AC Milan, Ghana midfielder Michael Essien slams Ebola reports as "false"

Michael Essien and his club AC Milan have both categorically denied reports that the player has contracted Ebola.

Reports had surfaced in Africa over the weekend claiming that the former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder had caught the virus.

However, the Ghana international, who has appeared three times for the Rossoneri this season, was quick to dismiss the rumours with a tweet using the hashtag #falsenews.

Not long after, his club published a statement on their website saying that they "categorically deny any presumed pieces of news from abroad about our players. Such reports, totally unfounded, have also never been confirmed by any members of our club."

Reports emanating from Africa quoted Milan's press spokesman Riccardo Coli confirming that Essien had indeed caught the virus.

Essien said he will be in training as usual from Monday, preparing for Milan's trip to Hellas Verona on Sunday.