World's top 20 players caused 505 tonnes of CO2 emissions - study

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Bordeaux v Paris St Germain - Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux, France - September 28, 2019 Paris St Germain's Marquinhos in action with Bordeaux's Enock Kwateng REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

(Reuters) - Air travel by the top 20 footballers nominated for the 2019 Ballon d'Or was responsible for producing 505 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions this year alone, according to a climate change researcher.

Andrew Welfle, from Britain's University of Manchester, said soccer bodies and teams must combat climate change by curbing air travel and finding alternative methods for their frequent flier players to reduce CO2 emissions.