Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl limits players’ wifi access to prevent video game addiction

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed he limits his players’ hotel wifi access to prevent them from playing too many video games.

Hasenhuttl, who presumably isn’t aware of the Nintendo Switch’s portability, said he first started implementing these kind of measures in his RB Leipzig days, comparing video game addiction to drug and alcohol dependency.

“I think it’s something you have to force actively against and I will do this,” Hasenhuttl said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Brighton and Hove Albion.

“I did it in my last club, we had also problems with players, they were playing until three o’clock in the morning before a game.

“You have to be active and to help protect them because it’s not a small problem because if you are honest it’s the same as alcoholism or getting addicted to drugs.”

I’m hesitant to go that far. Compulsive computer game marathons are a little less destructive than binging on alcohol or drugs, but it’s interesting to hear a coach’s take on it.

However, Hasenhuttl said he does not feel his Saints players have any gaming problems, but keeps a tab on the team just in case.

“You can be sure that I’m always in contact with my captain or with a few players to speak about them.

“If it would be an illness then it would be easy for the government to say the companies have to give a block after three hours, for example, that they cannot play this game any more.”