NOW, this is hard to swallow.

The European Union has decreed kids' soccer balls must carry a warning that children three years and under risk injury if they swallow a ball.

Yep, that's right. Warning stickers must be placed on balls that are 60cm in circumference, because it's is feared a toddler could put them in its mouth.

Now, the last time Back Paddock looked, a toddler's mouth was about 4cm across. So how are they going to shove a soccer ball in it?

Of course, if there is a chance a toddler could eat them, expect soccer balls to soon carry a warning they may contain traces of nuts.