Tottenham Star Claims Escort Girl Use is Widespread

Tottenham striker Louis Saha has revealed that a number of professional footballers use escort girls in order to keep their off-pitch antics out of the public eye.

The France international, 33, has impressed since joining Spurs from Everton in January, scoring in Sunday's 5-2 defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Arsenal.

However, Saha used a recent interview to highlight the darker side of football. Speaking to a French newspaper to help publicise his recent autobiography, Saha admitted many players used call girls in a bid to avoid potentially damaging kiss-and-tell revelations from becoming public.

"Footballers aren't all the same. The bling, the sex-addicted nature, the big cars - all that exists. But because of that, the bad judgments seem to take over," Saha is quoted in the Daily Mail.

"Let's be honest: women are the greatest temptation. For a young player, it's an Achilles heel. They can quickly be taken in, seduced by the girl who will cash in with a kiss-and-tell to the newspapers.

"So it's hard to know who to trust and you become paranoid where women are concerned. Some players therefore prefer to use escorts."

Meanwhile Saha, currently on international duty with France, has described his shock at witnessing Sir Alex Ferguson's infamous 'hairdryer' treatment during his time with Manchester United.

Saha enjoyed four-and-a-half years at Old Trafford after moving from Fulham in 2004 but said he was shocked to feel the full force of Ferguson's anger for the first time during a match against Everton soon after joining the club.

"When I headed towards the changing room, I was feeling proud. As soon as I sat down, I was woken up in a violent way - Sir Alex Ferguson rendered me deaf," Saha told The Sun.

"I was surprised but yes, it was me he was yelling and screaming at.

"He was going mad and I quickly understood why - he was unhappy because we came in with only a three-goal lead when we should have wrapped the game up.

"He was furious about my missed chances and reminded me that this is the very top level. Wow. I woke up even more sharply when 45 minutes later Everton had come back to 3-3. Goodison Park was on fire.

"Only Ruud van Nistelrooy helped me escape the nightmare - with a stoppage-time goal."