Croatia's players are refusing to talk to World Cup reporters after photos were published of them bathing nude in the team's swimming pool, coach Niko Kovac said on Sunday, according to The Associated Press.
Two photographers hid in the nearby bushes and took the pictures which were published by online media.
"I can't force them to be at your disposal after what you have done to them and their families," an angry Kovac told reporters in the team's Praia do Forte training base, the AP reported.
The pictures from paparazzo photographers were published by Croatian media, according to the AP.
"How would you feel if someone took naked pictures of you? They are adamant that they won't speak to you lot anymore and I don't know whether the silence will end tomorrow or last until the end of our World Cup campaign," Kovac said, according to the AP. "I respect my players' opinion and I also know that you have done a very professional job so far but you blew it with this one. The whole world has seen the photos."
"They are determined that they will not speak to the media," Kovac added, the AP reported. "I don't know if this will last until tomorrow, or until we are at the World Cup."
"I can't force them to change their minds after what you have done to them and their families," Kovac said, according to the AP. A news conference scheduled for Monday at the Croatian camp near Salvador was canceled.
Croatia plays Cameroon in the Amazon city of Manaus on Wednesday in what is a must-win game for both sides after Croatia lost their opening Group A match to hosts Brazil 3-1 while the West Africans were beaten 1-0 by Mexico, the AP reported.
