England fans who stay in the world’s largest brothel at Euro 2024 face a thorough debriefing amid fears it’s packed with Chinese spies.
Security experts have warned that Three Lions supporters who check into Pascha in German party city Cologne could become victims of a sex sting.
The 11-storey, 9,000 square metre club is famous Europe-wide for employing 120 sex workers. Part of it is a hotel which is offering cheap rates to football fans during the tournament.
READ MORE: German cities ask for more sex workers to handle Euro 2024 demand from football fans
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Three Lions supporters booked more than 120 rooms during the group matches and today’s last-16 tie with Slovakia which are all nearby.
But the hotel is under investigation amid claims one floor is occupied by Chinese spies. That has sparked fears England fans may have been placed in compromising positions in a bid to recruit them as agents.
(Image: Getty Images)
Anyone who has stayed at the controversial venue could be scrutinised by British intelligence.
Last month 1,000 German police probing a Chinese citizenship and human trafficking racket stormed the villas of lawyers, tax officials and business experts.
The suspected mastermind is on the run from an international arrest warrant but his alleged lawyer accomplice, who according to internal documents played a central role in the purchase of Pascha, is in custody.
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German security expert Stefan Bisanz said Chinese spies had been operating in the country.
He said: “A British fan is more likely to be a victim than a normal citizen who knows the area.”
A UK security source said: “It sounds farcical that a bunch of England fans looking for a cheap bunk to watch the football could end up at the mercy of Chinese intelligence but it’s a classic recruitment trick.
“They’ll be offered everything and probably write it off as a great night out with the lads – until payback arrives. The classic honeytrap.
(Image: DDP/AFP via Getty Images)
“Their antics will be known and they can expect their future behaviour to be monitored and potentially an approach that may be awkward to explain to loved one.”
Pascha laughed off claims it was a haven for Chinese secret agents by announcing discounts for spies.
A spokesman said: “English fans always have a good time with us and our waiters are always grateful. We can’t wait for the English fans to come and visit us in Cologne.”