London - Everton goalkeeper Richard Wright has been given a yellow card by childbirth experts.

The rescheduled birth of his daughter will enable him to play in Sunday's match against Liverpool.

Wright's daughter, Bo, was born a week early after doctors induced his wife Kelly's labour to ensure the goalkeeper could be present at both big events. "I just didn't want to miss any games," the 25-year-old England international explained.

But Mary Nolan, a tutor for the British Childbirth Trust, slammed Wright's action. "To induce a birth for the sake of a football match seems unnecessary and exposes the mother to risks she may not have had in a natural birth. The safest thing to do is to let nature take its course." - Sapa-AFP
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• This article was originally published on page 1 of The Star on December 20, 2002