Croatia’s national soccer team is on a strict no-reporters diet after their players were caught with their pants down – literally.
Hiding behind ferns at the team's Praia do Forte hotel, photographers snapped revealing photos of defenders Vedran Corluka and Dejan Lovren enjoying the hot tub, naked, on Thursday. They lost their opening match to Brazil only hours earlier.
“They are determined that they will not speak to the media,” Croatia coach Niko Kovac told reporters on Sunday. He defended his team’s decision and said he wasn’t sure how long the media ban will last.
The NSFW images were published in 24Sata, a Croatian tabloid, over the weekend.
“I can’t force them to be at your disposal after what you have done to them and their families,” he continued.
“I respect my players’ opinion and I also know that you have done a very professional job so far but you blew it with this one. The whole world has seen the photos.”
But things may be getting hot and steamy sooner than later for the team as they make their way north to play in severe heat and humidity at the Manaus pitch against Cameroon on Wednesday.
With files from the Associated Press
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