is much more space and the players are submerged up to their waists. Also, bins are in line with the anti-Covid protocols as each player is submerged alone.
“Question: are the bins clean or dirty? Obviously, not only are they clean, but also new, have never been used and are sanitised three times a day.
Napoli were forced into denying players were standing in dirty rubbish bins but instead confirmed the method was used for cryotherapyCredit: The Mega Agency
“Question: are you the only club to use this method? No, many teams do.
“Question: so it wasn’t Gattuso’s idea? No.”
Napoli begin their Serie A campaign with a trip to Parma on the opening weekend, in two-and-a-half weeks.
They will do so with new club-record signing Victor Osimhen who joined from Lille for £62million.
But Gattuso will not have Gabriel Magalhaes after the centre-back opted to move to Arsenal instead of Napoli.
And he may also be without Allan as the Brazilian midfielder is on the verge of completing a £25m switch to Everton where he will reunite with Carlo Ancelotti.
Amadou Diawara bends one round Chievo Verona goalkeeper to score first Serie A goal for Napoli
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
