A TOP-FLIGHT club is mired in scandal after it was claimed that players were involved in a raunchy late-night party at their stadium.
Local newspaper Bergens Tidende has revealed allegations of 12 players from Norwegian club SK Brann inviting four women back to their home ground after a boozy night out.
The unnamed stars are said to have attended Boccone Ristorante in the city after a training game on Monday night.
After continuing the evening at a nightclub, they ended up taking a trip to the 17,000-capacity Brann Stadion.
It is alleged that members of the party had sex in the stadium, including the dressing room.
Phones are said to have been left outside the arena to ensure nobody filmed the event, which was nonetheless caught by security cameras.
Reports suggest there is also evidence that at least some of the revellers entered the pitch – before the evening finally ended at 5am.
Brann figures have strongly condemned the incident, which comes with the club stuck in last place of Norway’s top-flight, the Eliteserien.
Captain Daniel Pedersen insisted that he will not confirm who was at the party, including whether he was present.
He said: “Now we just have to lie down and apologise for what has happened.
“The only thing we can do now is deliver some good performances in the next match.
“This should never have happened. It is the first time in my career I have experienced such a case.”
Brann have confirmed plans to take action against those responsible but it has been reported that the sheer number of players involved means suspensions would leave the team without most of its senior stars.
Coach Eirik Horneland, who only took charge of the club last month, said: “The timing is terribly weak.
“We have an extremely important match on Sunday, and when we choose to go this way, it is incredibly unwise.
“Everything about the case irritates me endlessly, but we can not reverse it.”
‘NOT RIGHT’
Former Southampton and Brighton player Vegard Forren has since had his contract terminated, although the club have asserted that the defender’s exit has been discussed for weeks and is not related to the party.
General manager Vibeke Johannesen said of the episode: “It was not permitted by the club.
“They have drunk alcohol, been to the stadium and had the party. It is very serious and we have taken it up with them.
“This must disappoint their team-mates and all of us who work in the club. This is not how we want to appear as a club, and it was not right.”
When supporters are trying to mobilise people in battle to support the team, this is disrespectful.
Erlend Vagane
Fans have voiced their fury at Brann’s players with a key clash at home to Sandefjord coming up on Sunday as the club chase only their second league win in 14 games.
Supporters’ group chairman Erlend Vagane said: “We react quite strongly to what has happened.
“When Brann is where they are, and the supporters are trying to mobilise people in battle to support the team, this is disrespectful.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
