Napoli's team medical staff has asked its players to abstain from sex for up to two days before a game to prevent injuries.

“Avoiding sexual activity for two days before a game is fundamental to prevent muscular strains, contractions or inflammations,” Professor Alfonso De Nicola told Corriere del Mezzogiorno. "It is the rule for our squad. There is also a specific work done by my staff and the fitness coaches which is aimed more at prevention than cure."

The girlfriend of AC Milan midfielder Kevin Prince-Boteng claimed earlier this year that his thigh injury was a result of having "sex seven to 10 times a week."

The move by Napoli is the latest in an age-old debate on the relationship between sex and athletic competition. Some suggest sex before competition may improve performance.

Napoli officials did not reveal how the rule would be enforced,.