Nine Players Allegedly Poisoned at Half

Nine soccer players who were rushed to a hospital during a match were poisoned by the opposing team, according to a spokesman for the ill players’ squad.

During a match against Alfenense, nine members of the Gens soccer club, which leads its amateur division, suddenly fell to the ground complaining of stomach pains.

Gens spokesman Jeronimo Silva claimed the players were poisoned at halftime.

“I’m sure the drinks were tampered with,” Silva said. “We were playing so well in the first half, and then this.”

All nine players were hospitalized overnight and released Monday in good condition.

A doctor who treated the players confirmed the stomach ailments were due to water and flavored drinks “in bad condition,” but he did not identify any poisonous substance, according to the sports newspaper A Bola.