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Spanish side Real Mallorca have instructed its players to follow a set of strict rules for the 2015/16 season, ESPN reports. Ranging from banning the use of hats on the team bus to instructions not to steal toilet paper, the bizarre set of rules comes into effect this weekend.
Mallorca are in their 100th year of existence but rather than coming up with celebratory plans, the club officials have come up with the new rules in an effort to instil discipline into their squad. Founded in 1916, the club are currently playing in the second tier of Spanish football and they will be hopeful that the new set of rules work out as they attempt a return to La Liga for the first time since the 2012/13 season.
The major talking point is the imposing of a curfew with players expected to hit the bed by 11 PM although manager Albert Ferrer can allow a relaxation in the timing by two hours, once a week. According to the Balearics Island's IB3 radio, the timings will be understandably different when a match is round the corner. On the day before the match, the timing will be extended to midnight and on match nights the curfew doesn’t come into effect till 3 AM.
Among the more bizzare rules are restrictions on player’s style statements. They have been told to do away with ‘extravagant’ haircuts while a ban has been imposed on wearing necklaces and body piercings. Even the use of hats on the team bus and in changing rooms has been banned, on the lines of a similar enforcement by Neil Lennon when he took over as manager of Bolton Wanderers.
Weirder rules follow with the players instructed not to steal toilet paper, water and isotonic drinks meant for club purposes for personal use. On a serious note, gambling while on club duty has been prohibited and it also been made mandatory that players freshen up after training in the club locker room itself.
The draft of the set of rules was passed by the club board in June and has been handed as a rulebook to the players already ahead as the rules come into effect starting today with Mallorca set to kick-off their Segunda Division campaign with a trip to Alcorcon.
