MOSCOW — The world’s oldest “sporting activity” is an integral part of the World Cup, but a soccer star’s luck in the tournament depends on his team’s sex policy.
There are very different schools of thought as to whether late-night cardio sessions with a partner are beneficial or detrimental to a player’s hopes of success on the field and the rules laid down by participating nations are a source of fascination for players. fans.
Sex expert Dr Lauren Streicher says sex during the World Cup can only be a good thing for players, with some caveats.
“Research shows that sexual activity has no impact on athletic performance,” Dr. Streicher, medical director of Northwestern University’s Center for Sexual Health and Menopause Center, told USA TODAY Sports . “The effect on performance comes if sex is preceded by alcohol, which is often the case, or if it leads to lack of sleep. So basically, for players, don’t drink before, and don’t Don’t do it all night.”
Some coaches are happy to talk about it, while others only want to discuss on-field scores. Using a combination of media reports, comments from players and staff, revelations from wives and girlfriends and past experiences, we got a good idea of what 19 of the 32 nations do when they are not not on your television screens.
This ranges from the useful – the Argentine football federation has prepared a document for its players with information on how to recruit Russian women – to the downright prohibitive, with German coach Joachim Low banning his players from gymnastics in the room.
Iceland coach Heimar Hallgrimsson has denied imposing a sex ban on his players, but insisted any action must be limited to the team’s wives and girlfriends.
“No, it’s not forbidden. It’s (an expletive),” Hallgrimsson said, after captain Aron Gunnarsson joked that the players were single “at the moment.”
Nigeria’s Gernot Rohr has ordered his team to avoid Russian women, which should come as a relief to a Russian politician, who has asked her compatriots to refrain from having sex with foreigners. However, Nigerian captain John Obi Mikel was exempted from Rohr’s restrictions because he has a long-term Russian girlfriend and requested special permission.
“Yes, players can ask their wives and family to come visit them during the World Cup,” Rohr told Complete Sports. “Each player will have a room to themselves so the family can come on days when we are not preparing for games or on game days. But I won’t allow them to have Russian girls, no, no, no.”
Sometimes sex is a reward. Costa Rica were allowed to host their partners after reaching the round of 16 in 2014, while South Korea were informed by their federation that such a treat would only arrive when the team regularly reached the round of 16. final.
Germany’s total ban doesn’t seem very effective so far, but neither does Argentina’s carefree policy. Brazil, meanwhile, has a long history of enjoying the company of its sexual partners at major events, so much so that national team legend Romario told current star Gabriel Jesus to “get some as much as possible” during his stay in Russia.
Here’s how 20 of the teams control their players’ nighttime habits, or not:
Germany – Sex is banned, as are alcohol and social media.
Nigeria – Wives and girlfriends allowed, but not Russian women – except Captain Mikel
Iceland – No sex ban, only long term partners.
Belgium – Partners are invited to stay with the team for two nights.
Panama – No sex during the tournament.
Portugal – The sexologist wife of Rui Patricio declares that “celibacy would be a mistake”.
England – Wives and girlfriends staying 30 minutes away from the team. “Thank God for FaceTime,” says Jamie Vardy’s wife Rebekah.
Uruguay – Sex was allowed during the 2014 tournament.
Costa Rica – Rewarded with conjugal visits for reaching the round of 16 in 2014.
South Korea – No meetings with relatives until results improve.
Spain – Generally no ban on sexual relations.
Brazil – Partners allowed at team base on certain days.
Argentina – The Federation has distributed a controversial guide on how to pick up Russian women.
Mexico – Several players criticized for hosting a pre-event party with escorts.
Poland – Occasional contacts with partners.
Denmark – Families and partners welcome.
Australia – Families are welcome and have even attended a training session.
Sweden – Wives and girlfriends stayed with the team before the opening match.
Russia – Sex was banned in 2014, but it is rumored to be more relaxed this time around.
