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Michael Essien has laid to rest the rumours surrounding him of having contracted the Ebola virus. The Ghanian international footballer’s current club AC Milan were forced to “categorically deny” the news about the deadly virus after he was left out of his country’s qualifying match against Guinea.
The reports about the former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder Essein having the Ebola virus were being circulated on several websites and on Twitter before the player had to intervene and deny the rumours.
Fake reports in newspapers
The club released a statement on the issue and claimed the news was ‘totally without foundation.’ They also used the statements from Milan Press officer Riccardo Coli who had reported the Ghanian international’s issue:
“AC Milan categorically denies alleged news from abroad about its members. Such news, totally unfounded, however, have never been confirmed by any employee of our company.”
The statement also carried the fake news doing the rounds by Daily Times Nigeria and Newswire NGR: “It has come to a big shock to everyone involved with the club but we are optimistic for Essien. He is a very strong person and the Ebola has been caught in the early stages. He’s in experts hands so he should be fine.”
Essien fit and healthy
The 31-year-old himself also took to Twitter and Instagram:
“I'm very fit and very healthy, No truth in the internet rumours that I have contracted Ebola. im well & will be training as usual tomorrow. The Ebola virus is a very serious issue and people shouldn't joke about it. Whoever wrote this article is very unprofessional and insensitive...!!!”
Michael Essien’s team Ghana played a 1-1 draw in Guinea, which is one of the major places affected by the Ebola outbreak.
