Monday 13 October 2014 16:00, UK
AC Milan midfielder Michael Essien has been forced to deny social media rumours that he has Ebola.
Rumours surfaced online over the weekend that Essien had contracted the deadly virus after he was not selected in Ghana's squad for Saturday's African Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The hoax claims prompted the former Chelsea and Real Madrid star, who was omitted due to a foot injury, to take to social media to reassure fans he was "very fit and very healthy''.
"No truth in internet rumours that I have contracted Ebola.i m very well & I'm doing very gud & will be training as usual tomorrow.#falsenews,'' he wrote on Twitter on Sunday night.
After repeating the message about an hour later alongside a picture on Instagram of him smiling and giving a thumbs-up, he added: "The Ebola virus is a very serious issue and people shouldn't joke about it.Whoever wrote this article is very unprofessional and insensitive.''
Essien, 31, joined AC Milan in January after a nine-year stint with Chelsea and has played 13 times for the Rossoneri.
The injury sustained in training prior to Milan's Serie A clash against Juventus has sidelined him for the past fortnight, but he could be fit to face Verona on Sunday.
