The Marriott hotel in London’s West India Quay is bracing itself for possible legal action following a spate of food poisoning among the Tottenham Hotspur football team who were guests at the hotel at the weekend.

Spurs’ preparations for their crucial final Premiership game against London rivals West Ham on Sunday (7 May) were thrown into turmoil after a pre-match meal at the hotel on Saturday night.

Ten players, including the likes of striker Robbie Keane and midfielder Michael Carrick, were struck down with food poisoning and were doubtful for the match.

Despite this, the game went ahead with Spurs losing 2-1 to West Ham and finishing fifth in the league, which meant they missed out on a lucrative Champions League spot next season.

A spokesman for Tottenham Hotspur said they were not currently pointing the finger at anyone with regards to the team’s illness, but were not ruling out the possibility of foul play.

“We have 48 hours to wait for the test results to come back and then we will make a decision over any legal action,” he said.

A spokesperson from the Marriott said it is “continuing to co-operate fully with the authorities, but until we have the test results back – which are likely to take several days- we have nothing further to add”.

Blood and urine samples taken from the players before the game may be used in evidence.

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By Louise Durack

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