Caught hooker, line and sinker

The Czech Republic’s players have been fined

£24,000 by their national football association for the excessive celebration of defender Tomas Ujfalusi's birthday after the 2-1 home defeat by Germany last Saturday.

Czech tabloid Sip alleged the players had invited

prostitutes back to their Prague hotel at the end of a booze-fuelled night out.

But skipper Tomas Rosicky said: "There were no prostitutes there and we didn’t go overboard on the alcohol. We have been rightfully punished."

However the players’ antics were bad enough for coach Karel Bruckner to say he had considered tendering his resignation over the incident, although he has promised to deal with the

matter only after the game with Cyprus tonight.

The fine money will be sent to the foundation for

the development of youth players.