An early bath for Premiership players as sprinklers in the turf come on during match

Blackleaf

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The players of Birmingham City and West Ham United had a very early bath during a Premiership game yesterday - as the sprinklers in the turf came on during the match.

Just three minutes into the game two sprinklers erupted into life, drenching the players under fountains of water and causing the fans to cheer sarcastically at Birmingham's 30,000 capacity St Andrew's.

West Ham, of east London, were particularly bemused as they were on the attack and advancing toward's Birmingham's penalty area when the sprinklers came on.

The game was halted for several minutes until the groundsman finally turned off the sprinklers.

The match finished 2-2. West Ham, with only one win in their 11 matches so far this season, remain bottom of the Premiership with just 7 points.

An early bath for Premiership players as sprinklers in the turf come on in the middle of match

By Daily Mail Reporter
7th November 2010
Daily Mail

Usually, the Premiership's preening soccer stars don't like to get their hair wet, because it spoils their image.

But that was unavoidable yesterday at the match between Birmingham and West Ham when somebody poured cold water on the proceedings.

In the third minute, just as the battle was heating up, two sprinklers in the turf emerged, sending fountains of water over the players.


Sprayed: The sprinklers burst into action over the bemused players at Birmingham's ground yesterday. The game was stopped until the sprinklers were switched off


Wet work: A Birmingham City player treads warily between the jets of water from the sprinkler

And that stopped the Hammers' first attack as the jets of water covered Birmingham's penalty area.

Referee Michael Oliver halted the game at St Andrews until the groundsman could find the right switch to turn off the sprinklers.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish, who's side drew the game 2-2, laughed off the incident.

He said: 'These things happen sometimes, though our groundsman will get a little bit of stick.'


Game on: Birmingham and West Ham back in action after the water sports. The match ended 2-2.

dailymail.co.uk
 
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