A group of professional footballers have been banned from the Cheltenham Festival after being photographed urinating into a glass which was emptied over the balcony.
MK Dons FC midfielder Samir Carruthers, 22, and Northampton Town’s James Collins, 25, were pictured relieving themselves in front of a packed crowd.
The photographs, printed in The Sun, also show Bristol City defender Luke Ayling, 24, smiling and with his arm around Carruthers as the liquid is poured over the railings.
All three clubs said they will investigate the loutish behaviour and Cheltenham has blocked the party from attending day two of the Festival, with the track tweeting: “In regards to images of inappropriate behaviour from yesterday, we have cancelled their booking for today.”
The four-day festival is one of the highlights of the horse racing season, with Zara Phillips among the well-heeled guests at this year’s event.
Tickets to some of the exclusive enclosures can cost more than £700 a day but the images are likely to reignite debate over heavy drinking and vulgar behaviour at racing events.
MK Dons said in a statement: “The club is aware of pictures circulating in the national media of one of its players at the Cheltenham Festival. The club has commenced an internal investigation into the matter.”
Northampton said in a statement: “Northampton Town Football Club have launched an investigation into claims that forward James Collins, currently on loan from Shrewsbury Town, was involved in a drunken incident at Cheltenham racecourse.
“As a club we take any such claims extremely seriously, and we expect the highest standards of behaviour at all times.
“We are unable to comment further until this investigation has been completed.”
Bristol City said in a statement: “We are aware of the disappointing images from the Cheltenham Festival that have been printed in various national newspapers this morning.
“We will be speaking to the players concerned and will take appropriate action where necessary.”