England have ordered a cover-up at their Euro 2024 team hotel by kicking out a rule insisting they could only use the spa in the nude.
The Three Lions faced flashing their tackle at the Weimarer Land Spa and Golf resort which normally has a naked-only policy in its fitness suite. Guests can usually only use the spa, steam room and plunge pool if they agree to ditch their trunks.
But Football Association bosses – who forked out £850,000 to take over the 94-room hotel for the duration of the tournament – did not want their superstars baring all.
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While Jude Bellingham wowed the world by posing for photos wearing a skimpy pair of tight white pants as the new face of Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS company, others may not have been so keen to strip off.
German hotel bosses agreed to waive their rule and have given the players special permission to wear their swimmers.
A spokesman said: “We normally don’t allow clothes in the spa but it’s up to the FA what they do when they arrive. They are our honoured guests and can do whatever makes them most comfortable while at the resort.”
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford rated the luxury hotel set in its own grounds in the rolling hills near the town of Blankenhain, eastern Germany, as “definitely the best” he has stayed in for a major international tournament.
“The FA and England always go that extra yard and this one’s special,” he added.
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
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It boasts state-of-the-art football pitches – where the Lions’ trained – 45 golf holes, conference rooms, a games area with snooker and table tennis, two Michelin-starred restaurants and a robot waiter called Robbie who collects the plates.
FA chiefs have installed padel and basketball courts to keep the players entertained, filled their rooms with family photos and even sprayed special fragrances around the venue to give them a sense of familiarity.
Air conditioning and wifi has been boosted and English satellite TV installed in the rooms. But it was in the spa England chiefs had to make the biggest change.
(Image: Getty Images)
Signs at the entrance announce “Hier beginnt der textilfrei bereich,” meaning “Here begins the clothes-free area.”
The clothing ban extends to men and women in the mixed spa area. One former guest, who stayed at the hotel earlier this year. said: “I was wandering around and got quite a shock in the plunge pool.
“No-one was wearing anything – not even goggles. I soon realised I was the odd one out and I had to take my trunks off too. Quite liberating it was.
“But I couldn’t imagine sitting in the sauna with Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and the rest in the altogether.”
An FA spokesman said the naturist rule had been dropped for the team.
A source close to the squad said: “We’re aware of the rule about clothing in the spa but it won’t apply while we’re here. Shorts will be the norm.”