Crystal Palace kitchen used by players has been infested with MICE for months

Crystal Palace's training ground kitchen has been infested with mice for months and they have been handed the worst food hygiene rating possible.

Palace train in Beckenham, Kent, and the kitchen is used by the club's Premier League stars and other staff who work there. It was found to be sub-par when assessed earlier in 2018.

The hygiene rating system has a scale from zero to five. Zero means urgent improvement is required.

And when the inspection was carried out on 29 August, 2018, the kitchen was given the lowest possible score of zero, according to KentLive.

The investigating environmental health officer said in the report: 'You have been given a food hygiene rating of 0.

'This is because the conditions found at the time of inspection were unacceptable.

'Personally, I am disappointed as you have failed to ensure the safety of the food you are producing and feeding your staff.'

Within the report, the officer added that a 'significant mouse problem' would require immediate action. He also told them they would have to shut down the kitchen.

His report continued: 'It is clear that you haven't managed the problem effectively and the activity has been ongoing for several months.

'You agreed to voluntarily close the kitchen for a few days to address this matter.

'Appropriate treatment methods must be used to eliminate these pests.'

There was also a suggestion that if food hygiene standards were not improved, formal action could be taken.

Palace were also told to not leave dirty washing hanging overnight, remove the mice droppings and clean all dirty equipment at the end of the day.

There were also damaged and worn chopping boards found in the kitchen.

A spokesman for Crystal Palace said: 'We invested substantially in the training ground over the summer, upgrading facilities for our players and staff, and immediately took action to remedy the issues highlighted in the kitchen area following the works.

'The remedial action was approved by the environmental health inspector and we are confident that our five-star rating at Beckenham will be restored when we are re-inspected, in line with our five-star rating for the kitchen facilities at Selhurst Park.'