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Top Premier League players are using black magic to try and improve their games.

A report in the Sun claims the superstitious stars are paying thousands of pounds to witchdoctors in a bid to find another level.

The players are visiting Juju men in West Africa, where they are shown how to conduct bizarre rituals that are also said to break the curse of injury.

Emmanuel Adebayor claimed earlier this year that his mum used black magic to ruin his form in front of goal for Spurs.

However, former West Brom striker Brown Ideye has warned some stars are being conned by tribesmen.

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He said: “I know players who get involved with the Juju men and they can’t get out. It’s a trap. They might get short-term benefits, but in the long run they pay for it. Juju men have a lot of influence.

“These are men who are just trying to make themselves rich and tell you they can make your life perfect.

“If things like that worked then instead of Messi and Ronaldo winning world player of the year it should be some African players.

“I would advise players not to follow this route but it’s their choice, I can’t stop them.”

Some of the rituals include the £460-a-time Troupkéka Milika.

(Image: Action)

Benin-based Juju man Marabout Degla explained: “During its nine days you cannot sleep with a woman and you should cover yourself with a white loincloth while you sleep at night."

Also on offer to players is “a magic ring that allows you to dominate playing partners and opponents during every competition you take part in."

Meanwhile, the Sun claim a witch doctor demanded £50,000 from an English team on the eve of a big European game after turning up at their hotel.

An African player urged the club to cough up the cash, but his pleas were rejected by the team's skipper.

However, this is claimed to have come back to haunt the pair as they both dropped clangers in the defeat.

(Image: Rex)

One Premier League player is believed to pay a grand a month to a witchdoctor in Ivory Coast - his wife says the Juju man "is more important than the manager of the club."

She added: “My husband has gone back to his village several times to be cleansed.

“The Juju man might ask him to bring a sacrifice — a spotless white goat, lamb or chicken — which would be slaughtered and then various oaths are made.

“There are many fake witch doctors driving around in Range Rovers and living in mansions. But the genuine Juju man lives in a hut with no water or electricity.

“I don’t think the English players know too much about all this, but some managers are definitely aware because the players excuse themselves at the drop of a hat when the Juju man comes calling.”