When footballers walk onto the pitch, they know for the next 45 minutes not only will they be playing non-stop football.
But also for those playing high up professionally that there will be many eyes on them.
From either fans or those watching on TV, if it is being broadcasted.
So because of this, the last thing a player will want is to badly need the toilet.
I am sure we have all been in a position where you can’t go toilet.
Maybe because you’re out and about, and you’re not near one.
However, what happens if footballers need the toilet?
Surely they won’t go on the pitch.
Well, in this post, I will be covering how they tackle this and what a player will do in this scenario.
Table of Contents
What Happens If A Footballer Needs The Toilet During A Game?
If a footballer needs the toilet during a game, they will have to hold it in and wait for the next break.
So if its in the first half, they will have to wait until the break and do it at half-time.
If its the second half, then waiting until the ref calls time on the game is what the player would have to do.
While watching a game of football, you will notice that all players will look fine.
That walk you would typically associate with someone who is desperate for the toilet, you won’t be able to tell.
As footballers will have no choice but to put it to the back of their minds and concentrate on the game.
Having been in that situation myself, where you find yourself on the pitch needing the toilet, its certainly not pleasant.
However, as you move around the pitch and focus more on the ball and what’s going on around you, you can forget it and resist the urge to go.
As A Footballer Ever Peed Himself On The Pitch?
There have been scenarios where a footballer has peed on the pitch.
However, its not something that the fans or anyone watching will become aware of.
Has players will, of course, try and do this as discreetly as possible.
As pretty much stating the obvious, you are not able to do so on the pitch.
That hasn’t stopped some well-known players over the years, going about their business right there on the grass.
Over the years, there have been a number of incidents where players have peed on the pitch because they couldn’t wait any longer.
Here are some examples along with players who have been caught in the act:
1. Ronaldo – Brazil
A player who is well known for his skills and clinical finishing in front of goal was caught peeing on the pitch a few years back.
While playing an international match for Brazil, he sat on the grass and peed while placing a ball in front of him.
Here is a picture of the incident in which the broadcasting team caught him.
2. Jens Lehmann – Germany
A legendary goalkeeper who spent a number of years playing for Arsenal was found doing something rather bizarre.
During a game that was active, he quickly snuck off behind his goal to go to the toilet just off the pitch.
Now while most people won’t remember this incident, it was very weirdly straight in the view of fans.
While it is certainly very weird, to be fair to him and all goalkeepers, they don’t do as much running as other positions, mainly standing still.
So I can imagine if you forget to go before a game, how hard that would probably be.
Are You Allowed To Go To The Toilet?
When it comes to needing the toilet on the pitch, there is really only one approach that is holding it in.
With football being a sport, where its constant action for two periods of 45 minutes.
There isn’t any time for someone to go.
Even if it was quick.
For instance, if someone was to go to the toilet during a game, the team would temporarily go down to 10 men.
Making them more vulnerable to conceding due to the man advantage.
Now while I have never gone to the toilet during any of the games I have played up to now.
There are occasions when it does happen, and there is no better example than the viral clip with Eric Dier.
During a Carabao Cup game in 2020, the England midfielder Eric Dier rushed off the pitch to go to the toilet.
A few minutes later, he returned from inside and continued playing.
The clip, which you can watch below, when viral not only because of how bizarre it was for a player to go while a game is on.
But also because manager Jose Mourinho gave him the go-ahead.
Conclusion
Needing the toilet during a game is never a pleasant experience, and while its happened to me, I have learnt how to deal with it over the years.
The answer is very simple, and that is to make sure you go just before you head out to the pitch for kick-off.
This will reduce the chances of you needing to go in the first 45, as long as you haven’t taken on too much water before.
It is what most footballers do and is the best way to avoid any embarrassing incidents on the pitch.
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