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A JAPANESE footballer caused £80,000 of damage after a cheeky kickaround in a Scottish hotel.

The player, a member of the Japanese Olympic team, kicked the ball into a sprinkler and set off the system, flooding rooms.

The rooms had to be evacuated and renovated, racking up a bill that is still unsettled.

The Marriott Hotel in Glasgow has been in talks with Olympics organisers LOCOG and the Japan football authorities after a row broke out over who was liable for the damage.

An insider said: “It was an accident but it caused chaos.

“One sprinkler being activated set off the whole floor and the results were catastrophic.

“Afterwards the hotel was looking to be paid for the damage and LOCOG were in dispute with the Japanese squad about who should pay.

“They still haven’t sorted it out.”

The Japanese team spent time in Glasgow before their match at Hampden against world

champions Spain.

The source said: “The Japanese squad booked 25 rooms, with 23 rooms for the players, coaching staff and officials.

“Two rooms were stripped of all furniture, one to be used as a kit storage room, the other as a medical treatment room. During their stay one of the footballers began booting a ball around the medical room.

“He hit the sprinkler unit in the ceiling. All told the water damage came to £80,000.”

Last night, LOCOG said: “Following some accidental damage we are currently in amicable discussions with all the parties involved, including the hotel, and are confident the issue will be resolved shortly.”

A Marriott spokeswoman said: “An issue did arise that we are dealing with but we have no further comment to make.”